Posted on by Hermione · 3 Comments

Jade Fire Gold – A Book Review

Since this is my blog, I think I have the luxury to skip an introduction because I don’t know what to write up here…other than the fact that I cannot wait for my best friend to read Ruin and Rising so that she can have her heart broken. She deserves it. Yes she does. That is my indirect revenge on her for daring to- let’s start with the review. 🔪

  • Title: Jade, Fire, Gold
  • Author: June C.L. Tan
  • Genre: Fantasy, Chinese Mythology, Romance, LGBT
  • Category: YA
  • Publication Date/Publisher: October 12th 2021 by Harper Teen
Jade Fire Gold
Source: Goodreads

Someone….please tell me WHAT SHOULD I DO SO THAT MY FUTURE NOVEL (which probably won’t turn very good because if I have got a few ideas, I probably don’t have enough writing skills for the moment) DESERVES A COVER LIKE THIS?

I don’t think I should reduce the size of this cover because- LOOK AT THIS ART😭 Bro like-

There was a time when war approached an empire like a looming shadow…

There was a boy, Altan who’s burdened by his past, because he remembers…and a girl, Ahn who has no past, only left with an object she can barely tie to a memory.

When Ahn discovers something about her that was far greater than she has ever imagined, her future is now not entirely in her hands. Thrown into something much more dangerous than she thought of, it’s too far-fetched for her to believe it more than a fairytale.

But when Ahn and Altan collide, possibilities bloom. They each find something to gain from each other. Altan sees the hope of reclaiming his throne and Ahn, recovering her long lost memories.

And all things have a price that needs to be paid.

About the Author: June C.L. Tan

June C.L. Tan

June CL Tan is a Singaporean author who was raised on a diet of classic books and wuxia movies, caffeine and congee. After obtaining three degrees, she decided she had enough of academia. Thankfully, those degrees were somewhat related to telling stories and now, she resides in New York City, writing under the watchful eye of her crafty cat. Jade Fire Gold is her debut novel.

[Picture and text taken directly from Goodreads]

My Ratings: 3.5/5

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

My Thoughts:

For a debut novel, this book really did surprise me. It was easy to get into the atmosphere and absorb yourself into the book.

(Can we talk about the opening lines please????? Like they are worth sparkles ✨✨✨✨✨)

The characters were very well-written and they weren’t paper people if you get what I mean. I also like the way the author introduced them into the book and the way the story unfolds itself all along the way. The story is told in both Ahn’s and Altan’s point of views which is probably one of the best things because the feeeeels….

The plot was easy to understand but I guess it lacked a bit of more action (look at the cover? Doesn’t it just RADIATE action?) and ✨intense chemistry✨ between the two main characters. Sometimes, it felt like the book was too concentrated on Ahn and Altan. The atmosphere as always is one of the most important things I search for in a story and if the atmosphere was great in this book, it wasn’t mind-blowing. I wish the author had spent much more time in accurately describing their environment, the temperature in overall but otherwise, she did a great job.

I also loved the side characters a lot. Despite them not having a lot of ‘book-time’, the author made them come to life. I guess the best things in this book is the magic system (like the Elemental Magic system, where they can manipulate the four basic elements [air, fire, water, earth] but so as not to spoil, that is all you should know for now. The characters can also be something I would call one of the best things and the sweet relationship between them, friendly or romantic.

The book could have been longer because in my opinion the author could have spent a dozen more pages in world-building and atmosphere. I think it would have so much more potential if the world would have been much more developed and the scenes a lot more suspenseful and unpredictable.

I expected it to be action packed but it ended up to be mostly sweet and with a little action. It wasn’t what I expected but the unexpected turned out to be good.

I love the author’s writing style, It really brought the story to life and trust me, this book is definitely worth it. It may lack a little world-building and more backstory for the characters but just seeing the fanart on Google makes me want to pick up the book again. Like, I would read it again for the sweet romance and writing style and the side characters.

Can I also say that the names in this book are like insanely beautifully gorgeous? Ahn? Altan? Linxi? Leiye? Tang Wei? Tai Shun? Not only are the names beautiful, but the way they are spelled and written like-

Its So Beautiful Crying GIF - Its So Beautiful Crying Cry GIFs
Source: Tenor

Yeah…so beautiful I’ll eventually end up feeling emotional on the next level…

Like go read this book if you want. For a debut, this book is terrifyingly beautiful and I do recommend this. If this author is writing any other fantasy, I am just gonna pop out, download the book for free from somewhere on Google and plop myself in some hidey hole and read. She has literally so much potential and I know she will just get better and better. Like, go read this.

*the cover is breathtakingly amazing…*

My Favourite Quotes: (I think I kinda lost track and stopped taking notes of them…)

The boy who hated the desert with every fiber of his body yet was forced to remain in its protection. The boy so broken inside that they thought he might never smile again, that his eyes would never see the light. The boy who could not or would not speak. And when he finally did with a voice full of gravel, he uttered only one word. Again and again.
A name he would repeat in his sleep. Sometimes murmuring, often screaming.
Sarangerel.

Jade Fire Gold – June C.L Tan

It is said that the gods test a man for a purpose; that they would never place on him a burden he could not bear. But the boy held a different view. The gods were cruel, and men were merely puppets in a grand play staged for the amusement of bored immortals.
He vowed to snatch his fate from their hands.
So, he bided his time, waiting for a sign.

Jade Fire Gold – June C.L Tan
Tears Of Joy Amanda Holden GIF - Tears Of Joy Amanda Holden Britains Got Talent GIFs
Source: Tenor

Did I ever say that quotes make me emotional?

WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME? I am suddenly feeling emotional for such minor reasons. I think my mind is running away.

And I think I was in some sort of hiatus but that was because online class started four weeks ago and I am so lucky they have ended.

And school has started and I am not sure if I have shrunk in size in three months or my friends have just grown taller…

But I am happy, normal school has resumed except for the fact that I am supposed to be in Grade 9 (I won’t be able to explain the whole Mauritian school system but January to December is the time we spend in a Grade) this year and the GOveRNMent decided to make all the students repeat the same class again.

So it is like I am repeating Grade 8 again. WE HAD ALREADY COVERED 2 TERMS WHY NOT JUST GIVE US ONLY A SINGLE ONE TO COMPLETE OUR GRADE 8 INSTEAD OF GETTING US STUCK IN THE SAME CLASS FOR ONE MORE EFFING YEAR? Or at least you could have given us like half a year to complete my Grade 8…we would have lost only the minimum then…

Like, I am lamenting at my miserable fate. What sorcery is? Kids aren’t stupid. They can all easily adapt to school life…it will just take them 3 weeks then we will all be on flow.

We have almost finished our Grade 8 books…then what? Like we don’t need 1 year to finish the last third of the book? Oh yes. Now I remember? We could always do the book over again and do revision till we are finally getting into the other class right?

Instead of annoying you with my problems, I have another thing to annoy you with…

MY BEST FRIEND JUST FINISHED SHADOW AND BONE A FEW DAYS AGO AND I SWEAR I COULD HAVE TIME-TRAVELLED TO THE ERA OF THE DINOSAURS.

Bye.

Posted on by Hermione · 19 Comments

Six of Crows//Crooked Kingdom-A Double Book Review (…’cause why not?)

Oh well, I guess it will be easier to write down my thoughts down for the TWO books otherwise my brain will be scattered all over the place. Oh and probably because I am too lazy to write separate reviews…*fakes a yawn*. *actually yawns*

Oh well, this might be a long post and instead of reading all the blurbs you can just skip them all and start reading after the ratings.

  • Title: Six of Crows
  • Series: Six of Crows #1
  • Author: Leigh Bardugo
  • Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Romance, LGBT
  • Category: YA
  • Publishing Date/Publisher: September 29th 2015 by Henry Holt & Company
Six of Crows (Six of Crows, #1)
Source: Goodreads

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can’t pull it off alone. . . .

A convict with a thirst for revenge

A sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager

A runaway with a privileged past

A spy known as the Wraith

A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums

A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes

Kaz’s crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don’t kill each other first.

