Natália

“I would have lived in peace. But my enemies brought me war.”

It's been a while since I've read a dystopian novel that felt original and had me engrossed into the world and the characters - thankfully, this one was it for me. All the hype surrounding this series is well-deserved because from the get to I was already pulled into and couldn't stop reading. The world-building is really well-done and I love that the characters are all morally grey - it felt even more realistic, especially in the society they live in. Our MC, Darrow, though good and often just, can be angry, and do reckless and bad things (despite doing them for a good cause), and it's not immune to violence. There are twists and turns at every chapter and the ending was so full of things happening at this breakneck pace that I just couldn't put the book down until I was done, which is always a good thing for me.

As an introductory novel, it has a lot of information to absorb concerning the world, the structure of this society and the characters, and though everything is well placed and tied up, it's still a lot, mixed with all that is constantly happening, so I finished the book feeling overwhelmed with feelings and things and wondering where the author will go next with the story. That's not a bad thing per se, but it did leave me in need of a breather and lighter readings, especially because there's a lot of violence and the author doesn't shy away from it. But overall it didn't take me from my utter enjoyment of the novel and I immediately ordered the other released installments. I am so happy that this lived up to my expectations (and then some) and can't wait to continue on with this story and this world!

It was a nice, cliché romance novel. It took me a while to finish it because after the characters got together, it kinda dragged a bit, but it was a fun, entertaining novel, with a couple with a nice chemistry (it wasn't off the charts, but I liked them together and there were some cute, giggly but also hot moments). The ending was meh and it lacked for me, so it lowered the rating a bit.

“There was music in me, but in this post-Cataclysm world, that didn't matter very much.”

I always like reading novellas, because they always bring something that adds to the world, the characters or the main plot and this one wasn't different. Actually, some things that happen here were really important to my understanding of some things that happened in book 2 of the main trilogy.

In this story, we meet the ‘original' Sam, the one from before Heart. We know more of his backstory, how he met Stef and other well-know characters and we can better understand a bit how this world came to be like we see in Newsoul - a kind of post-apocalyptic world where magic is back, a bit like in The Shannara Chronicles. We also see where Sam first started out with his love of music, how the whole Janan/reincarnation thing came to pass and all that. But, as much as we get some much-needed context, it gave me more answers that I need to get from the final book in the trilogy and I'm not sure I'm gonna get. That is one of my problems with this series, the not as well developed world-building.

Sam is also a very meh protagonist - he doesn't have this presence, he just stands in the background for most of everything and I felt like it could be any number of characters narrating this story that it wouldn't have made a difference. I'm interested to see what will happen in the third book and how the author will finish this story.

"You don't stop loving a person because they have secrets. You make their secrets your own."

I have to say, I was expecting way more from the synopsis. This had the potential to be much better than it was and I'm just sad, because it's not a bad book overall, but it falls short in a number of ways. I love the dark, atmospheric feel of this book and there's something about a secluded community living in the forest and shutting out the ‘outside' world that always creeps me out and that helped a lot in getting into the story. While trying to sell the idea of dangerous secrets we keep and how they can affect us, the book went in a very obvious direction from the start and, because of that, it tried to shock in the end, but ended up throwing the so-called plot twists in the readers faces without much context and a very poor explanation just so we wouldn't see it coming. And some of it still ended up pretty obvious to me. The pace was also off - it dragged a lot a first, with things happening too slow and trying to build up momentum for something everyone saw coming since the first few pages. And then, after the big thing happened, everything started to go so fast and like I said, without much development.

Ivy, our main character, is very very annoying - she feels like she always lives in the shadow of her cousin and best friend (who she's obsessed with, btw), but doesn't want to let go of her to live her own life when given the chance. Heather, the cousin, had her reasons (and one of the best plot-twists was related to her), but she was also kind of a bitch. I wasn't compelled to care much for either of them or any of the other characters.

Not even the ambiance could get me into the book and I finished it with the feeling that it could be more, but it wasn't. Thank you, next.

“I never gossip. I observe. And then relay my observations to practically everyone.”

This was a perfect ending to a great series. I came to love these characters and this world and it was sad to say goodbye to them, but it couldn't have been a more well-done conclusion! All the arcs that were built throughout the series converged and tied up without loose ends, the characters got good endings (with some interesting and unexpected decisions by that author that I didn't think I would enjoy, but I did) and there's space for more adventures with different characters.

