WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ ya romantasy ✨ fairytale with magic and curses ✨ finding happily ever after ✨ love triangle ✨ jealousy (OW/OM drama) ✨ ANGST ✨ pining/longing ✨ denial of feelings ✨ tending to wounds trope ✨ one bed ✨ mystery ✨ shocking cliffhanger
My Thoughts:
A super enjoyable and a quick read. I read this book in 4 hours because I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! The tension / angst between Evangeline and Jacks paired with the intriguing plot that slowly unfolded and that heart-stopping ending made this book one of the most enjoyable YA sequels I've ever read. I wouldn't say it's a perfect 5-stars, but it comes close, especially for a YA novel.
What I loved:
The expanded world building and background info we get on the characters. We learn so much more about the magic, curses, and history of the Magnificent North - this world is seriously so cool. Plus, we learn more about Jacks, Chaos, LaLa, and the Valors, which add a lot of depth to this story. And once again, Stephanie Garber introduces these new elements to the story in a simple, yet captivating way that only enhances the reader's understanding of the world and characters.
While book one was predictable, that wasn't the case in book two. In fact, there were plenty of times I was actually shocked by the plot twists and reveals! Especially the ending! I don't want to spoil anything about it, but damn, that was so good! Thank goodness I can start the next book immediately because I am DYING to find out what happens next!
Evangeline. I love her character growth. In book 1one, she's very naive but throughout the events of book two, she learns a lot about love, the kind of love she wants, and what it means to truly love someone. Also, I do admire that she likes to believe the best in people, even if they don't deserve it.
Jacks. Let's be honest, Jacks is a total ass 99% of the time, but that 1% of the time he actually shows feelings for Evangeline, makes me melt into a puddle. We all know it's just because he's afraid of getting his heart broken again, but damn, he's breaking my heart by holding back. ...more
4 ⭐️ Took me a second to get into but I enjoy this world and the fast-paced plot
"Always promise less than you can give, for Fates always take more. do4 ⭐️ Took me a second to get into but I enjoy this world and the fast-paced plot
"Always promise less than you can give, for Fates always take more. do not make bargains with more than one Fate. And, above all, never fall in love with a Fate."
WHAT TO EXPECT: ✨ ya romantasy ✨ fairytale with magic and curses ✨ finding happily ever after ✨ deals with the 'devil' ✨ love triangle ✨ slow burn ✨ dislike to love ✨ ANGST ✨ mystery ✨ take place in the world of Caraval but you do not need to read this series before to understand this story (I didn't)
What I liked:
The unique world. I haven’t read the Caraval series but found this easy to dive into. I was impressed that even though it’s a complicated and sometimes chaotic world, it was described and revealed in a way that was easy to understand. I also want to know more about the vampires and the Valors and what Jacks wants with the arch.
Evangeline. She’s a straight forward character - driven by love, a hopeless romantic - and oftentimes she makes mistakes because of it. And regardless of these mistakes, I liked her and understood the decisions she made. And even though Evangeline’s character is mostly concerned with love (and she’s had a few love interests by the end of this book), I found all her romance storylines interesting and I’ll be curious how each of them play out. I am also excited to learn more about her connection with the Valory Arch.
Jacks. He’s the villain you want to love. Broken. Desperate. Lonely. Hurt. And he channels all that into selfishness and getting what he wants, no matter the cost, even at the cost of others. I like how over time Evangeline humanized him but even so, he’s still the villain. So I’m curious how his character arc is going to play out.
LaLa. She's an interesting side character and I can't wait to learn more about her! I just hope she's actually going to stay friends with Evangeline because that girl really needs some allies.
Why this isn’t getting 5 stars:
It took a while to get into the story. The beginning was slow but it’s because the series is being set up so there's a lot of backstory with Evangeline and setting the stage for how she makes her way to the North. Once she finally gets there (around 25% of the way through) the story had a nice pace and kept me intrigued the entire time.
The plot twists or reveals weren’t very surprising. Maybe it’s because this is YA and I’m used to more complicated stories, but I saw most of the reveals coming. The story was still interesting and there were a few moments where I questioned some of my guesses but in the end, I ended up being right. Not a bad thing but I like being surprised.
The writing has a few sentences with lovely prose, but it’s mostly basic which didn’t impress me. But, it did make the story straightforward which I appreciated. There were also a few sentences that are descriptions or Evangeline's thoughts that are recycled throughout this story (edit: throughout this series), which I believe was done to reiterate certain points to the reader. But since I read these books back to back, it felt redundant and unnecessary. And I ended up skimming some spots.
Overall, it’s a unique story that I’m excited to keep reading. I’ve only heard amazing things about The Ballad of Never After so my expectations are high.
My Favorite Quotes:
"I believe there are far more possibilities than happily ever after or tragedy. Every story has the potential for infinite endings." _______
Not all loves happened at first; some took time to grow like seeds, or they might be like bulbs, dormant until the right season approached. _______
It was the last perfect moment before a dream ends, drops of sunshine falling like rain, lost wishes that had been found. _______
He looked like a bad decision some unfortunate person was about to make. _______
"It'd give you the world if I could. The moon, the stars, and all the suns in the universe. Anything for you, my heart." _______
3 ⭐️ Decent conclusion to the All of Us Villains duology.