[From Goodreads]

JUST SKIP THE SYNOPSIS OF CROOKED KINGDOM IS YOU WANT TO READ THIS SERIES. CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR SIX OF CROWS.

But the part where I write my thoughts about those two books are totally spoiler-free. *rolls eyes* Just scroll down. It is found under the rating I give the two books.

  • Title: Crooked Kingdom
  • Series: Six of Crows #2
  • Author: Leigh Bardugo
  • Genre: Fantasy, Adventure, Romance, LGBT
  • Category: YA
  • Publishing Date/Publisher: September 27th 2016 by Orion Children’s Book
Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows, #2)
Source: Goodreads

Welcome to the world of the Grisha.

Kaz Brekker and his crew of deadly outcasts have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn’t think they’d survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they’re right back to fighting for their lives.

Double-crossed and badly weakened, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz’s cunning and test the team’s fragile loyalties.

A war will be waged on the city’s dark and twisting streets – a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of the Grisha world.

[From Goodreads]

About the Author:

Leigh Bardugo

Leigh Bardugo is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of fantasy novels and the creator of the Grishaverse (now a Netflix original series) which spans the Shadow and Bone Trilogy, the Six of Crows Duology, the King of Scars Duology, and The Language of Thorns—with more to come. Her short stories can be found in multiple anthologies, including the Best American Science Fiction & Fantasy. Her other works include Wonder Woman: Warbringer and Ninth House (Goodreads Choice Winner for Best Fantasy 2019) which is being developed for television by Amazon Studios. She lives in Los Angeles. For information on new releases and appearances, sign up for her newsletter.

She would be delighted if you visited her at LeighBardugo.com and fairly giddy if you liked her selfies on Instagram.

[Picture and text taken directly from Goodreads]

SIX OF CROWS

My Ratings: 5/5

Rating: 5 out of 5.

CROOKED KINGDOM

My Ratings: 5/5

Rating: 5 out of 5.

My Thoughts:

A HEARTRENDER DOESN’T USE MAGIC. NO GRISHA DOES MAGIC. WHY DID THEY SAY THAT IN THE SYNOPSIS?!? GRISHA PRACTICE THE SMALL SCIENCE GUYS NOT MAGIC!! It. Is. The. Small. Science…😤 She uses her POWERS. AND POWERS IS NOT MAGIC.😠😡

Okay, since my mind needs sorting we will make things a little organized here. *huffs*

Kaz Brekker

I think Leigh Bardugo did a great job developing him. He had a unique “greyish” personality and I absolutely love it when the hero is a little grey; like he was neither a totally good person, but not a bad person. I guess it was definitely right introducing him as a criminal mastermind otherwise I would have asked myself how on Earth does he have the brains??To think of that up?? Like who does?? Though I wish I had his gift of lockpicking…

He is so different, internally and externally. Everybody sees him as this cold-hearted criminal mastermind but in the inside, he is just a boy who has a hard past and just trying to survive in a world of corruption and greed AND monsters like Pekka. I think the great challenge in this book was portraying him as this person who never believes he is wrong, full of calculated strategies and quite proud but also portraying him as this person who never believes he is worthy enough to deserve good things in life.

“How do you get your information, Mister Brekker?”
“You might say I’m a lockpick.”
“You must be a very gifted one.”
“I am indeed.” Kaz leaned back slightly. “You see, every man is a safe, a vault of secrets and longings. Now, there are those who take the brute’s way, but I prefer a gentler approach—the right pressure applied at the right moment, in the right place. It’s a delicate thing.
“Do you always speak in metaphors, Mister Brekker?”
Kaz smiled. “It’s not a metaphor.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows

Inej Ghafa

I tell you something…that girl has got a heart of gold…I absolutely love this young lady. I find her personality amazing. She is just ‘living’ proof that you don’t have to enjoy killing and have the ‘bad girl’ portray in order to be badass (thank you Miss Leigh for giving us characters like The Crows…). The way she believes in herself and how she cares for the others as well. She is so brave and her faith in people and her religion is extraordinary. I wish I knew more about her backstory…but other than that…well…I just find the way she believes that there is always good in people no matter how stained or bloodied they are…just…it just makes her so real. I just find her belief that there is some good left in Kaz really amazing. When you don’t believe in yourself, it is nice to have someone believe in you. Very valuable investment that girl is…Kaz should just be proud of her.

“Speak, she begged silently. Give me a reason to stay. For all his selfishness and cruelty, Kaz was still the boy who had saved her. She wanted to believe he was worth saving, too.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows

Jesper Fahey

HIS SENSE OF HUMOUR IS JUST SO BRILLIANT I CAN’T-

Oh well…I just love Jesper. His sarcastic comments, the way he talked with Wylan, the times he made me laugh and smile in the books…got to admit he is a real softie…He is just totally chaotic to the last degree. He is that sort of person who would do any sort of favours for those he cares for. If Inej was in some kind of trouble, he’d be here. Kaz? Wylan? Nina? Matthias? He would be here for them all. That show-off…him and his flashy guns…he is totally UNRELIABLE and reliable. You know what Jesper, I really love you and all but you’ve got to stop all of those silly detours to gamble your money away. But you could try gambling your talent for showing off here and there because I assure you, it’s just some useless thing but I like my characters a little galant so keep them. Though I’ve got to admit your flirting skills with cute boys are excellent.😏

“Take good care of my babies,” Jesper said as he handed them over to Dirix. “If I see a single scratch or nick on those, I’ll spell forgive me on your chest in bullet holes.”

–Leigh Bardugo

Wylan Van Eck

Wylan was the quiet and shy one but I loved his personality. He is the runaway with a privileged past. Abandoned by his father, Jan Van Eck because he couldn’t read and barely escaped being assassinated by his father’s men. The other five wouldn’t have completed there mission with less difficulty if Wylan hadn’t been there. He was the one with a great knowledge in bombs and created them and thus ensured successful diversions. He was this shy person, who rarely talked unless needed, which was very different from the picture Jesper, Matthias or Kaz even showed. He wasn’t the one who would just kill another person in order to get his way.

That quote below just…it just made me realize that I have never had friends that I loved like he loved Matthias, Jesper, Kaz, Inej and Nina. Or maybe that is because I have a much more personal attachment with fictional characters that actual people. And it isn’t something that I’m proud of.

“Until this moment, Wylan hadn’t quite understood how much they meant to him. His father would have sneered at these thugs and thieves, a disgraced soldier, a gambler who couldn’t keep out of the red. But they were his first friends, his only friends, and Wylan knew that even if he’d had his pick of a thousand companions, these would have been the people he chose.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Crooked Kingdom

Nina Zenik

Nina, a powerful Grisha Heartrender who uses her POWERS to survive in Ketterdam.

One thing I really love about Nina’s personality is how flirty and feminine she is and how she would kill to save Inej or the others. Leigh Bardugo managed to make her a total badass without taking away her feminine side and strong emotions which I just totally respect. She was extremely loyal and despite her squabbling with Matthias here, she was portrayed as someone who was strong and brave and would flirt her way into getting what she wanted. She was that one woman, everyone would want to meet. I don’t know exactly what to write about her but she just blew me away and I am still not sure for what reason.

A CHARACTER THAT LOVES FOOD…OKAY I’M IN NO QUESTIONS.

”Stay,” she panted. Tears leaked from her eyes. “Stay till the end.”
“And after,” he said. “And always.”
“I want to feel safe again. I want to go home to Ravka.”
“Then I’ll take you there. We’ll set fire to raisins or whatever you heathens do for fun.”
“Zealot,” she said weakly.
“Witch.”
“Barbarian.”
“Nina,” he whispered, “little red bird. Don’t go.”
― Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows

Matthias Helvar

He is that grumpy and grouchy person, I just couldn’t bring myself to dislike…having a characters who just hates everyone and everything and has the brain the size of an oversized pea is actually really refreshing. I don’t know how though…

Other than that, I really did think that the conflict in his mind between his loyalty to his native country and Nina really interesting. As a witch hunter himself, and actually having feelings for a person who is a witch…I just find it extremely interesting how he copes with that conflict. He has his own morals of his own but of course…love ends up wrecking people to the last degree anyway and sometimes it is for the better.

