I read this because it was a modern gangster high fantasy and it delivered.
Rating: Relationships - 4 Originality -3.5 Plot -4.5 Characters -4 EnjoyabilitI read this because it was a modern gangster high fantasy and it delivered.
Rating: Relationships - 4 Originality -3.5 Plot -4.5 Characters -4 Enjoyability - 4.5 Writing - 2.5 World Building-3.5 For a total of 3.78 rounded to 4.
The weakest part of the novel for me were the female characters. I didn't like one of them. Shae, bored me from the moment she appeared and even when her character picked up which didn't happen until she put on her jade, I still found her to not have that strong of a presence. Wen was alright but she never lit up the page. The enemy murdered her family to get where she was and when the clans are all about loyalty and she tries to get her enemies to turn on their own family, I just don't have any respect towards her. The male characters though, they lit up the pages. My favourites are definitely Lan and Hilo. (view spoiler)[ I know Shae was like the only female pov character and killing her off woudn't be right but I wish she was the one dead instead of her brother. If Lan had got to live and boring Shae had died, I would have loved this book more but when the more interesting characters are killed off early on and I have to suffer through a lesser characters perspective, it ruins the enjoyment a little. I kind of feel like she'll survive at the end and honestly if another family member has to go, I'll not be happy to be left with Shae yet again (hide spoiler)]
The writing also wasn't a big fan of. There was just no take away from it, nothing that stood out and it felt very clinical, especially when it came to the sex scenes. It wasn't that bad, just not my flavour.
The dynamics between the clans and the families I loved. It was so interesting seeing this entire network of gangsters built up with sprinkles of the rest of the world coming through. I would have liked a bit more information but that can come naturally in the rest of the series.
How refreshing is it to get a modern take on a fantasy novel. The magic and technology went so seamlessly together and although the tech was exactly like ours, I still found it did a good job of making it seem their own. The attitudes were still set in the past but I guess you can't have everything. And yes, just because it's modern, doesn't mean it's still not a high fantasy. I am so sick of the medieval ones seeming to be the only fitting period of time to class as a high fantasy world. So long as it's a made up world and it's shown to be, it doesn't matter if it's a modern take on it or not. ...more
This re-read has solidified this book as one of my favorites.
2018 review: I predicted I would love this and I was right, the Ritchie sisters have bloThis re-read has solidified this book as one of my favorites.
2018 review: I predicted I would love this and I was right, the Ritchie sisters have blown me away this year with two of their books ending up on my top ten of this year....more
I went into this book knowing what I was going to get so that didn't unhinge my enjoyment of the book. And I had a whale of a time reading it. There wI went into this book knowing what I was going to get so that didn't unhinge my enjoyment of the book. And I had a whale of a time reading it. There was a huge premise going into this book that there were gay pirates(and they are in like the background)but it should have been sold as gay princes and nobles which I loved that a high fantasy book with a world centred on religion that homophobia did not exist, that it was perfectly normal and rather common that same sex couples existed. And there's not a lot of pirating but honestly the way this book ends, there is going to be a lot of pirating in the next novel. I just think that this book was pitched wrong. What it really is a political fantasy with pirate elements and a ton load of magical plants. What I think could have improved it was having it fleshed out a little more, everything was almost there just not quite and I'm not in love with it but I really liked it and is way better then most ya fantasy's. It just missed the mark, but only just.
Relationships -3.5 World Building -3 Characters -3.5 Plot -4.5 Originality -3 Enjoyability -4.5 Writing -3 For a total of 3.57 so rounded up to 4. I am really looking forward to the next one (and hopefully more pirates) (view spoiler)[ Also this book deserves points for having a major plot twist that I never saw coming-they say where Lu and Ben come from but not where Vex comes from and so I should have seen it coming but I really didn't. And are Ben and Gunnar gonna be a thing because damm, I see something brewing there. It's a shame Jakes turned out to be a dick, like you don't spy on your boyfriend for his father and expect Ben to think that's fucking fine, and they started off so cute too, oh well-there's Gunnar. As for Vex and Lu, I don't really have an opinion on it, they can get together and I'll be fine with it but I'm not rooting for them. (hide spoiler)]...more
old review: 4.5 came so close but I'm seriously being a harsh reviewer this year.old review: 4.5 came so close but I'm seriously being a harsh reviewer this year....more
I thought this was just going to be a fun little rom com but it's so much more then that and I fell utterly in love with it. It's one of the most fun I thought this was just going to be a fun little rom com but it's so much more then that and I fell utterly in love with it. It's one of the most fun reading experience I've had in a while because it does follow two people who accidentally marry and can't get divorced because of an inheritance clause and the money from the inheritance is charitable money that if lost will go into crime so they have to pretend that they are madly in love with one another to everyone while actually falling for each other, and it's just as fun as predicted but there's so much more to it then that.
