Tag Archives: trilogy

Days of Blood & Starlight Book Review

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daysofbloodandstarlightTitle: Days of Blood & Starlight
Series: Book 2 in Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy
Author: Laini Taylor
Publisher: Little, Brown Books
Publication Date: November 6, 2013
Genre: Young Adult – Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Pages: 513
Format: Purchased Paperback

As this is the sequel, there will be spoilers in this review.

Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love and dared to imagine a world free of bloodshed and war.
This is not that world.

Art student and monster’s apprentice Karou finally has the answers she has always sought. She knows who she is–and what she is. But with this knowledge comes another truth she would give anything to undo: She loved the enemy and he betrayed her, and a world suffered for it.

In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Karou must decide how far she’ll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, secrets and impossible choices, Days of Blood & Starlight finds Karou and Akiva on opposing sides as an age-old war stirs back to life.

While Karou and her allies build a monstrous army in a land of dust and starlight, Akiva wages a different sort of battle: a battle for redemption. For hope.

But can any hope be salvaged from the ashes of their broken dream?

This sequel held many aspects I wasn’t expecting, and it was just as beautiful, if not more intense, than the first.

I found this sequel to be a little slow at the beginning, but I don’t know if that was because I was in a reading slump at the time. But once I got more into the story and saw a lot more happening than what I first thought, I was hooked.

The storyline picked up right where it left off, or just a short time after, and it was interesting to see just how different the characters were for one reason or another: Karou knew the truth of her past; Akiva had his own guilts to deal with; many things had happened in the time between what happened in the last book until now and it was just mind blowing to see just what was going on.

I thought that this book was a bit more intense and serious than the last. It focused more on the war aspect, and a lot more on resurrection and plots and vengeance than I was expecting. It did have a few light-hearted moments, but this book was mostly one in which dealt with a lot of different action sequences from one to the next and the next.

This book followed a lot more perspectives than the last, too, where it included not on Karou’s and Akiva’s points of view, but also a seriph soldier, the White Wolf, a new/old friend, and several others. I thought that the way Laini Taylor placed those new voices into the story truly benefitted it rather than hindered it as it was good to see what was happening in both worlds and in completely different places in those worlds.

As for the characters, I thought that Karou was being a bit too rash when it came to some things, though I could understand where her anger was coming from. She tried to do her best with what she had to do, but I also just think that she could have tried to be stronger or acted more on certain things. Though she was broken emotionally and tried to be strong in front of others for her own safety, when she was around friends and finally had some glimmers of hope, I think that’s where she really shined.

I really enjoyed getting to see more of her knowing that she’s chimera, as well. Though she struggles in her environment, and with her memories, I think that by having her memories unlocked she was able to deal with a lot more than if she hadn’t had those memories back in the first place. And a few times I wanted to smack her because I thought she was just trying too hard to be mad at Akiva. Or maybe that was just me wishing for some more romance. Who knows?

At first I thought Akiva was just being too… emotionless? Reckless? I’m not sure what the word is that I’m looking for, but I thought that he was just kind of floating there for a while. But I did love that he was extremely brave and tried to save as many chimera as possible before the seriph slaughtered them. I think those moments really showed his character and how much he changed from before and after he met Karou/Madrigal.

As time progressed in the story, I thought that Akiva was holding a lot more secrets than he originally let on, but I also think that he, himself, doesn’t know what those secrets are. The fact that he was able to experience certain things was interesting and I really want to see it come into play in the next book.

We also got to see parts of the story from Thiago, whom I dislike greatly; Ziri, who is an awesome friend for Karou and just a gentle soul for sure; Zuzana, whom I love because of her fiery spirit and her willingness to just chill with some monsters; and others. It was definitely a treat to be able to read parts of the story from these other perspectives because it showed multiple events happening at once, but in different places and in different worlds. Plus there was some extra backstory in a few places, which is always nice to have.

I think that the next book is going to be an epic one. There’s going to be a lot more battling and war, and probably more loss occurring, but I also have hope for Karou and Akiva, and all the others, and I really am excited to see what happens next.

