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Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

No mourners. No funerals.

Synopsis:

Criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker is offered a chance at a deadly heist: break into the Ice Court – a military stronghold that has never been breached – and retrieve a hostage whose knowledge could change Grisha magic forever. To succeed would mean riches beyond his wildest dreams, but he can’t pull it off alone.

A convict with a thirst for revenge. A sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager. A runaway with a privileged past. A spy known as the Wraith. A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums. A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.

Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Together they might just be unstoppable – if they don’t kill each other first.

Genre: Fantasy, Young-adult Fiction

Pages: 491 (Collectors Edition)

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My thoughts…

What an adventure this was! This book was honestly amazing, between the characters and the plot this book had pretty much everything I needed. After reading the Shadow and Bone trilogy and getting on board with that hype I knew I had to dive into this one because the hype was even bigger. This book was worth all the hype and more.

I’m going to have start by going through my love for this diverse bunch of unlikely allies. My favourite being Jesper just for the pure amusement he adds and his enjoyment of getting into trouble. I am also completely here for him flirting with Wylan like YES PLEASE MAKE THIS HAPPEN. Nina is just a whole mood. Matthias definitely started out as slightly too grumpy but quickly grew on me because I can’t help but love a broody male. I mean Inej is just on a whole new level of female and despite Kaz’s questionable “hobbies” you can’t help but love and root for him and the team.

This book definitely gets better as you read on, the first part of it was a lot to do with the planning of the heist and establishing the characters, which I really enjoyed but all the fun towards the end when all the action was happening was by far my favourite. I have always loved a strong love element in my fantasy stories but this didn’t have one and I didn’t hate it. It gave me obvious ships without throwing love scenes at me and although at times I wanted to scream because these ships were so obviously into each other it was enjoyable reading their own turmoil with their feelings. I also LOVED the banter that was threaded through the story it really helped keep things upbeat and not too serious.

Six of Crows was full of shocks and kept me engaged throughout the whole story some of my favourite what the fuck moments included when I thought Matthias had reverted back to his trash ways when Nina was off her head on parem and of course that ending had me feeling all types of ways; mainly hunger for the next book!

Not only were my emotions tampered with but this book left me with some preety great quotes! I’m a sucker for a good quote and felt that these once resonated with me the most:

“Men mock the gods until they need them, Kaz.”

“Facts are for the unimaginative”.

There was no part of him that was not broken, that had not healed wrong, and there was no part of him that was not stronger for having been broken.

This book 100% deserved the five stars and I am HIGHLY anticipating Crooked Kingdom!

Keep reading xoxo

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Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

I spent my life folded between the pages of books. In the absence of human relationships I formed bonds with paper characters. I lived love and loss through stories threaded in history; I experienced adolescence by association. My world is one interwoven web of words, stringing limb to limb, bone to sinew, thought and images all together. I am a being comprised of letters, a character created by sentences, a figment of imagination formed through fiction.

Synopsis:

A fragile teenage girl is held captive. Locked in a cell by The Reestablishment, a harsh dictatorship in charge of a crunching world. But Juliette is no ordinary teenager – one touch from her can kill.

The Reestablishment wants to use her as a weapon. But Juliette has other plans. After a lifetime without freedom, she’s finally discovered the strength to fight back – and to find a future with the one person she thought she’d lost forever…

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Romance, Distopian

Pages: 329

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My Thoughts…

I picked this book up a little sceptical but being the mood for a lot of romance and I seeing many people mention Shatter Me I though why not? Why was I sceptical? Well, girl with a lethal touch, too afraid to touch people but then discovers her strength? Sound familiar? I was thinking OH GOD X-men has been ripped off here but nevertheless if so many people can adore this series it can’t actually be bad. And it wasn’t bad at all I actually really enjoyed it, as you read on it becomes incredibly addicting. After finishing I actually looked up whether Mafi intended to base Juliette off of Rogue but she never even knew who Rogue was! Pretty crazy.

Also this book is like a gold for an English teacher, I mean it is PACKED with metaphors and imagery. I LOVED it I mean the quote that I have used says it all really.

