"All stories are made of both truths and lies. What matters is the way that we believe in them."
This is the first book I've read4.5 Stars!
"All stories are made of both truths and lies. What matters is the way that we believe in them."
This is the first book I've read from Stephanie Garber and it was a hit!
Excuse all the gushings here, but... OMG! This is the kind of book that definitely gets me out of my reading slump. I love delving into fantasy books that highlight fairytales and all the wonders of magic, and this book just did it for me. It is actually giving me the Ghibli feels!
Evangeline Fox, the young heroine in this book, was devastated when the love of her life, Luc, fell in love with her stepsister, whom he eventually proposed to for a marriage. Convinced that Luc was bewitched by her stepsister's mom to marry her daughter, she made an outrageous deal with Jacks, known as the Prince of Hearts and asked him to stop the wedding. But the Prince of Hearts doesn't give a favor without a bargain, so in exchange for it, he asked for three kisses from her, which she will give at the time of his choosing and to whom.
The premise in this book alone was already enough to hyped me up. I just simply looove stories like this. I can't even explain!
I love that the book promises romance and adventure, which it definitely delivered throughout the chapters. It transported me to a magical realm teeming with spells, dragons, and fantastical stories. And the way the story was told... it was spellbinding! I love how the book flows naturally from the author's writing style.
Can I also express how much I love the series of twists and turns in this book? The unpredictability of it all was enough to make me never want to stop.
There certainly was a slow-burn romantic development between Evangeline and Jacks. And perhaps this was the only thing that prevented me from giving it the perfect five stars. Are they truly destined to be together? Oh, please, please! I need them to be together! I am shipping them like crazy!
I would definitely delve into the next book of this trilogy right away. I'm curious to see where the plot will go from there.
"I believe there are far more possibilities than happily ever after or tragedy. Every story has the potential for infinite endings."
Reading A Girl Named Calamity was like reading a combination of Throne of Glass and Shadow and Bone. It simply has a lot of potentials. I loved3 Stars
Reading A Girl Named Calamity was like reading a combination of Throne of Glass and Shadow and Bone. It simply has a lot of potentials. I loved the plot, the world building, and the magical concept. It's almost perfect, but then the main characters happened and they were difficult to like.
The story begins when Calamity discovered that she has a hidden magic and she is the key to the destruction of Alyria. To prevent such demise, she was sent away by her grandmother and urged her to go to Undaley City right away. Her grandmother insisted that she will never remove her cuffs so her supernatural abilities will be concealed from the people who are chasing her. On her way, she met the brooding assassin named Weston who helped her get to her destination safely. However, she's not sure about his motives on why he's helping her.
This book was adventure-packed and full of action. There were some scenes that wowed me, like the one where Calamity entered the Red Forest and the place rained blood. I loved that scene so much! The way it was described was just... wow! I have to say that the vividly described settings where Calamity and Weston traveled here were the ultimate strength of this book.
The plot was thoroughly crafted and the magical concept was clean. I could say that the writing was also good, but it needs a bit of an improvement to bring out a livelier portrayal.
I hate to say this... but I found my biggest pet peeve here: annoying character. I didn't like Calamity as a heroine. She was poorly developed and she annoyed me too much. If I'm Weston, I've already left her sooner because she just can't stop whining and asking questions on repeat. Plus, she made numerous reckless decisions that led her to danger. And she doesn't even learn from her mistakes. Ugh.
I also didn't like Weston. Nothing's wrong with being a brooding character but he was so rude all the time. We might not notice it but he also tends to become an abusive hero. All throughout the book I was hoping that he'd get nice and his character will improve, but to no avail.
This could have been an amazing read for me if the characters turned out to be likable. The ending was powerful, though. It was a cliffhanger but it was done in sophistication. The kind that leaves the reader with so much anticipation on what will happen in the next book.
(A free copy of this book was provided by the author Danielle Lori in exchange for an honest review.)
There's a bit of an improvement in this second sequel of the series. Like the first book High Witch, Witch Emerging is a quick and easy fanta3.5 Stars
There's a bit of an improvement in this second sequel of the series. Like the first book High Witch, Witch Emerging is a quick and easy fantasy read that you can finish in one or two sittings. This time, there are additional important characters to read about.
The storyline of the book expands when Brayden and Ariel, now a married coupe and are expecting a child, are on a quest to find the other existing High Witch in order to protect her against possible threats. However, it's difficult to trace her when the baby in Ariel's womb is exhibiting some strange power that troubles them. Meanwhile, the other High Witch known as Hallie is being pursued by a warlock named Nicholas who is on a mission of revenge.
There were things that I liked in this book including the writing of the author which apparently improved. The characters were given much depth and there was also enough "creep factor" that kind of made my hair raise on the back of my neck. (I started reading this witch book at 2AM so you can basically imagine the freaky feeling I've had.)
"Watch out for the little witch, with golden hair on her head. She'll say your name and your fingers will twitch, and then you'll end up dead."
