Starsight takes a bold leap away from Skyward, delivering a sequel that feels like an entirely different adventure—and while I didn’t love i3.5 Stars✨
Starsight takes a bold leap away from Skyward, delivering a sequel that feels like an entirely different adventure—and while I didn’t love it quite as much as the first book, it was still a great read! Sanderson really switched things up here, throwing us into a new environment with a slew of new characters, and while I missed the original crew, it was exciting to see the world expand.
The new characters, like the Kitsen and Morriumur, were especially fun to meet, and the political intrigue gave the story a fresh angle. There was less of the intense action that defined Skyward, but the shift in focus towards politics actually worked, adding complexity to the plot.
I thought that Spensa, the primary character, had a lot of progress. Her journey felt more nuanced, and seeing her navigate the challenges in this new setting was definitely a highlight. Even though I did not feel as connected to this book as I did to Skyward, Sanderson did a good job executing this change, which was obviously required for the plot's overall development.
Overall,I did not find it to be as good as the first book, but it was still full of shocks and mystery that kept me interested!...more
Skyward by Brandon Sanderson is different from a lot of the Ya fantasy books I've read and here's why. This book is unlike many YA fantasies 4.5 Stars
Skyward by Brandon Sanderson is different from a lot of the Ya fantasy books I've read and here's why. This book is unlike many YA fantasies that are heavily laced with romance. While it hints at potential romantic subplots, the story's main focus is its engaging plot and character development, making it a compelling read even for those who like me aren’t typically fans of the genre.
As someone who doesn’t usually read a ton of sci-fi, I was pleasantly surprised by how engrossed I became in this book. The first two books in the "Shatter Me" series and MM romances were the mainstays of my previous forays into the genre, so I wasn't particularly interested in reading more. However, after reading the fifth season by N.K. Jemisin I yearned for more sc-fi that wasn't epic fantasy and this book delivered. Skyward managed to captivate me completely, keeping me eagerly turning pages.
Lets talk about the characters (The ones I care about anyway)
1. Spensa – Some readers have critiqued Spensa for her seemingly childish demeanor, particularly in the early parts of the book. However, this trait adds to her charm and makes her character arc even more compelling. I appreciate how her initial carefree attitude towards battle transforms into a deeper, more poignant perspective as she faces the harsh realities of war and loss. Spensa's growth is a testament to solid character development, making her a character worth rooting for. Her character reminds me of rin from the poppy war trilogy except she isn't a psycho.
2. Rig – Rig smart yet awkward is an absolute standout. I mean there's nothing to hate about him I just wished to see even more exploration of his backstory.
3. M-Bot – Who doesn’t love a quirky AI ship that questions its own existence and has an obsession with mushrooms? M-Bot brings a refreshing dose of humor and curiosity to the story, and its lack of understanding of sarcasm adds to its charm.
In conclusion, Skyward is a fantastic blend of sci-fi adventure and character-driven storytelling. It defies the typical YA fantasy tropes by minimizing the romance element and focusing on a gripping plot and well-developed characters. Whether you’re a die-hard sci-fi fan or just looking for a great read outside your usual genre, this book is definitely worth picking up....more
This duology is excellent because it examines the intricacies of love and sadness in a diverse and original context. I love the characters so4.5 Stars
This duology is excellent because it examines the intricacies of love and sadness in a diverse and original context. I love the characters so so much, I'm going to miss them all. They feel so real and are so well written. They're just my babies especially Jasper and Wylan. Why did they have to cancel the Netflix show?!!
This is mostly a character driven book so am only going to be talking about the characters.
SPOILERS AHEAD‼️
1. Kaz Brekker - Ahhh my heart breaks for this guy. He has been through so much and that scene with his brother will forever haunt me and him calling Jesper Jordie???
Kaz, how long are you going to make me pay for a little forgiveness?” “What do you think my forgiveness looks like, Jordie?” “Who the hell is Jordie?” [...] "Someone I trusted." [...] "Someone I didn't want to lose."
