This is the weirdest, cutest, most fun book I've read in a long time. Also, it made me cry.
The Dead Romantics in some ways reminds me of The Haunting This is the weirdest, cutest, most fun book I've read in a long time. Also, it made me cry.
The Dead Romantics in some ways reminds me of The Haunting of Hill House (the Netflix adaptation), but replace the horror with comedy. Hear me out: - Ghosts - returning to a home/home town you fled from - Family dynamics - a family holding the funeral for their own family member - Themes of grief The key difference is that The Haunting of Hill House would follow a tear-jerking scene with a jump scare, and The Dead Romantics follows it with the most bizarre and hilarious situations.
But let's talk about the sense of humor this book has. I don't see it being perfect for everyone, but damn was it perfect for me. I was laughing out loud constantly while reading this. I have a collection of highlighted quotes that, out of context, make no sense, and barely even make sense in context. It's amazing.
The romance in this book is also absolutely incredible. I loved our two main characters, and I love how they interact together. Plus, throw in the angst with him being a ghost? Perfection.
But beyond the comedy and romance needed in a romcom, this book delves into family and grief. I didn't expect to cry when I picked this up, but I found myself fighting tears on multiple occasions. It's truly a beautiful meditation on loss that I know will stick with me.
I will be forcing everyone I know to read this book.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC to review...more
Allison Saft is quickly becoming one of my all-favorite authors.
This books is beautiful. From the writing to the characters, it's stunning. I was capAllison Saft is quickly becoming one of my all-favorite authors.
This books is beautiful. From the writing to the characters, it's stunning. I was captivated from the start, immediately falling in love with our two protagonists and their journey. I also especially loved the world-building. A Far Wilder Magic place in a fantasy world similar to the 1920's, but with alchemy and magical creatures like the hala. What I loved most was the political and religious themes in this book. Margaret is a Jewish-coded character, and Wes is Irish Catholic-coded, and both of them live in a primarily (fantasy version of) Christian society that frowns on both of their religions and the Banvish (this book's version of Irish people).
I can't speak to the Jewish rep, but as someone from an Irish Catholic family that immigrated to the US in the 20's, I can say it was spot on from the stories I would hear from my grandparents. YA fantasy has played with Irish folklore and culture before, but I can't put into words how excited I was when reading Allison Saft's interpretation.
This book is more than its world and magic, it's inherently a story about characters and their relationships, and damn does it excel at that. First, the romance. It's so cute and precious and I can't talk about it without squealing. But what I really want to talk about is the family dynamics. You have one character with a loud, chaotic, but over-all supportive family, but due to the recent loss of his father, he feels he needs to be strong for them. Then you have our other main character, who is neglected by her frequently-gone mother. She also suffers from trauma that occured because of her mothers obsession with alchemy. I really loved how this aspect of the story was handled. I personally have PTSD and loved how it was presented in this book.
I genuinely can't recommend A Far Wilder Magic enough. It an incredible novel that now holds a special place in my heart.
TWs: animal death, abuse, violence, hate crimes, antisemitism, death Thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARC to review...more
You've Reached Sam is a fantastic debut. It is an emotional journey, that will having you crying, laughing, then crying again. And This book broke me.
You've Reached Sam is a fantastic debut. It is an emotional journey, that will having you crying, laughing, then crying again. And again. I cried a lot.
One thing I loved was the characters. The story begins after Sam's death, and our protagonist, his girlfriend Julie, is grieving. She isn't the most likable character in these early chapters, and that made me love the book even more. Grief is messy. It's painful and can turn you into someone you don't recognize. And I love that Dustin Thao did not shy away from this. Julie's journey is incredible, and the use of some magical aspects only enhances it. The other characters are equally well-rounded, and each has their own development. I especially loved Sam as a character. We learn more and more about him and Julie's past as the story goes on, which just adds to the pain you feel over his death.
And this book is painful. In the best possible way. I cried over 9 times in only 300 pages. Towards the end, I couldn't even keep try of exactly how many times I cried because it was just a constant stream of tears.
This book will be one that will stick with me forever, and I would recommend it to anyone who's looking for an emotional and beautiful read....more
This book absolutely broke me, in the best possible way.
This series has become so important to me. I'm not kidding when I say it's changed my life. NeThis book absolutely broke me, in the best possible way.
This series has become so important to me. I'm not kidding when I say it's changed my life. Needless to say, my expectations for The Heart Principle was high- but it managed to exceed all of them.
The romance, the mental health rep, the characters... I honestly don't know where to start. This book is beautiful, start to finish. I cried so much while reading, but it also was incredibly healing. I can't recommend this book enough....more
Quick Stats: Overall: 5/5 Stars Characters: 5/5 Setting: 5/5 Writing: 5/5 Plot and Themes: 5/5 Awesomeness Factor: 5/5 Review in a Nutshell: I am broken. This book has destroyed me. But in the best possible way.
We Free the Stars is the sequel to We Hunt the Flame, following the zumra after as they continue on their quest to return magic to Arawiya.
