The first time I read City of Bones I rated it 5 ★'s. This was way back in 2012. When I had just started getting into reading. I was a late bloomer loThe first time I read City of Bones I rated it 5 ★'s. This was way back in 2012. When I had just started getting into reading. I was a late bloomer lol.
Eight years later, I figured a reread was finally in order. This time around I'm only giving it 4 ★'s.
“It happened during midnight as often these things do, when the night was as black as a raven’s wing and the full moon shimmered blue…”
Beca4 Magical ★'s
“It happened during midnight as often these things do, when the night was as black as a raven’s wing and the full moon shimmered blue…”
Because you're the making of a knight! [image]
➽I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through Hidden Gems Books.
I really enjoyed this a lot. I love that it's written in verse and it all flowed so perfectly together. This story is simple yet magical. It's mainly written for middle-grade readers but really I think any age would enjoy it :) It gives such mystical vibes and makes you believe. Believe that anything is possible if you just find the courage we all carry inside ourselves. The characters face hardship, fears, magical beings and creatures alike and adventures. The hero Caramath was very likable. He was kind, smart, loyal and so so brave. The dragon was such a nice touch too because really... who doesn't love a tale with dragons? I will definitely be reading this one again and soon. Recommend!!!...more
I usually don't enjoy novellas all that much. They usually bore me, still, I read them anyway because they are quick to read. I am so happy I read thiI usually don't enjoy novellas all that much. They usually bore me, still, I read them anyway because they are quick to read. I am so happy I read this.
Destroy Me (Shatter Me #1.5) Warner's POV ★★★★★
“Watching her talk to someone else made me crazy. I was jealous. Ridiculous. I wanted her to know me; I wanted her to talk to me. And I felt it then: this strange, inexplicable sense that she might be the only person in the world I could really care about.”
If I thought I was intrigued by Warner in Shatter Me, I have fallen so completely for him now. Just like I thought, there is just so much more to him then what meets the eye. He is not all malice and heartlessness, it's what he was taught and molded into. But if given the chance, people might just surprise you. I loved that we got a chance to be inside Warner's head. It's always refreshing when we get insight into another character's mind and a look into their soul. I love complex characters so much and I love Warner even MORE!!! :D
Warner... *sighhh [image]
“This girl is destroying me. A girl who has spent the last year in an insane asylum. A girl who would try to shoot me dead for kissing her. A girl who ran off with another man just to get away from me. Of course, this is the girl I would fall for. I close a hand over my mouth. I am losing my mind.”
[image]
Fracture Me (Shatter Me #2.5) Adam's POV ★★★
“All I can think is how horrible and beautiful it is, that our eyes blur the truth when we can't bear to see it.”
Ugh... I wonder how I ever like this guy? Seriously how?? Adam is so broody and is an annoyingly negative ass, who whines way to freaking much. He doesn't believe in anything, NOT in the people of Omega Point, NOT in their cause and he sure as HELL doesn't believe in Juliette! I can't stand how much he underestimates Juliette all the time, or the way he acts like she's a porcelain doll that can easily be broken, and the way he doubts the control of her powers and how deep down he's afraid of what her touch could do. I swear he acts as if he's better and could do a better job then everyone else and yet... he does nothing!! There are a few sad bits like the parts with Adam and his little brother James, and the loss of so many people and the loss of Omega Point. Things quickly go from bad to worse, and there were so much destruction and devastation in the wake of the battle against the Reestablishment. This really didn't do much for his character. My feelings for Adam aside, I am glad I read this because it was nice getting insight into what happened after Juliette was taken by Anderson's men but I wish it was in Kenji POV instead. I do NOT like him! Adam is all kinds of wrong for Juliette.
“Every day we feel further apart. And sometimes I think the harder I try to hold on, the more she tries to break away.” [image]...more
“She was happy, yes, in her own way, as best as she knew. But the***I reviewed both books individually.***
Book One: Oueen Song - ★★★★★'s
Heart Breaking
“She was happy, yes, in her own way, as best as she knew. But there’s a difference between a single candle in darkness and a sunrise.”
Oh my goodness, this was so darn sad! From beginning to end I felt my heart getting heavier and heavier with heartache for Coriane. That poor girl, she was so sweet and had such a gentle soul. She didn't deserve all the shit she had to suffer through. Elara as we already knew was an evil corrupted bitch but this really shows just how black her heart and her soul really was, all to win a Crown!!! It was also nice getting to see that Prince Tibe chose Coriane because he truly unwaveringly loved her, Queenstrial be damned! It also gives us a better understanding as to why he favored Cal so much. Because Cal was all he had felt of the Women he loved. Coriane had so much love for baby Cal. Cal was her light on her darkest of days. Ugh just writing this is making me sad all over again 😭. I love the way this was written, it really drew me in and I couldn't read it fast enough. Hell, I wish it was a LOT longer. [image]
Book Two: Steel Scars - ★★'s
Red as the dawn
“Will you oath yourself to the Scarlet Guard?” “On one condition.” “The Guard does not bargain.” “This isn't a request to the Guard, but to you.” “And that is?” "What's your name?” “My name is Diana... Are you with us, Shade Barrow?" “I'm with you, Diana.” “Then we will rise.” “Red as the dawn.”