I loved the hell out of this book. The town it's set in and the people in it is just one of my all time favorite settings, the romance is both scorching and sweet and just so damm shippable, the characters are the best especially Patrick whom I adored, it just has the right amount of grit to it and it's just such a heart warming, enjoyable read. I could keep on reading this book forever, it could go on and on and I never would want it to end-and that's how you know this is a godamm amazing novel when it revokes that feeling in you.
I can't stop obsessing over this book, like I legit miss this book, it's my current fave of the year right now and I am so going to re-read it before my kindle unlimited ends. But after? The paperback is like way expensive and it sucks. But seriously, I haven't had a book that just sticks with me for such a long time which this has.
Re-read: Still love it with all my heart. Already missing it and them....more
Lane was so socially awkward adorable and it was so nice to get a hockey player who is a little less cock sure and more down to earth. I adored him soLane was so socially awkward adorable and it was so nice to get a hockey player who is a little less cock sure and more down to earth. I adored him so much, one of my favorite characters for sure. I liked quite a lot of the characters in this novel and the romance was scorching and sweet at the same time. ...more
There's nothing better then a hilarious middle grade fantasy when you've read a bunch of boring, older fantasies. I brought this on a whim because of There's nothing better then a hilarious middle grade fantasy when you've read a bunch of boring, older fantasies. I brought this on a whim because of the beautiful cover and illustrations, like they are stunning, however I didn't expect to love it which I did completely. Every character are like my babies, each one I really liked and I won't hear a bad thing said about any one of them.
(view spoiler)[ The bit that had me was with the father and son, it is so rare to have a king who actually loves his sons and although he doesn't appear to at first, when his son is missing he regrets not telling him that he loved him and treating him as if he never did. I was already tearing up when he found out his son was okay and he hugged him and was so thankful for having him back that I cracked. I loved seeing the Queen show love for her daughter in her own way too. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)](hide spoiler)]...more
This book broke me twice, it made me laugh a dozen, I shipped and I loved, it's slow placed in that gorgeous way where you can put it down and pick itThis book broke me twice, it made me laugh a dozen, I shipped and I loved, it's slow placed in that gorgeous way where you can put it down and pick it back up and enjoy to every time, it's girl friendship and badassery in an amazing way, it's gory and it's grim and it's hell of a ride. It's lesbian/bi assassin nuns, what more do you need? Like Nona comes home to her mom, blood on her hands and her mom's like did they hurt you and Nona turns around and is like "tried to hurt me and this was inside him." She's so savage, don't cross the girl.
(view spoiler)[ damm, I guessed Clera would betray them but I really wished she didn't because I really liked her. Also, Nona and Arabella, so ship it. Rarely has a book made me tear up twice, first when the horse was killed, like the poor horse has only known to pull and go faster when he feels the whip and he doesn't realize the man is beating him to death and it's so damm savage and devastating; then later when Sister Kettle died and she doesn't want her lover Sister Apple to see her and Nona says can you reach her and Sister Kettle is like i can always reach her, a thousand miles doesn't matter and its love in the most purest, saddest way. Man, this book could hurt. (hide spoiler)]...more
I really enjoyed the plot with its heist and it's criminals and breaking into the most secure prison in the world, it's what drove this book for me. II really enjoyed the plot with its heist and it's criminals and breaking into the most secure prison in the world, it's what drove this book for me. I loved every part of that aspect. The fact that this has a sequel, you know going into it, that things are going to go wrong somehow. I wouldn't call it predictable because it's a two book series about this heist so you expect it. It did take some twists and turns that I didn't see coming which I liked very much. And the criminal world, gimme, gimme.
