Crystal
This book was the perfect October read. It’s full of magic, sisterhood, and a little bit of rebellion, following three sisters in 1893 New Salem as they reunite and rediscover the power hidden in words and stories. The writing is beautiful, and the characters feel layered and real. If you’re looking for a witchy, empowering story that’s perfect for spooky season but still full of heart, this one should definitely be on your list.
It’s bittersweet finishing Kingdom of Ash. I’ve spent most of this year reading the series, and I’m honestly sad it’s over. That said, I couldn’t be happier with how it all came together. Sarah J. Maas has such a talent for weaving multiple storylines and bringing them together in ways you don’t see coming. Most of all, it was incredibly rewarding to finally see everyone reunited. I also appreciated that it didn’t just end with the battle, since we actually got to experience closure for each of the characters we’ve grown to care about.
Where to start? Alex Stern is such a great female main character. She's raw, complex, and unapologetically real. She's been through hell, both literally and figuratively, but never in that whiny, "woe is me" way that so many characters fall into. Leigh Bardugo writes her with grit and heart, which makes her easy to root for even when she's making questionable choices. What love most about this series is that while it's undeniably fantasy, it feels grounded. These are real people who just happen to stumble into magic, and that makes the dark, secret world of Yale's societies all the more compelling. Hell Bent takes everything Ninth House built and turns it up: higher stakes, more dange, and even deeper character moments. It's dark, twisty, and completely addictive.
A dark, immersive departure from Bardugo���s Grishaverse, and so worth the read!
Alex is tough, flawed, and wonderfully real. Yale’s actual landmarks and secret societies make the magic feel plausible, and the narration keeps you hooked.
Stay through the credits for Bardugo’s interview.
Bring on the sequel!
This book leans more into the mechanics of a typical video game, but I feel like Dinniman explains things well enough that even someone who doesn’t play video games can still enjoy it. I continue to be surprised by how deep these books can get at times.
Carl follows a moral code, and a lot of the story is him trying to balance survival for himself and Princess Doughnut with showing empathy and helping others when he can. That push and pull adds so much to his character and to the world around him.
I also really enjoy the way Dinniman drops in pop culture references. They never feel jarring or out of place, and they add some humor without pulling you out of the story.
Overall, this one was fun, immersive, and surprisingly thoughtful. Definitely worth the read, and I am looking forward to reading the next one!
If you've been on the fence about these books....just take the plunge especially if you are considering the audiobook version! I doubt you'll regret it!
This was an enjoyable break from the many book series I have on my TBR list. A stand-alone mystery style fantasy with a memorable and different FMC. She is not presented as your typical, beautifully thin, gorgeous, unattainable princess like figure. She is a simple normal girl, used to hard work in her village, and her journey to loving herself while unraveling the mystery is certainly a part of the greater story.
I definitely recommend this book for a quick getaway into another world without getting roped into an entire series. ❤️
Beautiful narration for the audiobook as well.
This is an Audiobook MUST! "Did we really just start a meth war between the goblins and the llamas?!" -Dungeon Crawler Carl
Dungeon Crawler Carl was not even on my radar until my husband downloaded it and then I read a review about hovw awesome the narration was so thought "why not?!".
Personaly, I don't think you have to be a gamer to enjoy this book. I think you just have to be open to incredibly imaginative, sci-fi style writing. But that's just my opinion.
Just try it out. What's the worst that can happen?
This series is full of beautifully woven threads, and with these last two books, they are begining to come together as one.
At first, I admit I was annoyed that this book sort of goes backwards in time. I immediately understood why I've seen people tandem reading these last two books together. But about a quarter of the way in, I was hooked on all of the new characters and wondering how Chaol and Nesryn would ever be able to pull off bringing re-enforcements to the war when they finally returned. Tower of Dawn is full of introspection, forgiveness of others, and of oneself. It's also about finding yourself, figuring out where you belong in the world, and amongst friends. It's about understanding and trust, and tying together threads of storyline that go way, way, back to the begining.
Just wait till you get to know Yrene better in this book. You'll fall in love with her. The Ruks storyline is just as fantastic, I can't say anymore without spoiling major threads of the entire series for you. So just go read it already!
I am enjoying these books so far, they are just LOOOOOOONG. I do think there is some opportunity to shorten them a bit. Everytime I thought we were past the the whinny woe is me stuff Ren fell back into it. They are still great though and I have enjoyed getting to know all of the characters. I will say some of the betrayals in this one had my jaw dropping wide open. I either didn't see them coming or had been weary but wasn't expecting it to happen the way it did. So watch out! I am ready for the final conclusion to this series, but I might take a break before reading the last one.
Since the movie is going to be coming out and I wanted to listen to the audiobook first. It's definitely suspenseful and pretty dark. If you have any triggers surrounding pregnancy this will not be the book for you. It's certainly a mind bender though and you really hate the main antagonist pretty early in the book.
This book broke my heart.
