Natália

“You think, as you walk away from Le Cirque des Rêves and into the creeping dawn, that you felt more awake within the confines of the circus.You are no longer quite certain which side of the fence is the dream.”

I don't know what to think of this book. Yes, it's beautifully written, the imaginery is amazing - everything is so visual you can pratically see the circus, the scenery, the characters, all of it before your eyes. I really connected with all the characters, and was intrigued with all their stories, how they all connected and felt for them through the novel. But, ultimately, it's a very unsurprising book - the plot is simple, the solutions are simple and there aren't any extraordinary twists or moments of tension to make you not want to put it down. At first, it's a little confusing, till you grasp what is going on (pratically in the last part) - what actually is the circus, what is going on, what is the challenge, how it works and why it happens at all. Some of these answers are a bit disappointing, some are ok, and some are really magical, like the whole atmosphere of the novel.

I think the beauty of this book is not the story in itself, it's how and what you feel while reading it. The experience is very interesting, and it makes for a perfect escapist read. Because of the hype surrounding it, I was expecting to be blown away, though, and that didn't happen. Still, I enjoyed the whole thing and can't wait to read more of Erin Morgenstein's books.

“She would not be mastered by anything again. She was the master of herself.”

So, after ACoFaS and where we left off our characters, especially Nesta, this book had the potential to go very very wrong or (as it was thankfully the case) very very right. From the start, Nesta was a very complicated character - after the first trilogy you can see that she loves her sisters and is very protective of them, but she has a very strong and often scary personality, and she has made some big mistakes through the novels. Since we first get to know her through Feyre's eyes, we judge her by Feyre's standards, and that's not fair. Now, getting a more intimate perspective into the character, her struggles, and her past, I can say that she is one of the most complex and layered characters in the series.

I loved how SJM worked through her trauma, not by the male interest (though Cassian did play a part in her healing process), but through support and found family and friendship with people who were struggling with their own trauma. The relationship between Emerie, Nesta, and Gwyn is beautiful and heart-warming and the whole Valkyrie storyline is so empowering and beautiful! And through all of that, the author still managed to develop the plot that will follow this second trilogy, the romance, and wrap up some other storylines left by the first trilogy and ACoFaS.

As is Sarah's style, the book is action-packed, especially the final third, with a mind-blowing, emotional ending, that left me in tears, both of joy and sadness. I feel like, though we'll see more of Nesta and Cassian in the next books, this main part of their story is wrapped (and perfectly so), just like Feyre & Rhys were. I can't wait to see what comes next for these characters and what Sarah J. Maas has up her sleeve.

“All human wisdom is contained in these two words - Wait and Hope”
Having loved the movie, I was so excited to pick this up! But this is one of the rare cases I prefere the adaptation to the original source. I did enjoy the novel, overall, especially the beginning - with Dantés previous life, how he ended up in prison, Abbey Faria and the escape - and the ending, when the actual vengeance commenced. But I had some issues along the way, especially with how much it dragged in the middle - lots of recounts of daily stuff, boring characters and irritating plotlines (Valentine and Morrel' romance was one of those, as much as I love Morrel). Sometimes the writing style also grated on me a bit, although it was an easier, more fluid read than Le Mis or War & Peace, for exemple, but some situations and the way the characters reacted to stuff were kind of overdramatic and with so much flare that it seemed cartoonish at times.

I also coudn't get attached to most of the characters, with the exception of Dantes, the Morrels, Noirtier and Abbey Faria. Other than that, I just wanted them all gone, which means I couldn't care much about what would happen to them, and that is a problem, because you're expected to root for and care about certain characters, but they were so meh to me I couldn't care less.

Honestly, the movie did a better job at condesing some plots, making me care more about the characters and having more action and a more dynamic story. Still, it was a good read and I like the overall story a lot. It's a classic for a reason and another chunky book out of my TBR.

“Maybe some lies, maybe most of them, were lies we only told ourselves.”

I'm so sad to leave this book and these characters behind! I'm barely finished with it, but I already miss this world. I'm so happy with what Mary E. Pearson did here, how she truly elevated this final book to a breath-taking, fast-paced and twisty finale, with secrets I couldn't see coming and a tension that left me on the edge of the seat the entire time.

While the first novel was introductory, but with its fair share of adventure and twists and lots of action-packed moments, there were more soft, ‘down' moments where we could catch our breath and simply enjoy Kazi,Synové and Wren's friendship, the Ballangers being a family, sweet/angsty scenes between Kazi & Jase. Here, stuff blows up from the first chapter and we're only able to ‘rest' when everything is over and done with and we have only the aftermath and the ending of our characters to get to. Despite the pace, the author manages to tie all the loose ends, answer the questions we had since the previous novel in a satisfying way, present our true villain in a very scary but competent fashion and give a proper ending to all our cast.