Anyway, diving into the book the first thing you spot is the strikethroughs, sentences or words that have been crossed out intentionally to visually represent Juliette’s chaotic mind. I really love this idea, I thought it was really unique and interesting although at times I did feel it was a tad disjointed and sometimes took me out of the story.

Onto our female protagonist. Juliette. I have such conflicted feelings about her. I was trying to understand and put myself in her shoes but I just couldn’t justify how much crying and whining she did. Actually, I probably could but one I don’t want to and two half of the book should not be dedicated to Juliette’s tears. It became tiresome after a while like I get you have had it rough but HOW DO YOU HAVE THAT MANY TEARS IN YOU. I swear at one point she said she didn’t have any tears left. LIES. Despite this I am enjoying her story and I’m not against her first-person narrative which is something I also experience turmoil over.

Reasons for my 4 stars instead of 5 stars include Juliette’s neverending crying and the relationship between her and Adam. I found it odd, it felt forced at points and almost like she loves him because she feels she has to. Adam himself I don’t really mind, he’s kind of too much like I love a healthy amount of jokes and banter in my ships and he really isn’t delivering. I am so hoping they aren’t endgame because there is a certain blonde who very much intrigues me.

Warner is the most interesting character for me so far. I’m not usually into blondes but he wears dickhead so very very well. I am betting my life on it that there is more to him and I can’t wait to find out. Any time his name was mentioned I was instantly eager to keep reading.

PRAISE FOR KENJI. He is what I needed. He adds so much enjoyment I can’t wait to see more of him in the series. Any situation he’s involved in he makes it so amusing, definitely the comic relief you need in a book packed with intensity and romance.

Overall, this book was so much fun to read and it definitely gets better with every page-turn. There is a lot of hype around this series and I’m super happy to continue on to determine whether I think the hype is well-deserved. So far it’s looking promising. It has to be a 4 stars because I picked it up completely in the mood for it and it did not disappoint!

Keep reading xoxo

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Ace of Shades by Amanda Foody

She was the girl who’d come afraid to the city that could smell your fear. She’d faced the witch. She’d poisoned the wolf. She’d strolled into the land of death with her head held high and left it a lord. She was an impossible player in a fixed game, the only person not playing to win.

Synopsis:

Enne Salta was raised as a proper young lady, and no lady would willingly visit New Reynes, the so-called City of Sin. But when her mother goes missing, Enne must leave her finishing school – and her reputation – behind to follow her mother’s trail.

Frightened and alone, her only lead is a name: Levi Glaisyer. Unfortunately, Levi is not the gentleman she expected – he’s a street lord and con man, but could be the only one who can help her.

As their search for clues leads them into the clutches of a ruthless society, Enne will need to surrender herself to the city to uncover the truth.

My thoughts…

This was the book I didn’t know I needed. A magical Vegas setting with gang bosses and a pretty girl who doesn’t know what she’s about to step into? Yes please.

The first aspect that really grabbed my attention was this whole split talent that individuals possess depending on who their parents were. I found it amusing all the commotion when Enne was found to have the acrobat talent. Holy shit she can do flips she’s one dangerous bitch. I also want to know more about Levi’s orb-making talent. The whole orb-currency-thing is interesting but confusing and this whole notion of people having orbs in their skin, what sorry? And then these little black orbs making an appearance, erm what sorry?

I really fell in love with the whole atmosphere the book created, the City of Sin was incredibly enticing and never boring. There was always something new to be seen or uncovered. The plot, the city and the characters made this book such a page turner. It really did not disappoint.

Enne Salta really went from irritating to bad-ass and I was so here for it. I wasn’t sure how many times someone could cry or be on the verge of tears in a single book but Enne really showed me that it could be 549 times if someone tried enough. I mean her life was going to shit but I haven’t got time for her tears. Other than that I really did enjoy her as our female protagonists like despite crying every five minutes she still took no nonsense. I found her relationship with Lourdes really interesting, hopefully we will learn more about her in the next book. I’m looking forward to more unravelling of who Enne is and what role she will play in New Reynes.

