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A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES BY: SARAH J. MAAS
I LOVED this book. I mean what's not to love, a Beauty and the Beast retelling with Fae?! And the Fae were gloriously depicted here. Haughty, dangerous, magical and completely alluring. I really enjoyed getting to spend so much time in their captivating world. Prythian was so mysterious and enchanting, a place full of extreme beauty and danger.
The characters were fabulous as well. Maas has a penchant for writing such rich, strong heroines. Feyre was a good mix of beauty and beast, I think. Tamlin may have been the one to shift from man to beast, but Feyre had a little beast of her own inside her. She was a young woman shaped by a rough life full of hard decisions. It can be difficult to see the beauty in the world when you're struggling so hard just to survive in it. I especially loved watching her actually come to life in her time spent in Prythian.
"When he finished, I tipped back my head and howled, my laughter like sunshine shattering age-hardened ice."
Tamlin was pretty much everything I thought he would be. He made a great Beast. I thought Lucien was a nice addition, his general smartassery was right up my alley. And I am totally intrigued with the curveball that is Rhysand! I need to know more about him! Seriously....so much more.
The writing was gorgeous as well. Maas is wonderful storyteller, the imagery was bold and rich and I loved every second of it! I am so excited that the ending of this story left a lot gloriously open for more to happen in this amazing world that Maas has created. I will be waiting with bated breath until the next book comes out!
I LOVED this book. I mean what's not to love, a Beauty and the Beast retelling with Fae?! And the Fae were gloriously depicted here. Haughty, dangerous, magical and completely alluring. I really enjoyed getting to spend so much time in their captivating world. Prythian was so mysterious and enchanting, a place full of extreme beauty and danger.
The characters were fabulous as well. Maas has a penchant for writing such rich, strong heroines. Feyre was a good mix of beauty and beast, I think. Tamlin may have been the one to shift from man to beast, but Feyre had a little beast of her own inside her. She was a young woman shaped by a rough life full of hard decisions. It can be difficult to see the beauty in the world when you're struggling so hard just to survive in it. I especially loved watching her actually come to life in her time spent in Prythian.
"When he finished, I tipped back my head and howled, my laughter like sunshine shattering age-hardened ice."
Tamlin was pretty much everything I thought he would be. He made a great Beast. I thought Lucien was a nice addition, his general smartassery was right up my alley. And I am totally intrigued with the curveball that is Rhysand! I need to know more about him! Seriously....so much more.
The writing was gorgeous as well. Maas is wonderful storyteller, the imagery was bold and rich and I loved every second of it! I am so excited that the ending of this story left a lot gloriously open for more to happen in this amazing world that Maas has created. I will be waiting with bated breath until the next book comes out!
BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN BY: KIRA ADAMS
I was so excited to see Lee and Jacqueline's story! I knew that Jacqueline had a rough past, but it was heartbreaking finally getting the full story. I absolutely love some of the harsher aspects of life and people's issues that Adams explores in her novels. Everything always feels genuine and real. Bipolar disorder isn't something I have read about before, and I found it refreshing to explore here. I think there was a lot of care in how it was brought out and I appreciated a realistic approach to the subject. And even though I was off put by Lee's initial reaction to finding out that Jacqueline had this disorder, I did feel that his reaction probably was very realistic to how some people at that age, in that more casual dating (totally nice way of saying just looking for some nookie) mindset would react. So even though it pissed me off, it honestly fit the situation, and gave Lee no where to go but up, as far as my opinion of him.
I really liked Travis too. I worried for a bit that this was going to turn into a love triangle similar to the previous book, but thankfully it never went there. I thought he was a great friend to Jacqueline, and I really didn't even fault him for the way he handled the situation when things seemed too daunting to him. Sometimes, as hard as it can be, you can't save/fix people that aren't ready to accept that new path or help, no matter how hard you try. So I kind of understood where he was coming from. I also got the feeling he may have been Jacqueline's crutch in a way, and their time apart would probably be a good thing for both of them.