Novellas have never been my thing but I was really hoping this would be as good as Queen Song (o.1) but it wasn't. Anyways, that being said this is from Farleys POV. I was never truly invested in her character/story nor was she ever a favorite character of mine but... it was kinda cool being able to see some earlier operations that lead up to Red Queen. I loved getting to seeing how Farley and Shade met. I've always loved Shade and I wish Victoria Aveyard would have pushed that further. For the most part, I found it to be repetitive and boring. Wish this was Shades POV instead....more
“I want you. Don't you know my heart beats only for you? Lightning struck me at the first sight of you.” [ima1 My mate! My female! My future queen!★'s
“I want you. Don't you know my heart beats only for you? Lightning struck me at the first sight of you.” [image] [image] This is not Young Adult (for mature readers only)
*Listening Length: 6 hours and 31 minutes*
I hadn't planned on reading the second addition to The First Witch but of freaking course, it just had to end on a cliffhanger 😭 so I forced myself to read it and I dreaded every last second of it!!! UGH... These two books are just so horrible. I finished this a couple of months ago and I'm just now getting around to writing a review. I guess you can say, I'm tired of writing negative reviews already this year. It has really put me in a reading slump. Therefore this will be short and to the point.
The writing is mediocre, the world building nonexistent, and the characters were flat, boring, predictable, and uninteresting. Especially the main female character Freyja, I couldn't stand her sultry, manipulative ways. She was annoying, whiney, self-absorbed, jealous, and immature. All around one of the worst protagonist I have ever not had the pleasure of reading. All the sex scenes between Freyja and Ares is ridiculously awkward, and unbelievable. Really all the sexual innuendo's are distasteful and unnecessary.
The only things I didn't necessarily hate was the wolf pack, Merlin, Lucas the shifter, and Ventus and the other three guardians Ignis, Glacies, and Mettalum. The Guardians are alligator-like creatures with enormous wings of talons and tails that could impale a man with one strike and are covered in scales (aka Dragons).
Really everything in this duology leaves nothing to be desired and there's no reason these should have been separated into two short ass books. A big waste of my time and this will be the last book I read by Meg Xuemei X.
*I read the audiobook version and although I didn't like the book that doesn't mean Victoria Mei (the Narrator) didn't do a fantastic job with what she had to work with...because she did.
➽Read at your own risk of boredom and extream eye rolling. [image] [image]...more
“You'll be queen to a great, new nation. Do not be ashamed of your legacy for any reason. You don't know h2 A new age is coming, and a new storm. ★'s
“You'll be queen to a great, new nation. Do not be ashamed of your legacy for any reason. You don't know how important you are to the universe—own it.” [image] [image] This is not Young Adult (for mature reader only)
*Listening Length: 4 hours and 51 minutes*
Wow! Okay. Where to start...? I have been putting off writing this review for two reasons: 1) because I'm tired of writing bad reviews already this year and 2) this book isn't worth my time. Yet here I finally am. (Yayyy *sarcasm*) I decided to read The Dragonian's Witch for the Author Alphabet Challenge I'm working on. I couldn't find much for (X). Anyways, This book really wasn't for me. I don't think I could have rolled my eyes any further to the back of my head. Honestly, I saw my brain at one point! Haha
Though this is a fast-paced read the writing felt mediocre, the world building wasn't much better, and the characters were flat, annoying, predictable and uninteresting. The sex scenes are ridiculously awkward, unbelievable and really all the sexual innuendo was distasteful and unnecessary.
The Dragonian's Witch is a mashup of so many genres. Maybe too many? IDK. It has a bit of fantasy, mythologies, paranormal, science fiction, history, and romance. It was magical and mystical. I think maybe there were just too many things going on. It also has a lot of other different elements to it like witches, Dragonian's, shifters, wolves, humans, angels, hybrid species, dragons, and so on.
Freyja—Wolf Girl—Frist Witch
Freyja is the main female character. She is the First Witch, half human/half angel. Her father was the evil King (angel) who was killed during the war. Living in the forest with her pack of wolves, Blaez (white Alpha), Lenka, Ty-Ohni and Hó’nehe. Freyja has been being hunted down by angels ever since. Unfortunately, I really didn't like her much, she was supposed to be this strong badass (First Witch) but she acted like an annoying, cold-hearted, whiney, spoiled child.
As for the Dragonian Prince, Ares Darken is a brut who comes across as an entitled possessive arrogant ass. Yeah, I didn't really care for him much either. Ares was told by the oracle that the wolf girl would lead him to 'his mate' the First Witch. Little did he know that Freyja was she. Fighting his attraction and desires for her so not to be unfaithful to his mate. Freyja leads him and his companions on a wild goose chase. Despite her own pull and desires, she refuses to tell Ares who she really is until he chooses her over the first witch. Which kinda drove me crazy and seriously had me wanting to strangle her because hello you stupid stupid girl, YOU ARE THE FIRST WITCH!!! I hate how she acted like the First Witch was a completely different entity from her. Though I will admit her idiotic jealousy over the First Witch was really funny at first it got old real quick. She also tries to escape over and over and over...again.
The only redeeming quality of this story but not by much was the wolf pack, the druid Merlin, Lucas the shifter, and Ventus and the other guardians Ignis, Glacies, and Mettalum. In which each one has their own abilities.
•Ventus—Guardian of Wind •Ignis—Guardian of Fire •Glacies—Guardian of Ice •Mettalum—Guardian of Metal
The Guardians are described as alligator-like creatures with enormous wings of talons and tails that could impale a man with one strike and are covered in scales. (Dragons)
Ventus is one of my favorite characters and I absolutely adored all of the other guardian's too! Lucas was so sweet and charming and he could change into a black panther. And lastly, I really really liked Merlin. He was very mysterious and made for a wonderful addition. I just wish there would have been MORE of him but sadly he has a small part.