Take me out. I am DONE. They could never make me hate this man. Everything he did was justified my only complaint is that he should have buried that mf alive. NOT THE KID but Pekka
2. Inej Ghafa - I will be honest with you guys I wanted her to get tortured by Van Eek. Hear me out!! Imagine how much Kaz would have flipped out if she was actually tortured. I would have loved to see him act like Rowan in Throne Of Glass when he found the guy that tortured Aelin. I didn't really care for her in this book but I really loved her in the first one especially when she told Kaz she would only take him without his armour.
We don't talk about her past enough. I mean this girl was sold into sexual slavery when she was FOURTEEN!!! That is FUCKED UP!!
She learned to smile, to whisper, to arch her back and make the sounds Tante Heleen’s customers required. She still wept, but the tears were never shed. They filled the empty place inside her, a well of sadness where, each night, she sank like a stone.
3. Nina Zenik - My BABY!!! I love her so much And when she got her new powers??? I just loved her more.
It was that endless, fast-running river. She’d dipped her fingers into its current, held the eddy of its power in her hand. She was the Queen of Mourning, and in its depths, she would never drown.
4. Matthias Helvar - I love a man that is down bad for his girl
“Nina—” he started, then stopped. “Nina, I am with you because you let me be with you. There is no greater honor than to stand by your side.”
After everything he's been through he did NOT deserve that ending.
5. Jesper Fahey - I love this man even with all his flaws. I just wish he did not scam his dad like that. But the most important thing is that he changed.
“Actually, you should put my share in my father’s name. I don’t think … I don’t think I’m ready for that kind of money just yet.”
6. Wylan Van Eck - I fear he may be my favourite character in the book. I am so glad we got his pov in this book. My man has been through so much I dont know how his father tried to kill him even after seeing how smart he was
That was around the same time he realized I wasn’t … what he’d hoped for.” “How old were you?” “Eight, maybe? I’d gotten really good at hiding it.” “How?” […] “He would read to me or I’d ask one of the nannies to, and I’d memorize whatever they said. I even knew when to pause and turn the pages.”
Like that is fucking smart
Favourite couple:
1. Wespar
“That’s terrible,” said Wylan. “It’s brilliant.” Jesper winked. “Just like you.” Wylan blushed daylily pink. “Tiny and ferocious,” Jesper said. He winked again. “Just like you
These two had me giggling and kicking my feet the whole time. My only problem is that we didn't get to see more of them
2. Helnik
I already said am a slut for the witch and witch hunter trope.
“I promise, Matthias. I’ll take you home.” “Nina,” he said, pressing her hand to his heart. “I am already home.”
Let me not catch you in these streets Leigh bardugo. These two deserved a happy ever after
3. Kanej
I know they gave us this iconic line,
“Would you have come for me then, Kaz? When I couldn’t scale a wall or walk a tightrope? When I wasn’t the Wraith anymore?” […] “I would come for you,” he said […] “I would come for you. And if I couldn’t walk, I’d crawl to you, and no matter how broken we were, we’d fight our way out together—knives drawn, pistols blazing. Because that’s what we do. We never stop fighting.”
And I love them but they are just not my favourite. Maybe if they gave us more they would be hgher on my list.
_________________________
Holy shit this was so much better than the first one. You know a book is AMAZING when you read it in one night.
This was my favourite scene.
SPOILERS AHEAD ‼️
“We need something to cut the cord!” Jesper shouted. “To hell with the cord,” Nina snarled between gritted teeth. She snatched a revolver from Jesper’s holster. “Let go!” she commanded. “Nina—” protested Matthias. “Do it.” They let go, and Nina zipped down the alley in a sudden burst of momentum. The Shu woman took an awkward step back, then seized the edge of the net, yanking Nina up. Nina waited until the last possible second, then said, “Let’s see if you’re metal all the way through.” She shoved the revolver directly into the Shu woman’s eye socket and squeezed the trigger. The blast didn’t just take her eye but most of the top of her skull.
