A huge thank you to Benjamin J. Ryan and Odyssey Books for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
All quotes are taken from Beckoning of the Gate by Benjamin J. Ryan.
// Book Content Warnings: violence, death, sexual assault, harassment // – Please educate yourself on the potential content warnings for this novel before reading, as I may have missed some here.
// Quick Review // A beautifully written and magical tale, the first novel in The Vāyilian Threads series is a masterpiece full of adventure, danger, and high stakes. Unlike any fantasy novel I have read before, Beckoning of the Gate was a fantastically thrilling and compelling journey that left me yearning for more.
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“‘Your fear is good, Santha. It tells you that you are alive, and drives you to be cautious with that life. The danger you face is very real, but you have been chosen for a reason. Just like you and I were to meet, the path to your destiny is set before you.'”
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// Other Information // Publisher: Odyssey Books Page Count: 430 pages Release Date: October 7, 2021 Series: The Vāyilian Threads #1 Genre: Fiction, Adult, Young adult, Fantasy, Dark fantasy, High fantasy, Adventure
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// Book Description (from Goodreads) // The only life Santha Lathagin has ever known has become her prison. Vicious gossip is everywhere. Whispers of a scandal have turned to accusations of murder, and fingers are pointing her way. Feeling powerless and alone, she yearns for escape.
When Santha stumbles upon a small, rusted key in the forest near her home, it seems her silent pleas have been answered. Awakened by her touch, the key demands to be heard—and she is not the only one to heed its call.
Thrust into a world only glimpsed in the stories of her childhood—of faeries and princes and eldritch magick— Santha sets out to unlock its secrets. But uncovering the truth has its own perils, and as the key’s influence grows, she will be left with a choice: survival or sacrifice.
But will it truly be hers to make?
… All the while, in the north, something ancient stirs. A great power that could unravel the very threads of existence.
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// Characters // The characters within this novel’s pages are rich and full of life. Santha Lathagin, a young woman from a small farm town called Silver Valley in the highlands of southern Seratora, one of the four kingdoms. Santha is going through a rough time in her small town, with rumors of murder surrounding her. Nevertheless, she continues to take care of her goats while staying at her friend Dandon’s school. At first, Santha is presented as a simple yet headstrong young lady with nothing but a simple life. However, when she discovers a mysterious key in the forest, all Santha has known is turned upside down. The key chooses her for a purpose, one which Santha must discover. What Santha doesn’t expect is the interest of wights (fae) in the key.
I admired the evolution of Santha over time. Once she knows her presence draws wights and endangers her town, she decides to leave and discover the purpose of the key. Dandon, however, refuses to let her leave town until she has a basic understanding of survival and wights. This knowledge does not come to her right away, instead, she must work for it. She is a realistic yet strong protagonist who is also likable.
I’ve already mentioned Dandon D’Avery, Silver Valley’s teacher of all things fae, but there are other amazing and fascinating characters that make this story unique. Throughout Santha’s journey, she goes in and out of contact with Erodius Moureaux, a bold and foolhardy young man who becomes obsessed with her (and she, him). Besides Erod, Santha is accompanied by a magical ‘dog’ by the name of Biahnd, who was created by Dandon. Sassy and adorable, Biahnd is the companion anyone on the run would wish for.
The wights, or fae, in this novel are spectacularly created and magical. The challenges they present to Santha add grit and struggle to the story.
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“‘Let me tell you a little secret. Destiny. Fate. It is not a passageway—narrow, enclosed, predetermined with a destination irrevocably set—but rather, a field as far as the eye can see with any number of routes to take.'”
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// Writing and Setting // Ryan does a great job of describing everything perfectly with an atmosphere of magic and darkness. The world is so full of depth and history, which the author is fantastic at conveying to the reader.
In this world, there are four kingdoms, two of which are Seratora and Calig. Wights have been around for as long as Santha can remember, but have kept to the shadows for so long that many people regard them as fantasy. “Like the two main societies of fae, the two temperaments: seelie and unseelie. The former were considered to be benevolent in nature, the latter less so, and with an insatiable hatred towards humanity.” The fae follow the orders of the most powerful wights. The entire story is rich with colorful and mystical places, characters, atmosphere, and history.