- Initial Thoughts -
I am a husk of a human being. I don’t know how to move on after finishing this book.
(actually, I do know how to move on: read the book again... which I might have done)
We Hunt the Flame is one of my all-time favorite books. We Free the Stars had a lot to live up to, but I knew I would end up loving it. I did not expect how much. This book somehow managed to surpass all of my exceedingly high expectations and leave me an absolute mess.
- Writing & Setting -
We all already know that Hafsah Faizal’s writing is gorgeous. This is news to no one. But let me just say it again: the writing in this book is stunning, the prose is elegant without losing a sense of humor, and the setting is fascinating. We got to know Arawiya a little bit in the first book, but We Free the Stars shows us more of this world and made me never want to leave.
- Plot -
This book continues on the quest to restore magic and save Arawiya from the danger that was unleashed at the end of We Hunt the Flame (I’m trying to be vague here for anyone who hasn’t read the first one yet).
Where it took me a minute to get into the first book, I was immediately hooked in We Free the Stars. There was something constantly happening or about to happen. There was also a decent amount of action in this book, which is always fun, while still having time to let the fantastic characters shine.
- Characters -
Speaking of those fantastic characters: I love the zumra with every fibre of my being.
The characters in this book are amazing. You thought you loved them after We Hunt the Flame? Just you wait.
We get three POVs in this book: Zafira, Nasir, and Altair.
I loved the addition of Altair’s perspective. He became one of my favorite characters in We Hunt the Flame and I was so happy to see more of him in We Free the Stars (even though I was constantly worrying about him). Learning more about him was one of my favorite parts of this book.
Nasir and Zafira’s perspectives are equally amazing. They both have gone through a lot in book one and it was great to see them continue to develop and change over the course of this book.
We Free the Stars also puts a good amount of focus on the romance that began in We Hunt the Flame and it was just so perfect. I honestly don’t know how to put into words my feelings over that plotline because my thoughts are still an incoherent mess whenever I try to think of it.
Outside of our POV characters, we see some familiar faces and some new ones. I loved spending even more time with the characters we already knew from We Hunt the Flame, and I also really enjoyed getting to know all of the new characters. There was not a single flat character in this series and I love it so much.
- Conclusion -
Pros- Beautiful writing, fantastic characters, swoon-worthy romance, amazing worldbuilding, addictive plot Cons- I don’t know what to do with my life now that this series is over. Also, this book made me cry in the middle of a livestream Overall- 5/5 stars. I could not have imagined a more perfect finale. This book was everything I could have ever wanted it to be.
Thank you so much to Bloomsbury YA for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Quick Stats: Overall: 5/5 Stars Characters: 4.5/5 Setting: 4/5 WrThank you so much to Bloomsbury YA for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Quick Stats: Overall: 5/5 Stars Characters: 4.5/5 Setting: 4/5 Writing: 5/5 Plot and Themes: 5/5 Awesomeness Factor: 5/5 Review in a Nutshell: A Vow So Bold and Deadly is exactly what I wanted in a finale. It was epic, full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat, with amazing characters that I absolutely adored.
Release Date: 1/26/2021 Publisher: Bloomsbury YA Page Count: 416 Premise: A Vow So Bold and Deadly is the final book in the Cursebreakers series, following all four of our previous POV characters as they head towards that inevitable conclusion that we’ve been dreading.
- Initial Thoughts -
I was scared to read this book. After A Heart so Fierce and Broken, I was left conflicted and concerned. The direction the plot was going in, and how some characters were treated, really bothered me, and I knew that the final book in this series will make me love it, or hate it.
I love it.
What scared me most about A Heart so Fierce and Broken was how it seemed to hint at a character having PTSD, but instead of addressing it, they made that character seem more villainous. A Vow So Bold and Deadly continues to show that characters struggle with PTSD, but the handling of it was so much better than in the previous book. I don’t want to spoil anything, but if you were upset about the direction that character went in in A Heart So Fierce and Broken, you’ll feel better after reading A Vow So Bold and Deadly.
- Characters -
But let's talk about all of our characters. We spend time with each of the main four protagonists in this book. In my opinion, Harper and Rhen stole the show. There was so much going on in their point of view, and I loved hearing more of their side of what happened in the previous books and how they’re dealing with the decisions they made. There was so much depth and development for the both of them (especially Rhen), and I couldn’t have been happier.
Lia Mara and Gray also get point of view chapters, and I did enjoy them, but I found their development to be a little weaker in comparison. Although, to be honest, it’d be pretty hard to compare to Harper and Rhen’s story here.
- Plot -
One of the things that I loved most about the first two books in this series was the addictive pacing and plot. Well, I can confirm: A Vow So Bold and Deadly still has it. I read this book in two sittings, but I definitely could have read it in one. I was glued to the page, always eager to see what was going to happen next. There were also fantastic twists in this book that I never could have predicted, that made me want to throw the book in shock.
