“I have loved you every moment of every day, and I will love you until I cease to be. Bird, man, or king, I love you, and I will always love you.”
My g“I have loved you every moment of every day, and I will love you until I cease to be. Bird, man, or king, I love you, and I will always love you.”
My goodness, I absolutely loved this!!! I’ve read seven of Amy Harmon’s books before this one, and I have to say that her writing-style was even more beautiful, magical, and enchanting than I remembered! In fact, I have to say that this is now my favourite book of hers. It was simply phenomenal! Like every other Amy Harmon novel that I've read, the plot was utterly engrossing and I cherished every moment of it. This was such a special and unique story that I shall treasure for many years to come. This is a MUST READ for every fantasy fan, most especially faery tale lovers! <3
Gosh, where to begin? This faery tale-esque story takes place in the magical land of Jeru, where those with godly-bestowed gifts, known as the Gifted, once walked, embracing their magical abilities. There are four kinds of the “Gifted”: the Spinners (can transform things into something else), the Changers (can shape-shift into other animals), the Healers (can cure wounds, disease, etc.), and the Tellers (can compel people, animals, or objects to do something). But over time, the Gifted were hunted for their abilities, causing them to go into hiding, lest they face execution on behalf of the King.
Lark, our protagonist, is a Teller, and her mother was unjustly killed by the King, when he mistook a display of magic as her mother’s doing, when in fact, it was Lark…a mere child, who didn’t understand the implications of her actions. But before her mother died, she took Lark’s voice with her, in an effort to protect her powerful daughter. Years later, the King dies and his son, Tiras, ascends to the throne. Mute (the best representation that I’ve come across since Archer's Voice), ignored, and lonely was the life that Lark led (with only her loving, troll companion, Boojohni, by her side) until King Tiras arrives in her life.
Winged monsters, known as the Volgar, have descended upon Jeru, growing in numbers, seizing land, and killing innocent people. Lark’s cold and neglectful father, Lord Corvyn, is expected to send men to help the King fight them off…but he fails to do so. Thus, as punishment, Tiras captures and holds Lark hostage, until Corvyn sends the men that he promised to help fight the Volgar. This is just the beginning of an absolutely epic romance!
Also, I’d like to point out my favourite part of this novel is when Tiras teaches Lark to read (like in Morrighan). It was just too cute! My heart could barely take the adorableness! This was the perfect blend of breath-taking fantasy and heart-warming romance. I highly recommend it!!! <3 READ IT!!!...more
Ok, I’m now I’m convinced that Morgan Rhodes is PURE EVIL!!! What even was that ending?!
Here I am, reading the book, Re-read, part five, with Alison!
Ok, I’m now I’m convinced that Morgan Rhodes is PURE EVIL!!! What even was that ending?!
Here I am, reading the book, quite calmly I might add...when suddenly everything gets turned upside down at the end?!!! Magnus, Cleo, Nic, Jonas, and yes...even Lucia better be ok in the next book! I can’t handle anyone else dying!!!
The plot was rather underwhelming in this instalment and frankly, for the first two thirds of this novel, I was completely and utterly bored. Why Lucia is considered as a major character is beyond me. I felt that I spent more time with her than Cleo, the series’ ACTUAL PROTAGONIST.
Also, there was not nearly enough Magneo in this book. Let’s spend less time caring about Lucia and her issues, and more time with kissy-kissy scenes between Magnus and Cleo. Thank you!...more
“Sneaks, spies, defenders, heroes, masterminds, tenacious bastards - it doesn't matter what you call us. We're the ones who will do whatever i
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“Sneaks, spies, defenders, heroes, masterminds, tenacious bastards - it doesn't matter what you call us. We're the ones who will do whatever it takes to stop those who believe they're entitled to wealth and power at the expense of others." "The family business," Yelena said, smiling.
