Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
Synopsis: "Darkness never dies.
Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land. She finds starting new is not easy while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. She can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long. The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her--or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm." Review: First off, this is the SECOND book of the Grisha Trilogy so don't read this is you don't want spoilers for Shadow and Bone! Siege and Storm was action packed, so much so that I honestly had to pause a couple times to take everything in. There really was a bit of everything in this novel! I loved the action, adventure, romance, and emotions I experienced while reading this and I have to say that I can't stop thinking about this plot! Now that the Grisha world was pretty much all set up, Leigh Bardugo really started the whole adventure of Alina vs the Darkling. Alina's struggle with Mal, the Darkling, Nikolai, and saving Ravka is something that is present throughout this novel and really caused a LOT of emotions. Alina really goes through a lot in this storyline whether it involve romance drama to saving the world, Alina has a lot on her shoulders. I love that Alina can make mistakes and that Alina comes from a poorer upbringing because after she is thrust into this new found glory, I just can't imagine would it would of been like if she already came from a higher upbringing. We are also introduced to Tamar and Tolya, grisha twins whom I LOVE DEARLY (especially since I'm a twin too), but I just found them to be the side characters that really captured my attention. I actually found the characters in this novel to be incredibly unique and I really love them all.. except certain ones (cough Genya couch the Darkling) This book had more of a focus on the culture of the people now that Grisha world was fully constructed. Although this book had much less world building than Shadow and Bone, SO MUCH HAPPENED ALL THE TIME. I honestly loved that about it! It feel like a plot induced adrenaline high? (if that's even possible because then book cardio could be real) I don't want to give anything away for those who haven't picked up this book yet so let me just say that I laughed, cried, yelled, and probably yelled some more (but mostly in my head ... I share a room ). If you didn't get any of this review let me just make it known that this book was amazing and everyone should go and read it. (This is not even a suggestion, yeah it's that good). Cover: ★★★★★ Favorite Quote(s): " 'You were like a stranger, Alina. Beautiful,' he said. 'Terrible.' " " 'he just blooms wherever he's planted.' 'And you?' 'I'm more of a weed,' I said drily." " 'We're giving them hope. That's better than nothing.' 'Spoken like a man who's never had nothing,' " " 'Fearless is other word for stupid.' " " 'The world is changing,' ... 'We change with it, or there will be nothing left to remember us but the dust.' "
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Harry Potter and The Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany, & Jack Thorne
Synopsis: Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, a new play by Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. The play will receive its world premiere in London’s West End on July 30, 2016.
It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children. While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places. Review: WOW ok first of all HARRY POTTER. Anyways, I know there are plenty of mixed reviews out there but let me just say that this review is MY opinion and you guys are free to think whatever you want! I'll start by addressing what other people disliked. Many people didn't like the format... but it's a script so I definitely was prepared for it and to be honest it helped me get through the book much quicker. Although I do have to agree it felt slightly like a fanfiction, but who cares right? (She didn't have to write any more but she did so take it or leave it!) Some people also didn't even like the plot, but let me get to that in a minute. I honestly wasn't even planning on getting this book when I did because I just happened to be at Costco to return something and my dad asked if I wanted anything and I was really hoping they would have this book and THEY DID SO I WAS LITERALLY JUST HUGGING THIS BOOK ON THE RIDE HOME. Ok whew breathe, getting a bit too excited all over again. Now let's get into it. First of all I was already aware of the mixed reviews so I was a bit cautious reading this book, but let me just say this script was intended to be a play and for all intents and purposes it did a REALLY good job. I get that maybe it didn't make the best novel, but it's a PLAY, and there isn't meant to be anymore. My favorite part was really getting to see the crew back at it again. Harry, Ron, Hermione, just made me feel at home again. They are the three characters I could never read enough on. They are literal squad goals (seriously how many squads have the saved the world and had fun doing it?). Just getting to hear about Hogwarts again made me feel nostalgic. Right in the beginning we are introduced to Harry's third child, his son, Albus. Albus instantly felt like a little Harry Potter clone to me despite the differences that both Harry and Albus claimed. Ok so the interesting stuff may include spoilers so I'll hide the rest and you can choose to read it or not! :)