There were a lot of times I actually felt that Jacqueline could do better than Lee. He made a lot of mistakes in the beginning and I wasn't always a fan of the way he viewed her or her struggles. He seemed to come around more as the story progressed but I wasn't always sure if it was for the best reasons or not. In the end I could see why they worked well together though. And I enjoyed the journey of them getting there. I am really curious to see where this series goes next!
I was so excited to see Lee and Jacqueline's story! I knew that Jacqueline had a rough past, but it was heartbreaking finally getting the full story. I absolutely love some of the harsher aspects of life and people's issues that Adams explores in her novels. Everything always feels genuine and real. Bipolar disorder isn't something I have read about before, and I found it refreshing to explore here. I think there was a lot of care in how it was brought out and I appreciated a realistic approach to the subject. And even though I was off put by Lee's initial reaction to finding out that Jacqueline had this disorder, I did feel that his reaction probably was very realistic to how some people at that age, in that more casual dating (totally nice way of saying just looking for some nookie) mindset would react. So even though it pissed me off, it honestly fit the situation, and gave Lee no where to go but up, as far as my opinion of him.
I really liked Travis too. I worried for a bit that this was going to turn into a love triangle similar to the previous book, but thankfully it never went there. I thought he was a great friend to Jacqueline, and I really didn't even fault him for the way he handled the situation when things seemed too daunting to him. Sometimes, as hard as it can be, you can't save/fix people that aren't ready to accept that new path or help, no matter how hard you try. So I kind of understood where he was coming from. I also got the feeling he may have been Jacqueline's crutch in a way, and their time apart would probably be a good thing for both of them.
There were a lot of times I actually felt that Jacqueline could do better than Lee. He made a lot of mistakes in the beginning and I wasn't always a fan of the way he viewed her or her struggles. He seemed to come around more as the story progressed but I wasn't always sure if it was for the best reasons or not. In the end I could see why they worked well together though. And I enjoyed the journey of them getting there. I am really curious to see where this series goes next!
THE SUFFERING BY: RIN CHUPECO + A GIVEAWAY!
4.5 stars!
Well color me impressed! The Suffering was everything I could have hoped for in a sequel. I am really blown away at the thoughtfulness Chupeco put in from the very first sentence to the very last. There wasn't an inch of space that didn't aid in making this story come together in the most fabulous way. One of the things I loved the most is Chepeco's way of writing horror. The Suffering was a potent mix of traditional horror and psychological thriller. I appreciated that even the most visually spine-chilling spirits in this story weren't always the most malevolent things creeping up behind you. Sometimes the most ordinary, innocuous appearing PEOPLE were more monstrous than any wraith.
Furthermore these nefarious characters, more often than not, were the ones that molded those vengeful spirits into the horrors that they ultimately became. In the end I found I had a hearty mixture of fear and pity towards these savage spirits.
I would I also like to say that I am eating my own words from my review of The Girl From the Well where I said that Tark was not quite as interesting as the affliction he bore. Yep, I was gloriously proven wrong in this sequel. Being in Tarquin head in this story was a much different experience than being in Okiku's in the first book. Each had their ups and downs, but I have to say I think I much preferred Tark's point of view. What's even better is that we still got clips from Okiku since her and Tarquin are so intertwined in The Suffering. I was totally engrossed in the symbiotic relationship between Tark and Okiku. It was a perfect balance, and I found Tarquin to be a very intriguing character that I was really rooting for! I also think that Tarquin had matured since the last book, which I found to be a really nice addition as well.
I couldn't have asked for a better setting either.The Aokigahara (aka the Suicide Forest, wiki link for more info...https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aokigahara) was such a menacing and poignant place.The Aokigahara is chilling enough in what we know to be facts about it, and the myths surrounding that are hard to just write off as nothing when so much suffering flocks there. It was the perfect place for a story such as this one to take place. It definitely added to the mysterious and unnerving atmosphere of the tale. I really like stories like this that take a real piece of mythology/legend and weave their own tales out of it. That makes even the fantastical feel like it could be possible.
There were definitely times, especially while reading at night in bed, where the creepiness of the story had my heart racing and me not so casually looking using my Kindle on full brightness to shine around the room....just to make sure nothing strange was lurking. I wasn't necessarily hiding under the blankies, but it was enough that when I actually put the book up for the night I did spend a chunk of time laying there in the dark, hyper-listening for any unwelcomed movements lol.
