Laini Taylor is a phenomenal writer. No doubts about that. All three of these stories are beautifully written, imaginative and easil3.5 stars
Re-read.
Laini Taylor is a phenomenal writer. No doubts about that. All three of these stories are beautifully written, imaginative and easily transport the reader to a different world. However, they very much are fairytales and thus lack a certain level of depth. Still, if you love her writing this is totally worth the read....more
I actually really enjoyed the characters and the premise is intriguing but the writing is just so long-winded I couldn't get through DNF at approx 40%
I actually really enjoyed the characters and the premise is intriguing but the writing is just so long-winded I couldn't get through it. Every page started feeling like a chore and I got so bored. The book definitely touches on some important themes and I have no doubt that Zen Cho can write well, but this novel unfortunately didn't work for me. ...more
I "enjoyed" (wrong word but let's go with it) milk and honey by Rupi Kaur but it did not leave a lasting impressThis poetry collection is exceptional.
I "enjoyed" (wrong word but let's go with it) milk and honey by Rupi Kaur but it did not leave a lasting impression on me. Some of the poems were beautiful but most of them didn't have much of an impact.
Not so with The sun and her flowers. This collection was more cohesive, more personal, it really felt like I got to know the author intimately and she took me on a journey. I didn't want to stop reading yet sometimes had to because the poems were so stunning I had to pause and take a deep breath. I was deeply moved by the contents of this book and the topics covered (immigration, femininity, grief and depression, self loathing and self acceptance, love and loss) and I genuinely feel like Rupi Kaur's words will stay with me for a long time.
I don't want to say more because any review I could give this won't make the book justice. Just take my word for it and read it.
Trigger warning for abuse and sexual assault....more
Not sure how to rate poetry but I did really like this. I marked up many of the poems that connected with me and I know that I will go back to when I Not sure how to rate poetry but I did really like this. I marked up many of the poems that connected with me and I know that I will go back to when I need some mental support. Not sure how I feel about the format, whether it's genius or uninspired, but it didn't bother me either way.
Definitely recommend this to poetry newbies like me!...more
Are you really a boy, like Xash says? the god asked Arin. You’ve been mine for twenty years. I raised you. The Valorian signed the scrap of paper. Cared
Are you really a boy, like Xash says? the god asked Arin. You’ve been mine for twenty years. I raised you. The Valorian signed the scrap of paper. Cared for you. The message was rolled, sealed, and pushed into a tiny leather tube. Watched over you when you thought you were alone. The captain tied the tube to hawk’s leg. The bird was too large to be a kestrel. It didn’t have a kestrel’s markings. It cocked its head, turning its glass-bead eyes on Arin. No, not a boy. A man made in my image…one who knows he can’t afford to be seen as weak. The hawk launched into the sky. You’re mine, Arin. You know what you must do. Arin cut the Valorian’s throat.
I’m speechless.
This book was the perfect ending to one of my all-time favourite series. I can't believe it's over. But it was a beautiful ride, Marie Rutkoski, a truly beautiful ride.
Let’s do some reminiscing. When I first picked up The Winner's Curse my expectations were pretty low. Books with girls in dresses on the cover? Focused primarily on romance? Not really my thing. However, as soon as I started the novel two things became very clear.
1) The writing was STUNNING. 2) I loved the female protagonist, Kestrel.
As the book went on, these feelings intensified and I found myself drawn to this story of star-crossed lovers despite my aversion towards romance and books that don’t contain enough world-building. So I ended up really liking the first book in this series, but I wasn’t in love with it yet.
Then The Winner's Crime came along (click here here for my review) and I was blown out of the water. It was vastly different form The Winner’s Curse, so different in fact, that I even hesitate to compare the two because they attempted such different things, elicited such different emotions. But I adored it.
And then we have this book. Was it my favourite? Maybe. Probably. The Winner’s Kiss has a maturity and depth that goes beyond the other two. It is more bloody and bloodthristy, more raw and graphic. This final instalment in the series has everything you could hope for: beautiful writing, fleshed-out, flawed characters, better world-building, fast-paced action, tons of emotion, character development, the list goes on.
I fear I will never be able to make this book justice, so I’m going to try and just pick out a few things I absolutely loved.
First let’s start with what is probably my favourite thing about the series. Kestrel. As Risha put it so wisely
You don't need to be gifted with a blade. You are your own best weapon.
Yes, that indeed she is. Kestrel is my favourite type of character: intelligent, brave, rational, strong, a tactician. Authors like writing these kinds of characters, I see them often. However, it’s quite rare that I see them done well. If they are well-done, the outcome is glorious. The results are the Light Yagami’s, Lelouche vi Britannia’s and Kelsier’s of the world. But more often than not, this isn’t the case because the writer forgets a fundamental rule: show, don’t tell. We might end up with books where the narration keeps going on about how great a character is without showing anything or we are told through the thoughts of other characters or dialogue. But Marie Rutkoski is better than that. We can tell Kestrel is intelligent and tactically gifted, not only through other people’s thoughts, but through her actions. In this book, she did things that surprised me, awed me, made me gasp for air. She was EVERYTHING. Absolutely fabulous.
Then we have Arin. I admit, I wasn’t the biggest Arin fan in the first two books. I liked him and Kestrel as a couple, but him as a character I found rather unimpressive. He dulled next to Kestrel. Not so in this book. He really grew on me and became strong and determined, gifted in his own right. His utter devotion to Kestrel was palpable and I loved to see how vulnerable it made him, how it cracked open his veneer of composure and strength.
Both Arin and Kestrel are deeply flawed characters that had difficult choices to make, choices that can’t always be considered honourable. There are times were the author makes you question the characters’ morality and with it your own beliefs of what is right and wrong. Nothing is simple in war.
I also loved the other relationships in the book, particularly the friendship between Arin and Roshar. It was both a heartwarmingly deep connection, but also provided much needed comic relief.
