Damn! This book deserves more than the 5 stars I can give it. Its so rare for a series to do this level of wrapping up threads and trust me there's a Damn! This book deserves more than the 5 stars I can give it. Its so rare for a series to do this level of wrapping up threads and trust me there's a lot of threads in this series. Questions are answered in such a satisfactory manner. The world building continues to astound. The importance placed on found family throughout this series is a beautiful thing and this book continues to add to that. The ties we choose can be just as important if not more so than the ones we are born with. “Friends, family—more names than she knew what to do with—love and the safety she hadn’t known she craved when she returned to Nadežra. A future she could face without need of a mask. Truly, a favored daughter of Ažerais.” There's a ton of character growth all around. Secrets come to light, sometimes with rather devastating consequences. Trust is shattered, loyalties tested. I dont want to say much about the storylines in specific as there's too much potential for spoilers. But really just read it. Underappreciated series that needs more love. Plus the narration is incredible. Cannot recommend this series enough....more
I loved this book. I read this one as soon as I did because of the love a friend of mine had for it and it didn't disappoint. Imagine having a book whI loved this book. I read this one as soon as I did because of the love a friend of mine had for it and it didn't disappoint. Imagine having a book where any door was every door and what that could mean.
“Somebody once told me that you can’t change the past, you can only create the present you live in.”
The way time travel was done was brilliant. I appreciated how this was tackled. Every bit of the story has a reason and actions have consequences. The special books can be used for good or evil and both happen in spades here. There are books of joy and pain, health, matter, and so much more.
“She wondered then if experiences were always better in retrospect, in reminiscence. Was it possible to truly enjoy something in the moment?”
The characters are flawed in such a realistic way. Drummond is afraid and runs from his problems, Izzy cares more about keeping thin than enjoying her food which makes her seem shallow, Cassie wants some good in her life and starts with the my wishes matter more mentality. They all grow and mature while staying true to who they are. I do wish Izzy had a bit more depth but she wasn't the main character so I'll let that go. I appreciated that while there are teasers of romance, its a secondary or tertiary plot point and never becomes the main focus.
(view spoiler)[ The scenes with returning to see her grandfather as an adult and get to know him on a more even ground were beautiful. Being able to go back and give him joy in his final moments instead of pain was such a touching moment. Who wouldn't want that chance. The touching moments like this made the book for me. (hide spoiler)]
“The best place to enjoy a stormy night is in a warm room with a book in your lap,”
Great book, narrated beautifully. Highly recommend. ...more
Wow I loved this one! Wish there wasn't such a wait for book 2 from the library 'cause this is a rare occasion I'd love to jump right in to continue tWow I loved this one! Wish there wasn't such a wait for book 2 from the library 'cause this is a rare occasion I'd love to jump right in to continue the story. I love the magical typewriters, it was a unique way of connected the characters and the reason these typewriters exist is pretty sweet too. The world building is top notch, I felt so immersed in the story. We get bits and pieces of the myths of the gods throughout so it never feels like an info dump but we still get to learn what they are all about. This is a gods war story, but it's so much more than that. The focus isn't so much on the war itself but more about how it effects the everyday people and their lives. It's about the devastation left over once an area has been ransacked and the fear of living with sirens. Its also about those who act like ostriches and never believe the war will come to their part of the world. So it feels so real. We do see the terrors of trench warfare, it has a similar feel as WWI warfare but add magical beings to the mix. The characters are fabulous. It isn't an enemies to lovers story in my opinion but it is a rivals one and its so good. Iris and Roman grow so much and really are better together. I loved watching them learn truths about each other and themselves as well as the inner strengths that are required of them. There are excellent side characters as well who are fleshed out. My least favourite part was the end, I get that it will drive the story for the next book but I still didn't love it as it gives me an inkling what has to happen in book 2 and I'm not looking forward to that part. Still loved the book, the narration is good and I highly recommend this one. ...more
I loved this one. Daphne reminds me of me in so many ways. She's learnt in a hard way that people show their truth through their actions and sometimesI loved this one. Daphne reminds me of me in so many ways. She's learnt in a hard way that people show their truth through their actions and sometimes even those who should the most wont show up when you need them. In some ways she's a cynic. But really she's trying to hide a heart that has been hurt too many times.
