This was such a great read. Laugh-out-loud funny, incredibly wise and cleverly written, not to mention immensely cultural — it has educated me more thThis was such a great read. Laugh-out-loud funny, incredibly wise and cleverly written, not to mention immensely cultural — it has educated me more than traditional schooling ever did on the subjects of apartheid and the heritage of South Africa. Overall, enthralling and very easy to enjoy. That last chapter had me both in goosebumps and holding my breath, though. Trevor, whom I have adored for ages now, has definitely won me over with his writing style, as well. And his mom? Kickass woman. ...more
I love love love the original trilogy. And I also love the fact that Mafi realized Ignite Me was an unrealistic, rus3.5 Stars. Here’s a short review:
I love love love the original trilogy. And I also love the fact that Mafi realized Ignite Me was an unrealistic, rushed ending to this whole literary journey, something lots of us have said upon reading the initial finale. There was more to be discovered and Mafi definitely delivered now.
There are twists and turns, revelations, world-building, new characters, character development. A bigger picture unravels — one so big it makes you wonder if it was concocted by Mafi from the beginning and simply ignored because of constraints or only after the original series ended. Regardless, this is the kind of depth I was looking for before. There’s still massive room to improve, but at least it’s a step in the right direction. Progress.
My issue with this new installment stems from its focus, however. I have no problems with character-driven novels. They can sometimes be the best. Taking into consideration the amount of chaos Juliette’s and Warner’s personalities entail, the potential for great storytelling is huge. But Restore Me was too much in terms of redundancy. Too much second-guessing every decision, too much going through the same revelations from different points of view, too much questioning one self, too much emotional agonizing over the same matters, too much back and forth in general. From the characters’ perspectives it makes sense, don’t get me wrong, but for the reader, since it was not done smartly, is tiresome and sometimes downright boring. And can also end up painting Juliette and Warner in annoying tones.
Having said all this, it’s still a solid continuation, even though flawed. I also hope the next books will pick up the pace just a bit. Regardless, I’m very much looking forward to it.
A bit convoluted at times, but it’s an easy, heartwarming yet disturbing read. If you’re already a fan of the books, it feels like a get toge3.5 Stars
A bit convoluted at times, but it’s an easy, heartwarming yet disturbing read. If you’re already a fan of the books, it feels like a get together with old friends. ...more
Edit: Will my book slump ever go away? Maybe. Perhaps. Slow progress. But this book was a step in the right direction. Loved this with all my heart anEdit: Will my book slump ever go away? Maybe. Perhaps. Slow progress. But this book was a step in the right direction. Loved this with all my heart and couldn’t stop reading. Maas, again, applause for you.
(Don’t know if I’ll have a review for this one. I hate to promise and not provide and life is hectic. I just stress myself a lot about it, hope you don’t mind. But this one is highly, highly recommended!)
***
Never been on Team Chaol. My precious cinnamon roll, Dorian Havilliard, stole my heart from the beginning. But I've always wondered: HOW ON EARTH CAN ANYONE NOT LOVE CHAOL?!?! Not for his relationship with Celaena, but just for who he is. Selfless, loyal, kind, courageous. I don't know about you, but the fact that he lost his shit in QoS (which was acceptable since he went against everything he believed in his whole life), the fact that he was flawed like any other human being only brought him closer to perfection.
So, no. I'm not sad that we get his book instead of the final novel. He deserves the recognition. SJM described this book as HoF (my favorite ToG installment) but for Chaol. It's gonna be a journey of healing and revelations and finding yourself again. PLUS THE SOUTHERN CONTINENT OMG. Plus Yrene Towers!! And NESRYN. It's gonna be amazing.
This was... interesting. Not Maas’s greatest, but good nonetheless. Very messy and ambitious, especially with that initia3.75 — is this even a rating?
This was... interesting. Not Maas’s greatest, but good nonetheless. Very messy and ambitious, especially with that initial world-building vomiting... but ultimately enjoyable.
I’ll try to gather my thoughts and write a bit, I miss reviewing!...more
Starting 2017 with a CoHo book seems quite perfect to me.
3.5 stars for this one. You can definitely see she wrote it for fun, because it's nothing liStarting 2017 with a CoHo book seems quite perfect to me.
3.5 stars for this one. You can definitely see she wrote it for fun, because it's nothing like her other works. It's the first time I feel the story gained a superficial nuance, only scratching the surface of a basis for a normal novel and I noticed that especially with the secondary characters. You usually fall in love with CoHo secondary characters, but this time I barely felt a connection to them. Oh, and the fact that it's not layered and as profound as I would have expected, nothing beyond the life-or-death situation where sacrifice also plays a part. Probably not a lot of research on police investigations either. However, it's easy to overlook them for the sake of enjoyment.
On the other hand, the love triangle pretty much occupies every page space. Its soap opera vibe was a bit cliche, but again - fun. The plotline was predictable most of the time and some moments had me rolling my eyes to the next universe at the stupidity of some characters who like to call themselves cops. Regardless, it was like crack. The obsession and unpredictability of Asa kept things going and the scenes with Carter and Sloan were scorching. Still, not exactly the definition of a light read -- my stress level was up in the clouds, another reason for not being able to stop reading.
