REVIEW

This was not what I expected and yet it didn't fail to surprise me at all. 

A Curse so Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer is another one of those fantasy books that took bookstagram by storm. After months and months of contemplation, I decided to give this Beauty & The Beast retelling a try. And while I was entertained throughout the night, only pausing when the clock showed 5 am, I was not entirely won over by this world.

The potential of this series was evident on every page but because this was a young adult fantasy, I think in a lot of areas it failed to truly blow my mind and introduce me to something fresh. Instead, I was sucked into another love story that felt familiar. Too familiar. 

The characters and their stories seemed rather basic. Although, I did admire the sheer creativity of the beast and how its cruelty saw no boundaries. The beast killed and harrassed Rhen's people, making this story so much more heartbreaking. I really rooted for a satisfying ending when it came to this plotline but somehow it wasn't enough.

The character of Harper was initially the driving force of this book. She was kind, fierce, and loyal to her family, something that has shown through whenever she interacted with Rhen's people. However, her character seemed to lose her fire as the book progressed. I needed her to stay strong and throw herself into more training if I wanted to believe that she was able to stay in this world.

If there is one point in the book to pinpoint that withdrew me from the story, it would be the character of Rhen and the relationship he has with Harper. I just couldn't connect with their romance and there were quite a few times I found myself fuming at Rhen. He was arrogant for no reason and a lot of his actions just seemed like something a YA character does because it's expected.

I know by now it sounds like I didn't enjoy this book but you couldn't be further from the truth. As mentioned above, I devoured this book until the early hours of the morning and I just know that 18-year-old Tina would have rated this a five-star read. Because for a YA with such a popular retelling, I think Brigid did a great job. She still managed to intrigue me with the characters of Harper and Grey, and her spin on this story was admirable. That's just where it ends for me.

Rating: 3 stars

Trigger Warnings: Abduction, kidnapping, physical abuse, bloodshed

FULL BOOK DESCRIPTION.

REVIEW

Oh, well that was absolute perfection.

You ever read a book that just swept you away with its intense and immersive writing? A book that causes your heart to do that strange little flutter every time you read a sentence or entire paragraph that is just so beautiful? Strange the Dreamer was that book and so much more.

Before this book, I had had a tentative relationship with Laini Taylor. Truth be told, I was not a fan of Daughter of Smoke and Bone. In fact, I had planned to not pick up another Taylor book. But then this gorgeous book was sent to me by Jonathan Ball Publishers and I had no choice but to read another one of her books. 

And thank God for that because this book is magical.

I don't know where Laini found the imagination and talent to write something this beautiful but I applaud her for it. The writing, the characters, the world, and the story was so inventive and fresh. At the time, I had been struggling to connect with fantasy stories but Strange the Dreamer helped breathe new life into the fantasy genre, something I'm very thankful for. 

The story of Weep is an epic tale of heartbreak, war, bloodshed, and vengeance; all spinning together in a whirlwind of a novel that connects so many characters. Strange the Dreamer started off slow, like most epic fantasies do, but not once was I bored. Every page dripped with intrigue and mystery, drawing me in until I just had to know about Weep and all its history. 

While we are taken on a dual perspective journey, Lazlo was definitely the character I related to the most. His entire essence was pure and he was bursting with curiosity, something I admired in him as the novel progressed. I know that many reviewers complained about the instalove plotline, but I couldn't help but fall for it. How could this not be an epic love story when this world was so magical? As I dwelled deeper into this book and world, I got the sense that I was reading a fairytale and that means we needed a romance that was as grand as all fairytales tend to be.

Laini expertly turned the second part of this book into a gentle love story and then threw us all over the edge with that ending. The connections of our characters all started to rear its head and soon we're caught in this web of lovers, family, and betrayal. I love the way our characters all interlaced as it helped make the final few chapters even more intense and emotional.