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// Plot // As I mentioned earlier, Santha discovers a mysterious key that is essentially a beacon to all wights, though for what, no one knows. This is what Santha must discover: the purpose of the key and why it has chosen her as its keeper. Santha undergoes multiple trials during which she grows as a person. Through loss, chaos, and destruction she must learn her true destiny while protecting those around her.
Beckoning of the Gate was entertaining and fast-paced with nothing unnecessary throughout. I loved every chapter and page, for each added more to a story I could not wait to discover the bittersweet ending to.
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“Whatever was to come, she made a vow: never again would she let others pay the price for her own choices. No matter the cost to herself.”
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// Overall Review // I loved the feeling of adventure that Beckoning of the Gate gave me as I read of Santha’s journey to save her world and friends. Unique and mesmerizing, I could not put this book down and loved every moment.
A huge thank you to Jonathan Durham and Credo House Publishers for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
// Book Content Warnings: death, violence, torture, animal cruelty, blood, stabbings // – Before reading this novel, please be aware that while I try my best to disclose any potential content warnings for novels I review, I may have missed some. Please educate yourself on the CW for this novel before reading, as there are many violent scenes and gruesome details.
// Quick Review // Taking its rightful spot as my favorite book this year (and maybe of all time), Winterset Hollow is an immaculate mixture of good, evil, darkness, and light that had me hooked from beginning to end. Twisted and unexpected, I could not put this novel down until I knew the outcome of the horrific events that took place in this wonderfully mysterious and suspenseful novel.
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// Other Information // Publisher: Credo House Publishers Page Count: 286 pages Release Date: September 1, 2021 Series: None Genre: Fiction, Adult, Mystery, Fantasy, Dark fantasy, Drama, Horror, Thriller, Suspense, Adventure
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// Book Description (from Goodreads) // Everyone has wanted their favorite book to be real, if only for a moment. Everyone has wished to meet their favorite characters, if only for a day. But be careful in that wish, for even a history laid in ink can be repaid in flesh and blood, and reality is far deadlier than fiction . . . especially on Addington Isle. Winterset Hollow follows a group of friends to the place that inspired their favorite book-a timeless tale about a tribe of animals preparing for their yearly end-of-summer festival. But after a series of shocking discoveries, they find that much of what the world believes to be fiction is actually fact, and that the truth behind their beloved story is darker and more dangerous than they ever imagined. It’s Barley Day . . . and you’re invited to the hunt.
Winterset Hollow is as thrilling as it is terrifying and as smart as it is surprising. A uniquely original story filled with properly unexpected twists and turns, Winterset Hollow delivers complex, indelible characters and pulse-pounding action as it storms toward an unforgettable climax that will leave you reeling. How do you celebrate Barley Day? You run, friend. You run.
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// Characters // The novel introduces the reader to a trio of friends by the names of Eamon, Caroline, and Mark. Immediately, I was struck by how real Durham’s characters felt. It was almost as if I could envision them and reach forward to pat them on the shoulder. Their love for one another and friendship was apparent, making me automatically attached to the three.
Eamon is a traumatized man whose childhood first consisted of living in the woods with his seemingly crazy father, then foster homes due to his dad’s disappearance. I couldn’t help but feel bad for Eamon from the start, for he had a confusing and, as I said, traumatic childhood. Caroline is a headstrong and lively woman who is dating the oblivious Mark.
All three are on a trip to Addington Isle, the island which inspired the book Winterset Hollow, a book that got Eamon through his childhood. Yes, everyone, this is a book within a book, so get excited. *MILD SPOILERS* Once the three get to the island, the reader is introduced to the characters within the beloved Winterset Hollow: Runny (a rabbit), Flackwell (a frog), Finn (a fox), and Bing (a bear). These four are adorable at the start, but crueler intentions lay beneath the surface.
The depth of each character and their relationships is so thoroughly written and undeniably realistic. The creativity with which Durham has written his characters is unbelievable.
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// Writing and Setting // Winterset Hollow is at first glance a fantasy novel that is light and jovial. However, underneath there are many gloomy and disastrous layers that are peeled back and observed throughout the progression of the story.