“You can't force a person to show up, but you can learn a lesson when they don't”
“Trust people's actions, not their words. Don't love anyone who isn't ready to love you back. Let go of the people who don't hold on to you. Don't wait on anyone who's in no rush to get to you.”
“Life, I’d learned, is a revolving door. Most things that come into it only stay awhile.”
Then we have Miles who is charming and sweet. So much that he is loved by everyone but still keeps people at a distance. I loved his backstory and how he became who he is. Yeah he screws up sometimes but its so real.
“It’s easy to be loved by the ones who’ve never seen you fuck up. The ones you’ve never had to apologize to, and who still think all your ‘quirks’ are charming.”
And this review has become a bunch of quotes. But really I loved this it worked for me. Was well narrated also. Highly recommend....more
Wow! Why did I wait so long to jump into this book? I was thankful for the refresher of major plot points at the start of the book and thought that waWow! Why did I wait so long to jump into this book? I was thankful for the refresher of major plot points at the start of the book and thought that was done so well. While I only liked the first book I thought this one hit the mark and was everything I was looking for in a fantasy novel. I still think the tarot style readings are fascinating and were done even better in this one. Yes I'd still love more explanation for how pattern and numinata work but I think they were better fleshed out in this one. Also there is a bunch more on the authors website which I may just have to dive into
Liar's Knot starts right where Mask of Mirrors ends off. All the MCs are hiding their many faces from one another and trying to determine who knows what and who is truly trustworthy. There is a lot of political maneuvering and deceit and it is done beautifully. Oh and the secret societies inside the secret societies, just fabulous.
The world building in this book is incredible. All the various cultures are fleshed out, languages, religion, clothing it all differs based on the background of the characters and it is so well done.
There's so much found family and how one really can create their own. The characters and their interactions with each other are something else. All the characters feel real and have their own motivations for things. Some of those may come as a surprise to the reader but in the best way as they all make sense for the character.
A fabulous book with the perfect narrator. Does not suffer from second book syndrome at all. Cannot wait to jump into book 3 which I will be doing shortly. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys a detailed fantasy....more
I finished and I am not okay. Next book now please! Also that audio is perfect, couldn't have picked a better narrator for these books. Are there someI finished and I am not okay. Next book now please! Also that audio is perfect, couldn't have picked a better narrator for these books. Are there some issues with the book, yes. Did it impact my enjoyment? Not at all. This was a hard book to put down as there was always something happening. In some ways maybe the story could've used a couple more calmer moments but I didn't care, it worked for me. I loved seeing the world expand and everything the characters know get put into question. I want to know so much more about how things got this way in the first place but we are getting information at a decent pace. Violet is still pretty badass. I do wish she spent less time in this book not asking the necessary questions. Her refusal to communicate with Xaden, and his continuing to not offer up anything only answer questions did get frustrating. The story could've moved a bit quicker in parts if they had a healthier relationship. That being said, part of the story really is about the toxic parts of a relationship and how to make things better. Aside from the relationship issues though, I loved seeing her learn new things and use her scribe training. I appreciate that she finds other ways to make things work for her and never stops fighting even when her body is trying to give out. The dragons are the best though. I love Tairn, "We do not eat our allies" is something that needs to be said multiple times when you have an adolescent with an attitude. I loved all that attitude from Andarna though. The two of them are so entertaining. We get a lot of new characters as well as having the original squad together. I love the friendship between Violot and Rhi. There are a bunch of characters to get to know and while it would be nice to learn more about them all it never felt like there were too many of them.