All of this is crammed into this very short book and I hate that it was divided into two separate ones. It should be one damn book. Ugh, and on top of that, it ended on a freaking cliff hanger. So much for my wonderful plan of skipping The Witch's Consort (book #2) 😭😭😭. This is so so so not worth buying. Thank goodness I didn't have too. Also, this is not something I'd recommend. So if you do plan on reading it I wish you the best of luck. You've been warned!
*I read the audiobook version and although I didn't like the book that doesn't mean Kate Marcin (the Narrator) didn't do a fantastic job because she did. I love the way she narrates :)* [image]...more
“But I won't. I won't run when that means abandoning the people depending on me. I won't run when we've been told wha1 Behind them, Delos Fell ★'s
“But I won't. I won't run when that means abandoning the people depending on me. I won't run when we've been told what will happen to the people of Delos. I won't run, because who are they to tell me to run?” [image] Buddy read with Nancy :)
“You know how this ends. With me escaping and giving you what you deserve.”
Not only does Hero, Traitor, Daughter have one of the ugliest covers but holy hell this entire book was... Bloody horrific!!! I had to force myself to keep reading this garbage and about quit several times. This book irritated me so badly that I seriously got a headache and worse reading this made me wanna bash my head into a wall. This was the shortest book yet in the series and all 187 pages were one big boring EPIC BATTLE only there is NOTHING epic about it. Ooooh and don't even get me started on the same damn characters being captured/escaping once again. Seriously around and around and around these books go always winding up back at the beginning, never truly moving forward and always with the same people. At this point, I don't really even like ANY of the characters anymore. God's they are ALL idiots and shouldn't be alive. Soooo predictable and the absolute most unbelievable stuff happens.
Me during reading this. [image] [image] [image] And me by the end of this madness! [image] [image]
If you value your sanity at all I do NOT recommend this series to anyone! [image]...more
“Even the strongest must acknowledge the favor of the gods.” [image] Buddy read with Nancy :)
“Risking your1 There is always someone stronger ★'s
“Even the strongest must acknowledge the favor of the gods.” [image] Buddy read with Nancy :)
“Risking yourself is what you do for friends.”
I really don't care at this point! This series is entirely way to freaking drawn out and I wanna cry because there is still one book left. Someone, please kill me NOW! I just need this torture to be over!! With that being said I am NOT going to write a long or even a very good review! I mean holy crap I am to the point where I really just don't care anymore.
Once AGAIN... It's lacking any originality whatsoever. The storyline, the world-building, the characters everything is just so bland, boring, UNBELIEVABLE, PREDICTABLE and not entirely thought out, in my opinion. It's like each book gets worse and worse! Everything is just sped over and the details are always lacking when they need/should to count. Ruler, Rival, Exile really irritated me and some of the stuff that happens is just soooooo stupid and so far fetched! I have lost ANY connection to the characters because each book after the 1st one (Slave, Warrior, Queen) I realized none of them change and honestly, they are all such freaking idiots! Where is the development??? I don't even care about my ship anymore, how sad is that?
Hmm. Well, I think I said enough here. I just don't care anymore!!! Moving on to my next/LAST review for this series thank the gods!!! [image] [image]...more
“The living didn't matter except as far as they were useful to fulfill the wishes of the dead” [image] Buddy read with1 Fate shifts and changes ★'s
“The living didn't matter except as far as they were useful to fulfill the wishes of the dead” [image] Buddy read with Nancy :)
“I think it's only the beginning.”
OMFG!!! Is this series really OVER...? Na-uh, I don't believe it! It is seriously? Oh, thank the freaking gods!
This is the very first series I have read by Morgan Rice and I'm sorry to say this but it's also going to be my last! This was some of the worst kinds of torture. I had the hardest time getting through this book/series and if I'm honest I did a whole lot of page skimming on this last one because I just couldn't do it! Of Crowns and Glory is probably the most horrible series I have ever read!!! Like EVER!! I can't wrap my head around how anyone could have possible loved this series. The entire damn thing was just lacking anything worthwhile. Each and every book was pretty much a repeat of the last and the WHOLE thing was extremely predictable and unrealistic. I had to force myself to keep reading this garbage and I about quit several times. It was battle after battle... after battle, in every single book. How. How is anyone still alive after so much killing? I wanted to pull my hair out so many times while reading and I thought my eyes were gonna fall out from rolling them constantly! This series was a clusterfuck of tropes too. I thought the writing was strange, inconsistent and childlike at times. One more thing I also hated the ending so much! This series was just NOT for me!
*Also, It's a good thing I borrowed these books because I would never in a million years waste my money on this! Plus look at those covers they don't make any sense to me and really most of them are pretty ugly.*
Disappointing, disappointing, disappointing, disappointing, disappointing, disappointing, disappointing, disappointing! [image] Did this have any originality? Nope. Weak storyline? Yup. Weak World-building? Yup. Weak character development? Yup. Where all of the characters plain, boring and idiots? Yup! [image]
Dear friends, I do NOT recommend this series! [image]...more
“As brightest day does turn to night, so love to hate can spin.” [image] Buddy read with Nancy :)
Lord give me the strength to 2.5 Consequences ★'s
“As brightest day does turn to night, so love to hate can spin.” [image] Buddy read with Nancy :)
Lord give me the strength to go forth with this series, for I need all the help I can get.
