Catwoman Soulstealer By Sarah J. Maas

This is a review that is also available on my Goodreads. Here it will have significantly less spelling mistakes because I PROOF READ IT, yes yes I know I go out of my way. Also I mention Kingdom of Ash and at this point it wasn’t out yet so don’t get confused.

She scanned his handsome face.”Being normal is a trap.” He blinked. Selina whispered as the song came to a close, “Don’t let it cage you”.

~There will be a non spoiler section and a spoiler section further on. There will be a warning before the spoiler secton don’t worry.~

I have the paperback version of this book, it’s cute, I’m not the biggest fan of people on the cover of books though.

Wow.
Sarah J Maas does it again. I picked this book up because I’ve read Maas’ other work and knew I wasn’t going to be disappointed… suprise surprise I wasn’t! FYI Sarah is the main bitch I love her dearly.

This book is part of the DC icons series however you don’t need to read the others to read this one in the same way you don’t need to read this one to read the others. I do enjoy a good super hero film so I was excited to pick up this and give it a go.
I didn’t expect to get as invested in this story as I did, I planned to drag this book out to be honest becuase I didn’t want to jump into another series in the lead up to kingdom of ash (CANNOT WAIT) so I thought this would be a light read that I wouldn’t be aching to pick up all the time.

My God was I wrong!

Selina’s adventure is honestly so addicting, I got to the end and I just wanted to keep going, Maas honestly knows how to create a strong, bad-ass female lead and I absolutely love her for it.
There was constantly something going on, no parts or chapters where I felt something was lacking. Full of action, emotion, humour and enjoyable character interactions!

I’m highly recommending this book especially if you want a quick stand alone read, this book gives you that thrill and excitement you didn’t even know you needed!
4/5 stars this book was an incredibly pleasant experience.

~Spoilers ahead!!!!~

This book was AMAZING for so many reasons.
First the relationship between Selina and her sister Maggie was so endearing it brought warmth to my cold little heart. It started off establishing this gorgeous bond between these two, showing how Selina would do ANYTHING for Maggie, who is currently extremley ill. However, we see the two girls separated and the adventure for Selina really begins. Throughout her story I constantly had Maggie in the back of my head like where is she at?
It was all tied togother nicely though at the end but we will get to that later.

We then meet Luke, who OMG I instantly fell head over heels for he was just a gorgeous character.
I wasn’t expecting there to be any love really but I was so here for it when these two interacted. Swoooooon.

I enjoyed Selina or Holly should I say and how she played this role of a stuck up rich socialite even though we know she is the complete opposite.
As the story went on though the anticipation for them to take off their masks (physically and metaphorically) was tangible and when they had that scene, you know what I’m talking about in the dark OMG I was gasping for air!

We obviously have to give our other two girls a mention, Harley was a nut case and I loved Ivy.
The notorious Harley Quinn certainly was a chracter, we dont see a great lot of her but what we did see of her was definitely interesting.
Poisin Ivy I just adored her she was great, loyal to a fault and just a sweet heart!!

Then the ending came around and Maggie came back into play.
To find out what Selina had done, all just to save her sister was so heartbreaking, when she was bleeding out still determined to save her sister’s life even though she was on the verge of death herself was so gut wrenching to read.

On top of that to watch Luke put all the pieces together and to instantly help, willing to die himself if it meant Maggie could be saved was just…
Oh my heart, my eyes I’M FEELING ALL THE FEELS.

The only problem I had was the whole being dead and then being brought back to life again, I don’t know I just dont feel it was needed and it happened in Mass’ other series, ACOTAR so it was kind of predictable, if it happens in Kingdom of Ash I’m going to be so annoyed but other than that the story ties up pretty nicely quite a cute ending with everyone ending up happy.

There has been alot of details I haven’t divulged in but I’m always up for a chat and would love to hear what you thought of this incredibly fun read?

Keep reading xoxo

City Of Bones by Cassandra Clare

This is a review from my Goodreads so bear with it. Also just putting it out there reviews that are not from Goodreads shall be a lot more organised!

I knew then that I hadn’t stopped believing in God. I’d just stopped believing God cared. There might be a God, Clary, and there might not, but I don’t think it matters. Either way, we’re on our own. – Jace Lightwood

Paperback, Aus Paperback, 415 pages Published 2015 by Walker.
The spines of this edition are everything.