I wasn't fully convinced by the action in this book, though. For me, that aspect fell short. I was looking for a real elaboration of action scenes, like how the casting of spells are done, how they fight an enemy using their power, etc. And I'm not just talking about the descriptions via characters' dialogues. I want more showing and less talking.
All in all, it was a good sequel. It was better than the first book for sure. Although there were elements that were missing here, a few things however, stood out. For fans of witch and fantasy books, I recommend you to check this series out. :)
(Thank you to the author Mona Hanna for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!)
"To the people who look at the stars and wish, Rhys."
Rhys clinked his glass against mine. "To the stars who listen— and the dreams
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"To the people who look at the stars and wish, Rhys."
Rhys clinked his glass against mine. "To the stars who listen— and the dreams that are answered."
1,000,000 Stars!!!
First of all, can we take a moment to glorify the perfection that is Rhysand?
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No doubt, A Court of Mist and Fury tops my favorite sequels this year. It basically owned me, took my heart, broke it into a million pieces, and mend it all back together. Sarah J. Maas sure doesn't stop giving me goosebumps. I've just realized that there are so many reasons why I need to stick to her works and never let go, because she does it better. Always.
Notable things to expect in ACOMAF:
> remarkable plot > character development > new setting > new characters > romantic development > series of revelations > sizzling romantic scenes > deep, tear-jerking dialogues > plot twist
and of course--
> Rhysand and lots and lots of Rhysand
These things are more than reason enough for me to rate this 5++++ stars. There was just too much goodness that happened in this book. So much improvement, especially when it comes to Feyre's character. I loved how she handled and basically maneuvered all the rough situations here, how she listened not only to her heart but to her mind as well, and how she was able to use her critical thinking in the end. I've just witnessed a new Feyre and with that, I was more than happy.
I guess it's already quite obvious and it's fair to say that this book is about Rhysand, isn't it? Yep. Where is Tamlin? What is Tamlin?
He's gone. Figuratively. And this isn't a spoiler. Tamlin (in ACOTAR) was non-existent here. He basically changed-- or so I thought. I admit that it was so hard for me to accept his character changes because I rooted for him in the first book. I kept asking, why? Why did the author change his character? It was when I reached the near-end part of the book when I finally realized that he didn't really change. I just saw the REAL him. He was in my opinion, a good character. It's just that... He's weak and his love for Feyre and the need to protect her was all-consuming, to the point where he became so manipulative and territorial.
That's why in the end, my vote goes to Rhysand. I've known his character in the first book as someone who's cocky and literal bad boy, but I didn't know anything about him, really. In this book, I saw him as a well-developed, wholly different character. I didn't know that behind his pretty face and sexy grin lies dark secrets full of pain which made me feel for him.
"He thinks he'll be remembered as the villain in the story. But I forgot to tell him that the villain is usually the person who locks up the maiden and throws away the key. He was the one who let me out."
The best thing about this sequel apart from the character and romantic development was also the setting. The Night Court was so beautiful it's too much! I loved how the place was described in a vivid and captivating way. I found myself really dreamy just by imagining those beautiful stars and sunsets *sigh.
This is what I imagine The Night Court to look like:
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I had a lot of favorite scenes here, too. Like the Starfall festival scene, the Court of of Nightmares smexy and full-of-sexual-tension scenes, and the scene when Feyre said:
"You love me? Then eat. "
Did I say that I also love it every time Rhysand calls her, "Feyre darling?" ;)
In addition to my favorite scenes, the new characters also rocked! Amren, Cassian, Mor, and Azriel for the win!!! I like the Inner Circle and their bad-assery and I need more of them soon, in the third book.
I actually have a lot more to say, but they're going to be really spoilery so I am just going to leave it here:
FEYSAND IS LIFE.
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If you haven't read this sequel yet, do it already. If you haven't started this series yet, do yourself a favor and read it. BEST ONGOING SERIES EVER. . :)
"Then I learned your name. Hearing you say it... It was like an answer to a question I'd been asking for five hundred years."
(Note: I would like to say thank you to my dear friend, Allie who gave me a physical copy of this book. You are such a wonderful person with a generous heart. Best of all, you are a sweet soul! <3)
"She was the heir of ash and fire, and she would bow to no one."
5 Stars!
I have no words that will serve this book justice. This
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"She was the heir of ash and fire, and she would bow to no one."
5 Stars!
I have no words that will serve this book justice. This sequel is spot-on perfection!
We all know Sarah J. Maas's writing power can't be debated, so let me just tell you that once again, I was beyond amazed with the way she delivered this sequel using her usual scheme-- surprising her readers with a series of twists.
Things got more and more interesting in Heir of Fire. In this sequel we can see Celaena's different side-- her vulnerable and helpless side. She's now delving into a new world called Wendlyn, the land of the faes. From there she met the ferocious Queen Maeve and her devotee, Prince Rowan Whitethorn who later on trained her to unfold her fire abilities. Meanwhile, Chaol and Dorian are having conflicts in Adarlan. Chaol is trying to protect Dorian from unleashing his magical abilities and exposing himself to the King and at the same time, he's allying with the King's General Aedion Ashryver, treading in dangerous waters in order to fight back against Adarlan.