I don't think this story will ever seize to amaze me and draw me in, which is why I recommend it to anyone that is looking for something rich. Whether you're looking for betrayal, romance, magic, ghosts, or war; this book has all of that and something stronger. It holds a story of an underdog that wishes to prove himself. And there's so much strength in that.

RATING: 5 stars.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: War, bloodshed, rape, kidnapping, gore.

DESCRIPTION

The dream chooses the dreamer, not the other way around—and Lazlo Strange, war orphan and junior librarian, has always feared that his dream chose poorly. Since he was five years old he’s been obsessed with the mythic lost city of Weep, but it would take someone bolder than he to cross half the world in search of it. 

Then a stunning opportunity presents itself, in the person of a hero called the Godslayer and a band of legendary warriors, and he has to seize his chance or lose his dream forever.

What happened in Weep two hundred years ago to cut it off from the rest of the world? What exactly did the Godslayer slay that went by the name of god? And what is the mysterious problem he now seeks help in solving?

The answers await in Weep, but so do more mysteries—including the blue-skinned goddess who appears in Lazlo’s dreams. How did he dream her before he knew she existed? And if all the gods are dead, why does she seem so real?

Review

Let me start off by saying that this book was not that original. Whether it's the characters, plot, or love interest; everything just seemed like the same story with a new twist to it. 

And I still loved it.

From Blood and Ash was probably one of my most anticipated books of 2020. After countless full star reviews and beautiful bookstagram marketing, I was compelled to get this book for my Christmas Wishlist. And it delivered exactly the story I needed. I didn't go into this book wanting something otherworldly. No, I simply wanted to lose myself in a beloved plot that happened to include a dangerous but secretly sensitive love interest and a badass heroine that could cut your throat in an instant.

This book was a big one, topping the 600 page count. This already says a lot about the journey that From Blood and Ash delivers. We're often bombarded with world-building and information dumps but the foundation Jennifer creates helped me fully connect with the characters and story, keeping me transfixed until the real meat of the story started to rear its head.

The second and third quarter of this book was masterful. It was filled to the brim with mystery, banter, battles, and angst. You're slowly but surely taken on Poppy's journey as she starts to see her true purpose and takes a stand in her own way. While I saw the twist(s) coming, I did enjoy the way Jennifer chose to turn the story on its head. 

The characters felt familiar, easily engaging me and evoking a sense of protectiveness. I was especially fond of Vikter and Poppy. The latter took some time but I connected with her much better when she started showing some bite, fighting back in small ways that made me start seeing her differently. I'm excited to see how her character grows. I often find that writers tend to start diminishing a female character's bravado as she takes on more pain and loss. I really hope this isn't the case with Poppy because she has so much potential.

Overall, this book was just pure fun and adrenaline. I was a sucker for every steamy scene and fevered look shared between Poppy and Hawke and I'm not even ashamed of it. They're your quintessential fantasy romance couple and I still want to see them win and grow and conquer in the most epic of ways. The villain wasn't really explored in this book but enough seeds were planted to help peak my interest. I can already sense that something big is coming... and I can't wait.

Rating: 4 stars.

Trigger Warnings: sexual assault, war, blood, gore, abuse, violence.

Description

Chosen from birth to usher in a new era, Poppy’s life has never been her own. The life of the Maiden is solitary. Never to be touched. Never to be looked upon. Never to be spoken to. Never to experience pleasure. Waiting for the day of her Ascension, she would rather be with the guards, fighting back the evil that took her family, than preparing to be found worthy by the gods. But the choice has never been hers.

A Duty…

The entire kingdom’s future rests on Poppy’s shoulders, something she’s not even quite sure she wants for herself. Because a Maiden has a heart. And a soul. And longing. And when Hawke, a golden-eyed guard honor bound to ensure her Ascension, enters her life, destiny and duty become tangled with desire and need. He incites her anger, makes her question everything she believes in, and tempts her with the forbidden.