Overall, I thought this was a strong sequel. It didn’t falter from the original storyline, but added to it, and I think that we definitely got to know the characters better and that we got to see more of who they are and just what they’re fighting for. And as always, Laini Taylor’s writing is beautiful and strong.

I rated this book 4.5/5 stars and highly recommend it if you’ve read the first book.

Ignite Me Book Review

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igniteme

Title: Ignite Me
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Series: Book #3 in the Shatter Me trilogy
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: February 4, 2014
Genre: Young Adult – Dystopian, Romance
Pages: 408
Format: Purchased Paperback

“Ignite Me” by Tahereh Mafi is the third and final book in the Shatter Me trilogy. It follows Juliette, a girl with a touch that can kill – literally – and a super strong power that she has begun to finally understand and harness to its true ability. It’s also about her conflicts of the heart between two guys, Warner and Adam, and how she, along with several others, have to fight against the Reestablishment to regain control of their country – and their lives.

This review will probably contain some spoilers as this is the third book, so if you haven’t read it yet, please come back when you do.

THIS BOOK, GUYS. It was SO good. As far as wrap-ups to trilogies go, this one was on point. It wrapped up a lot of conflict, both inner and outer, and it also showed some amazing character development from a beginning of a series to the end.

Okay, let’s talk about the characters.

Juliette. She was so BADASS. She really came into her own in this book, and though she was a little whiny at the beginning, she really opened her eyes and finally realized a lot not only about herself, but about others. She became physically strong (like, ridiculously physically strong) as well as mentally and emotionally. When we first met her in the first book, she was a super unstable girl who counted cracks in the ceiling tiles and how many seconds of every day went by. In the second book she started to really see more of the world, and though she still had far to go, she was starting to learn to trust herself. And then in this book? WOW. She really showed that she’s not afraid of anything anymore, that she’s willing to make a difference in the world if it means helping others and herself. And she finally understood the complex feelings in her heart (YAY) and chose based on those feelings rather than by the first kind interaction she ever had.

Adam was a total jerk throughout a majority of this book. He showed a lot of his true colors when presented with stress and a broken heart. I really wanted to hit him a lot. I mean, he didn’t even apologize in the end, and I don’t really care what happens to him anymore, but yeah. His sweet and gentle personality was really, really tested in this book and it showed that he wasn’t all he was cracked up to be. I mean, throwing insults at Juliette and telling her what she can and can’t do? Yeah, no.

Warner showed so much more of himself in this book than any other and it really shed so much light on him that I kind of can’t believe I thought he was a super creep in the first book. But his actions in the first book really showed he kind of was, but that’s not the point. In this book we get to know more about the past and how Warner really thought. We also got a more in depth look into his personal life and his feelings and how much he would risk for Juliette. I thought it was very brave of him to be able to do so much for her, and really sweet. He became one of my favorite characters.

Kenji is also the best. I want him to be my BFF right now. Like seriously, I laughed out loud at so many of his interactions with Juliette and the others, it was great.

The plot of the story continued from the previous book, but it had to refocus as a lot happened in the second book, including (spoiler alert) Omega Point getting destroyed. So not only did it deal with the repercussions of that, but it also dealt with two sides joining forces with each other to try to overcome a common evil. I mean, obviously there was more than enough romance in this book (including lots of steamy parts [ohhhh myyy]), but I think it did give an ample amount into the Reestablishment and how they wanted to overtake it and regain control for the citizens and everyone out there.

Overall, I thought this book was an amazing trilogy finale and I highly recommend it if you’ve read the first two books. Seriously, this trilogy got better with each book (and the only reason it doesn’t get a full 5 star is because Juliette was still whiny and stuck in her ways at the very beginning).

I rate this 4.5/5 stars.