- Conclusion -
Pros- Great character development, addictive, fun twists Cons- I wish I cared more about Gray and Lia Mara than I did (but I know some people adore them so this definitely won’t be a problem for everyone) Overall- 5/5 stars. A Vow So Bold and Deadly was exactly what I was hoping it would be. While I’m so sad this series is over, I couldn’t imagine a better conclusion.
Quick Stats: Overall: 5/5 Stars Characters: 5/5 Setting: 5/5 Writing: 5/5 Plot and Themes: 5/5 Awesomeness Factor: 5/5 Review in a Nutshell: I spent 95% of mQuick Stats: Overall: 5/5 Stars Characters: 5/5 Setting: 5/5 Writing: 5/5 Plot and Themes: 5/5 Awesomeness Factor: 5/5 Review in a Nutshell: I spent 95% of my time reading this book smiling. I’m sure I terrified some people, but oh god was it worth it. (Sidenote: The other 5% was happy crying)
“Thinking about history makes me wonder how I’ll fit into it one day, I guess. And you too. I kinda wish people still wrote like that. History, huh? Bet we could make some.”
“But the truth is, also, simply this: love is indomitable.”
- Premise -
Red White and Royal Blue is told in the third person perspective of Alex Claremont-Diaz, the First Son of the United States. When his beef with Prince Henry of Wales gets him in the papers, he must stage a fake friendship with him in order to not jeopardize his mother’s re-election campaign. But Henry isn’t as bad as he thought, and he finds himself trying to hide their newfound relationship from both of their nations.
“The whole world watched, and history remembered.”
- Writing & Setting-
I love the writing in this book. It’s sharp, quick-witted, and hilarious, while still being heartfelt and honest. There were quite a few times where I caught myself laughing out loud. While it’s mostly told in third-person, there are also emails, texts, and the occasional speech peppered throughout the book to break up the longer chapters. Casey McQuiston’s writing is truly unique, the prose is the perfect mix of beautiful yet relatable and easy to devour. As for settings, there are quite a few mentioned, but all of them feel so real and tangible. I especially loved Texas, a place I’ve been to only a few times in my life and never really had an appreciation for. This book made me love it with all of my heart.
“That's the choice. I love him, with all that, because of all that. On purpose. I love him on purpose.”
- Plot -
First off, this book may be 420 pages, but it doesn’t feel like it at all. I flew through it, only stopping so I can prolong my enjoyment of it. There was never a point where I felt like something was unnecessary or just filler. It was all purposeful and made the impact of the story that much better. The plot centers around the romance, but also deals heavily with politics. I absolutely loved that aspect of this book, because it grounded it even more and added such a fascinating and unique layer to the story. Red White and Royal Blue also touched on mental illness and grief in such a beautiful way. Plus there’s the LGBTQ+ aspect of this book, which was not only adorable but just done so well in this political climate. Red White and Royal Blue made me feel seen, understood, and hopeful for the future of this world. I still want to cry every time I think of “History, huh?”.
“Someone else’s choice doesn’t change who you are.”
- Characters -
Oh boy these characters. They truly do live and breathe in these pages, every single one. Usually, the side characters are kinda brushed aside in favor of the main couple, but I have to say, June, Nora, Ellen, (I could go on naming characters for a while) felt so real despite all having various amounts of page time. Every character felt like they had a story to tell, and you could see aspects of them bleed into the lives of Alex and Henry. Speaking of our main couple- Alex and Henry are so amazing. Their romance is perfect, but I also just loved them as their own separate characters. They felt down to earth and relatable, while also like real people instead of audience surrogates or “perfect love interest” types.
“History will remember us.”
- Conclusion -
Pros- Funny, moving, cute, actual perfection please read it Cons- If you don’t like happiness or feeling emotions, maybe this isn’t for you because oh god did this pack a punch and I don’t know if I’ll ever recover Overall- 5/5 stars. Red White & Royal Blue is absolutely adorable. I went into this book with high expectations, and it exceeded every one of them. This book is so important to the world right now, but I also can’t express enough how important it is to me.
“To every person in search of somewhere to belong who happened to pick up this book, I hope you found a place in here, even if just for a few pages. You are loved. I wrote this for you. Keep fighting, keep making history, keep looking after one another.”
Quick Stats: Overall: 5/5 Stars Characters: 5/5 Setting: 4.5/5 Writing: 5/5 Plot and Themes: 4.5/5 Awesomeness Factor: 5/5 Review in a Nutshell: We Hunt the Flame is a stunning debut. This book is absolutely gorgeous, inside and out. You do not want to miss out on this one of a kind read.
“We hunt the flame, the light in the darkness, the good this world deserves.”
"A life without purpose may be no life, but a life without love is nothing but an existence.”
