Update: 9.28.15

Hello friends!

I am slowly moving some of my older reviews over from my Tumblr account. So if you'd like to see some of the books I read prior to this account, check out my Sunday Reviews page. I will just post them to the page instead of making individual posts on the feed. I am hoping to do a few each day and having everything transferred over here by the end of the week.

LOL, as I was moving some over this evening, I was reading old notes and giggling at some of the thoughts I wrote down. Not to mention, it reminded me to get some of those sequels of books I enjoyed (i.e. the Mara Dyer sequels).

New Week, New Book: 9.28.15

Siege and Storm

Sunday Review: 9.27.15 (Part II)

Title: Sea of Shadows

Author: Kelley Armstrong

Number of Pages: 406

Publisher: Harper

Date Read: 9.26.15

Rating: <3 <3 <3

“Then we must be prepared for a war unlike any the empire has seen.”

– Emperor Tatsu

            They hear the spirits.

            They must obey.

            In the Forest of the Dead, where the empire’s worst criminals are exiled, twin sisters Moria and Ashyn are charged with a dangerous task. For they are the Keeper and the Seeker, and each year they must quiet the enraged souls of the damned.

            Only this year, the souls will not be quieted.

            Ambushed and separated by an ancient evil, the sisters must journey to find each other, sending them far from the only home they’ve ever known. Accompanied by a stubborn imperial guard and a dashing condemned thief, the girls cross a once-empty wasteland, now filled with reawakened monsters of legend, as they travel to warn the emperor. But a terrible secret awaits them at court – one that will alter the balance of their world forever. – Book jacket

“Curiosity is what lets a young mind grow and keeps an old mind young.”

- Master of the Library

            I was initially interested in the book because it was something different from what I normally read. I haven’t read a story about spirits and those that can hear them. I was curious what Armstrong had planned for this kind of story. The description on the inside jacket flap really had me curious.

“Night was her time. The Keeper. Bond-mate of the cat. Protector of the night. Daughter of the moon.”

Despite that we experience the viewpoint of the twins – Moria and Ashyn – I was not that vested in them. They both were polar opposites (not a new thing in YA) and each wished they had the other’s experiences/strengths/outlook, etc. Out of the twins, I think I liked Moria better. Ashyn just seemed too childlike for me. Maybe it’s because she empathizes with everyone/everything and romanticizes things. Something just struck me a still mentally childlike. Moria seemed the more mature of the two – the one who understood the world a bit better.

I was definitely more interested in the male characters in Sea of Shadows. I think because we really didn’t know much about them. Gavril, Ronan, and Tyrus seem to be shrouded in mystery and we’re only given bits and pieces of their lives when the girls seems inclined to worry about something other then themselves. That sounded cold – they had just lost their entire village – but you’d think it’d be important to learn about the people travelling in your party or playing host to you. Just saying.

Also, I will be keeping my eye out for Belaset. That was just too abrupt of a parting with tensions unresolved. I have a feeling she will be resurfacing. Same goes for the Seeker and Keeper of the imperial city – Ellyn and Thea. They were just too aggressive in wanting to keep Moria and Ashyn out of the city. I get the whole “the spirits can’t handle it”, but there was something more hostile than that. I have a feeling they may be in on the coup.

I also liked the creatures. Shadow stalkers, thunder hawks, and death worms; they were all so horrible and intriguing. I will have to research if there are myths around these kinds of creatures or if Armstrong created her own mythology to go with the culture(s) in the empire.

Speaking of the empire … way not to delve into this new world. The empire is only ever referred to as the imperial city (from my recollection) and not much is known about it. No politics, religions, social class. Castes are mentioned, but we don’t even know which ones. I am hoping Armstrong delves more into the world in the sequel so we get a better understanding of why some things are taboo and so forth.

            Overall, I liked the book. It kept my interest throughout. I just wished there was more insight to the other characters and I would definitely like to see more world building. It kept a lively pace and didn’t really drag anywhere, which is a big thumbs up for me. I will be reading the sequel.

Sunday Review: 9.27.15 (Part I)

Title: The White Chapel Fiend (Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy #3)

Author: Cassandra Clare

Number of Pages: 98

Publisher: Margaret K. Elderberry Books

Date Read: 10.24.15

Rating: <3 <3 <3

“Who knows your courage better than I?” – Will Herondale

Simon learns the truth behind the Jack the Ripper murders – “Jack” was stopped by Will Herondale, his former parabatai, and his institute of Victorian Shadowhunters.

“I am Tessa Gray, and I believe in the importance of stories.”  

- Tessa Gray

            Well, since I’ve read the first two, I might as well keep trucking along with this one. I feel like the plot took a detour from where the other two stories were headed. Not that it really bothered me much – I mean, there was Jace in this one, so I was content. Not to mention, I have missed my TMI babies. It’s been a while since I’ve read what’s going on in their lives. :’)

            Not much else to really talk about since it was short and mostly discussed the story of the “real” Jack the Ripper.

Friday Flashback!: 9.25.15

Date Read: 9.24.15

Flashback: So, I just finished this yesterday and it was okay. I liked it. It didn't move me, but (of course) I didn't dislike it, because (come on) - it's Shadowhunters. ... And more honestly, it's Jace. Which is why I'm writing this. It's been a long, long, long break since I've read about my TMI babies and I just loved being reminded how much I missed them. It also made me realize I still have 1/2 a year until the new Shadowhunter book is released. *le sigh* I had an overwhelming sense of nostalgia while reading this short little story. 

TBR Tuesday!: 9.22.15

Carry On

Sunday Review: 9.20.15

Title: Queen of Shadows

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Number of Pages: 648

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Date Read: 9.12.15

Rating: <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

“Let’s go rattle the stars.”- Aelin

      The queen has returned.