Roshar lay on his back, the dip of his neck bolstered by a tied bedroll. He smoked. “I’ve been thinking.” “Dear gods.” “It occurs to me that you have no official rank, and that I, as your prince, might give you one.” He said an eastern word Arin didn’t know. “Well? Will it suit?” “Depends.” “On?” “Whether that word was some horrific insult you’re pretending is an actual military rank.” “How mistrustful! Arin, I have taught you every foul curse I know.” “I’m sure you’ve saved a few, for just such a time.”
I also loved the exploration of the relationship between Kestrel and her father and Kestrel and Sarsine.
The storytelling is exquisite. We have the wonderful metaphoric writing style combined with clever changes in point of view. Marie Rutkoski knows exactly when to switch POV for maximum dramatic effect and how much to tell the reader so he will still be surprised. The plot twists killed me. The battle scenes and war strategies were on point. Also, this was one of the rare books where I really wasn’t sure how it would turn out. The possibility of a main character dying is very real. It made for an anxiety-ridden reading experience.
This book dealt with many realistic problems that are part of any relationship. Miscommunication, trust issues, growth, guilt, forgiveness. I was rooting for these characters full-heartedly.
Overall, I cannot recommend this series enough. It may seem like your typical YA trilogy but it’s honestly one of the best ones I’ve come across and truly special to me. A definite favourite. Highly recommended!
*I kindly received an e-ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*...more
I enjoyed this one a lot more than I thought I was going to! A really fun, light YA read that makes you turn the pages and is well-paced. Full of tropI enjoyed this one a lot more than I thought I was going to! A really fun, light YA read that makes you turn the pages and is well-paced. Full of tropes and not particularly original, however, I immediately have the urge to pick up the second book which doesn't happen a lot with me! So well done Catherine Doyle on that part. I definitely had some problems suspending my disbelief and the main character had that annoying "too selfless to live" thing going on, but overall I'm satisfied.
I am very intrigued by the romance aspect I must say. Curious to see where that goes. ...more
When I first read the description on the back I was confused. It's a historical novel that takes place during the siege of Leningrad and yet,3.5 stars
When I first read the description on the back I was confused. It's a historical novel that takes place during the siege of Leningrad and yet, it is described as "funny" and "hilarious". I now see why. I haven't read many books that balance tragedy and humour so perfectly. It is a funny book and yet it also captures the horrors of the war in an unflinching manner. It is well-paced and the dialogue is very close-to-life. I didn't expect anything else from one of the writers of Game of Thrones. If you are looking for a different kind of historical WWII novel, give this one a go!...more
What I am telling you, before you begin my story, is this - two things: I crave truth. And I lie.
4.5 stars
If I ever hear anyone say that murder my
What I am telling you, before you begin my story, is this - two things: I crave truth. And I lie.
4.5 stars
If I ever hear anyone say that murder mysteries are never well-written or literary I will shove this book in their face. I devoured this rather large gem within a couple days and found myself thinking about it long after I had finished.
I can see how this book will only be enjoyed by a certain type of reader. If you’re annoyed by metaphors, similes and other literary devices or don’t like wordy books, this one isn’t for you. If you’re a reader who needs everything resolved and explained in the end, this one isn’t for you either. But if you enjoy psychological thrillers with messed up characters, absolutely pick this up.
The story follows Rob Ryan, a detective in the Dublin Murder Squad. He is assigned to solve the murder case of a 12-year-old ballet dancer together with his partner and friend, Cassie Maddox. What his supervisors don’t know however, is that the case hits a bit too close to home for Rob: twenty years earlier two kids disappeared in those same woods where the young girl was murdered, two kids who coincidentally happened to be Rob’s best childhood friends. We watch as the cases (both the old and the new) unfold before us, dragging up unwanted memories and causing the detectives to slowly deteriorate and become increasingly on edge as one dead end after another presents itself.
In the Woods is not simply a murder mystery. It is a study of characters, a deeply insightful story about people and their reasons for acting the way they do, a look at love, loss, friendship, memory and so much more. The characters were so wonderfully palpable and authentic that I felt like they were in the room with me, like they were real people going about their daily lives. Tana French draws detailed and nuanced portraits of her characters that you cannot help but feel empathy for. This is also what makes this book so painful to read at times.
I both loved and hated Rob Ryan. Loved because at heart he is a good person who doesn’t do things out of spite, but simply because he is lost and doesn’t know any better. Hated because he is so flawed and does so many things wrong that I just wanted to slap him most of the time. Ultimately though, I came to care for him a great deal and didn’t want anything bad to happen to him, I just wished him happiness.
I am not good at noticing when I'm happy, except in retrospect.
Cassie on the other hand, I just loved. I found her to be such an empowering female character: dynamic and full of life, witty and intelligent, kind yet not naïve.
For me the best thing about this book (and I would argue for most readers) is the friendship between Rob and Cassie. It’s so freaking wonderful. The kind of friendship everyone dreams of but most will never find. A way of understanding the other person without words, to know what they need when they need it, to want to sacrifice your own happiness for the other. It filled me with a sense of nostalgia, of longing, and made this book so touching without even trying.
If she had hurt me, I could have forgiven her without even having to think about it; but I couldn't forgive her for being hurt.
And then there is the writing. That gorgeous mix of stunning prose and hilarious wit that made the book not only an entertaining read but a deep one as well. The novel was filled with little philosophically and psychologically stimulating snippets and I loved that aspect of the book so much. How Tana French managed to interweave her wordier writing style with a fast-paced mystery is truly masterful and I immediately felt in good hands once I had started the book.
The mystery itself was engaging and perfectly paced. I loved how Tana French planted so many red herrings and introduced different characters to constantly keep the reader on his toes. However, I did guess who the person behind the murder was relatively quickly and this is also the reason I’m not giving this book five stars. Additionally, some of the explanations were a bit convenient. Having said that though, it really didn’t majorly impact my reading experience since this book is more about the characters than just the plot.