Release Date: 5/14/2019 Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux Page Count: 472 Premise: We Hunt the Flame takes place in Arawiya, a kingdom divided into five caliphates, inspired by ancient Arabia. Zafira is one of the only people able to venture into the Arz, a magical forest, and come back unaffected. Disguised as The Hunter, she uses this ability to feed her village. But when she is told of a way she might be able to get rid of the Arz forever, she travels to the mysterious island of Sharr. Nasir is an assassin, son of the Sultan and Prince of Death. When his father sends him after The Hunter with orders to find what The Hunter is after then kill him, Nasir does not hesitate. But Sharr is full of ancient magic and forgotten powers, and with old threats rising, their quests, and their lives, are in jeopardy.
“There is a certain beauty in chaos, magnificence in the uncontrollable.”
- Writing & Setting-
Hafsah Faizal’s writing style is absolutely beautiful. Her prose is perfection. There are so many gorgeous lines in this book. But at the same time, there’s also plenty of humor and wit. Seriously, the banter between characters in this book is fantastic. But the writing isn’t the only unique and beautiful aspect of this book-- there’s also the world. There are a lot of Arabian influences in Arawiya that I absolutely loved, plus some unique aspects that stand out. However, it does take some time to get used to the world and understand the politics, history, and magic, but with the help of the map and some nice exposition, it eventually falls into place.
"A monster will always be enslaved to a master.”
- Plot -
Because there is a bit of an adjustment period to learn the world of this book, the beginning can feel slow. I would say it took me around 170 pages to really get immersed in this world and start flying through. That said, once it picks up, this book is perfect. There’s plenty of action, great character moments, and oh my god are there some twists!! I really did not see a lot of it coming, which doesn’t happen to me often.
"Together we will raise dunes from the earth and rain death from the sky. Together, we are capable of anything”(ah, the power of friendship)
- Characters -
I would die for the zumra. The main group of characters are all very well developed, each with their own unique personalities and backstories. It’s rare that a book can get me to cry over a character who wasn’t my absolute favorite (not that this character wasn’t amazing, they just weren’t my number 1 fave), but this book did. That just goes to show how good every single character in this book is. Nasir and Zafira are our two main protagonists, and I love them both so much. They each have great motivations and character development, and I can’t wait to see where they go in the sequel. I also wanted to mention Altair, because I love him so much. His interactions with Nasir made me laugh so many times in this book. Nasir really is the quiet emo guy, while Altair is sunlight in human form, so you can imagine what that dynamic is like. It’s perfection.
“Darkness is my destiny.” (Nasir sounds like 13 year old me after discovering MCR. I love him.)
- Conclusion -
Pros- Amazing characters, beautiful writing, unique world Cons- The beginning is slow Overall- 5/5 stars. We Hunt the Flame is astounding. This book is captivating, enthralling, and any other positive adjective you can think of. This book blew me away, and I can’t wait for the sequel to kill me (because based on this one’s ending, I know it will).
More Quotes I Love: "There was nothing more respectable and dangerous than a woman of confidence.” "Zafira bit back a snarl. They were both insufferable children. With death counts.” "'You know nothing of love or loss,’ the Huntress hissed, and Nasir flinched from her gaze, so cold it burned. ‘You’re likely among the privileged who tumble a different woman every night, only to kill her by sunrise.’ Nasir donned a wolfish smile. ‘Fancy yourself a Shahrazad, then?’" "The darkness was always happy to see her.” “He would not fear the darkness. He was the darkness.” “A thousand leagues and a thousand sands. For you, a thousand times I would defy the sun.” ...more
This is tough to review considering it's 3 separate novellas, so I'll first discuss it as a whole then go into each story.
Overall: 4.5/5 Stars CharacteThis is tough to review considering it's 3 separate novellas, so I'll first discuss it as a whole then go into each story.
Overall: 4.5/5 Stars Characters: 4/5 Setting: 5/5 Writing: 5/5 Plot and Themes: 4/5 Awesomeness Factor: 5/5 Review in a Nutshell: Star-Touched Stories is a beautiful collection of novellas that will add so much to your overall enjoyment of this world and these characters.
“Sometimes we women are our own worst traps. Our hopes snatch us like quicksand. Our loneliness forges a cage. Sometimes all it takes is one sweet glance and kind word to make us forget ourselves.” Blog || Tumblr|| Bookstagram || Twitter
- Premise - Star-Touched Stories includes 3 different novellas, each one around 100-115 pages. The first, Death & Night, takes place before the events of The Star-Touched Queen, and follows both Amar and Maya as they meet and fall in love for the first time. Poison and Gold takes place after the events of A Crown of Wishes, and follows Asha as she tries to earn her spot in Gauri and Vikrams court by becoming their Spy Mistress, but in order to do that she must earn the approval of the current Spy Mistress. Finally, Rose & Sword. I don't want to describe this one too much, because it is something that is best going into knowing little. But let's just say - it's beautiful and heartbreaking and just so perfect.
- Setting - The world in The Star-Touched Queen series is always absolutely breathtaking, and this book is not an exception. From the Night Bazaar to the palace, this world is immensely beautiful and fascinating. The first novella really shows a lot of the aspects of this universe that I was dying to see during The Star-Touched Queen, and was everything I could have hoped for.
