Nichole

This was fairly standard for your Melissa Landers romance, but there was a slight twist at the very end that I was not expecting which was nice. The next book is about Cassia and Kane so I'm really looking forward to that.

So I have read my first Elise Kova book. I have been eying her work since the Air Awakens series came out last year, but I just have not gotten around to picking up the first book. When I found out she was coming out with another series, I knew I had to get my hands on it, especially when I heard it was steampunk with “warring” cultures.

First off, I just like to say that Elise has amazing writing ability. This book is so well written, I could easily imagine each character, object, and the world. I loved immersing myself in the world and the characters lives and Elise made that easy. It took me about 30 pages to absorb myself within the world and the characters, but after that I was fully invested and wanted to follow them on their journey in Loom. We follow the POVs of each character in this great trio as well as side characters, including those on the “bad” side.

From the beginning, this book was full of intrigue and action as the trio worked to complete their mission and also learn to work together. I really enjoyed the relationships between all of the characters and seeing them evolve over the course of the book. The end of the book left me with a lot of questions and theories about what we can expect in future books and I'm eagerly awaiting being able to read the sequel and see Ari, Cvareh, and Florence again.

eARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review

2021 Reread: My thoughts after this reread are pretty much the same as from the first time I read this. I find novella bind ups to be pretty worthless for series.

There were only 3 stories in this entire bind up of 10 that I actually enjoyed and did not find completely unnecessary and boring. That is being a little harsh, but it is the truth. I have never loved Simon as a character, so I think that was my biggest issue with this book, I just did not care as much about his story as other people clearly do.

I have waited to read Lady Midnight until reading this and now that I'm finished I'm disappointed. I think I would have been fine reading LM as soon as it came out. For me there were really only 3 big things that I learned in this bind up that are vital to the overall story line.

This books are utterly ridiculous but also highly addicting. I was intrigued enough to need to know what was going to become of all the characters but I'm pretty disappointed with how this all turned out. To me, it was incredibly rushed and seemed too easy of a solution.

I also so wanted more Sawyer and Sebastian and we did not get much of them in this book. That being said, this is a great trilogy to binge read when you need something quick and mindless to read.

Yet another instant favorite from Leigh Bardugo. I should expect be awed at this point after reading 4 of her 5 books. But this one yet again left me in awe of how the story was woven together. There were so many instances in this book where I was convinced it was the end for our dear gang or that something had to go a certain way for the story to continue. Yet each time, Leigh Bardugo shocked me with an alternative solution/timeline for the characters.

I never should have waited this long to read this book, but at the same time I'm super glad since I have an ARC of The Song Rising that I can jump into as soon as possible. The world that Samantha Shannon has created is vast and extremely complex and layered and I love how she introduces it to us. This book focused mostly on the Syndicate and the interworkings of London's Underground.

This book allowed us to get a deeper understanding of where Paige came from before The Bone Season. This was also the beginning of her revolution. I truly felt like this book gave us more insight into what is at stake and what Paige is up against. Going forward there are a lot of moving parts and aspects that Paige and her gang have to work with or against and I'm beyond excited to see how Samantha Shannon achieves this.

One last think I want to briefly comment on is how much I love these characters. There is so much to each one. So many layers and backstories to understand and Samantha Shannon is doing an amazing job and slowly letting us into their minds and their stories. I loved the extra insight we got into characters such as Ivy and Warden. It really helped widen the world and the true corruption that the Rephaim have caused with Scion. Without spoiling anything, the end of this book contains an action by one of the characters that I did not at all see coming. I was not at all prepared for it and that fascinates me. It makes me want to go back through the book to see if there are hints or if it was meant to catch us completely off guard.

I am so glad I have The Song Rising to read after finishing this. Plus I love that we still have 5 more books (counting Song Rising) to read to tell Paige's full story! This series is slowly turning into on my all-time favorites, right up there with Harry Potter. I just love how expansive the world is and how complex and layered the characters and their relationships are.

3.5 Stars
This was an interesting tale. Somewhat predictable at times but still very enjoyable. The characters are likeable and I'm interested to see where it goes next.

Sarah Rees Brennan never fails to amaze me. This book is yet another instant favorite. I love these characters and the little town in England. There was so much to discover in this world and I loved learning every part. The story unfolded at a perfect pace with just the right amount of mystery and intrigue. I'm still in shock with how it ended and I'm beyond looking forward to the next installment, even though I know it will take me a while to actually pick it up.

I have finally finished this book. It took me forever to read, but that was only because I decided to start it right before finals week. After I actually had time to read it I was able to fully immerse myself in the story and the characters and fly through the last 2/3 of the book.

Marissa Meyer is the queen of retellings. The Lunar Chronicles is an amazing blend of classic fairytales woven in with sci-fi and original ideas. Heartless was exactly the same if only a little more imaginative. Heartless tells the story of the Queen of Hearts before she was Queen. Instead we get to see why she ended up the way she did and what lead her to make those choices. There were so many vibrant characters in this book and I loved all the imagery and dialogue.