Yet again the Japanese culture was rich and expertly weaved in throughout the story. Every time I read a Rin Chupeco book I find myself searching on the internet for more about all the enchanting lore and culture she puts in her stories. I also appreciate her affinity for the antihero. I can't help but to cheer on these characters that take matters into their own hands and avenge the innocent souls that perished at the hands of others. I find it chillingly satisfying each time, Okiku especially, exacts her gruesome justice upon the wicked. I only hope that this won't be the last time we see Tarquin and Okiku taking on the world!
I received a copy of this book from Sourcebooks Fire via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
****To enter for your chance to win a copy of both The Girl From the Well and The Suffering, please click the following link to my blog and there you will find a Rafflecopter giveaway! https://bookwormcoalition.wordpress.com/2015/09/01/the-suffering-by-rin-chupeco-review-excerpt-a-giveaway/
Good Luck, my friends! ****
4.5 stars!
Well color me impressed! The Suffering was everything I could have hoped for in a sequel. I am really blown away at the thoughtfulness Chupeco put in from the very first sentence to the very last. There wasn't an inch of space that didn't aid in making this story come together in the most fabulous way. One of the things I loved the most is Chepeco's way of writing horror. The Suffering was a potent mix of traditional horror and psychological thriller. I appreciated that even the most visually spine-chilling spirits in this story weren't always the most malevolent things creeping up behind you. Sometimes the most ordinary, innocuous appearing PEOPLE were more monstrous than any wraith.
Furthermore these nefarious characters, more often than not, were the ones that molded those vengeful spirits into the horrors that they ultimately became. In the end I found I had a hearty mixture of fear and pity towards these savage spirits.
I would I also like to say that I am eating my own words from my review of The Girl From the Well where I said that Tark was not quite as interesting as the affliction he bore. Yep, I was gloriously proven wrong in this sequel. Being in Tarquin head in this story was a much different experience than being in Okiku's in the first book. Each had their ups and downs, but I have to say I think I much preferred Tark's point of view. What's even better is that we still got clips from Okiku since her and Tarquin are so intertwined in The Suffering. I was totally engrossed in the symbiotic relationship between Tark and Okiku. It was a perfect balance, and I found Tarquin to be a very intriguing character that I was really rooting for! I also think that Tarquin had matured since the last book, which I found to be a really nice addition as well.
I couldn't have asked for a better setting either.The Aokigahara (aka the Suicide Forest, wiki link for more info...https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aokigahara) was such a menacing and poignant place.The Aokigahara is chilling enough in what we know to be facts about it, and the myths surrounding that are hard to just write off as nothing when so much suffering flocks there. It was the perfect place for a story such as this one to take place. It definitely added to the mysterious and unnerving atmosphere of the tale. I really like stories like this that take a real piece of mythology/legend and weave their own tales out of it. That makes even the fantastical feel like it could be possible.
There were definitely times, especially while reading at night in bed, where the creepiness of the story had my heart racing and me not so casually looking using my Kindle on full brightness to shine around the room....just to make sure nothing strange was lurking. I wasn't necessarily hiding under the blankies, but it was enough that when I actually put the book up for the night I did spend a chunk of time laying there in the dark, hyper-listening for any unwelcomed movements lol.
Yet again the Japanese culture was rich and expertly weaved in throughout the story. Every time I read a Rin Chupeco book I find myself searching on the internet for more about all the enchanting lore and culture she puts in her stories. I also appreciate her affinity for the antihero. I can't help but to cheer on these characters that take matters into their own hands and avenge the innocent souls that perished at the hands of others. I find it chillingly satisfying each time, Okiku especially, exacts her gruesome justice upon the wicked. I only hope that this won't be the last time we see Tarquin and Okiku taking on the world!