Give it a try if you're looking for an addictive, telenovela kind of book.
“We're meant to go. We're not meant to stay forever.”
I'm not gonna lie, Uprooted is a strange book. Not what I expected, but best-descr3.5 Stars.
“We're meant to go. We're not meant to stay forever.”
I'm not gonna lie, Uprooted is a strange book. Not what I expected, but best-described as bewitching nonetheless, captivating and purely interesting. Prior to actually reading it, I might've painted it in a Deathless manner, hoping for a radical fantasy, dark and shiver-inducing. I partly got that, but my high expectations sizzled out to embers when it sometimes turned out to be too intricate to understand or too vague to comprehend, although unique.
Welcome to a world of magic and corruption, where the Wood wreaks havoc on kingdoms and souls alike, having a mind of its own, with a glorious intention of creating chaos and destruction. This idea of something made of power and corruption being the ultimate villain is SO NICE. Sadly though, I've already read about it. Twice, if I might add: in the Orphan Queen, where the Wood equates to the Wraith, and then in A Darker Shade of Magic where Vitari is on a whole other level. However, the world-building in this regard is developed differently, especially in the end of the novel, where I had sudden visuals of Game of Thrones' Children of the Forest.
In this world, the Dragon, a powerful wizard and overlord of the valley, takes a different 17-year old girl every ten years to his tower, without other apparent reason than his like to do so. He releases the girls unscathed once time's up, educated, in finery and with dowry. And this where our heroine enters the play -- Agnieszka is chosen after living her whole life rest assured that her best friend, the all too-perfect Kasia, will be taken. Plot twist for her, I suppose.
The Dragon, is simply put, an asshole. Behavior-wise, I mean. A prick, arrogant, stuck-up, old and cranky asshole. But damn it, he's lovable. I did not like him one bit in the beginning, especially with his superior demeanor, but he grew on me the sneaky bastard. And ohemgee his sarcasm is from another planet. Teach me your ways, master!
What I appreciated the most about him though was the realistic depiction of how time, or rather immortality, cripples you of humanity, of relationships and of sensibility. The utter loneliness, the incapability of putting down roots when time whisks them away bit by bit like grains of sand, the fact that someone needs to teach you to appreciate life and love and the days yet again is just plain... sad. But it still had a great impact on how it built the Dragon's character, it made him who he is, along with his overly posh and knowledge-hungry persona.
Agnieszka is totally original and different from any other heroine. Innocent and brave and with the spunk and terrifying determination to make even kings shudder. I thoroughly enjoyed her inquisitive mind and her kindness, not to mention her fierceness. I would've liked not to have been reminded every two pages though that she's not the prettiest of the bunch or that she's incredibly messy. I got it the first 100 times, thank you.
“I was a glaring blot on the perfection. But I didn't care: I didn't feel I owed him beauty.”
The plot centers around the Wood's evil plans and strategic approaches to bring doom to Polnya, but despite being well-crafted and exciting, I felt my mind wandering off. I kept reading though. I kept picking the book up every time I put it down. Just because my curiosity got the best of me and needed to see how it all unfolded. But that doesn't mean I was completely engaged and immersed into the story.
Another of the aspects that ticked me was the world-building as in the sense that it had barely any logic, or if it did it lost me on the way. I had to read certain revelations multiple times to truly understand what was happening and other times I didn't even bother. For a standalone, it's too complex and I constantly felt that the essence in the plot and universe were underdeveloped. The language, for once, which was confusing and tiring and basically random. The Slavonian and Russian mix of folklore. The endless unanswered questions I was left with: how does magic appear? What happens in the University? Why not show us Rosya? What is Agnieszka's connection to Baba Jaga? What does it mean for her and the other wizards and magic in general? As I said, underdeveloped and surface-deeply approached. In addition to all these, there were a plethora of wonderfully nuanced secondary characters that I would've loved to find out more about, Alosha and Solya in particular, but didn't get the chance.
There was a drop of romance and I selfishly wanted more. In spite of the action-focus and magic whirlwind, the ending gave my heart a few happy sighs and satisfying smiles and I need to admit I was fangirling. I'm guilty of falling for anything romance related.
“I wanted to rub handprints through his dust.”
The writing style was... weird. It had astounding potential and it attested Naomi Novik's skills at handling a fantasy world, but fitting it into a seventeen year old's school of thought was forced and somewhat artificial, its normally enrapturing nature being at odds with the redundancy of mundane thinking.
I can understand the enchantment surrounding Uprooted, but the colossal hype is beyond me. Or perhaps that was my undoing -- the fact that this hype had me expecting... more. Do not misunderstand me, it had everything I could have wanted, but my detachment from the plot grated on my nerves.