- Writing - Roshani Chokshi has such a gorgeous and elegant writing style. Each sentence is put together so perfectly that it just makes me want to smile. Her writing is flowery, but also has room for humor and wit when necessary, and never feels too pompous or pretentious.
- Characters - I was so happy to see all of these characters again. Honestly, this book adds so much to each of them. There were only a couple of characters that left me unimpressed, but for the most part, I would forget about them the second another character I loved arrived.
- Individual Novellas - Death & Night - 4.5 Stars - This novella was everything I needed. When I read The Star-Touched Queen, I really wanted something explaining the relationship between Maya and Amar from before she was reincarnated. While I enjoyed that book, that thought always hung over me, because I found their relationship hard to believe without the background. This novella is the background I was dying for, showing exactly how they came to be what they were.
Poison & Gold - 3 Stars - This was definitely the weakest one for me. I enjoyed Aasha in A Crown of Wishes, but that wasn't enough to make me love this story. I just found her love interest really lacking, which made me so sad because it was a sapphic love story and I was SO excited for that! Not to mention, the actual plot was less gripping in this one. However, I still did enjoy the writing and some smaller aspects.
Rose & Sword - 5 Stars - I can't tell you how hard I cried while reading this. For fans of A Crown of Wishes, this will destroy you. It was everything I didn't even know I wanted and I don't know what to do now that it's over. It's the perfect epilogue to a perfect story.
“I want to write my own legacy in the stars instead of simply having the stars be my legacy.”
- Conclusion - Pros- beautiful writing, sapphic romance, also the other romances are adorable, and it just filled me with so much joy, okay? Cons- Aasha's love interest was pretty weak, the second novella in general isn't the greatest. Overall- 4.5/5 stars. Star-Touched Stories is absolutely necessary (and gorgeous) for anyone wanting more from this astonishing series. ...more
This book was absolutely stunning. I am in love with it. It was so much more than I thought it would be, and I don't know what to do with my life now This book was absolutely stunning. I am in love with it. It was so much more than I thought it would be, and I don't know what to do with my life now that I've finished it.
This is definitely my favorite book I've read this year, and it might just be my favorite book of all time.
I can't stop thinking about it. It broke me, completely. I don't know how to move on from it.
I'll probably write a more coherent review soon, but until then, if you're debating whether or not to pick this book up, do it. Please. You won't regret it....more
Quick Stats: Overall: 5/5 Stars Characters: 5/5 Setting: 5/5 Writing: 5/5 Plot and Themes: 5/5 Awesomeness Factor: 5/5 Review in a Nutshell: This was my most anticipated release of the year, and it did not disappoint.
“Tell them the demon king rules Ravka now and vengeance is coming.”
Rule of Wolves is the sequel to King of Scars, and the most recent book in the Grishaverse. This book is nearly impossible to describe without spoiling a previous book in this universe, but it follows our main three characters as they deal with the aftermath of the King of Scars ending. Plus some twists. There’s war, monsters, magic, and romance.
“Grief was the shadow love left when it was gone.”
- Writing & Setting -
If you’ve read up to this book, then you probably already have an idea of what to expect from a writing and setting perspective. But I don’t care, I’m going to rant about it anyways.
Leigh Bardugo’s writing style is beautiful, while also lending itself to great humor and wit. The banter between her characters flows naturally and is addicting to read.
Meanwhile, her worldbuilding is fascinating. We’ve slowly come to learn more and more about this world, the magic system and the countries, and it was great to see all of that knowledge pay off. She continues expanding what we know in new and complex ways, while never making it feel overwhelming.
“This was war. Not parades and boasts but blood and sacrifice, and Ravka would not go quietly.”
- Plot -
The TWISTS in this book. Oh my god. Admittedly, some aspects of the book were spoiled for me before I picked it up, but that didn’t even matter because there were so many things I never could have predicted, and even the things that were spoiled for me still managed to surprise me in some ways.
Rule of Wolves kept me on the edge of my seat, just waiting to see what would happen next. Not only was it unpredictable, but there was constant danger and threats moving the plot forward. However, despite that, there was still time for call-backs and cameos that will have fans screaming (speaking from experience here). Some of these scenes felt more like fan service than necessary plot points, but I’m not complaining.
Leigh Bardugo has said that this might be the last Grishaverse book. And while the thought of that hurts like hell, this is a fantastic conclusion. There were some aspects of the ending that did leave me a little unsatisfied, but they didn’t bother me enough to change my overall opinion of the book.
While Leigh Bardugo has mentioned that she does have an idea for a third Six of Crows novel, she said isn’t sure if she’ll write it. The ending of Rule of Wolves tells us what the plot of this potential next book might be, and let me tell you, I am so excited. I really hope we do get it, but if we don’t, Rule of Wolvescan still stand as a great conclusion to this universe (no matter how badly I don’t want it to end).