The atmosphere of the novel is similar to its writing and best described as fantastically layered. One of the most important places in the novel is Addington Isle, the island that is supposedly magical, wonderful, and beautiful.
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// Plot // There is so much to discuss when it comes to the plot of Winterset Hollow. Not only are there so many terrifying horror and action scenes, but also a string of mysteries can be found throughout.
As I’ve mentioned, Eamon and his friends take a trip to Winterset Hollow‘s place of origin, Addington Isle, home of the book’s author (not Jonathan Durham, instead E. B. Addington). They discover that the characters they grew up loving are real and inhabit Addington Isle. They’re invited to join in the Barley Day feast (a tradition of celebration for the Hollow’s characters), but things take a darker turn as the history of cruelty inflicted upon the Hollow’s animals comes back to haunt Addington Isle’s visitors.
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// Overall Review // Winterset Hollow is an unforgettable book that is impactful and deeply layered. I loved its twists and turns, characters, atmosphere, and horror. Overall, Winterset Hollow was a fantastic novel that I will never forget.
Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
// Book Content Warnings: animal cruelty, death, murder, violence // – Please educate yourself on the content warnings for this novel before reading, as I may have missed some in my review.
// Quick Review // Thrilling and adventurous, Meg Long’s debut novel is a solid sci-fi with compelling characters and obstacles set upon an icy planet that welcomes peril at every turn.
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// Other Information // Publisher: Wednesday Books Page Count: 368 pages Release Date: January 11, 2022 Series: None Genre: Fiction, Young adult, Fantasy, Science fiction, Dystopian, Adventure, Survival
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// Book Description (from Goodreads) // After angering a local gangster, seventeen-year-old Sena Korhosen must flee with her prize fighting wolf, Iska, in tow. A team of scientists offer to pay her way off her frozen planet on one condition: she gets them to the finish line of the planet’s infamous sled race. Though Sena always swore she’d never race after it claimed both her mothers’ lives, it’s now her only option.
But the tundra is a treacherous place, and as the race unfolds and their lives are threatened at every turn, Sena starts to question her own abilities. She must discover whether she’s strong enough to survive the wild – whether she and Iska together are strong enough to get them all out alive.
A captivating debut about survival, found family, and the bond between a girl and a wolf that delivers a fresh twist on classic survival stories and frontier myths.
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// Characters // Sena is a stubborn, strong, yet imperfect young woman living on the freezing Tundar, a planet ruled by a deadly sled race for money. When we first meet Sena, she is completely against racing due to the unfortunate deaths of her moms during a race. She makes a living by stealing from the rich and makes her escapes by the rooftops of the Ket, a gambling town on Tundar. Over the course of the novel, Sena faces challenge after challenge while attempting to leave the unforgiving cold of Tundar.
I greatly admired the character development displayed in this novel. Sena deals with a lot of grief and trauma throughout the story but is able to begin to live with them rather than ignore them.
There are other great characters in this novel, but none felt as fleshed out as Sena. For a race that is ‘life-changing’, none of the other characters seem to change. Some of the other characters that Sena meets include Professor Kaassen, Tulok, Pana, Remy, and Askaa. All five of them are racing in order to study the metal promised at the end of the race (if they make it there alive).
I was somewhat confused by the relationships that Sena seems to have. At first, it seems as if a romantic relationship will develop between Sena and Temur, but very quickly their ‘romantic’ relationship dissipates. I would have been completely fine with Sena remaining partnerless through the novel (which she does), but the author seemed to want to have some love interest for her. I felt like this just really pulled away from the story unnecessarily, as it didn’t impact the plot or Sena in any way.
I cannot end the characters section without talking about Iska, the killer wolf that Sena steals rescues from a powerful gangster in the Ket. Reading about this sweet wolf just made me curl up and snuggle next to Poppy (my dog, for those of you who don’t listen to the podcast and can’t hear her incessantly bark every two minutes).
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// Writing and Setting // I am in love with the descriptiveness of this novel. I could picture the biting cold and the monstrous beasts that inhabit Tundar.
The setting is my favorite part of Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves. Cold, desolate, and almost unsurvivable. Tundar presented the perfect obstacles for Sena, which really made the progression of this novel interesting and adventurous. I don’t know if any of you have played Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds, but this novel really reminded me of the feeling I got from playing that game (which is one of my favorites, by the way). The creatures that inhabit Tundar made me as interested as Pana to understand the ecosystems of this icy Edge World planet Long created.