All in all, Uprooted was a different, but fascinating tale. I urge you to give it a try, even if it seems I downright hated it. Which I most certainly did not. On the contrary, I liked it a lot, just not enough to call it a favorite, but it was a thoroughly enjoyable read. What pains me is the fact that it could have been amazing, but settled for mediocrity.
I can still remember those days when Edelweiss popped up on everyone’s radar. I was among those that scored one of the first ARCs of Red Queen on the I can still remember those days when Edelweiss popped up on everyone’s radar. I was among those that scored one of the first ARCs of Red Queen on the site, many months before its release date. It was a book with so much hype, but it thankfully met and surpassed my expectations, signing me up for a long wait until the sequel. What I didn’t know at the time was that I was in store for a series I will forever hold dearly. And now, after four years, this series has come to a close. Throughout this time, it managed to remain among my favourites in a distinctively peculiar manner and it will now join other series I will never be able to part with completely. For this wonderful literary journey I must thank Victoria Aveyard – thank you for sharing your characters and world and words.
Looking back at what the previous three books built, War Storm is a satisfying conclusion. Neither perfect in its entirety nor perfect as a designated ending, it left the story at a partly open point, but one that tied many loose ends and solved the main plotline. As with all series conclusions, you’re bound to be biased in your appreciation for the last book considering what you desire as a resolution. It can make or break the whole series. But I sincerely think that all in all, it qualifies as a solid and good end.
“Break his crown, break his throne, rip his monarchy apart.”
I sometimes felt it was too long, but not in the sense that you could have cut out some filler parts that were dreadfully postponing the readers from reaching the next stage in the story. No, the feeling was more along the lines of the book being complex, with constant twists and turns, that I personally needed time to digest. It also might not have helped that I didn’t skim the prequels beforehand and I just jumped in it, trying to remember everyone and everything. Long story short, the first half didn’t quite hook me in. It might have been me, it might have been the general writing, but once pages passed by I was able to immerse myself so much better and I re-found the atmosphere I adored in the previous instalments.
Another aspect to consider is the fact that War Storm does offer what it promises – war – and this affects the pace, setting a quite tedious rhythm to events, especially when combined with back-and-forth games of politics. And it does so as accurately as it is possible in a technologically-advanced high fantasy fictional world. Unlike other books (I’m looking at you, ACOWAR), War Storm depicts messy and bloody war in a real fashion – battles upon battles, chains of changes of situation, constantly shifting alliances, smaller and bigger enemies alike, betrayals and elaborate and cold politics. And at the heart of it all lay those complicated things called duty, honour and sacrifice, making every decision weigh a ton. It was incredibly entertaining to see how suddenly the dynamics of war can change and also get a taste of the cunningness that underpins the process.
I’ve fangirled about my love for these characters for three reviews already so I’ll just highlight some new additions to their character development. I loved how Mare’s experience in King’s Cage was constantly acknowledged with many instances of PTSD. I loved how she was depicted strong and resolute and how she put her principles above all else, but I also appreciated how she was vulnerable in key moments and that she sometimes indulged in what the heart dictated. She was portrayed as human and she was her best self in this last instalment. A bit of Mare, a bit of Mareena, a lot of someone new.
“I am less than his crown, and he is less than my cause.”
The pattern of strong yet vulnerable women continues with Evangeline, whom I adored (not only) thanks to her subtle shenanigans. She was also caught in the crossfire of family and love and duty. Because of her choices and priorities and revelations I think she had the best development throughout the series.
Next was Iris, whom I didn’t really dislike, but I wasn’t exactly her biggest fan either. She was another omen to strong heroines, but despite us getting to see her side of the story, I could not resonate with her, especially since, plainly put, she was racist to her core and she showed no signs of change. Unlike Mare and Evangeline, she was powerful and stoic and a great poker face, but with only some remnants of hidden or robotic emotions proven.
Tiberias Calore stayed true to his character, upholding his reputation as an infuriating yet lovable young man. His naïveté shone through, but you cannot help but admire where that aspect comes from: the desire to do good, to make everyone happy, to protect his legacy, to meet everyone’s expectations... it’s tough. And intertwined with all these strings pulling him towards every direction, doing right by a certain girl is placed high among his priorities, whether he admits it or not. I was proud of him, although I also pitied him at certain moments. Regardless, my romantic heart cannot help but squee with joy whenever the kind idiot is around.
“We’re choosing not to choose.”
As with every previous book in this series, the Cal-Mare-Maven triangle that no longer resembles a triangle beyond the psychological spectrum is central to the plot. This is what happens with a war that has a deep personal background. Maven is... Maven. He’s a ghost. A puppet. A failed project. And his frayed edges constantly threatened to overthrow the little mental stability he amassed. We get to witness him at his lowest, experiencing panic and terror and surprise on new levels, but throughout all stages of his madness, he maintains his cleverness and ambition and manipulative traits. The what ifs of a parallel universe in which his mother left him untouched echo loudly from beginning till end. The direct interactions between the brothers are gut-wrenching and the contrast between Cal’s love and Maven’s emptiness is stark, not to mention how Maven affects the relationship between Cal and Mare, always haunting them both. They are all flawed in different ways, each one having scars the others inflicted. It was infinitely sad to watch their dynamic reach an unavoidable conclusion, especially since Cal still had an inkling of hope that he’ll get his beloved brother back.
