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Fairyloot unboxing: August

Back again with this month’s Fairylootbox! The theme for this month was: Things are not what they seem. I loved absolutely everything in this box. Unfortunately, I haven’t read a great deal of these boxes which yes, is pretty depressing BUT it just adds to my anticipation to get my hands on these books. I’m really loving the art on the spoiler card for this box, which you can see to the right.

The first item is this “One ring to rule them all” Pocket Mirror, this is a Fairyloot exclusive! Obviously. this item is based on The Lord of The Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien. This and The Hobbit are some of my favourite films but while I have read The Hobbit can you believe I haven’t read The Lord of The Rings? This is such a cute little item that I will definitely be making use of.

This was a surprising item and has to be one of my favourites of the box! This Lunar Cutlery set features chopsticks, a fork and a spoon (and comes in a container). It features quotes from The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer, I LOVE a good quote! The logo on the box is designed by @taratjah. Another series that I am DYING to get my hands on. To be honest despite not having read the series I picked it up and knew that it was inspired by The Lunar Chronicles so that has to count for something.

This box is literally filled with fandoms that I am not apart of but so desperately want to be! This is an Ember in the Ashes Pillowcase featuring the characters Elias, Laia and Helene. The pillow case has art from two amazing artists: character illustration by @_saintdri and lettering by @kdpletters. I can’t wait to read this series so I can hopefully make use of this item.

No, I also haven’t read this but that doesn’t stop this bookmark from being the most gorgeous bookmark I have EVER seen. LOOK AT IT. This Metal Bookmark is inspired by the Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson. The art is done by @in.the.reads. I’m inlove with it and I cannot wait to use it.

I haven’t used hair scrunchies since I had a matching one to my summer dress in primary school! Having said that thanks to Fairyloot I am wearing one right now! These were inspired by the covers of the Graceling Realm series by Kristin Cashore and designed by @taratjah.

I get way to excited when Fairyloot include a candle and this was no exception. This Cresswell candle was inspired by the Stalking Jack the Ripper series by Kerri Maniscalco. It is from @flickthewick and the illustration is done by @taratjah. The scent is chocolate and coffee and it is pretty strong. Personally I LOVE it.

We have the next two cards from the Tarot card collection, they are The Star and The Hanged Man. This is Harry and Hermione from (obviously) The Harry Potter series. The gorgeous art was done by @loweana.art.

Now this, what I am taking as a pencil case, was not on the spoiler card so I gathered that it was highly likely to be inspired by the featured book!

This month’s featured book is The Merciful Crow by Margaret Owen! It is set in a world where there are magical castes, and each caste has a different ability. The story follows a girl that draws magic from teeth, who strikes a bargain with a fugitive prince and a wily bodyguard. This sounds right up my street and I am SO excited to read this! This Fairyloot exclusive edition is signed by the author, has exclusive art on the reverse of the dust jacket and comes with an exclusive embossing on the naked cover. The character art card is done by @obsidiayan. All this exclusiveness makes me feel important and I’m completely here for it.

Keep reading xoxo

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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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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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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

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

This post was meant to be my Fairyloot March unboxing. As you can see it isn’t. I am more annoyed than you. When I was uploading the pictures it wasn’t allowing me to make them smaller for some reason. It usually gives me the % I want to make it smaller by and it just wasn’t having any of it so hopefully that will right itself and I will get that out as soon as possible but for now enjoy the Red Queen.

The truth is what I make it. I could set the world on fire and call it rain.

Synopsis:

This is a world divided by blood – Red or Silver.

The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to seventeen-year-old Mare, a Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilits, it seems like nothing will ever change.

But Mare possesses a deadly talent of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power.

Fearful of her potential, the Silvers hide Mare in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess. Knowing that one false move will mean her death, Mare must use her new position to bring down the regime – from the inside.

Now Mare has entered a game of betrayal and lies.

This is Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart…

My thoughts…

YA trash at it’s finest and not going to lie I was completely here for it. There was huge hype surrounding this book, mainly because the covers were gorgeous but then the bad reviews came creeping. This book definitely has some love but I have seen a whole lot of hate and while I can completely understand it I have to say, I really fuckin enjoyed it.

Before you rip me to shreds this book was mostly enjoyable because I was in the mood for it like I so wanted some crappy YA fantasy with love and drama and all that business. And I got it with Red Queen. Mare as a character was a bit bland like she is the same lead female character we see everywhere but I knew this when getting into the book because this was what I needed at the time. Don’t. Judge. Me.

