Crystal

I have to say that Rowan shows back up right at the point where you're just like ok, how much longer till he gets to be part of this story again?! Lol just love the banter, and mutual respect they have for one another. I can't wait to see their love story continue to blossom. Definitely a slow-burner.

There were a lot of twists and turns that didn't necessarily see coming which isn't that surprising because Sarah J. Maas does that really well in her writing.

But......

You know when you are just reading and in your mind, you're like, oh yeah totally know how all these different strands of the story are going to link up, and then....all of the sudden in a briliantly crafted series of paragraphs, everything you thought you understood is flipped on its head?! That is how the entire storyline with Manon, Elide, Kaltain was for me! I'm so intrigued by how the thirteen and Elide are going to play into the rest of the story now!

If you've read the previous books in this series then you should already know that this book will be great, with twists and turns that you won't necessarily see coming. An epic love story that will break your heart and reforge it again, and again. If you have not read the previous books in this series... Go do that first.

Spoilers after this point.

I was tearing up in the final chapters, reading all that Maeve had done, all that she had set into motion for centuries. The soul crushing pain that inflicted on Aelin and then her refusal to break from the physical pain. It was heartbreaking. Then to see all that she had accomplished, every life-debt and favor she had called in come to light right after being taken... I was close to tears. Rowan better find her and break her away from Maeve's grip. While I don't necessarily want Dorian to die, if it comes to it, l'd rather he forge the lock...is that an unpopular opinion?

I confess that I chose to listen to this book because I was interested in watching the movie on Netflix but wanted to read the book first. I did enjoy it, it's just not something I would read again, or run around recommending to everyone I meet.

The format uses letters written between the author and the rest of the characters to tell the story. That style can get difficult to follow on occasion, but the audio book did have different voice actors narrating so that helped a lot.

The part that kept me listening was knowing what happened to Elizabeth, and finding out if the love interest for Juliet ever actually gets off the ground.

Spoilers ahead.

Now that I've watched the movie. The book is much better. They rush the timeline of course as they typically do in a movie adaptation. But the thing that floored me the most was that they had Juliet accept the marriage proposal from snotty what's his face instead of telling him no. I really really felt that was a core piece of who Juliet was and I am so mad they changed that in the movie.

After reading Hail Mary recently, I was craving Andy Weirs work so decided to listen to the audiobook for The Martian. I'd seen the movie before but had not read the book. As always it did not disappoint! If you've been living under a rock and have never seen the movie or heard of the book. Please go check it out. It's an incredible story of one mans fight for survival on Mars. He is clever, whitty, and wicked smart. That's all i'll say, just go read the book! You won't regret it!

This book was such a treat. As the book spans across many, many, years it alternates chapters between the present and the past. My one regret is that listened to this on audible rather than reading the physical book. (Not because of the voice acting, she did a phenomenal job) just because think it would have been easier for me to keep up with what time we were in. The characters will make you reflect and think about what you might do in their shoes. And makes you question what it means to really live, and love, and be present in the moments. Perhaps my most favorite part though, brought about nostalgia from my love of Little Women, in the end you find out one of the characters was writing the book all along.

#1. If you want to read this book, and you enjoy audiobooks. You MUST get the audio version of this one. It's seriously one of the best I've listened to narrator wise, and the added sounds really put you in the book.

#2. If you've read the Martian you likely don't need a review to tell you that Andy Weir is a fantastic writer.

#3. The story is phenomenal and makes you feel for the situations and characters. I did cry multiple times, and also actually shouted "NOOO0" out load when things were going arry.

#4. I didn't know when I first began listening that they are turning it into a movie. I really hope they do it justice, bc if they do it, will be a phenomenal movie. (As was The Martian.)