I loved the book flaws and all. If I hadn't been so busy I would have inhaled this one quicker. Definitely recommend the series and impatiently waiting for book 3....more
Viv only ends up in this town because of a foolish mistake on the battlefield that almost cost her her life. Instead she needs to rest and he4.5 stars
Viv only ends up in this town because of a foolish mistake on the battlefield that almost cost her her life. Instead she needs to rest and heal. But for a young orc looking to make a name for herself as a mercenary this rest time seems like torture at first. We get to learn so much about Viv in this one. How rash she was and how for a time, she learnt how to slow down and be a different person. I loved all the talk about how sometimes it just isn't the right time, but how important those almosts can be on who we become. “Because I’m headed down the hill, and you’re headed up it. I’m just glad we chanced to meet on the way.” There's the makings for a first love that can only end in heartbreak and the difference between knowing where things will end and truly accepting it. I loved the setting in the cozy bookshop and Viv learning to love books. Fern is an excellent bookseller but she is lost on how to keep her shop open and has lost sight of what is important. But she is the best at recommending the perfect book as she shows with her recommendations to Viv. Seeing them grow and the bookstore transform was wonderful. I didn't know I needed a gryphet in my life, but Potroast was fabulous and I want to pet his feathery head! Every good bookstore needs a pet right? Meeting Galina was a fun time. Seeing how her and Viv met and how this chance encounter intertwined their lives was perfect and a great addition to the book and tie in with the original story. I loved listening to Travis narrate his book, it really adds to the story. I want more in this cozy world so I hope there will be a book 2 set after Legends and Lattes!...more
I loved every second of this book and am very glad I waited to read it since now I only have a few months to wait instead of years for the next book!
"I loved every second of this book and am very glad I waited to read it since now I only have a few months to wait instead of years for the next book!
"Because people were people, and if there was one thing you could count on, it was that some of them would be weird. Or rather that all of them would be weird when circumstances happened to align with their own individual brand of insanity"
The character growth and the adventures as well as all the lore was all perfect for me. We get more movement on the Set and what they are really after. Leaving Elendale and seeing more of the rest of the world was so interesting and I look forward to that world getting bigger.
"I wanted planned disturbances, Lord Waxillium." Steris snapped. "It's not upsetting if it's understood, prepared for, and controlled."
I actually kind of love Steris after this book. She is not the dull person she makes herself out to be. Yes she is a bit of a neurotic planner but she is capable of just going with it and after this book I'd even say she loves the adventure.
"Like the laws of nature and man no longer hold sway. They're suddenly flexible, like a string given slack. We're the spheres... I love the idea that I can break out of it all - the expecations, the way I'm regarded, the way I regard myself- and soar"
Marasi grows in this one too. She is still finding herself but doing it in such an admirable way. She wants to be seen for her own merits and does a lot in this book to prove to others and herself that she is a force to be reckoned with in her own right. She also realizes how dangerous it can be to judge a book from a cover and I enjoyed her moments with her sister as well.
"I don't want someone I have to convince, someone I have to rope into submisison. That sort of thing is for the courtroom, not the bedroom."
We get some excellent entertainment in the form of MeLaan, her character is always fascinating. She is also correct I am jealous that she can remove her breasts to go for a run.
"Can I have your skeleton when you're dead?" ... "You're a Bloodmaker correct? Can heal yourself. Bloodmaker bones tend to be particularly interesting as your time spent weak and sickly creates oddities in your joints and bones that can be quite distinctive. I'd love to have your skeleton if you don't mind"
Wax is everything I wanted him to be after the end of the last book. He's angry and a not as clear of mind on his decision making. But he also manages to come to terms with himself and makes some excellent strides as a person and with his relationships. He is as it is pointed out a few times, extremely good at breaking things. But he does it with style.
"You should be happy; you're usin' your talents like me granners always said a man should do." "I'd rather not have 'shootability' be my talent."
Wayne though is still the best character. He is just so good to follow with his ability to take on accents and personalities so easily. I quite enjoyed the "spoiled tomato" run as well as everything else he gets up to. While he is ridiculous and an over the top personality he is also loyal and caring. We get to see a more intelligent and somber side of him this book as well. I've found that... well, a man wantin' something don't make it true, you know?"
And one more quote because I love Wax and Wayne together "She assumes" Wax said, " that our detective style isn't normally the punchy-punchy, stabby- stabby type." "To be fair," Wayne said, "it's usually a more shooty-shooty, whacky-whacky type."
Loved it, can't wait to see the finale of Wax and Wayne's story. Especially after that epilogue!...more
This was everything I didn't know I wanted in a book! Zetian is not a good person in a lot of ways but she is also not wrong. She wants vengeance for This was everything I didn't know I wanted in a book! Zetian is not a good person in a lot of ways but she is also not wrong. She wants vengeance for her sister and really for all the girls unable to live lives of their own.