“People only say that when they know it won’t last.” “Of course it won’t last,” said Zoya. “What does?” “True love?” suggested Tamar. “Great art?” said Tolya. “A proper grudge,” replied Zoya
tell me this doesn’t give you “How do you steal a man’s wallet?” vibes
- Characters -
I love all of these characters with every fiber of my being. Nikolai, Nina, and Zoya, are fantastic protagonists, with great growth. Their development, over the course of all the Grishaverse books? Unparalleled.
However, for some characters, there were some choices made that seemed a little strange in order to give us a perfectly wrapped up ending. They weren’t completely out there for the characters, but I felt like the ending rushed their development a little bit, making it feel somewhat unnatural. I had a similar issue at the end of Ruin and Rising.
But back to how much I love these characters. Not only do we have fantastic protagonists, but all of our side characters are extremely well developed and amazing. You probably already know most of them, if you’ve read the previous books, but there are also a few new characters that are given a moment to shine.
Let the hounds give chase. I do not fear death, because I command it.
- Conclusion -
Pros- Amazing characters, great conclusion, so many twists Cons- THAT LAST LINE!!! I need Six of Crows 3 after this Overall- 5/5 stars. Rule of Wolves broke me. I laughed, I cried, I screamed into a pillow more than I’m willing to admit. This series- this universe- has meant so much to me, and I couldn’t be happier with the latest installment.
Maybe the gift of being human is that we do not give up- even when all hope is lost.
Overall: 5/5 Stars Characters: 5/5 Setting: 5/5 Writing: 5/5 Plot and Themes: 5/5 Awesomeness Factor: 5/5 Review in a Nutshell: King of Scars absolutely bleOverall: 5/5 Stars Characters: 5/5 Setting: 5/5 Writing: 5/5 Plot and Themes: 5/5 Awesomeness Factor: 5/5 Review in a Nutshell: King of Scars absolutely blew me away. It was everything I wanted and more, and I don’t think I’ll be able to function normally until I can read the next book!
// Content Warning: Violence, Death, Assault, Torture, Depression, Suicide/Self-Sacrifice, Child Marriage (Mention), Drug Addiction, Animal Death, War Themes, Murder, Grief, Kidnapping/Abduction //
“Everyone mourns the first blossom. Who will grieve the rest who fall?”
- Premise -
King of Scars is the first book in a new GrishaVerse duology, following Nikolai Lantsov, the King of Ravka, his general, Zoya Nazyalensky, and a soldier in his army, Nina Zenik. This is the most I can say without spoiling any other GrishaVerse books, however beyond this point I’m going to stop caring about spoilers for the Six of Crows Duology and The Grisha Trilogy. If you haven’t read those books-- READ THEM! Not only are the amazing, but they are definitely required reading for King of Scars. There is so much going on in this book, and you really should read the first five books in this universe (and probably The Language of Thorns too because why not), otherwise it may get a bit confusing, and some of the emotional moments may not hit quite as hard as they would if you knew the full context. While it *technically* isn’t mandatory, it really should be.
“It's not exciting if nothing can go wrong.”
- Writing -
Leigh Bardugo has definitely earned her title of queen of YA fantasy. Her writing style is gorgeous, with elegant prose and so many beautiful, quotable lines, while also having so many funny and snarky lines that I absolutely adored. She manages to both tug on your heartstrings and make you laugh. Although, perhaps that may not be the best way to describe the emotional rollercoaster this book is. She steps on your heart with 5-inch stilettos and still has you eager to start the next chapter.
“If men were ashamed when they should be, they'd have no time for anything else.”
- Plot -
There is quite a bit happening in this book. With 2-3 plotlines going on at any given time, there is always something exciting happening in someone’s point of view. The beginning can be a little slow, as you're seeing this world again for the first time in years and a reintroduction is in order, but once the pace picks up, it never slows again. This book is filled with political maneuvering, spying, deception, and epic action.
“Zoya of the lost city. Zoya of the garden. Zoya bleeding in the snow. You are strong enough to survive the fall.”
- Characters -
I love these characters more than anything. Most of the characters are familiar faces, seen in previous books (which is why it’s so important to read those), but there are also a good amount of new characters that will steal your heart. Isaak became a favorite of mine after just one chapter. Yuri was another character that captured my attention. Seeing him interact with the main characters who lived through Ravka’s civil war was always fascinating. Hanne was another new character, and I can’t wait to see more of her! As for the old friends we all know and love-- this book made me love them all even more. Nikolai is just as amazing as always. I wish Leigh would just let him be happy for once in his life, but apparently, that’s not allowed. It was so great learning more about Zoya and her history and seeing her and Nikolai interact never failed to make me smile. Meanwhile, every Nina chapter broke my heart more and more. That said, her development in this book is handled so well, and while some scenes with her made me sob, I love her so much. Most of the side characters from The Grisha Trilogy also show their faces in this book, and I loved hearing how they’re doing and where they ended up. I only wished we got to see some specific characters I loved, but hearing their names mentioned was good enough for me!
“Hope was the wind that came from nowhere to fill your sails and carry you home.”