I especially loved the glimpse into the ‘Ancients' and what might have happened during the Fall, how the Ballangers came to be and the origin of the bunker, the Ballanger crest and the word “Patrei”. I am so happy with the whole duology, much more so than I was with the original Remnant trilogy, and am pleased that I decided to pick it up, after all. Definitely on of my favorite reads of the year.

“Don't ask for the truth, boy, unless you're ready to hear it.”

My expectations were a bit high with this book because I've heard only good things about Cinda Williams Chima's books, and this series, as well as its sequel, in particular. I guess I was expecting something spectacular from the go, while I should've known this was going to be an introductory book. I don't think it's a bad book at all, but as I said, this is merely an introduction to this world, the players in this game, their roles in the grand scheme, and the big plot of the series. My main issue with it is that it's a bit too predictable and the actual climax comes and goes in a single chapter. Also, we don't fear much for our protagonists - as I said, everything is a bit predictable and we can see how things will proceed early on.

Raisa was also a bit of a letdown because at first, I thought she would be smart, a strategist, and very aware of the political games at court - while in fact, she was so naive that everyone around her saw what was going on before her. Her biggest concern through most of the novel was her boy problems, which was grating for a character who claimed from her first appearance that she didn't want to be just a pretty thing that goes to balls and gossip with the courtiers, but make a real difference and learn how to rule.

By the end, I was interested to see where the story and these characters are going, and I see a lot of potential for the next installments to be amazing and it's a good introductory book, but no more than that.

“Now any dogma, primarily based on faith and emotionalism, is a dangerous weapon to use on others, since it is almost impossible to guarantee that the weapon will never be turned on the user.”

I was afraid of reading Asimov for the first time because I always feel like these classic books, especially sci-fi ones, will have a difficult language and therefore will be difficult to read. BUT, I was again positively surprised, because the language was super accessible and the reading was, after getting situated in the world and what was happening, very fluid. At first, yes, it's a bit too much to take in, what with all the names, terms, world-building you have to understand, but after you get situated, the political aspects, the way the “Seldon Crisis” solve themselves and the critics towards religion, politics, capitalism and more just draw you into the book and you just want to keep reading. It's also not a big book, so it's easy to finish it quickly (and want to pick up the second right away). I can't wait to complete at least the first trilogy and maybe pick up more of Asimov other series.

“Man is an unoriginal animal. Unoriginal within the law in his daily respectable life, equally unoriginal outside the law. If a man commits a crime, any other crime he commits will resemble it closely.”

Actual rating: 3.5 stars

I have two main issues with this book: first of all, the mystery is basically solved at 60% in, with a whole chapter dedicated to Poirot explaining the finer details to Hastings - there's only one answer left, and after maybe 70-80%, we have the confirmation we need of who the killer is without Poirot having to explain anything at all because it was very obvious to me. The fact that Agatha tried to misdirect us all through Hastings and his really annoying ways prolonged the story unnecessarily.
My second complaint is Hastings...I detest him as narrator, and as a character as a whole. He is annoying, he is easily impressible, quick to jump to conclusions, and to act on impulse. And he is very, very obtuse. I realize that almost all the books that have him as narrator tends to lose me at some point or another and are never 5 stars for me. That being said, the whole case was very ingenious and Agatha once again proves herself a master at concocting these convoluted crimes.

"You have to promise me than you will always be more happy than you are sorry.”

I have to say, I overall liked this one very much. It managed to redeem some characters to me and made me love some others even more than I already did in their own books. I actually enjoyed The Duke and me one, and, shocker, the On The Way to the Wedding One (the latter was actually a bit sad, but beautiful as well, and NOW I can see a more mature Gregory). Francesca's & Hyacinths were my absolute favorites, but the Pall Mall game scene from The Viscount Who Loved Me has my heart as well. The one for An Offer From a Gentleman was both cute and hilarious. I didn't care much for the To Sir Phillip, With Love one and...surprise of all surprises, neither for the Romancing Mr. Bridgerton one. Shocker, because it's my favorite book, along with It's In His Kiss. And while I love Penelope & Colin's dynamics and relationship, it was a bit lacking here, as well as Eloise & Penelope's friendship...they felt off, somehow, and I just could ‘t enjoy it. Violet's novella has my heart, it was so sweet! I really liked seeing how she and Edmund first met, how they fell in love, the first children, and then Edmund's death, and how Violet went on with her life. Mama Bridgerton is so strong, and such an amazing character! I wish she had her own book, but I understand, especially after this novella, why Julia decided not to write her one. Having now read the entire series, I can't wait to see all of these things in the screen!