The character development of Celaena in this book truly amazed me. It's nice to know that she isn't a complete Mary Sue. She is brave yet at the same time she is flawed. In this book, I saw a Celaena who was haunted by her past and was constantly visited by those nightmares that will forever etch her mind. What happened to her when she was a child opened my eyes and made me understand her even more. The moment those flashback scenes were narrated-- I died a thousand times. I wasn't able to help myself but cry and feel so sorry for her. What a cruel, cruel experience it was for Celaena!
What also impressed me was the establishment of the new world, Wendlyn. Wow. It was utterly refreshing. I loved how SJM described this magical land and all those faes and demi-faes that are living there. Not only did the author give us a new setting but she also introduced a bunch of new characters that in a way, changed the entirety of the book-- like Rowan, Aedion Ashryver, Manon, Sorscha, and Ren.
I especially loved Rowan. For me, he is character-driven and full of mystery. And I loved the way he's too brave to protect Celaena and guide her all the way to becoming what she is. He is simply... adorable. :) Aedion, on the other hand, also enthralled me with his masculinity (Am I too shallow? Lol). Actually, I kind of hated him at the start but later on I warmed up to him when I discovered what his true motives are. His dedication towards his people and his queen was truly remarkable.
And Manon. This witch is so kick-ass! I have never fangirled over a female antagonist before but there was something in her fierceness that strangely gave me goosebumps. She's still a mystery to me, though, and I can't wait to read more about her character in the next books.
Now on to Chaol and Dorian. Their friendship was tested big time here but I was amazed to find out how deep their bond is and how they're both willing to give up everything just to save one another. Dorian's character development was great here. Where's the weak Dorian we've met in the first two books? NON-EXISTENT. I loved how he stood up against his father. I also loved the way he schooled Chaol and said these things to him:
"You cannot pick and choose what parts of her to love."
Oh, Dorian, I LOVE YOU EVEN MORE! Now while I saw a huge development in Dorian's character, I found it lacking in Chaol. I don't know but it seemed as though his character only shined in the final chapters.
The action scenes in this book, on the other hand, were too terrifying and so beautiful I can't help but gasp. I particularly loved those scenes where Rowan trained Celaena. I loved the banters and the way their friendship bloomed.
What I also loved was how secrets were slowly unfolded. Celaena's past and roots, the missing Wyrdmarks, Maeve and her sister's history, what really happened before the magic in Erilea was vanished... Wow, there were really lots of things that were unraveled here and I'm so glad. It was definitely a huge improvement.
So I wrap everything up by saying that this sequel lived up to the first and second book. There were so many things that happened here that wowed me. I'm now excited to dive into the fourth book, Queen of Shadows. I know there will be a lot of huge obstacles that need to be overcome by Celaena and the rest of the characters, so I'm crossing fingers that they will get through it and defeat the King.
A Young Adult vampire book, Transition opens up when Nichole Roberts celebrated her eighteenth birthday and was turned into a vampire wh[image]
2 Stars
A Young Adult vampire book, Transition opens up when Nichole Roberts celebrated her eighteenth birthday and was turned into a vampire when her boyfriend Nate Blackwoodtransitioned her. All throughout her relationship with Nate, she didn't know that he was a vampire. Not until his bad side suddenly showed up and she realized that he's not at all the perfect boyfriend that she thought he was. It was too late when she decided to end their relationship though, because she already became a creature of the night.
I really tried to like this book but I felt underwhelmed in most parts. The plot was a little bit cliché to me. I've read this kind of vampire story before so maybe that's the reason why it felt unoriginal to me.
I believe this book will not be so bad at all if it also wasn't because of the female lead. Nichole kind of ruined it. I was fairly unimpressed with her bratty attitude. She was unnerving, whiny, and difficult to like. The moment she said these things, I knew she and I wouldn't get along...
"Casey and I aren't the most popular girls in school but we are likeable and easy to get along with so that gives us a substantial amount of popularity."
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Another problem that I encountered was Nichole's over-the-top and perfect character. Literally perfect. She grew up in a rich and loving family, has a tall frame and beautiful face, has a boyfriend who's also tall, good-looking, and wealthy (he even gave her a jewelry with real diamonds in them on her birthday), and even her boyfriend's friends are perfect. She has many admirers and everybody in school loves her. In short, everything was unrealistic.
I also had an issue when it comes to the characters' dialogues which sounded awkward. At times it even appeared repetitive. The world-building and the descriptions of actions were also vague and it was difficult for me to imagine what I was reading.
I give this book 2 stars though because of the interesting things that started to appear in the final chapters. The ending, which was a cliffhanger, was also strongly delivered. It gave the readers a glimpse of the exciting things that will happen in the next book.
(Thank you to the author Paige Walker for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
After reading Ate Claire's (I call her Ate Claire,
"You only fear what you do not know."