I received a copy of this book from Sourcebooks Fire via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
****To enter for your chance to win a copy of both The Girl From the Well and The Suffering, please click the following link to my blog and there you will find a Rafflecopter giveaway! https://bookwormcoalition.wordpress.com/2015/09/01/the-suffering-by-rin-chupeco-review-excerpt-a-giveaway/
Good Luck, my friends! ****
THE RAVEN BOYS BY: MAGGIE STIEFVATER
I've been trying to think of what to say about this story and sort through my confusing thoughts on how I feel about it....and after a week of that, I am not any closer to being able to put any of these scattered thoughts into any kind of eloquent review. So I'll just throw what I got out here for you.
I think more than anything, I was kind of let down. I have heard people RAVE about this book so I went in with some pretty high expectations, which ultimately set me up to be disappointed. I guess I was just expecting more. More action, more plot development, more intrigue, more character development, just more of so many things that left me wanting for far too long to call this book a big success for me. The pacing was basically glacial, and by the time things got around to being thoroughly interesting, I was already in a state of being mostly disinterested.
I will say that I thought the writing style was unique and quirky, and so were some of the characters. Blue and Gansey seemed to be the only two that felt fully fleshed out. I think the rest of the Raven boys felt like stereotypical sidekicks that didn't bring too much new to the table. I found their whole friendship to be rather odd, the fact that they were all pretty much together just because Gansey collected misfits. It left the whole thing feeling disjointed to me.
I did find Blue's whole family to be fascinating and once the plot did start taking off there was a lot of neat things happening. I would probably give the second book a try and see where things go from here. I'd say that the next book will be the one to either get me invested in this series or convince me to cut my losses and walk away.
I've been trying to think of what to say about this story and sort through my confusing thoughts on how I feel about it....and after a week of that, I am not any closer to being able to put any of these scattered thoughts into any kind of eloquent review. So I'll just throw what I got out here for you.
I think more than anything, I was kind of let down. I have heard people RAVE about this book so I went in with some pretty high expectations, which ultimately set me up to be disappointed. I guess I was just expecting more. More action, more plot development, more intrigue, more character development, just more of so many things that left me wanting for far too long to call this book a big success for me. The pacing was basically glacial, and by the time things got around to being thoroughly interesting, I was already in a state of being mostly disinterested.
I will say that I thought the writing style was unique and quirky, and so were some of the characters. Blue and Gansey seemed to be the only two that felt fully fleshed out. I think the rest of the Raven boys felt like stereotypical sidekicks that didn't bring too much new to the table. I found their whole friendship to be rather odd, the fact that they were all pretty much together just because Gansey collected misfits. It left the whole thing feeling disjointed to me.
I did find Blue's whole family to be fascinating and once the plot did start taking off there was a lot of neat things happening. I would probably give the second book a try and see where things go from here. I'd say that the next book will be the one to either get me invested in this series or convince me to cut my losses and walk away.
HEIR OF FIRE BY: SARAH J. MAAS
FINALLY!!! Heir of Fire was everything I was waiting for in the Throne of Glass series!! I did enjoy the previous two books, but to me they were good, not great. This book was GREAT. I loved the new perspectives we've been given in this book, each new addition was interesting and I couldn't stop wanting more and more of everyone's stories! I absolutely loved the change of setting for Celaena! I was completely enamored with the demi-fae village and the inhabitants. It was thrilling to see the magic really coming alive there.
The progressions in Ardalan while seemingly subdued in comparison to the other cities, was still quite interesting. I really enjoyed the addition of Aedion. I think he and Celaena have so much in common and I can only hope they get a proper reunion one day....maybe in the next book! I think Chaol was probably more interesting in this book than he has ever been. I don't know what it is about him, maybe it was his blind obedience that has always just rubbed me the wrong way, but I could never bring myself to care much about him or see what he really brought to the story. I could see more clearly in this book where his place was and I think he has started evolving into something more than he was, and I am glad for it. I was happy to see Dorian moving forward in his various pursuits as well. I was especially crushed for him at the end of this book. I was not expecting everything that ended up going down and I am so worried about the Prince and his future in this series!