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// Plot // Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves was fast-paced and addicting. With thrills and adventure around every corner, I could not put this novel down. As I’ve mentioned previously, the obstacles that obstruct Sena’s path to leaving Tundar behind provide exhilarating action scenes and realistic struggles.
The only complaint I had about the plot was that I felt it was a little too predictable. The big twist at the end, where Sena discovers the true nature of her mom’s deaths is kind of glazed over and I had a general idea of what she was going to discover.
Regardless, the novel was pretty cohesive and perfectly mixed its thrills with a solid storyline.
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// Overall Review // I really enjoyed reading Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves and getting to know Sena and Iska throughout their trials and treacherous adventures.
// Quick Review // Think Harry Potter but with a female main character and a mixture of many different tales from that of Percy Jackson and the Olympians to the Tales of Pixiehollow.
The Crowns of Croswald is a nostalgic yet new spin on magic, mysteries, and chosen-ones.
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"Trust the magic in you and know I will forever be in the shadow of its light."
--- // Other Information // Publisher: Stories Untold Press Page Count: 249 pages Release Date: July 21, 2017 Series: The Crowns of Croswald #1 Genre: Fiction, Middle grade, Children’s, Young adult, Adventure, Fantasy, Magic, Mystery
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// Book Description (via Goodreads) // This is a page-turning fantasy in the tradition of fairy tales, whimsical worlds, and coming-of-age stories.
The Crowns of Croswald invites young readers to explore themes of stepping into their own magic, discovering their true selves, and battling evil head-on. Hailed by Kirkus Reviews as “an action-packed treat […] with a relatable heroine facing challenges in a vivid world of magic and mystery,” and called a new classic by readers, The Crowns of Croswald series is a magical romp through a fully formed universe with dragons, magical quills, potions, and mythical creatures.
Ivy Lovely is 16 and she has no idea who she is—or what her powers could be. When she crosses a magical boundary, she discovers a whole new world of enchantment and mystery. Making friends that will last a lifetime—and save her life—she steps into her own abilities and discovers more about her hidden past, magical blood, and the power of Croswald’s mystical stones. But all is not well: a dark history and an evil Queen threatens all that is good. Will Ivy’s bravery and wit be enough?
Curious and whimsical, both shy and brave, Ivy is a hero that connects with readers of all ages. For those who wished that Narnia, Harry Potter, and Alice in Wonderland could go on forever, Croswald opens a whole new world of magic. Recommended as a read-aloud for families and a first middle-grade fantasy read, The Crowns of Croswald is a four-part series that will carry readers to a whimsical world that they won’t want to leave.
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// Characters // The Crowns of Croswald boasts a moderately sized cast of characters, most of which I liked.
The main character, Ivy Lovely, is a girl whose life is less than fortunate. Living as a scaldrony maid for Castle Plum, Ivy is unable to do what she loves most, draw and read. Ivy dreams of attending the Halls of Ivy, a school where royals learn to control the magic stones in their crowns and where sqwinches practice to receive quills as scrivenists. I found Ivy to be a very powerful and unique main character.
One of my favorite characters was Humboldt, the dragon (mini-one, I believe) that Ivy is forced to take with her when she is fired from Castle Plum. Adorable and always there for Ivy, Humboldt is just one example of the fantastic creatures that The Crowns of Croswald exhibits. If I had to choose a creature from the novel as a pet, I would most definitely choose a dragon.
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"You are she, the one all of Croswald has been searching for. Waiting for, whether they knew it or not."
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// Writing and Setting // A large issue that I had with the novel is that while its content is most definitely juvenile/middle grade, the information and writing is more young adult. As an older reader, it was difficult for me to keep track of information and storylines at some points, so I can only imagine how frustrating that would be for younger readers.
Nevertheless, I did love how D. E. Night brought their novel to life; it was vibrant, magical, and thrilling.