I also thought this book was darker than the rest, despite all the good laughs I had (Prudence was a really great addition to the group, she is so smart and is responsible for the most hilarious moments in the novel), and I shed a few tears by the end. There were also good and unexpected plot twists and by the last page, I was a mix of laughter and tears. Alexa might be my favorite character this year so far and I'm gonna miss her a lot.

“He raked his fingers through his hair. 'She doesn't need me.'Ralston smirked. 'You are laboring under that mistaken impression that it is their job to need us. In my experience it is almost always the other way around.'

This book is a little conflicting to me. Yes, I loved Isabel - she's an amazing character, she's strong, fierce, compassionated and I love her relationship with the girls of Minerva House, her cousin and her brother. How she took girls as ostracized from society as she was and gave them a purpose and a roof. I think the Minerva House's plot was really well done and I thoroughly enjoyed it, and, having read Sarah MacLean's other series (out of order, of course, because that's me) and knowing Georgiana from her own novel, it was nice seeing the set up for all that followed, especially the background for the The Rule of Scoundrel series. But, at the same time, I think the pace was a little off - it started out with everything following in quick succession, the main events happening in a matter of days...only to drag towards the end, creating unnecessary drama to keep the main couple apart, completing with a lukewarm ending (that was only better because of the ball scene and Callie & Juliana's cameos).

The main problem for me, though, was the romance. Shocking, I know. I liked the chemistry between Isabel and Nick, but the last was irritating me to no end. He always thought that Isabel needed some kind of rescue, that she needed a man to take over and ‘save her', while she made it clear that she, yes, needed some help, but built and managed Minerva House all alone for years and could very well continue to do so. And I'm getting a little tired of male protagonists with some tragic past that excuse all the s*it they did.

That being said, I found myself enjoying lots of parts of the book and these are always quick, light reads. The rating, though, was solely because of Isabel and Minerva House. I'm curious about the last book in the trilogy, mainly because Simon, Georgiana's brother, is the male protagonist and he left a very bad impression here.

“What a powerful feeling, love, able to withstand time and distance and disagreements. No wonder I wanted it so badly.”

The middle book in a trilogy - it lays the groundwork for the final installment, unraveling some mysteries from book 1 and building up the tension. Yes, I thought it more fast-paced than the previous novel, but not as satisfying. The revelations were interesting, although it didn't have as much of an impact on me. But I really like what the author is creating here and I find this universe intriguing.

Ana's development as a character, and as a leader of sorts is well done, and I like that it isn't easy for her to shed years of abuse by her mother and society in general and suddenly become this confident and strong woman - she is better than in the first book, but still struggled in some aspects, especially her feelings for Sam (or her ability to love at all). I think the whole Stef x Ana was a little unnecessary, and Ana's reliance on Sam for basically everything got on my nerves - it gives the impression that Ana can't function by herself and that's not true. Sam was another letdown, I thought his character would have more relevance and importance, but he's basically Ana's love interest and protector. He is supportive of her and all, he cares deeply and believes her capable, but plot-wise he's not that relevant.

Overall, I still liked the book, but not as much as the first one. Still, I'm curious to what will go down in book three and how the author will conclude this story.

“Sometimes, love was not enough.”

Well, I enjoyed that much more than I originally thought, given who the male protagonist was. But I think Sarah managed to really develop Simon's character and make him somehow likable and able to redeem himself, especially with Georgiana. Also, I always love a cat&dog trope, and here we have that in tons. I like how the author sets up her next series by inserting characters that will be important later on in the story here, introducing them and setting up their plotline so we can get familiarized with them.

I had a problem with the pacing of the book though - at first, it's all going smoothly, the romance building, it was funny and there was a lot of teasing, and then it got a little darker, when Juliana's plotline moved on, but it seemed to drag a bit. Like with the previous installment, I felt like there was too much drama just for the sake of keeping the main couple apart. I do enjoyed that Sarah brought back the previous main couples together for this final novel. The ending was ok, but I couldn't enjoy it as much because of how much the author dragged it.

Juliana is a good female protagonist, I love how vivacious, smart and passionate she is, as well as headstrong. She has a fiery personality and, though she cares about fitting in because of her brothers, she knows how hypocrite the society is and doesn't give a damn about their ways. In the end, though, she kinda bent too much to Simon and I was expecting her to own up to him after some of the things he did and said.

Overall, I had fun while reading it and I'm glad I finished this trilogy.

“To be stupid was one thing; to be stupid and evil yielded up untidy consequences.”