~There will be a non-spoiler section and a spoiler section further on, there will be a warning before the spoilers don’t worry~

I know, I know i’m incrediby late to the party but to be honest i’m not always for the hype. Diving into this book i’d heard alot of amazing things about this series as a whole but there was a variation with the first book.
Obviously there had been alot of great things said about this one but also the warning that it is abit slow, getting better further on in the series.
I have to say overall I enjoyed this book and I am looking forward to continue with this series but i’m just not inlove with it… YET.
So I like it but I don’t love it.
It was just abit too predictable at times for me and there were quite a few situations were Clary annoyed the hell out of me, she was just a very damsel in distress kind of character, I’m hoping that changes throughout. So far I’m liking the plot and interested to see where things go.
Hopefully I will be jumping on the Cassandra Clare bandwaggon because I have heard SO MANY incredible things about her. Would I recommend this? I think I would, I can’t say for definite but it’s a nice introduction into a series.
3/5 stars, on the way but not completely hooked yet.

~spoilers ahead~

For me there were quite a few chuckle worthy moments, which I LOVE in a book, like if you can make me laugh we’re on to something! One of my favourite scenes didn’t play a role in the plot or anything but it was just a YES QUEEN type of moment.
Drum roll please…
Clary smacking Jace!! You know for that other ten percent, it was just so amusing to me, it reminded me off something I would do and we all love a relatable moment. All in all though Clary was pretty annoying at times. I thought there was going to be a part where she REALLY took control and grew abit as a person like don’t get me wrong she does stick up for herself but she near enough always needs saving. I’m really hoping for a bad ass moment soon.
Jace was a very enjoyable character, I mean who doesn’t love an asshole thats really a nice guy deep down? It was pretty easy to like Jace.
So the villain of the story… Valentine, I don’t really know what to make of him just yet other than being a very peculiar guy. He is also Clary’s mum’s husband. What I didn’t get is how Clary didn’t connect the dots that he was her father like she didn’t even wonder??
Slightly strange but hey ho.
Alec really grew on me, I can’t wait to see where his character goes!! SOOO SHIPPING HIM AND MAGNUS.
I was left wanting to know more about Isabelle, I feel like there is alot more to her but so far I’m loving her and her chioce of weapon… YES GURL.
Also quick mention for Simon, he had me laughing a few times. When he was mortified at what Clary was wearing was one of my favourites!! I loved his witty, sarcatic remarks throught aswell, definitely a highlight.
Moving onto to a lurrrve scene we see Jace and Clary kiss it out because who didn’t see that coming? I’m liking them together at the moment though (we do however find some disturbing information out but we will get to that in a minute).
Oh how I HATED when Jace was a complete ass to Clary like he was just nasty in an obvious awkward situation and oh poor Simon. This was another thing that annoyed me about Clary like HOW DID SHE NOT REALISE SIMON FANCIED THE PANTS OFF HER like come on girl whats going on??
‘”you really want to know what else it was my mom said about you?”… “She said you’d break my heart”‘
Literally the moment I realised Simon was too precious and needs to be protected at all costs!!
One thing I didnt’t expect was Hodge’s betrayal, I thought one was coming but I was thinking Luke rather than Hodge so this was a surprise and when that bloody bird attacked Clary I was like SHIT.
Ans then we had the big reveal at the end that Jace is actually Clary’s brother like WTF!! I realised abit erlier on that this was going to happen. When Luke was telling his story and he mentioned white-blonde hair I was thinking wait a minute… WTF.
I have a feeling it’s not going to be true though because there was a few things implying it was a lie but I just don’t see this storyline continuing like that’s abit messed up but i’m intrigued to see how it’s going to play out. I really don’t want to be shipping a brother and sister like nooooo thanks.
So yeah a decent book, not fantastic but major potential with this series.
Excited to see what comes next, hoping that I fall inlove!
What are your thoughts on this book and the series as a whole?

Keep reading xoxo

Christmas Book Haul

Ahhh Christmas is now over and 2019 is just around the corner! This year has honestly whizzed past me, I’ve literally just blinked and BAM 12 months gone. I hope you have had a wonderful Christmas and now we can get in to the real reason we are here. Books.

This book is thick AF and there are some gorgeous illustrations. The necklace on the book was an item in the Fairyloot December box.