I have no faith in love. Love cannot save me. I choose vengeance.
The ways women are treated as being only good for selling is disgusting at best even if it's not unrealistic. The lotus feet thing is something I cannot understand and I never really want to be able to.
How do you take the fight out of half the population and render them willing slaves? You tell them they're meant to do nothing but serve from the minute their born. You tell them they're weak. You tell them they're prey. You tell them over and over, until its the only truth they're capable of living.
I know the romance wont be for everyone but it worked for me. I was uncertain of it to start but it was so worth the ride. I loved the mechs, their transformations and all the use of Qi. I do wish it was explained a little more how Qi works. But overall it was a system that could be understood.
Its a story about not conforming. I also love that Darling in the Franxx was some of the inspiration here. Loved it, highly recommend and cannot wait for book 2 to come out....more
Okay so I love these books. The character development of everyone is fantastic. Also I want ferret thieves of my own that was the best scene. We learn Okay so I love these books. The character development of everyone is fantastic. Also I want ferret thieves of my own that was the best scene. We learn so much more of the world and about different types of magic. Nevada learns tons about her own abilities in ways that make sense to me. Plus the relationships she builds with others in this one is excellently done. I love the way her and Rogan's relationship grows in this story. Rogan is a more intriguing character in this one as well and the way he changes is just fabulous.
“I’m going to shoot him,” I squeezed through my teeth. “No, that would be murder,” Grandma Frida told me, her voice soothing. “You’ve had a long day. Let’s put your magic away. You know what you need? A nice cup of chamomile tea and a tranquilizer . . .”
The best still are the side characters. The family is everything I could want. Grandma is still the most entertaining and who wouldn't want her for a grandparent. We also get to learn more about the sisters who have some fascinating powers that I cannot wait to learn more about as well. Another character I'm looking forward to learning more about is Leon because after this one there's no way he isn't getting some more page time. As far as the not family side characters go Bug is fun, so is the rest of Rogan's team, they are so devoted and flawed in their own ways and I appreciate that we got more of them. I liked getting to know more about Augustine in general and his and Rogan's past. I loved our animal mage and would love to be one myself that is such a neat power.
Loved this one more than the first, looking forward to listening to the next. Narration was excellent as well....more
This book was so fascinating and well written. Only reason it took me so long to read is I wanted to absorb as much of the knowledge in it as possibleThis book was so fascinating and well written. Only reason it took me so long to read is I wanted to absorb as much of the knowledge in it as possible. I learnt some really cool things and read about some real horrors. There is a chapter on suicides and the way it is done is perfect. I was able to read about jumpers without breaking down, I lost family to that type of suicide. There are some really stupid ways to die and some horrifying ones like being killed by an egg roll machine. There is a 9/11 chapter and it was chilling to read about. I never really thought about all the man hours and horrors the medical examiners would have seen, nor how long the process of identifying all those bodies would have taken. Some of the things I learnt, or learnt more about were: Accessory spleens and how they can sprout up or how a person can have no spleen at all Measuring the gestation of a fetus through their feet Schizophrenia being a cause of death on its own and why Leopard skin gastric cardia The theory that under the right kind of trauma that all the blood in the body could be absorbed by the bones. Which really is too neat! Trali - Transfusion-related acute lung injury
This is my kind of non-fiction. Told in a informative but interesting manner. Dr. Melinek manages to portray daily life working in a morgue and how long it actually takes to get things like tox screens back and how long it can take to finish an official death certificate. She also maintains an incredible kind of working relationship and shows a lot of empathy for the families, even when they can be frustrating. There is a well done bit of gallows humour as well which is true for most of us who work in health care of any form so I quite appreciated it. If you enjoy forensics this is an excellent book. I still think it would have been a fascinating career choice. Highly recommend. ...more
Love love love! This was a perfect ending to the story of Tori and the Three Mages. We got conclusions for the problems facing the guild and so many cLove love love! This was a perfect ending to the story of Tori and the Three Mages. We got conclusions for the problems facing the guild and so many cameos of characters we've gotten to know better from the spin off series. I am happy I read Kit's story prior to this. I want to gush about the book but I can't without spoilers and this series is too incredible to spoil. I'm not usually a huge epilogue fan but this one was fabulous. Love this series and looking forward to all the other books in the world. Hopefully we will continue to get glimpses of these characters in the other stories. I <3 Ezra still the most. ...more
What can I say about this fantastic installment in the grishaverse without spoilers. All the storylines were well done. I loved being in all of their What can I say about this fantastic installment in the grishaverse without spoilers. All the storylines were well done. I loved being in all of their heads. Nina in her undercover life, getting info to her people while falling for another Fjerdan. Zoya learning further trust of others as well as herself and finally opening that door. Nikolai and his clever fox self always scheming, plotting and trying to better his country. Mayu and her strength after so many betrayals and her neverending love for her brother. Also all the secondary characters have their page time as well. There's so much more about Ehri and the Shu, big things with the Grisha Triumvirate, Tamar and Tolya have their roles to play as well. We get to see some other old characters and meet a bunch of new ones as well. Truly the whole book is done so well. There's a death that broke me in here though and I wish it hadn't happened. There's also some twists I should have seen coming in hindsight but didn't and was happily surprised with the direction the story took.