- Conclusion -
Pros- Beautiful writing, every character is amazing, fun plot Cons- I was such a mess after finishing it. That ending was cruel Overall- 5/5 stars. King of Scars is amazing. It is captivating, thrilling, heartbreaking, immersive, and every other adjective I can think of. You’ll be seeing this in everyone’s “Favorite 2019 Releases” at the end of the year (I know it’ll be on mine).
”He was a king who had only begun to make mistakes. He was a soldier for whom the war would never be over. He was a bastard left alone in the woods. And he was not afraid to die this day.”
----- Initial Thoughts (2/5/2019) -----
Im surprised I can even form words right now.
This book was everything I wanted and more. I’m an absolute mess and I need the sequel...more
Overall: 5/5 Stars Characters: 5/5 Setting: 5/5 Writing: 5/5 Plot and Themes: 5/5 Awesomeness Factor: 5/5 Review in a Nutshell: A Very Large Expanse of SeaOverall: 5/5 Stars Characters: 5/5 Setting: 5/5 Writing: 5/5 Plot and Themes: 5/5 Awesomeness Factor: 5/5 Review in a Nutshell: A Very Large Expanse of Sea discusses important and relevant topics in a way that is sure to open your eyes, it is beautifully written and immediately pulls you in.
"It never stops hurting. It only gets easier to recover."
A Very Large Expanse of Sea takes place in 2002, a year after the events of 9/11, and follows Shirin. Shirin is used to seeing the worst of people due to her religion and the hijab she wears. She's learned to handle the comments, the stares, and even the violence sent her way. She built walls to protect herself, and only really allows herself to relax when break-dancing with her brother and his friends. Then Shirin meets Ocean, a painfully naive boy who she finds herself falling for despite how dangerous it can be for the two of them.
"Part of me felt a little like I'd died. But here, in the silent explosion of my heart, was a quiet that felt familiar."
- Writing -
This novel was fantastic. Tahereh Mafi's writing style really shines. She manages to maintain her beautiful and almost poetic style while not letting it take over and outshine the plot and the message of the book. In this book, I think she found the perfect balance between poetic and realistic, taking it down a notch from previous novels.
"I tried to tell him that the bigots and the racists had always been there, and he said he'd honestly never seen them like this, that he never thought they could be like this, and I said yes, I know. I said that's how privilege works."
- Plot -
The plot is well-paced and very addicting. I couldn't put it down (which says something since I read this book in Disney World). A Very Large Expanse of Sea has the perfect balance between light moments to break up the darker and brutally honest themes. I laughed and cried while pouring over these pages.
"I could no longer distinguish people from monsters. I looked out at the world around me and no longer saw nuance. I saw nothing but the potential for pain and the subsequent need to protect myself, constantly."
- Themes -
Speaking of the themes. Damn. Tahereh Mafi outdid herself with this novel. This book deals with the very true and horrible effects of racism and Islamaphobia. Despite taking place in 2002, it's very clear how prevalent these issues still are today, especially given the current political climate. This book is honestly so important right now, and I wish I could force everyone to read it. I also loved the view of privilege that this book showed through Ocean's character. I can't go into this without spoilers, but I just adored how Mafi handled his character arc and how he was a perfect foil for Shirin's character. But I'll stop myself there before I start writing an essay on the themes of this book.
"So many times, I thought, I'd tried to draw a line in the sand, and I was never strong enough to keep it there."
- Characters -
Shirin, the protagonist, is such an interesting person from start to finish, and her arc is fantastic. Her story is amazing. She is an incredibly strong person, and I imagine she will be an inspiration to many. Ocean is another great character, I loved watching his development and growth throughout the book. Their relationship was absolutely adorable but also felt grounded and real. The side characters were all interesting in their own way as well. Not much time was spent on any of the antagonistic characters, mostly because the society as a whole was the real antagonist, not necessarily one particular person (although I really hated the Coach and wanted to punch him).
“It gives the bullies all the power. It would mean they’d succeeded at making me feel like who I was and what I believed in was something to be ashamed of.”
- Conclusion -
Pros- Amazing themes, awesome characters, astonishing writing Cons- Honestly, can't think of anything Overall- 5/5 stars. A Very Large Expanse of Sea is an amazingly written, thought-provoking novel that makes you think about privilege and discrimination while being completely addictive.
-----Original Reaction (6/16/2018)----- Absolutely fantastic. This blew me away. I couldn’t put it down....more
All Your Perfects follows Quinn as she copes with her marriage falling apart. Despite the fact that she loves her husband, Graham, she continues to fall into a depression because she can't have a child. The chapters alternate between now, as Quinn struggles with her infertility, and then, 7 years earlier, when Graham and Quinn first met and their first year together.
“You say that like marriage is a Category 5 hurricane.” “Not all the time. But I definitely think there are Category 5 moments in every marriage.”