I got a pretty decent amount of books, very happy with the additions. First up we have Fire and Blood by George R.R Martin. This is pretty much all about the history of the Targaryens and takes place 300 years before the events of Game of Thrones. There will be two-parts to this and my God is the first part thick. Honestly the book is like a mini brick shit house. I am so excited to dive into this read, I’m a HUGE Game of Thrones fan. I’ll probably get into this in April because that’s when the show comes back on and it will hype me up.

Next up we have The Storm Crow by Kalyn Josephson. This is an Arc that was included in the Fairyloot December box. I’m including the Fairyloot books in this haul but in future I will be doing separate unboxing posts. This book actually comes out July 9th, so that’s pretty exciting that I have it now. What I’m gathering is that this book is about sisters having to restore their kingdom to how it was before it was destroyed by an invading empire. Elemental crows look to be a big part of the story being the source of magic. Overall, this looks promising so I can’t wait to get around to it.

I received Vicious and Vengeful by V.E. Schwab and I. AM. SO. FUCKING. EXCITED. I have heard many good things about this duology and yes I may be slightly late on the bandwagon but better late than never. I can see Schwab becoming one of my favourite authors. This story follows two former college roommates, Victor and Eli. They gain abilities and become ExtraOrdinaries but shizzle happens and Victor ends up in prison but then escapes and that’s all I know!

Left to right: Reflection, A Whole New World, As Old As Time and Once Upon a Dream. Also Reflection looks a lot darker because the book is matte whereas the others are glossy.

I now own four of I don’t know how many of the Disney’s Twisted Tale stories. I’m not too familiar with these books but I’m interested. Reflection is about Mulan and her adventure to the Underworld. I think out of the four I own this is the one I’m least anticipating just because yes I enjoyed Mulan but it was never a favourite. A Whole New World is all about Aladdin if he had never found the lamp. I am looking forward to this one, I loved Aladdin when I was younger. As Old As Time is based on Beauty and the Beast and what would have happened if Belle’s mother had cursed the Beast. I am very interested in this one! Finally, Once Upon a Dream is probably my most anticipated out of the four. Its based on sleeping beauty a what would have happened if the prince’s kiss didn’t wake her up. I am excited because it looks like we get to see Aurora dominating this story having her own adventure and hopefully *fingers crossed* saving herself.

This cover is sooo pretty like look at them colours. The art print was also included in the Fairyloot and is a picture of Sky. Love.

Next up is the book featured in the Fairyloot December box. Fire and Heist by Sarah Beth Durst. I have never heard of this one but I am so excited to dive into it. It looks like a really fun read. Seems right up my street. We are following the story of Sky Hawkins and her first Heist, which will obviously have some fat twists and turns to keep the story interesting. Sky is also a were- dragon, a human that can turn into a dragon, which I’m very excited to see how this all comes together. The book is actually really short and doesn’t even hit 300 pages, for a fantasy this is bloody short so I’m just gonna go ahead and assume this is the first in a trilogy or series.

I was given The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang. I have never heard of this book before, probably because its not something I would necessarily pick up but I am hoping to widen by flavour of books so I am definitely up for giving it a go. This book includes Chinese history so that will be interesting reading about. It is set after the war (don’t ask which one haven’t got a clue pal) and opium flows through the heart of the empire. We follow war orphan Rin, who has fought her way to acquire a place at the Empire’s elite military academy. She learns about drug-fuelled magic and how that could hold the key to defeating the growing threat of the Federation. So yeah not something I would go straight for but it does look quite interesting.

Up next is another V.E Schwab book. This Savage Song. I am super excited to have another Schwab book. This one is not as talked about as much as her other work but I still cannot wait to get into this. We are following the story of Kate and August, the heirs to a divided city. Kate wants to be ruthless whereas August just wants to be human and good-hearted. They have been forced into a tenuous alliance and I’m really liking the sound of it!

These covers have grown on me a lot I think I may love them.

The last series I was given was the Shadow And Bone trilogy by Leigh Bardugo. FINALLY. I am beyond excited to get involved in the Grishaverse. We are following Alina Starkov, a soldier, unleashing magic she didn’t know she had. She now enters the world of royalty as she trains with the Grisha (the country’s magical military elite). Also looks like we have the usual of past secrets and dangerous discoveries. Cannot wait to get stuck in with this world!

Enjoy the New Year! xoxo

Kingdom Of Ash by Sarah J Maas:

This review is actually on Goodreads but you can no longer link Goodreads and WordPress *cue tears* so I will slowly post those reviews on here. If they are from Goodreads I will say so right about here. Enjoy.