Opinion Spoilers: We also get to meet Scorpius, Draco's son. As it turns out Albus is sorted into Slytherin as well as Scorpius and they become the best of friends, but also loners at Hogwarts due to people believing Scorpius is Voldemort's son and Albus just because he wasn't very good at magic. Honestly, I wasn't drawn in by all the new characters I just really liked seeing how the old ones were doing and what the wizarding world was like after so many years. The time traveling stuff. Ok I get it so at the end nothing was really achieved, BUT I would just like to reiterate that this is a PLAY and that this is pretty much how plays work themselves out... Besides happy endings are nice and I loved that bit of action! The time traveling also allowed for some of my favorite parts to happen!! UM SNAPE yes that's right because Scorpius and Albus go back in time, Scorpius does get to meet Snape and touching moments happen. (Seriously I was tearing up plus I mean it felt nice to get to know that Snape sort of got to know that everything was good. It felt unfair that he couldn't before.) Now Voldemort's daughter... yea she didn't make me feel anything at all. She seemed sketchy to me since the beginning and I wasn't devoting and sort of connection to her, so that part didn't do much for me. However, the rest of J.K. Rowling's amazing plot twists got me ready to read this script as quickly as possible! I could honestly see the play come to life in my mind! (well with the movie characters because they will always be the originals to me) No matter how much I wish there was more I know there really can't be more and that's why I'm grateful for the nice ending J.K. Rowling has provided with this script. All the loose ends seemed pretty tied up and I am not left yearning for another 1000000 books instead it just feels like the end and I have to say I'm pretty satisfied.
Cress by Marissa Meyer
Synopsis: "Even in the future. there are damsels in distress...
In the third installment of the Lunar chronicles, Cress, having risked everything to warn Cinder of Queen Levana's evil plan, has a slight problem. She's been imprisoned on a satellite since childhood and has only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress a great hacker. Unfortunately, she's just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice. When a daring rescue of Cress involving Cinder, Captain Thorne, Scarlet, and Wolf goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes as a high price. Meanwhile, Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has." Review: As you guys may know from my review of the first two books in this series I AM LOVING IT! The characters, the plot, the EVERYTHING is AMAZINGGG. Marissa Meyer has me completely hooked in this world. In this novel there is obviously a main focus on Cress (aka Rapunzel) and Thorne being her 'prince'. I found this novel easier to read compared to Scarlet just because I got a bit more used to the way the character viewpoints switch and because Cress meets them much earlier on than Scarlet did with Cinder. Romance wise we also mostly see developments happening between Cress and Thorne, a bit more for Cinder, and close to none for Scarlet (read it and you'll see why.) As usual Marissa Meyer is amazing at young adult romancing (is that even a word?) and this novel really not only retells Rapunzel's story incredibly well we also get to see a different kind of love bloom when a certain doctor reappears! Although I really loved the strong independent women Marissa Meyer put into the first two novels it was also nice to see a timid girl that believed in love more than anything. Cress put in a new kind of perspective into the Lunar Chronicles which was really refreshing to read. I think she also represents many of us stereotypical book lovers: shy, quiet, awkward, but lovable and pretty smart sometimes! Cinder and Kai! yes something happens but no spoilers right!? This novel also has one heck of a plot. I literally gasped out loud or said really strange comments out loud and I didn't care at all because SO MANY MIND BOGGLING THINGS HAPPENED. If you've read my reviews before you guys know I love predicting things and a lot of the time I can accurately guess something but this novel just had me completely entranced. PS. Marissa Meyer writes so beautifully that I have too many favorites quotes so I may have to cut some out... ;( Cover: ★★★★★ (CAN YOU BLAME ME?!) Favorite Quote(s): " 'You know, when I was a kid, I was tricked into thinking that princesses wore tiaras and hosted tea parties. Now that I've met a real princess, I must say, I'm kind of disappointed.' " "The sky was a haze of violet, and where that faded away - blue and black and stars. The same stars she'd known all her life, and yet now they were spread out like a blanket over her. Now there was an entire sky and an entire world ready to engulf her." Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
Synopsis: "Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive.
Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner." Review: WOW I absolutely LOVED this book! Marissa Meyer really knows to how to write a good retelling. It was action packed, filled with romance, and had me turning pages until the very last word. I loved the way Marissa Meyer was able to bring Cinder and Scarlet together. For a moment or two I was a bit frustrated with the switching between stories but I couldn't have been happier at the meeting scene! I was incredible to see these two seemly different worlds slowly connect and collide into one. Romance is obviously a huge aspect (since it's even a large part of fairy tales in general). I think I became emotionally invested in Wolf. Honestly, I do have to admit I did doubt his loyalties at times, but Wolf's character was by far my favorite in this book. Cinder obviously was not able to add too much in terms of romance since her prince charming was thrown off her course in the previous book. Scarlet and Wolf. Ahh the typical teen/young adult romance, always tragic but it always makes the reader want it even more. Scarlet and Wolf do NOT seem like a very likely couple, but throughout the course of this novel they have probably become my OTP. As usual, every YA/ fantasy book can't be missing out on some good action. With every twist it turn, it felt like watching some magical team solve puzzles and dodge bullets and kick some ass. These girls are AMAZING. I could not be any more thankful for the women supporting community that is the book community. These girls that I read about and so many other younger girls read about really inspires people. Just like the way young girls used to strive to be the disney princesses I honestly believe that one day little girls will read the Lunar Chronicles and strive to be like Cinder and Scarlet. They both represent the best kind of girls in our modern society. They are humble, strong, and prove to be much more than what you see at the first glance. They inspire me. The Lunar Chronicles is NOT a series you want to miss out on! If you have not yet read Cinder GO (it's the first book of this amazing series!) Cover:★★★★★ Favorite Quote(s): "You just never know when a stranger will want to take you somewhere you don't mean to go." (pg 25-26) "Mirrors couldn't be fooled by glamours." Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Synopsis: "Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl.
Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future." Review: A couple years back I actually stumbled upon this book, but this was before I had discovered the bookish world, so sadly I just read a preview and pushed it to the back of my mind. This book is honestly AMAZING. I really wish I just purchased the book then and it will always be one of my regrets. Marissa Meyer is able to twist the original fairytale of Cinderella into a spunky, futuristic, magical journey of following Cinder through her world in China. Iko was clearly the equivalent to Cinderella's animal friends and Pearl, and Adri are clearly her evil stepmother and stepsister. However there was a clear twist due to Peony (the other sister) having a role as Cinder's bff. The plot was AMAZING.Yes I did know almost all the bigger plot twists by page 110, but I STILL ADORED EVERYTHING. How could I not?! Each character was amazing, but my favorite part had to be the connections to the original story. Again, yes I guessed the plot line, but even with my suspicions, I thoroughly enjoyed this book due to great writing and plenty of action+mystery+romance, all in one. I loved how Marissa Meyer was able to put a twist on the evil stepsisters and stepmother as well sneak in the carriage (as the car) Cinder. She is such a perfectly unperfect person(cyborg lol imig). I was enthralled by her sarcastic jokes from the beginning of the novel and grew to love her personality and character more and more throughout the story. Cinder was not considered beautiful, in fact she was probably one of the most hated, but even with all that influence of hate, she showered kindness and love to those who loved her. Prince Kai is quite the average prince. I found him to be a bit mysterious and naive (at least with Cinder), but overall just your average kind, kingdom running prince. I was also personally glad to see Cinder as more of the stronger character in their sorta relationship. I would recommend this book to anyone who fancies themselves a little twist on the original Cinderella, or wants a bit of fantasy/sci-fi and futuristic things. It really is such an amazing novel though! (So I'd even encourage you to read it if you don't like anything mentioned previously, maybe this can open you up to it!) Cover:★★★★★ (LOL Seriously can someone even NOT like this cover?!) Favorite Quote(s): "Even in the Future the story begins with Once Upon a Time." "Vanity is a factor, but it is more a question of control. It is easier to trick others into perceiving you as beautiful if you can convince yourself you are beautiful. But mirrors have an uncanny way of telling the truth.” Nevernight by Jay Kristoff*I received an ARC from Netgalley but my review is in no way affects my opinion or the content of my review.