"People with a grudge against the world are always dangerous. They seem to think life owes them something."

Another masterpiece by Dame Agatha, and one of my favorite Miss Marple stories. Miss Marple is my favorite Christie detective, I love how sharp and cunning she is, and how she solves things by observing people and creating parallels between them and someone she knows. I figured the killer by 70%, but I couldn't fathom the motives, and OMG how incredible how everything turned out! I couldn't have guessed it in a million years!

“Choose your words carefully, even the words you think, because they become seeds, and seeds become history.”

I'm surprised I enjoyed this books as much as I did, because, though I enjoyed The Remnant Chronicles, I didn't love it enough and wasn't even planning to continue with this duology - thankfully, I did, because I absolutely loved this. From the first few chapters, I was won over by the characters, who are absurdly charismatic - especially Kazi, by the chemistry between our protagonists, the friendship between Kazi, Synové, and Wren, the family dynamic between the Ballangers and the overall plot, as well as the use of Kazi's gifts and the history of the ancients. This novel leans more heavily on the romance aspect than the previous trilogy, but, as I said before, I loved the chemistry between Kazi and Jase, so it didn't bother me at all - on the contrary, I was cheering for them since the beginning. The only thing I have to say about this book is that nothing really happens in a good chunk of it (we're mostly focused on developing the dynamics between the characters and our main couple, which is not a bad thing, but could make the book a bit slow for some) and the ending is so full of stuff going on that is seems a bit too packed. But by then I was already fully invested and every plot twist and every turn had me more eager to see what would happen next. The epilogue had me picking up the sequel almost immediately and I am already 30% in.

“We don't get to choose what hurts us.”

I was a little afraid of this book because people either love it or hate it. Honestly, I understand both sides, and I fall in the middle - I neither love it absolutely, but I don't think it's as bad as some people say. I was really fascinated with the mutations, and the relationships between the girls in the school, which is undoubtedly the focus of the novel, and I wanted to know more about the Tox. But I think that's the book's first mistake - it focuses too much on the relationship between the girls, especially Hetty, Byatt, and Reed, all the while leading us to believe there is a mystery concerning the Tox and the army, except it never answers any questions and the ‘mystery' aspect is often put aside. In the end, we never get a clear answer and, while I don't mind open endings, I would have liked to see a bit more, if only to explain more clearly a few things. The ending also felt a bit rushed to me. It's a good book, with good writing and great character development and relationships, but plotwise it was just ok. I would like to read more from this ‘world', so I would love a sequel (or maybe a prequel explaining things?) for this one!

“She didn't want to be commended for knowing how to settle for second-best. That was like winning a prize for the prettiest shoes in a footrace. Irrelevant and not the point.”

If its predecessor was vying for my favorite in the series, this one is on the run for my least favorite. I dislike almost everything about this book - from the male protagonist, the relationship between the couple, to the plot in itself. Gregory is so spoiled and thinks things have to go his way always, is impulsive and a little overdramatic. I just couldn't like him...actually, I was a bit ‘meh' about him since Eloise's book but was curious to see how he would mature in his own novel. Well, the fact is that he didn't mature at all. I have a problem with the main couple's chemistry as well - they don't have much, it's all very bland. And the whole plot felt to me like one of those overly-dramatic soap operas with so many ‘twists' and grand gestures that everything felt too cartoonish.

What I really liked here was seeing characters I enjoyed from previous novels, and their interactions either with Lucy or Gregory - I loved Anthony's pep talk with Gregory, Colin coming to his brother rescue, Hyacinth trying to make the couple work, and then being furious with Lucy for breaking her brother's heart, Kate being fond of Lucy for being ‘the lovable, constant friend/sister' like she was and trying to push her towards Gregory...these little scenes made me keep going. That, and the fact that it was a buddy read - else I would've DNFed it, that's how much I was enjoying this. I'm a little sad that this is how the series ends. Well, at least I can revisit the other siblings in the collection of the second epilogues.