You know what did piss me off though that I have to get out: the writing. I didn’t like it. I found there was unnecessary comments or declaratives that did not need to be there. It made me laugh but at the same time shut up. Mare shut up. JUST SHUT UP.

Everything was predictable. I’m not exaggerating. It was funny because I knew what I was getting myself into and while I got myself invested, I knew exactly what was going to come next. From the marriage to the betrayal to the “dead” brother not actually being dead. I knew it. All while I knew it, I was lapping this shit up. I don’t know what was wrong with me, looking back now I can see the issues, trust me I can, I get these bad reviews but at the time? Nope. Didn’t care. I was gulping down Mare, Cal and Maven like they were vodka shots and I was a raging alcoholic.

Cal. He is the only thing that I’m still gulping down and I’m not even sorry. I know what your thinking. Slut. And I don’t even care. He was like a cheap version of Dorian from Throne of Glass and I LOVE ME SOME DORIAN.

I’m not really going to delve into the plot too much because it is pretty much like every other story. Saddens me to say but there is a clear lack of originality. To be honest I feel bad because the whole reason I picked it up because I was in the mood for a shitty YA with characters that I knew were going to be copies of other characters and a storyline that wouldn’t take time getting to grips with. If this is a reason someone picks up your book. Yikes.

Does it make things better that despite all the crap I really enjoyed it AT THE TIME? Or maybe it’s the fact that it included ALL the crappy stuff that I did enjoy it. Either way I suppose not something someone usually wants to hear about their book. Oh well.

My Rating…

AGAIN. GIVE ME A CHANCE TO EXPLAIN. In reality this book is more like a two stars. Trust me I know. However, at the time I was like FUCK YES. Red Queen is what I wanted and while I recognise the bad I also appreciate that the bad is what I wanted. Like drugs. There we have it Red Queen is like heroin. Let a girl live. This book is very much like a watered down hunger games, a cheap divergent and a crappy EVERY OTHER YA book. Will I be continuing this series? Honestly, I don’t know. If I’m in the mood for heroin I guess this is a safer option. Seriously though I probably will revisit the series, I do love a shitty YA book and I know this won’t disappoint.

Keep reading xoxo

Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices #2) by Cassandra Clare

“I feel myself diminished, parts of me spiralling away into the darkness, that which is good and honest and true-If you hold it away from yourself long enough, do you lose it entirely? If no one cares for you at all, do you even really exist?”

Synopsis:

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street—and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa’s powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister’s war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move—and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, but her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will—the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

My Thoughts…

Spoilers Ahead!

The first book in this series really took me on a whirlwind and the sequel was no different. It was full of emotional moments, oh my god moments, lovey-dovey moments and some chuckle-worthy moments for good measure. After the first book ended the way it did (my heart in bits) I knew that this one was going to take no prisoners and I was absolutely right, it grabbed me by the lady balls and swung me about until I had nothing left.

The love triangle is definitely in full-swing, we see Tessa and Jem getting closer and despite Will being a complete ass at the end of the first book, doesn’t deny the fact that he is head over heels for her. Love triangles are a difficult one for me. I don’t hate them by any means but they are a frustrating trope. I find it exciting that you don’t know who they will end up with but sometimes it can be quite uncomfortable to read especially when the two boys in question are BEST FRIENDS! Like can you imagine that in the real world? Excuse all the magic and demons and whatnot imagine THAT situation. No. Thanks.

The characters are a huge part of what I love about these books. The friendship between Will and Jem deserve a book of their own and Tessa is such a refreshing change from Clary (the mortal instruments). I also loved the more secondary characters, Charlotte and Henry being the most likeable people ever. Jessamine was a weird one, half the time I’m looking at the page when she makes a decision like is she for real? She was a character I so wanted to like but she didn’t half make it hard for me. We are also introduced to new characters, which I was not opposed to. Oh and can we all just take a minute for Sophie, she is amazing!

I realise though I have one slight problem with the trilogy, it is only minor for me and so didn’t hinder my rating but I find it slightly annoying that we have Tessa being all so new to the world and Will, the good looking, confident boy with all the secrets mirrors Clary and Jace for TMI and I’m not all that into it. I didn’t mention it in Clockwork Angel’s review, mainly because I forgot but I’m mentioning it now. At least I like these characters a lot more, that definitely redeems it but I guess you can’t get much more irritating than Clary.