* Synopsis: "The first in a new fantasy series from the New York Times bestselling author. In a land where three suns almost never set, a fledgling killer joins a school of assassins, seeking vengeance against the powers who destroyed her family. Daughter of an executed traitor, Mia Corvere is barely able to escape her father’s failed rebellion with her life. Alone and friendless, she hides in a city built from the bones of a dead god, hunted by the Senate and her father’s former comrades. But her gift for speaking with the shadows leads her to the door of a retired killer, and a future she never imagined. Now, Mia is apprenticed to the deadliest flock of assassins in the entire Republic—the Red Church. If she bests her fellow students in contests of steel, poison and the subtle arts, she’ll be inducted among the Blades of the Lady of Blessed Murder, and one step closer to the vengeance she desires. But a killer is loose within the Church’s halls, the bloody secrets of Mia’s past return to haunt her, and a plot to bring down the entire congregation is unfolding in the shadows she so loves. Will she even survive to initiation, let alone have her revenge?" Review: Let me just say I am SO grateful that there is more than one book. Nevernight is so much more than a book. It is a journey and a lesson. Nevernight has changed me forever. When I started out reading this book I was more than confused. I was completely and utterly lost. However, before I knew it I was drawn into Jay Kristoff's magical world and I did not want to leave. Mia is one of the most inspiring characters I have ever read about and I think she could be one of the best role models for girls (leaving out the hundreds of kills though of course...). Mia Corvere is one the most amazing characters I have ever read about. Mia is strong, but with weaknesses that make her feel real. She is the shadows, but so much more. Mia teaches the reader about family, love, friendship, and how to find yourself along the way. Her second shadow, a cat called Mister Kindly, represents loyalty and friendship. Tric is a rare, one of a kind, kind of friendship. Jay Kristoff creates the most amazing characters and the background behind Mia is even more amazing. However, my favorite part of it all is the perfectly planned plot. Nevernight is full of suspense, action, magic, romance, and twists you never expect. It has everything you have ever wanted and more in just 448 pages. Again, I must stress how much Mia inspires me. She is like Katniss + Tris + Hermione + (any other amazing female character you can think of) all in one. Mia is the best of friends and the worst of enemies. She is dark and has ghosts in her past, but her future is full of all kinds of people and stories. She is someone I wish could be my best friend, but even if I met her (and made it out alive) it almost feels right that she is alone in solitude with only Mister Kindly. Mia is fearless (really and once you read it you'll get why), but sensible (most of the time), funny in a different/good kind of way, and most importantly good. This seems ironic for one of the best assassin/murderer, but she really is good and it seems almost impossible that someone with her background can still be good. All of this together makes Mia such a strong and ideal idol. My personal recommendation for this book is to get a physical copy. I received an ebook copy and that is why the footnotes was incredibly hard for me to read, but if you all go out to get a physical copy (available August 9th) it will not only be an AMAZING read, but hopefully an easier one that mine as well! Nevernight is one of those few books I know I will reread because of the beautiful writing and the gripping plot. (and so should you!) Cover: ★★★★★ (UM FREAKIN GORGEOUS) Favorite Quote(s): "No shadow without light, Ever day follows night, Between black and white, There is gray. - ANCIENT ASHKAHI PROVERB CAVEAT EMPTOR" "People often shit themselves when they die." "She faded from the world's view, became almost translucent, like a smudge on a portrait of the city's skyline." "Only a child of ten, and already she knew the color of fear." "But wrapped up inside her shadows, she crept on, on through the nevernight glare, just a watercolor impression on the canvas of the world." "Names speak to the namer as much as the named." "The books we love, they love us back. And just as we mark our places in pages, those pages leave their marks on us. ... You're a daughter of words. A girl with a story to tell." "The brighter the light, the deeper the shadow."