The ending frustrated many people and I can definitely see why, but I really liked it. There are couple of things you could have issues with: (view spoiler)[what happened between Cassie and Rob left me heartbroken but was also strangely fitting, the fact that the mystery of the disappearance of Rob’s childhood friends wasn’t solved (which was fine with me) and the frustration that Rosalind wasn’t punished (infuriating but realistic). (hide spoiler)]
Overall, I loved this book and highly recommend it. It left me with a hollow feeling after finishing it and I cannot wait to read the second instalment (which I’ve already bought). If you’re in the mood for a good mystery/thriller, definitely give this a try. ...more
Once upon a different time, there was a girl who lived in a kingdom of death. Wolves howled up her arm. A whole pack of them-made of tattoo in
Once upon a different time, there was a girl who lived in a kingdom of death. Wolves howled up her arm. A whole pack of them-made of tattoo ink and pain, memory and loss. It was the only thing about her that ever stayed the same.
This book is fabulous. Absolutely fabulous.
It’s one of those rare occasions where I can honestly say I wouldn’t change a thing about it. For me, this book was perfect. I loved every second of it.
For once, I picked up a book not because of a review by one of my GR friends, but because of three other things. 1) The premise 2) Victoria Schwab gushed about it 3) It was blurbed by Laini Taylor Really, that’s all I need to know about a book. Sometimes you just have a gut instinct: you see a book and you know you’re going to like it. Sometimes, I admit, that feeling is wrong. But other times, gloriously, it is right, which was the case with this book.
As stated above, what initially attracted me to Wolf By Wolf was the premise. It is based on two major questions, two “what ifs”. What if the Nazis had won World War II? And, what if, in a world where race stands above everything else, it becomes irrelevant? This book is essentially, Ryan Graudin’s take on those two questions.
The result is an exciting and compelling story that follows one of my new favourite female characters.
Yael is part of the Nazi resistance. Having escaped a death camp years earlier, she has one ultimate goal: kill Hitler. But the dictator, having barely survived numerous assassination attempts, no longer shows himself in public, with one important exception. Every year the Axis powers host a motorcycle race in order to commemorate their victory over Britain and Russia. The winner of the race will be awarded a personal audience with Hitler, an opportunity that Yael cannot let slip through her hands.
Yael believes that her biggest challenge will be handling her bike, an assumption that quickly proves inaccurate, as she comes to realize that even those she hates, those she believes to be blind followers of the Hitler regime, have more to them then meets the eye.
To make things even more interesting, the author also added in a sci-fi element, which takes the premise from cool to extraordinary.
Yael is a character who is strong both in mind and body. She is smart. She thinks about what she’s doing. Do you know those YA heroines who sometimes act in irrational ways? Who make mistakes only to keep the plot moving? Yael isn’t one of them. Every decision she makes is calculated, and when it is not, the reader can fully understand why she acts the way she does. She isn’t flawless, she makes mistakes, and those mistakes make her all the more relatable.
I really enjoyed the side characters as well. None of them are black or white, they all have their own hidden agendas and motivations which results in a plot that is full of twists and turns and goes places you didn’t expect. Wolf by Wolf was one heart-pounding adventure.
But, beneath this fast-paced plot, there are also underlying themes. One that clearly stands out is the theme of identity. Ryan Graudin herself expresses it best in her author’s note.
This book, at its heart, is about identity. Not only in how we see ourselves, but also about how we see others. What makes people who they are? The color of their skin? The blood in their veins? The uniforms they wear?
This may seem like a lofty goal, but I promise you that she fully managed to get these points across. This book left me reeling with the places it went, but also pondering the above mentioned questions.
The ending had me awestruck and now I am just dying a little bit inside with every day that goes by that I cannot read the sequel.
I am aware that the writing style might not be for everyone. It is quite poetic and the author uses many metaphors and other literary devices which I personally loved, but some readers might find jarring.
I could go on and on about this book but I will leave it there. Trust me when I say it’s as cool as it sounds. I’m not into motorcycles in the least, but reading Wolf by Wolf made me want to put on my sunglasses and ride at high speeds through the desert.
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The novel had me at the edge of my seat from start to finish and I am certain that it will be one of my favourites of 2016.
Uprooted is one of my favourite books I’ve read this year and probably one of my favourite fantasy novels of all time. It has everything I coul [image]
Uprooted is one of my favourite books I’ve read this year and probably one of my favourite fantasy novels of all time. It has everything I could ever want in a book and is just so perfectly balanced.
Having said that, it was surprisingly difficult to write a review for this novel. The thing I loved most about Uprooted was the feeling it gave me. How do you describe that? Uprooted was both unlike anything I’ve read before and yet oddly familiar. Throughout the book I kept wondering why, why I knew this feeling and then I realized it was the same emotion I get when I watch a Studio Ghibli movie. If you haven’t seen my bio then let me tell you: I ADORE Studio Ghibli. Hayao Miyazaki films are my childhood. So if I say Uprooted felt like watching one of those movies then that means A LOT. The movies have this perfect balance of whimsical fairy tale, crazy imagination and creativity that makes you go “who on earth would ever think of that?”, paired with flawed, human characters that keep the story grounded. And Uprooted is exactly like that too.
In fact, the book was reminiscent of Howl’s Moving Castle and had elements (or rather one big element, the Wood) of Nausicaä of the Valley of the Winds but still felt completely original.
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The book managed to be simultaneously charming, creepy, suspenseful and romantic.
The story opens in a village where 17-year-old Agnieszka has been living with her family all her life. Things can be difficult however, because there is a dangerous Wood nearby that corrupts people if they come into contact with it. In order to keep the Wood at bay, the villagers rely on the help of the Dragon, a powerful wizard. As compensation for his efforts, the Dragon demands a tribute: every ten years he picks a girl and takes her to his castle where she will serve him for the following ten years.
The other major thing I loved about Uprooted was how much I’ve been waiting for a book like this. If you would have asked me to write a list of all my bookish pet peeves, then given that list to a great author and asked them to write my perfect book, Uprooted would have been the result.
The characters:
Agnieszka is our protagonist and she is wonderful. She isn’t your typical fantasy heroine; instead she is physically plain (a fact which is stated numerous times throughout the novel), clumsy and always a mess. She constantly gets herself into trouble. But she is also kind and heroic and I found myself rooting for her from page one.