"They'd found another way. They'd told a better story. Now they would end it. Together."
The 3 ⭐️ Decent conclusion to the All of Us Villains duology.
"They'd found another way. They'd told a better story. Now they would end it. Together."
The story picks up where the cliffhanger left off and is just as dark and gruesome, full of betrayal, lies, revelations, and surprises. I enjoyed the story and the character development of each of our champions. The plot twists were unexpected, and once again, some of them completely broke my heart! The sacrifices a few characters make. . . SO UNFAIR! I want to riot! But truly, there were moments that hurt, but call me a masochist because I enjoy a little pain while reading.
Just FYI, this doesn't have a traditional happy ending. It's bittersweet, with some sad and hopeful parts. It's realistic for this dark story and for how incredibly messed up these characters are.
So why am I only giving this 3-stars???
The slow-pace. Look, I'm an incredibly fast reader. Give me a good book that's 300 pages, and I'll finish it in 5 hours. But this took me one freaking month! It was too easy to put down and not exciting enough to pick back up. Sure, there were a few action-packed moments, but they ended too soon, and then there would be a massive lull until the next big scene. I truly believe 50-100 pages should have been cut.
The romantic pairings. While I actually really loved the final pairings, they happened out of the blue, were incredibly forced, and honestly, felt unnecessary. I see why these pairs happened for the storyline progression and character development, but this isn't a romantasy, so having these romances didn't fit the vibe of the story or unfold naturally. And then the one pair I actually cared about didn't get the ending they deserved!
Overall, this was a decent conclusion to this duology and I would recommend reading it if you loved the first book (gave it 5-stars). While the ending is bittersweet, the story is wrapped up well and leaves the reader satisfied.
Thank you to Tor and Tor Teen for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review! As always, all opinions are my own.
Favorite Quotes:
"I'm so tired." "Of the tournament?" "Of wanting impossible things."
——————————————
The Grieves had raised Gavin to die. The Lowes had raised Alistair to kill.
Both of them deserved a better story.
——————————————
"If you're ashamed of what you're willing to kill for, then maybe it's time to ask yourself what you're willing to die for."
——————————————
After everything he's gone through, one thing remained unchanged: He'd always want what he'd never have.
——————————————
Cursed or not, there was no end to the monster story if, all along, the monster had been him.
4 ⭐️ Damn, this is YA??? So brutal and cutthroat! I loved it!
"Monsters couldn't harm you if you were a monster, too."
I was a little unsure going into 4 ⭐️ Damn, this is YA??? So brutal and cutthroat! I loved it!
"Monsters couldn't harm you if you were a monster, too."
I was a little unsure going into this if I would enjoy another YA Hunger Games type story, but wow, did this take me by surprise!
Here are my immediate thoughts:
While it's just as dark as the Hunger Games, there's magic AND it's somehow more gruesome. Call me a sicko but I really enjoyed this blood-soaked modern fairy tale. I also think the fact most of these teenagers knew each other beforehand (some were best friends or in relationships) made things even more horrifying, but created interesting dynamics.
The characters in this story really come to life! Usually I get attached to one or two main characters, but I'm honestly fond of Alistair, Isobel, Gavin, Briony, and Finley. They're all very different but are united by one thing - the tournament. The tournament has ruled their entire lives, and its interesting to see how it's affected their emotional and mental well-being before and during the tournament.
I usually hate multiple POV (2+) but I really enjoyed it for this story!This really helped me understand and get invested in each character!
The pacing was a tad slow in the beginning because we were being introduced to 5 different characters and this world. But I wouldn’t say this was necessarily a bad thing. Things started to pick up right before the tournament and didn’t stop, even at the end!
That cliffhanger!!!! How dare you Amanda Foody and Christine Lynn Herman do this to us!!!! I did have an inkling, but it was shocking all the same. I can’t believe I have to wait until next year for the second book. ...more
Kingdom of the Wicked is a YA fantasy novel with lots of suspense, a bit of mystery, and a slow-burn romance.
“There are victors and3 ⭐ Meh, it's okay
Kingdom of the Wicked is a YA fantasy novel with lots of suspense, a bit of mystery, and a slow-burn romance.
“There are victors and victims. Decide who you want to be. Or the choice will be made for you, witch. And I doubt you’ll like it.”
Summary:
The setting is 19th century Palermo, Sicily. Emilia and her twin sister, Vittoria, are both witches. Even though they are twins, they couldn't be any different. While Vittoria is adventurous and wild, Emilia is more reserved and traditional. Their family owns a popular Sicilian restaurant and avoids other witches for fear of notice and persecution. One night, Emilia happens upon Vittoria's mutilated body and vows to avenge her sister at any cost - even if that means using dark magic.
Desperate for help, Emilia tries conjuring a low-level demon from hell but is surprisingly met by Wrath, one of the Wicked Princes of Hell that her grandmother has warned her about since she was a child. Seeing that Wrath is already tasked with solving the murders of several other female witches on the island, Emilia decides her best chance of revenge is partnering with this devilishly attractive Prince. As they work together to solve these murders, Emilia is confronted with the painful truth that her sister was hiding something important from her. . . something that could change the world for better or worse.