Death had been her curse and her gift and her friend for these long, long years. She was happy to greet it again under the golden morning sun.

~ This review will have a non spoiler section and a spoiler section further on. There will be a warning before the spoiler section don’t worry ~

THIS BOOK WAS EVERYTHING!! All I can say is if you haven’t picked this series up yet WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN, read it, read it now.
Thankyou Sarah J Maas for allowing me to experience this crazy adventure, it has been my favourite yet.
You know when you find a book that just completes you? That just breaks and remakes you? That you feel yourself relating to on a whole new level?
All my crazed book readers will know the feeling and have a book or book series that brings these feelings out. For me it was this book series, so you can imagine how apprehensive I was to reach the end of the adventure but my God did SJM do it justice.
Such an incredibly bittersweet moment! It was an emotional rollercoaster, alot of twists and turns and NEVER a boring moment. Theres not alot to say without spoiling it except for READ THE GOD DAMN BOOK.
Much love.

~SPOILERS AHEAD~

Well this my friend is going to be along one… I am feeling organised though because I tabbed this book, colour coordinated and eveything *cue the applause* so i’m going to set this out in paragraphs and talk about my OMG moments, momements that gave me all the feels, moments I loved and funny moment (not many, not enough!).

So, up first are my OMG moments and my GAWWWDDD grab your popcorn because theres a fuck ton.
First, did I miss something? Has Maeve mentioned Aelin swearing the blood oath before because I swear I saw that page and was GAPING at the book like WTF.
AND THEN I found out our girl Yrene is PREGNANT, think I was having heart palpataions, only 74 pages in, the thought of that baby not making it the whole way through the book was definitely playing on my mind.
OMG when Nox bloody showed his face I screamed with joy I was hoping to see him turn up!! However where the fook was he at the end like seriously he just disappeared and I was not happy about that at all.
Manon meeting her great-grandmother was cool, slightly unexpected so it made it’s way to my OMG list.
Aedion’s armies had me just shitting myself the whole way through to be honest the tension was tangible “Still Morath did not stop coming” like NO GO AWAY.
Fenrys NOT dying OMG the relief, it’s crazy to think how Fenrys turned from a character we didn’t really now to an essential part of the team… crazy but thank the Gods he didn’t die!
Then we had Lorcan joining the team, which was something I never realised I wanted but trust me I needed, I found it quite amusing aswell.
Back to the armies “there was only ash and dented metal” FOUR THOUSAND SOLDIERS GONE. I remember looking at that part and just saying “Oh piss off”.
When Aelin walked into that tent with Chaol and the rest of them I was JUMPING up and down like YES YES YESSSSS!!
When the matrons found Manon OMG I was thinking surely they are not gonna kill her off now there is way too much still come but obviously deep down I knew Manon was going to kick some ass.
I was waiting and waiting and waiting for a rescue to happen so when Rolfe turned up to save the day it was an OMG moment because I didn’t realise it would be him but thank God somene showed up I was genuinely losing faith for them.
When Maeve turned up at Morath I was like OH JesUs ChRIst wheN CaN wE gEt A BrEaK!!
ANDDDD then when she caught Dorian I was near overcome with panic BUT I needed to be reminded Dorian is so not the young prince we once knew I was so proud of my little baby playing that hoe.
Absolutley crapped my pants when Iskra got a hold of Abraxos I though he was a gonner.
WHEN THEY VOTED TO LET AELIN SEAL THE GATE AT DAWN AND NOT WAIT I WAS BEOYOND PISSED LIKE ARE YOU STUPID?? Quick side note Hasar annoyed the living daylights out of me in this book and oh I adored Borte and her interactions with Aelin, what a queen.
Finally Aelin also not having her god like power I didn’t know whether it bothered me or not to be honest like she’s still a bad bitch but it did shock me right in my bonesssss.