Then we have the Dragon. Aloof and ambitious, meticulous and uptight. The perfect counter-balance to Agnieszka. Having those two together in one room screams conflict. And conflicts they had. It was great. It was hilarious.
And let us not forget Kasia, Agnieszka’s best friend. Yes, you read correctly, the best friend is actually important. The relationship between these two was so heart-warming. Kasia is beautiful, graceful and brave, everyone loves her and yet, Nieshka doesn’t feel bitter. She loves Kasia and wouldn’t hesitate to sacrifice herself to save her and vice versa. Their relationship was beautiful but also realistic; I loved it.
World-building and writing:
The world-building in this book was fantastic. Firstly, there is no learning curve, the story starts small and expands slowly and subtly, we are never bombarded with information. This is great for people who aren’t used to reading a lot of adult fantasy novels. Secondly, this novel creates incredible atmosphere that makes the story even more captivating. Naomi Novik based the world on Polish culture and folklore, which added another layer of originality and authenticity to the whole. The world was dark and whimsical and coupled with Novik’s beautiful writing this book is a bit of a masterpiece.
The magic:
I loved the way magic was portrayed in this book. It was very fairy tale like but it worked. Other books wouldn’t have been able to pull off this kind of magic system. It can be argued that there weren’t enough limits, that there wasn’t enough of a price to pay, but I was fine with that because a) there was no deus ex machina and b) the villain was so freaking powerful that we still got all that delicious suspense and “OMG, WHAT IS HAPPENING?” feeling. Which brings me to my next point.
The villain:
I am honestly so sick and tired of reading fantasy novels with the same villains over and over again. There is always an evil king or queen who wants to rule the world and has no conscience etc. But here we have something completely new to the fantasy genre: A villain that isn’t even human but A WOOD. It was creepy, it was dark, it was unexpected. It can get into people’s heads, you never know where you’re at, who to trust. What is scarier than that?
Overall:
Uprooted was a fantastic book. I can’t recommend it enough. If you like fantasy, please give this one a try. ...more
I present to you Illuminae. The most hyped book in recent hype history in the YA hype universe.
I resisted reading this book for aLadies and Gentlemen,
I present to you Illuminae. The most hyped book in recent hype history in the YA hype universe.
I resisted reading this book for a long time. I didn't think I would like it as I'm not much of a sci-fi fan and usually don't enjoy books set in space. And then the hype hit full-out and I almost lost interest because the book was everywhere. It was one of those "I can't stand to see you anymore please get out of my sight" situations.
But I was still curious...
And the book was pretty...
And so I bought it...
And started reading and...
IT WAS GOOD!?
I know, I know. Shocker. I can hear all of you screaming "I told you so!". I mean, I didn't think it was the best thing EVER, but it was so much fun and just such a cool book! I flew through it and some of the plot twists...it's been a while since I've been so shocked.
If you're like me and intimidated by the book's size (it is 600 pages after all), don't be. There is almost no normal prose and you will read it much faster than other books. Also, I really recommend going in knowing nothing except that it is set in space. It's fun to piece together what is going on as you move through the story.
Stripped away from the fancy setting and fancy layout, Illuminae may not be the most unique story in the world. But it is fun, engaging and full of tension. If you haven't yet picked this one up for fear of the hype, I suggest you give it a try anyway.
"The darkness is calling. A little danger, a little risk. Feel your heart race. Listen to it. That’s the sound of being alive. It’s your time,
"The darkness is calling. A little danger, a little risk. Feel your heart race. Listen to it. That’s the sound of being alive. It’s your time, Nick. Your one chance to have fun before it’s all stolen by them, the adults, with their cruelty and endless rules, their can’t-do-this, and can’t-do-that’s, their have-tos, and better-dos, their little boxes and cages all designed to break your spirit, to kill your magic".
I loved it. I loved it. I loved it. I seriously struggled writing this review because every time I think of this book I become a gushing, ineloquent mess. This book reminded me of what it means to be a total fangirl.
I know that no book is ever perfect. But in my opinion, The Child Thief comes pretty close. Brom hasn’t just written a novel, he has created a masterpiece.
You know that feeling when you read a book and you feel like it was written just for you? Tailor-made? That was how I felt while reading this Peter Pan retelling.
Why, you ask? Well, this book has… - An antihero. In case you don’t know, there is NOTHING I love quite as much as a realistic, consistent antihero. - A kick-ass female character. Brom’s version of Tiger Lily, loved her. - A complex, well-developed fantasy world. - An infusion of all kinds of different mythology, folklore and fairy tales. From Celtic mythology and Arthurian legend all the way to pagan myths. Is there anything better? - An eclectic cast of characters who are flawed and complex. All intriguing in their own right.
But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s try to break this down (even though my words will never be able to make this book justice).
Peter Pan is one of my favorite classics and there is so much potential for Peter Pan retellings to be incredible because they offer so much room for originality, creativity and imagination. Still I was hesitant, having read Tiger Lily earlier this year, I wasn’t sure if any retelling could ever compare. And really, the two don’t compare. They couldn’t be more different from one another.
This book is so strange and peculiar yet manages to instill in the reader a sense of realism that is awe-inspiring. I believed everything. Nothing felt constructed or contrived, the whole story made so much sense once I could see the whole picture. The plot development felt organic. It was tragic and heartbreaking but also filled with action and suspense.
In this version of the Peter Pan story, Peter is portrayed as a seducer: he preys on the abused, mistreated, enslaved. He seeks out children who fit these categories – the children who themselves believe they have nothing left to lose – and essentially promises them a better life, a life in Avalon, a mysterious magical island where faeries and monsters are routine. Fourteen-year-old Nick is one of those boys and he follows Peter through the Mist. Nick quickly realizes however, that things aren’t the way he hoped them to be.