The addition of the witches was also a good one! I know they're technically the "bad guys" and all, but that didn't;t make what they were up to any less captivating! Especially considering this was a bloodier, meaner variation of How to Train Your Dragon! The wyverns were so awesome! And I found Manon and Abraxos's growing relationship to be just incredible. I liked the nature vs nurture element that came into play concerning both the Ironteeth witches and the wyverns. It left me wondering if there was a chance that maybe Manon could potentially change her alliances and maybe even be a part of a better future of the realms that Celaena so desperately wants. I suppose we shall see!
All I know now is that I need to get my hands on the next book asap....I am nervous and so terribly excited to see where things go from here!
FINALLY!!! Heir of Fire was everything I was waiting for in the Throne of Glass series!! I did enjoy the previous two books, but to me they were good, not great. This book was GREAT. I loved the new perspectives we've been given in this book, each new addition was interesting and I couldn't stop wanting more and more of everyone's stories! I absolutely loved the change of setting for Celaena! I was completely enamored with the demi-fae village and the inhabitants. It was thrilling to see the magic really coming alive there.
The progressions in Ardalan while seemingly subdued in comparison to the other cities, was still quite interesting. I really enjoyed the addition of Aedion. I think he and Celaena have so much in common and I can only hope they get a proper reunion one day....maybe in the next book! I think Chaol was probably more interesting in this book than he has ever been. I don't know what it is about him, maybe it was his blind obedience that has always just rubbed me the wrong way, but I could never bring myself to care much about him or see what he really brought to the story. I could see more clearly in this book where his place was and I think he has started evolving into something more than he was, and I am glad for it. I was happy to see Dorian moving forward in his various pursuits as well. I was especially crushed for him at the end of this book. I was not expecting everything that ended up going down and I am so worried about the Prince and his future in this series!
The addition of the witches was also a good one! I know they're technically the "bad guys" and all, but that didn't;t make what they were up to any less captivating! Especially considering this was a bloodier, meaner variation of How to Train Your Dragon! The wyverns were so awesome! And I found Manon and Abraxos's growing relationship to be just incredible. I liked the nature vs nurture element that came into play concerning both the Ironteeth witches and the wyverns. It left me wondering if there was a chance that maybe Manon could potentially change her alliances and maybe even be a part of a better future of the realms that Celaena so desperately wants. I suppose we shall see!
All I know now is that I need to get my hands on the next book asap....I am nervous and so terribly excited to see where things go from here!
I fell in love with Emma’s writing in her YA fantasy, the Ondine Quartet, I was instantly swept away in her enchanting ability to immerse you in such a magical world with it’s captivating inhabitants. Reading Breaking Measures was a completely different experience, and even though there was no magic in the storyline, it still felt weaved throughout the entire story. The writing was hauntingly beautiful, every description was cultivated with such care. The music and it’s instruments felt like living, breathing beings, luring you in with their seductive siren’s song. I felt as if I were right there with Leila watching her perfectly crafted world shatter around her piece by structured piece. The mystery was fantastic! I loved the scramble for the next clue and getting knocked upside the head with each shocking twist and turn. This was a fabulous prequel and I can’t wait to see what awaits Leila next in A Woven Silence!
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review
4.5 Stars
Wow. Just wow. What can I say about this book?! It was fantastic, and bursting with surprises. It went in so many different directions that I never saw coming, and I truly loved every twist and turn. Shattered Blue really knocked my socks off! I love that feeling you get towards the end of a great book when you are up in the middle of the night, unable to rest until you've absorbed every last word, and even afterwards you lay there, a bundle of untamable energy just marveling at the sheer brilliance of what you just read.
I think the thing that really got me was I wasn't exactly prepared for how smart and intricate this plot ended up being. It was sneaky, like a ninja. I feel like Shattered Blue started out being something smaller, something simple but still good, I just wasn't expecting it to rock my world like it did. About halfway through little things started happening, adding an extra layer here and an extra layer there to the plot line, and by the end the only thing shattered was my mind! This ended up going in so many new exciting places and I seriously don't know how I am going to get through the agony of waiting for the second book when this one isn't even released yet!
I also have to add that I have read a decent amount of Fae books, and some of them are my favorite books of all time, so I have to give this book credit for coming into this scene, amongst some heavy contenders, swinging hard. I liked that there were some very unique elements to these Fae and their world. It was a fresh take on something that's been done many times before and I really appreciated the exceptional additions that made this story something different.