Ugh, this series just gets better and better! And more dramatic and funny as well. I absolutely loved this volume - so much intrigue, many secrets and loose ends from the very first novel being tied up (as well as making way for new ways to shake up the plot) and our characters getting into supernatural trouble. I really enjoyed the mystery and the kind of detective feel of this book, it got me wondering till the last possible minute. It was also a darker book and it dealt with darker themes as well. Alexia's pregnancy was one of the best and most hilarious thing about this book and the labor scene was EPIC. The Kingair Pack's treason plot was very well developed and I wasn't expecting what came out of it...still, I have a feeling it's not fully resolved and it will come back in book 5 to bite Alexia in the behind. Knowing more about Alexia's father, his past, the role he played - he has been a mystery from the beginning, kinda always there in the background of everything, being part of everything somehow, yet we always knew very little about who he truly was, so I was happy to get some insight. I do think he will play a larger role in the final book, especially after Alexia's baby birth. I really love how Gail Carringer manages to create depth and complexity to her characters without losing the general humorous and playful feel of the novel I really felt for them during this book in various moments and I realized how much I came to love and care for them, which is a mark of a job well done by the author. And I like the healthy, very loving relationship between the couples and the friendships. Everything is organic and well done!

I am so sad that the next installment is the final one, I'm gonna miss the Parasol gang so much! It's been so far a very entertaining and funny series, I can't believe I was missing out on this!

“Just because history says it isn't possible doesn't mean that there aren't exceptions.”

Actual rating: 4.25 stars

This series is proving to be so enjoyable and fun and still with a complexity of characters that I really really like. This one wasn't as delightful as the previous ones, I think mainly because of some parts of the journey were a little dragging and not as interesting - we as readers knew what was going on but had to wait the characters realize. The ending was heart-wrenching in a way, but very action packed as well. I think some plotlines were resolved in a very easy manner, but it was satisfying. Still, I wished it would have been more developed. It did leave some very interesting questions and plots for the next book and I can't wait to see a very pregnant Lady McConn dealing with things - I absolutely love her character and her direct, no-nonsense way. I felt for Biffy and especially for Lord Alkedama and I'm dying to see what will become of this.

It's not the best installment of the series, but it's a nice transition book and it answers some very good questions about preternaturals, Alexia's father and the Templars, which so far were a mystery. I can't wait to continue on with these characters and this world.

“There's always the option of deciding for yourself who you are and what you'll become.”

This is such a lovely, heart-warming, surprisingly delightful book! I wasn't expecting to love this as much, especially because I didn't know much about it in the first place. But the concept was really interesting, the writing is very fluid and I like the dilemmas and beliefs discussed here. It was such a page-turner that I almost finished it in a sitting.

Ana is a compelling protagonist, although not very complex - she is learning about this world, she's a newsoul recently born in the place of another, one of the million souls who reincarnate every time they die and form this society. However, due to some ‘accident', Ana replaces this old soul and she's made a pariah because of that (though she didn't ask to be born) - her own mother is very abusive towards her and she grows up thinking she's not capable or deserving of love and good things. On her 18 birthday, she embarks on a journey to the capital of this society, Heart, to try and figure out why she was born and why Ciana, the soul she replaced, was lost. On the way, she's attacked by mythical creatures, meets Sam, a gentle, nice guy who is going to help her (and is going to be the male lead on the story) and will feel the judgment of this society who is not ready for a change and thinks she's somehow guilty of what happened. We really see through the novel how much Ana struggles trying to understand this world, why she was born, her purpose, and trying to overcome the marks her abusive mother left on her. She really flourishes and we see her come into her own and become a brave, gentle girl while trying to get more answers about the whole resurrection business and the many secrets the Council (and even her friends) keeps from her. I love the dynamic between her and Sam, how patient he is with her and how much he truly loves her - he gives her time and space to do her own things and is extremely supportive. It was so heartwarming and cute and the romance is just beautiful.

We have some interesting revelations concerning Janam, this ‘God' these people worship and who is the force responsible for the resurrection, something about the mythical creatures who attack the city and more about Ana and her birth, but there's still enough answers left for the other books and the events of the end of this novel leaves many interesting possibilities the author can explore in the next installment. That being said, as much as I liked the last portion, and there were some revelations like I said, I missed something of a plot twist and a more impacting ending. I never got the sense of danger the final sequences were supposed to give me, so it was just ok. Still, I'm really curious to go on with this story and really can't wait to pick up the rest!