My Thoughts:
I genuinely enjoyed the story, world-building, and descriptive writing. However, while there were more than a few entertaining moments, Kingdom of the Wicked didn't capture my attention. Granted, I did have high hopes because it came highly recommended on Tiktok, but I just didn't understand the hype.
First off, the plot was extremely predictable. This isn't necessarily bad, but it definitely didn't help keep my interest. It had the predictability of a fairytale story, where you get the general idea of where the story will lead within the first chapter.
There were a lot of repetitive ramblings made by Emilia. These didn't really inform the reader of anything useful, so it just felt like they were filler sentences. I found myself skimming quite a bit when this happened.
There's not a lot of explanation about the magic used by witches or demons. We see both use their powers, but I don't understand the overall magic system. This is definitely something that should be addressed better in the next book.
Many characters withheld information for no real reason but for the sake of creating mystery in the story. One prime example is how her Nonna knew about the prophecy but chose to keep it from the twins. You're telling me this overprotective grandmother wouldn't warn her granddaughters about a prophecy that potentially involves them? This, of course, is all revealed in a sudden moment of danger when there is no time for Nonna to explain. Like, come on. I enjoy drama, but this was painfully forced.
Emilia's character had many inconsistencies. The author portrays her as the more reserved, thoughtful twin. However, once her sister is murdered, she is extremely reckless and makes most of her decisions with haste, putting her in plenty of dangerous scenarios. I understand her rash behavior could be due to grief, but it didn't really come across that way. Instead, it just felt like another easy way for the author to move the story along.
The enemies-to-lovers romance hardly sizzled. Wrath is eye-candy, and Emilia is a beauty herself. However, Wrath is a demon Prince of Hell, which makes him Emilia's forbidden fruit. The romance is slow-burn, and in the end, there's only one PG-13 kissing scene. But that wasn't the real issue.
I truly didn't feel any chemistry between these two. I don't get the leap from enemies to (sort of) lovers. I needed more sexy banter and a better understanding of why either one is interested in the other besides their obvious attraction.
I still don't understand the ending. I read a lot of fantasy books, but that ending confused the hell out of me. All I could think was, "What the f*ck just happened?" The cliffhanger was fine, but the revelations in the last 30 pages didn't fit together. It felt rushed and forced.
Overall, Kingdom of the Wicked was far from a bad book, but there were too many issues that took away from my enjoyment of the story.
*I'm pretty bummed that the two recent reads that were Booktok favorites (Six of Crows and Kingdom of the Wicked) turned out to be just okay. If anyone wants to recommend a 5-star book, I'm all ears. Help me before I fall into a reading slump. . ....more
4.5 ⭐️ Captivating & thought-provoking YA fantasy novel
Before I start on my review, I want to address those of you who are skeptical about this book b4.5 ⭐️ Captivating & thought-provoking YA fantasy novel
Before I start on my review, I want to address those of you who are skeptical about this book because of what you may have heard from others who accused this story and author of being "offensive," "racist," or "homophobic." This book is set in a FICTIONAL, fantasy world with many characters who are prejudice and cruel towards other races, homophobic, and religiously intolerant. These themes are present throughout the book and may be distressing for some readers. However, in no way is the author condoning these actions. In fact, the story focuses on the young main character, Elloren, who is a kind and 'decent' person but has some deeply rooted prejudices due to her society and upbringing. Elloren is sent to study at a diverse university where she is forced to interact with other races for the first time. After getting to know these people and doing her own research, her opinions and understanding of the world gradually change.
"Real education doesn't make your life easy. It complicates things and makes everything messy and disturbing. But the alternative Elloren Gardner, is to live your life based on injustice and lies."
This is a dark yet hopeful story showing that anyone can change if they are brave enough to question their beliefs, even if that means everything they know to be true is wrong.
Brief Summary:
Elloren Gardner is the granddaughter of the last Black Witch who saved the Gardnerian people during the Realm War. And while she looks identical to her famous grandmother, Elloren was not gifted with powers.
Since her parents' death, Elloren and her two older brothers have lived a simple life in the country with their eccentric uncle. However, when an attempt on Elloren's life is made, she is sent to Verpax University along with her brothers to keep her safe. While Elloren is excited at the chance to step out of her grandmother's shadow and follow her dreams of becoming an apothecary, life at university proves to be challenging. Not only does the university admit all manner of people - including the sworn enemies of all Gardnerians - and many have not forgotten the Black Witch's role in their defeat during the Realm War, but a few jealous Gardnerians make her life a living hell.
As Elloren struggles to fit in, she makes a few unlikely friendships that challenge and ultimately change her beliefs and understanding of the world.
Things I liked:
Amazing world-building. There are many different fantasy races, which Laurie Forest thoughtfully introduces and throughout the story provides histories, cultures, and preconceived notions within each race. Since the world is so complex and this is an introduction, the pacing is a little slow but totally necessary.