“Never give up on your dreams, and never let anyone tell you that what you love is inconsequential or useless or a waste of time. Because if you love it? If that OTP or children's card game or abridged series or YA book or animated series makes you happy?That is never a waste of time. Because in the end, we're all just a bunch of weirdos standing in front of other weirdos, asking for their username.”
DNF at 42%

I am so disappointed with this book! I was hoping for this cute, nerdy retelling of Cinderella, with lots of awkwardness, lots of cutesy moments, and funny stuff, but that was not what I got at all. Honestly, if it wasn't a Buddy read, I wouldn't even have made it into 40%. Ella is downright annoying and thinks herself better than everyone else because she doesn't like typical teen stuff, is the kind of radical fan I dislike a lot, who wants everything down to the letter like the source material and slams everything and everyone if it's not how she wanted it to be and is so judgy it's irritating. Darrow is a bit more likable, but he seems to hate acting and being famous and seems to also hate his fans, because he's always complaining of having to do stuff and the show that actually advanced his career, and having to deal with fans. So, I spent the whole time I was reading his POV "why don't you just quit if you dislike it so much?". And since they are the protagonists, and we follow their POV ALL the time, I just couldn't keep reading. I had absolutely no desire to pick up the book and get into their heads again. So, I just DNF-ed it, and won't be continuing with the series as well. I may give the author another shot in the future, just not right now.

“Miss Bridgerton,” he said, “the devil himself couldn't scare you.”She forced her eyes to meet his. “That's not a compliment, is it?”He lifted her hand to his lips, brushing a feather-light kiss across her knuckles. “You'll have to figure that out for yourself,” he murmured."

Actual rating:4.5 stars

Definitely on the run for my favorite book in the Bridgerton series! I love Hyacinth, she is smart, doesn't bow (too much) to expectations, speaks her mind and is daring, and the chemistry between the main couple is amazing! They have so many funny scenes, and the actual romantic ones are cute and well done! I love the bickering, the companionship...ugh, everything! I also loved that Lady Danbury was a huge part of the book, because I absolutely love her character, and I was surprised by her relationship with Hyacinth - they have a very similar personality, but they get along so well, and I like how Lady D. pretends she doesn't care overmuch about Hyacinth, when in fact she treats her like a granddaughter. I think everything in this book works for me, except maybe for the epilogue - I found it clever, and even funny, but I wish it would've gone differently. Still, it was delightful and, like I said, on the run for my favorite book in the series.

“Never take anything you haven't earned, my father used to say. You always end up paying for it one way or another.”

Actual rating: 3.5 stars

Not my favorite Sager book. I don't know, I liked the premise well enough, and up till 60% I was really intrigued and invested. But then the main character started to lose me a little, because she suddenly became very very dumb, doing the most obviously wrong things. I also didn't like the whole revelation of what was actually going on in the building as much. It felt a little...unreal? IDK, but I was a bit disappointed. I enjoyed the ending, though.

“Monsters came in all shapes and sizes, and very few of them were actually supernatural."

Oh, how I missed the Parasolverse! I always enjoy Carringer's writing, it's always funny and witty and charming! This was a nice little romance novel with the elements of the series and following a character that I think is introduced in the prequel series, Finishing School. I didn't know much about her because I have yet to read the books, but there were a lot of familiar faces and I think both she and the male protagonist fits right into this world. I had a few issues with the characters and wasn't as invested in them or their relationship to absolutely love the book, and the plot was overall a bit simple and there were things left unresolved, but I did enjoy the book while I was reading. I do plan to check out the Finishing School series, the sequel series and the other spin-offs to the Parasolverse sometime soon.

“ANOTHER THING ABOUT THE RULESThey weren't meant to be broken.They were meant for the brokento follow.”
Starting the year strong with one that will definitely be on my favorite books of the year list. I was barely 20% in and had already lost count of how many quotes I marked. This book had such an impact on me, that I finished it and am still reflecting on it. It's a fluid read (I read in a couple of hours, if not less) because it's written in verse, and they are perfectly built to maximize the impact they'll have on the reader. I love that the ending is open, and the last phrase really got me. A much-needed read for sure!

“At what moment?" she asked him. "At what moment do we cease to be humans and become objects?"Blaise continued to make his way in silence, carrying the lamp at arm's length to spread its light as far as possible. When he finally replied, it was in a different voice from usual, deeper, calmer, and without the slightest stutter: "Some humans are objects while they're alive, Mademoiselle Eulalia.”

Maybe not my favorite so far in the series, mainly because the beginning dragged a bit, but I loved the evolution of the characters and their relationships, especially Thorn & Ophelia's. The latter really showed some maturity and started to speak up for herself more, even though we still have moments when she is dragged around a bit. She, despite being painfully shy and awkward, still puts herself out there and is brave enough to pursue her goals. Thorn has to be one of my favorite characters, and though he's missing for half the book, when he appears, everything gets more interesting.

As much as I loved getting to spend time with known characters, I also enjoyed most of the new ones introduced. Not all of them have that big of a role, but everyone was important somehow to the ending and Ophelia & Thorn's quest. Octavio and Blaise were my favorites, and I'm intrigued by Victoire. I have a feeling she will have a big role to play in the next installment.