This author moved back and forth within the timeline of events. Using her various code names and real name to let the reader know where you are in the storyline as well as dates. The book is based on a very real woman, and in the end the Author tells you more about her and what parts of the book were fact, sped up in the timeline for the purposes of the book, or added in for the sake of the book. She also gives the name of her biography so that you may learn more about her real life and impact on the war.
I enjoyed The Frozen River more, that's not to say this book wasn't good it was just not one of my top rated.
What an incredible book.
Historical fiction based on real people are becoming one of my favorites. This book follows several women during the rise and fall of Nazi Germany. Majority of the women in this book were real people, including Mildred Fish-Harnack who was an American woman from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she became a key figure in the German resistance against the Nazi regime. She was executed by the Nazis in 1943 on direct orders from Hitler, making her the only American woman to be executed by his direct command during World War I.
This book will make you question yourself, what would you have done in their shoes, it may even make you question yourself now in present times. It's not all war and secret resistance either, they had lives, families, and in the beginning you can see how different they were and yet how they came to know one another and band together to the very end.
Great book, a little slower in the beginning I felt. But once they actually get overseas it starts to really pick up. It's incredible to think of what women like them went though during the war and how much their service impacted women for generations to come! I recommend this read if only to hear their stores. I am fond of this author and how she brings real life stories into her fiction.
This series keeps you on your toes, I'm usually quick to figure out exactly what's going to happen so it's rare when a book surprises me. A lot of the threads that began in the first book come together towards the end of this one beautifully. It will be a long while until we get another book in this series, but I'll be here be impatiently waiting.
This book is actually based on a real person, although not everything in the book actually happened it was a fantastic book that takes you back to the 1700's to follow a woman who was ahead of her time. Truly phenomenal book, I listened to the audio version but enjoyed it so much I bought a physical version to have on my shelf. Which I don't normally do for books that aren't in a series.
This book is a mystery, and historical fiction all rolled up into one with vivid female characters. It time jumps between past and present, and keeps you guessing about the events that lead to two dead bodies. I was convinced several times that l'd worked out who they were and who killed them multiple times, and in the end was mostly incorrect! Love the relationship between X and Nora, and enjoyed getting to know each character throughout the book. Truly a fantastic read (or listen).
I don't want to spoil it, but I'm so glad Rowan was introduced. Definitely funny to hear myself say that now, because I hated him at first. She really needed the growth he ushered in, and I just love all the new characters you end up meeting throughout this book. I can't wait to start reading the next one to see her really own what she is capable of!!
This book is spicy, with witches and political alliances. It started a little slow but picked up about two chapters in and did not stop. Fair warning it's a bit of a cliffhanger ending so I'm anxiously awaiting the next book now. I listened to this one on audible and had to speed it up to 1.2 because of how slowly she spoke for effect.
This is a cute summer read. It has modern day references to pop culture which was a refreshing change from my normal reads. Be aware that the characters are dealing with grief and the author uses them to explore that from many different perspectives.
Despite the heavy topic, it's still a cute fun read in my opinion. If you have a beach or lake trip planned soon, I would recommend this book for your vacation reading material. Perfect for that setting.
Fantastic book! Not only fun, but the mystery keeps you guessing through the entire book. I truly enjoyed imagining these ladies traipsing around solving a murder that all the men around them seemed set to sweep under the rug. You will come to love each character and their personalities, they are in some ways the most unlikely of friends and yet they turn into the absolute best of friends.
As always, I really enjoy stepping into worlds created by Sarah J. Maas. I was left heartbroken by the Assassins Blade and now in Throne of Glass there is a whole new world to consider with Characters that dance upon the line of friend or foe right up until the very end. I'm excited to learn more about all of them and hopefully soon, delve deeper into Celesna's past and how it will effect not only her future but everyone else's as well.
To my knowledge this will be the last book of this series, and the story is tied up rather nicely in the end. While I enjoyed the book, it's not one that makes me want to run through the streets telling everyone they need to read it.
If you're in need of a sort of cleansing read, something to fill the void after finishing one of those epic jaw-dropoing reads, then I would recommend this series. The characters are likeable, although a little whiny at times, you will find yourself hoping everything works out for them in the end. That they beat the odds so to speak and conquer their own fears.
This book is enjoyable, I think if I had chosen to read a physical book rather than listen to audio it might have taken though just because it feels like a slow start. However, Rosario Dawson did a great job with the narration, she really got comfortable and starts to shine after the first chapter. It's not my top Andy Weir book, but still worth the listen.
I will note that I had just read Project Hail Mary, and The Martian back to back before this. Had that not been the case, maybe I wouldn't have been so hard on it.
Get ready for an intense ride of emotions. This book touches on abandonment, revenge, emotional and physical torture in war times, and even school age bullying. All while tackling ancient myths of shamans who can bring down the into themselves to fight for their people.
There are many twists and turns, and you find yourself hoping that the characters find hope, or that some other forces come to save the day and prevent the need for the great sacrifices they seem destined to make.