The One Book Review

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theone

Title: The One
Author: Kiera Cass
Series: Book #3 in the Selection series
Publisher: HarperTeen – an imprint of HarperCollins
Publication Date: May 6, 2014
Genres: Young Adult – Dystopian, Romance
Pages: 323
Format: Purchased Hardcover

“The One” by Kiera Cass is the third book in the Selection series. It’s the conclusion to Maxon’s and America’s story and oh my, did I love it. Obviously since this is the third book there will be spoilers so if you haven’t read the first two books, or checked out my reviews for them here and here, please do.

Thirty-five girls entered the Selection in the hopes of winning Prince Maxon’s heart. Six girls were left. Only one can be crowned.

In this book I believe that America grew so much as a person and her character really shined throughout. She made sacrifices and lost a lot in this novel, but she always came out strong in the end with her head held high. I think that she really grew as a person in this book not only for those losses and sacrifices, but that she finally realized what she wanted, how strong her love for Maxon was, and just what she was willing to do not only for him, but for Illea as well.

Throughout this book America has to make tough decisions: can she send a practically innocent man to jail for the rest of his life? Can she fully give up her love for Aspen? Can she admit, not only to herself, but to Maxon that she loves him? Can she be the new princess of Illea?

In many ways the way the plot lead up to her making the decisions based on those situations definitely proved to show her character. Not only did we learn more about the Northerners and their support of a change in the way the government is run, but we got to learn that America’s love for the people and how well she relates to them goes. She spared a thief who committed a petty crime for his family his life in prison by giving away jewels that Maxon had given to her as a gift, as well as the necklace her father had given her. She took all of the king’s threats in stride, though they scared her whenever they were delivered, but she never backed down. She allowed some girl who was an Eight on the street to work in the palace, asking Maxon for permission for her to do so, and he allowed it.

Overall I think America did pretty well in this book and I am so happy for her.

Maxon grew, too, I think, though I was upset that if he loved America so much that I didn’t understand why he just couldn’t say it. If he had before and she had sooner, they could have been happier a lot earlier, but I get that he was conflicted and couldn’t really understand her feelings. Though he was kind of a jerk a few times, he overall impressed me with how mature he was and how much he had to go through. The beatings from his father, learning about that, was probably one of the hardest. I really shouldn’t be surprised, but I was when I read about it. I think it made him a better man, though, because he stood up against his father, never backing down. His character really showed in this book, as well, and I’m glad that he grew.

Aspen grew, too, and he grew away from America. Both of them did, actually, in their own way and time. I’m glad he found happiness in the end and that he was always the protector.

Now, as for the plot, I enjoyed it. There wasn’t as much drama, in terms of the relationships and everything, but there was drama via the attacks and destruction at the palace. We got to learn more about Celeste and I really came to like her in the end. In fact, all four of the remaining Elite I came to like in their own way. We got to learn more about the Northerners and how they operate, as well as their goals, and I thought that they were respectable and kind.

Everything sort of became intense, in a way, especially toward the end. I was so peeved at Maxon for not giving America time to explain certain situations, but after that I think he redeemed himself. There are a few things I wish had been in the book, and a few things I wished hadn’t happened, but overall I am pleased with this third installment. It didn’t disappoint.

Really, overall, I highly enjoyed this book. I was mad, sad, super happy, and overall I loved it.

I rate this book 5/5 stars and highly recommend it.

Overall, this trilogy (since it originally was a trilogy) gets a rating of 4.5/5 stars.

Accompanying video: The Selection Trilogy Book Review

One Box Unboxing

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I just couldn’t NOT share this with you, so… here it is!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Au19MDcI9Hc

I’m so happy! They’re beautiful covers and the concept behind the world themselves sounds awesome. As a fantasy lover, it calls to me.

The Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson consists of:

It’s a story about how an evil is sweeping over the land and how the future of the empire rests in the hands of troublemaker and his young apprentice. It has love, loss, despair, hope, and Allomancy – the magic of the metals.

Sounds cool, right?

Well, I’m intrigued and I’m very excited to read it!

Let me know if you’ve read this series, if you plan on reading it, and what your thoughts were!