"The most obvious way is not always the right path.”

Annd now we're back on track! After the second volume, I was worried about how this quartet would go, because that one was a hot mess. Thankfully, it seems like the author realized her mistakes and decided to correct them in this book! The very nonsensical romance is toned down to give way to the actual plot and the fact that there's a war going on, Nox is even tolerable and Amy is back to being the smart, fierce, no-nonsense, badass girl we've known from book one.

The dynamics in this novel is also way better, I really like the idea to bring Madison back and make her into Amy's ally and friend of sorts. Also, I loved Amy mending her relationship with her mother, their scenes were so cute and for a while, I wished she would stay home. But alas, when things started to happen, I couldn't stop reading. There's lots of action here, like in the previous books, but it's well done and the moments are well-chosen, the climax is fast-paced and got me really excited and cheering for the characters. This installment also brought much-needed answers and explanations and it finally introduced the main villain of the series. There were good plot twists and the finale left me anxious to pick up the final book right away.

I'm really happy with what I got here after kinda losing faith in this series, and I'm going into the conclusion with great expectations and hoping for a great ending for Oz and it's characters.

“The brighter the light, the deeper the shadow.”

I went in already knowing how amazing the Jay-Amie combo was thanks to Illuminae Files, but I had yet to grab a book by Jay alone and OMG THIS WAS SO GOOD! I loved everything - from the acid, dark humour, the hilarious footnotes who also helped build and solidify this world for me, the Venetian Empire-inspired world, the unique mythology, the darkness and the violent tale, the compelling, morally grey and complex characters, the very likable but very murder-y main character and her amazing shadowcat....everything about this book is brilliant. The writing just pulls you in, it's fast paced and fluid and there's tons of action at all times. Seriously, there's not a dull moment here, you're always at the edge of your seat. And it's never what you expect, although there is this very familiar magic school vibe (a Harry Potter kinda thing, but much more dark and bloody) - Kristoff doesn't use the traditional YA (although this has adult content and I don't think it's YA at all) tropes, or, if he does, he spins it in such a fresh and surprising way that it becomes something else.

Mia is such a likeble character and she has this weight as the main character - you feel for her and you share her desire for vengeance from the get go, so you wanna see her succeed, even though her methods can be sometimes questionable. And though she has this dark, (very) violent and ruthless side, she is also vulnerable (she has her traumas, that are slowly revealed during the novel, she is ‘alone' in the world and all that), is loyal and just, and fights for what she believes is right, no matter what and who stands in her way. She is really a force to be reckoned with and I am all here for it. I also loved the dynamics between her and the other alcolytes - especially Ash and Trick. I adore Mr. Kindling and the friendly/family-like relationship they have and how, despite being somewhat of a shadow demon, he cares and loves Mia so much he does everything to protect her.

The final sequences were amazing, and I was on the edge of my seat even though there were almost a 100 pages to go - it was fast and full of action and amazing plot twists and Mia being a badass and I left feeling like I had been on this crazy roller-coaster. It felt also a little bit like the ending of the first Harry Potter book: the threath is over for now, but this is just the beginning. I can't wait to know what awaits Mia on her quest to avenge her familia, the other surprises Jay Kristoff has in store (and how emotionally wrecked I will be after all of this) as well as to what level he is taking this. I can only hope this continues to grow till the final book, to an epic and heart-stopping conclusion.

“I have twenty-eight excellent girls aboard this ship, and their pasts have shaped them. Just as yours has shaped you. And every single one of them, down to little Roslyn, deserves your respect.

I LOVED this book. I was in need of a light, fun, fast-paced read with compelling characters, a good romance and lots of twists and this was it. The first book was already amazing, but this one was perfection to me - I missed the all-girl crew in the first installment, I wanted to know more about them because we got some small, but very good scenes with some of Alosa's crewmates, and in this one we get to know all of them. I love the dynamics of the Ava-lee crew, the characters introduced and developed in this installment are so likable and complex, and I liked seeing how just and honest Alosa is as a captain, and how much love and respect she has for all of them, even little Roslyn. They are her family, and it shows because of how fiercely she protects them and vice-versa.