The romance was also something I can say took a turn in a direction that I was not anticipating, and the story was much better for it, in my opinion. This was yet another aspect that I thought I had a figured out and it ended up growing into something with a lot more depth than I was expecting, and quite a few shocking twists. I wasn't entirely impressed with the feel at the beginning where I thought that this was going to be an insta love type relationship. I really loved that as the story progressed and the characters matured, so did their relationships. I think there was a great play on the naivety of falling so hard so fast for someone that you really might not know as well as you thought you did, and the dangerous and damaging consequences of such. I thought it was a genius move and I really can't wait to see where the next book will take things!
I did enjoy the shifting points of views as well, my only real complaint about this book would be was I think that it would have been better, or would be better in the future books, to keep the POVs down to maybe the main 3 characters. I didn't think a few of them, Mile's voice for example, added much of anything to the story, and it I think it was just unnecessary. But who knows, maybe I am wrong and that's some sort of set up for him to bring more to things in the future books. I was just a little confused of his narration in this one.
All in all this was an awesome read, I was super impressed and will definitely be on the lookout for the next book and more from this author!
I received a copy of this book from Amazon Publishing Skyscape via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Wow. Just wow. What can I say about this book?! It was fantastic, and bursting with surprises. It went in so many different directions that I never saw coming, and I truly loved every twist and turn. Shattered Blue really knocked my socks off! I love that feeling you get towards the end of a great book when you are up in the middle of the night, unable to rest until you've absorbed every last word, and even afterwards you lay there, a bundle of untamable energy just marveling at the sheer brilliance of what you just read.
I think the thing that really got me was I wasn't exactly prepared for how smart and intricate this plot ended up being. It was sneaky, like a ninja. I feel like Shattered Blue started out being something smaller, something simple but still good, I just wasn't expecting it to rock my world like it did. About halfway through little things started happening, adding an extra layer here and an extra layer there to the plot line, and by the end the only thing shattered was my mind! This ended up going in so many new exciting places and I seriously don't know how I am going to get through the agony of waiting for the second book when this one isn't even released yet!
I also have to add that I have read a decent amount of Fae books, and some of them are my favorite books of all time, so I have to give this book credit for coming into this scene, amongst some heavy contenders, swinging hard. I liked that there were some very unique elements to these Fae and their world. It was a fresh take on something that's been done many times before and I really appreciated the exceptional additions that made this story something different.
The romance was also something I can say took a turn in a direction that I was not anticipating, and the story was much better for it, in my opinion. This was yet another aspect that I thought I had a figured out and it ended up growing into something with a lot more depth than I was expecting, and quite a few shocking twists. I wasn't entirely impressed with the feel at the beginning where I thought that this was going to be an insta love type relationship. I really loved that as the story progressed and the characters matured, so did their relationships. I think there was a great play on the naivety of falling so hard so fast for someone that you really might not know as well as you thought you did, and the dangerous and damaging consequences of such. I thought it was a genius move and I really can't wait to see where the next book will take things!
I did enjoy the shifting points of views as well, my only real complaint about this book would be was I think that it would have been better, or would be better in the future books, to keep the POVs down to maybe the main 3 characters. I didn't think a few of them, Mile's voice for example, added much of anything to the story, and it I think it was just unnecessary. But who knows, maybe I am wrong and that's some sort of set up for him to bring more to things in the future books. I was just a little confused of his narration in this one.
All in all this was an awesome read, I was super impressed and will definitely be on the lookout for the next book and more from this author!
I received a copy of this book from Amazon Publishing Skyscape via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Absolute madness, I tell you! It never ceases to amaze me how much of a punch these little books pack! It's so bittersweet reading the last book in a series that you loved. One of the best parts about Scrape was that you were immediately dropped right back into the sheer chaos that Sandman ended in, so you really didn't even have a spare minute to think about the fact that this is the last Reveler book until you've already reached the end!
I loved every action packed second, even when I was hanging right off the edge of my seat desperately hoping that the next page wouldn't be the page where one of my favorite characters were going to meet a disastrous end. Especially once it became apparent that NO ONE would come out of this unscathed.