The magic system is fantastical. There are many magically gifted races and creatures in this story. Elves and Amaz have rune magic, Fae have elemental magic, Gardnerians have wand magic, Icarals have fire magic, Urisks are geomancers (gem and stone magic), and Lupines are shifters and have enhanced senses. These are only a few of the races, but they each have a unique kind of magic. We were introduced to some of these magical elements in this book, but I hope we see much more of it as the series progresses.
The character development of Elloren is inspiring. Elloren goes from living a sheltered life in the country to a dynamic life at a diverse university. Her understanding of the world is challenged, and while it takes some time, her views are ultimately changed for the better. Since the book is written in the first person, the reader gets to experience first-hand what it's like for someone rooted in ignorance to search for the truth and become enlightened. We can even apply this in our own lives. If we would actively question our beliefs, listen to others, and live with compassion, our world would be a much better place.
There were a few interesting plots in this story. The first was about political unrest between the Gardnerians and the subordinate races under their rule. The second was about Elloren's trials and hardships at university, including her struggle with making friends. The third was the romantic drama between Elloren and Lukas concerning wandfasting - where two Gardnerians are bound together magically forever. Each of these plots intertwined with the overarching story of Elloren's transformation from a naive country girl to an enlightened individual with a purpose.
There really wasn't anything I didn't like, so we're just going to skip ahead to my final thoughts!
This book is more New Adult (18+) versus YA due to some of the content - sexual assault, rape, racism, homophobia, and violence. There also should be trigger warnings. But overall, I love how Laurie Forest addressed these difficult subjects. I've never read anything quite like this before. Harry Potter might come close since there are racist elements in the HP universe (Muggles vs. Pure Bloods), but this book went even further.
This is a story about realizing how your beliefs are heavily influenced by your environment and having the courage to challenge them. This is a story about self-discovery and redemption. This is a story about fighting injustice and celebrating diversity. This is a story about love and friendship. If anything of this sounds interesting to you, I highly recommend reading this book....more
3 ⭐️ Entertaining quick-read; it's just not for me. (Ages 13+)
Summary:The Last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch is a Dark YA Fantasy novel inspired b3 ⭐️ Entertaining quick-read; it's just not for me. (Ages 13+)
Summary:The Last Apprentice: Revenge of the Witch is a Dark YA Fantasy novel inspired by English folklore and horror. Thomas Ward is sent to be Old Gregory's apprentice, the local spook whose job is to protect the area from things that lurk in the dark such as witches, ghosts, and boggarts. But Thomas isn't an ordinary apprentice. He is the seventh son of a seventh son, which gives him special gifts that help him fight the Dark. While the Spook is away, Thomas is tricked by a village girl with pointy shoes to free Mother Malkin, the evilest witch in the County, and he must find a way to stop her before it's too late.
If I were an adolescent or enjoyed this genre, I probably would give it 4 stars. The writing was clean and simple, it's relatively fast-paced, the plot is engaging, and the characters are interesting. However, the story didn't truly captivate me and lacked depth.
Also, there's some blatant sexism. The Spook tells Thomas that girls are untrustworthy, especially if they wear pointy shoes. The women of this story are either witches (most are bad) or mothers (who are good, but their only role is to have children and take care of the home). Oh, and men don't do "women's work." And no one contradicts these notions - yikes. I get this is part of the medievalesque world-building, but the lack of positive female representation is problematic, especially since this is written for a younger (more impressionable) audience.
For now, I'm going to pass on reading the rest of the series, but the plot was interesting enough that I may pick it up on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
Every Last Breath was a good finale to The Dark Elements series. However, I found myself less and less interest3 ⭐️ Underwhelming but still satisfying
Every Last Breath was a good finale to The Dark Elements series. However, I found myself less and less interested as this series went on. Maybe it was the continuous cringe-worthy teen dialogue or the major info dumps or repetitive descriptions. Seriously, I can only listen to Layla go on and on about Roth's 'tawny eyes' or his abs. Believe me, Layla, I heard you the first hundred times. ...more
I've only ever read the From Blood, and Ash series by Jennifer L Armentrout and absolutely loved it! I was a4 ⭐️ Entertaining teen paranormal romance
I've only ever read the From Blood, and Ash series by Jennifer L Armentrout and absolutely loved it! I was a little nervous heading into this one since it's a YA book about gargoyles and demons; however, I was pleasantly surprised. Only JLA could find a way to make gargoyles normal and even sexy. ...more
I truly LOVED this finale! The story was constantly moving with loads of action, which was sorely missed 4.5 Stars ⭐️ Heart-pounding, epic conclusion
I truly LOVED this finale! The story was constantly moving with loads of action, which was sorely missed from Siege and Storm, and a few plot twists left me gaping or screaming at the book. Once again, Leigh Bardugo does an incredible job developing the 'Grishaverse' and an even better job wrapping up Alina's story. I could not put this book down!!!
*SPOILERS*
Well, turns out the Darkling is ACTUALLY a bad guy with ZERO chance of redemption. ...more
"You know the problem with heroes and saints? They always end up dead."
I didn't enjoy this quite as much as 3.5 Stars ⭐️ Amazing writing, slow-pace
"You know the problem with heroes and saints? They always end up dead."