I absolutely adored the love-hate relationship between Nina and Matthias. It wasn’t useless. It made perfect sense and I enjoyed it along the way. I just after finishing the series did I realize how much Matthias grew up on me. I am literally at a lost for words at what to say right now. I am just feeling choked by the need to read all of Leigh Bardugo’s books over again.

Jesper knocked his head against the hull and cast his eyes heavenward. “Fine. But if Pekka Rollins kills us all, I’m going to get Wylan’s ghost to teach my ghost how to play the flute just so that I can annoy the hell out of your ghost.”
Brekker’s lips quirked. “I’ll just hire Matthias’ ghost to kick your ghost’s ass.”
“My ghost won’t associate with your ghost,” Matthias said primly, and then wondered if the sea air was rotting his brain.
― Leigh Bardugo, Six of Crows

Other than the characters, the little Ketterdam world-building was perfect. Leigh Bardugo did a great job, not only describing Ketterdam but also making me feel like I was there. The descriptions were extremely rich, I could literally imagine the city right there in my mind. And it wasn’t only the way the city looked that she described. She didn’t miss out anything in description. I am just head-over-heads over books that are absolutely atmospheric and actually feel real.

The plot was hands down just breathtaking. I love the way Leigh Bardugo unveiled it all to me as a reader and it wasn’t just all put down at one moment. It was slow, you have this part, then you discover another. It actually kept me really hooked into the books. I am just absolutely in love with the fact that they are actually doing the job because of the money NOT because their main concern is saving the world.😂 The plot was really rich and actually mostly character driven. I loved how harshly the consequences would have been if something about the characters’ actions would have been different.

I also really appreciate the amazing diversity in the characters in Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom. You have Kaz, dark haired and eyes(is he Kerch?), Inej, a brown skinned Suli girl, Nina, brown haired and green eyed native Ravkan, Jesper, brown skinned and grey eyed Zemeni, Matthias, a pale blond and blue eyed Fjerdan witch hunter and Wylan, golden haired and blue eyed. I think he is Kerch. Especially the fact that they weren’t whitewashed or given the whatever ideal body type is.

Do we have to talk some more about the characters? Yes. Well, I just dreadfully loved the way they didn’t fit together but did fit together.😂

Oh and we forgot the writing style. I don’t exactly know how to explain this but to me, it was the sort of book I would read, not only for the story and the characters, but also for the simple pleasure of appreciating the writing. I loved the quotes and the way they ran so deep. Sometimes, I just caught myself staring at the words on my phones and just reading them over and over again. The fact that Bardugo wrote each of the characters’ POV in the 3rd person was a really great idea. It made me see the book not through the characters eyes, but WITH the characters next to me. If that even makes sense.

Okay, this is probably the longest review I have ever written…but just suffer a little more and then I’ll be done.😃

Last thing, I’ll read this again next year…that book is definitely worth a read though I don’t think it might just please everyone because of the pace which is quite slow. It is worth it though.

It is really not necessary to read the Shadow and Bone trilogy before this duology but I think you should read the trilogy first. It helps you understand the world more, despite not being set in Ketterdam.

Sorry for making you suffer through such a long post,

~Hermione

Posted on by Hermione · 6 Comments

Ruin and Rising-A Book Review

*sniffs* *sniffs again*

Well, since the topic of me sniffing shouldn’t be of any of your concern…we will proceed..,*sni-

  • Title: Ruin and Rising
  • Series: Shadow and Bone #3
  • Author: Leigh Bardugo
  • Genre: Fantasy, Magic, Romance
  • Category: YA
  • Publication Date/Publisher: June 17th 2014 by Henry Holt and Company
Ruin and Rising (The Shadow and Bone Trilogy, #3)
Source: Goodreads

The capital has fallen.

The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne.

Now the nation’s fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army.

Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives.

Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova’s amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling’s secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction—and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for.

[Synopsis from Goodreads]

About the Author:

Leigh Bardugo

Leigh Bardugo is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of fantasy novels and the creator of the Grishaverse (now a Netflix original series) which spans the Shadow and Bone Trilogy, the Six of Crows Duology, the King of Scars Duology, and The Language of Thorns—with more to come. Her short stories can be found in multiple anthologies, including the Best American Science Fiction & Fantasy. Her other works include Wonder Woman: Warbringer and Ninth House (Goodreads Choice Winner for Best Fantasy 2019) which is being developed for television by Amazon Studios. Leigh grew up in Southern California and graduated from Yale University. These days she lives and writes in Los Angeles. For information on new releases and appearances, sign up for her newsletter.

She would be delighted if you visited her at LeighBardugo.com and fairly giddy if you liked her selfies on Instagram.

[Picture and text taken directly from Goodreads]

My Ratings: 5/5

Rating: 5 out of 5.

My Thoughts:

Just thinking about the ending breaks my heart. I will never forgive Alina but what has to be done has to be done. Good thing she paid for it in some indirect way…I will never ever ever forgive Alina…but any other ending would have been absolutely horrible. And Leigh Bardugo gives bitter sweet ending…what to expect??

Those who haven’t yet read this, I would please ask you not to get any ideas and for the love of heaven and hell, the world and the universe, the moon and the stars, the dark matter and the space between atoms in the air, I would be polite to ask you to sincerely yeet erase that little paragraph above from your memories. I am asking you to do this because I have your best interests at the very bottom of my bottomless heart.

Well, this book was a real journey. The previous characters who weren’t that present in the previous books really shone in this one.

I loved getting to know more about Zoya (that girl’s got some real guts I tell you) Genya (I absolutely love that lady. She has got a fierce and tough heart filled with bravery under her beauty. And Nikolai (again) manages to steal to show with his charm.

There was a thing I didn’t expect at all around the end of the book that I didn’t see coming. I was like:

HOW Meme Generator Net | Meme on ME.ME
Meme Generator

on Earth…what…how on God’s green and blue Earth did that just happen. Never saw this coming…

One aspect of the book that I absolutely loved is that The Darkling’s backstory was revealed in there. I mean, it is nice to know more about hem hem, the villain and his background. And it was all in details and it served a lot in the plot so it didn’t feel like it was just thrown in there.

Zoya Nazyalensky was this girl who totally portrays the badass who makes no effort to be badass. One day, I’ll most probably name my child after her…I totally loved getting to know her more because she and Nikolai were both my second favourite characters in this trilogy. And to be honest, I think Zoya and Nikolai would make a great pair. The way they talk you know…they could make a calm argument for hours haha. I love the fact that she only agrees to help Alina because she is the key to make Ravka safe again not because she actually cares for Alina. *maniacal laugh here*. Oh and of course Alina knows but I love how they warm up a teeny bit after working together.

insert evil laugh here - Evil Plotting Raccoon | Make a Meme
makeameme.org

Mal was a lot better in this book but he is still annoying to be honest. Around the end of the book, I warmed up a lot to him. I think I always knew he loved Alina but in the two previous books, it was almost masked up to his 90% trashy attitude and 10% sweet attitude. But I guess Leigh Bardugo wanted us to ship Alina with the somebody else so that the ending shakes us and causes an earthquake. You know how Miss Leigh is with all her cunning ideas of torturing her readers…

Hem hem…well you’d better know that I never shipped Alina and Mal it was always Alina and The Darkling. The very first time I ever shipped a protagonist and the antagonist but you know Miss Leigh…she has got great ideas when it comes to character love interests…

I seriously liked the plot of the book. I have feeling that much more things happened in this last book…there was a lot more action and buildup in this one than in the others in my opinion. I loved how in this last book, the characters are all looked into deeply and we get to know them better.

The question I have to ask myself is, did Alina actually hate the Darkling or what?