Plot-wise I was pretty engaged and interested in what was going on but its the sub-plots that had my attention.

Something that I have to talk about is we now have a MARRIAGE on our hands. I love Will. Like I really love Will so when Tessa got engaged to Jem I was very conflicted. Don’t get me wrong Jem is absolutely precious so I wasn’t against the whole thing but my POOR POOR WILL. My emotions were all over the place, I didn’t know what to feel. And then to make my heart break even more when Tessa and will were arguing and he was proclaiming his love for her I DIED. DeHd. BuRiEd.

There was moments that literally made my heart swell aswell as shatter some of my favourites being Charlotte’s pregnancy (I love love love) and the romance between Gideon and Sophie, I am so here for it!!

Overall, this book had me up, down and all around, emotional turmoil does not even begin to describe what I was feeling. Was I excited to read on? Understatement.

My Rating…

I had to. I loved it. For me this tops The Mortal Instruments by a mile. Cassandra Clare completely got my heart with this trilogy and hit me right in the feels. I was beyond excited to reach the conclusion of the final book and find out what the fook was going to happen. So far I would definitely recommend this series.

City of Fallen Angels By Cassandra Clare

“There might not be so much of a difference between the side of Light and the side of Dark as you suppose. After all, without the Dark, there is nothing for the Light to burn away.”

Synopsis:

The Mortal War is over, and Clary Fray is home in New York, excited about all the possibilities before her. She’s training to become a Shadowhunter and – most importantly of all – she can finally call Jace her boyfriend. But her happiness has come at a price…

But nothing comes without a price.

Someone is murdering Shadowhunters, provoking tensions between Downworlders and Shadowhunters that could lead to a second bloody war. Clary’s best friend, Simon, can’t help her – his mother just found out that he’s a vampire, and now he’s homeless. When Jace begins to pull away from her without explaining why, Clary is forced to delve into the heart of a mystery whose solution reveals her worst nightmare: she herself has set in motion a terrible chain of events that could lead to her losing everything she loves. Even Jace.

My Thoughts…

Spoilers Ahead!

So, this is the fourth instalment of the mortal instruments and I have to say: it was amazing. I felt much more immersed in the plotline than the previous three books, I was slightly unprepared for the whirlwind this book took me on but I was completely thrilled by it.

Something that was very prominent for me that I would like to point outfirst is the love plots to this book. There was definitely development for quite a few relationships. Obviously, we see a lot of Clary and Jace and I’m here for their relationship but my focus was not really on them. SIMON SIMON SIMON. It was so funny and so infuriating reading his scenes with Isabelle AND Maia but when it all came out it was so so so good. I’ve always been a Simon and Isabelle shipper so going into the next books I was incredibly excited to see their progression. And you can’t mention love with the mortal instruments without everyone’s treasures: Alec and Magnus. I love everything about them. I’m a big fan of young adult fantasies with a strong love element and this couple don’t disappoint. I was routing for them till the very end! One of my highlights of the book was:

“You could give me the past,” he said a little sadly. “But Alec is my future.”

This book lacked any teary eyed moments. There was no scenes that destroyed me emotionally , which I wasn’t too fussed about because to be honest I wasn’t expecting any necessarily but definitely in the next books I was hoping for something that would just break my heart. Is that weird? Tell me you get this? Like, you know it’s a great series when it shatters your soul.

What this book didn’t lack however was some nail-biting, piss-myself out of shock and excitement moments. It was filled with scenes that had me anticipating the next books and what would be the consequences of all these actions. From the whole Simon gobbling Maureen to the revelation of Kyle being Jordan it was soooo gripping! I can’t mention pissing myself without mentioning that last scene. We all knew Sebastian was going to turn up again but to end like that? SHOOK.

I wasn’t a fan of the addition of Lilith. Idk I just didn’t like her as a villain maybe we don’t see enough of her but she just wasn’t interesting to me and considering she’s all evil and might she was put down considerably easier than expected.

Overall, this book definitely had me excited to read on with this series. In my opinion Cassandra Clare definitely raised the bar with this one!

My Rating…

I think this book is my favourite one so far! This series is trash for teenagers, it has all the elements that we crave and I’m lapping all this good shit up to be honest. This one definitely raised my expectations for the next books!

Keep reading xoxo