I didn't enjoy this quite as much as Shadow and Bone. This was mostly due to the incredibly dull moments between high-action points and irritating conversations with Mal (seriously, I hate him). Both were distracting enough that I can't give it anything more than 3.5-Stars. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't read it. Just know that it might take a little more of your concentration and patience. Still, the storyline and character developments along the way are worthwhile and important for continuing onto the next book.
*SPOILERS*
What I liked:
World building. Leigh Bardugo once again immerses us into this Russian-inspired land of magic. We sail across the True Sea from Novyi Zem, through the Bone Road, and back to Ravka. I absolutely love Bardugo's descriptive writing because you can really imagine yourself on this journey with Alina.
Alina's character development. In a short time, Alina has gone from a weak, lowly soldier to one of the most powerful beings in her world. And as her power grows, so does her desire for more. Perhaps she and the Darkling are not so different. After all, "like calls to like." In Siege and Storm, she struggles to accept the person she is becoming while trying to hold onto the past, but it becomes clear that the old Alina is gone.
Sturmhond / Nikolai. What a hoot! Honestly, he was the most interesting character in the entire book. I enjoyed his way with words and how he got under everyone's skin. Also, I definitely didn't see his true identity reveal coming, so that was a nice surprise.
The beginning and end. The first 100 pages and the last 50 pages are basically the only exciting moments in this book. And no surprise, it's all whenever the Darkling is around.
What I didn't liked:
Slow pace. As I mentioned above, the beginning and the end are the best parts of this book, but it's 400+ pages long, so getting through the middle required determination. Once Alina and Mal go back to Os Alta, I felt like the story flatlined. Even though it was boring, it was all essential to the story's progression, so I didn't totally hate it. I just wish there were more high-action moments during this lull instead of Alina and Mal's drama.
Confusing nature of Alina's powers. Alina gets another amplifier which increases her already enormous power, but there isn't any development regarding her understanding of that power. Leigh Bardugo toys with the idea that Alina can create monsters from the light the same way the Darkling can create shadow monsters, but we don't see this happening. In the next book, I hope Alina takes a deep dive exploring her powers (if she still has them) and the ancient magic that seems to be its source.
Mal. I hate this guy. He is constantly holding Alina back from her true potential and purpose. He fears her and who she is becoming. Instead of supporting and loving Alina, he makes her feel guilty and is jealous of her relationship with other powerful men. Alina better not end up with this POS. I hope Leigh Bardugo is intentionally making him a terrible romantic interest because I don't see how there's any way for him to possibly atone for being such an ass - besides maybe dying. Lord, please let him die in the next book. ...more
Once again, I found myself reading solely for the plot. But even that was a letdown since the characters remained one-dimensional. Let me explain.
• Shahrzad remains a mystery to me. It's obvious she loves Khalid and will do anything to protect him and her family. But besides that, I have no idea who this girl is as a person. She's constantly putting herself at odds with everyone around her - even her friends and family. When anyone in her situation would be reaching out for help, she has such a bad attitude and is aggressive towards everyone. Personally, I wasn't rooting for her because she genuinely seems like a brat with zero emotional intelligence. Now, I get why Despina called her 'Brat Calipha'.
• Khalid. Oh, Khalid. I still do not understand this man at all. Seriously, I read over 600 pages with this guy as the main character, and all I can tell you is that he is traumatized from his childhood, calculating, a great swordsman, loves Shahrzad and thinks he's a monster. I wanted to like him, to connect with him on an emotional level, but I was left empty-handed.
• Shahrzad's father, Jahandar, made me say 'WTF' more times than I can count. He brings down chaos because he's just power-hungry but masks it as protecting his daughters. That's all we get from his character, and it's not a satisfying enough answer to justify his actions. Then, he SOMEHOW manages to deal a death blow to Khalid because he took away, "His daughter/ His book. His respect." Ummmm, okay. Then after Shahrzad starts 'breaking' because her husband is dying, Jahandar has a change of heart and gives his life in exchange for Khalid's thanks to his magic. All done in the name of love. Barf. Such an unnecessary subplot to this story.
The one thing I was excited about was the element of magic. But the plot surrounding that fell totally flat. I thought this book would dive into Shahrzad's magic, and eventually, she would gain enough control over it to become the true heroine of this story. But, no. We are introduced to random characters and a cursory backstory about their connection to magic. Oh, and Shahrzad realizes (in an almost afterthought sort of way) that she can use the magic that flows through magical objects or beings - she's basically a magic parasite. That's it. Magic should play a much bigger role in the overarching storyline since Khalid is cursed and Shahrzad has magic abilities, but it doesn't.
And then, the one thing I actually enjoyed about this story - the budding romance between Shahrzad's sister, Irsa, and Rahim - ended with him dying. Great.
Also, for the last chapter, we flash forward a couple of years to see Khalid, Shahrzad, and their child enjoying a moment in their palace together. All is well. Khalid isn't a monster anymore and Shahrzad seems to gave mastered her magic. But what about the families who lost their daughters? We're just going to ignore that? Did they forgive Khalid for murdering their daughters because they found out it was to fulfill a curse? I don't know. We never find out.