4 Stars!
My reaction after reading this book:
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After reading Ate Claire's (I call her Ate Claire, "ate" as big sister in Filipino) review of this book months ago, I felt so giddy to start it because I found the previous book really enjoyable. (Click her name to read her thoughts! :))
A Thorne for a Crown is the second installment of Eva Thorne series. I expected this book to be a lot more action-packed. I was right. It was filled with particularly exciting action scenes and adventures. What I didn't expect was how it's going to be better than the first book, Tangle of Thornes, when it comes to the storyline and the mc's character development. In this sequel, our heroine Eva Thorne begins her journey as a detective, investigating the reported disappearance of the dwarf king, King Rutgard. She's now smarter, confident, and independent. More developed compared to her character in the previous book.
What made me appreciate this book more was the thrill it gave me when magical creatures such as werewolves, beasts, and even dragons were highlighted apart from dwarfs. The authors sure did an amazing job in engaging me with its mythical characters, dazzling plotline, and lots of humor. In addition, I appreciate Eva's romantic involvement with certain characters. I personally ship Eva and Conrad, by the way. I thought they look cute together and the way they work as a team was remarkable. Can they just end up together, please?
I have to give the authors credits for that cliffhanger in the end. That totally stunned me. This book, as a whole, offered a real surprise to me. It was better than what I've expected. I'm looking forward to reading the third installment. :)
(Thank you to the authors for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!)
Mixed feelings. I really loved the premise of this novella but I was expecting something different. I thought it would be more on the fantasy a3 Stars
Mixed feelings. I really loved the premise of this novella but I was expecting something different. I thought it would be more on the fantasy and supernatural side than romance.
High Witch, the first installment of High Witch series, was actually short (87 pages). It's about a guy named Brayden who has been dreaming about a mysterious girl for a very long time. He fell in love with that girl even though he only saw her in his dreams. When he unexpectedly met her in flesh one day, he eventually learned that her name's Ariel and she's in fact, a High Witch, a powerful sort of witch. He was not really that dumbstrucked upon learning Ariel's true nature because he came from a long generation of witches. He soon learned that Ariel is hunted by an evil warlock named Julius who wanted her powers in order for him to enjoy unending youth.
At first I found myself getting lost in the story so easily. The plot was promising. Although the writing was not that perfect, I had high hopes that the author can still pull it off. But when I got into the part where the romance was introduced, and not just simple romance but over-the-top, I-will-die-for-you romance, I found it quite off. The romantic development came a little too quickly. I love it when there's romance in a fantasy book but I also wish it wasn't the main focus of the story.
Despite my issues, though, I still found this novella quite promising. It had lots of potentials and the characters were likeable and very independent. The writing may need a little polishing and some improvements but I'm impressed 'coz the author was able to think of a concept that will draw fantasy-lovers in. If you want a quick read with witches as main characters, then I recommend this novella! :)
P.S. Really loving the cover of this book. So pretty!
(Thank you to the author Mona Hanna for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!)
Oleah Chronicles: Justice picks up where we left Angel Seriki in Oleah Chronicles: Truth. This time our heroine is doing everything she can to rescue her best friend Julie and to become stronger by training under the guidance of her Oleah parents and of course, together with the love of her life Zander.
I loved that the sequel was a light read and it introduced a whole new premise. The introduction of new characters was also a great thing since it offered a refreshing feel to the readers. What I just didn't quite enjoy was how some scenes became abrupt. I thought the world building here also lacked and fell flat. Also, I was expecting a lot of romantic scenes between Zander and Angel, but... :( Then there's Julie who kept annoying me most of the time. :( However, there's this Zander line that made me swoon. :)
"Sometimes, you don't realize you're broken until someone brings you the piece that's been missing in your life. You are my missing piece, Princess. Going back to a world that you're not in, is not an option. My life belongs to you."
The book was still beautifully done and though it lacked on some levels, the plot was spot-on and Angel's character development was evident. In addition, the book's ending was a BANG and it certainly made a difference. It made me question what will happen to Julie and Angel's friendship now that there's a huge change between them. :)
(Thank you to the author Michelle Johnson for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!)
I think there's no need to make a proper review for this book because everyone knows how great this book and this series is. So I have to put e4 Stars
I think there's no need to make a proper review for this book because everyone knows how great this book and this series is. So I have to put everything through GIFs. :)
THE WHOMPING WILLOW! (I couldn't even imagine how cute and hilarious this tree when it punched Ron and Harry in the earlier chapters. Ha!)
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MOANING MYRTLE (I haven't seen the movie yet, but is this Moaning Myrtle? The character grew in me and I felt sad for what happened to her. :(( )
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HAGRID (One of the best characters ever!)
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THE BATTLE BETWEEN BASILISK AND FAWKES (I think this one is the best part here. It was pure epicness!)
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What I didn't quite like:
Not much happened in the first half of the book which brings me to realize that I enjoyed Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone a lot better. Needless to say, I did have fun going to Harry's adventure here. His character continues to amaze me and his friendship with Ron and Hermione is goals! I have to read the next books ASAP!
This short story had so much of what I loved about Khalid. I loved getting into his mind! His POV was amazingly written in a manner that give3.5 Stars
This short story had so much of what I loved about Khalid. I loved getting into his mind! His POV was amazingly written in a manner that gives goosebumps to the readers. I also loved how he sees Shazi prior to their dreaded wedding and how Shazi got him intrigued when he knew that she volunteered to become his next wife.