* WARNING: spoilers for the Me Before You may be present (whatcha expect it's the second book) *
Synopsis: " “You’re going to feel uncomfortable in your new world for a bit. But I hope you feel a bit exhilarated too. Live boldly. Push yourself. Don’t settle. Just live well. Just live. Love, Will.” How do you move on after losing the person you loved? How do you build a life worth living? Louisa Clark is no longer just an ordinary girl living an ordinary life. After the transformative six months spent with Will Traynor, she is struggling without him. When an extraordinary accident forces Lou to return home to her family, she can’t help but feel she’s right back where she started. Her body heals, but Lou herself knows that she needs to be kick-started back to life. Which is how she ends up in a church basement with the members of the Moving On support group, who share insights, laughter, frustrations, and terrible cookies. They will also lead her to the strong, capable Sam Fielding—the paramedic, whose business is life and death, and the one man who might be able to understand her. Then a figure from Will’s past appears and hijacks all her plans, propelling her into a very different future... For Lou Clark, life after Will Traynor means learning to fall in love again, with all the risks that brings. But here Jojo Moyes gives us two families, as real as our own, whose joys and sorrows will touch you deeply, and where both changes and surprises await. " Review: THE SECOND BOOK OF ME BEFORE YOU! I was absolutely CRAZY excited to get this book because Me Before You was one of the best books I have ever read. Unfortunately, I think my expectations were set a bit too high and I was still quite connected to Will. Louisa goes through grief and guilt and Jojo Moyes is able to depict a very realistic kind of fiction. After You was really able to show how people move on and at the same time how deeply others can affect you. In this novel Louisa meets two new people who impact her life in ways she never could have imagined, both bring trouble but also eventual happiness. First she meets Sam. Someone she never saw coming and takes a part of her heart. Next, she meets Lily. I don't want to spoil anything so let's just say Lily is exactly what Lou needed after Will. Lou goes through a LOT of ups and downs (and one literal down too). Jojo Moyes is really able to capture Lou's feelings and inner battles. The book was incredibly written and as usual be prepared for emotions galore! Cover: ★★★★★ Favorite Quote(s): “You don't have to let that one thing be the thing that defines you.” “I loved a man who had opened up a world to me but hadn’t loved me enough to stay in it.” A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. MaasThe Young Elites by Marie LuSynopsis: "I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.
Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites. Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all. Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen. Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her. It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt." Review: I've heard about this series A LOT and the final push was given by Adriana (Nani) (booksthetics) who is a true fan of this novel. I have already read the Legend series by Marie Lu so I couldn't wait to start this book! After all this I read the synopsis and was fully devoted to this idea and book. The concepts of this book are AMAZING. Marie Lu knows how to create each world perfectly. I loved each and every idea of malfettos, the young elites, and with every page I fell in love and into their world more and more. The action was real. I would recommend those who don't like any violence in books to stay away, but personally I'm pretty squeamish and found this book ok (the only way I would get scared a bit is if this book was turned into a movie BUT I'D STILL WATCH IT LOL). So as per usual, I always love to predict what will happen and so early on I predicted a love triangle. In a way I was right, however the love triangle I saw and the one that existed were slightly off. The romance in this book is more toward the second half of the story but it's still there! (So you love lovers can still read this book ;) #adenzo PLOT TWISTS GALORE. Nothing was what it seemed. Every time I finally felt secure of where this plot was going BOOM Marie Lu decided to trip me up. Seriously... the number of little tabs where I just have an exclamation mark is crazy. This book was developed crazily well. Each and every character was really given lots of thought and changed throughout the story. People you thought were good turned back or vice versa and it was really great to see this because often times in books it's easy to see the good stay good and the bad stay bad or have a distinct line between them. Marie Lu truly is able to blur the line between good and bad with this book. Cover:★★★★★(as you can probably tell by now most my covers are 5 stars because I judge a book by its cover pretty often...) Favorite Quote(s): “It is pointless to believe what you see, if you only see what you believe.” “Be true to yourself. But that's something everyone says and no one means. No one wants you to be yourself. They want you to be the version of yourself that they like.” HONESTLY THERE ARE SO MANY JUST GO READ THE BOOK :) A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab
Synopsis: "It has been four months since a mysterious obsidian stone fell into Kell's possession. Four months since his path crossed with Delilah Bard. Four months since Prince Rhy was wounded, and since the nefarious Dane twins of White London fell, and four months since the stone was cast with Holland's dying body through the rift – back into Black London.