I am sad to see this series come to an end but I think this last book did a wonderful job at wrapping everything up. The final showdown with the Sandman was not at all what I was expecting but it actually fit the story perfectly and I wouldn't change a thing. While I was saddened by some of the things that befell my beloved characters, I did think that the end held a certain note of hopefulness, it felt much like the quiet moments after a devastating storm, where you take in the destruction around you, mourn the things lost, but also hold the things you hold dearest that much tighter and be thankful they're still there for you to hold, even if they're battered and a little broken. It's a time to take stock and also look ahead to rebuilding around the things you have. I like to imagine that they will have some happier days ahead of them.
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
A THOUSAND NIGHTS BY: E.K. JOHNSTON
The exoticness of the setting was highlighted beautifully through the likeness of it's narrator. The "Lady Bless", which funny enough I don't think we even learned her true name, just titles like the one above for instance that were used by many characters. I loved seeing this world through the shrewdness of her eyes. She had am uncanny way of reading people and feeling so much while letting almost no one in on her true feelings and emotions. It really was no stretch of the imagination to see her effortlessly take the role of Queen. It was made even better when you threw in the humbleness, appreciation for hard work, strength of character, and the grit it takes to survive in such a treacherous place.
On the other side of the token, when we got glimpses through Lo-Melkhiin's eyes it felt as detached and devoid of emotion as the character himself, which was also nice. I liked getting the peeks into his mind and the depths of his wickedness, it only helped Lady Bless's observations of him seem more intuitive and precise. I was very intrigued about what made Lo-Melkhinn tick and what exactly he was capable of. It was apparent by the fact that he had already slain 300 previous wives that something sinister was definitely afoot.
The setting itself really took on a life of it's own, which I absolutely adored. The severity of the setting only helped build stronger characters. You knew that to survive in such harsh conditions that they had to be made of sturdier stuff. I really appreciated the unique voice that told this story. The plot was very interesting. I thought there was a harmonious balance of dark and light in this story. You got the feeling that Lo-Melkhiin had, possibly, finally met his match in his enigmatic wife.
I really felt as if I was transported to this mysterious, magical land from the very beginning. The writing was so visceral and descriptive I felt almost as if I could see in vivid color every swatch of cloth, grain of sand, or creature lurking. Truly beautiful writing and along with an intriguing plot it made this a fabulously effortless read!
I received a copy of this book from Disney Book Group, Disney Hyperion via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The exoticness of the setting was highlighted beautifully through the likeness of it's narrator. The "Lady Bless", which funny enough I don't think we even learned her true name, just titles like the one above for instance that were used by many characters. I loved seeing this world through the shrewdness of her eyes. She had am uncanny way of reading people and feeling so much while letting almost no one in on her true feelings and emotions. It really was no stretch of the imagination to see her effortlessly take the role of Queen. It was made even better when you threw in the humbleness, appreciation for hard work, strength of character, and the grit it takes to survive in such a treacherous place.
On the other side of the token, when we got glimpses through Lo-Melkhiin's eyes it felt as detached and devoid of emotion as the character himself, which was also nice. I liked getting the peeks into his mind and the depths of his wickedness, it only helped Lady Bless's observations of him seem more intuitive and precise. I was very intrigued about what made Lo-Melkhinn tick and what exactly he was capable of. It was apparent by the fact that he had already slain 300 previous wives that something sinister was definitely afoot.
The setting itself really took on a life of it's own, which I absolutely adored. The severity of the setting only helped build stronger characters. You knew that to survive in such harsh conditions that they had to be made of sturdier stuff. I really appreciated the unique voice that told this story. The plot was very interesting. I thought there was a harmonious balance of dark and light in this story. You got the feeling that Lo-Melkhiin had, possibly, finally met his match in his enigmatic wife.
I really felt as if I was transported to this mysterious, magical land from the very beginning. The writing was so visceral and descriptive I felt almost as if I could see in vivid color every swatch of cloth, grain of sand, or creature lurking. Truly beautiful writing and along with an intriguing plot it made this a fabulously effortless read!