Back to the main things. The ending was…not disappointing but I found it quite bitter (it all depends on you. How you bond with certain characters). For some it might be the perfect ending. The exact way an epic book should end but for me…it was heartbreaking. I was literally so lucky my parents weren’t home that day I finished that book. Spent around half an hour crying on the kitchen floor, had lunch and spent half an hour more crying on the kitchen floor while listening to Back To December by Taylor Swift. I cannot listen to that song now without tearing up. It is one of my favourite Taylor Swift songs. 😭. I hate Leigh Bardugo. I love Leigh Bardugo. She wrote one of the greatest books I have ever experienced. Despite breaking my heart, I’ll read this again. No book has ever made me cry like that.

This book is a great adventure and if you haven’t read this…you better do that soon. It was one hell of a story.

Okay bye bye bye now. Leave me alone. I think I have got to cry.

BTW, I have to tell you that I think I will be posting more often now because schools have closed again here in Mauritius and I am staying home. Like, I guess I’ll be reading more. I got out of my reading slump by reading a 500+ page book and a 750+ page book…figured out the way to get me out of a reading slump 🙂

I just have to pick any book that I have already read before and just get reading. I easily get into the reading flow then. Going to pick up a new book soon. I think I’ll pick up King of Scars next. I haven’t read this and I need to pay a visit to the Grisha world again. I need to go to Ravka or Ketterdam or some place like that.

¬Hermione

Posted on by Hermione · 6 Comments

Siege and Storm-A Book Review

YOU KNOW WHAT!

You don’t know so I’ll tell you anyways…

So, one of my classmates poked my cheek and I literally screamed ”DON’T TOUCH ME!” and hit that person. I don’t know what is wrong with me…but I am a fully norma-*hemhem* person…

And I just realized how life is amazing but the feeling is gone now…

Here is the link to my review of the first book of this series.

  • Title: Siege and Storm
  • Series: Shadow and Bone #2
  • Author: Leigh Bardugo
  • Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Magic
  • Category: YA
  • Publishing Date/Publisher: June 4th 2013 by Henry Holt and Company
Siege and Storm (The Shadow and Bone Trilogy, #2)
Source: Goodreads

I love this font!!!!!

Darkness never dies.

Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land, all while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. But she can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.

The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her—or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.

[Synopsis from Goodreads]

About the Author:

Leigh Bardugo

Leigh Bardugo is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of fantasy novels and the creator of the Grishaverse (now a Netflix original series) which spans the Shadow and Bone Trilogy, the Six of Crows Duology, the King of Scars Duology, and The Language of Thorns—with more to come. Her short stories can be found in multiple anthologies, including the Best American Science Fiction & Fantasy. Her other works include Wonder Woman: Warbringer and Ninth House (Goodreads Choice Winner for Best Fantasy 2019) which is being developed for television by Amazon Studios. She lives in Los Angeles. For information on new releases and appearances, sign up for her newsletter.

She would be delighted if you visited her at LeighBardugo.com and fairly giddy if you liked her selfies on Instagram.

[Picture and text taken directly from Goodreads]

My Ratings: 5/5 (okay, fine. This series is officially one of my all time faves 😉

Rating: 5 out of 5.

My Thoughts:

Dude…this trilogy deserves all the stars in the universe. (Just my opinion of course.)

Well, this book is all about finding the mythical sea dragon….well, anything that involves dragons is my treat. A lot happens in the middle of the sea, in boats. It gives a little pirate vibe to the book which I absolutely loved.

I really enjoyed reading about Alina. In this book, she grows so much, changes so much and learns so much about how to unleash her magic. She becomes a person who is more sure of herself unlike the girl who didn’t even know how to summon her magic before. And you know the best thing about the book, so many new characters were introduced and Miss Leigh managed to make me fall in love with all of them.

Now we come to the person who stole the show…Prince Nikolai Lantsov. The wittiest and most charming person I have ever met. (I haven’t actually met him). No, actually The Darkling is the most charming person but Prince Nikolai has a different sort of charm around him. And he is goddamn smart. He is this sort of person who is always making plans in his head. And he just charms everybody. He stole the whole book to be honest. He is just amazing. I think he is quite similar to Kaz Brekker in terms of mind of intelligence and their knack for making the plans. He one of my favourite characters in this trilogy. Well, The Darkling and Prince Nikolai. *blushing* Actually, I don’t blush but my cheeks tingle.

And to be honest…Mal is a great character but sometimes, he is just really annoying. But sometimes, my heart melts with him. I understand he is a bit of a jealous freak but…sometimes you need to calm down. Seriously?! In the last book of this trilogy, Mal changes a lot so don’t start hating him right now please.🙂 (who finds this emoji creepy? Like the eyes don’t smile…it is the sort of smile you would wear before killing someone…🙂🔪. This looks a million times better. The perfect expression for stabbing someone.)🙂🔪

Is Zoya present a lot in this book?? No I think she is most present in the last one. Because after the ”disaster” at the palace is she present most of the book right? I cannot even freaking separate the events from all the books. I know them but I can’t separate them into their appropriate books…this ANNOYS me!!!

Maybe, we will talk about her when I review the last book.

Well, overall, this book is perfect. The new characters were gradually introduced in the book so you will not lose track unless you find the book boring. It was easy to follow and if I am not mistaken, it picks off right where it left off in the first book. Well, I don’t think everything was very easy in the book…we have got one hell of an amazing and extremely well-written antagonist…Lord Voldemort could never- and one hell of a smart-ass (Prince Nikolai…sure as hell I won’t forget you).

And a very well-written love triangle except there were 3 love-interests…would that be called a quadrangle?? But I think adding the third love interest wasn’t really necessary but let’s be honest over here…the chemistry between The Darkling and Alina was so thick I could cut it out of the book and still not be able to chew it…Mal and Alina didn’t have much chemistry like *cringes a little*…

I DON’T CARE BUT ALINA AND THE DARKING SHOULD BE TOGETHER…I WILL SACRIFICE ICE-CREAM FOR THIS!!!! OKAY…I’LL SACRIFICE CHOCOLATE FOR THIS. Chocolate is my favourite food so…

Why do authors like making their readers suffer?? What did we ever do to them?? Well, never mind…

Again, I know this sounds a lot like rambling but I always find it a little difficult to write reviews of books I really love. Like, I cannot fully explain why I like this and that…

This is all a bunch of rambling and disorganized thoughts…*sighs*

But you get the idea. It was the perfect sequel to Shadow and Bone. The characters develop a lot and the setting and atmosphere were top-notch. The new characters were gradually introduced and Leigh Bardugo actually kept a lot of secrets and mystery in this book and if by chance you didn’t like this book, you will have to read the last one because of the curiosity and the way this books ends. The romance was well-written and the chemistry between The Darkling and Alina could have exploded out of the book. I think she also did a great job in the relationship between the protagonist and the antagonist without making Alina a villain in the process. And if I am not mistaken, a lot of things are kept in the dark, to be revealed in the third and final book. Now, this is a heavy-fantasy and ONLY READ THIS IF YOU ARE IN THE MOOOOD!! We don’t need people saying that they didn’t like this book because they read it at the wrong time or whatever utter nonsense you can come up with. Don’t ruin your first experience….

So there…that was a better one right??

Well, if you reached here…thanks for tolerating those blocks of paragraphs. It means a lot.

NOW BYE! I HAVE MUCH MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO THAT WASTING MY TIME OVER HERE!

This isn’t true you know…just joking…🎃

Posted on by Hermione · 20 Comments

Shadow and Bone-A Book Review//I have never been so excited to write a review so far…weird🤔

I think I have a big tiny obsession with Mr. Grey Eyes and Black Kefta.

But just forget about that…

Okay, well, yesterday something wierd happened. I found a piece of paper under the bed and I found it so funny my heart almost fell off my chest into my hands…

Well, the review shouldn’t be ignored.