“The last person who loves you isn’t standing in this room. He’s out there. And you burned that bridge to ashes.”
My issue with the actual ending of the ending, the one that will be etched into my memory as the finale of the story I embarked upon, is purely personal. I would have preferred the epilogue to be a few years in the future, with a more detailed outlook on what’s happening and how the status quo changed since the events of the book and how’s everyone doing and okay YES I WANTED TO SEE MY BABIES HAPPY, not be forced to use my imagination and hope for the best. I’m lazy like that. I usually don’t like open endings, Champion was an outlier in that respect, so I guess War Storm follows the same pattern. But I can see people being perfectly content with what they have been given. Nonetheless, Aveyard could definitely pull the spin off card on us as I feel some matters that were in dire need to be addressed (reform, combating racism thoroughly etc.) were swept under the rug or just tossed in the post-series unknown.
As always, Aveyard’s writing is top notch. I especially loved her world-building of Montfort and the Lakelands’ traditions of nameless gods. The undertones of race, gender and sexuality equality were highlighted yet again, but more forcibly this time — a welcomed move. Then there were the plethora of characters’ POVs, brought into play to offer a multidimensional overview of how the story unfolds, allowing the reader to keep up with the many developments of the plot spanning a vast cast and an even wider area. Her secondary characters were once again masterfully nuanced (special mentions: Davidson and Ptolemeus who were awesome) and some scenes were so thick with tension I was amazed.
It’s hard to say goodbye, but War Storm was a worthy finale. If you still haven’t read this series, then please go to the nearest bookstore and remedy your unfortunate situation, as it is one of the best.
Beatiful, beautiful, beautiful. I was frustrated, happy, shocked, angry, in love, joyous, heartbroken, sad, exhilarated and awed -- I experienced everBeatiful, beautiful, beautiful. I was frustrated, happy, shocked, angry, in love, joyous, heartbroken, sad, exhilarated and awed -- I experienced everything on the emotional palette because this was such a great, solid conclusion. I wanted more, perhaps an epilogue to make my greedy heart satisfied but I guess the cleverness and mastery of the book will have to suffice. Lia, there are no words for the sheer badassery. Rafe, you almost-insufferable-at-times and lovable piece of star-hung perfection. Kaden, you precious cinnamon roll. Pauline, just wow. And then there's SO MUCH MORE. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. ...more
“So long as you fight the darkness, you stand in the light.”
A Torch Against the Night is the very glorious sequel I had expected from Sabaa Tahir.“So long as you fight the darkness, you stand in the light.”
A Torch Against the Night is the very glorious sequel I had expected from Sabaa Tahir. But what distinguishes itself from its prequel is the otherworldliness of it. The breath of Death on our characters' necks. The villain(s) that are evil incarnate. The idea of a prescribed destiny. The new abilities and powers. The demons, the stories, the souls -- everything combines with a well-built plot, an expanded universe and realistic, flawed portrayals of characters in order to deliver the best kind of chills.
From the very first page, we're thrust back into Tahir's fictional world quite violently. Starting exactly where Ember ended, we're reminded of the stakes, the world and the unnatural. Plus Elias and Laia's slow burn, sizzling chemistry.
I had initially rated this book with 5 stars, but I ended up changing it because no matter how much I loved how it all unfolded, I had to admit there was something irking me: the inconsistency of the pace. The plot unravels with several ramifications that, at first glance, only deter from the main storyline. Or at least the one I deemed main in my head. Raider's Roost. Nur. The Waiting Place. All the back and forth between Antium and the countryside. But they did enrich a captivating world, so I partly appreciated it. However, I still found myself wishing more exciting things happened. And I can guarantee that's what is probably going to happen in the third novel, because wheels have been finally been put into motion.
Regardless, there is a sort of redundancy in both Elias and Helene's POVs as they both battle their own demons. Which is the only flaw of this book, in my opinion.
If you had any inkling of love for Elias in the first book, then prepare yourself for full-on worship and adoration. This sequel painted him in true hero colors, highlighting his altruism, his devotion, his intensity and, most of all, his fairness. There was a particular character development that broke my heart which I hope somehow will be reversed by the end of the series because from the beginning I had the image of Elias and Laia as Emperor and Empress stuck on my retina, with Helene as Blood Shrike. I also need to mention his amazing dynamic with his adoptive family which was a wonder to see. SO BEAUTIFUL.
This time around, Laia makes a lot of mistakes. Disastrous one after disastrous one. But I liked that instead of drowning in guilt, she turned a critical eye against her actions and learned from them. Betrayals change her. New allies shape her. And love strengthens her.