I admired how much homage The Crowns of Croswald seems to pay to Harry Potter. For example; a magical boarding school; the main characters don’t realize yet that they’re the chosen one; an evil magic being. All of these aspects were things that the series had in common with Harry Potter. I loved the nostalgia this novel gave me, but only to a point. About halfway through the novel, there were a lot of similarities between the two series, and I began to see the novel as a Harry Potter fanfiction type novel. This eventually changed for me, but I can only imagine that this might be off-putting for many.
Still, I did love the magic and world that Night created, no matter how similar it might be to Harry Potter.
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// Plot // I thought that the mystery aspect of this novel was perfectly executed. As Ivy attempts to navigate her newfound life, she stumbles upon various fishy things that the school’s headmaster (the Selector) attempts to hide. Odd occurrences change Ivy’s outlook on the Halls of Ivy and cause her to investigate.
The one criticism that I have of the plot is that it was very slow-moving for me in the beginning. Some of the most perilous and dramatic scenes occur in the last few chapters of the novel, while the rest is primarily buildup and backstory. It’s just a personal preference of mine, and I know not everyone will agree, but I generally like novels that have an equal spread of action, mystery, etc. over the entire story.
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"You’re alive… You are Croswald’s only hope. This is your destiny."
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// Overall Review // The Crowns of Croswald is perfect for tweens who love Harry Potter, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, and Tales of Pixiehollow. I adored the nostalgia and magical feeling of finding a world to escape in. This novel brought me back to my childhood and my discovery of my love of reading.
// Other Information // Publisher: Henry Holt & Company Page Count: 465 pages Release Date: September 29, 2015 Series: Six of Crows #1, Grishaverse #4 Tags: Fiction, Young adult, Fantasy, Romance, LGBTQ+, Adventure, Magic, High fantasy, Dark fantasy
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// Review // I was very excited to re-enter Bardugo’s Grishaverse by reading Six of Crows. As always, I was late to the game but after finishing the Shadow and Bone trilogy, I was almost unable to hesitate reading the Six of Crows duology.
As always, Bardugo’s writing is straight-up magic. She has a way of transporting the reader to the fascinating worlds she creates. Ketterdam, though far different from Ravka, was just as intriguing.
I was absolutely in love with this novel’s characters. Kaz Brekker, Inej Ghafa, Jesper Fahey, Wylan, Nina Zenik, and Matthias are all flawed, deep, and clearly thought-out characters. I had no trouble distinguishing them from one another—though I did watch the Netflix show prior to reading this, so maybe that helped. Bardugo truly has a gift for creating lovable yet humanly flawed characters that drive the story forward. The depth of her characters is something I admire. I cannot even choose which character was my favorite.
While Six of Crows is primarily a fantasy novel, it has an air of mystery that left me in awe at every turn. Kaz’s aptitude for mysteriousness is undeniable and incredible. Six of Crows was the perfect mixture of action, darkness, and fantasy. I felt most of the pacing was well done, although it did take me a while to read this book. Alas, it was not the book that was lacking… it was my free time.
// Quick Review // The Last Namsara is a magical novel that leads the reader on an adventure of discovery through the eyes of a badass main character. Think How to Train Your Dragon but more adult and even better.
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// Other Information // Publisher: HarperTeen Page Count: 421 pages Release Date: October 3, 2017 Series:Iskari #1 Genre: Fiction, Young adult, Adult, Fantasy, High fantasy, Dragons, Adventure, Magic, Enemies to lovers
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// Book Description (via Goodreads) // In the beginning, there was the Namsara: the child of sky and spirit, who carried love and laughter wherever he went. But where there is light, there must be darkness—and so there was also the Iskari. The child of blood and moonlight. The destroyer. The death-bringer.
These are the legends that Asha, daughter of the king of Firgaard, has grown up learning in hushed whispers, drawn to the forbidden figures of the past. But it isn’t until she becomes the fiercest, most feared dragon slayer in the land that she takes on the role of the next Iskari—a lonely destiny that leaves her feeling more like a weapon than a girl.
Asha conquers each dragon and brings its head to the king, but no kill can free her from the shackles that await at home: her betrothal to the cruel commandant, a man who holds the truth about her nature in his palm. When she’s offered the chance to gain her freedom in exchange for the life of the most powerful dragon in Firgaard, she finds that there may be more truth to the ancient stories than she ever could have expected. With the help of a secret friend—a slave boy from her betrothed’s household—Asha must shed the layers of her Iskari bondage and open her heart to love, light, and a truth that has been kept from her.