A Kingdom…

Forsaken by the gods and feared by mortals, a fallen kingdom is rising once more, determined to take back what they believe is theirs through violence and vengeance. And as the shadow of those cursed draws closer, the line between what is forbidden and what is right becomes blurred. Poppy is not only on the verge of losing her heart and being found unworthy by the gods, but also her life when every blood-soaked thread that holds her world together begins to unravel.

Review:

It's official. I love this series.

What an insane, brutal, and absolutely beautiful world Sabaa has created. While I still struggled with the lack of world-building and constant love triangle, the sequel to An Ember in the Ashes was everything I wanted in a follow-up novel. Sabaa continues to develop on the brutality of this world, throwing our characters into situations that constantly test their power and loyalty, especially when it comes to family.

I think the question of how far one would go for family was a key trope in this book. Sabaa constantly tested Laia's loyalty, Elias' love, and Helene's determination to save all those dear to her. All of the webs that connect our main characters seem to be linked to family, something that was clear in the previous book as well. 

In this book, we're taken on a journey; both figuratively and literally. Elias and Laia are on the run, along with some helpful side characters, ultimately increasing the stakes of this mission. The more people our two main characters grow close to, the more they have to lose. But even in that fear, they still manage to build on relationships and solidify their trust in certain partnerships.

However, like all good fantasy books, there had to be a betrayal. I have to admit, I saw the big twist coming. This kind of dulled the ending for me. I found myself waiting for this to happen instead of going into every chapter blind or ignorant. It was just so clear. I blame this on the lack of character development and the amount of time we actually spend with the main villain, which wasn't much.

This all made the second half of this book hard to get through. In fact, it took me months to drag my way through the middle section. I just couldn't enjoy the second half of the book the way it should have been enjoyed. To its credit, this minor flaw didn't remove the sheer adrenaline of finishing a Sabaa Tahir book. The last few chapters kept my heart racing and I stayed up well into the night to get it done.

I initially wasn't a big fan of Helene, something I've noticed a lot of book reviewers mention. But, to my surprise, Helene really stood out in this book. I found myself looking forward to her chapters, wondering how she would navigate the immense pressure put on her. Though I found her restraint and choices naive, I do believe she was trying her best to succeed in this heavily dominated world.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book. I felt like it was a strong addition to the series, which continues to solidify its place as a Young Adult Fantasy masterpiece. 

Rating: 4 stars.

Trigger Warnings: violence, war, gore, sex, rape, starvation.

Description:

Elias and Laia are running for their lives. After the events of the Fourth Trial, Martial soldiers hunt the two fugitives as they flee the city of Serra and undertake a perilous journey through the heart of the Empire.

Laia is determined to break into Kauf—the Empire’s most secure and dangerous prison—to save her brother, who is the key to the Scholars’ survival. And Elias is determined to help Laia succeed, even if it means giving up his last chance at freedom.

But dark forces, human and otherworldly, work against Laia and Elias. The pair must fight every step of the way to outsmart their enemies: the bloodthirsty Emperor Marcus, the merciless Commandant, the sadistic Warden of Kauf, and, most heartbreaking of all, Helene—Elias’s former friend and the Empire’s newest Blood Shrike.

Bound to Marcus’s will, Helene faces a torturous mission of her own—one that might destroy her: find the traitor Elias Veturius and the Scholar slave who helped him escape…and kill them both.

REVIEW

Well. This one turned out to be quite a rollercoaster.

This is the first time I've been introduced to Chokshi's writing and for the first half of this book, I genuinely contemplated if it was worth finishing. This was such a disappointment at the time because I had been looking forward to this story ever since I watched Sam gush about it on Thoughts on Tomes. Looking back, I admit that I wasn't in the reading space mentally and I was thrown off by the duel perspectives.

However, I can't ignore the fact that this book was slow. Yes, I know world-building needed some room in this novel but by the time I reached the halfway mark, I still didn't feel invested in the story or connected to any of the characters. But after a few months away, I returned to The Gilded Wolves, determined to finish it because of the way my favourite review bloggers raved about it.