The first booktok rec that I actually enjoyed. Dark fantasy with romance? Sign me up. The characters were so interesting especially Helene. Am gonna wThe first booktok rec that I actually enjoyed. Dark fantasy with romance? Sign me up. The characters were so interesting especially Helene. Am gonna write a proper review at a later date.
I loved that the fmc isn't a badass killer in the beginning.
"I grasp my mother's armlet, but touching it makes me feel worse. Mother would have outfoxed the Mask. Somehow, she'd have saved Darin and Nan and Pop. Even Nan was braver than me. Nan, with her frail body"
MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD‼️
There are so many characters that I wanna learn more about. Like Afya Ara-Nur and The cook,
"If the heir of Gens Veturia should ever need a favour, Ilyaas, Tribe Nut will be honoured to be of service." Immediately my body tenses, but she puts two fingers to her lips - the most binding of Tribal vows. "Your secret is sate with Afya Ara-Nur."
"The Lioness. the Resistance, and their grand plans. Traitors. Liars. F-fools." She stands and reaches for her cleaver. Don't trust them" [...] "They'll use you." Her hands shake, and she grips the counter. She gasps out the last few words. "They take - take - take. And then - then - they'll throw you to the wolves. I warned you. Remember. I warned you."
Cook is by far the most interesting character in the book. I wanna learn more about her and what she went though when she was at the resistance. What did they do to her to make her react like this when she talks about them?!
"What, you don't believe I could do something kind for another human? I'm not evil, Elias, no matter what you say." "I never said -" "But you did" Her voice rises. "You just said I'm like every other Mask."
They Could never make me hate you Helene.
Hopefully the characters start using more magic in the next instalment. I really wanna learn more about it and why it just disappeared.
____________
Pre-Read: If the author starts describing Laia as petite, I will kill myself....more
I just found out I don’t care what happens in this book. Like I literally don’t give a fuck. I should have known it would be shit when I saw DNF @40%
I just found out I don’t care what happens in this book. Like I literally don’t give a fuck. I should have known it would be shit when I saw the author was the only one promoting it....more
Let's talk about the main characters in this book and I don't mean the humans I mean the dragons. Andarna is so freaking cute and Tairn is s3.75 Stars
Let's talk about the main characters in this book and I don't mean the humans I mean the dragons. Andarna is so freaking cute and Tairn is such an icon I just love him so much.
"Start there. Ground in your power and try to feel whatever it was you were feeling." He goes back to his notebook. "Should I get the wingleader?" Tairn flat-out laughs in my head
This book reminded me of throne of Glass am not taking about the Fmcs those two could not be any more different. Am talking about the trials and the dragons maybe that's why I liked it this much.
One thing I hated was the way the author kept reminding us how 'Breakable' and 'Tiny' Violet is
I have a whopping six months under my belt, which wouldn't matter as much if I wasn't as breakable as a porcelain teacup, but here we are.
“You’re tiny.” He says it like an insult"
"I’m the smallest of our squad"
“I’m too short for the ramp,” I whisper to Rhi."
Like give it a rest babe we get my girl is built like a twelve year old.
Why is this book advertised as enemies to lovers slow burn? These two are obsessed with each other from the beginning of the book.
"You're actually going to help me?" "I've been helping you for months."
"I hate him so much" [...] "But he is so sexy and beautiful and sexy"
They also kiss like less than 300 pages in the book. I don't know about you but I want my slow burn to be three books like the All for the Game trilogy. I wouldn't even classify this as hate to love.
Don't get me wrong the romance was good I just wasnt that invested it. They did have their moments tho.
“Do you have any siblings?” […] "No." He pauses in surprise. "Why?" "Just asking." […] The next day, I ask him what his favorite food is in the middle of Battle Brief […] "Chocolate cake. Stop being weird."
I find their whole getting to know each other so freaking cute.