Do you ever have a problem writing reviews for each book in a long series? I feel like I should just copy and paste the same review on each of these books instead of trying to spin the same words over and over again but into different sentences. Because really they are all about the same just slightly better or worse than the last. So here I am again... repeating myself.
Rebel, Pawn, King was pretty disappointing, to say the least! It was just more of the same. Throughout 4 books now if it's not Prince Thanos its Ceres and if it's not one of the two then it's Ceres brother Sartes being captured and escaping but truthfully it's usually all three! The best way to describe this series so far it's one big game of cat and mouse; captured, escape, captured, escape and on and on it goes. Plus its epic battle after epic battle after yet another epic battle. I'm having a hard time believing that ANYONE would still be alive. Seriously how is EVERYONE on both sides not dead? Also, after all the slaughtering and burning of villages that Prince Lucious has done I don't know how there are even peasants left for the Empire to lord over! Another thing that is a constant is the fact that EVERYONE is ALWAYS fighting to stay alive. It's like they're stuck on a loop and it's utterly irritating, unbelievable and it's getting tiring.
I can't believe I'm saying this but seeing as how I do have all of the books I might as well keep going plus it's not like any of these books are over 200 pages, therefore, they fly by so quickly. Moving right on to the next book Soldier, Brother, Sorcerer. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ [image]...more
“The dead matter, but the living matter more.” [image] Buddy read with Nancy :)
“If people are only free to do what you 2 The castle is ours! ★'s
“The dead matter, but the living matter more.” [image] Buddy read with Nancy :)
“If people are only free to do what you think they ought to, they are not really free.”
Is it just me or does each book keep getting shorter? As if they weren't already really thin, to begin with. It's a good thing I borrowed them because I would never in a million years waste my money on such things! I honestly can't believe I keep reading this series. I keep hoping things will change and get better over time but that's just NOT gonna happen... EVER! On the plus side, there are just 3 shitty short books left. Woot Woot!!
I can believe how poorly written these books are and frankly, it's just not up to par with anything else I have read. I hate how it goes from the third person to the first person to the narrator it's just ridiculously ridiculous! Each book is a repeat of the others, someone gets captured/escapes, another epic battle, a lot of people die, and on and on it goes. These books (ALL OF THEM) are the most unbelievable piece of crap I have read in my life and on top of that, it's incredibly predictable. Their needs be a warning on the covers saying; Warning may cause extreme eye rolling haha. No, really I'm not kidding! [image] Anyways I'm dreadfully moving onto Hero, Traitor, Daughter now. [image]...more
First she had been a slave. Then a warrior. And then, one day, somehow, queen. [image] Buddy read with Nancy :)
“The power within2 Slave to Warrior ★'s
First she had been a slave. Then a warrior. And then, one day, somehow, queen. [image] Buddy read with Nancy :)
“The power within you is a dangerous one,” he said. “It is a very old gift, and if you choose to accept it, it will grow within you. You will hurt or kill all those who attempt to harm you. Anyone who touches you with malice will turn to stone.”
Okay. I know this is fantasy but still shouldn't it at least be believable? Because let me tell you several things are pretty far fetched even for me. It was just sooo unbelievable. Everything was incredibly predictable as well. Like the revelations of things such as (view spoiler)[Ceres not being the biological daughter to her parents and Thanos being the king's firstborn son, which in turn makes him next in line for the crown (hide spoiler)] these twists weren't a surprise! Like I said PREDICTABLE!!! Rogue, Prisoner, Princess starts right were Slave, Warrior, Queen left off. This is much like the first book in a sense minus all of the cat and mouse crap. The storyline, world-building, and character development are to put it simply WEAK or NONEXISTENT. And still, everything felt rushed and so much detail was missing especially when it came to the battle scenes, describing new places and new people. So that was... disappointing 😐. The series is being written in such a way that doesn't allow for us to get to know who the characters really are and that's a problem because it doesn't let us connect to them fully. We are being given the absolute bare minimum of there character. So basically, we are just getting to know them through there actions and not by their feelings or their minds. There are a few characters I like which my ship is at the top (Ceres & Thanos) fingers crossed. Thanos POV's drove me crazy though because he was a horrible judge of character. Then there's the two I hate very very strongly (Prince Lucious & Marita, Ceres mother) and one I LOVE to HATE (Stephania). She's like the puppet master pulling everyone's strings and no one has a damn clue! Stephania is a master at manipulation.
This second installment was NOT as good as the first book. I have to agree with so many others when I say Morgan Rice really isn't that good of a writer. With that being said, If it weren't for me wanting to see if anything comes of my ship I probably wouldn't be continuing on with this series but I think I'll stick it out at least for a little while longer. Therefore moving onto Knight, Heir, Prince. Wish me luck!
“Slowly, Ceres felt the power welling up inside her. It came with a warmth, like the first embers of a brush fire. It sat in the pit of her belly, waiting for her.”
