Beth Morrison
SAC's storytelling ability is phenomenal!! I absolutely loved the Daevabad Trilogy, and this was equally as great in a very different way. This book took me on an adventure across the Indian ocean, to places I've never dreamed of going, and I loved EVERY.SECOND.OF.IT!! I laughed through most of it because the characters' banter was
One of the rare instances where the second book is better than the first. I wish I could rate it higher than 5 stars because Skyward was a 5 star read for me too. The characters in this one we're exceptional! Spensa is one of the most relatable characters I've ever met and M-Bot has my whole heart. All of the new characters womred their way in to this story and had me laughing and felling in love with them as well. Sanderson can do no wrong!
Okay, this one was a little special to me and I might be totally biased because of it. Having lived in Westport, WA for nearly four years, I thoroughly enjoyed all of the detail that Tessa Bailey added into this story. From the description of the harbor and PNW vibes, down to the street names that I remember so well.
Anyone else had to do that 30 minute drive from Westport to Gray's Harbor Memorial Hospital because their S.O. was in the hospital after a boating accident? No? Just me and Piper? Okay then.
I realize Piper wasn't everyone's cup of tea. She comes off like a spoiled airhead for a while and I felt that. But the character development she had was amazing and I related so much to her experience of being dropped in this small, coastal town and wondering “where the heck am I?”
Loved this book. Loved the characters. Loved the smut. And loved the setting! Thank you Tessa Bailey for bringing this fond place back to life for me after so many years.
I've had this book on my tbr since it was released, so it was the perfect pick for my second to last book for the #oriliumreadathon . The prompt being read the oldest book on my tbr.
The beginning of this book seemed like it was going to be pretty YA. Young Rin, a poor orphan from a drug running (adopted) family, gets accepted to Sinegard - the prestigious military academy. Once there, she is ostracized by the other students because of her background, only to become one of the top students. But, war is imminent and unavoidable, and the students there will be a part of it.
By part two, I quickly changed my opinion. Of everything! No longer does this feel YA and I have changed all my initial thoughts of the characters. The ones I disliked now seem decent, and the ones I thought I would love are questionable. I hope you enjoyed Sinegard, because we're done with school and are now in a straight up war. Like heavy casualty, loss of innocent life type of war. Magic is officially introduced and the world building is fully fledged. We also get several new characters that I absolutely love - The Cike.
Then came part three and the end. My only thoughts were, “what the efff just happened”. It was gruesome, vengeful, and dark
I haven't read this book in probably 15 years, and just finished reading it out loud to my kids. My God, I forgot how fun the first several books are. We laughed so much and I loved hearing their theories and accusations about who Slytherin's Heir was, or what was attacking students. So excited to continue sharing these stories and moments with my kids.