“It takes only a split second for life to go horribly wrong. To fix the mess, I need a thousand things to go right. The distance from one bit of luck to the next feels as great as the distance across oceans. But, I decide in this moment, I will bridge that distance, again and again, until I win. I will not fail.”
Helene Aquilla, however, was incredible. I didn't think it was possible to love her more than I did in Ember, but I was so wrong. She grows a lot in this installment, through emotional hardships that plague her at every step. Her whole journey is a turning point, the stepping stone for her maturity. The question of duty vs. heart remains deeply rooted into her persona and heartbreak shapes her anew in an astounding, almost terrifying image. I cannot wait to see how this colder, broken, hollowed Helene is going to enact her revenge and show the world her wrath. After all, the title of this book is an omen to the fire in Helene Aquilla.
“But you, Helene Aquilla, are no swift-burning spark. You are a torch against the night - if you dare to let yourself burn.”
The matter of the 'love-square' as I like to call it is entirely resolved by the end of the novel. At least I think so. Or just let's go ahead and call it a pseudo-love-triangle because even though the focus is on an almost-pair that has my heart bursting with joy, the possibility of old flames coming to life yet again is not wholly crushed because feelings of mutual love still reside in a back corner, even though they are one of deep friendship. But the romance situation resolves messily and I was displeased (or better yet, uncertain) of how the story developed on a couple of occasions.
“Failure doesn’t define you. It’s what you do after you fail that determines whether you are a leader or a waste of perfectly good air.”
By far, the most compelling aspects of this continuation are the villains. The Commandant manages to upgrade her bitch title to the one of ultimate bitch. I swear, I haven't read such a beautifully written bad character in a long time, one that thrives on power and bloodshed, on gore and brutality and perennial violence. It was fascinating and utterly horrifying to witness how easily she can make a whole nation crumble.
The Warden is a new bad guy but immensely intriguing in his sadistic ways. The Nightbringer establishes himself as a layered, complex character that is not as straightforward as one might think. Honestly, I do not know what to further expect from him because his involvement in this book is jaw-dropping.
Another one of the most intriguing characters of the whole book is Marcus. I loved his cunningness and his... cleverness, I suppose, even if he's not one of the good guys. It was one of those instances where you can just clap to the performance, but be glad he's just fictional.
Other things worth mentioning: the Aquilla family; Avitas Harper (omg you're gonna love him and I hope he plays a bigger part in the following books); KEENAN HOLY SHIT KEENAN; Izzzzzzyyyyyy; COOK; Shaeva (oh, sweetie); Afya, the most badass and honorable Zaldara ever; Elias with children around -- you're not up to it, I'm telling you.
The wait until 2018 will be a torturous one, because A Torch Against the Night moved all the right pieces to make my heart crack and crave more destruction. Thrilling, captivating and intelligently written, this sequel cemented the status of this series as a 'MUST-READ' so I urge you to read it the first chance you've got.
Feel the raindrops? Those are my tears from now until September 22. Feel the wind? That's the hype of this book. See the stars? Those are all Six of Crows'. Saints of Ravka and Djel, thank you for Sankta Leigh Bardugo. Sankta Leigh Bardugo, thank you for Six of Crows. Extraordinary literature, thy name is Six of Crows.
First thing you should know about this book is that there are six main characters, some of them more 'main' than others (does that make sense?). And while you might believe 6 goddamn characters and perspectives it's a bit outlandish and over the top, trust me when I say that IT'S NOT. IT'S PERFECT and every single one of these characters are perfect in their own way and you'll love them all!
Second thing you should know is that this spin-off is an expansion of the Grisha dimension, that one world so deeply enchanting and seductive and mythical you'd wish for it to be real in spite of some potential deadly creatures. While I don't necessarily think you should read SoC after the original trilogy, I believe it's more logical, easier and satisfactory. Plus, you get to meet the Darkling and that's a highlight on anyone's list.
I didn't know what to expect of this ramification. Initially, Kerch did not seem appealing. A heist was so ordinary when compared to Alina's lavish adventures. And thieves were no substitute for my lovely Grisha. And there was no Nikolai, no Alina, no Zoya, no Mal (I actually missed him), no Darkling, no Ravka, no nothing and no no one. But now I've read it and K-BOOM, life revelation:
Why have I not read this sooner? Whyyyy? (Nevermind, I saw the release date for Crooked Kingdom. I'm happy, thanks.)
“No mourners. No funerals.”
If you expected a book similar to Shadow & Bone, you're looking the wrong way. Six of Crows is so different in terms of atmosphere, world-building (yeah, I know they're both in the same universe but still) and plot. It's like suddenly the magical and medieval times of S&B were upgraded to modern, bleak ones. Crime is the dominant etho and the dark undertones set a bone-chilling emotion to the readers. Danger, death, debts to pay, gangs, slums, dark streets and corners and lots of dreams of getting rich -- this was no direct plot for saving the world (although indirectly it achieves that), but a scheme of greed and desire. Emphasizing the degradation of humanity also helped build the tone of the book, because our beloved characters? Yeah, they're far from saints and angels.