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// Characters // Everything about Ciccarelli’s characters are perfection. I loved loved loved the main character, Asha’s, badassery and her attitude of taking no shits. And Torwin? A totally adorable and perfect fictional crush.
I think we should just admire Asha and Torwin’s enemies to lovers arc. Literally, can you ask for anything better???
I should also mention the dragons, who for some reason, appeared in my mind like Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon. I immediately loved the introduction of dragons into the story, they’re not only super important in the world of the Iskari series, but they’re also essentially dogs.
Big, fiery, dangerous dogs. But adorable nonetheless.
I’d probably name mine something jazzy. Maybe Nerezza or Persephone.
Someone get me a dragon so I can name it.
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// Writing and Setting // Ciccarelli’s writing style is straight up art. I mean that literally. Reading The Last Namsara was an experience that I won’t ever forget.
The story takes place in the anti-dragon kingdom of Firgaard in which Asha is rejected by those around her for a mistake she made as a young child in telling stories to dragons. The mythology and background is heavily focused on in this novel, which can be off-putting at first but sets the rest of the series up for a mythical adventure. The world-building in the novel is realistic and heavy, perfect for high fantasy lovers.
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// Plot // The adventure that Asha embarks upon to prevent her marriage to king of the assholes is not only filled with pain, struggle, and courage but also love. The twists and turns in this novel are a promising start to the series.
By the end of the novel, I was staring at my wall trying to comprehend how I became so easily sucked into the world of betrayal, magic, and adventure that I had read about.
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// Overall // I’m so excited to read the next two novels in the Iskari trilogy. The Last Namsara is a solid start to a high fantasy series that will leave readers intrigued but also satisfied, I’m sure.
// Content Warnings: ableist language, body shaming, suicide attempt by self-sacrifice, alcohol consumption, blood and gore depiction, murder and attempted murder, physical and psychological torture, knife and gun violence, kidnapping, hostage situation, war themes, emesis, airship accident, death of a loved one, physical assault, animal death //
// Quick Review // While I didn’t enjoy Siege and Storm as much as I enjoyed Shadow and Bone, I loved the new characters and the exciting new information gained about the Grishaverse series’ world throughout the novel.
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// Other Information // Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. Page Count: 435 pages Release Date: June 4, 2013 Series:Shadow and Bone #2 Tags: Fiction, Young adult, Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Adventure, Magic, High fantasy, Dark fantasy, Dark, YA fantasy
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// Review // I thoroughly enjoyed the sequel to Shadow and Bone. I cannot believe that I waited this long to read a series this entertaining and brilliant. Although I did not enjoy Siege and Storm as much as the first novel in the series, I loved re-entering the rich world that Leigh Bardugo created.
Fair warning, there will be spoilers for Shadow and Bone in this review. Leave now or forever hold your peace.
The novel takes place after the events of the first. Mal and Alkina have escaped the Darkling—for now—and are staying low in the hopes of retaining their freedom. The book jumps right into the action with the discovery that the Darkling did survive the ending of Shadow and Bone… and he has a new power that has made him supposedly stronger than ever before. Alina is thrown back into the dangerous ambitions of the Darkling, who won’t rest until he is able to control all of Ravka—and the world.
Just like the first book, the setting is magnificently built and described. The world-building of the entire series is excellent, but I do wish that Bardugo would delve more into the other countries besides Ravka. Perhaps this will happen in the last novel or the other series (I am currently reading Ruin and Rising… wish me luck).
Though showcasing characters from the first book, Siege and Storm also introduces us to the characters of Sturmhond/Nikolai, Tamar, and Tolya. Nikolai quickly became my favorite character of the entire series so far, and I cannot wait to see what happens with his character. As always, the characters were deep, realistic, and compelling.
With the introduction of Nikolai came another love interest and struggle in Alina’s life. Personally, I am still here for Mal and Alina’s relationship. I think that their history together makes their relationship truly important, and Mal does not wish to use Alina for political gain unlike Nikolai or the Darkling. However, I would not be entirely upset if Nikolai and Alina do end up together… he’s Nikolai, I mean, come on!