The Child Thief is a very dark book. From the first couple of sentences you can gather that this is not a book for children, or even a young adults. It is often disturbing and violent, the writing is gory and the whole novel screams sadness, pain, fury, loss and guilt. It contains many heavy issues such as child abuse, rape and torture and although it’s not about those things, they play a significant role in the story. Generally, I feel pretty neutral about books that are excessively gory and violent; it doesn’t bother me but I also won’t seek them out actively. More often than not, I found that authors use these descriptions to replace plot and worldbuilding, which makes me feel like they are only trying to appall or disgust me instead of telling me a story. This isn’t the case here: Brom uses bloody and horrifying passages where they serve the story, where they enhance, where they add realism. Never did the descriptions overpower the plot.
The writing itself is hauntingly beautiful. Poetic where it needed to be, simple where it should have been. Easy to read yet reminiscent of the original Peter Pan. Perfectly suited to the story being told.
Then there is the issue of pacing. The Child Thief is quite a lengthy novel and yet I wasn’t bored a single second. This book did not drag. Ever. I was at the edge of my seat the entire time and sometimes I even had to put the book down because I was getting so excited I actually had trouble breathing, something that barely ever happens. After finishing it I felt drained and physically exhausted, as if I’d been the one to go through all these events.
The worldbuilding was amazing. Avalon was a fascinating and well-constructed place but what I loved even more was the relation between Avalon and the “real” world. It was so interesting to see how the magic worked and how different people reacted to it; the internal logic was fantastic.
Best of all were the characters. Brom managed the elusive feat of creating a cast of characters that were simultaneously unlikable and endearing. There is no hero and no villain. The characters are just people, real and genuine, and it worked perfectly. I loved almost all of them, and those I couldn’t love because they are just too despicable, I understood.
Peter himself was such a deliciously ambiguous character. Part hero, part monster, he is self-centered and delusional, sadistic and foolhardy. In fact, he borders on being a sociopath; stealing away children for his own gain and satisfaction without thought to what is might do to them. He doesn’t hesitate to use their own weaknesses against them.
Everything comes with a price. Everything. Some things just cost more than others.
And despite all his flaws, I couldn’t help but love him. Maybe it’s because I have a soft spot for antiheroes, but I found Peter to be an amazing character. The way Brom slowly presents his backstory to the reader greatly humanizes him and I felt so much empathy for this traumatized, lonely boy who was just trying to live the best life he knew how. A truly complex and layered character who will doubtlessly leave the reader intrigued.
We also have Nick, the second main character besides Peter. I was so fond of him. I admit, when Nick was first introduced I was a little worried because I was scared he’d fall prey to special snowflake syndrome. BUT Brom completely turned it around, making Nick into an incredibly realistic character I could totally root for. His bravery was admirable.
All the Devils were great. They were distinct and fleshed-out. None of them stupid; they made mistakes but not the kind that were just put in to help move the story along. These were real mistakes, understandable mistakes. It might be frustrating, but never annoying.
There were characters like Leroy, Ulfger and the Reverend that I despised with a fiery passion and yet…I could understand where they were coming from. This book seriously messed with my mind and made me question everyone.
When I come to rule I will put an end to their debauchery. Faerie shall become a force to be feared. Ulfger, a name spoken in frightful whispers. We will make men-kind remember their place and will hide behind the Lady’s Mist no longer.
So much complexity.
And then there are the themes. This book is just teeming with interesting philosophical questions about morality, life and death, and what it means to do the right thing. Brom comments on religious fanaticism and its consequences, colonialism, war and sacrifice. If there was ever a book that perfectly portrays the meaning behind “there are two sides to every story” The Child Thief is it.
Both sides so blinded by their fear and hate of each other that they couldn't see they were all fighting for the same thing.
It’s also a book about loneliness and what neglect can do us. I found it to be both extremely compelling and very meaningful.
When I thought the book couldn’t get any better, there were sentences like this:
I’m…I am a god!
Oh Brom, you were just trying to make my mouth water, weren’t you?
To sum up, I cannot praise this book highly enough. For obvious reasons it isn’t a book for everyone, but if you can handle darker topics, I suggest you pick this one up. A novel that is horrifying and enchanting, beautifully written and different from anything I’ve read.
A serious contender for my favorite book of the year.
P.S. I recommend getting the physical copy if you can. There are GORGEOUS illustrations by Brom himself that you don’t want to miss out on. ...more
First YA book I have read this year and I enjoyed it! I thought it was significantly better than many of the YA fantasy books that were published lastFirst YA book I have read this year and I enjoyed it! I thought it was significantly better than many of the YA fantasy books that were published last year and if you generally enjoy YA fantasy this is definitely one for you. At the end of the day, it was missing things that would have made me really like it (or even love it) but nevertheless I can understand why this series has received so much hype and is so beloved by many....more
“Kell would say it was impossible. What a useless word, in a world with magic.”
I can't deal. I am dead.
Sometimes you find yourself in a reading sl
“Kell would say it was impossible. What a useless word, in a world with magic.”
I can't deal. I am dead.
Sometimes you find yourself in a reading slump or you want to read but 9pm feels like 1am, uni swallowing your soul whole and you feel too exhausted to live. Reading just feels like a chore. That was me before I started A Gathering of Shadows.
And that’s why you need favourite authors. Those magical people you can always count on to deliver something that you will love. That is Victoria Schwab for me. A Gathering of Shadows is yet another addition to my favourite-books-by-Schwab list.
I really liked A Darker Shade of Magic (click for my review). Victoria Schwab’s writing is beautiful; witty and humorous when it needs to be, poetic when it serves. Her worldbuilding is phenomenal, so richly imaginative that you want to smash your head against the wall because you just can’t understand how anybody could come up with something that good (or because you hate yourself for not coming up with it first). She is also uniquely gifted at pacing, making even slower moving sequences feel like they’re flying by, without ever letting any space for boredom. Where the first instalment let me down, however, was the characters. It’s not that I disliked any of them, they just felt slightly tropy and like characters I had seen before. Well, let me tell you, Schwab completely rectified this in this spectacular second instalment. The characterisation was more complex, the story threads more intricately interwoven. The line between good and evil smudged.