“Greed is your god, Kaz.” He almost laughed at that. “No, Inej. Greed bows to me. It is my servant and my lever.” “And what god do you serve, then?” “Whichever will grant me good fortune.” “I don’t think gods work that way.” “I don’t think I care.”
Long story short, Kaz Brekker, a notorious young criminal, assembles a team to strike the thief of a century -- stealing a scientist that created a Grisha drug from the most secure prison, the Ice Court. The whole adventure is fast-paced, surprising and thrilling.
Leigh Bardugo achieved a tremendous task: crafting six distinct voices that provide a multitude of angles from which to view the story. Not one instance did it feel repetitive, confusing or unnecessary. The narratives overlapped in some places, but only to bring new details, cover parallel scenes or simply to fill in some gaps.
Meet Kaz, Inej, Nina, Matthias, Jesper and Wylan. A bunch of pretty compelling characters. But I'll start with the ladies because they, ladies and gentlemen, they are the fire and soul of this novel. They are badass, empowering and confident. Nina, in particular, wowed me with her development. Her kind heart, feisty demeanor and altruism conveyed a strong young woman. I was even more in awe of her because she was Grisha and I love all things Grisha, but that I believe is besides the point.
Inej was lovable from the start and oh so mysterious. She had a certain allure that just hooks you in. A creature of opposites, if you wish. Shy, yet renowned. Small and delicate, but deadly. Rational and wise, yet a hopeful. The Wraith is silent, lethal and beautiful inside and out. Quite possibly, she must be cursed, because all sorts of predicaments seem to be drawn to her persona.
Matthias Helvar remains a man of honor, of justice, of fairness and of loyalty to the good. The Fjerdan has to constantly battle the contempt for Grisha, feeling like he's drowning in an ocean of self-hate with every step he does to betray his country. Brave and traditionalist, Matthias is quite the male hero.
Wylan was like a very cute and very soft puppy. Innocent, adorable and with his fair share of sadness etched into his being, he surprised me with how well he got into this peculiar group by the end.
Jesper completed this astonishing palette of fictional souls. He was marvelously hilarious, his whole behavior cracked me up and I'm always a sucker for laughs. On top of that, he's mercilessly teasing, but a great friend.
"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."
However, not one single character intrigued me as much Kaz did. I hoped for someone Darkling-esque, and I while I didn't exactly get my wish, he was the best replacement. Layers upon layers of hatred, mystery and revenge. Deep, sorrowful thoughts. Brilliance, determination and emotional scars. His past slayed me and his demons unraveled in his numerous flaws. I simply loved the guy, but we still got some walls to tear down -- or rather, Inej has because dayum she shatters him like no other.
“I will have you without armor, Kaz Brekker. Or I will not have you at all.”
The romance was a killer. We have 3 almost-pairs and, consequently, the tension is off the charts. Yet they're so different in terms of dynamics. Nina and Matthias are like soul mates. Wylan and Jesper are the sparks -- also kudos for gay pair, Bardugo. And Inej and Kaz are the epitome of slow burn, a love that can heal and a love that transform. It was all just beautiful to watch unfold.
“Stay,” she panted. Tears leaked from her eyes. “Stay till the end.” “And after,” he said. “And always.” “I want to feel safe again. I want to go home to Ravka.” “Then I’ll take you there. We’ll set fire to raisins or whatever you heathens do for fun.” “Zealot,” she said weakly. “Witch.” “Barbarian.” “Nina,” he whispered, “little red bird. Don’t go.”
The world we explored was barely familiar, because we ventured in new places such as Fjerda and Kerch. The cultural pluralism came alive by adding Ravkan, Suli, Zemeni and Shu threads here and there. All was done phenomenally, especially the hardships of Grisha throughout the universe, how their special affinities can doom or lift them to new heights. Prejudices, discrimination and hatred so very heart-stopping.
The ending was an epic one. Somewhat of a semi-cliffhanger, it prepared the grounds for the sequel, assuring us of the same intensity and thrill. Not to mention the values emphasized were companionship and love and cunningness. I'M SO HYPED UP FOR WHAT'S TO COME, because I'm sure the next book will provide equally jaw-dropping moments, edge of your seat action scenes and hot kiddy kissy times (lots of those, please). Oh, and Kaz with his I’m gonna get my money and my girl left me swooning.
My teeny tiny teensy issue with this book was its first half or so. For some reason unbeknownst to me, I did not feel as enthralled by the story as much as I would've hoped nor did I feel that peculiar need TO STOP BREATHING UNTIL THE BOOK'S FINISHED. Nope. I put it down often, with a lot of time in between reading sessions, eventually picking it up when I had the opportunity to immerse myself back into the Grisha universe. But oh I devoured the second half because that's when things got REALZZZ and suddenly there was no air and and and poof the book's finished. Let me proceed to the corner and cry myself into an oblivion filled with Kaz Brekker dreams.