Overall, I just don't like the author's fast-paced, lack of depth writing style. The storyline has such potential but came up short for me. As a YA book, I think a younger audience may enjoy it more for its simplicity and uncomplicated characters, but I found it too unrealistic....more
"'How long should a man pay for his mistakes, sayyidi?' . . . 'Until are debts are forgiven.'"
The Wrath and the Dawn is a YA fiction3 ⭐ *spoilers*
"'How long should a man pay for his mistakes, sayyidi?' . . . 'Until are debts are forgiven.'"
The Wrath and the Dawn is a YA fictional re-imagining of 1001 Nights, which is a compilation of Middle Eastern folk tales told by Scheherazade over a thousand and one nights to delay her execution by the vengeful King Shahryar.
In this story, Shahrzad volunteers to marry the caliph, Khalid, even though she is aware that he takes a new bride each night and has them executed at sunrise. Shahrzad risks her life to carry out her plans for revenge but finds herself falling in love with the monster himself.
Things I did like:
• Plot. I thought Renee Ahdieh was creative in this re-imagining of 1001 Nights. I liked that we heard a few of the original stories and saw how they correlate to this one. It was captivating enough that I read it all in one sitting. Honestly, it's the only reason I'm going to read the next book.
• Writing. I enjoyed the descriptions and details, which add to the reader's visualization of this medieval Arabic world. The story had a nice flow and good pacing.
• Magic. While the background or use of magic wasn't really explored too much, I was pleasantly surprised to see it appear in this story. Hopefully, the second book explains the history of magic, and we see it more directly used by the characters.
Things I didn't like:
• Shahrzad's character development. Shahrzad married Khalid intending to kill him for murdering her best friend (one of his previous brides). But somehow and very randomly, she starts to have feelings. It really just seemed so out of the blue, especially because Khalid didn't do anything to deserve these newfound feelings. Okay, he didn't kill her the first night and even stopped her execution a few days later. Amazing. He must be a great guy for not wanting to murder a young woman in cold blood. *Please note the sarcasm.* But seriously, in no universe would a person hell-bent on revenge (to the point of giving up their own life) start to fall for the villain - especially only after a few days.
I was also perplexed by Shahrzad's lack of emotions regarding her first physical interactions with Khalid. It doesn't outright say it, but yes, they have sex her first night. Shahrzad went to Khalid - it seems mostly out of duty - but she did not enjoy herself. This was her first time having sex, and we learn absolutely nothing about Shahrzad's emotional well-being. I don't know if that's because this is YA, and the author didn't want to dive deep into how traumatizing this would be for most, but the lack of emotions and inner dialogue was odd and unrealistic.
Overall, Shahrzad's logic is not consistent. She is willing to numb herself emotionally to marry and have sex with the murderer of her friend so she can exact revenge, but then without any real explanation, she starts having feelings for Khalid and becomes so emotionally attached that she decides to forgo all of her plans. It just doesn't make sense.
.Shahrzad lacks depth and clear motivation, which, in turn, doesn't make her a strong or lovable character..
• Khalid's character development. I genuinely don't think I know anything about Khalid except that he is the Caliph, a great swordsman, was traumatized from childhood, and kills his young brides. Even when we learn his reason for murdering the young women, there's hardly a deep dive into his emotions or inner thoughts.
I also had a huge issue with him having sex with Shahrzad the first two nights. As I said earlier, it was as consensual as can be regarding sex as a duty versus for pleasure, but we later find out that Khalid never once visited any of his other brides at night. So why Shahrzad? If he really thought she was so different and worthy, why would he violate her like that? Are we supposed to be flattered he thinks she's special? It honestly made me dislike him so much. Even his later confessions of love will never bring justification for his actions those first two nights.
Shahrzad also implies Khalid didn't enjoy himself during sex either so what was the point? It wasn't for love or even duty (because he never visited the others), so was it just because he could? That makes him an even bigger jackass. Unfortunately, we never find out why.
• Shahrzad and Khalid's relationship. I've interwoven this in the previous points, but one thing I don't understand is their connection. What about Shahrzad changes Khalid's motives and decisions and vice versa. This needed to be fleshed out more.
Their relationship also has abusive tendencies. For example, one evening, Shahrzad tried to get Khalid to explain why he kills the brides. Instead of just being open and honest (which is the healthy thing to do), he leaves in a fury and completely ignores her the next day. Shahrzad then feels bad for wanting to know the truth, apologizes, and begs him to open up to her. It was so desperate and unbecoming of our heroine. Of course, eventually, Khalid comes around, but the message of the book seems to be that if you show kindness and love to an asshole for long enough, eventually he'll change. Sorry, but that's not how the world works. In fact, it's this kind of logic that keeps people in abusive relationships. I'm bothered by this because the story is YA, and I'm worried about the impressionable young people who read it.