This book pulses with magic. Around every street corner, under every pebble stone, there is something new to discover, another detail that adds to the whole picture. You truly feel like you’re in the story: you can smell the sea, hear the bustling of the market, feel the magical river giving life. It’s all so wonderful.
A Gathering of Shadows pulls you deeper into the world then the previous book, giving you more of this fascinating world. You may have heard people say this book is about a magical competition, and it does feature one – the Essen Tasch – but it’s really not the main plot point. The Essen Tasch is just a way to pull all the characters back together and oh the glory that ensues. The characters and their chemistry are truly one of a kind.
We have a Kell who is plagued by his past experiences and mistakes, yet he is such a caring and genuinely good person that we cannot help but love him. But undeniably, there is also darkness in him and the layers of his character just keep on building.
„And then the night snapped back into focus and he realized he was standing there holding eight lives in his hand, and he’d almost ended them. Not to punish them for attacking Rhy (the prince had probably provoked them) and not because they were bad men (though several of them might have been). But just because he could, because it felt good to be in control, to be the strongest, to know that when it came down to it, he would be the one left standing.”
Then we have Lila, who, I will fully admit, can be extremely frustrating with her impulsive and reckless behaviour, and yet is so consistent and full of wit and life, that we love her anyway.
We also get more of Rhy which I guarantee will make you happy. He is just as complex as Kell and Lila and always adds some humour to serious situations. I love him so so much.
“What brings you to my room?” he asked, relief bleeding into annoyance. “Adventure. Intrigue. Brotherly concern. Or,” continued the prince lazily, “perhaps I’m just giving your mirror something to look at besides your constant pout.” Kell frowned, and Rhy smiled. “Ah, there it is! That famous scowl.”
We’re also introduced to a new character at the beginning of the story, Alucard, and I’ve probably never had a crush on a fictional character that quickly. Seriously, he’s amazing and made me laugh out loud many times.
As for the romance in this novel, there admittedly isn’t much of it, but what is there, isn’t only swoon-worthy and heart-racing, but also unpredictable. You genuinely don’t know who is going to end up with whom until you’re already far along in the story. Props to Victoria Schwab for accomplishing something that pretty much every other author fails at.
My only real complaint is something that happens at the very end, which I found to be slightly unrealistic and contrived, but it didn’t bother me enough to make me deduct half a star.
Honestly, I could go on and on about this book, give you a detailed breakdown of every character, but I don’t want to. This is a series you should discover for yourself, let its beauty unfurl before you.
This series is an absolute favourite of mine; evocatively told and incredibly creative with strange characters that pull at your heartstrings. I highly recommend it to every fantasy lover out there. Now all there is to do is slowly go into hibernation so that the wait for the third book won’t feel as long. ...more
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda isn’t my usual cup of tea. I don’t tend to gravitate towards YA contemporaries, especially not those that are descriSimon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda isn’t my usual cup of tea. I don’t tend to gravitate towards YA contemporaries, especially not those that are described as “cute” and “adorable”. If I read contemporary, it’s usually for the dark themes, twisted characters or exciting plot. But although this book doesn’t really contain any of these things (though it does deal with some heavier issues) I thought it was fantastic. It’s one of those novels that does everything right, and is entertaining to boot. Reading it put me in a good mood; it’s such an uplifting, funny and beautifully told story that I can almost guarantee will give you all the feels.
There are so many wonderful reviews from my friends out there that will perfectly describe to you how wonderful this book is, so instead I thought I would just give you six reasons why you should pick it up.
1. Diversity. Not only is our protagonist Simon gay, but we also have two side characters that are African American and two side characters that are Jewish. The novel explores homophobia, as well as religion and inter-racial relationships, and it does it brilliantly. Part of me was waiting for the moment when the author would take a misstep and say something disrespectful, but I am happy to say that this never happened.
2. Fabulous adult characters. A YA contemporary with active and supportive adults, you say? Does such a thing exist? Thank goodness it does. Simon’s parents are actually important to the story and involved with him. They care about Simon and try to support him as best they can. Yet, the familial relationships always stayed realistic: Simon’s parents aren’t perfect, they sometimes do and say the wrong thing, but they always try their best to make their children happy. Additionally, there is also an amazing adult teacher character in Simon’s life who steps in and stands up for him. Well done, Becky Albertalli!
3. Amazing friends. This was definitely one of my favourite aspects of this novel. The cliques in this book are mixed. It’s not all the geeks vs. all the jocks vs. the cheerleaders etc. Instead, what we get is a realistic portrayal of high school friend groups and non-stereotypical characters. His friends support Simon and accept him for who he is, yet they are flawed and they fight with each other. There is so much love between them, but also rivalry and jealousy and the whole thing was so incredibly honest, something I say very rarely. The conflicts arose organically and I never felt like they were put in just for the sake of adding drama.
4. Lack of angst. All of the characters are so real and raw without ever being overly angsty. There is some angst because of the situation Simon finds himself in, but it never takes the upper hand and isn’t stretched out unnecessarily. I never felt frustrated or annoyed, but instead appreciated how Simon dealt with all of his problems.
5. Simon, our main character. He’s just the right amount of quirky and very funny and witty as well. I also found him to be so relatable and clever. Plus, he loves Harry Potter.
“What's a dementor?" I mean, I can't even. "Nora, you are no longer my sister." "So it's some Harry Potter thing," she says.
6. The romance. You guys know I’m not very big on romance. But this one was just so adorable! I was actually swooning just from Simon and Blue’s emails and if a book can do that to me, I’m impressed.
On top of all this, the story is also well-writtenn and includes some beautiful quotes that I will remember for a long time to come.
People really are like house with vast rooms and tiny windows. And maybe it's a good thing, the way we never stop surprising each other.
I do wish that the book would have been a little longer and some of the side characters a little more developed, but regardless, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda is a wonderful, heart-warming novel that I recommend to everyone.
“When everyone knows you’re a monster, you needn’t waste time doing every monstrous thing.”
I buddy read this book (very loosely) with my friends K
“When everyone knows you’re a monster, you needn’t waste time doing every monstrous thing.”