      Everyone Celaena Sardothien loves has been taken from her. But she’s at last returned to the empire – for vengeance, to rescue her once-glorious kingdom, and to confront the shadows of her past…

      She has embraced her identity as Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen. But before she can reclaim her throne, she must fight.

      She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die for her. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen’s triumphant return.

“Sometimes there won’t be a right choice, just the best of several bad options.” - Rowan

      I have been waiting patiently (well, maybe not patiently) for this book to come out and I was NOT disappointed. The wait was truly worth it. I LOVED this book. I know I keep saying that about all of Sarah’s books, but I do. I think I love one and then the next one comes out and I have even more love for it.

“She was fire, and light, and ash, and embers.” - Rowan

      With that being said, I going to start with a gripe. Aelin was so … frustrating in this book! I had a hard time “liking” her as a person, I guess. She started having double standards: what she expected of others and what she could do. While she was telling people they had to be honest with her and have no secrets (her court included), she went sneaking around with her own agenda(s) without saying a peep. It was aggravating and she seemed less trustworthy for it. Did that make me enjoy the book any less? Uh, no – because it’s a character flaw. People have those. It just shows that Aelin is not perfect.

      Also, Choal seemed to be a bit more reckless in this installment. I’m not sure how I feel about that. After having 3 books where he was the level-headed, clear-thinking captain; it was a bit baffling to see him running headlong toward a band of witches in an ill-planned attempt to save the Prince. No matter how much their friendship meant to him, I never would have pictured Choal throwing caution to the wind and endangering the others. That was always Aelin’s thing.

      I LOVED Lysandra and Asterin is this book. They are the epitome of a girl’s BFF. They have their leaders’ best interests at heart and basically couldn’t care less about themselves, so long as their friends were okay. Lysandra was so sassy and such a quick wit that it was fun watching her interact with the rest of the cast. Not to mention when she turned into the ghost leopard and tore through the town like nobody’s business. BEST. PART. EVER. That, and when she finally gives Arobynn what he has coming to him. (I yessed so loud, my neighbors heard.) And Asterin screaming when she thought Manon was dead/dying – I have no words. *goosebumps*

“To whatever end.” - Rowan

      Moving on. The official sinking of the ChoalxCelaena ship. I had hope; small, but hope nonetheless that they would maybe patch things up and be together. But it was not to be. L They were so angry with one another and it hurt to hear them say and do all those awful things to each other. It made my heart hurt. I was, however, very pleased with how things became better with them as the book progressed. They parted as friends and allies; Choal even told Aelin that her magic was beautiful. It was a step in the right direction (especially after that whole “monster” mess).

      I am happy to see the two of them are moving on to other relationships. I will not lie, Rowan is … there are not enough words to describe Rowan … but I’m glad he’s in the books and that Aelin is with him. They seem to have a deeper understanding of one another; a deeper connection. And seriously, the chemistry between the two is STEAMY! (sexytimes had better be on the horizon soon!) Also, I like Choal and Nesryn. They appear to have similar dispositions. I’d like to see more of their interactions in the coming books. I think they will be a promising pair.

      Speaking of pairs: I have some predictions for others.

1.    Lysandra and Aedion – maybe not romantically, but those two have something, the way they egg each other on. I also feel it’s more on Aedion’s side at this time. I say this because EVERYTIME Lysandra made an appearance and didn’t “notice” him, he always mentioned it and then “acted” like it didn’t bother him. Kinda like the elementary equivalent of a boy tugging on a girl’s pigtails.

2.  Dorian and Manon – also, maybe not romantically, but it just struck something in me that he remembered Manon while he was imprisoned by the Valg Prince. Not his friends that he had precious memories with, or (eventually) not even Sorcha (the woman he loved) – Manon. Now, it may be because of the eyes (the Valg Prince seemed to be petrified of them), but I don’t think so. Not to mention, Manon comes to “check on him” once all is said and done.

Lastly, I want to talk about the King and Perrington. Did you guys see that twist coming?! I sure didn’t. I think my brain actually exploded a little bit. The weasel Perrington is actually the mastermind behind the whole scheme? *boom – brain explosion* And his disgusting henchman, Vernon … can’t wait for those two to die a horribly slow death.

“She was fury, she was wrath, she was vengeance.” – des. Lysandra

As you can tell, I really enjoyed this book and was sad to see it end. But it ended well, with her new court gazing upon Terrasan. I can’t wait for the next book. Hopefully it won’t be a WHOLE year. (And hopefully ACOTAR2 will be out to hold me over.) J

Flashback Friday!: 9.1815

Date Read: 7.8.15
Flashback: The ENTIRE time I was reading Anna and the French Kiss, I was reminiscing about my brief vacation in Paris a couple years (*cough* a decade - how the hell did that time fly by?! *cough*) ago. I loved going to the little crêpe stands (I could have eaten Nutella crêpes until I died); breakfast along the Seine, the river tour with the city lit up... Makes me want to go back just to spend a little longer than a weekend there. It was really nice reading a book where I was at least a little familiar with the city and experiences. :)

The pictures below are only a few that were taken (it was a 6-hour car drive, so excuse the wardrobe; we chose comfort over style).

TBR Tuesday: 9.15.15

Siege and Storm (The Grisha #2)

New Week, New Book: 9.14.15

Sea of Shadows

O.M.G.!!

Just finished Queen of Shadows...

I keep thinking I won't be as surprised or it won't be as intense as the others; I'll see everything coming. Pssh! There were still twists and turns I didn't see coming.

I will be writing a review shortly, when I can gather my thoughts and write more than "OMG" and "I can't believe it", lol. But until then:

GO READ THIS BOOK NOW!!