Overall, it was an okay read. I'm definitely only reading the next book in the series to satiate my curiosity. However, I would not recommend this book....more
I gave both of them 4-stars and was hoping The Queen of Nothing would be an epic series finale. While it was good and kept me entertained, it didn't enthrall me like the first two books. Doesn't mean I didn't like it or it's not worth reading, but it's simply not as enchanting. Here's why:
While I loved the storyline, it was rushed. So much happens in this book, and honestly, 300 pages aren't enough to properly sort through it all. The previous two books have a quick pace but it makes sense with respect to the plot. However, this is the finale - The Big Shabang! When something really important happens, I want the next few pages to take me through the emotions of the main character and its impact on the overall story. I want to sit there in shock. I want to feel something. Unfortunately, that didn't happen in The Queen of Nothing. Especially, when it came to Jude and Cardan's relationship.
*Spoilers if you haven't read The Cruel Prince and The Wicked King.*
Okay, so Jude and Cardan. While their relationship was just a subplot in The Cruel Prince, it becomes important by the end of The Wicked King and leads us to believe it will be one of the main focuses in The Queen of Nothing. Of course, it is. However, as I mentioned that the storyline is rushed, so is the development of their relationship. When Cardan and Jude FINALLY admit to their feelings for one another (which happens at separate times), we get maybe 1 or 2 pages each before moving on to the next part of the story. Like, the entire series is built on this complicated relationship and yet when the characters are finally vulnerable with each other, we hardly get to connect with them. I wanted and needed more. Glossing over these types of important developments made these moments anti-climatic.
Even though I felt the story was rushed, I did enjoy it and thought it was a good ending to this series. Overall, I'd give the series as a whole a 4-star rating and recommend it!...more
Holly Black LOVES to leave her readers in a state of shock at the end of each book! So thank the faerie gods I read this after AL4.5 ⭐️ I'm obsessed!
Holly Black LOVES to leave her readers in a state of shock at the end of each book! So thank the faerie gods I read this after ALL the books were published! I don't think I could have waited. Honestly, it's taking every part of my being to not just skip this review and jump right into The Queen of Nothing!
*I got this. Just breath.* Okay, let's get started!
I am delighted by the faerie world created by Holly Black. And in The Wicked King, we discover even more about this magical realm.
I LOVE Jude. She is just so fierce, cunning, and brave. Seriously, she needs to be my friend, or I just need to be her.
The storyline is so captivating, I read this book in one day. There's even more family, court, and political drama, and I'm here for it!
We FINALLY get some juicy romance! However, it still isn't enough! ...more
"I've been waiting for you for a long time, Alina. . . You and I are going to change the world."
I picked up Shadow and 5 Stars ⭐️ Absolutely brilliant
"I've been waiting for you for a long time, Alina. . . You and I are going to change the world."
I picked up Shadow and Bone thanks to Booktok and the fact Netflix is coming out with the show in April 2021. THANK GOODNESS I DID, because the Grisha trilogy is on its way to becoming one of my favorite YA fantasy series. From learning about the magical world of the Grisha to the mystery surrounding The Darkling, I just couldn't put this book down! I wanted to start the next book in the series immediately, but here I am, forcing myself to write this review. . . so let's get to it!
Things I liked:
World building. We are immersed into the Russia-inspired land of Ravka, where the Shadow Fold, a dark magical presence, has cut off most of Ravka from the sea. Leigh Bardugo's descriptive writings of the war camps, the Fold, Tisbeya, Os Alta, and the Little Palace really allow readers to imagine this new dangerous world.
Unique magic system. The Grisha are people who have the ability to manipulate the elements to use as weapons. As it turns out, the MC Alina discovers she has one of the most sought-after abilities - summoning light. As she is swept away into the world of the Grisha, we learn more about their powers, training, history, and hierarchy.
Alina's journey. There are three different areas Alina struggles with: self-acceptance, magic, and romance. It's the classic story where the MC is the one holding themselves back from their full potential, and once they decide to let go of the past, everything changes for the better. Alina's magic is part of who she is, and I loved seeing her transform from a terrified girl into a powerful woman. She still has some growth to do, and I'm excited to see her continue this journey of self-discovery.
Interesting plot with multiple twists. There are unpredictable characters, action, magic, romance, intrigue, betrayal . . . what's not to like??? While I had some hunches about the ending and plot twists along the way, it was still surprising nevertheless. I devoured this book, and once I finished, I was still hungry for more.
*SPOILERS BELOW*
Genya. I absolutely LOVED her character and friendship with Alina. Her own story and role in the Little Palace were so fascinating to me. She's someone I hope we get to see more of in the next book.
Just a dash of romance. I'm a sucker for romance. The fact that there is not one but TWO love interests are everything I could have wanted. The only issue is that BOTH love interests have MAJOR ISSUES. So much so that I don't even know which I want her to end up with. Mal is her best friend but doesn't really 'see' her until she disappears from his life? Lame. And the Darkling. Oh, sweet baby Jesus this man is going to hurt my own heart. He's mysterious, sexy, and powerful, BUT he's manipulative and perhaps a bit unhinged. I'm sure we will see more of his intentions unfold in the next few books, but a part of me hopes he's not crazy at all and actually does some good. All I can say is I'm very invested in Alina's love life.
Things I didn't liked:
Not a dang thing because I loved everything about this book!