Loved this book, loved the narration and am impatiently awaiting the next book in the world because after that teaser of a plot at the end there has to be another one....more
I just love this series. Getting Ezra POV chapters was the happiest surprise as I love him so much. This is the story about how far Tori is willing toI just love this series. Getting Ezra POV chapters was the happiest surprise as I love him so much. This is the story about how far Tori is willing to go to try to save Ezra. It has some very real moments bringing up the when is it right or wrong to withhold information, at what point are you only holding back because you are afraid. “There’s a line between keeping secrets because the consequences of the truth scare you, and keeping secrets because you need to be beside someone when you share the truth.”
We got to see a lot more of Tori and her relationships as well as her evaluating her place in the magical community. I love how strong willed and determined Tori is even if sometimes she runs off on her own unprepared more than I would like, she is still so real feeling and I'd love to have her as a friend. The character I was surprised to enjoy more in this one was Makiko. We got more of her story and some very enlightening conversations. I am so curious where things go with her in the final book.
I loved this book and the narration was perfect. I love how every character has their own voice and the various narrators used to portray this.
“No mouI loved this book and the narration was perfect. I love how every character has their own voice and the various narrators used to portray this.
“No mourners, no funerals. Another way of saying good luck. But it was something more. A dark wink to the fact that there would be no expensive burials for people like them, no marble markers to remember their names, no wreaths of myrtle and rose.”
Things didn't go quite as Kaz planned at the end of Six of Crows and this book puts them right back to fighting for their lives and the ability to control their own futures. There are new plots going on and the depths of the various relationships both intimate and friendship are incredibly well done. While the characters are definitely morally grey, I loved each one of them. I cannot say too much about the story without risk of spoiling something but this story had me fully invested.
“Maybe there were people who lived those lives. Maybe this girl was one of them. But what about the rest of us? What about the nobodies and the nothings, the invisible girls? We learn to hold our heads as if we wear crowns. We learn to wring magic from the ordinary. That was how you survived when you weren’t chosen, when there was no royal blood in your veins. When the world owed you nothing, you demanded something of it anyway.”