The Crown and the Arrow could've been a great short story but the problem was, it was too short. There was simply not enough. I want more Khalid!!! Otherwise, it's still a good shortie. It's like tasting a tiny piece of chocolate and you still want more. :)
So many feels in this short story! I instantly became a fan of Jalal and Despina the moment they were introduced in The Wrat4 Jalal and Despina Stars!
So many feels in this short story! I instantly became a fan of Jalal and Despina the moment they were introduced in The Wrath and the Dawn so it didn't surprise me to find myself completely enamored by these love birds here. These characters are unique in their own ways. They're simply irresistible and oh my God, the chemistry! It's definitely there! I.JUST.CANNOT!
My favorite part here was the garden scene. I think it's the highlight of the story. It was so swoony and it felt like it came from a scene in a historical romantic movie or something. I had so much fun in this short story. I laughed and swooned and totally went to crazyland because of how cute Jalal and Despina were! If you have already read The Wrath and the Dawn, don't miss this short story! :)
This book is a thousand times worth the read! I'd say, it deserves the hype! The synopsis alone is irresiMore than 5 Stars!!!
I AM AT A LOSS FOR WORDS.
This book is a thousand times worth the read! I'd say, it deserves the hype! The synopsis alone is irresistible and the cover is gorgeous. Even way better when we talk about the overall story which permeated a magical and captivating writing that left me beyond amazed.
The Wrath and the Dawn is a retelling of A Thousand and One Nights. To be honest, I don't have any idea what the original tale was about and after reading this book, I felt the sudden urge to read A Thousand and One Nights because of how The Wrath and the Dawn was perfectly crafted.
The book introduced the heroine Shahrzad, otherwise called Shazi by her friends, who volunteered to become the new wife of the formidable Khalid Ibn al-Rashid, the caliph (ruler) of Khorasan who was known for his reputation of killing his previous wives after the wedding night. Shahrzad's sole purpose was to find revenge for what happened to her friend Shiva who fell victim in the hands of Khalid. Little did she know that Khalid was not a monster that she originally thought but a troubled ruler who hid secrets that she eventually wanted to uncover.
I loved that even if it's YA fantasy, a huge part of the book focused on romance. I'm a fan of YA books with a romantic element and perhaps you already know that by now. ;) It's basically part of my deal! So when Shahrzad and Khalid's romantic interactions were played out spectacularly here and not just once or twice but as many as I've counted, I swooned so hard! This kind of YA book is my undoing!
The fantasy element was vaguely defined here but I don't have any issue with it because I've read way heavy fantasy books lately and I guess the light volume of fantasy here best suited me.
"Some things exist in our lives for but a brief moment. And we must let them go on to light another sky."
What even astounded me most, of course, was Renee Ahdieh's writing. God, this author is new to me but she already captured my heart! She weaved her words beautifully and she perfected the art of captivating her readers with the way she built the world and created the characters.
"You are not mine." He dropped his palm from the door. "I am yours."
The setting was simply beautiful! I loved that it was established in a deserted land which was something new to me and I adored the way the map was designed in the first pages of the book.
When it comes to the characters, I loved both Shazi and Khalid. Shazi was a tough and feisty character, not necessarily badass like the heroines other YA books were trying to convey, but a vivacious, witty, and alluring character.
"Shahrzad is a difficult girl, and I am a monster. I suppose that makes for a good match."
Khalid, on the other hand, was PERFECT. No words needed. If you'll ask me right about now who's my newly added book boyfriend on my list, that would be KHALID. Y'all know for sure how I love royal characters the way I love Dorian Havilliard, Cal, and Nikolai Lantsov so yes, that's one of the many reasons (besides him being so gentle and sweet yet a very strong character) why Khalid knocked me off my feet!
"There is no one I would rather see the sunrise with than with you."
The ending was bittersweet and somewhat a cliffhanger which left me longing for more! Thankfully the second book will be released this month, so yay!
Honestly, I have no negative things to say about this book. That's because I was 100% entertained. I enjoyed the writing style and the way the story was framed as a whole. If you haven't read this book yet, I suggest you to give it a try. Don't be intimated with the hype because as I've said, it's worth it!
"For nothing, not the sun, not the rain, not even the brightest star in the dark sky, could begin to compare to the wonder of you."
Reading this book was reminiscing everything in Sweet series and bringing back the feels! I am not really fond of reading a book that rehashes the entire series using the voice of the male mc but this one was an exception because, *sigh It's KAIDAN ROWE'S POV and why not?
I knew Kaidan was sexy in Sweet Evil, Sweet Peril, and Sweet Reckoning but I think he's way sexier here. Lots of naughty things were running inside his head and I can't help but blush. LOL. I think I even loved him better here because I was able to really see through his thoughts and his emotions and the way he regarded Anna. Right in the feels!
"Anna has ruined me with a craving for something far more substantial. She possesses the only thing that can fill the deep void within me, and nothing else comes close."