The plot itself was fantastic and moved at a quick pace, though there were some parts that felt slow and drawn-out. I enjoyed the new discoveries that were made along the way and cannot wait to find out the next piece of the puzzle.
My favorite part of this book was Alina’s character development. In the first novel, she is hesitant, weak, and kind. She hesitates to kill an animal despite what her hesitation puts at stake—her life and those of many others across the entire world. In Siege and Storm, she becomes much more powerful, ruthless, and quick to take control. I honestly hope that she becomes a villain somewhat. I think it would complete her character arc and really drive home the point that is brought up many times throughout the series—“What is infinite? The universe and the greed of men.” – Leigh Bardugo, Shadow and Bone
Overall, Siege and Storm is a solid sequel and build-up to the finale of the Shadow and Bone trilogy. I hope to be reviewing Ruin and Rising soon because I cannot wait to find out what happens to Alina Starkov and her friends.
// Content Warnings: classism, victim blaming, facial difference discrimination, persecution for witchcraft (mentioned), rape and sexual assault (recounted), parental abandonment (implied), trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), suicide attempt as self-sacrifice (recounted), alcohol consumption, blood and gore depiction, dead bodies, eyeball trauma, branding, physical sickness and scars, death of a brother, son, girlfriend, and friend (recounted), murder and attempted murder, explosions, knife violence, physical assault, poisoning, captivity, blackmail, hostage situation, exile/banishment, war themes, animal death (recounted), and hunting //
// Quick Review // Ruin and Rising is a stunning yet bittersweet conclusion to the Shadow and Bone trilogy. Filled with shocking and saddening moments, the final installment to the dark fantasy series had me absolutely entranced and wanting for more.
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// Other Information // Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. Page Count: 422 pages Release Date: June 17, 2014 Series: Shadow and Bone #3 Tags: Fiction, Young adult, Fantasy, Adventure, Magic, High fantasy, Dark fantasy, YA fantasy
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// Review // Fair warning, there will be spoilers for Shadow and Bone and Siege and Storm in this review. Leave now or forever hold your peace.
Ruin and Rising starts right after the end of Siege and Storm with beloved characters far below ground under the Apparat’s watch. The previous two novels build up to the key moments in this novel and much—but not all—of Ruin and Rising lived up to my expectations.
Leigh Bardugo’s writing is almost magical, transporting readers to a chaotic and dark Ravka on the brink of destruction. The stakes are high in this conclusion, and I was constantly aching to know what would happen next and which one of my favorite characters might not make it out. The setting was absolutely stunning. Bardugo was able to paint a hopeless, gritty scene that made me hold my breath.
I fell even more in love with all of the characters throughout this story. Most importantly, I loved Mal and Alina’s character development. I was not crazy about Mal as a character in the earlier novels, though I did enjoy his and Alina’s relationship. Ruin and Rising shows them at their lowest, but also shows the growth of their connection. Alina’s evolution throughout the novels is truly brilliant. Alina is the perfect example of the human hunger for power and how quickly it can corrupt those who defiantly oppose it in others. I was in support of Alina becoming a villain, but I think that Alina’s development here is a perfect juxtaposition to the Darkling and adds more to both of their characters.
The plot focuses mainly on politics and the war, which I thought would become tiresome. However, Ruin and Rising is just as entertaining as others. There were many twists and turns that took me completely by surprise but thankfully didn’t come out of nowhere. They made sense but were also intriguing and unexpected.
Unfortunately, I am somewhat disappointed with the ending of the novel. The final battle between Alina and the Darkling was very underwhelming and rushed. There were some shocking moments, but overall I was frustrated with the pacing and the events. The results of the battle seemed to completely undermine the excellent character development that took place throughout the entire series. However, I also understand the need for some of the events. My main issue is the handling of Alina’s power, which I dislike completely and feel is totally ridiculous considering her struggle to utilize them and let them not take control of her. It is especially frustrating since Alina is the main character.
The ending of the novel does accomplish some good things. It would have been completely unrealistic had there been an entirely happy ending. The bittersweet ending that occurs felt real, saddening, yet understandable. It is the one part of the ending I enjoyed besides Mal and Alina’s relationship.