I buddy read this book (very loosely) with my friends Kimi and Yasmin (click for their wonderful reviews).
WHERE DO I START WITH SIX OF CROWS?
I have so much to say about this book and I fear that I will end up typing gibberish and make no sense. I will forget things and then get annoyed at myself for leaving them out. Please bear with me, it’s going to be a long one.
Six of Crows was my most anticipated release of 2015 and my expectations were about as high as Burj Khalifa. An epic tale of six anti-heroes preforming a heist in a magical fantasy world written by none other than my beloved Leigh Bardugo? That’s a recipe for success if ever there was one. And then of course, we have all the wonderful raving reviews from my dearly trusted friends.
Many people have been saying how Leigh Bardugo really upped her game since the Grisha trilogy and I’d have to agree with them. Six of Crows is darker and more mature, has better world-building and doesn’t rely on the romance to make it interesting. It was a really good book, BUT, contrary to what I hoped going into it, it wasn’t flawless, it didn’t blow my mind and it also didn’t have me dying of suspense. I enjoyed reading it but unfortunately, it isn’t a new favourite.
But let’s start with the many things I absolutely loved.
First and foremost, the characters. The characters are phenomenal. There are six main characters and I really liked all of them. They are all a bunch of misfits who for some reason or other have fallen on hard times. None of them are noble, they all act in questionable and sometimes despicable ways, and yet you cannot help but feel attached to them. All of them are complex and fleshed-out, fascinating for different reasons.
We have Kaz, the ruthless and mysterious leader of the Dregs, a crew consisting of thieves, thugs and other morally ambiguous characters. He is a man thirsty for revenge, who would do anything to get what he wants, but who, deep down, yearns for a love he doesn’t think he deserves.
“You love trickery." "I love puzzles. Trickery is just my native tongue.”
Inej, the Wraith, incredibly fierce and gifted at disappearing. She’s smart and brave and can take care of herself, but doesn’t trust easily. She is a born spy and a valuable asset to the Dregs.
Then we have Nina, a Grisha Heartrender and another strong and unapologetic female character. A caring friend with a kind heart, but she can be hard when she has to be. She’s sassy to the point that she made me laugh out loud and I loved how she was just so fully herself in every way and never compromised her essence in order to accommodate others.
“It's not natural for women to fight." "It's not natural for someone to be as stupid as he is tall, and yet there you stand.”
Matthias is a Fjerdan and ex-grisha-hunter. He’s out for blood and would like nothing better than to strangle Nina on the spot. Mostly.
Surprisingly, I also really liked Jesper. A skilled sharpshooter with a foul mouth who has a bit of a gambling problem (to put it mildly). He’s funny and witty, but also somewhat vulnerable and insecure, which sometimes leads him to make the wrong decision.
Lastly we have Wylan, who I pretty much wanted to hug throughout. He’s a runaway with a privileged past who is trying to make it in the Barrel. With mixed success.
I also hugely enjoyed the dynamics between the characters. Leigh Bardugo is the queen of dialogue and witty banter and there are honestly so many quotes I could pick out to show you just how great she is. Here are just two fabulous examples:
"Kaz leaned back. "What's the easiest way to steal a wallet?" "Knife to the throat?" asked Inej. "Gun to the back?" said Jesper. "Poison in his cup?" suggested Nina. "You're all horrible," said Matthias. Kaz rolled his eyes. "The easiest way to steal a man's wallet is to tell him you're going to steal his watch."
“Jesper knocking his head against the hull and cast his eyes heavenward. "Fine. But if Pekka Rollins kills us all, I'm going to get Wylan's ghost to teach my ghost how to play the flute just so that I can annoy the hell out of your ghost." Brekker's lips quirked. "I'll just hire Matthias' ghost to kick your ghost's ass." "My ghost won't associate with your ghost," Matthias said primly, and then wondered if the sea air was rotting his brain.”
On the whole, this squad just worked so well. There was romantic tension but it never overpowered the plot. In fact, my favourite relationship was the platonic one between Inej and Nina. Talk about great female friendships! I loved these two together!
Six of Crows is an example of third person and multiple POVs done right. All the voices felt distinct and I was interested in all of them. I never preferred one over the other and when you have six characters, that is quite a feat.
The world-building, though not outstanding, was just right. Enough to make the world come to life, but not without dwelling on anything unnecessary. I am a world-building geek so I admit that I would have liked a bit more on the culture, religion, architecture etc. but I know that this won’t be the case for the vast majority of readers and I don’t fault the book on this aspect.
As much as would like to go on praising everything about this book, I also have to be honest and say that there were quite a few things I didn’t enjoy.
Firstly, and perhaps my biggest issue, was how utterly predictable the plot was. There were so many plot twist, but of those roughly 20(?) I was surprised by maybe two. (view spoiler)[Nina taking the parem and Wylan being illiterate. (hide spoiler)] I saw things coming from miles away and the story didn’t go anywhere that I didn’t expect. (view spoiler)[Just a couple of examples include: Matthias freeing Nina from the cage, Brum conveniently telling Matthias where to find the Yul-Bayur, Van Eck’s true intentions etc. (hide spoiler)] The book just didn’t feel clever. And that disappointed me. Leigh Bardugo tried to keep the readers on their toes constantly by having one twist after another, but instead of blowing my mind the only thing I felt was…exhausted. She also built in things that came out of nowhere and felt very random and a bit like a cop-out. (view spoiler)[Jesper being Grisha? The tanks anyone? And we never got an explanation for how Jarl Brum survived. (hide spoiler)] It also felt quite repetitive at times.
And this leads me to my next point. I found this book exhausting to read and I don’t really know why. I’m used to larger fantasy books with complex worlds and multiple POVs and I love them, so that can’t be the reason. Maybe it was because I was never truly scared for the characters (because I predicted everything?). It never bored me, it was fast-paced, but there was a lot of telling instead of showing (especially concerning the character backstories) and as great as Leigh Bardugo is at writing dialogue, I often found myself struggling to comprehend her descriptions. For example, I would have been completely lost without the map of the Ice Court. Even with the map I was sometimes confused about what was happening. I’m a very exact (and therefore unfortunately slow) reader and like thinking proactively about tactics and such. But these confusing descriptions and changing plans made that really difficult.