[image]
She was going to discover who she really was. She was going to meet her mother....more
“I fought in the Shade. I was cast out by the Empire. I survived the prison ships. And yes, I killed that many men, but3 Down with the Empire! ★'s
“I fought in the Shade. I was cast out by the Empire. I survived the prison ships. And yes, I killed that many men, but only because I will not let the Empire control my life any longer.” [image] Buddy read with Nancy :)
*Some spoilers may insue.*
As far as I can tell most readers thought Knight, Heir, Prince was not as good as the first two installments in this series. I would disagree, although I did find it enjoyable it was only slightly better. Because truthfully it's still riddled with ALL. THE. SAME PROBLEMS. Such as the storyline, the world-building, and again... the characters all basically, say the same. Where is the development??? Every time I think the plot is moving forward, in the end, it always takes three steps back and the characters haven't grown in 3 books. I think its time I face the facts that this is the best it's ever gonna get so that way I'm not disappointed after each one I read. Anyways Morgan Rice doesn't even take her time with any aspect of this story. Everything. I mean everything is so fast-paced that many details are just overlooked and the timing just doesn't add up. The fact that the heroine masters the fighting ways of the forest folk in just a few days or how she learns to control her power within a days time... It's just soooo unbelievable and it's really frustrating. Another thing that bothers me is when Ceres finally meets her biological mother and it's over just as quickly as it started :/ Seriously this should have had a much bigger impact or at least an emotion one yet nothing gets acknowledged!! I was really expecting more with this part. The ending though expected was one of my favorite parts. Just seeing Stephania lose everything so dear to her for once made my night ;) She deserves so much worse for all of the terrible things she does.
Again... even with all of its problems I still enjoyed it just enough that it has me curious as to what's gonna happen next and after that ending, I have a new found hope for my ship! So I guess its time to check out Rebel, Pawn, King book #4. [image] “It's about more than the sword. It's about the hand that wields it. Any army is like a blade. You can make it as big as you want, but without a core of good steel, it will break the first time you test it.”...more
“You are no stranger to the sword,” she said. You are no stranger to the throne. Your destiny is very great, indeed. Mighty wi3 Vein of the Stars ★'s
“You are no stranger to the sword,” she said. You are no stranger to the throne. Your destiny is very great, indeed. Mighty will the change be.” [image] Buddy read with Nancy
“The war will not be won today, Not tomorrow, even. But eventually, we will win. A people who demands freedom will, in the end, claim it.”
Damn, this review is not gonna be an easy one for me to write so I'm gonna keep it short, honest and to the point. Slave, Warrior, Queen was NOT by any means what I'd call a great book. It was lacking any originality. The storyline, the world-building, the characters it all felt a bit rushed and not entirely thought out. It was trope after trope just piled upon one another. Seriously though think of a trope any trope from YA and I bet it's probably in there lol. And really it didn't have anything I haven't read a billion times in every other book I've read and the story moves along too quickly. This is my very first Morgan Rice book and I hated the way she put a lot of details into some things while when it came to things that actually mattered like the fights she put very little. Plus her writing just isn't at the level I'm used to reading. It was strange, inconsistent and childlike at times.
Here is the gist of the story: Poor girl, horrible abusive mother, doting father and two brothers, two possible lovers- a childhood friend and member of the resistance the other a prince who is nothing like his royal family, new magical ability, prophecy, father leaves for better work, sold into slavery, escape, weapons keeper, captured, escape, weapons keeper, does something stupid, death row, recused, captured, despicable king, and queen, forced betrothal, mean jealous princess, escape, captured, almost rape, escape, betrayal, captured...again, so on and so on then finally warrior. Mind you this all transpires within like a weeks time.
When heart and sword meet, there shall be the victory.
I can't believe I'm going to say this but... In spite of everything, I surprisingly still enjoyed the read for what it was. I read this in one sitting because it was relatively short. It also had some very heartfelt and touching moments that made me FEEL things so that's gotta count for something right? Sure it would have benefited with a lot more depth and thought process on certain scenes and the Characters themselves were lacking substance and yet I still managed to connect with them on some level.
FYI, Slave, Warrior, Queen ends on a cliffhanger!
Did I love it? Not even close! Did I hate it? No, not really. Will I continue on with this series? Yes, I'll give Rogue, Prisoner, Princess a shot. [image]...more
“Long may she reign.” “Hail, Aelin! Queen of Terrasen!”
“Once upon a time, in a land long since burned to5 A new world. A better world. STAR'S
“Long may she reign.” “Hail, Aelin! Queen of Terrasen!”
“Once upon a time, in a land long since burned to ash, there lived a young princess who loved her kingdom …” [image] [image] ✦Possibility of Spoilers✦
*"Sweet Baby Jesus!" This. Was. Epic! Absofreankinlutely PHENOMENAL!!!*
I cried. I laughed. I cried some more. Kingdom of Ash was insanely good, it was also really funny and oh so heartbreakingly sad! I got hit with feels one after another and had a few strokes along the way. It gave me a maelstrom of emotions that I still feel days after finishing it. Which is why it's taken me so long to write this review. I had to take a step back to get my thoughts organized. Throne of Glass series was one hell of a rollercoaster ride, one I never wanted to get off. Sarah J. Maas is one talentedly brilliant women! I can't fathom how anyone could possibly hate this set of books, each book surpasses the last. The ONLY word to describe this series as a whole is E.P.I.C.!! Kingdom of Ash is action-packed, tons of adventures, full of twists and turns, fast pasted and it's very intense! I was at the edge of my seat throughout most of it. I seriously love this book/series. The world is very expansive and it just kept expanding with each passing book. The characters are outstanding every last one of them even the ones I despise *cough cough* Erawan, Maeve and most of all Cairn. Gods, he's such a bastard! All the shit he and the bitch Maeve put Aelin through for the first 30% of the book or so broke my heart and I really felt bad for her. Each character's growth is done extremely well and I love the dynamics of each relationship. I truly love Aelin and Rowan. Rowan has been my favorite since Heir of Fire. They bring out the best in one another as well as accept the darkest parts too. All the main characters are broken up into 5 different groups •Aelin, Fenrys, Maeve, and Cairn. •Aedion, Lysandra, and the army. •Rowan, Gavriel, Lorcan, and Elide. •Chaol, Yrene, Nesryn, and Sartaq. •Dorian, Manon, and the Thirteen. They all merge back together towards the end and fight the good fight in the final battle against Erawan, Maeve and the hoard of Morath. Though I must admit there was ONE thing I was really unhappy about and that was (view spoiler)[Gavriel getting reunited back with his son Aedion just to die a couple of pages later, oh that made me so mad and I thought it was such a senseless death. (hide spoiler)] Still, I was really impressed with how it all came together in the end conclusion. Nothing could deter me from giving it the full 5 ★'s. They are well deserved. The end to this very long and amazing series is a bittersweet one and I already miss these characters dearly ...more
“I’m a big, raw, bleeding heart, and I spend my days pretending not to notice that I want more. That I need more.”