I think the little cocky bastard that is Levi Glaisyer stole my heart from the beginning. He’s has “little shit” plastered on his forehead and he wears it the best way possible. You would never be bored with him. What a king. I never thought two men kissing would do it for me. But. Levi. Did. That. The only turn off was how quickly Levi near got knocked out, I thought he would do better. He’s just a complete babe though.

As far as relationships go I’m so used to the love interests being together by the end of the book but to see Levi and Enne get so close so many times but never actually YOU KNOW ughh I can’t even. Frustrating isn’t the word. The ending of the book made it seem like they won’t even see each other as much which actually kills me off because if they don’t live happily ever after I might just dig a hole, jump in and never come out.

The Shadow game was fun and interesting to read but these bloody card games are confusing as fook. I swear I’m not slow they actually are confusing. To be fair I’m not paying much attention to the rules because HELLO LEVI.

My Rating…

I love love loved this read. It made me happy, sad, frustrated, confused and all the feelings you get when you are so immersed in a whole new world. It didn’t get the full five stars because Levi and Enne aren’t happily married. I also will need a few things clarified in the next book but if it keeps heading in this direction the sequel will be guaranteed to be five stars. I am so excited to read what comes next!

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Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

“Suffering is cheap as clay and twice as common. What matters is what each man makes of it.”

Synopsis:

For Alina Starkov, time is running out. The Darkling rules from his shadow throne while she, broken by their previous battle, is under the dubious protection of the zealots who worship her as a saint. And as Alina convalesces she must also battle her conflicted feelings for the Darkling and her beloved Mal.

Her last hopes lie with the magic of a long-vanished ancient creature and the chance that an outlaw prince still survives.

As her allies and enemies race toward war, only Alina stands between her country and a rising tide of darkness that could destroy the world.

My thoughts…

The conclusion to this series was so bittersweet! I picked this up straight after the second book because I became so invested in these characters, some more than others.

Nikolai definitely stole the show in this one, he is just so likeable and his chapters were never boring. My stomach literally fell out of my arse when he turned into a nichevo’ya , that was shortly before I remembered there is a whole book based on him out so my panic was short-lived thank God. I wish there was more of him to be honest like I just want to know his life story because he’s definitely had a wild one. I can’t wait to see a lot more of him when I pick up King of Scars.

Someone I haven’t enjoyed throughout the whole series is the apparat. I have never seen the point of him, he could not be there and the story would virtually be the same. I guess he was just someone to dislike, such a slimy odd character. I can’t even remember what happened to him in the end but does it really matter?

As for Alina and Mal I was slightly surprised that they ended up together but at the same time I wasn’t. I didn’t particularly mind their relationship but I wasn’t a die hard shipper, I didn’t really feel the chemistry between them (clearly bitter about the Darkling). However, I am a sucker for a love story so I wasn’t opposed to them ending up together. Cute or whatever. Mal as the third amplifier though! I had a sneaky feeling it wasn’t the bird but I was shocked. You know what didn’t shock me though? Mal being killed. THEN BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE. Such a staple in YA fantasy I guess.

Obviously I couldn’t not mention my absolute favourite. The Darkling actually broke my heart. I knew he was going to die, he’s the bad guy so it’s what you expect really but I clutched onto a tiny strand of hope that MAYBE a miracle would happen. That clearly didn’t occur but his last words had me sobbing. He may have been a nut-job but he was misunderstood and in his own twisted way wanted a better world for his people and NO ONE can tell me different.

As far as the plot goes I enjoyed the ride. It is that trashy YA fantasy that I feel like everyone needs, the classic fight between darkness and light with it’s own twists. These characters, right down to the side characters, are characters that have and will stay with me. Having read Six of Crows I feel like I can say Bardugo 100% creates some amazing characters and I am excited to read more of her work.

My Rating…

Could it be anything else? I read these books soooo quickly and they were so hard to put down. They were definitely a mini-obsession I experienced and I loved every minute of it. The only negative I really have to say is the chemistry between Mal and Alina and perhaps the ending. I’m not sure what it was, it’s not that I didn’t like it but I wasn’t left completely satisfied (definitely bitter about the Darkling).