For similar reasons, I wish the book would have been more concise. Was it too long? No, not necessarily. I think at times it was just a bit too much of everything and too little of certain things (wow, I’m becoming more eloquent by the minute).
Additionally, and this is really difficult for me to admit, but I didn’t love Kaz as much as I thought I was going to. There, I said it. *ducks head to avoid the flying tomatoes* He was just a tad too much “tortured boy who talks big” and too little “criminal mastermind and ruthless tactician”. I still liked him though, so don’t worry.
One last remark before I end. Most of the main characters in this book are around 17 years old. But that is so completely ridiculous. They all acted like 25 year-olds at least. I know that this is a common thing in YA fantasy, but please, this was just too unrealistic. I don’t care how jaded they are and how much these characters had to grow up due to their circumstances. They were not teenagers. End of discussion.
Overall
There is no question, Six of Crows is a fantastic book. It's certainly a top YA fantasy. However, don't expect to be blown away by the actual plot, the book is very much about its characters. I wasn't as awed by it as other people were, but I think that may have been due to the overly high expectations I set for it. My hope is that, once I read Crooked Kingdom, I'll be just as in love as everyone else.
I’m unsure of how you did it. Whatever magic you used to pry open my brain and look inside, I'd like to have it as well. Because this Dear Ms. Ahdieh,
I’m unsure of how you did it. Whatever magic you used to pry open my brain and look inside, I'd like to have it as well. Because this book was written for me, it is, in many ways, my dream book and encompasses everything I want in a novel. So, I would really like to know how you did it.
You may have other people fooled but this is not a debut novel. This CAN’T be a debut novel because, well, THE WRITING IS PERFECT.
Again, I ask you to give me some of your witchcraft. I promise not to abuse it.
(Also, thank you for writing such an amazing book.)
Sincerely, Chantal
The The Wrath and the Dawn was one of my most anticipated releases of 2015. Just reading the premise made me want to put everything else down and just READ THE BOOK ALREADY. I love A Thousand and One Nights. I love Middle Eastern culture. I love YA Fantasy. As mentioned above, this sounded like my dream book.
But here’s the thing about hype (both the one in your head and the one outside of it): You tend to get disappointed. BUT I’m happy to say that this novel truly deserves and lives up to all the hype it gets. FINALLY. This book has restored my faith.
The Wrath and the Dawn is not without its flaws. I would easily be able to criticize some of the elements in the story, e.g. underdeveloped magic system, a certain predictability, a hint of insta-love etc. But I don’t want to because I FREAKING LOVED THIS BOOK. Can you tell I liked it yet?
Alright, so let us get into the actual review. I’m going to discuss the different elements separately because it’s the only way I’ll manage to gather my thoughts.
Setting & Writing:
Undoubtedly, the setting is one of the best parts about this book. For one thing, it’s quite unique simply because there aren’t many YA novels out there that have this element of Middle Eastern culture. However, it’s also wonderful because it’s real. You aren’t reading about taking a stroll through a souk, you actually are walking through one. The author’s ability to bring the culture to life with her vivid descriptions of architecture, clothes, people and food is astounding. Everything felt tangible and the imagery was some of the best I’ve ever read. In addition, we have Renee Ahdieh’s gorgeous writing style that is so lush and emotive yet very easy to read and get into. It’s the kind of book that makes it difficult to take quotes from it because every single sentence could be used as one. The dialogue is fantastic as well.
Characters:
Kestrel and Eliza, I love you, but please move aside. I have a new favorite female protagonist. Enter Shazi. Seriously, Shazi is amazing. Fierce and feisty, clever and determined, but yet caring and compassionate. She made me smile throughout the novel and I was rooting for her the whole way. She is both a realistic and an admirable character and her slight arrogance only added another layer to her.
“Shahrzad al-Khayzuran!” The muscles in his jaw constricted. “You are not weak. You are not indecisive. You are strong. Fierce. Capable beyond measure.”
I also loved Khalid. He really won me over over the course of the book. Broken and guarded, Shazi struggles to find out what truly lies beneath Khalid’s aloof exterior. He was a complex character and his self-hatred was heartbreaking yet understandable. He’s confronted with choices that are pretty much impossible to make and his internal turmoil was depicted beautifully. The side characters were also amazing. Of course, I adored Despina, Shazi’s handmaiden who becomes her friend throughout the story. In many ways, she is just as fierce as Shazi and I thought that the two women complimented each other wonderfully. It was great to see such a friendship in a novel that is primarily a romance. Jalal was great too; he provided the needed comic relief while still being kick-ass in his own right. Seeing his interactions with the King was fantastic. And Tariq…oh Tariq. I kind of hated him yet understood where he was coming from.
Plot:
What can I say? It’s a retelling of A Thousand and One Nights, obviously I’m going to love it. Sure, some parts were slightly predictable, but honestly, I didn’t care one bit. The novel was perfectly paced and had me at the edge of my seat the entire time. The story felt mysterious and intriguing and I didn’t know how it was going to end.
Romance:
I have very mixed feelings towards novels that are primarily about romance. I love them if they are done well, but more often than not, they leave me cold. Not this one. The chemistry between the two main characters was incredible. What I loved most about it, was how equal the two of them were. In a way, Shazi is completely at her king’s mercy and yet her strong will and character caused her to not be inferior to him in any way. With exchanges like this
“Get up, Shahrzad al-Khayzuran. You kneel before no one. Least of all me.”
And this
“My soul sees its equal in you.”
How can you not love them together? Did I feel conflicted at times? Sure! But that’s the beauty of it. The romance is sexy and angsty and I loved it all the more for it.
Bottom Line:
Basically, read it. Seriously, everyone should read this book. It will melt your heart. Also, I need book 2. Like, right now....more
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