We finally get some much-needed answers In this one as well, and it's a perfect set up for the big finale. We know almost the whole truth about God and the family spirits, we get more info on the Other and the 4-5 final chapters are so exciting and full of events and it ends with chaos, which only makes me more pumped for the final novel. I can't wait for the release of the sequel and will definitely be picking it up right away. Too bad I can't read in French!

“Justice is, after all, in the hands of men and men are fallible.”

A solid Christie book, I love her dysfunctional and secretive families, and this one was an intriguing mystery that kept me guessing till almost the end. I managed to crack the case (one of the few that I was able to do so) a couple of chapters before the end mainly because I was really paying attention and because I read the whole thing in a day, so every tiny detail was still fresh on my mind. I plan to read more of Christie's books this year since I've only read one in 2020 and I have the personal goal of reading all of her books.

“I wish all the dates had been mine.”

Ugh, this was exactly the heartwarming, deliciously funny, and adorable YA contemporary I was hoping for! It's funny, the characters are lovable, there are emotional moments but tons of the cutest romance, some coming of age, friendship, family...the recipe for success, in my opinion.

Sophie is such a relatable character, and I felt for her - not only her heartbreak, but her wanting to achieve great things, feeling dislocated from her cousins, which were a tight unit, but also very family and friendship-driven. I LOVED her family, from her parents & sister (the hospital visit left me shedding a couple of tears, I won't lie), to her grandma and the crazy uncles and aunties.

As with almost all contemporary YA romances, it's predictable and cliché, but it's so cute and lovable I couldn't care less, and honestly, the cliches here were utilized very well within the story. I ended the book with a smile on my face. I also have another book by this author on my TBR, can't wait to get at it!

Actual rating: 3.5 stars

“Everything is a game, Em. Whether you know it or not. Which means that sometimes a lie is more than just a lie. Sometimes it's the only way to win.”

This was much more thrilling than Final Girls. I was way more invested, and found myself more intrigued by what was going on than in that other novel - and I think most of it has to do with the fact that Em is a much more likable character than Quincy. I pitied her, I wanted to protect her and wanted her to succeed in getting her life together. I also liked the overall solution here way better than I did Final Girls. BUT, till the final chapter, it was still a 3-3.5 star book for me. What REALLY made this book for me, with a cherry on top, was the epilogue. That was a master's touch if there ever was one. I was completely windblown and I kept thinking about what happened after weeks. A good thriller/mystery novel, with a sensational ending!

“I don't want to belong to anyone but myself. I don't want to live anyone's life but my own."

This is, so far, my least favorite Lauren Layne novel. At first, I was really enjoying the MCs banter and games, and the obvious attraction, but there were two issues with this book for me: there's a kind of drag after the first third of the novel and things only started to pick my interest again by 80% or so. I think I got tired of the games and them never acting on their feelings. And, obviously, the fact that Noah/Preston was a douche. He was often cruel towards Jenny, and a coward to not face his ex and things once and for all, and often mysoginist as well towards both. So, after a while, I thought that Jenny deserved better and wasn't as invested in the couple.

What I did like out of this novel was how it delt with how mysoginist the music industry (and entertainmnet industry in general) is, how it holds women to a standard that is impossible and always expect them to be perfect, crucifying them for any slip up while men can get away with almost everything. I wish this would've been more explored at times.

Overall, I liked the ending, it was satisfying and sweet, and the beginning, but none of them could completely make up for the rest of the book, for me. Of the three novels I've read by Layne, this was the weakest and the one I don't think I'll bother rereading at all.

“Emma, I will love you with every breath in my body and beyond my own death. I swear to be your shield, your protector, your worshipper. There is nothing I will deny you. I am yours."

And that's a wrap on another trilogy! I have to say, this is my least favorite of the three novels because I honestly think it wasn't necessary. I found the plot interesting, dealing with Galen's grief and fears, how it affected his relationship with Emma and all the stuff circling the town of Neptune and the Half-Breeds. But I just couldn't care about the new characters introduced, especially Reed, therefore I couldn't bring myself to be invested in the town as a whole. There's a side plot that, while surprising, it's poorly developed and relies on a cartoon-type character, and it's totally unnecessary. It could've been cut out of the novel without any damage to the actual plot.

But the ending is sweet and overall, I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this trilogy and the characters. Both Emma and Galen have great character development through the series and are both more mature and level-headed than I expected for paranormal YA MCs. They actually talk about their feelings and issues, not only between them, but with their familya and friends as well. I'm really satisfyied with the ending and am happy I pushed myself to read the second installment this year.

Actual rating: 4.3 stars