This book is definitely the heaviest Colleen Hoover book I've read. While previous books of hers have had some comic relief to break the tension, this book doesn't have much. It is almost solely in the then chapters, and definitely has less of an impact than in her other books. However, like other Colleen Hoover books, it definitely is a fast read that you won't want to put down.
Colleen Hoover's writing style is great. There are so many beautiful quotes from this novel, but while reading it feels so real and honest. She manages to evoke so much emotion with this book. It is an absolutely brutal read, and your heart will feel like it was run over a million times by the time you finish it.
“We’re getting really good at playing our parts.”
The characters in All Your Perfects were interesting. The book focuses almost entirely on Quinn and Graham, with their families each having a small role as well. They both are interesting characters, with great development and backstory. Their relationship also feels very real. It isn't romanticized or glorified. This book shows how a marriage requires work in order to thrive, no matter how perfect the couple seems.
There are a few points where I did get really frustrated with them because of their avoidant tendencies. If you get easily annoyed by miscommunication and plots driven by characters just refusing to talk to each other, then you may get frustrated too. But it is done purposefully and it makes sense for the characters. I mean, I can't judge them. I avoid confrontation at all costs as well.
This book deals with a lot of heavier topics. Infertility is a major part of the plot. This is a subject I know practically nothing about, and I'm so glad this book shines a light on it. I can tell this book will mean a lot to people who have gone through similar struggles to Quinn's.
“Apologies are good for admitting regret, but they do very little in removing the truth from the actions that caused the regret.”
Lastly, I quickly wanted to touch on something I mentioned in my trigger warning, infidelity. Only read on if you aren't afraid of spoilers, otherwise, just skip down to my Pros and Cons! (view spoiler)[ So, cheating is something that, in my opinion, is never okay. In this one case, it didn't completely ruin the book for me, but it still bothered me a lot. Graham kisses another woman while married to Quinn. He does admit to it, he only blames himself, and he offers an explanation that isn't an excuse. While I'm still not comfortable with it, I also understand it is something that happens, and something some couples do deal with. I can see why Quinn forgave him, but I still don't like it. (hide spoiler)]
Pros- Shines a light on an important topic, great writing Cons- Definitely wasn't what I was expecting going into it, there was a plot point is didn't like (see my spoiler bit for details) Overall- 4/5 stars. All Your Perfects will crush you emotionally and leave you going back for more....more
Overall: 5/5 Stars Characters: 5/5 Setting: 5/5 Writing: 5/5 Plot and Themes: 5/5 Awesomeness Factor: 5/5 Review in a Nutshell: Umbertouched is the perfect Overall: 5/5 Stars Characters: 5/5 Setting: 5/5 Writing: 5/5 Plot and Themes: 5/5 Awesomeness Factor: 5/5 Review in a Nutshell: Umbertouched is the perfect sequel, and a fantastic conclusion to a breathtaking series.
"'Our hearts are not so easily changed, nor what runs through our veins.’”
// Content Warning: Violence, Death, War Themes, Murder, Illness, PTSD//
- Premise - Umbertouched is the sequel to Rosemarked, picking up shortly after the conclusion of the first book. It follows Dineas and Zivah as they struggle to save their home from an inevitable war, while also fighting their own demons. Dineas has been changed by what he's gone through, and others in his tribe notice. Meanwhile, Zivah's rose plague has returned and she doesn't know how long she has left.
- Setting - Livia Blackburne continues to develop this amazing fantasy world. It may not have actual magic, but it feels magical as you read about the different lands. A lot more time is spent in Dara than in the first book, and I loved seeing more of Zivah's home.
- Writing & Plot - This book is well written, balancing plot, action, and prose with precision. Livia Blackburne clearly knows a lot about war and battle strategy, and it shows in this book. The weaving storylines merge perfectly, and the war itself feels so real. She never shied away from the brutality and fear that plays a part in a battle, and this was one of the few books where I genuinely didn't know who would survive and who would die. The pace in this book is a little quicker than in the first, but it's still slower than your average YA fantasy. However, it deserves that slowness, and it makes the book so much better.
- Characters - Umbertouched truly is a character-focused novel. The majority of this book is about the growth of the two protagonists, Dineas and Zivah, and their journey. Livia Blackburne handles Dineas' PTSD perfectly in this book. It's never ignored or forgotten, and the symptoms are very realistic. His journey throughout the book is absolutely amazing, a perfect mix of tragic and hopeful. Zivah is equally awesome. The way her story is wrapped up is perfect for this series, and no one will be disappointed by it. Also, their relationship is so adorable! This series isn't about the romance, but it's balanced very well with the war and other plot threads. Some popular side characters come back in this book, and I was so happy to see them, as well as some amazing new people.
"Save your honor for those who have honor themselves. Keep your piety for those who don’t spit on the gods."
- Conclusion - Pros- Fantastic characters, epic action, well written Cons- A little slow at times (but honestly this isn't a con, more of a warning for people who don't like that) Overall- 5/5 stars. Umbertouched blew me away. This book was even better than it's predecessor, and it makes me so excited to see what Blackburne writes next. ...more
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