Alosa's arc in this book is also fantastic - she was already a very compelling and relatable character in the previous book, but here she's at her element and her leadership shines, as well as her strategic mind, her ruthlessness when defending her people and what she believes in. She's brave, sarcastic, hot-tempered and fierce, and loyal, and compassionate. But she also has her struggles and it was nice to see a softer side of the character as well and how, despite being this fearsome pirate lady, she can be scared too. The way she deals with her siren side was also really well done and I loved seeing her master both of her natures. The relationship between her and her dad, the feared and terrible Pirate King is also explored, as well as her dynamic with her mom and that was also another turning point for her character and it also allowed her to grow - both of her parents are kinda shitty and how she deals with everything is a central part of her arc.

The relationship between Alosa and Riden is also amazing. I like how they go to distrust and keeping each other at bay to helping each other, trusting each other and Riden becoming Alosa's anchor of sorts. It's very well done and natural and their scenes are so so good! They really balance each other out.

From the get-go, this had a ‘Pirates of the Caribbean' vibe to me, which is good, because I love the original PoC trilogy and this was as entertaining and fun as the movies to me, with a more feminist aspect. I also enjoyed how it dealt with toxic relationships (family, especially), substance addiction and the struggles of trying to get off it and other issues just as important, but interwoven in the story in a realistic, but not overwhelming, way. I am so happy to have found a new author to love and can't wait to read more of Levenseller's books!

“It was a constant source of amazement to Alexia that the only thing she had ever done in her entire life that pleased her mama was marry a werewolf.”

This series is my new addiction! And it's definitely my in-between heavier books series to read. It's so much fun and I really like Alexia as an MC. She's spirited, fun, sarcastic but brave and smart and very very ingenious. I was wondering what the author would do after how book 1 ended, but I'm pleasantly surprised and even more engaged in the story. I like how cute and healthy the relationship between Connal and Alexia is, how supportive they are of each other and how Connal knows how smart and capable Alexia is, and doesn't try to restrain her or is overprotective. She is the Alpha and she is a good leader, and he trusts her a lot.

I liked how Alexia's muhjah role was explored. It was nice to get an inside look into the politics of the supernatural council and how this whole thing works. I was also very pleased with how it explored the ghosts more. They were mentioned in the first novel, but there wasn't much to go on, and here we get to know more about how they are created, how their degeneration works and what they are like overall. There are new characters, and they really add to the story, especially Genevieve, the inventor, and the Scottish pack. The secondary characters have more relevancy here and even side plots. I really like Biffy and his dynamic with the Professor (who is mysterious and quiet in his own right and I really want to know more about him). Lord Alkedama is hilarious and is a very important part of the main plot.

Felicity, Alexia' sister, is annoying and I could've done without her at all. I did enjoy Tunstall and Ivy's debacle, but Ivy was annoying me to no end with her drama and I just wanted her to be toned down a bit. She was often more in the way than helping or doing something interesting, so I couldn't care much for her.

This was, plot-wise, better than the previous installment, not only because it was somehow more complex and helped expand the world, but it had some very good plot twists, though some were predictable. The ending broke my heart into a thousand pieces, but again it was the perfect hook to the sequel. I am definitely picking up the third novel as fast as I can to follow Mrs. Alexia Connal nee Tarabotti's adventures.

“It was just a book. An inanimate object. The only power it held was what she chose to give it. It could only be important in her life if she made it such. Of course, that didn't explain why she half expected it to glow in the dark every time she peered into her satchel.”

Well, this was a surprise. I didn't enjoy the previous book in this duology, so I wasn't expecting much from it, but I actually devoured this book almost in one sitting. It was heartwarming, cute, romantic, fun and the sexy scenes were delightfully hot. I LOVED Elizabeth, she's down-to-earth, hard-working, smart and compassionated, and the struggles of her family broke my heart a lot of times during the book. I adored her interactions with Lady D and how she cares for the old, quirky lady. The family dynamics were also amazing and I loved how protective of her siblings she is and how much she's willing to sacrifice for them. Their scenes were funny, cute and sad at the same time, but you could feel the love emanating from the family as a whole.

As for the couple....wow, what a chemistry! Their scenes were literally on fire most of the time and I enjoyed the teasing, the banter, the secrecy and the fun aspect of the romance, as well as the actual love scenes. Julia Quinn really nailed this one, it's way better than the previous novel. That is made even more clear when the two leads from book 1 turn up for a guest appearance here - Caroline is annoying as ever and clueless as ever. She actually irritated me more here than I remembered from How To Capture an Heiress. The ending was ok, but it was honestly the worst part of the book - Elizabeth started acting a little bit out of character and it was completely cliché and kind of rushed. I didn't like how the author solved the situation, but the rest of the book compensated and I still left very satisfied with everything.