  • Title: Shadow and Bone
  • Series: Shadow and Bone #1
  • Author: Leigh Bardugo
  • Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Magic
  • Category: YA
  • Publishing Date/Publisher: June 5th 2012 by Henry Holt & Company
Shadow and Bone (The Shadow and Bone Trilogy, #1)
Source: Goodreads

BTW!!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THE FONT IN THE TITLE!! *resolves to go and find that font one day*

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha . . . and the secrets of her heart.

[This synopsis is from Goodreads…usually I used to write my own but…I can barely even separate the main events from the three books]

About the Author:

Leigh Bardugo

Leigh Bardugo is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of fantasy novels and the creator of the Grishaverse (now a Netflix original series) which spans the Shadow and Bone Trilogy, the Six of Crows Duology, the King of Scars Duology, and The Language of Thorns—with more to come. Her short stories can be found in multiple anthologies, including the Best American Science Fiction & Fantasy. Her other works include Wonder Woman: Warbringer and Ninth House (Goodreads Choice Winner for Best Fantasy 2019) which is being developed for television by Amazon Studios. Leigh grew up in Southern California and graduated from Yale University. These days she lives and writes in Los Angeles. For information on new releases and appearances, sign up for her newsletter.

She would be delighted if you visited her at LeighBardugo.com and fairly giddy if you liked her selfies on Instagram.

[Picture and text taken directly from Goodreads]

My Ratings: 5/5 (what were you expecting??😂)

Rating: 5 out of 5.

My Thoughts:

To make this all easier…I am going to simply break down everything otherwise I myself will be all muddled up.

Let me start with the characters:

Alina Starkov (our protagonist): I love the way Leigh Bardugo wrote her. She managed to create a good relationship between our antagonist (The Darkling…aka the lov-no need to know the rest) and Alina…without making her turn into the villain in the process. And she was a little different from the other protagonists as well and the only other protagonist I could faintly compare her to is Harry Potter. They were both almost driven by power wanting the objects (Alina: The Morozova amplifiers and Harry: the Hallows). Her flaws were as beautiful as her good side and she was a person who could develop strong relationships with others.

Okay, can we move to The Darkling now. I am dying to tell you all about him.

The Darkling (the antagonist): I have to say this….HE IS THE BEST VILLAIN EVER TO HAVE BEEN WRITTEN [in my opinion but it is probably a fact too]. He is my favourite character and I absolutely love him🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤. I have never known a villain written this way. Can somebody explain to me, how on earth can an author have the superpower to write one of the most powerful Grisha to be alive, living human amplifier with the power of the darkness but still be the most human of all people. A human with the ability to love, to feel, to grieve and who still manages to love his mother, after all this time. I will cry…Okay, I am already crying because of Ruin and Rising…and I don’t intend on drowning myself in a mini ocean in our house…continuing about the Darkling, I think he was the most interesting character in the whole book. I wish all authors could create masterpieces out of villains the way Leigh Bardugo does. He was everything a proper villain should be, someone who is cruel but human and someone who has a heart but doesn’t have a heart; both at the same time.

Mal Oretsev (Alina’s childhood bestfriend): A sulky attitude that boy has but I love him all the same. I love the way he loved and cared for Alina even though he was often cold with her at times. He was this type of person who would always stand by the people he loves even if it means giving himself up. It is a trait I greatly admire in him not to mention he is a really sweet guy.

Well…we have got to keep some of the characters for the next two reviews right…remember…I have partly failed at separating the events from the trilogy…And I am pretending that I am reviewing the whole trilogy…

Well, we have to talk about the worldbuilding. *thanks the author for inserting maps in the book…the best. I love maps* I don’t know if everyone might relate but I found it really easy to immerse myself in the book and the setting as well. If there was any infodumping then I seriously don’t know about that since I could easily understand the world without getting lost. I love Ravka and especially the atmosphere. I am an absolute sucker when authors make the atmosphere of their books grey with a dash of forest and dark places. I absolutely loved the plot of the story and the way everything is explained in the book. I have never read a book like that before. Leihg Bardugo had a great imagination…I wish I could know HOW ON EARTH did Leigh Bardugo get the idea to write this book. When creating her world, she didn’t miss anything out. For example, the culture of the Ravkans, the Suli and the Shu and the Kerch were there. If I am not mistaken, I think Ravka is inspired from Russia and its culture but I may be mistaken of course. I also loved the way the charcters changed and progressed all throughout the book and it great watching them grow. They hold a special place in my heart. Why am I being sentimental?🧐

Like the Grisha who’s magic is also known as the Small Science and it was great getting to learn about those. Let’s say that Leigh Bardugo left nothing unexplained (except one thing…but that was quite small). It isn’t a very fast paced book and I found it easy to breathe between the lines. The scenes were neither too fast nor too slow for me. Bruh, Leigh Bardugo REALLY knows what she was doing when writing this book but I think she also enjoys making her readers suffer and smile at the same time. Complicated…

Okay, there we are and frankly speaking, there is a lot more to talk about…but I have to keep some of the characters for the other books.

Well, I think I have got to say thanks to Leigh Bardugo for writing this book..in fact the whole trilogy because it was such a great and heartbreaking adventure for sure but thanks.

Thanks for reading…AND SORRY NOT SORRY IF IT IS TOO LONG…couldn’t help myself👻

P.S. Oh, and I guess ghosts are cute. Especially the emoji.

Posted on by Hermione · 10 Comments

The Midnight Library-A Book Review

Update: 10 September 2021-9.55 A.M (GMT+4)

I CANNOT BELEIVE IT! Lisa just released her solo! That was a little less than two hours ago…AND IT IS SO GOOD! The rap part! OMG…I am going to die. And it has got like 10.3 million views already!!!

For all those Blinks who have probably already listened to it, LISTEN TO IT AGAIN and by the way, here is the link to her M/V on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awkkyBH2zEo

EEEEEEEEEE! Her rap parts are literally so perfect I can’t imagine…And the beat! Oh my goodness.

I am wondering myself why I even like BlackPink. It is definitely not even my type of music??? Why do I even like their music?🥴 I don’t know… Well, anyways, tell me what are your favourite BlackPink songs down below in the comments!

AND THAT SELF-CONFIDENCE! OH MY GOSH!

BTW, her rap at 1.20-1.40. OMFG!

2.27-2.53-That rap OHMYGAWD!

That badass queen…I TELL YOU! Because, for real, how much badass vibes does this song have to give? I’ll faint…

I swear that one day, she could hit 100 million views in a day.

Than me if anybody coming gunnin for my man

Gonna catch a case

Gun up in my hand

Bam bam bam

Hit after hit though

Rocks in my wrist so I call em the flintstones

Lalisa-by Lisa

That is my favourite part in the song😍.

  • Title: The Midnight Library
  • Author: Matt Haig
  • Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Contemporary, Magical Realism, Science Fiction
  • Category: YA (it says Adult on Goodreads but I think it will also be suitable for YA readers [anyone above 13 years] *looks at myself* depending how sensitive and mature you are about certain topics; suicide, depression, etc. They ARE NOT discussed lightly in this book and do check out trigger warnings before reading.)
  • Publishing Date/Publisher: September 29th 2020 by Viking (first published August 13th 2020)
52578297
Source: Goodreads

I really like this blue on the cover…I LOVE DARK BLUE!!!

Nora Seed is just a young woman who is having the worst day of her entire life. She is full of regrets; of what she had done, what she hadn’t done, the misunderstandings with her brother and people around her all mixed with the sadness of the sudden death of her cat, Voltaire.

At midnight, she makes a dreadful decision…she doesn’t want to live anymore. She is saturated with regrets and thoughts about how her life could have been different if she she had made other choices.

Instead of dying, she ends up in a place between life and death. A place where time has stopped…a place called the Midnight Library.

In the Midnight Library, the shelves go on forever and are filled with an infinite number of books, each giving a chance to Nora to experience a different life had she made a different choice in her existence. The library also has one book which is different from the others, The Book of Regrets.

As Nora enters and lives the different lives from the different books, will she ever be able to find a book worth to keep? Worth living?