Now, here comes the but- the characters. Don't get me wrong, I liked them, which is the problem. I should love them, they are just the criminal anti-heroes after their own gain with revenge in their hearts and blood on their hands that is my jam, so why didn't I love them? I don't even know myself why. I shipped nothing, probably because everyone was paired up and if you are pairing everyone up, it don't seem natural to me. If I have to ship anything it would be Jesper and Wylan because well banter. Inej and Kaz have zero chemistry and should just stay friends. Nina and Matthias are just dull together. I will put them in order of likeness- Jesper, Kaz (even if he sounds like a thirty year old and looks like a thirty year old and you tell me he's 17? debatable.) Nina, Wylan, Inej, Matthias.
What could be improved about it? Age up the characters because really why are they 17? You're telling me a nobleman is going to hire 7 teenagers to nab such power? I get why you use criminals, because they are expendable but 17 year olds? No, that wouldn't happen. Why make this a ya series when it could do so much better being an adult fantasy? Have them be in their early twenties, then it would make sense. I had to suppress my disbelief in this because them being 17 being where they are is not realistic in any kind of sense. Also, for who they were, they weren't like, they were bad ass yes but I wanted a fucked up gang and I got bad assery which is okay but based on their life experiences, I was expecting them to be a littler more gritty.
Anyway I loved it for it's plot but I wish I loved the characters, not that I know how that can be achieved because in every definition, I should love them. Bizarre. ...more
4.5 On my second time round, I enjoyed it more and may have changed my mind about a few things. (view spoiler)[ Love that Enzo died and Raffaele was k4.5 On my second time round, I enjoyed it more and may have changed my mind about a few things. (view spoiler)[ Love that Enzo died and Raffaele was kind of revealed as the leader all this time, I totally agree with his decision to kick Adelina out after what she did. He's not a hero, he's another villain and I love him more then I did before. Love that killing his childhood friend didn't leave Teren completely cold. I know these characters better having read the whole trilogy so it felt like returning to some fave characters. (hide spoiler)]
(Old Review) Its a villian story, I cant believe I thought I woudnt like this. Hah. Its so wonderfully dark and well crafted and I loved how each character was no hero, it was very refreshing. World building is a little on the weak side, and left a lot unexplained so that needs to be dealt with. This is the beginning still so...
(view spoiler)[ Raffaele, you were my fave character and I guess I see, she did kill Enzo on accident and she did kill the other guy so I get where you are coming from I'm thankful for you leaving her alive but I still feel disappointed in you.
Oh Enzo, you had so much potential. I would have liked more from you. But you might come back. It's not over just yet. Maybe.
Teren, you are so fucked up. I really just feel sorry for you for having so self respect, you pitiful creature.
Violetta, saving yourself, you know good for you. And you did protect your sister in your own way. But yourself you put first as would your sister so I applaud you.
Adelina, I am not there yet with you but great things are coming your way.
Maeve, interesting, very interesting. And Tristan, cannot wait to see you in action. (hide spoiler)]
Now give me all the darkness, you messed up bunch of villains....more
I adored this book to the ends of the earth. Just know that's it's got real actual assassins, it's set in an assassination school where the teachers wI adored this book to the ends of the earth. Just know that's it's got real actual assassins, it's set in an assassination school where the teachers will maim you, torture you and it's all part of the motherfucking teaching man. Everyone is bad-ass, everyone has personality and everyone is out for themselves, yay for no heroes. Oh and there's a cat that talks. And just, this is what revenge is about. And lastly, the cover, ain't that the best looking thing you ever saw? And under it, oh my. It's a work of art.
(view spoiler)[ I have one gripe and that was killing off Lord Cassius. It felt like he was killed off just so Mia had to go looking for answers and I really didn't like that. Like Tric's death, he was killed because he's keen sense of smell would ruin the villains plot, it was crucial that he had to be killed. But Cassius, he was hardly there much but so interesting and then, murdered, like no, didn't agree with that. I so knew Mia's brother was alive, the instant he was mentioned and I was right. You didn't trick me about that. (hide spoiler)]...more
The film was so epic I got the screenplay and wow, this is a must read. It has so much more hidden context, especially between Graves and Credence. BuThe film was so epic I got the screenplay and wow, this is a must read. It has so much more hidden context, especially between Graves and Credence. But I would say, watch the film first because the screenplay is a little more obvious about spoilery things then the film is. I seriously cannot wait to see where this five movie series is going to go....more
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