I don't think I'll be reading any more Julia Quinn (I don't care much for the acclaimed Bridgerton series), but I was happy that my bad first impression of her was replaced by a better one after this book.

“I won't let your ignorance silence my pain”

Actual rating: 4.5 stars

I was so curious about this book, especially because of all the hype surrounding it. And I have to say, it was well worth it. Yes, as a first book in a series or a fantasy book in general, it's pretty standard - there's not many surprised concerning the main plot, it feels like a lot of fantasy first books out there. What really stands out is the world build, or, rather, the mythology this world is built upon. Unlike the majority of YA fantasies or even adult ones, this is based on African mythologies, Ubanda. This book sheds a light on this rich, nature-based religion, and also deals with racism, colorism, and slavery. Also, all the character are black, which, I have to say, it's a first when it comes to fantasy, often European/North-America based.

The whole book is fast paced and full of twists, some of them unexpected, but other very predictable. I found myself really enjoying the characters, especially Amani. Her development through the book is amazing and done in a very believable and compelling way. Tzain was kind of pointless during the story, but I enjoyed his relationship with Amani and his protectiveness towards Zél, despite his actions in the end. Zél as the main character is somehow cliché but I liked her. She's impulsive but kind and brave, and though she knows how out of depth she is during the journey, she rises to the challenge. I had some issues with some of her attitudes, but it didn't bother me as much. The real problem for me was Inan's character - yes, I understand what he went through during his life, being groomed to be King, trying to impress his father as well as protect his kingdom, and that something that is built during your whole life is difficult to break, I understand he was afraid of his powers and of all that was happening, but honestly, his actions were inexcusable at the end of the book and though he seemed to have learned so much and was struggling to get better, he chose to go back to his old ways, KNOWING full well what it meant. I do hope he will be redeemed, but I don't care much for him after this.

The ending was also another thing that kinda didn't sit well - I thought it was kind of rushed and there were a lot of things too convenient or easy, or just left unexplained. Maybe this will be fixed in book 2, especially with the cliffhanger, and I'm excited to see what the author will do with the consequences of the events of the end, but I would have liked things to be a little more developed. Still, it didn't take from my utter enjoyment and love for this book.

“A vampire, like a lady, never reveals his true age.”

This was SO much fun! It's the perfect mix of paranormal fantasy, period romance and steampunk with a witty and sharp-tongued female lead and a hot-headed, brutish werewolf male protagonist who have amazing chemistry and a healthy, fun relationship with that love-to-hate trope I so so love. I found myself devouring the book, wanting to find out more about the mystery, the supernatural in this world, about Alexia's preternatural abilities and everything else. The secondary characters are also fun and compelling, and I hope we'll get more on them, especially the pack & vampire ones. The premise is certainly different, but the book in itself doesn't have many surprises or convoluted twists and turns and that's ok because what I loved the most about it was its clichéd parts that had this quirky twist. I didn't expect the novel to end the way it has, but it certainly opens lots of interesting possibilities concerning the next installments. I'm curious about how the author will continue on this story and can't wait to pick up the sequels!

“Perhaps not one religion contains all of the truth of the world. Perhaps every religion contains fragments of the truth, and it is our responsibility to identify those fragments and piece them together.”

Actual rating: 3.5 stars

I can't believe I am done with this book! I've been trying to finish this since last year, but I was always getting stuck somewhere in the reading. Mind you, this is not a bad book, not at all. It might be my second favorite in the series. I love the growth both Eragon and Sapphira undergoes during this series - Eragon here sounds and acts more mature, more wary of his position as Dragon Rider and leader, more aware of the consequences of his actions and what he needs to do to fulfill his duty. He is not as lovesick with Arya to the point of being annoying (and very insistent with her) and they strike an easy companionship here that I like. This is a much more slow paced book, it dwells more on the politics of Alagaesia and it's people, as well as solve some pending side-plots to hopefully concentrate all the focus of the last book in the final stand against Galbatorix & his minions. There is a lot of revelations here, some much needed explanations and lots of things going on. I also really enjoyed some of the new characters, how the author explored the Urgals – a race that was thought of as ‘all bad' and as villanous as Galbatorix - and the different POV's we've had here (having chapters from Sapphira's very different POV was amazing and I absolutely loved Nasuada's chapters and her character overall). The ending is not as explosive as it was in the previous novels, or as surprising, but it was still action-packed and somewhat reminded the characters of everything at stake.