About the Author:

Matt Haig

Matt Haig was born in Sheffield, England in1975. He writes books for both adults and children, often blending the worlds of domestic reality and outright fantasy, with a quirky twist. His bestselling novels are translated into 28 languages. The Guardian has described his writing as ‘delightfully weird’ and the New York Times has called him ‘a novelist of great talent’ whose writing is ‘funny, riveting and heartbreaking’.

His novels for adults are The Last Family in England, narrated by a labrador and optioned for film by Brad Pitt; The Dead Fathers Club (2006), an update of Hamlet featuring an 11-year-old boy; The Possession of Mr Cave (2008), about a man obsessed with his daughter’s safety, and The Radleys (2010) which won Channel 4’s TV Book Club public vote and was shortlisted for a Galaxy National Book Award (UK). The film rights to all his adult novels have been sold. His next adult novel is The Humans (2013).

His multi-award winning popular first novel for children, Shadow Forest, was published in 2007 and its sequel, The Runaway Troll, in 2009. His most recent children’s novel is To Be A Cat (2012).

[Picture and text taken directly from Goodreads]

My Ratings: 4/5

Rating: 4 out of 5.

My Thoughts:

WAIT…Mr. Haig has a DOG! His dog looks almost EXACTLY like our neighbour’s dog! The only difference is that the neighbour’s dog is named Princess and her nose is pink😂.

Well, that is supposed to be my thoughts about the BOOK so instead of blabbering about the way dogs look so much like dogs (…what…) we should better proceed.

I will list my thoughts in bullet points because I am feeling bullet-pointy today (pretty sure this word doesn’t exist).

What I liked:

  • The Midnight Library (the LIBRARY not the title🤦‍♀️) Even though I have read a book about a world between life and death, I have never read a book about a library between life and death. The way it was described made the library alive, magical and surreal. (Who wouldn’t like a place with infinite shelves and books that are only made up of the different variations, tints and shades of green? I LOVE GREEN). In my brain, it was like this library which had no ceiling and whenever you looked up, it was foggy. All around, it was foggy, you could only see the books if you went to them. You could never see all of the library at once, I was mysterious and magical plants, vines and old wood lurked around never in view. (that last sentence in bold is just my imagination😂)
  • The morals of the book. The book had just so many meanings and morals behind everything; Nora’s actions, choices and there were so many quotes in the book that were just so deep. For example, through this book, I realized that it isn’t only the choices we make that affect us but people’s choices as well. That in some way or another, billions of choices and decisions all balance out each person in the world and how one choice can change everything.
  • How Nora’s frequent trips to the Midnight Library weren’t repetitive and monotonous and didn’t feel boring.

What I didn’t like:

  • Most of the characters fell a little vague. Not the main characters but the others who weren’t present a lot. I think the author should have included them more into the book because many of the ‘side’ characters were a little flat. I think the more the characters were present in the book, the more they felt like people but those who were only present in meagre parts were like paper.
  • There were so many quotes about philosophy and other things the book could have substituted as a very useful self-help book. It isn’t that I had a problem with the quotes in itself but it was just a little too much for a teenager to take in (hemhem, I am not yet a teenager but…). I didn’t mind them but there was just way too much of them. For me to take in and right now, I don’t remember any of them.

Well, I think that is all. Otherwise, Lisa’s solo is just-

OMG. THIS IS SUPOSED TO BE A BOOK REVIEW WHAT AM I EVEN DOING??

Overall, I really liked the book and it is one that I really recommend. It isn’t an intense book but not a light read either. It shifts from light to intense at points. Just please go check trigger warnings before reading this and keep in mind, it isn’t an adult book but a young adult one and is suitable for teenagers depending on your level of maturity because suicide and depression is discussed a lot in that book.

Well, we are finally done with the review!

I’d run off for now!

See you with another book!

-H

Posted on by Hermione · 3 Comments

The Scorpio Races-A Book Review

You know what I was thinking…Lisa’s solo isn’t yet out but I am giddy already. I can’t wait to listen to her solo. I mean…just imagine how the whole internet will break and go ABSOLUTE NUTS when her solo will be released…just try to think about that…

And there is me thinking that Jisoo’s ‘Hey Boy’ is the most iconic line in Whistle. Like…the song has one of the greatest beats!

Instead of talking about BlackPink or any other singers when this is supposed to be a review, let us just get straight to what this post is SUPPOSED to be about.

  • Title: The Scorpio Races
  • Author: Maggie Stiefvater
  • Genre: Fantasy, Fiction, Mythology, Romance
  • Category: YA
  • Publishing Date/Publisher: October 18th 2011 by Scholastic Press (originally published in September 18th 2011)
The Scorpio Races
Source: Goodreads

I think rust red is actually a beautiful colour you know.

Every November, the Scorpio Races begin. One of the most dangerous races where you either live, make it to the finish line or die. Riders ride the water horses, horses that come out of the sea every November and if captured by humans, made to race, if the humans are able to hold the water horses long enough before they start tearing people into pieces and leave you dead.

Sean Kendrick is just a 19-year-old boy who takes part of the races every year, won four times and has still managed to stay alive. He rides on Corr, believed to be one of the fastest water horses. He rarely shows his feelings but he has an ambition. Win the race, get the prize money and buy Corr for himself, who currently belongs to the owner he works for.

Puck Connolly is just a girl with loads of freckles, ginger hair and who is an orphan who looks after her little brother, Finn and sometimes her older brother, Gabe. When Gabe wants to leave, she has no choice but to participate in the races with her normal mare, Dove and hopes to win the race…when she has almost no chance against the insanely powerful water horses. And she is the very first woman…to participate…and people don’t like a women in a race where the blood of men rule.

About the Author:

Maggie Stiefvater

New York Times bestselling author of The Shiver Trilogy, The Raven Cycle, and The Scorpio Races. Artist. Driver of things with wheels. Avid reader.

All of Maggie Stiefvater’s life decisions have been formed by a desire to leave a mark, resulting in spray-painted cars, sharpie-covered computer printers, ink-splattered walls, and stories told in books, in magazines, and on stages. Maggie Stiefvater lives in the middle of nowhere, Virginia with her husband, kids, and a bunch of fainting goats.

[Picture and text taken directly from Goodreads]

My Ratings: 4.5/5

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

My Thoughts:

There are a few reasons why I picked up this book…here they are:

  1. It has mythical horses and I ADORE horses (mythical or not)
  2. The word SCORPIO caught my attention (ignore the fact that I am a Scorpio over here)
  3. The word RACES also caught my attention (I haven’t read many books about horse racing)
  4. I had a feeling about this book that it wouldn’t disappoint me..
  5. It had a cowboy vibe to it, that I couldn’t ignore.

Well, this is a slow-paced book but…damn…was it beautiful? Yes. It started slow at first and slowly picked up pace. The thing that I love about this book is the way the characters aren’t randomly thrown into the book but introduced, slowly and in such a way that you get to know them.

Let us just TALK about our two main characters, Sean Kendrick and Kate Connolly (Puck). At first none of them knew each other but as soon as they are introduced in the book…well…quite predictable right?

The whole concept of the book was great. At the start of November, the Scorpio Races start. The horse-riders of Thisby try to catch the water-horses (capaill uisce [plural]) when they emerge from the depths of the sea. These horses are extremely fast, bloodthirsty and are constantly pulled to the sea. They are very dangerous creatures and the simple act of trying to handle/ride them can cost your life. This is why the aspect of dying in Thisby is almost natural.

SEAN KENDRICK (Oh, it ended up in caps lock…I definitely didn’t mean this but nevermind) horse-lover, expert in horses, and seems a bit like a very cool cowboy-guy. He as a way with horses and can manage the capaill uisce unlike any other.

Puck Connolly…you are probably the stupidest and the bravest person I know. I CANNOT believe you wanted to participate in the races but I admire your indifference to what other people think. I don’t think I would have ever been able to do what you have done though…

Now…the CHEMISTRY between those two..