My5 HINDING IN PLAIN SIGHT. ★'s
“I’m a big, raw, bleeding heart, and I spend my days pretending not to notice that I want more. That I need more.”
My Kenji & Nazeera❤ [image] [image] This was me like a 100% when finding out there was gonna be a Kenji novella!! [image]
I love Kenji! I love Kenji! I love Kenji! I love Kenji!
Kenji being a fan favorite is a bit of an understatement in my opinion! Kenji is the rock of the Shatter Me series. He's the best friend/lover everyone should want and also inspire to be. He's true to his word, loyal, brutally honest, and his sense of humor is fantastic. Kenji just has the most amazing personality. I don't know how anyone in their right mind could ever not LOVE him! His character is everything, one of my absolute favorite characters of all-time. Kenji deserves all the happiness and love in the world! I love that we got an inside look at the development of his relationship with Nazeera. I really enjoyed her character in Restore Me and this just solidified it even more. Kenji was hilarious as usual and the scenes between him and Warner was just the cherry on top. Every scene that involves those two together is always golden. And the ones with Juliette and Kenji always warms my heart.
I was beyond excited to have Kinji's POV, it's been a long time coming. I’m normally not the biggest fan of novellas, they are never quite long enough to satisfy me but Shadow Me was wonderful. This was a perfect look inside the thoughts of Kenji (everyone's favorite) and seeing the events of Restore Me unfold through his eyes. This novella just about killed me. My gosh, it was heartbreaking at times that I actually shed a few tears. It gave me a rollercoaster of emotions. Overall, this was really a great read. Though I will admit I was hoping for more back story on his life. But still, I wasn't disappointed. Mafi is an amazing writer and an absolute genius. I truly hope we get more of Kenji's POV in Defy Me.
THAT ENDING THOUGH, OMG I NEEDDefy MeLIKE RIGHT FREAKING NOW!!!!
*Btw, This cover is sooo gorgeous, love the colors!! They are always perfect to me.* [image] Here are a couple quotes I really like:
“Maybe it sounds weird to say, but I know I could love the shit out of someone. I feel it, in my heart. This capacity to love. To be romantic and passionate. Like it’s a superpower I have. A gift, even. And I’ve got no one to share it with.”
“I’m lonely but I’m not alone. My body works, my brain works, I’m alive. It’s a good life. I have to make a conscious effort to remember that. To choose to be happy every day. If I didn’t, I think my own pain would’ve killed me a long time ago.”...more
“If we don’t feel any responsibility for each other, who’s ever going to care about us?”
This has got to be the shortest novella in The Darkest Minds series but it's also one of my favorites. There is just something... well not so much as something as it has EVERYTHING to do with ♥Liam Michael Stewart♥. This freaking guy! He is the shining star in this entire series for me. I can't get enough of his character. I loved reading something in Liam's POV, hell I'd honestly read anything that has this southern charmer in it :) Even still I could only bring myself to give it 4 stars. I needed more, there was just something missing.
“It’s been so long since anything really went my way that I can’t really remember what “easy” feels like anymore—maybe like breathing without inhaling the ash of the world burning around you”
Liam's Story takes place right after the end of the first book right up to where the second book starts. His mind is still disoriented and fuzzy. He isn't entirely sure about a few things that had happened, his memories aren't making sense. Liam was so dispirited and so so lonely just trying to survive all on his own. It was such a gloomy read and my heart went out to him. A few parts even made me all misty-eyed 😭. I just wanted to give him a hug. This installment broke my heart little by little. I'm not gonna go into any of the details just read it. You wont be disappointed.
“There’s something I forgot to do. I know I left something I didn’t mean to. But when I look back in the rear-view mirror, no one’s there. There’s nothing at all. Nothing.”
*You can read it for FREE all you have to do is sign up to be on Alexandra Bracken mailing list. Then it will be sent to you by email. It only takes a couple days. You can sign up for it HERE :) Enjoy
“Some guy on the radio called us the “lost generation” the other day. I wanted to find a payphone and a few quarters and tell that fool that we aren’t lost at all.
We’re exactly where they put us.”
Merged review:
*All in all, I'm gonna give this book as a whole 3 ★'s*
This first short story is in Liam Stewert's POV. It takes place before The Darkest Minds. It starts out when Liam is very young, in a car with his mom and older brother Cole and how their mom meets Harry. Then the story jumps to where Cole is picking him up in the middle of nowhere to take him to join the Childen's League. During his short time with this League, it shows the kinds of training the recruits are put through and how they are treated. It was nice getting to see what caused him to leave and why he has such strong opinions of them. It gives a better understanding as to why he doesn't like the group and doesn't want people joining it. We also, get a little glimpse into the strained and rocky relationship between the two brothers. In just a few short pages, I fell for Liam even more. Liam is just an all-around standup guy :) I really enjoyed this short read but it just felt like it was missing/lacking the extra edge it needed to make it great.