I have two complaints about this book, though. First of all, I think it is unnecessarily long. There was a lot of scenes that didn't add anything to the main plot and coudl've been cut off easily. And second, Roran's character. As much as I enjoyed his journey in the previous installment, and his POV was somewhat needed for us to see what was happening with the Vardens while Eragon was away, I felt that he had fullfilled his role already and this was just a repeat of his behavior in book 2, so lots of his chapter were unnecessary and I couldn't care much about what was happening to him most of the times – I was more excited/intrigued about Eragon's actions than his and just wanted most of theses in-between chapters to end. Yes, most of the action of the book happens during Roran's POV, but I was much more interested in the dealings of Dwarve Politics than him slashing enemies and getting more bloodthirsty and dark.

If these two aspects had been condensed and were delt with, I would have enjoyed it way more and it would probably have been my favorite from the series so far. As it is, it is still a very good book and I'm happy I can finally move on to the big finale!

“Evil is not a thing. It cannot take possession of you. It's the opposite; it's a void, an absence of goodness. The only thing you can be frightened of here is yourself.”

After the hype surrounding this book, especially because of the movie adaptation, I was expecting a bit more from it. It was not a bad book, but it wasn't amazing either. I love me some good detective story, but I also enjoy being taken by surprise by my mystery novels and that didn't happen here.

It is an interesting story, but not a new one - there are dozens of serial killer books out there, with much the same plot and build-up. The differences between them are how compelling the writing is, how engrossing the reading, how interesting or relatable the characters and the twists that can turn it into something new. And while this one has a good pace and the writing is good, there was nothing in it that stood out to me, there were no twists (I guessed pretty much everything the author meant as a surprise and, if much, all the turns left me more confused as to where the story was going and what the author wanted to do with all that, than entertained or surprised).

Harry Hole is a very cliché character - he follows the line of lots of other main characters in this kind of novel: dark, brooding, having trouble in love and with some kind of addiction, has a lot of baggage and is ‘different' from other police officers, being it because of inteligence, perception skills or, in Harry's case, a especial training with the FBI. Although there's a lot of allusion to the past books, I didn't feel like I had to read them to understand the character or the events. He is a very realistic character, but there's nothing in him that made me especially care for him or to make him different from lots of other very similar characters.

Overall, it is not a bad book, but it wasn't amazing either. I guess that, if I was new to the genre, I would've enjoyed it much more than I did, because then I wouldn't have the feeling of reading something I've already did before somewhere and maybe I would have been surprised. I was hoping to pick up the previous installments after finishing this one, but now I don't think I'll be doing that.

“You don't need to be gifted with a blade. You are your own best weapon.”

THIS WAS BEAUTIFUL! I loved everything in this book, start to finish. The angsty, the romance, the plot, the war, the beautiful, poetic writing, the alternating POV that left me tense during the whole thing...ugh, amazing. I just love Kestrel & Arin's story, and this book made me all kinds of tense and sad, and happy. The final chapters were tense, but it had this very smart plot twist and the ending was just perfect. I'm so happy to have concluded this trilogy, which became one of my favorite romances ever.

“She had been both good and wicked and everything in between. She had been both at once, too, until it was hard for her to even tell the difference anymore.” 

The middle book syndrome attacks again! This book was a bit of a hot mess, which was disappointing because I absolutely loved the first installment. I really like this dark Oz and the whole tone of the series, and the fact that the author expanded a bit and showed us beyond Emerald City and Muchiking Country was really great and allowed her to present some interesting new characters that had important roles in the story. But this felt like a transitioning book, but it failed to answer some of the many questions the first book left us with and only brought more questions. It remained fast-paced because Danielle's writing is fluid and the book is not exactly a chunky one, but I found maybe too fast? Some big events were solved fairly quickly into the story and way too easy, and the sequence of events had this very steady feel without impacting moments until BOOM, everything exploded and things happened and the book ended. And I was left completely confused about what had happened but a little curious about what will come for the characters and this world, especially after the last paragraphs. Still, it felt rushed, and with not as surprising and full of twists as the first one.