Six of Crows is a masterful story, highly addictive and ingenious, with twists and turns, remnants of revenge and cleverness. It's a con of the heart. A thief of breath. An edgy criminal. Won't believe it till you read it? Well then, I dare you -- take the deal.
As soon as I finished The Orphan Queen, I dreamed about The Mirror King and I wanted it like yesterday. And, surprisingly, I got it back in S3.5 Stars
As soon as I finished The Orphan Queen, I dreamed about The Mirror King and I wanted it like yesterday. And, surprisingly, I got it back in September -- thanks to the Edelweiss gods. And then I read. And read. And read. But I was in no way invested into the story. I was probably not in the right mood, but suffice it to say, I dropped it at 43%. Still kept it on my currently reading shelf though. And now that it was finally published, my conscience dictated -- get your shit together and finish the damn book.
There were several big flaws that led to the initial dropping. First and foremost, the first half was, simply put, B-O-R-I-N-G. Uninteresting. Moving at a snail's pace and without an adequate plot. Not even Tobiah's and Wil's sexy chemistry were able to keep me glued to the pages -- the situation there was already effing weird since Tobiah was on his way to marrying Meredith, which I quite liked. Coming back though, there was a clear juxtaposition of mere secondary plot lines thrown into our faces without bringing out the big guns. Imagine, I was downright disappointed.
Secondly, the problem that irked me to no end was how the romantic closure was handled, I mean -- come on, we all knew and expected that Tobiah and Wil will somehow end up together; it's just one of that predictable aspects every series has. AND I WAS PUMPED FOR THAT. But still, even if the cliche is there, you wish for it to be handled in a clever manner. And that is certainly not what happened in TMK. It's the reason why I dropped it, the reason why I thought I'd DNF it. Because it angered me, disgusted me and simply left me speechless at such a crap way of twisting the plot to the author's liking. I wanted something plausible, something sneaky, not something so straight-cut it's basely. I was pissed off and thank goodness I was because in the end that's what prompted me to give it another shot and another go -- which, in turn, culminated with a higher rating than the one I would've given it if finished then (probably 1 or 2 stars).
Thirdly, Wil -- she was stupid stupid stupid. Not on the whole -- she had a fantastic character development, she was standing her ground, becoming a young and fair leader; kind, resourceful, bold, all attributes a queen should have and I admired her for her queen like demeanor.
No, she was stupid in one department only -- her relationship or rather her communication with the wraith boy, Chrysalis. Everything that went awry in the first part, eye-roll inducingly so, could have been avoided if she had sit down, overcome her prejudices and understand and unravel this creature she conjured into being. Living under the impression that by locking him away into a closet all problems would be solved only managed to render her an idiot and trigger lousy plot-developments. I was embarrassed by her embarrassment, for goodness's sake!
Thank the heavens, that also changed once we crossed the half threshold. I'm not kidding, it was like a totally different book, at least that's the vibe I got. Suddenly, the book was unputdownable. I was hooked. I was enjoying the political undertones and Aecor's dilemma of red vs blue. And, most importantly, I loved seeing Wil develop on her own, separated from Tobiah, proving that she's just and has lots of integrity.
Not to mention those two jaw-dropping twists I seriously did not see coming -- James; Tobiah. The one concerning James I prepared myself for since it was hinted at from the prequel, but I didn't have a clue what it could possibly be about. And oh dios mio! That kind of revelation messes with your head. And I was instantly grateful I finally found the cleverness I wanted woven into the plot.
The Tobiah one, on the other hand, left me shell-shocked. I had to pick up the remains of my mind after being blown away. Consequently, these two twists combined to offer surprises in a wonderful manner.
I'm not gonna lie, the wraith business felt all over the place during both books. No rules, no clear understanding of how it works, how it can be fought and how it must be approached. Add Chrysalis into the mix and, essentially, the weirdness is at a whole other level. It did provide thrills, however. And honestly, this particular spin on magic was compelling. It's just, you know, a superficially constructed "villain".
Other things I should mention: I liked the tension that Prince Colin and Patrick brought to the story and I loved a certain brilliant (although gut-wrenching at the time) twist that enabled Wil to inherit what was rightfully hers. Melanie and the remaining Ospreys were nice and supportive. Meredith was a great character as well. James was from another planet, because he was practically perfect. It was like seeing Chaol under a new personality. On top of that, his dynamic with Tobiah was all Chaol and Dorian, Dorian and Chaol and my heart was quadrupling itself whenever they were around each other. Also, the friendship between James and Wil was sweet and gave me giddy feels.
Despite my issues with the romance, I did not hate THE ROMANCE. You get me? That I adored. Tobiah and Wil are so head over heels in love with each other and the few and far off between times in which they got hot and busy were deliciously torturing and addictive. They truly complete each other. THE SHIP HAS LANDED IN THE HARBOR AND MY SOUL SINGS SERENADES.
“I want every part of you. The nameless girl. The Osprey. The vigilante. The queen. Wilhelmina, you have a hundred identities and I love every one of them.”