[image] SQUEALLLLLLL!!! Or as Janco says, “HOLY SNOW CATS!” All hail, the book of all books!!! How is it possible that there’s only one book left in this amazing series?!!! How on Earth shall I possibly survive?!!! Should I just never read the final book, Dawn Study, so that this series will never end for me? The prospect of this series ending makes me want to just break down in tears! :(
I honestly think that this instalment is neck-and-neck with Poison Study as my favourite Ixian Chronicles book!!! This blows Magic Study, Fire Study, AND Shadow Study out of the water!!! And do you want to know the best part? Every single problem that I’ve ever had with Snyder’s books were completely resolved!!! More Ari scenes in the book? Check. More serious scenes with Janco? Check. More romantic scenes with Valek and Yelena? Check. Faster plotline? Check. More Valek backstory? Check. More scenes with the entire ensemble cast together? Check.
Now, if only we could do something about that waste-of-spaceCommander… ;)
But anyway, I digress…You go, Maria V. Snyder! You absolutely nailed this novel!!! I’m so so so so so happy!!!
We’re so far into this series that I honestly don’t know how to say anything about this book without spoiling EVERYTHING…but I’ll do my best! ;) [image]
As always, poor Yelena’s life is fraught with danger, and now she’s in an even more vulnerable position because of both her loss of magical abilities AND (view spoiler)[the revelation that she’s now carrying a baby!!! YAY <3 And can we stop for a second to appreciate how adorable Valek’s reaction to the news was?!!! He’s going to be the best and most over-protective father ever!!! I’m also reeling from the discovery of Valek’s parents and the siblings that he had no knowledge of. Plus, I’m shocked that the twins and Valek all have magic!!! :O I can’t wait for them all to meet Yelena! They better love her as much as I do… OR ELSE!(hide spoiler)]. As Ixian-Sitian relations are now tenuous at best, with both countries on the brink of war, the Commander has turned on Valek, making him feel caught between his loyalty to the Commander and his devotion to Yelena(view spoiler)[Although, I’m ecstatic that Valek chose Yelena over the Commander…finally! And now, they’re married!!! OMG Yelena’s parents are going to kill Valek, especially her Mum, hahahaha! <3 (hide spoiler)]. The plot of this book was INTENSE and I was perpetually A)on the edge of my seat out of sheer nervousness for my babies OR B)jumping giddily up and down out of pure happiness! This was SUCH A PHENOMENAL BOOK!!!
“Till death. I do swear, love." Valek whispered in my ear. "Beyond death. My vow to you," I said. He drew back to meet my gaze. "So we shall be. Forever united." "We shall be," I agreed.
[image] I’m not even ashamed to admit that I’m wholeheartedly in love with Valek. Needless to say, he’s my newest book-boyfriend and I’d die for him without a second thought. I love him SO SO MUCH. Yet somehow, I’m also not at all jealous of Yelena because they are absolutely PERFECT together. I love that he wanted to lock her up in a tower in order to protect her! HAHA! Oh, Valek, how I love you. <3 I was internally squealing during every single bloody scene with the two of them together!!! I need to find myself a Valek of my own!!!
As I’ve mentioned time and time again, this is one of the BEST series EVER. And if you haven’t given it a go yet…I honestly don’t know what you’re doing with your life! *shakes head in confusion*:P
…OK, but seriously…PLEASE, READ IT!!! Would I ever steer you guys wrong? ;)...more
WOW. WOW. JUST WOW. WHAT. A. FINALE. I haven’t flown through a book of this size (700-ish pages) in one sitting, since the release of Lady Midn[image]
WOW. WOW. JUST WOW. WHAT. A. FINALE. I haven’t flown through a book of this size (700-ish pages) in one sitting, since the release of Lady Midnight!!! I read the general reviews on GoodReads for this book before reading it and I can honestly say that I have no idea what you lot were going on about!!! This was amazing!!! I’m personally a huge fan of long and political books (hence, why I study politics ha ha), so maybe that’s why I enjoyed it more??? Either way, I had a blast!
“[I]t was only me, a thousand blinking stars, and the beauty of darkness stretched to the ends of the universe, snuffing out the endless games of courts and kingdoms.”