0.6 Vida 4 ★'s
“Enjoy your nice long trip, bitch.”
Wow, I can't believe how much I actually enjoyed Vida's short story but it really was damn good! Here are a few new things I learn about my favorite gal. Her last name is Bautista, She has a 16-year-old sister named Nadia, and they are both from Mexico. This story takes place before... before Vida ends up with Cate at the Children's League. As you can imagine just like all the other kids in her situation it was horrible. With only she sister to care for her and to protect her things were not easy. Food and water were scarce and keeping a roof over there heads were even harder. Anyway, things go from bad to the absolute worst thing that could happen (PSFs). I loved getting to see and to understand first hand why Vida loves and is so fiercely protective when it comes to Cate. Cate came for her as she had promised and when she needed her the most. Cate rescued her, was there for her and kept her word. Now I get it her loyalty to Cate. I love Vida so much and I like that even back then she was pretty much the same. She still has a mouth on her, she's sarcastic, witty, offensive and tough as nails :)
4.5 Clancy 2 ★'s
“A heartbeat, and it's gone.”
I was looking most forward to reading Clancy's story but sadly it was just a disappointment :( I just could not get into it. I really liked the first couple page's but that was is. Most of this short story was just a repeat of useless crap I already knew from previous books only this time it was in Clancy's POV. It was nice getting inside his head and to see some of the horrors he had gone through. Although it did not change how I felt about his character. I did like the format once I realized what was going on. Because it does tend to jump around a bit. I like how everything was laid out. But... I felt like it dragged on and on, I thought my god it's never going to end. By the time I got halfway through I just said to heck with it and started skimming just to get the jiff of what was going on....more
I used to dream about turning back time, about reclaiming the things I’d lost and the person I used to be. But not anymore. [image] Budd3 No regret ★'s
I used to dream about turning back time, about reclaiming the things I’d lost and the person I used to be. But not anymore. [image] Buddy read with Nancy
Never Fade was certainly better than The Darkest Minds but it still fell a bit flat to me. The first half dragged on and on and really it was kinda boring, then it would go really fast at others. It did make up for it in the last half but damn that was a lot of pages to get through in order for it to hold my attention. But once it did I was hooked. There were a lot fewer plot holes and much better descriptions this time, so that's a plus. The characters are still great though and we meet some new friends. I love this ragtag group of characters :) Ruby has joined with the Children's Leauge and that is where we meet Vida (blue), Jude (yellow) and Nico (green). These three are a wonderful addition.
Colors and their associated abilities: Green - Photographic Memory Blue - Telekinesis Yellow - Electricity Orange - Mindfuckery Red - Fire
“And people like you are the reason we have middle fingers.”
-Vida is bloody fantastic, her personality alone made this book that much better. She is witty, sarcastic as hell, inappropriate and almost everything that comes out of her mouth is offensive in one way or another, she's also very guarded and doesn't show her emotions easily. Vida is "positively the whipped cream on the sundae of life." Just ask Liam :D
“Apparently the middle of my sentence interrupted the beginning of yours. Do continue.”
-Chubs is still one of my favorites. I was so excited when he came back into the picture. He never ever fails at making me laugh. Chubs can be a moody guy at times and he's also a bit of a control freak but Chubs is also brilliant, funny, trusting and extremely loyal. He makes one hell of a good friend! *I sooo ship ♥Chubs and Vida♥! I ship them very very much!!! They'd be perfect together and really they could both use a little love in their lives.*
“I don't want to just see someone's face; I want to know his shadow, too.”
Oh, -Jude... I abso-freakin-lutely love this strange kid. He just melted my heart and turned it into putty. He was so sweet and funny and boisterous. He was also magnetic and you couldn't help but have this fondness for the kid. Jude was one of the main reasons the first half didn't completely suck!
“If a heart could break once, it shouldn't have been able to happen again.”
-Ruby's character has improved immensely since The Darkest Minds. I really like that her character keeps growing and maturing throughout this series. I love her kickass attitude and the protectiveness she has over her friends. She doesn't always make good decisions but that's life. We live and we learn. “I missed him. I missed him, I missed him -oh my God, I missed him so much.”
*Ruby is trying to find a way out of the Children's League when she learns that there is a divide between the agents - there are those who want to help the kids with powers and generally care about them and then those wanting them ALL dead. Rubby sets out on a secret mission with Jude and later Vida and Chubs join the search to find Liam. Who (view spoiler)[doesn't know he has the flash drive with sensitive information. Information that could initially close the camps and allow the nation to rebuild. (hide spoiler)] and so... Road Trip anyone? [image]
“Give 'em hell, darlin”
-Liam is still my everything! Gods I missed him so much. I even held a little grudge at Ruby for well you know. Liam was so lost and felt like something was missing and nothing was making any sense. His mind was all muddled up and unclear. The moment Liam came into the book, that was the point in which I was hooked. His personality is entrancing and he just has this charismatic way about him. He just lures you into his web and you're a goner. He's just so charming, compassionate brave and loyal. *I still very much ship ♥Ruby and Liam♥. I love them together and they have such chemistry between them its almost tangible.