I can safely say that I was pleasantly surprised with how Meyer was able to tie in the original story into her retelling. I felt like I really knew the characters and why things went the way they did, it did not seemed forced in any way.

For me my favorite characters were definitely Jest and Hatta. They were the classic characters of Wonderland and brought that whimsical, madness to the story.

Thanks to Fierce Reads and NetGalley for an eARC of this book for review

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I'm super annoyed with that ending. I need Avenged now.

I'm probably in the minority here, but for me this was not as amazing as the first book. I still absolutely loved it but it did not leave me with that same feeling. I still want to listen to the audiobook to see if that changes my opinion.

This is a super hard book to review. On the one hand it has this amazing premise and idea behind it. It also is written by an author that I love reading from. Lindsay Smith always has these unique worlds and locations for her books. However, this book fell completely short of my expectations. I spent the first 40% or so the book completely annoyed with the protagonist and annoyed with the “fake” world I felt like Smith was sharing with us. I wanted to immerse myself in the culture and the places Reiko was visiting.

Once Reiko really began her story in Miyu's life I became much more invested in the story. But then in the last 20 pages of the book we went full speed to a conclusion that was rushed and left me unsatisfied at the end. I had such high expectations for this book that I think really dampened my enjoyment. While this book has it's flaws, the premise should be enough for you to at least enjoy the story. I just wish it had been longer and had a better immersion into the culture.

One other thing I will say, is Reiko is severely depressed throughout this story and some of her thoughts and words could could be triggering to some people.

This book in many ways was so much better than the first. The world was vastly expanded beyond the walls of Blackcliff and we really go to know these characters and follow them on this journey for/against the Empire.

One aspect I really enjoy about Sabaa Tahir's writing and storytelling is how complete each book feels. I'm left with questions about the fate of the characters but I'm also content with the end. With the end of this book, I'm completely satisfied. That being said there are two more books which I cannot wait for. However, I'm more anticipating seeing these characters again rather than having a burning question about the plot (hopefully that makes sense).

I had such high hopes for this book. I was so intrigued by the summary and the idea of this duel between two enchanters with the amazing setting of Russia. That being said, I was completely underwhelmed with this book. While I enjoyed the characters, it took me awhile to really connect with them and their stories. On top of that the plot was significantly lacking, I didn't feel the stress of the game or really sense how dangerous the game truly was. This was much more fluffy than I was expecting given the premise of The Crown's Game and what it meant to win.

I also was not at all a fan of the romance. It was rushed and I think had an unnecessary “love triangle” if you can even call it that. I did not get any true relationship building between the characters and it made them less real in my mind.

The magic was great, I loved the different things Vika and Nikolai did during game. They were great to experience through their eyes but also the eyes of the kingdom and Pasha. This book really picked up in terms of drama and plot in the latter quarter or so of the story. And of course it ended with a bang that sets up the final book in the duology.

I love this trilogy so much. This was a such a great ending to an amazing trilogy. I loved each and every moment of this (well that isn't entirely true, there is one death I'm not at all happy about, but I was prepared for it nonetheless). Leigh Bardugo crafted this amazing world and these great intrigue characters. I really loved how characters were not good or evil. It was not black or white. She did a fantastic job showing all the grey areas and showing all the sides to humans.

I'm really sad this trilogy is over, but I'm also really happy to have read and loved it. This is probably now my favorite trilogy of all time (taking over Splintered and the Mara Dyer trilogies).

This was another addicting read from the Christina Lauren duo but I felt like the relationship was just too much for me. There was no basis for how everything unfolded and that left me uneasy for a lot of the book.

I really enjoyed this third installment in the Jackaby series. I loved getting to see Jackaby, Abigail, Jenny, and a few more characters again. I absolutely love this world and these characters. Each one of them adds so much to the story.

That being said this book was a little bit of a filler book. We definitely learned a lot and it set up the final installment, but it wasn't as much of a clear case to solve as the first two. The big question that comes up at the beginning of the book is definitely answered, but I definitely have more questions following this book than I normally do with this series. I'm also a little hesitant about how everything can be wrapped up in one final book, but we shall see.

I know I should write something about this book because it was so many things but right now I'm still in shock about the last 150 pages or so. So I can't coherently write out my thoughts and ideas about this book.

So where to start with this book. This book has my main buzz word: DEMONS

Granted in this story the Demons are still evil, but regardless, I love books that bring demon folklore and ideas into them. For me this sequel and conclusion to the duology was not as strong as the first. The first book drew me in with the amazing world building and intricacies of the world. I fell in love with Nina, Finn, and their motley group of misfit exorcists. I loved seeing more of the group together all sticking up for each other.