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Heartless by Marissa Meyer

“To be all right implies an impossible phase. We hope for mostly right on the best of our days.”

Synopsis: (as seen on Goodreads)

This is the Macmillan edition with 45o pages.

Long before she was the terror of Wonderland – the infamous Queen of Hearts – was just a girl who wanted to fall in love. Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland, and a favourite of the unmarried King of hearts, but her interests lie elsewhere.

A talented baker, all she wants is to open a shop with her best friend. But according to her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for the young woman who could be the next queen.

Then Cath meets Jest, the handsome and mysterious court joker. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the King and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into an intense, secret courtship. Cath is determined to define her own destiny and fall in love on her terms.

But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.

My thoughts…

I started reading this book while in a bit of a slump so it took me longer than usual to get into but once the story started to unravel I really fell in love with this book. It made me feel all sorts of feelings, it filled my heart with bliss then proceeded to shred me apart.

I loved the stories of Wonderland since I was a really small child so going into this I was excited but apprehensive because the world is so creative and crazy I didn’t want it ruined in all honesty. Safe to say it wasn’t. Meyer added her own twists and flavour to the world without overdoing it and changing a great deal. It was a very believable heart wrenching love story.

The descriptive writing was something that really stood out for me. There were times when Meyer was describing Cath’s desserts and my mouth was actually watering.

Sometimes I get irritated by the female protagonist but Cath – except for one action which I suppose was inevitable – I actually enjoyed all about her. It just made it all the harder to get to the end because it was never going to be a happily ever after. Cath’s relationship with Mary Anne was really enjoyable to see and it did actually shock me that Mary Anne basically betrayed her. I get to an extent she was worried but I don’t know it was a shock for me. I knew Cath was going to walk through that door to save her but it didn’t make it any less frustrating, the split second of oh my god they are going to make it was brutally ripped away from me and I was suddenly reminded of where this plot was heading. Another relationship I found really interesting was between Cath and Chesire, I love Chesire in general and I was really happy he was included in the story.

Onto the other half of the relationship. This always seem to happen but when a pretty boy with a cheeky attitude appears in a book I instantly think we have a connection. Forget Catherine I AM RIGHT HERE. Jest was a very likeable character even when he revealed his true intentions you could tell he just wanted to do what he thought was right. I really wished I had got to read more about his friendship with Hatter and their own adventures. The ending for Jest was quite abrupt I didn’t even clock on to what was happening at first and when I realised I was just in disbelief for a good while. Literally broke me into pieces. Being so used to books ending all love and happy smiles it was sad but almost a little refreshing for something to have a bitter ending.

A character I hated throughout this whole story was Catherine’s mother. I may actually despise her. She was trying to live through Catherine and the whole fat shaming made me want to punch her. LET HER EAT THE FUCKING SWEETS. When she didn’t let her eat her dessert I was like no way. No. Way. Let my mum try and do that to me I’ll take her hand off. Her Dad was spineless.

I feel like the Jabberwocky plot line was thrown in there and at first I didn’t know how I felt about it. I still don’t to be very honest. I think maybe there could have been more development just because it was overshadowed a lot by the love story and courtship with the king, that was definitely the main focus regardless of whether it was meant to be. I would have appreciated knowing more about the pumpkin seeds that Hatter had tried to give to Peter.

The ending was really depressing in the best way possible. Obviously, you know getting into this book where it was going to end but seeing Cath at the beginning to how sour she is at the end really does break a girls heart.

My Rating…

So, this got a 4/5 star rating, which is pretty high! Even though going into this book my mind wasn’t fully in it due to my temporary slump I was so pleasantly surprised with how this turned out. I think what stopped this story reaching the full five was the fact that I was in a slump and felt like I couldn’t be pulled out of it and the development of the whole Jabberwocky and Peter was a bit off for me, I just needed slightly more explanation. This was my first Marissa Meyer book and it’s made me want to read The Lunar Chronicles so bad! I don’t think I will ever look at the Queen of Hearts in the same way again and “off with their head” will never mean the same.

Also I am aware and sorry that this post has been so late in the week college got the best of me for a quick minute and when it came to Wednesday I had completely forgotten but better late than never!