And the second time around did not disappoint. Maybe it was my improved mental space or just the overall pace of the second half that gripped me but I'm so glad I stayed along for the ride. By the second half, I started to really connect with the characters, who grew more complicated and beautiful with each page. Their bond wasn't believable at first but I blame this on the fact that we don't see them come together. We meet these characters once they've already met and established relationships. I find that I struggle to believe found family tropes if I don't read about them connecting.

While this book is advertised as a Young Adult fantasy, it did feel rather dense and packed with information at times. This is mainly due to characters like Zofia and Enrique, who spent most of the book confusing me with their fantastical algorithms and symbols. But once you look pass this and give into the world Chokshi is trying to build, you simply lose yourself in this story.

I loved the little snippets we got of Séverin and Triston's dads. I thought this was a brilliant addition to the book and it helped me dive deeper into the inner workings of Séverin, who was arguably one of the most important characters in the novel. Oh, my beautiful and broken Séverin. Don't we all just love a damaged protagonist that can't help but push away those that love them?

Séverin and Laila's romance was executed so beautifully. It felt pure and passionate, but in its own way. They weren't stealing steamy kisses or getting sexually riled up by any little inconvenience. Instead, their love story was told through secret glances, knowing smiles, the gentle touching of hands, and adorable nicknames. I wasn't thrilled by the way Chokshi ended this storyline but I do like what she's setting up for us.

In a lot of ways this was a unique read. It's fun and imaginative, and filled to the brim with history lessons and unimaginable magic. The ending only solidified my choice to continue this series and give my little misfits and thieves and historical buffs the chance to win my heart over completely.

Description

No one believes in them. But soon no one will forget them.

It's 1889. The city is on the cusp of industry and power, and the Exposition Universelle has breathed new life into the streets and dredged up ancient secrets. Here, no one keeps tabs on dark truths better than treasure-hunter and wealthy hotelier Séverin Montagnet-Alarie. When the elite, ever-powerful Order of Babel coerces him to help them on a mission, Séverin is offered a treasure that he never imagined: his true inheritance.

To hunt down the ancient artifact the Order seeks, Séverin calls upon a band of unlikely experts: An engineer with a debt to pay. A historian banished from his home. A dancer with a sinister past. And a brother in arms if not blood.

Together, they will join Séverin as he explores the dark, glittering heart of Paris. What they find might change the course of history--but only if they can stay alive.

Review

I think all of us can agree that a good book evokes emotion. My most beloved books filled me with the standard emotions; joy, happiness, excitement, and adrenaline. But, no book has taken me on the emotional ride that An Ember in the Ashes created. It was packed with so many emotions and mind-blowing adrenaline that I found myself needing to take several "moments." From start to finish, Sabaa did not let up, and while I'm still recovering from the opening scene, I applaud her for creating something so incredibly special.

I knew deep down that I would always love this series. Maybe that's why it's taken me so many years to pick this book up. I wanted to keep it hidden in the back of my mind until I was finally prepared to open this world up and discover all its beauty. No one warned me that An Ember in the Ashes is not beautiful at all. 

Instead, I found myself reading about an unlikely pairing that has been placed in a harsh and unforgiving world. I don't think I was ever prepared for just how dark this book went. Granted, there are much darker books to read, but for some reason, I thought this series was tame, following the typical Young Adult route of soft fantasy. It ended up being so much more.

Although I applaud Sabaa for creating such a dark world and lush scenery, I do understand why some believed this series needed more detail. The world-building was the bare minimum, with the author opting to focus on the now more often than not. To distract us from this obvious glare, we're constantly placed in high-stakes situations that we completely lose ourselves in. This often meant that traditions and histories and cultures were not fleshed out enough.