Next up we have moments that gave me all the feels so grab your tissues because it’s about to get real emotinal up in here.
Aelin and Fenrys’ blinking system was utterly hearbreaking, thinking about what they have been through together honestly devastates me.
Jesus Christ when Lorcan said he crawled after Aelin I was so sad but so happy at the same damn time!
Bloody hell when Rowan saw his children my small little heart was in bits.
I was sobbing when we thought Fenrys was going to die ANDDD Aelin’s panic attack screaming to take it off had be all over the place oh that was a horrible scene to read.
‘Her former master gace her a half smile. “Even Sam held out better than this”‘. NONONONO EVERYTIME I even get a whiff of Sam Cortland the tears start flowing. I miss him.
When Manon was going to let Asterin give it to her granmother I cried then, Asterin and her story has always got to me I have loved her since I met her she is(was) such an amazing character!
I’ve never been a huge Manorian shipper but when she woke up alone I felt for the poor girl, I mean we all knew he would come back but she must have felt slightly used and abused.
“I wanted it to be you in the end” Nothing to say except RIGHT IN THE FEELS.
This was the SADDEST part for me I was sobbing my absolute heart out, I just knew they were going to end up sacrificing themselves but I seriously couldn’t take it. I was rooting for Asterin’s happy ending ALIVE. It actually makes me feel sick thinking about it like piss off I can’t even come to grips with it, I AM NOT OKAY.
“My name is Aelin Ashryver Galathynius, and I will not be afraid” EVERY DAMN TIME.
Crying when Dorian came out of the gateway thing and it was just Aelin and Dorians dad, Dorian XD I should have known she was going to try and pull something, I actually thought she was going to die and I wasn’t ready for it.
OMG Gavriel. It was the thought that Gavriel and Aedion had like no time together that really tore me apart and it had to be the nicest fae bastard that got killed didn’t it. Gavriel deserved better.
Finally, when the original trio, Aelin, Dorian and Chaol said their goodbyes oh it hurt me right in my soul because thats when it really hit me that it was the end. I canfeel the tears coming back.

Chuckle worthy moments there was only a few but they are just as precious.
Despite being broken down the fact that Aelin gave the filthiest gesture she’s ever made bear in mind this is AELIN we are talking about deserved a giggle from me. Honestly the baddest bitch in the game.
When Cairn pissed his pants ahahahahahaha what a guy Rowan is SKIN THAT MOTHERFUCKER.
And the obvious choice: Dorian as a woman AHAHAHAHAHA NO FOOKIN WAY he wanted to play with his boobies and hisbits oh just when thought I couldn’t fall anymore in love with him.
LORD LORCAN LOCHAN.

Now onto some scenes that I loved or really enjoyed.
When Essar noted Elide wearing Lorcan and Rowan’sclothes oh that scene was SOOOO precious, I probably looked like a crazy woman with the grin onmy face reading that.
When Lorcan saw Aelin and A SOB ESCAPED it was just so unexpectedly cute!!!
Aelin and Rowan and the wedding rings, that was just beautiful “To whatever end”.
“But I will fly against you, if need be, to ensure that there is a future for those who cannot fight for it themselves” ABSOLUTE QUEEN MANON YOU BIG SOFTIE.
Aelin and Yrene’s reunion!!! How amazing are these two and the whole giving the note back it was such a magical moment.
AELIN AND THAT HUGE FIRE WALL. I have never been so imersed in a book but I felt that fire singeing my eyelashes off oh it was epic.
Lorcan and Elide’s declaration of love LORDDDDD I LOVE THEM SO MUCH.
“All of them came here because of Aelin. Not you.” YES LYSANDRA GO OFFFFFFshe is an absolute gem, it’s amusing to think of how much I hated her in Assassins Blade.
Dorian blowing up Morath you go babe, he’s came such a long way my boy forever and always.
Dorian and Chaol’s reunion awwwww one of the ultimate bromances what a cute couple.
RIGHT THIS IS SO IMPORTANT THERE WAS 100% AN ACOTAR REFERENCE, I REFUSE TO BELIVE OTHERWISE AND I AM SO HERE FOR IT.
Rowan wondering whether Sam Cortlan smiled down on Aelin was everything, it had me in the feels but I loved it too much so it had to be put right here.
“win me back my kingdom Evangeline” SHE ONLY WENT AND FUCKIN DID IT oh what an amazing character!!

I own the UK paper back edition. The whole series is soooooo pretty. Only problem is because of the stiffness the spines look messed up. You can see it in this picture on the Tower Of Dawn book.

“A new world. A better world” It couldn’t have ended any better.
What a stunning end to a stunning series.
Thankyou SJM for creating this path back to the light, I have enjoyed every step.
Aelin promised to rattle the stars and she did just that.
It has been a pleasure…

Keep reading xoxo