Keep reading xoxo

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Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare (The Infernal Devices #3)

“The world is a wheel,” he said. “When we rise or fall, we do it together.”

Synopsis: (Goodreads synopsis)

A net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute. Mortmain plans to use his Infernal Devices, an army of pitiless automatons, to destroy the Shadowhunters. He needs only one last item to complete his plan: he needs Tessa Gray.

Charlotte Branwell, head of the London Institute, is desperate to find Mortmain before he strikes. But when Mortmain abducts Tessa, the boys who lay equal claim to her heart, Jem and Will, will do anything to save her. For though Tessa and Jem are now engaged, Will is as much in love with her as ever.

As those who love Tessa rally to rescue her from Mortmain’s clutches, Tessa realizes that the only person who can save her is herself. But can a single girl, even one who can command the power of angels, face down an entire army?

Danger and betrayal, secrets and enchantment, and the tangled threads of love and loss intertwine as the Shadowhunters are pushed to the very brink of destruction in the breathtaking conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy.

My thoughts…

Well this was an emotional rollercoaster.

There was so many moments that I loved, moments that I cried and moments were my stomach fell out of my arse. Some of my all time favourite characters (WILL AND JEM) have been in this series and to watch their stories come to an end was such a fulfilling yet saddening moment.

The bond between Will and Jem only got better in this book I ship them too more with each other than with Tessa. The interactions between them just before Jem died hit me right in the feelings. I’ve been so invested in these two characters, reading how they ended and all the events that happen to lead up to it was so heart wrenching.

Jessamine was a character that really took me on a journey. I wanted to like her from the start but then she revealed herself to be a right tit but I was still clinging on to a bit of hope. In this book I think she did redeem herself and I was sad to see her die. I think she was definitely insecure in herself and she was ultimately manipulated into her wrongdoings.

This was the book were SHIPS WERE DEVELOPED AND SAILED INTO THE BEAUTIFUL SUNSET. I cannot stress how much I loved all the couples Gideon and Sophie being one of my FAVES. They were all just amazing in so many ways.

I love Jem but my heart lay with Will and Tessa so I was beyond happy with the ending, there was sad, happy, steamy and everything in between with these two and I couldn’t get enough.

I couldn’t cope with the epilogue. I SOBBED. Clare is an absolute devil for doing that to me. I looked at the length and internally sighed because I didn’t think it was going to be that good. My God was I wrong. Half the time I couldn’t see the words I was too busy crying.

My Rating…

I mean could it be anything else? I have really fallen inlove with this series. I enjoyed it a lot more than The Mortal Instruments. I was so much more invested in these characters and the storyline. Ending this series was a very bittersweet feeling but I was left feeling very satisfied so I can’t complain.

This review has been quite brief and short and I put that down to a lack of motivation this past week hence why it is also coming later than usual. I have since kicked myself up the backside and am ready to get back on it.

Keep reading xoxo

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Two Dark Reigns by Kendare Blake

The crown of Fennbirn cannot be stolen. It must be won.

Synopsis:

The battle has been fought, blood has been spilled, and a queen has been crowned, but not all are happy with outcome.

Katherine, the poisoner queen, has been crowned and is trying to ignore the whispers that call her illegitimate, undead, cursed.

Mirabella and Arsinoe, have escaped the island of Fennnbirn, but how long before the island calls them back?

Jules is returning to Fennbirn and has become the unlikely figurehead of a revolution threatening to topple Katherine’s already unsteady rule.

But what good is a revolution if something is wrong with the island itself?

My thoughts…

First of all, I am well aware this is the third book in the Three Dark Crowns series and I don’t have the previous book reviews on here. Quite a simple answer to that really. I read them both before I had Goodreads so I don’t even have one of those PERFECT reviews for you. My ratings for them are available on Goodreads though, I wish I could remember them now and maybe it would take two minutes to look but we will not comment on my lazy behaviour.

Anyway I digress, it’s been a while since I’ve read this series so jumping straight into book three I was slightly apprehensive as to whether I would actually remember the plot and so on. However, getting stuck into this it all (most) came back to me and wasn’t hard to follow at all (maybe a tad).