Amy was, perhaps, the biggest disappointment here, though. She was this rebellious, smart, ironic but very relatable character in the first book. She struggled with her place in Oz, the discovery of her powers, and the bravery she had to find in herself to save this strange land she lands in. At the end of the novel, she tried to fulfill her mission of killing Dorothy, despite not coming fully into her magic, but because she wanted to help her friends and end the injustice of Dorothy's rule. Here, she not only is a full-on witch in the first scenes, despite the time jump between the end of book 1 and the beginning of book 2 is mere hours. And she seems to have regressed a bit - she is impulsive to the point of stupidity, she decides not to listen to anyone else and do things her way despite everyone trying to tell her it will end badly (and it does, because she goes and do the thing anyway), and her biggest motivation is not helping Oz or doing what's right, or helping people....it's a boy whom she interacts with for 60 pages in the first installment (and, ok, she kissed, but never interacted with again until the end of the first book) and treated her kind of badly - and who now is supposed to be her love interest and a factual romance that was built since the beginning (yeah, no). The author introduced a very interesting side plot for her that could lead to amazing character growth, but it was practically resolved before the first half of the book and it only took Amy to where she began within the book, development-wise.

It's not a bad book per se, it's only that it falls flat after what book one was, and that it left me more confused than when I first began. I really hope the next two novels will mend that and surprise me, giving this series the amazing finale it deserves.

"Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

After the amazingness that was Mistborn, I was kind of disappointed in this book. Yes, it's an interesting premise and the powers and how the Epics turned out got me curious, but there are some plot-developing issues, and I just couldn't connect to any of the characters in a way that left me worried for them or even cared about them at all. David is irritating with his ‘i want to be a badass, not a nerd, and I can't understand why this beautiful girl, who happens to be my age, isn't immediately in love with me, even though she was only nice to me once and now seems to dislike me a lot, so now I have to think of ways to make her laugh while we're in the middle of a dangerous mission'. The action scenes were ok, but it didn't give me a sense of danger and the ending, though it had its twists, wasn't all that surprising (a lot of what was revealed I guessed beforehand because of some clues left by the author) and there were some things that were just very cliché. Like Sanderson couldn't be bothered to write complex things because it was a YA novel instead of high fantasy. I might continue with the trilogy, more for the answers about certain aspects of the plot that were left unanswered than because of David and the others.

“If you won't be my friend, you'll regret being my enemy.”

Although I loved the first one, and this second installment was also very good, there were some issues that I couldn't overlook. Overall, after the events of The Winner's Curse, we have Kestrel navigating the political games and the dangers of the court, as well as Arin trying to rebuild Herran, while still trying to keep the Valorians at bay. There is a tension that hovers over the entire book and leaves the reader feeling uneasy like anything bad could happen at all times the entire time and when things finally explode, you're left reeling and just as destroyed as our mains characters. Kestrel, while smart and a very good strategist, is completely out of her element here and lets herself be caught in something she can't quite get out of. I like that she had to go through this, as much as it pained me in the end, but it was a good way for her character to develop.

I liked the new characters but wanted more of an active role for some of them. And while I love me some angst in my couples, the plot device the author used here not only to keep the two leads apart but to set the whole thing to the end she wanted was just so poor - I hate lack of communication as a way to further things along and delay the couple getting together. It means that the whole plot could have unraveled with one decent conversation and there would be no book afterward. It feels like lazy writing to me and was what bothered me the most here. I get it that there were some trust issues between Arin and Kestrel, justifiably so, but it was stretched out as much as it could until it was just annoying and an obvious plot device. Still, I keep enjoying this story so much and Kestrel & Arin's characters are amazing. They grow a lot during this book and I think it sets the whole mood for the conclusion. It's a good middle book, with a few issues here and there.

“You will never be a hero. You were never meant to be a hero." (...)"I already am. And it's heroine.”

I had so much fun while reading this book! I love mythology retellings and I love Riordan's books, so obviously I would pick up the books from his mythology print. And I was so happy I did it! I don't know much about Indian mythology, but Roshani did an amazing job introducing me to it through a fun, very original and, dare I say, Riordan-esque way. Aru is a very compelling and relatable character. She's the typical 10/12 year old, who wants to belong and be accepted by her peers. While she does have her flaws, she grows a lot during the story, owning to her mistakes and finding her place and embracing her role. I love her friendship with Mimi and their dynamic. The side characters are just as interesting and there are a lot of hilarious moments. Plot-wise, it's not revolutionary - actually, it's a pretty standard first book in a series, and not particularly surprising, especially if you've read Percy Jackson before. There aren't many twists, but the ending is good and satisfying, as well as leaving some clues of what is to come, enough to make me want to pick up the sequel the minute it comes out.