One thing about me is I will always give the 'guy that likes the fmc but doesn't end up with her' a chance just like I did with Tamlin and Adam Kent and just like both of those situations I ended up hating Dain. That man got on my nerves so much. I was willing to overlook all the shit he did but the shit he pulled at the end is unforgivable.
All things considered I did like this book but I don't think I'll pick up the second one. maybe when the third book is out am gonna try to read them both.✌...more
"If we do this" [...] "I want the full Simon Snow treatment." […] "I want you to slay a dragon before you give up on me, do you understand?" 4.0 Stars
"If we do this" [...] "I want the full Simon Snow treatment." […] "I want you to slay a dragon before you give up on me, do you understand?" […] "I thought you didn't like it when I slew dragons.." "I want you to try everything before you give up on us again."
“I just want to be with you,” I say. “And this is where we are now. I’m a broken-down mess, and you’re a rat-drinking monster.”
AHH this trilogy!!! SnowBaz FOREVEERRR>>>>
This trilogy was super fun and silly and I loved how everything was concluded. I did love this book a lot more than book 2 coz we got all these cute scenes with Simon and Baz and the plot was more interesting. Also the silly angst in this book is turned up to eleven. Were Simon and Baz perfect? No but that's the reason I love them so much. I just love how their relationship developed throughout the series. These two are the type of couple that will live in my head rent free.
Guys the WINGS???? I get why he wanted them removed but also NOOOOO!!!!...more
Whenever I say I hate novellas never do I mean this book. This was such a cute book. The love story was everything. I already loved Zuzana bu4.5 Stars
Whenever I say I hate novellas never do I mean this book. This was such a cute book. The love story was everything. I already loved Zuzana but this novella just made me love her a lot more!!
“I start to wonder if I’m being creepy. I mean, I am creeping. Does creep-ing automatically make one creep-y? Or are there dispensations for…romance? I bet all stalkers believe they’re being romantic. I did it for love, officer.”
Don't worry babe sometimes you need to stalk your crush to get them to fall involve with you. All's fair in love and war...more
“You were the sun, and I was crashing into you. I'd wake up every morning and think, 'This will end in flames.”
The plot was kinda predictable4.5 Stars
“You were the sun, and I was crashing into you. I'd wake up every morning and think, 'This will end in flames.”
The plot was kinda predictable. the writing wasn't the best, the character were so annoying sometimes and We don't get to know how Baz fell hopelessly in love with Simon but did I still eat it up? Heck yeah I did!! I mean what's not to like? There's angst enemies to lovers Vampire Mc (I want a scene where Baz feeds from Simon. I need it like i need air) This shit was like a drug I literally could not put this down. I think I liked Penelope's character the most but would I want her as my Girlfriend? hell no but she would be a loyal friend.
I know the scene where Penny and Simon escape the Humdrum was supposed to be sad but I was laughing my ass off when they were tryna get rid of Simon's wings and Penelope was just crying and casting spell after spell....more
**spoiler alert** "The truth Is what I make it I could set this world on fire and call it rain"
Idk how this author made this a 5 book series but am he**spoiler alert** "The truth Is what I make it I could set this world on fire and call it rain"
Idk how this author made this a 5 book series but am here for it. Didn't I tel you guys this bitch Maven was up to something? Tbh with you I liked Maven's character more when he became evil. I don't think Cal would have made a good king they would have eaten him alive if he ever took the throne....more
This is my favourite book in the series. I finally got the chemistry I was looking for.
“I missed you," I whisper against his skin and feel dizzy withThis is my favourite book in the series. I finally got the chemistry I was looking for.
“I missed you," I whisper against his skin and feel dizzy with the intimacy of the admission, feel more naked than when he could see every inch of me. "In the mortal world, when I thought you were my enemy, I still missed you." “My sweet nemesis, how glad I am that you returned.”
Jude is so MOTHER.
I am the Queen of Elfhame. Even though I am the queen in exile, I am still the queen.
Jayden H 🍉
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Books:
ya-fantasy
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