I’m going to rate this according to my own, personal enjoyment. So, although I did realise that there were some flaws – mainly, that the big battle only began during Chapter 87 (out of 90) and that the Komizar was barely in the finale, despite being the villain – I’m going to keep the rating at a full-5 stars because I loved the pacing and the plot of the book so much that it didn’t even really bother me! I’m also not going to lie, I really wanted to throttle Rafe at the beginning of this book. The worst part was that I understood both Lia’s and Rafe’s side of the argument! She wanted to go to her country’s aid, while he wanted to keep her safe within his own country’s borders. But, man…COMMUNICATION, PEOPLE. COMMUNICATION!!!
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VERY MINOR SPOILERS: I thought that Lia was a complete bad-arse, doing whatever had to be done, with no thought as to her own well-being (such as death or imprisonment lol). She was also a true feminist YA heroine (cough unlike some others I could name cough), by calling out every general or man in power who questioned her abilities because she was a “girl” as they were hoping for her father or brothers’ arrival. (BTW I looooved how supportive Lia’s father was of her abilities as a ruler!!!) You go, girl! :P Pauline was, as usual, an AMAZING and supportive friend. It was nice to see Gwyneth and Berdi after so long. I loved seeing Kaden get a happy ending, considering his awful past. Rafe made an amazing leader, and unfortunately so did Lia, which is why they butted heads so often in this book ha ha. I only wish that we had a more concrete answer as to how Rafe and Lia end up together in the end…I’m hoping that we will see them again in Dance of Thieves!!!
So, in case you didn’t hear me the first 100 times, I LOVED THIS BOOK…and if you haven’t gotten around to it yet…READ IT!!!
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P.S. I'm sorry that this review was so vague. I was trying to make it as non-spoilery as possible! :D...more
WOAH. Talk about fast-paced action! Needless to say, this book did not suffer from middle-book-syndrome. It was so exciting and had me at the edge of WOAH. Talk about fast-paced action! Needless to say, this book did not suffer from middle-book-syndrome. It was so exciting and had me at the edge of my seat! There were so many twists and turns, deceptions and betrayals! It was complete and utter perfection!
Jess was, as usual, the cinnamon roll we know and love. He isn’t a Scholar surrounded by the books he loves, but is a soldier in the High Garda, the Great Library’s army. His eyes have been opened to the cruelty and oppression that is the Library, and he needs to decide where he truly belongs…In the smuggling business, devoid of morals? As part of the Library, where he turns a blind eye to its injustices? Or is his future destined to be entirely somewhere else???
I also appreciate that this book has very little romance (with the exception of Wolfe x Santi <3). It’s completely driven by plot and action. Having said that, the stakes are SO HIGH. There is so much corruption within the Library, and no one knows who they can trust. Yet again, so much happens in such a short book!!!
Jess really steps up to the plate and uses his criminal mastermind genius to get the gang out of dangerous situations! He’s so commendably brave and hilariously snarky! We learn about the Black Archives of the Library (aka where all the “forbidden” books go), how alchemy is used in translation (aka teleportation), and how the automatons’ mechanics work! This is such a well-developed world! It’s a combination of Ancient Greek, Roman, and Egyptian architecture with steampunk technology…and I absolutely love it!!!
Paper & Fire was a fantastic sequel. So, bravo, Rachel Caine! If you haven’t yet begun this series…what are you waiting for??? Read it!!! :D
The first time I read this, I read it in one sitting the night it was released. Yes, it was that good! All 700-JUST AS WONDERFUL AS THE FIRST TIME!!!
The first time I read this, I read it in one sitting the night it was released. Yes, it was that good! All 700-ish pages!!!
This time, I took DAYS to complete it because it’s the last month of uni. But that doesn’t mean it was any less amazing!
#Jemma rivals some of my favourite ships in the Shadowhunter universe. Seriously, Emma is so badarse and Julian is so precious. They deserve ALL THE HAPPINESS in the world!
Also, Mark is hilarious. And the Blackthorn siblings were just too cute. I absolutely love this world (I believe this is the 13th Shadowhunter book I've read???) and the characters within it, including the cameos from the other series!!! ...more
✨ Helena ✨
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Books:
best-of-2016
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