Overall, Ruin and Rising is a good conclusion to the Shadow and Bone trilogy that I had fun reading. Books hardly ever make me emotional, but I did almost shed a tear or two during the final battle. Didn’t think I would feel bad for the Darkling in this book, but here we are.
// Content warnings: classism, ableist language, fatmisia, slavery (mentioned), kiss without consent, blood and gore depiction, dead bodies and physical injuries, death of a friend and parents (mentioned), murder, attempted murder, kidnapping (hostage situation and blackmail), war themes, violence, graphic animal death //
Please educate yourself on the content warnings for this novel before reading, as I may have missed some in my review.
// Quick Review // Shadow and Bone has been popular for quite some time, but it wasn’t until recently that I bought the trilogy and Six of Crows duology. Now, I am finally reading the Shadow and Bone trilogy, and next, I will read Six of Crows, hopefully. I guess you could say I am gearing up to watch the Netflix series. As always, I am late to the game. But my hesitation to read popular series had no effect on the fact that I loved this novel.
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// Other Information // Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. Page Count: 369 pages Release Date: June 5, 2012 Series:Shadow and Bone #1 Tag: Fiction, Young adult, Mystery, Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal, Adventure, Magic, Enemies to lovers, High fantasy, Friends to lovers
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// Review // I have absolutely nothing but good things to say about Shadow and Bone. For those who are like me and hesitate to read popular series for fear of being let down, fear not… for the first novel in this series is phenomenal. I’ll be reviewing the rest of the trilogy soon and doing an episode on my podcast on the entire Shadow and Bone trilogy within the week.
Shadow and Bone is hands-down one of the best fantasy novels that I have read in a long time, if not ever. It has quite literally everything I love about books: magic, good antagonists, amazing characters, complex world-building, romance, action, adventure, mystery, twists and turns. I cannot get enough of this book, its world, and its characters. I am utterly obsessed. I get the hype now; it is truly deserving of it. I don’t think I have been as obsessed with a book series since The Hunger Games.
Shadow and Bone follows the upheaval of Alina Starkov’s life as she discovers she has magical powers. She is thrust into a life completely unlike that she is used to. Separated from her best friend since childhood, Mal, she feels hopeless as she tries to navigate her new life and the powers she just became acquainted with. Ever present in the background is the Darkling, one of the most powerful Grisha (the magic users of the series). All of the characters have depth and distinct personalities, making them worth reading and caring about. This level of depth assisted in making the love interests actually interesting. The love triangle was set up beautifully. I could envision Alina with both Mal and the Darkling. And while I will not spoil anything, I can say that I completely get Alina’s mistakes in choosing who to be with at first… I am not stronger than the Sun Summoner, okay?
Leigh Bardugo has a way of writing that makes the words leap off the page and become true before you. The world-building itself was fantastic, rich, and lively. But Bardugo’s talent for description perfectly accentuated the unique and interesting world she created. Shadow and Bone features Ravka, a country torn by war and separated by the Shadow Fold, a place of darkness almost impossible to survive. Not only was the setting and world-building perfection, but the magic system was too. Instead of being forced to just accept the way that magic works in the novel, Bardugo allows the reader to become acquainted with the unique magic that Grisha can possess.
I have to mention that I loved the character development that Alina undergoes throughout the book. I was happy to see that instead of immediately being able to control and use her powers, Alina struggled with everything for a good portion of the novel before being able to truly step into her role as a Grisha. It was refreshing to see something realistic, especially since one must suspend reality to read any fantasy book, let alone one as rich as this.
The story maintained a perfect pace for every part of the book. By not focusing too much on slow-moving details and focusing on important parts of the plot, Bardugo created a masterpiece. I was captivated by the progression of Shadow and Bone and its twists and turns. I’m usually pretty good at guessing the outcome of novels/movies—a gift I inherited from my mom, who is always spoiling things for everyone without having even watched/read anything—but I was absolutely in the dark for this book and was shocked by the major reveals. Nothing is as it seems, which I appreciated.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Shadow and Bone and cannot wait to explore the rest of the Grishaverse. I highly recommend that you read the series, even if you are a scaredy-cat like I am.