Anna and Kaidan have always been one of my favorite OTP's that's why it was kind of difficult for me to read this book without missing this couple so bad! But I'm really glad because I already forgot lots of scenes in the series and I'm happy to rewind all of those, especially those scenes I consider my favorites. All in all, it was a worthy somewhat-reread of the entire series. Kaidan Rowe is truly worth it all!
"I can't simply have a tiny slice of Anna. I'm no masochist. It has to be all or nothing."
"He'd shown me pools of starlight... He's saved my life like some kind of feral knight in a legend, and I'd gulped it down like faerie wine..."
I w
"He'd shown me pools of starlight... He's saved my life like some kind of feral knight in a legend, and I'd gulped it down like faerie wine..."
I was completely blown away after finishing A Court of Thorns and Roses. I finally realized why this book has hit the shelves with a storm and became an all around hype in the entire book community. Apart from the fact that it's the work of a genius in a person of Sarah J. Maas, this book is a complete deal.
The plot. Everything was so perfect in terms of its plot. I loved how Sarah J. Maas based the fairy concept on such a popular tale as "Beauty and the Beast" that she plotted the majority of its storyline into ACOTAR's story and used Beauty and the Beast's main characters as the basis for this book's characters.
The pacing. There was no such thing as slow-paced here. Ever. I couldn't even remember if there was a single part of the book where I felt bored or sleepy. Every chapter, every paragraph, every single line, screamed intensity.
The world-building. Stunning. I am at a loss for words just thinking about how Sarah J. Maas built the amazing world of this book. How everything started as a myth when a lady was holding a Cauldron and the whole fairie continent was magically created. I also loved how the whole continent was divided into different courts: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Day, Night, Winter, and Dawn court and how they were all managed by High Lords. Speechless.
The characters.Feyre is one unique and well-developed character. Better than Celaena in my opinion. She's strong-willed and very responsible. I liked her character so much that I found myself teary-eyed at times because of the knowledge that she's the only one who feeds her family, thus her hunting at the woods. Even when she felt so terrified of the forest and the creatures lurking in it, she braved her soul because of her obligations. And with no whining on her part. Also, she's the kind of character that you will like because she's simply not annoying. She takes responsibility in her every decision. She's also cunning and wise despite the fact that she's illiterate. Yes. We're having an imperfect, no-Mary Sue character here, guys.
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On the other hand, I loved Tamlin. A High Lord fae with an air of mystery and well, sexiness. Who doesn't want to sign up? He was described so beautifully and intricately here that I couldn't help but sigh at the sheer perfection of his characterization.
"I love you. Thorns and all."
The romance. I have been looking for books that balance both the fantasy and romantic aspects and never have I expected that this book was it. WHY??? WHY did I resist the temptation of reading it? This book basically has been sitting on my shelf for months! Now I see what I've totally missed all this time. The romance was all kinds of beautiful. There were swoony and even steamy scenes which kind of... surprised me. (Really, Sarah J. Maas? You could definitely write intimate scenes that are way beyond my imaginings in a fantasy book?) I didn't know this was sort of a New Adult book-- which was good, because it just made the romance all the more compelling.
"I don't want you to live somewhere else. I want you here, where I can look after you-- where I can come home and know you're here, painting and safe."
The later part of the book hinted a love triangle because... *sigh Rhysand.
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Yes, we are meeting the other piece of the love triangle! And what a delicious piece, too. I don't normally root for two guys in a love triangle but here I am, shipping either Tamlin or Rhysand for Feyre!
"Each of us has a beast roaming beneath our skin, roaring to get out."
The ending. The final chapters of this book proved to be a big and epic surprise. WOW, I was so amazed by the things that took place... especially when Amarantha, the evil Queen, was introduced. That's when the whole lot of action took place and everything became too overwhelming for me to take. I ended up panting and my heart was beating loudly because I got so nervous.
Now that is how you start a series! Sarah J. Maas, you did it again. You truly are a queen. Rightfully so! A Court of Thorns and Roses is another one of those books one will shelve as a new favorite. It's beautiful in every single way and it's complete with all the elements you are looking for in a fantasy retelling. If you haven't read this book yet, do yourself a favor and start it now.
This book is one of my most anticipated sequels this year. I loved it and I enjoyed some parts, but it didn't quite meet my expectatio3 Apollyon Stars
This book is one of my most anticipated sequels this year. I loved it and I enjoyed some parts, but it didn't quite meet my expectations.
The Power picked up where The Return left off. We get to finally see Seth once again and this time he's continuing his mission to protect and train Josie against the Titans who became an absolute threat to them. They're also preparing for their mission to find the lost demigods and to convince them to become their allies.
What I loved about this sequel was the writing. Of course, we're talking about the Jennifer L. Armentrout. Give it to her when it comes to engaging her readers through magnificent writing style laced with humor and wit. Another thing was SETH. Apparently this guy is the main reason why I read this spin-off in the first place. I fell in love with him ever since the Covenant series. In this book, he still gave me butterflies because he's so frickin' sexy and the way he cared about Josie was PRICELESS. Perhaps there were times when he started to become a douche but I understood him because he had reasons.