But oh those final scenes killed me from so many points of view. First, there was a sob fest and I wanted to hide under the covers and cry for the rest of the night. Prepare yourself, it's cruel. Afterwards there was an avalanche of heartwarming, fuzzy FEELS starting from the idea of an army of tiny vigilantes and that freaking perfect list that had me grinning like a moron. I was in LA-LA-LAND. So happy and satisfied. It was a good, strong conclusion, with the emotional turmoil set to make it unforgettable at least for a while.
For all its faults, I still loved this book. It just occurred to me that was my same stance on the first installment. It's kind of my guilty pleasure -- enrapturing, chaotic and eternally romantic. The Mirror King has the subtle magic of a light, entertaining read and the icing on the cake is that it has flavors of forbidden love, political schism and innovation. Proper tasty, indeed.
“There is no such thing as bad people. We’re all just people who sometimes do bad things.”
I am a mess. Torn. So, so goddamn conflicted. Broken ov“There is no such thing as bad people. We’re all just people who sometimes do bad things.”
I am a mess. Torn. So, so goddamn conflicted. Broken over the what-ifs of this book. Filled with sorrow. Proud.
I feel manipulated. Tricked. Heartbroken. Educated. Thankful. Mindfucked.
It Ends With Us is nothing like I’ve ever read. It certainly isn’t like any other novel Colleen Hoover has written. The word ‘DIFFERENT’ is just etched into its very essence. I feel like Colleen put part of her story and her soul on a silver platter for us to observe and draw our own conclusions from it and this also became evident within the Author’s Note which, by the way, I wholeheartedly encourage you to read. Hell, no. Scratch that. I WHOLEHEARTEDLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO READ IT ENDS WITH US. Not because of the hype. Not because of the romance. Not because of Colleen’s awesome writing skills.
But because of the message.
I cannot guarantee you’ll love it. I’m definitely far from loving it and I don’t even think it’s Colleen’s best work. This is the second book that’s ever made me feel the ‘I-love-it-but-I-hate-it’ vibes, the first being Dusty. I rated that one with 3 stars because based on my logic 1 star equals hate and 5 stars equate to love so the average of 3 will do. But I rated IEWU with a full 5 stars rating because if there’s one word to describe this book, then it’s EMPOWERING. And WOMEN EMPOWERMENT deserves 5 stars any given day. Plus, its unraveling is perfect.
Without being spoilery, I will say this: this book is heavy. This book knifes your heart and twists it until you bleed all your pre-conceived ideas about certain topics straight out the window. I loved Lily. I loved Ryle. But most of all, I loved Lily & Ryle. Their relationship is so complex and layered and I was overwhelmed with feelings at just how perfect they were together. I laughed, I smiled, I felt my heart catch wings and head into the clouds. And then I cried buckets. Then there’s Atlas, which I did not fall in love with, but he just fit the puzzle perfectly and after a while I found him so lovable as well. And yes, I loved Lily & Atlas too. They were like a weak but brilliant rainbow after a storm.
“In the future . . . if by some miracle you ever find yourself in the position to fall in love again . . . fall in love with me.”
Now, now, don’t rush and believe this is some love triangle. I just feel evil now and I will say that YOU HAVE NO FUCKING IDEA MUHAHA.*sobs*
I’m not saying more because you should definitely head in blind with this one, as I did. Honorary mentions are needed, however: Alyssa, I swear, she’s the best friend I could possibly imagine; I cannot comprehend how difficult it must have been to say and do some things considering the unique dynamics of her with the other characters; Marshall was another great addition that simply showed how easily men can empower women too; and Lily’s mother is a glorious character.
And I will share this: there was one particular scene that left me crying like there’s no tomorrow. The last hospital scene. That beautiful and so very ugly and just 100% gut-wrenching scene. Where decisions were made in the hopes of a better future. Where letting go was worth the love you’ve built piece by piece. Where the cycle of history stopped. Where I had to put the book down and start a sobfest. It gutted me, completely and utterly gutted me.
“And as hard as this choice is, we break the pattern before the pattern breaks us.”
I read this book in 5 hours. I finished it 24 hours ago. I still can’t stop thinking about it and my stomach is still churning like ashes have taken residence there. I’m an emotional mess. I feel unsatisfied, yet content. Enraged, yet peaceful. This book shows the good, the bad, the in-between. It shows life and love and hatred. It shows how love can become a poison. It shows how love can shackle and hurt, but also save and heal. Honestly, it blew my mind. It doesn’t matter that it made me uncomfortable or that it made me wish things ended up differently. This story needed to exist exactly as it is no matter how broken my heart feels. It is brave and bold.
It’s an eye-opener. I realized upon reading that I might have been indifferent or dismissive or downright judgmental regarding some statistics (this sounds weird, I know, but you’ll get it once you read). I never fully grasped some scenarios or some perspectives, but It Ends With Us changed that. It changed me, undoubtedly.
And for that, thank you, Colleen. Thank you, Lily. Thank you for making me a better person.
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