However, this is all rudimentary when one considers the absolute fun this book delivered. Heart-pounding, "no she wouldn't," fun that gripped me from the first page. Our characters are brave and a little bit naive but I have not read about strong characters in a while and our protagonists all delivered. It took me a moment to bond with Laia but eventually, I grew to like the girl, despite her shitty taste in men.

With that being said, there is a love triangle (square?) to look out for. This was also the initial reason I avoided the story. While Sabaa did a great job at incorporating small love stories throughout, it never crowded the page or made me feel overwhelmed. I appreciated the little moments we got, especially between Laia and Elias. They added a human touch to a very inhumane world.

I thoroughly enjoyed this first installment and can already see this becoming a favorite series. It's incredibly fun and adrenalin-filled, with a soft story deep within its center. I can't wait to learn more about this world and its characters.

Rating: 4 stars.

Book Description:

Laia is a slave. Elias is a soldier. Neither is free.

Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.
It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.

But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.

There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

All sorcerers are evil. Elisabeth has known that as long as she has known anything. Raised as a foundling in one of Austermeer’s Great Libraries, Elisabeth has grown up among the tools of sorcery—magical grimoires that whisper on shelves and rattle beneath iron chains. If provoked, they transform into grotesque monsters of ink and leather. She hopes to become a warden, charged with protecting the kingdom from their power.

Then an act of sabotage releases the library’s most dangerous grimoire. Elisabeth’s desperate intervention implicates her in the crime, and she is torn from her home to face justice in the capital. With no one to turn to but her sworn enemy, the sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn, and his mysterious demonic servant, she finds herself entangled in a centuries-old conspiracy. Not only could the Great Libraries go up in flames, but the world along with them.

As her alliance with Nathaniel grows stronger, Elisabeth starts to question everything she’s been taught—about sorcerers, about the libraries she loves, even about herself. For Elisabeth has a power she has never guessed, and a future she could never have imagined.

Review

I want to start this review with a declaration; I loved this book. I'm still trying to determine if it was the right timing or the actual story but this book took hold of me during a time that I was not the biggest Young Adult book fan. This may sound like I had every intention of hating this book but I genuinely did not expect just how much it captivated me. Sure, looking back now I do see some plot holes and I can't stand behind the "instalove" but for a standalone book, this book did just enough.

We start off following our young protagonist Elisabeth as she once again breaks the rules. She immediately introduces herself as the type of heroine I want to read about. Curious, brave, and smart; a combination that I wish more young adult authors would get right. Once this was established, the story simply snowballed and turned into one of my favourite reads of 2020. I laugh at it now because this purchase was very last minute, the type of book you add when you want the free shipping.

But that last-minute spark of inspiration introduced me to Margaret's writing for the first time and I can officially say that I'm a fan. Her writing is simple and beautiful, which effortlessly carried the story along, making it an easy read. I felt like no chapter was wasteful, with Elisabeth taking very little time to wallow about and think about her next plan. No, in this story she kept going and going until she reached her goal. I find that standalone books are best for those of us who despite filler chapters that don't correlate to the story.

While the world-building does not reach epic fantasy levels, it does just enough to teach the reader about this world's history and customs. The magical system was not too complex but it still sounded unique and interesting. I loved the idea of books coming to life and companion demons, which is how I came to read about my beloved Silas.

Most young readers might faint by the addition of Nathaniel but I found that Silas easily stole the show. He was generally the one saving Elisabeth (when she couldn't save herself) and accompanying her on her adventures, which in turn helped make the romance element less overbearing. However, this lack of interaction between Nathaniel and Elisabeth also eventually made the romance feel forced. There was a balance there that I think the author missed slightly.

Despite the instalove, I still found this story intriguing. The ending was relatively predictable and our villain didn't stand out as an all-time favorite but like I said, he did just enough. "Just enough" might not sound like a stellar review but it's the only praise that accurately describes my reading experience. 

Rating: 4/5 stars.

Empire of Sand

Review

Realm of Ash

Review

Final Thoughts