Josie's character, on the other hand, improved here. I saw some developments in her character and I think she's on her way to becoming a badass heroine! Another thing that I loved about this book was the romance. Seth and Josie's romantic development was awesome! And my, those sexy scenes... *blushes
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I also loved the cameo appearances of my favorite characters from the Covenant series. WOW.... THEY'E BACK!!! And hopefully for good. :)
The thing that I disliked, however, was the pacing of the book. It was sooooo sloooooow..... especially the first-half where nothing much really happened.
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Also, I was looking for a much better action scenes. The action scenes in the first book were epic but here... they were kind of lame. I wasn't really that thrilled compared to how I freaked out in the first book. And when it comes to the ending... Jeez, another cliffhanger!
For me, this book was just okay. So-so. Not really an epic continuation. I hope the next book in the series will be better though. I am crossing my fingers to that because I am not giving up on Seth! :)
I find Tangle of Thornes a refreshing fantasy read. It's a story about a girl named Eva Thorne who had a brother named Viktor who was brutally killed I find Tangle of Thornes a refreshing fantasy read. It's a story about a girl named Eva Thorne who had a brother named Viktor who was brutally killed by an unknown person. Determined to find out who the culprit behind her brother's death, she went to a particular world to seek for help-- a world enriched with dwarfs, elves, dark gods, and every otherworldly creatures. Because Eva is a Solhan, a human who is below the level of everyone in this world, she wasn't able to easily get the needed help. Thus, she went through every corner of the place in order to attain her goal-- which led her to various people who played critical roles in her journey.
This book is fantastic when it comes to its concept. It has rich characterization plus a witty writing style that will keep you entertained. I loved how the authors' writing made everything light because of the solid-rock humor in it. However, I had a problem with the world-building. The image of the world the authors created was easy to perceive but as I went through the pages, there were a lot of questions that kept bugging me. Like, how did this world become like this? Was there a story behind the elves' indifference towards humans? How and where did they get those slave humans? Maybe I needed more explanations on these things.
But as a whole, this book is beautiful and enjoyable in a way. I loved Eva's character and how vibrant and strong-willed she became while carrying out her mission. She's the kind of character that is so easy to like and relate to. The side characters were also funny and with depth. This book may not be that perfect, but it's not that bad at all. It's actually a promising start to a great series! If you love fantasy with entertaining mythical creatures, I know you will love this book, too.
(A copy of this book was provided by the authors in exchange for an honest review.)
Queen Song is one of the novellas of Red Queen series. Here, we are told about the backstory of Quee
"There is nothing so terrible as a story untold."
Queen Song is one of the novellas of Red Queen series. Here, we are told about the backstory of Queen Coriane, the mother of Prince Cal from Red Queen. Coriane belongs to the Silver blood, under the House Jacos-- a not-so-well-endowed clan compared to other Silver bloods. She writes her life events in a dairy and conveys her emotions there. Her ordinary life changed when Prince Tibe, heir to the court of Norta, fell in love with her and asked her hand for marriage, which of course, became the reason why the traditional Queenstrial was never realized. This led to conflicts and certain intrigues that tested Coriane's strength and belief while carrying her crown as a Queen.
It's Victoria Aveyard's flawless and breathtaking writing style that made me embrace this novella. Once again I was amazed by how she was able to bring this story in an epic level. There were no action scenes here but all the events were simply engaging. I loved how the simple plotline surprisingly became extraordinarily beautiful in the end.
The romance between Coriane and Tibe was sweet and raw, heartbreaking at times. There was also a good pacing here and the Silver blood's powers were drawn neatly.
Perhaps Coriane's character development was the one that's lacking here. She came out fragile and weak in the beginning but she was starting to get tough in the near-end. Unfortunately, she went back to being weak again in the end, surrendering to her fate and accepting her vulnerability that she couldn't do anything to save herself and the people she cared about.
All in all, this novella is totally compelling despite some minor flaws. It's nice to know Coriane's story after she was mysteriously mentioned in Red Queen. It was written in a poignant yet beautiful prose, something that holds you together to read it. When it comes to the ending, it was a bit hazy and mind-boggling, thus leaving us with a big question: WHO DID IT?
Buddyread with my amazing sis Bea (click her name to read her beautiful review) :)
I knew this book will definitely bring me tons of fun times, but heBuddyread with my amazing sis Bea (click her name to read her beautiful review) :)
I knew this book will definitely bring me tons of fun times, but heck I didn't expect this installment to be this crazily good! And HOT. Who wouldn't get all warmed-up when it's The Life of Dean we're talking here? DEAN SEBASTIAN KENDRICK HEYWARD-DI LAURENTIS.
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We've met Dean in the previous books of the Off-Campus series. One of the hockey hotties of Briar, this guy is the manwhore of all manwhores in the team. And then there's Allie Hayes, Hannah's (Garrett's girlfriend) best friend who also appeared in the previous books, who just broke-up with her long-term boyfriend Sean. Things started off when Allie went to the hockey players' apartment to spend the night in order to avoid being confronted by Sean. That's the time when she and Dean got drunk together and well, ended up screwing each other.