Happy So Excited GIF
Giphy

It was just so asdfghjkl but I wish it was longer. Like…you know…and there was a moment where it was just so abrupt and one moment where I had to go hide under the table and stop myself from jumping so high I’ll crack my head on the ceiling or my parents think I am just the human-definition of weird-craziness. THIS SHOULD DEFINITELY NOT HAPPEN!!

There is so much to say but I will just end of messing everything up and spoil the whole book but I really ship both of those silly people together. (Wait…did I just call them silly, I just cannot believe myself).

Just go and read this if you like freckly people, golden grass in the afternoon, major cowboy vibes, slow-paced fantasy, horses and side-characters who are just the sweetest (do all characters that are named Finn are supposed to be cute or what??)

Well, I should better go now and prepare my other post which will be my review of The Midnight Library by Matt Haig but now don’t go and tell everyone now…

BTW, I wanted to ask all of you something…do you think that it will be a good idea if I made a monthly post of memes related to all things bookish?? I mean, it was an idea that occurred to me during the night and I was wondering if I should do that??

I mean, I should probably just scoot out of here before the whole story of screen-time just decides to pop up..

Light Up The Sky Love GIF by NETFLIX
Giphy

Why am I feeling a little mildly obsessed with gifs today? Sorry… had to include BlackPink in this post for no reason😂 They look really cute together🖤💜🖤.

hermione

Posted on by Hermione · 2 Comments

House of Hollow-A Book Review

Hey all people!

I hope none of you are getting stuck in other worlds or worlds of the dead or worlds between the lands of the living and of the dead or anything of this sort because I tell you…I have read enough about these to know that when you get stuck in some other world, it is very difficult to come back. So don’t go opening mysterious doors…

Well, the review shall not be forgotten haha.

  • Title: House of Hollow
  • Author: Krystal Sutherland
  • Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Magical Realism
  • Category: YA
  • Publisher/Publishing Date: April 6th 2021 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers
House of Hollow
Source: Goodreads

Can somebody tell me? How many beautiful covers exist in this world? My god!! Just look at the ants, beetles and flowery pattern on this face! I mean, how can people draw so beautifully?

WOW.WOW.WOW.

And tell me? How can any author be THAT lucky to have a cover that beautiful in a book????

Iris Hollow and her two sisters are the human definition of ‘strange’. Strange in a way that all three possess a half-moon scar at the base of their throat and a mysterious connection that binds all three to each other…almost magically. Iris doesn’t remember how she ended up with a scar but something happened to her during her childhood that she can’t recall, not even put a finger on.

Iris has always wanted to be a normal person but fitting in is not what the Hollow sisters do best. When Grey Hollow, Iris’s eldest sister suddenly goes missing, Iris and her other sister, Vivi will do anything to find her. Life cannot get any weirder than that can it? Even for the weirdest people?

Following mysterious trails and unraveling secrets along her way, Iris and Vivi’s mission won’t be easy. Horned men start following the two sisters, and the corpse of a man is discovered in one of Grey’s apartment. It isn’t the end either. Memories unfurl…memories of the sisters’ childhood that Iris starts to remember in fragmented pieces…all Iris and Vivi can hope is that things don’t become more complicated, impossible to solve and most of all, that their sister isn’t dead…but probably, she is. Already.

About the Author:

Krystal Sutherland

Krystal Sutherland is an internationally published author. Her latest novel for young adults, House of Hollow, was released by Penguin in April 2021. Sutherland’s first novel, Chemical Hearts, was published in over 20 countries and was named by the American Booksellers Association as one of the best debuts of 2016.

[Picture and text taken directly from Goodreads]

My Ratings: 4.5/5

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

My Thoughts:

Okay, if there is one thing I like, it is mystery thrillers with magical realism and in this book, the author blends those two EXTREMELY well. It was dark, mysterious and had the concept of ‘otherworlds’ (if any of you were wondering why I started this post with a very *hemhem* weird introduction). It wasn’t the sort of ‘otherworld’ that is about parallel universes and lands of the dead but rather the part between the land of the living and the land of the dead. And this place is mentioned under the name of the ‘Halfway‘ in the book. Unique I tell you.

Iris is the definition of weird, mysterious, dark, way-too-beautiful-but-doesn’t-know-how-to-take-advantage-of-it. The story is told in her point of view of course since she is our main character. She is a sort of person who wants to be NORMAL. Like lead a normal life where people don’t point at her wondering if she remembers anything about her childhood or thinking about whether she is a witch and if she is too dangerous. Haha, considering the fact that her and Vivi’s life fall upside down when Grey isn’t here. Like they are Grey’s fiercely loyal soldiers and Grey is the main commander and without her…well…upside down life it is.

This is why Iris and Vivi go nuts when their sister isn’t here. They have such a strong sister bond which I admire (considering the fact that me and my sister are constantly bickering and always have one major fight ever day)…

Vivi, is this person who almost HATES her beauty and even shaved her head for this. She has loads of tattoos and is the human definition of rock-n’-roll. She is that sort of person who wears crop tops, jeans, mini-skirts. And she ruins her health…okay…cannot live without smoking or drugs for a day and every day without is a day ruined for her😂. She is fierce, caring, a little clumsy when it comes to manners and loves her sisters very much.

Grey…the most enigmatic of all…she is a supermodel and owner of her own designer brand called House of Hollow where she designs clothes and being a very weird person, inserts secret runes or pieces of paper into the hems and all. She, unlike Iris, knows her worth very well and embraces her uniqueness. She uses her beauty as an advantage and is fiercely protective of her two smaller sisters (includes death threats to her own parents…and we see more things in the book.)

Other than that, the plot was unique and unlike any I have read before. Magical realism makes the book so out of the ordinary and you know what I explained above about the concept of the ‘otherworld’ which was definitely a different one. I have never read a book about an otherworld between life and death so that was an aspect that really liked.

There is just a way in which everything is explained in the book and nothing is left out. Like the childhood mystery wasn’t left unsolved. Like everything was part of of the main goal in the book.

Since I guess I have definitely talked enough, I should probably end this post and draft my August Wrap-Up since I haven’t yet done it and I cringe every time I think of it…😭

Well, I think that is all for today otherwise this post will become a very-long-post so bye for now!!!

Love, hermione!

P.S. Next post will be my August wrap up or a review of Tweet Cute by Emma Lord so be sure to stick around for more!!

Posted on by Hermione · 15 Comments

Sorcery of Thorns-A Book Review

Hi all people! Hope you are all doing very fine….and all the usual stuff. Well, this is a review of Sorcery of Thorns (it is uncommon to find a standalone fantasy novel because most of them are usually part of a series…). Well, I just realized that everyday it is someone’s birthday. (Don’t ask me how, but I am that sort of person who realizes obvious things out of the blue…).

Since, I have nothing else to say unless if you want me discussing soil particles with you right now but let’s just go to the review.

  • Title: Sorcery of Thorns
  • Author: Margaret Rogerson
  • Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Magic
  • Category: YA
  • Publication Date/Publisher: June 4th 2019 by Margaret K. McElderry Books
Sorcery of Thorns
Source: Goodreads

This cover is one of the MOST BEAUTIFUL COVERS I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE…and you know who drew this cover? Charlie Bowater! Her art is simply amazing. The green in the background is one of my FAVOURITE colours!! I think it is dark turquoise. Isn’t this colour gorgeous??

Note: I have an obsession with greens especially dark greens, bottle greens, emerald greens, dark turquoise, dark teal….as long as the green is dark…

Also Note: I have an obsession with blues like midnight blues, royal blues, dark navy blues, dark grey blues…ya know, all dark blues…

Elizabeth Scrivener has lived in one of the Great Libraries for almost all her life. She has known the way the magic grimoires whisper endlessly on the shelves…the way they turn into wild monsters known as ‘Maleficts’ if they are damaged. She dreams of becoming a warden, somebody who protects the kingdom from the magic books can unleash.

All turns wrong when one of the most treasured book of the library turns into a Malefict and the Director of the library is found dead. When Elizabeth chases the Malefict and destroys it saving the whole town from wreckage by a savage book, she is accused for crime and is sent to face justice at the capital…with the sorcerers.

The sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn and his mysterious servant, Silas escort her to Ashcroft, one of the greatest sorcerers to face justice but Elizabeth senses that all things seem wrong.

Ashcroft doesn’t seem to want to accuse her for anything but rather he wants her for information. Other libraries are being attacked, with dangerous books turning into Maleficts one by one. Can Elizabeth stop those attacks before things get much worse? Before the world tumbles down, unable to repair? With the help of Nathaniel and is demonic servant Silas, Elizabeth will have to find out all she can to find out what is causing all those attacks and if it isn’t for something much greater than what the Earth can handle and cause a damage beyond miraculous repair…

About the Author:

Margaret Rogerson

Margaret writes fantasy for young adult readers. She lives near Cincinnati, Ohio, and when she’s not reading or writing she enjoys drawing, watching documentaries, making pudding, gaming, and exploring the outdoors in search of toads and mushrooms.

[Picture and text taken directly from Goodreads]

My Ratings: For the first time in a very long time, I am not sure what to give this book…just keep in mind that I have MANAGED TO CONVINCE MY BEST-FRIEND TO READ THIS BOOK! I am so happy!!! But I have to admit that she has started it a few days ago and SHE HASN’T EVEN YET FINISHED IT!

Like…excuse me…this book…I finished it in HALF A DAY and YOU tell me that…But maybe I have to understand…

I told her I am giving her ONE WEEK to finish this book. Come oooon!! It isn’t very long! Like 450 pages…that isn’t very much.

My Thoughts:

First thing: This book gives off major Slytherin vibes…and Hogwarts library vibes as well. This book SCREAMS Slytherin. AND MAGIC!

Elizabeth Scrivener was a character with a fierce passion for books (like all of us out there) and who is also an orphan who has been rescued by the Director and who lives in one of the Great Libraries since she was quite little. I think she is that sort of girl who would definitely choose books over friends. I wish I lived in a library…*sighs*

AND she is TALL! I mean, it is nice to relate to a character who chooses books over pretty much everything and who is tall.

I mean, I am 12 years (almost 13) and I am 168 cm…(that is around 5 feet 5 inches). WHY am I so tall?? It scares me to think how much will I grow…:(

Nathaniel Thorn…Thorn Nathaniel…*tries on the Sorting Hat* SLYTHERIN *almost immediately*. This sorcerer is pure Slytherin I tell you. Black hair with a streak of white, emerald robes (how much Slytherin do you seriously have to give off Nathaniel?), a lot of sass, dark past, deep friendship with his servant Silas. Pretends he doesn’t care about Elizabeth…and he calls her SCRIVENER?? Like, why?? Here is an example but I guess it is kinda cute though haha.

I like girls too, Scrivener. Amusement danced in Nathaniel’s eyes. I like both. If you’re going to fantasize about my love life, I insist you do so accurately.

Sorcery Of Thorns-Margaret Rogerson

Oh my god Nathaniel…I can’t believe it.

Silas…..white hair, yellow eyes, clawed hands, very short, extreme amount of sass when it comes to Nathaniel. He is a highborn demon who comes from the Otherworld (not telling more about this:) and who serves Nathaniel. He is my favourite character and without him in the book, well, it wouldn’t even have existed then. Here is a a paragraph from the book:

I will see Master Thorn settled. Silas paused to sniff the air beside Elizabeth. Then, Miss Scrivener, I shall draw you a bath. I believe supper is also in order. And-has no one lit the lamps? He looked aggrieved. I have hardly been absent for twenty-four hours and already, the world has descended into ruin.

Sorcery Of Thorns-Margaret Rogerson

I love you Silas😂. Did I mention he always wears gloves and can turn into a fluffy cat with yellow eyes and who calls Elizabeth ‘Miss’ almost all the time.

The story was way much more original that I thought. It combines magic, grimoires, demons, Otherworlds, sassy people almost perfectly. It has libraries, Slytherin vibes, magic, Silas (I cannot imagine the book without him).

It touched my heart, especially the ending; it caught me so hard I was turned into an emotional tangle of emotions. I never imagined the ending to be this way and it really did catch me off guard. I think this has goes to my favourite books of all time. It is a book I definitely recommend so go read it. It isn’t a part of a series so…why am I feeling weird right now? I want to buy the book and hug it.

Just go read this book. You don’t know how happy I was when I told my best-friend to read the book and she listened. I forgive her though for no finishing (she started it last week??) it but at least she started it.

I think that is all for today. So see you all bookworms with another post!

Love, hermione.

P.S. I haven’t yet started any book yet because I still haven’t gotten over this book because we had a lot of tests this week and last week and I am so happy I only have Physics test next week! Duh, too many ‘weeks’ I guess haha.

Posted on by Hermione · 12 Comments

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue-A Book Review

Another 500 page book! Took me 3 days to finish…I guess I forgot to say hi at the beginning but never mind…

Title: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

Author: Victoria (V.E) Schwab

Genre: Fantasy (not really though because it is set in our world but it has some magical elements), Fiction, Romance, Historical Fiction

Publishing Date/Publisher: October 6th 2020 by Tor Books

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
(BTW, the cover is so simple but yet so beautiful…)Source: Goodreads

Adeline LaRue lives an almost invisible life. She was born in the 1700’s in France when a simple moment in the early night before her wedding changed her life. She made a deal with the God of the Dark, in return of her soul, she will obtain her freedom. No one in their right minds would do such a deal but Addie was desperate…She could long as she liked until the day she got tired of living and will then have to surrender her soul…her curse or rather her bargain doesn’t end here either, people won’t remember her the moment they turn their heads and lose her out of their sight.

Till now, (2000’s), nobody has been able to remember 300 year old Adeline…until the day she enters a bookshop she had visited the day before and a young man remembers her…The thing Addie longed for the most, ever since she made that deal, to be remembered.

About The Author:

V.E. Schwab

Victoria is the product of a British mother, a Beverly Hills father, and a southern upbringing. Because of this, she has been known to say “tom-ah-toes,” “like,” and “y’all.”

She also tells stories. She loves fairy tales, and folklore, and stories that make her wonder if the world is really as it seems.

[Picture and text taken directly from Goodreads]

My Ratings: 4.95/5

Rating: 5 out of 5.

My Thoughts:

When I read the synopsis, I thought it would be something like The Picture of Dorian Gray (I absolutely loved this book…like one of my favourite classics) but it takes a whole new turn. Alright, let me tell you, you either like this book or don’t like it at all. There, now I told you we can continue…

There are so many things which can be said about this book. But if there is one main thing in my opinion is that the book mostly feels like a journey rather than a journey with a final destination. And adding that the journey was deeply and darkly beautiful. The writing had so much meaning and a depth that makes it like no other book I have ever read before. I can say that Schwab has really put her heart out while writing this book. Her writing style is….breathtakingly amazing and oh my god, deep! It conveys so many emotions.

So many things happen in the book of course and we get to read about what happened back in the 18th century and now, that is in the 21st century. Addie was a great character with her ups and downs and equal stubbornness but if there is the character that gets you hooked the most is Luc, the God of the Dark. His name isn’t really Luc because he doesn’t really have a name. Luc is the name Addie gave him. Just imagine a God which doesn’t look very much like a God and actually takes the shape of a dark curly haired man with deep green eyes just for Adeline.

Aaaaah, now we come to the part where I begin to ship Addie with Luc! I.Am.Not.Supposed.To.Be.Doing.This. Why did I ever begin with shipping Addie and Luc because now that idea cannot get out of my head. All throughout the book, I was like….ya know what I mean.

I do recommend this book to anyone. I haven’t read such a deep and dark book for a very long time. I think I could recommend it only for you to run your fingers under each line (I read the ebook😔) and savour the deep meanings and just breathe it in. It really has a unique magic of its own.

Well, I have written enough for this post and I ought to be off right now. I just finished the first chapter of Mexican Gothic and I am dying to know more.

See you later!

Hermione

Have any of you read this book btw? I WANNA BUY IT THE BOOK!