My favourite character throughout this series has been Mirabella and to be honest I didn’t get enough of her in this book, there wasn’t very many chapters that were focused on her and the ones that were she wasn’t doing a great deal. The big reveal towards the end of the book however, was about Mirabella and I was not here for it. This is me just being bitter but WHY? Why does it have to be my favourite character that is destined to DIE like no thanks. Not only am I feeling bitter but I’m also confused. Hopefully this whole creating and destroying the mist will be explained more in the final book because I just don’t get it. Queen Illian died and it was created and Mirabella has to die for it to be destroyed? Like WHY? Is it something to do with the elementals, Daphne said they were both elementals but WHY. A tad confused, a tad frustrated but we will continue on anyway.

Katherine is such an interesting character. Safe to say she has changed the most. She has transformed from this timid, small, easy-manipulated girl to this slightly mental, strong individual. She definitely still shows traits of her previous self (am I phrasing that right? Probably not) though. She has been the most fascinating to read about and I can’t help but feel sorry for her. I don’t believe that she’s a bad person, I think she has been groomed for this role of queen and she’s trying to fill it but not doing a very good job. The whole dead queen business is really not helping either and the ending of this book was left quite ambiguous for her. I hope she’s not dead because I wouldn’t mind her changing side and seeing the three sisters united. Am I hoping for a fairy tale here? Maybe.

Two sisters down – one to go. Arisnoe, in my opinion is really likeable. She does what she wants, strays for the norm and looks after the people she cares about. All very likeable. However, it’s not that I was bored but between Mirabella, Katherine and Jules I really wasn’t too interested in Arsinoe. I hope that’s not the case for the next book and I don’t think it will be. I’m pretty sure in the concluding book everyone will have pretty major roles to play (I’m aware Arsinoe has a pretty big role in this book but in my opinion she was overshadowed). I also want to see more of her and Billy, more relationship development wouldn’t go amiss.

All bow down to the legion cursed queen? No thanks. I don’t dislike Jules but I don’t want her to be queen and since she’s gone bat-shit crazy that is looking more and more unlikely.

Still missing Joseph.

As far as the plot is going I’m still pretty engaged and excited but I’m hoping for a lot more action in the final book.

My rating…

Still a high rating because I’m invested in these characters and this story now and reading the ending is going to be a very bittersweet feeling. This book missed out on a star due to less Mirabella and the story was quite slow paced. My hopes for the next book are high, action, fighting, EXPLANATIONS oh and let’s pray Mirabella has not switched sides it may very well break me.

Keep reading xoxo

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Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

When people say impossible, they usually mean improbable.

Synopsis:

Alina Starkov’s power has grown, but not without a price. She is the Sun Summoner – hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she’s taken. But she and best friend Mal can’t outrun her enemies for long.

The Darkling is determined to claim Alina’s magic and use it to take the Ravkan throne. With nowhere else to turn, Alina enlists the help of an infamous privateer and sets out to lead the Grisha army.

But as the truth of Alina’s destiny unfolds, she slips deeper into the Darkling’s deadly game of forbidden magic. To save her country, Alina will have to choose between her power and the man she loves. No victory can come without sacrifice – and only she can face the oncoming storm.

My thoughts…

The sequel to Shadow and Bone certainly did not disappoint. I was a big fan of the first book, I recognised why some people would not enjoy it but ultimately I had a fantastic time. So, I was beyond excited to pick up Siege and Storm and continue with this series.

We are introduced to Prince Nikolai aka Stormhund the privateer, who rapidly became one of my favourite characters (besides the Darkling of course). For m, I love having this kind of character in a series especially series where its a lot about fighting, love and magic. Characters that brighten the mood up drastically and add humour just adds something extra to the books Nikolai filled this role not only being a witty, sarcastic and charming but he was an actual good guy as well. Comic relief moments are just as important as tension building. I loved everything about him from first meeting Stormhund to the big reveal he was exciting and entertaining.