This book is practically a friends-with-benefits kind of book, but I loved how the romance came out very developed here-- how Dean and Allie both started off as f*ck buddies which turned into something in the long run. And of course, their character development. So amazed how Dean transformed into one responsible and matured guy and how he stayed loyal to only one girl. *sigh
As usual, Elle Kennedy once again made this entire book worth the read because of the humor that's present in every chapter. There were LOTS of laughable moments here. Little Dean, WINSTON, the martial arts done by Allie and Summer, the Hunger Games and Twilight references, Logan and G's teasings, Tuck's shenanigans, and all!. I had to take a break just to have a good, healthy laugh!!! And my, those hot scenes-- NUFF SAID.
Seriously, this installment is everything. Dean is one of the NA men every girl would really swoon over. I enjoyed everything here because it's so damn entertaining and romantic to the extreme! I need the fourth book now!
"We are all the pieces of what we remember. We hold in ourselves the hopes and fears of those who loves us. As long as there is love and memo
"We are all the pieces of what we remember. We hold in ourselves the hopes and fears of those who loves us. As long as there is love and memory, there is no true loss."
5 Heavenly Fire Stars!
This is going to be a very emotional reviewfangirling so please bear with me....
I knew the conclusion of The Mortal Instruments will be beautiful. What I didn't expect was how it's even better than what I've expected. It was epic. The best of all the best. The kind of book that was well-molded from start to finish, closing the entire series with a huge impact to the heart.
DEFINITELY THE PERFECT ENDING AND THE PERFECT SERIES. EVER!
To Cassandra Clare, you have no idea how much I cried after finishing this book. With your brilliant writing and exceptional imagination, you simply hooked me. I loved how you created your characters and the Shadowhunter world. The way you designed this fictional world with so much love was so overwhelming. And no matter how dark it was, still, its overall greatness was worthy enough. I could read this series all over again!
"If people have a spark in them, yours is the brightest I know."
City of Heavenly Fire Cassandra Clare is the longest sequel in this series. All the while, I thought City of Glass was the best book, but in my opinion, City of Heavenly Fire was everything. It was simply satisfying. I loved the carefully constructed plot as well as the series of twist and turns .
"The wishes of our hearts are weapons that can be used against us."
Some of my favorite scenes in this book:
> The real Brother Zachariah - If you have read this book and the TID series, then you will know what I mean. The feels!
> Bat and Rufus' fight and Rufus' and Maia's battle - Talk about a phenomenal battle of werewolves! This scene is not to be missed!
> The drunk Simon moment - This was the scene where I did laugh like a mad woman. Those funny and corny yet super swoony things that he said to Izzy were my undoing!
> Jace and Clary when they were at the cave of Edom - THIS. I've waited for this moment. NUFF SAID.
I'll stop now. I couldn't go on anymore without spoiling everyone but let me just tell you that there were so many amazing scenes in this book!
"You were the wrong person for the Jace that I was, but not the Jace that I am now, the Jace you helped make me."
Now let me express my feelings and opinions toward the beautiful major characters that made up the whole series.
Clary - I loved her character development here. Gone was the reckless Clary Fray that we saw in the previous books. The Clary Fray that we see here is braver and wiser and so much careful with her actions and decisions.
Jace - He was phenomenal here and his character development was also remarkable. I think it's about time to see a Jace that truly accepts and embraces his own self and not just his demons. Also, he was way sweeter here. This is the guy that I was looking for in previous books and because of that, I couldn't be any happier.
Simon - Of all the characters, Simon is my most favorite. He just couldn't stop being awesome! And what happened to him in the final chapters of this book... ugh, it made me feel emotional!
Alec - I didn't quite appreciate his character until now. He was way better here! And not just because of his epic action stunts but because in this book, he loved Magnus so fiercely and unselfishly. Like the rest of the characters, he will be hard to forget!
Isabelle - Always such a sexy badass character and I couldn't stop admiring her! I have always been a fan of her character since City of Bones. In this book, she became even stronger. And she was always a true friend and a sister.
Magnus - This man. This powerful warlock. He's the reason why this entire series kept getting interesting. Life would be dull and boring without him, to be honest.
Maia - Who would've thought that this girl will impress me? She simply rocks! She has this hidden fire in her that was unleashed in this book. So surprising!
"Weapons, when they break and are mended, can be stronger at the mended places. Perhaps hearts are the same."
To say I was amazed by this series' conclusion is an understatement. I was left completely awed and emotional and even starting to miss the characters. :( The good thing is that there's Lady Midnight waiting which I will be reading soon! If you haven't started this series and The Infernal Devices yet, what better time? They're ultimate favorites of mine!
I'm going to leave you with my most favorite quote from this book...
"We Shadowhunters, we put ourselves in danger, every hour, every day. I think sometimes we are restless with our hearts the way we are with our lives. When we give them away, we give every piece. And if we do not get what we so desperately need, how do we live?"