I received a copy of this book from Disney Book Group, Disney Hyperion via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
NOCTE BY: COURTNEY COLE
Well that was one hell of a ride! Nocte was quite the experience. I really liked the alternating points of view between Calla and Finn! I thought that really ended up accentuating the major plot twist and made it that much more mind boggling. I think there was a lot of thought and care put into each element of this story, the subtle hints that something was off, the beautiful and haunting setting, the careful words that each character said and thought, it all cumulated to make one big stereogram like image that you had to uncover with laser like focus.
I thought the setting was outstanding. I loved the feeling of seclusion, and being surrounded by such gorgeous yet dangerous things. Add in the extra bonus of it being a funeral home that they lived in, so you had that unnerving, constant submersion in quite literally living with death. It was almost as powerful as the fact that the characters were also dealing with the crushing loss factor of having death strike in their own family.
Calla and Finn were so intriguing. Twins, I think, are so interesting in that they seem to have such an extra special connection, and you're not quite sure how deep that connection can actually go. I enjoyed the contrast between the two, with Finn's struggle with his sanity and guarding his secrets, and Calla's inner turmoil over wanting to live while being so heavily burdened by death, guilt, and wanting to uncover the truth and help her ailing brother. Dare was a curious addition to the story that I was initially weary of. The first meetings between Dare and Calla felt kind of insta-love and that's not really my jam. But ultimately their relationship developed slowly and by the end I understood everything and think it all was done perfectly.
That ending was explosive! Everything was leading to this ending and it rocks your world! I have to say that I did end up having a good inclination as to what the huge revelation would be, but I really don't fell like it lessened the blow anymore when it came. I still teared up a little at the sheer devastation. But man, oh man, those last few paragraphs! I knew that there would be a little more to the story with Dare and Calla's relationship, but I really didn't expect to be left dangling off the edge, over powered by my NEED to know what the hell is going on with them now!
It was definitely something BIG but we are left with nothing but pressing questions that need to be answered. I was already planning on reading the second book, but that killer ending just made it so I will be getting to it sooner rather than later!
I received a copy of this book from Badass Marketing in exchange for an honest review
Well that was one hell of a ride! Nocte was quite the experience. I really liked the alternating points of view between Calla and Finn! I thought that really ended up accentuating the major plot twist and made it that much more mind boggling. I think there was a lot of thought and care put into each element of this story, the subtle hints that something was off, the beautiful and haunting setting, the careful words that each character said and thought, it all cumulated to make one big stereogram like image that you had to uncover with laser like focus.
I thought the setting was outstanding. I loved the feeling of seclusion, and being surrounded by such gorgeous yet dangerous things. Add in the extra bonus of it being a funeral home that they lived in, so you had that unnerving, constant submersion in quite literally living with death. It was almost as powerful as the fact that the characters were also dealing with the crushing loss factor of having death strike in their own family.
Calla and Finn were so intriguing. Twins, I think, are so interesting in that they seem to have such an extra special connection, and you're not quite sure how deep that connection can actually go. I enjoyed the contrast between the two, with Finn's struggle with his sanity and guarding his secrets, and Calla's inner turmoil over wanting to live while being so heavily burdened by death, guilt, and wanting to uncover the truth and help her ailing brother. Dare was a curious addition to the story that I was initially weary of. The first meetings between Dare and Calla felt kind of insta-love and that's not really my jam. But ultimately their relationship developed slowly and by the end I understood everything and think it all was done perfectly.
That ending was explosive! Everything was leading to this ending and it rocks your world! I have to say that I did end up having a good inclination as to what the huge revelation would be, but I really don't fell like it lessened the blow anymore when it came. I still teared up a little at the sheer devastation. But man, oh man, those last few paragraphs! I knew that there would be a little more to the story with Dare and Calla's relationship, but I really didn't expect to be left dangling off the edge, over powered by my NEED to know what the hell is going on with them now!
It was definitely something BIG but we are left with nothing but pressing questions that need to be answered. I was already planning on reading the second book, but that killer ending just made it so I will be getting to it sooner rather than later!
I received a copy of this book from Badass Marketing in exchange for an honest review