I’ll just give a quick mention for my number one guy: the Darkling!! This book just reinforced my love to be honest. Whenever he pops up I just swoon I can’t even lie. Not only is he just googly-eyes worthy I find his character to be probably the most interesting. Probably the only thing that could have made the book better would be more Darkling.

A huge part of this story was Alina’s and Mal’s back and forth relationship, will they won’t they, are they going to make it through all this? Who cares? No I’m joking except not really it just got slightly frustrating like JUST BANG. You know what I mean? I kind of felt sorry for Mal at points because Alina just needed to COMMUNICATE but then when he put the moves on Zoya I was screaming internally. I’m not super invested in their love story but that may be down to the fact that the Darkling is life.

This book was pretty predictable except for one moment, which I didn’t mind because it was so enjoyable and kept me entertained. Right, now for the moment that had me GOBSMACKED. My stomach fell out of my ass. Genya being all messed up. When your not thinking about a character and they suddenly pop up completely fucked it really gets to a girl. In that moment for a second the Darkling could go fook himself (just for a second though), it actually made me so sad but at the same time it was so juicy to read.

We were also introduced to Tolya and Tamar, who were also AMAZING characters and the little twist at the end of them believing Alina is a saint and them leading the charge was one of my favourite scenes to read.

This book ended with Alina and Mal entering the underground Cathedral with the apparat, who in all honesty just comes across as a complete creep. Everyone is healing from the fight, Alina is half dead and her power is gone. VAMOOOSH. Setting up for the final book nicely I am sad, excited and apprehensive all at once to read the concluding book.

My Rating…

I am so invested in this series, way more than I ever thought I would be to be honest. It has been my slight obsession. Usually I’m not a fan of predictability but I don’t know I just enjoyed this so much. It was fast paced and kept me entertained the whole way through. I know five stars is high but this series brought me back to the emotional attachment I felt with Throne of Glass, which I haven’t felt to the extent I did ever since. I am beyond excited to read the final book and ever so slightly depressed that I will have to say goodbye to NEARLY all of these characters.

Keep Reading xoxo

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To Best The Boys by Mary Weber

“Because you are the wild sea and unkempt storms and constellations in a world where I am the anchor for everyone I know.”
“And you remind me that I can do impossible things.”

Synopsis:

Every year for the past fifty-four years, the residents of Pinsbury Port have received a mysterious letter inviting all eligible-aged boys to compete for an esteemed scholarship to the all-male Stemwick University. The poorer residents look to see if their names are om the list. The wealthier look to see how likely their sons are to survive. And Rhen Tellur opens it to see if she can derive which substances the ink ad parchment are created from, using her father’s microscope.

In the province of Caldon, where women train in wifely duties and men pursue collegiate education, sixteen-year-old Rhen Tellur wants nothing more than to become a scientist. As the poor of her seaside town fall prey to a deadly disease, she and her father work desperately to find a cure. But when her mum succumbs to it as well? Rhen decides to take the future into her own hands – through the annual all-male scholarship competition.

With her cousin, Seleni, by her side, the girls don disguises and enter Mr. Holm’s Labyrinth, to best the boys and claim the scholarship prize. Except not everyone is ready for a girl who doesn’t know her place. And not everyone survives the deadly maze.

My thoughts…

Right, this book has conflicted me. I absolutely LOVED the idea of this book and aspects of it were really enjoyable but I did experience some issues which definitely limited my rating.

First of all, I usually have some kind of issue with most female protagonists but Rhen was one of the few who I loved throughout the whole of the story. She was strong-willed, spoke her mind, mostly independent, quite realistic and NOT FUCKING UNBELIEVABLY STUPID.

It would be pretty stupid to not mention the main theme, if you like, that ran through the whole of this book: Feminism. Was I fan? Yes, yes I was. I’m commending the way it was done, the fact the women were fighting for the choice to do what they want, not being pushed into breaking the mould just for the sake of it. Rhen actually wanting to be a scientist and pave the way for change and Seleni, who was completely happy with being a housewife. I feel it was a great reflection of both sides.