Overall, Shadow and Bone is an amazing introduction to this series, and I cannot wait to keep reading! Even though it's YA, as a 27-year-old, I still found it to be very intriguing. I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy, adventure, and magical realms. ...more
No one is more disappointed in this rating than me. I recently read the Shadow and Bone trilogy and LOVED it. And after 2.5 ⭐ I don't get the hype
No one is more disappointed in this rating than me. I recently read the Shadow and Bone trilogy and LOVED it. And after hearing how much better the Six of Crows duology is from the Booktok community, I was expecting to be blown away. Unfortunately, I found this book to be completely underwhelming.
But before I really dive into this review, I'd like to say that regardless of my experience with the book, I can totally see why this is a favorite for some. There are unique characters, a heist/rescue storyline, and a few plot twists. In no way is this a bad book, but it just wasn't for me.
Summary:
In Ketterdam, a bustling international trade hub, a new drug called jurda parem is produced and tested on Grisha (humans with magic). The drug greatly enhances their abilities to the point where they can perform the impossible. However, most Grisha who are exposed become addicted and/or die.
A wealthy merchant divulges information about the drug to 17-year-old criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker and offers him thirty million kruge to break into the Ice Court (an impenetrable military stronghold) to rescue the inventor of the drug, Bo Yul-Bayur. Even though it's a suicide mission, Kaz agrees. All he has to do is find a crew crazy or desperate enough to join him. Cue the ragtag group of talented outcasts: a thief, a convict, a sharpshooter, a runaway, a spy, and a Heartrender. If they want to achieve the impossible and become legends, this group must put aside their differences and work together.
My Thoughts:
Like I mentioned earlier, this isn't a bad book. In fact, I enjoyed the beautiful writing of Leigh Bardugo, the diverse group of characters, and the banter between certain characters - specifically Nina's sass and her unique relationship with Matthias. It sort of reminded me of Dramione fanfic like Isolation. But I digress.
While there were some good elements to this story, here are the things I didn't enjoy, left me confused, or just plain bothered me.
The characters. While I liked that this group was diverse, I had many issues with them.
1. Even though we get backstories for each character, I did not relate to or get attached to any of them. In fact, I could care less about them, even Kaz - which brings me to my next point.
2. Why is everyone so obsessed with Kaz? And by everyone, I mean readers on Booktok. He's a psycho. He has no morals, lets the only person he 'cares' about risk their life, and is hell-bent on revenge. I'm all about liking the morally grey or dark characters, but they need to have some redeeming quality. I just didn't see it with Kaz.
3. The level of skills for their age is not believable. I LOVE YA novels and have no issue reading about powerful teens, but somehow this was ridiculous. The oldest of the six main characters is 18. . . and they are considered the 'best' at what they do? I wasn't buying it, and I don't know why. I'm not even sure what could have convinced me. To get through this book, I just imaged these characters being in their late 20s and early 30s.
*Small Spoilers Ahead*
4. The 'romance' is not convincing either. It's not meant to play a huge role in this book, but I will address it since it's there. These characters (Kaz and Inej, Nina and Matthias) were coupled up, and I still don't understand the draw to one another. Like sure, Kaz 'saved' Inej and helped make her independent, and Nina and Matthias saved each other even though they hate one another. But I just could not understand how the romance blossomed.
The flirting between Wylan and Jesper is the only thing that made sense, but I felt like it was thrown in there because the rest of the crew was coupled up.
Constantly changing POV. While I actually thought this made the most sense for the story, there was way too much time spent on flashbacks and backstory. Yes, it was needed, but it happened a lot during the middle of events, which I found disorienting. It definitely slowed down the pacing and prevented me from fully connecting to the story.
Lack of world-building. If I had not read the Shadow and Bone trilogy before Six of Crows, I would have been completely lost. The history of the world and the unique magic system of the Grishaverse is so complicated, and there's hardly any explanation of either in this book. So do yourself a favor and read Shadow and Bone beforehand.
Not enough descriptions for the setting. I am not someone who usually has a hard time picturing settings, but it was a big issue for me in Six of Crows. There just weren't enough details while describing the setting for my imagination to fully create a replica of the world. Sure, I have some ideas, but I felt like I had to rely more on myself to fill in the blanks. It especially got worse once they reached the Ice Court. After spending about 100 pages there, I can only give you a very generic layout of the setting: three major walls (?), a bridge, an ash tree, a ballroom, prison cells, some stairs, a laboratory, some gates, and an incinerator. But the specifics? Nope. No freaking clue.
The pace was painfully slow. Things start to pick up around page 100. Then it slows down until page 300 during the middle of the heist. But even then, I still was kind of bored and had to force myself to keep reading. I just don't understand what is wrong with me since I tend to enjoy books that keep me on edge.
But it did leave off on a great cliffhanger, which was intriguing enough for me to buy the next book.
Overall, Six of Crows was a let down (probably because it was so hyped up by Booktok). I just could not connect to the characters and found myself more and more uninterested as the story moved forward. There were a lot of little issues I had that seemed to affect my overall view of the book. However, by no means is it a bad book. I definitely think if you like the heist theme and morally grey characters, you'll enjoy it a lot more than I did. Many people seem to love this story, so don't let me discourage you from giving it a go....more
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