“Goddammit, you stupid kid! You scared the shit out of me!”
-Cole was just perfect! I love Liam's brother. It was nice getting to know him better and like Liam, it was impossible not to like the guy. Also, Cole is (view spoiler)[a freaking RED (hide spoiler)]!! I should have guessed this. I mean all the clues were there but I was completely surprised! I can't wait for more Cole :D
“You all can thank me when you can still fight back. I saved us.”
-Clancy is BACK! I really do like to hate this asshat. He's cunning, manipulative, untrustworthy and a complete freaking psychopath!!! But still, he knows how to keep it interesting that's for sure.
*The world Bracken has created has so much potential but sadly I'm just not loving it like I thought I would. I will be continuing with this series though and I am excited to see what happens next! That ending though, OMG it broke my heart into a million little pieces. Okie Dokie on to In The Afterlight.
“Later, gator." "In an hour, sunflower.” [image] [image] [image] “I think I'm losing it—I don't know what's happening, what happened, but I look at you, I look at you, and I love you so much. Not because of anything you've said, or done, or anything at all. I look at you, and I just love you, and it terrifies me. It terrifies me what I would do for you.” [image] “Don’t to that! Don’t just disappear! If you’re mad at me, then hit me or something-just don’t think that I don’t want to stay with you. I’ll always want to stay with you!”...more
Black is the color that is no color at all. It is a road. A forgotten night sky broken up by faded stars. It is the b3.5 Black is our color. ★'s
Black is the color that is no color at all. It is a road. A forgotten night sky broken up by faded stars. It is the barrel of a new gun, leveled at your heart. The color of Chubs's hair, Liam's bruises, Zu's eyes. Black is a promise of tomorrow, bled dry from lies and hate. Betrayal.
“It rained the day they brought us to Thurmond. And it rained the day I walked out.” [image] Buddy read with Nancy
*I'm gonna keep this review simple and straight to the point.* I'd like to say I'm surprised to be again rating a book in The Darkest Minds series in the 3 ★'s range. But I'm NOT. I really did enjoyed reading In the Afterligh. It didn't drag so much as all the others did, the second half was faster paced which I liked. I enjoyed all the twists and turns and it was a lot more action-packed. All the great heroines, flawed heroes, the betrayals, secrets, and truths revealed, sacrifices, the turmoil, the plot twists, and the heartbreaks were very intriguing and held my attention the whole way through. Alexandra Bracken's writing does get better but still, it could use a lot of improvement. The same can be said for the details that I am always craving. Her world and character building also keeps improving as well just not enough to appease me. I loved that we finally got Zu back. I missed her so much in the second book. I wish there would have been more Chubs (A LOT MORE CHUBS) and I so called the relationship between him and my girl Vida :) I love these two characters! Ruby and Liam both had things to work through and it took them a while to get to a good place together but they figured it out thank goodness. I totally fell for Cole, he became of my favorites and I just couldn't get enough of him. In the Afterligh gave me so many feels not all them pleasant ones. Like the unnecessary death of a character, that I came to love and respect. It was completely senseless and it made my blood boil! Ohhh man it seriously pissed me off!!! Also, one of my most favorite character in this entire freaking series Liam annoyed the crap out of me for the first half of the book and Ruby really bugged me at times as well. I also felt that the revelation of what caused IAAN was kinda lame. And for these three reasons alone, I cannot rate this any higher. But... despite the stupidity of the decisions, I did really like the book overall. I'm so happy to be moving on to The Darkest Legacy Suzume "Zu's" story so that I can finally put this series to rest!
“They'd never fade, even in the afterlight of all of this”
“I don’t care,” I said, leaning my head back against the seat. “Can we just get lost and see where that lands us?”
“And the open road rolled out in front of us.” [image] [image] [image] “What I’m trying to get at is, as bad as everything seems, I think, at its heart, life is good. It doesn’t throw anything at us that it knows we can’t handle—and, even if it takes its time, it turns everything right side up again.” [image] “I love you. With my whole heart. My whole life, however long I'm lucky enough to get, nothing will change for me.”...more
“She didn't want to go out into a world where he didn't exist. So she watched the light shift and change, and let the world pass by without h5 STAR'S
“She didn't want to go out into a world where he didn't exist. So she watched the light shift and change, and let the world pass by without her.”
Wow, this was another awesome and final novella in the Throne of Glass series. I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Assassin and the Empire very very much :) It was addicting and I couldn't read it fast enough. I love all the sweet moments in Celaena's apartment with Sam. Sam is quite the catch and there is no way in hell you can't fall in love with the guy. And even though I knew it was coming it did absolutely nothing to soften the BLOW to my heart! The ending was one of the saddest damn endings I've read in this series and I don't know how I'll ever recover. I'm broken and even kinda mad at this point. Even if you know what Sam's fate is going to be before this it's obvious that the mission is gonna be a complete and utter failure, also even before you learn of the setup. But still, I really wished this could have had a different outcome and at the same time if this didn't happen I wouldn't have Rowan and well... I just wouldn't be cool with that. Anyways I love all the action and even though this left a gaping hole in my chest it's still one of my favorites and therefore it's also a must-read.
“She would tuck Sam into her heart, a bright light for her to take out whenever things were darkest. And then she would remember how it had felt to be loved, when the world had held nothing but possibility. No matter what they did to her, they could never take that away.”
“My name is Celaena Sardothien,” she whispered, “and I will not be afraid.” [image]...more
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