Now, restless after having given up his smuggling habit, Kell is visited by dreams of ominous magical events, waking only to think of Lila, who disappeared from the docks as she always meant to do. As Red London finalizes preparations for the Element Games – an extravagant international competition of magic meant to entertain and keep healthy the ties between neighboring countries – a certain pirate ship draws closer, carrying old friends back into port. And while Red London is caught up in the pageantry and thrills of the Games, another London is coming back to life. After all, a shadow that was gone in the night will reappear in the morning. But the balance of magic is ever perilous, and for one city to flourish, another London must fall." Review: This book series has turned me into such a fantasy lover; I am forever changed. Thank you V.E. Schwab. AGOS was such a thrill to read because I was absolutely in love with the first book as well and was really curious about how Kell and Rhy and Lila were doing. She did such an amazing job of introducing these new AMAZING characters (especially the dark ones) and I really could not predict a single thing and I probably gasped over 1000 times throughout this book because every twist and turn just kept me flipping. Admittedly it did take me awhile to really get into the grind of things with this book but the second half was an absolute page turner (AND I REALLY JUST WANT THE THIRD BOOK). The first line of this book already made me fall head over heels because it described Lila SO PERFECTLY, "Delilah Bard had a way of finding trouble." (So perfect right?!) Lila goes through a LOT of stuff throughout this novel and I would personally say we see a bit more of Lila in AGOS then ADSOM. Lila is one of my favorite female lead characters because really has that air of confidence as well as believing she can do ANYTHING. However many times I really just wanted to pull Lila back because she truly runs right into every situation and sometimes it feels too dangerous and every choice feels like the last straw and when her luck would finally dry out. My only comment on her is sparks fly (in two ways... ) Alucard Emery... I have really mixed feelings about him. He is a newly introduced character in AGOS and I saw his good side first and then his bad side and overall I was(and am) thoroughly conflicted of his mentality. Then his connection with Rhy ( I won't say how) but OMG I didn't see it at all. Alucard is such a unique character and although risky he is such a graceful and wise character strangely. He seems to have many secrets (but who doesn't in this book?) and he although his full backstory is never fully divulged there is a lot of different sides to Alucard that are somewhat similar and yet entirely different. Overall he really brought so much to the first of half of AGOS and really was one the main reasons to push me to get to that second half action. After ADSOM It's clear Rhy and Kell's connection would cause some changes but I didn't even guess half of the changes they made to accommodate their new life LIKE THE GAMES. The games are literally such an amazing idea that was also perfectly described. Magic. Everywhere. (<-- pretty much my brain during the games) The games brought back a bit of deja vu and I found myself feeling a hunger game + divergent vibe but without the life risking part. Love is finally introduced. I won't say when and how but YES confirmed. I loved it because there wasn't much and that kept this more fantasy and adventure related which really kept me turning and not focusing on the love part (at least not really but you know me love is too fun to read about *shrugs*) My favorite part of this book has to be the plot. As Lila and Kell travel or (As Travars) through different parts of their lives Rhy and many different people play a part and alter so many different things and their life is nothing short of a grand adventure. V.E. Schwab writes a heck of a fantasy story so just go and read AGOS or ADSOM if you haven't yet! PS: If anyone talks to V.E. Schwab can you ask her WHERE DOES SHE GET THESE NAMES because they are ALL so FREAKIN' BEAUTIFUL!!!
Opinion Spoilers: Holland DOES come back and that whole story surrounding him was so intriguing. Then there was Ojka WHERE DID SHE EVEN COME FROM I dislike her and feel so bad for her and honestly she's such a pawn for Holland that I end up made at Holland and the circle goes on and on.
Cover: ★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★ seriously Will Staehle you are too good
Favorite Quote(s): "Magic is tangled, so you must be smooth. Magic is wild, so you must be tame. Magic is chaos, so you must be calm. Are you calm, Kell? " (pg 55) "Even the stars burned in color now. What he'd always taken for white had become an icy blue, and the night sky, once black, now registered as a velvet purple, the deepest edge of a bruise." (pg 192) "The dusty world shuddered around him in response, as if by breathing, he breathed life into it, set the time stuttering forward into motion." (pg 194) |
Stephanie C.A fan of anything fiction, furry, & fun. Archives
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