The whole concept of the maze was a good and interesting idea but the execution was where an issue crept in for me. I wanted more. I wanted it to be more complex and have me guessing along with the characters but this just didn’t happen. The maze is on the cover and the main idea for the book and it was lacking. Sad.

Since we are talking issues lets move onto the next. This being a STRONG feminist book and the synopsis showing NO signs of love I wasn’t expecting the love element to be SO strong. It took away from the whole empowerment to be honest. It wasn’t that I didn’t like the couple (I actually loved Lute) it was just Lute, the love interest, was with her from the beginning through the whole maze until the end. I would have preferred her to at least gone through the maze with just Seleni.

The final issue, which is not a huge at all and it quickly became interesting more than anything. The world. It was set in the past with incredibly sophisticated technology and then a magical element as well. It probably could have used a bit more expansion and world building , I wasn’t opposed to it I was just confused for a good few chapters.

I’ll end my thoughts on a positive note: Seleni and Beryll. They warmed my heart, they were so so cute. Highlight of the book.

My Rating:

I know my rating might seem harsh but let me explain. I had previously heard about this book and then reading the synopsis I was HYPED for it. My expectations were extremely high, which is dangerous to have for a book. And now I know why.

However, overall it was an enjoyable book. I would recommend it for a fun read. It’s not incredibly fast-paced but it’s by no means boring. My hugh expectations did probably affect my rating and I can understand and appreciate why someone would rate it higher.

In one sentence? The Hunger Games meets The Maze Runner meets Mulan (with some notable changes).

Keep Reading xoxo

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City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare

Too much of anything could destroy you, Simon thought. Too much darkness could kill, but too much light could blind.

Goodreads Summary:

What price is too high to pay, even for love? When Jace and Clary meet again, Clary is horrified to discover that the demon Lilith’s magic has bound her beloved Jace together with her evil brother Sebastian, and that Jace has become a servant of evil.

The clave is out to destroy Sebastian, but there is no way to harm one boy without destroying the other. As Alec, Magnus, Simon, and Isabelle wheedle and bargain with Seelies, demons, and the merciless Iron Sisters to try and save Jace, Clary plays a dangerous game of her own.

The price of losing is not just her own life, but Jace’s soul. She’s willing to do anything for Jace, but can she still trust him? Or is he truly lost?

Love. Blood. Betrayal. Revenge. Darkness threatens to claim the Shadowhunters in the harrowing fifth book of the Mortal Instruments series.

My thoughts…

So, picking up straight from where City of Fallen Angels ended, City of Lost Souls continues, the penultimate book in the series! Almost to the last one.

For me the first part of the book was slower than the second. It definitely picked up, thank God! I’m not going to lie I started to worry for the second having not enjoyed the first/second books as much as I hoped but as the book went on my fears were washed away.

Probably my favourite parts of this book were the chapters with Clary, Jace and Sebastian. All the travelling from different places I found interesting and enjoyable. Clary and Jace who wasn’t really Jace got a little steamier but Sebastian KNOWING and FEELING, I don’t think I’ve ever felt that uncomfortable. It was beyond satisfying when the-not-so-Jace become real-Jace.

Sebastian in general is a weird character for me. I started to fall for his whole “I’m a new person act” but I quickly reprimanded myself… HE’S THE BAD GUY.

I will forever be inlove with the links and references to the Infernal Devices, it makes me soooo happy. Brother Zachariah, in particular, I love him and ofcourse any reference to the Herondales.

Alec and Magnus BROKE my heart. Absolutely wrecked my feelings. I didn’t know what to do, they are-were-are my number one couple of the whole series. I may have shed one – a couple of tears. EMOTIONAL.

My Rating…

Not a full house but close. The reason why it wasn’t a five star read was probably the first chunk of the book being slow, at points I found that I was having to tell myself to keep going, it will get good. Yes, you can tell that I did think it got good but come on it’s the fifth book in the series, I should be invested not bored.

Clary still annoying but she has gradually became less irritating. I don’t think there will be a book where I will be able to say I enjoyed her throughout but unlike the first book she didn’t completely contribute to the four not five star rating in this one. All we have to find out now is how Clare is going to wrap up this series.

Keep reading xoxo