I want another Crows book so badly. Please give us more!...more
I loved this! Great newest novel by Kate Quinn. She does an excellent job of tying two timelines together again with this one. The book starts off in I loved this! Great newest novel by Kate Quinn. She does an excellent job of tying two timelines together again with this one. The book starts off in 1940 in one timeline and 1947 in the other tying them together seamlessly. Learning about Bletchley Park and the incredible kinds of people who lived there cracking codes for the war effort. This is not an area I knew much about but I want to know so much more and will be looking into more books set here. I loved the characters and how different all 3 of or MCs were but how tightly they were tied together with the secrecy. They were the best of friends until suddenly they weren't. Their friendship and relationships were beautiful, real, and tragic. Osla Kendell (based off the real Osla Benning) was a fascinating character who I want to learn more about. I am curious what liberties were taken with her personality but if she was anything like the Osla of this story she was an incredible lady. The way her relationship with Prince Philip was handled was great and it was so neat to see him interact with his first girlfriend as well. It all felt so real and again I want to read more about them when they were together also. Beth isn't always an easy character to like but I loved seeing all the work she did. The way all those lobsters and starfish would have come together is really fascinating. All those incredible brains working to solve puzzles. Outside of those puzzles she wasn't always such a good person in some ways but she was interesting. I enjoyed her working with Dilly Knox as well and he is another person I want to go learn more about now Mab might be the hardest of the three for me to summarize. Her character was portrayed well and I appreciated her want to rise out of poverty and have a better life. She worked so hard for everything she had in life. The Mad Hatter's Book Club was a fun addition to the story and I am curious if it had any truth to its existence. I want to believe it did. Either way it made for a great way for the characters to all interact outside of work and allowed us a better view into all of their lives. While I wasn't surprised by any of the twists in the story, I had the traitor figured out pretty early on for example, I did enjoy every bit of how it got there. Narration was also flawless. The only thing I wanted more of was historical notes at the end with more details on what was and wasn't real....more
4.5 stars rounded up This book has one of the best portrayals of mental illness, anxiety in particular, I have read in a character. Being in Adrian's h4.5 stars rounded up This book has one of the best portrayals of mental illness, anxiety in particular, I have read in a character. Being in Adrian's head was so difficult at times but so extremely real. His story, while an adventure as well, was at its core the story of accepting yourself in all forms even those forms you don't really like. It was the journey of learning to cope with anxiety and understanding that there will be bad days and sometimes just getting out of bed will feel impossible. But there will be beautiful worthwhile days as well. Aside from the mental health journey, we also got to catch up with Monty and Felicity which I loved. Learning more about what they have been doing and the new family dynamics was fabulous. Yes the two older siblings do not act their ages at all and if I didnt know better I'd assume they were much younger than their 40ish years. But it was fun anyway. There were so many beautiful quotes that I wish I had written down as I was listening but I didnt want to take the time to stop so you will have to read it for yourself to see them. The narration was perfect. This was the perfect ending to the series and I highly recommend the whole thing....more
This was definitely my favourite Robin book. Loved how Zylas and Robin's relationship is evolving and that they are communicating better. Having my faThis was definitely my favourite Robin book. Loved how Zylas and Robin's relationship is evolving and that they are communicating better. Having my favourite mage enter this book helped it be amazing of course. So many plot line developments here. Also Amelia was a more intriguing character in this one I like how she is growing. Meeting the NPD agents was interesting, I do want to know more about them, particularly Kit so its a good thing he has a book too! It was neat to see parts of Druid Vices here in this one but from Robin's POV. I'm enjoying how interrelated these series are becoming and looking very forward to listening to the next Spellbound book....more
4.5 stars. I listened to it in one day, I think this says enough about how much I loved it.
Ezra <3 I love him so much.
But enough of that, as for the 4.5 stars. I listened to it in one day, I think this says enough about how much I loved it.
Ezra <3 I love him so much.
But enough of that, as for the story it was wonderful to be back with these characters. I loved getting a chance to learn more about Kai and his background. I still want more there but I can see it moving forward now! Also was great to have a certain Druid back around. I do enjoy his morally grey character even if his actions in this one saddened me at times. I want more of Tori and Robin communicating, the parts we got of them together were a lot of fun. There wasn't as much of the fabulous females in this one and I did miss having them around. What we did get instead was a some extra fae time and I will never say no to that. Again, I love these books. There are fantastic characters, storylines and a world I want to live in....more
4.5 stars This was so much fun! I laughed out loud listening to this. It is a story that will appeal to people who love RPGs, especially Legend of Zeld4.5 stars This was so much fun! I laughed out loud listening to this. It is a story that will appeal to people who love RPGs, especially Legend of Zelda. There are so many entertaining bits of that world thrown in, particularly the older ones. Loved how the skills and classes were in this story and that everyone can learn different things based on their backstory and whatnot. So many different classes! Like bag mage, sword saint and slime hunter!
This was proof that I need to read/listen to more litRPG books because this was fantastic. Now I want to go play an MMO......more