Natália

"I love how you still think if you tell me to do something, I'll just check my brain at the door and do it."

I've loved my previous experience with C.J Redwine's writing, and it doesn't disappoint again. I like how fluid and intense her writing is, how she's unafraid of hurting the MCs and impacting the reader. The dystopic world she created here is interesting, but I think it has some holes in it that I hope will be better explained in the next installments because I felt during the whole novel that I was missing something and there were some confusing bits. I enjoyed how she went off the road I thought she would take, but that being said there weren't many surprises or shocking plot twists that blew me away - every ‘surprise' was pretty predictable and the main characters should've seen them coming as well.

I like our main characters, especially Logan - he's rational, smart, inventive and an overall just guy and a good leader, though I want to see him grown into this role more in the next novels. Rachel is very strong-willed, smart and capable, but sometimes her naivete, her inexperience, and impulsiveness got on my nerves a bit. The chemistry between them was good and I like their dynamic together, mainly because how complimentary they are of each other and how they balance each other out, but the romantic aspect was obvious and at times unnecessary - it took a bit from the main plot.

Still, it was an enjoyable read and I'm curious to see where the story is going and what will happen with these characters.

"You're looking for a god. Didn't you suspect that there was also a devil?"

This book had a Gemma Doyle trilogy vibe to me, maybe because the magic and paranormal stuff, the villain being someone they knew and ‘trusted' or that had a history with other character. I think that's mainly why I liked it. Although everyone keeps going on about the plot twists in this series, there was only one that actually surprised me and I didn't guess right away, which disappointed me a little. Maybe the other books will be more “WOW, WTF JUST HAPPENED?”? Hopefully yes, because I like being taken by surprise.

Also, the male MC, Gansey, was not much. I couldn't make sense with his motives for searching Glendower and the ley lines and overall he's a pretty forgettable character. I much prefer Blue, who's a delight to read, and Adam (WHO IS MY BABY AND I WANT TO PROTECT AT ALL COSTS, I could relate and sympathize with him so much!), and even Ronan (I'm curious about his ‘mystery' - the whole deal with his brother and his father's death). Even though they are supposed to be the endgame couple, I can't feel much about GanseyxBlue. I don't feel the chemistry and the pull toward them. There's nothing there for me, at least in this book. I didn't feel the giddy feeling I get with couples, whenever they had scenes together or a moment as a pairing. AdamxBlue, on the other hand, made me so happy. They are so cute, and Adam trying to impress her with flowers was just UGH. Ok, so maybe Adam is my favorite character and I love him a lot, BUT BB IS SO PRECIOUS. I don't want to see this couple falling apart and Adam feeling second best and forgettable and loser again. I like the friendship between the boys, it was one of the strongest aspects of the book. Weird as their relationship is, they are always there for each other, always loyal and always willing to do anything to protect each other. The scene with Ronan, Adam and his dad was just so satisfying, because we don't seem Ronan and Adam interacting much or their friendship at all, but this moment made me realize that I want more on this particular relationship. And I just loved how Blue fitted perfectly with these Raven Boys and the she's as much part of their life now as Noah, like she's always been there.

The book ended on a mostly happy note, but I would have wanted it to address the consequence of Adam's actions, the consequences of his father and Ronan's fight and what happened with Neeve and what she did. There were a lot of questions unanswered that I hope we get more in the next books: more about the ley lines (there's something there besides Glendower, a darkness and maybe a demon? I'm so curious!), the other characters background (especially Ronan's), the mystery around Blue's father and more on Calla, Maura, Penelope and Orla, because the women of 300, Fox Street are amazing and funny. Overall, I really liked Stievfater's writing and this eerie feel that her book had. 4 stars.

“There were two kinds of monsters, the kind that hunted the streets and the kind that lived in your head. She could fight the first, but the second was more dangerous. It was always, always, always a step ahead.”

This second book was such an amazing conclusion to this duology. I went in a little afraid because I've read some mixed reviews, but I shouldn't have worried. Schwab not only expanded the world she created in the first book but took things to another level. Our main characters are dealing with the consequences of what happened at the ending of the first installment and the events of it left their mark and influence their actions. Although I enjoyed knowing what happens in other cities, I thought that maybe we could have seen more than one city - do they also have monsters? How do they live and what do they think about what happened in Verity? I also thought that the author went to the trouble of introducing this new cast of very interesting characters to use them only as support for Kate, briefly, and then completely forget about them. It was one of the only things I wish it was done differently.

I loved how Kate & August's plotlines paralleled each other and they had to deal with their ‘humanity'. The entire novel was fast-paced and a rollercoaster of emotions. The ending was explosive and heart-wrenching but I could understand and even agree with the decisions Schwab took here. There was this one unnecessary death that left me super upset, but it was only one detail in the entire book. I also liked the open ending, it leaves room for possible other books in this world, maybe exploring the other cities. Can't wait to read more by Victoria Schwab, and maybe other urban fantasies, since I seem to enjoy the genre.

“Every minute you spend with someone gives them a part of your life and takes part of theirs.”

DNF at 60%

I was actually curious about this book and overall I was enjoying it - the author managed to create a believable futuristic society, with its rules and culture and it was interesting how some choices are taken from us without us even realizing it. I liked Cassia as the main character, she's empathic and kind and poetic and I was curious to see her development through the book - from good, obeying girl to kind of defying the rules and I wanted to know more about how the story was going to evolve and grow from there...but it was taking SO LONG. Half of the book is Cassia going through her daily life, slowly realizing there's something wrong with this system they live in, and that there may be more to life and love than what the Society imposes.

Nothing really happened except her suspecting things and falling in love with someone who was not her Match (which kinda blew the love triangle aspect of the book, since it was pretty obvious who she was going to choose and end up with), and I stopped at 60%. It's a bad thing for a novel, because it spells a rushed ending, with a lot going on at the same time and not enough development for it. I just couldn't stay and wait for it, because I don't know how long it would take, or if it would happen at all. At one point, I was a bit bored while reading, because there was nothing really going on. So, I DNF this and won't be returning to it or will be reading the trilogy.

I love anything supernatural and also stories involving crimes and mysteries, so this book was right in my alley. Also, I loved the Gemma Doyle trilogy by Libba Bray and was excited to read something else from her. This book was kind of an introduction to the characters and the main plot of the rest of the series, and I think that's why it was a little bit slow in the first two thirds of it. The Naughty John thing was just a prelude of what is coming but it was such a good introduction that I can't complain much. I was actually scared and jumpy at some parts, especially the murders. I just wish there were more in it about the mythology of the Diviners and the back story of some of the characters (like Henry and the green-eyed chinese girl, for example), but I get it that some mysteries should be reserved for later books (like Will's involvement with project Buffalo and Sister Walker, who is she and so on). Evie is by far my favorite character, she's unafraid and open, fun and sarcastic and she kicks some serious ass trough the book. She may be a little bit selfish and self-involved, but she is smart and wants to seriously help and do good by the people she likes. I also enjoyed how the lives of the Diviners are entwining themselves to bring them together when the time comes!
All in all, a good book and I can't wait to read the next one!