That being said, this book to me seemed more rushed and not as exciting as the first. I didn't feel the same pull as I did with the first. However, there were still plot points I did not see coming. And with that came certain aspects that were beyond obvious from the start...

And then that ending! Who ends a duology like that? While there was some resolution, it was not nearly enough for me. There definitely is no need for another book, but i needed a chapter or two more to tie everything up. You cannot just leave the bombshell of an epilogue like was done and expect me to be okay with that.

I loved how easy Holly and Cassie made it to get back into this world and the story. I was a little worried when I started, but they did a great job of reorienting the reader to the story and what was at stake. These books never cease to amaze me. Just when I think I know what is going to happen, the book goes in a completely different direction and I'm left coming up with a new theory (one that is bound to be wrong) to explain where the story is going.

“Why won't you leave me alone?” I whispered one night as he hovered behind me while I tried to work at my desk.Long minutes passed. I didn't think he would answer. I even had time to hope he might have gone, until I felt his hand on my shoulder.“Then I'd be alone, too,” he said, and he stayed the whole night through, till the lamps burned down to nothing.”

I don't know how to write a review that will do this book justice. So I'm going to do something I haven't done yet and do a gif review!

Siege and Storm was just like Shadow and Bone where I flew through it.



This one took more than one sitting sadly because of work and life, but hey it gave me more time to savor it.

So this book starts off quite a bit after Shadow and Bone. Which is good because the characters have settled into their new roles and we get right to the action and plot. Alina is very different in this book. She is more determined and has a semblance of a plan to save Ravka.

For me, this trilogy is all about the Darkling and how much I love his characterization. Yeah he may be the “villain” but I also think his character is too complex to be categorized as such. After the huge role he played in Shadow and Bone there was not nearly enough of him in this story for my taste. Every time we did get him, I was all like:



I know everyone obsesses about the Darkling and I'm definitely one of them. Another aspect that made this second book so great was all the new characters we got to meet and get to know. Nikolai being one of them. I love how he is first revealed to be the Prince and how much mischief he can get up to. While I'm definitely pro Alina/Darkling, I had a few Nikolai/Alina moments where I was all:



I definitely cannot wait to start Ruin and Rising and see how Leigh Bardugo finishes up the trilogy, but at the same time I'm super worried about the emotional toil it will take. I have fallen so in love with this world and these characters that I'm scared to see what she has done with them in the final book.



I also have that small voice in the back of my head warning me about disappointment with final books in series (but it is just a super small voice because I know almost everyone loves this trilogy in its entirety).

3.5 Stars

I'm struggling with how to rate this. On the one hand, the first 150 or so pages of this book were a huge struggle. I enjoy Alexandra Bracken's writing and the idea of this world, but I was so lost and confused and just plain bored for the part of the book.

Once the story had a clear direction and Etta and Nicholas were on their journey, the book really picked up.

The second part of this book was fantastic, I loved the direction the story, the growth of the character's relationship and the people they met along the way. There were even some twists and turns that I did not see coming.

That being said, you need to go into this book aware of the fact that the story will most likely not hook you until around 150 pages in. But don't give up, once it does pick up it is a great tale of different worlds and different times. I really hope Wayfarer picks up where Passenger left off and continues the tale without the slow beginning.

I want to start this review by saying that I really should have either reread the first two books or at least read some kind of recap of them before starting Library of Souls. For the first chapter or so, I was lost. It had been such a long time since I was in the world of the peculiar children that I had forgotten a lot of what was happening and why things were the way the were. That being said, once I got my bearings, the book became much more enjoyable.

I really love this world and the characters, but the story was lacking in this book. I did not feel the same pull toward the plot as I did with the first book, or even the second book. For me, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children will always be the best book in the series, the other books just did not have the same magic as that one.

This was not what I was expecting at all, but it is Harry Potter so I was going to enjoy it any way. This was a play not a novel and you definitely need to understand that going in. This was not written by JKR. This is John Tiffany and Jack Thorne with JKR's story idea. This world and these characters hold a special place in so many people's hearts that another dip into the Wizarding World is bound to cause controversy. That being said, this was written for an older audience and a play going one at that. Yes this is for the fans, but again, it was not written by JKR so it is not going to be the same. It is not the amazing magical world of the original seven books. We are taken to this new era in the Wizarding World post war and it is fascinating to see the story unfold. There were a bunch of aspects of the plot that had me baffled, but I honestly enjoyed every minute of reading this.

I laughed and I bawled. Anyone who knows me and has read this knows just what broke me. But at the same time I'm so thankful for JKR, Jack Thorne, and John Tiffany for giving me that little bit, even if it broke my heart to read it.

This was another fantastic book in this series. It took me less than 10 pages to get right back into the action and become engrossed in the story again. I cannot wait to read The Beauty of Darkness, especially with how this one ended. I need to know what happens with Lia, Kaden, and Rafe!