The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan – Review

June 19, 2017 carolinevaughtLeave a comment

Title: The Hidden Oracle
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: The Trials of Apollo #1
Format: Hardback
Pages: 376
Rating: 3.5

Chiron galloped over. “Thank the gods!”
“You’re welcome,” I [Apollo] gasped, mostly out of habit.

It took me forever to even pick up this book. I loved Percy Jackson and the Olympians series so much (it has to be in my top 5 series…ever). When Heroes of Olympus came out, I was up the freaking wall, because we were finally going to see more of the gang! Only to be disappointed after the first book was all new characters. Of course, that series progresses and I eventually fell in love with it as well. I thought it was over. Rick was writing his Norse series, I wrote my farewell to Percy Jackson, and I thought the story had ended.

Trails of Apollo. I saw the clips on YouTube about it and couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. I love Apollo. He’s probably one of my favourite Olympian gods, because he’s quirky and the way he never sees anything as his fault amuses me to no end. He reminds me of Narcissus, because he’s always talking about how everyone surely must love him and his beauty and his wit. For the first hundred pages or so, that is exactly what I got, but in human form! I understand that, as a human, Apollo would feel differently about some things or care about things he normally wouldn’t have as a god, but this is his third time as a mortal, surely if the first two times didn’t really change who he was, the third time around would be no different…so why does he get so weepy and sad about…everything!?

Meg…when we were introduced to her it left a sour taste in my mouth. I didn’t like Meg from the start and I still don’t. She gives off the “I’m so tough” vibe/act that authors sometimes give female characters to “appeal” to the female audience and I absolutely hate it. I’m not saying that girls can’t be tough or whatever, but you don’t need to stress it so much. Just let whatever happens happen.

For some reason, everyone at Camp Half-Blood seems really ready to make fun of Apollo or pick on him, which really doesn’t make sense to me. Even though he’s in mortal form, he might at some point be a god again and boy wouldn’t you look stupid if he came up and wiped that smile off your face. Which I am 100% convinced he would do once he was back in his godly status and ready to beat the ever living crap out of the people that wronged him.

And now, the entire reason I couldn’t bring myself to give this book four stars…LEO.

Yeah, that’s right, I can’t stand him. I find him such an unlikable Jason/Percy wannabe and he simply can’t be them because it is not his destiny to be as good as them. So, after I thought he died in HoO, you’re telling me I have to sit through 5 more books with him as the main character bringing little to the table and being annoying the entire time!? Awesome. Just freaking spectacular. All the snip-its I was seeing before this even came out was all about Percy and Apollo interacting and now you’re telling me that instead of my beautiful, awesome Percy paired up with turned-human Apollo fighting to save the world I get Leo and weepy Apollo with god-turned-human Calypso that probably won’t end up doing much? This should get interesting real fast.

*quietly* I just want more Percy….

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The Last Magician – PreOrder Offer

June 9, 2017 carolinevaughtLeave a comment

Hello all!
I know everyone, myself included, loves preorder offers, so I thought I’d spread the word about The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell and the offer that goes with preordering the book. It comes out on JULY 18 (my birthday = perfect present) and I CANNOT WAIT for this to come out. So, go preorder it from….

1. Order a signed copy of the book from One More Page Books, my favorite indie in Arlington, VA! These preorders come with the swag: a bookplate, bookmark, postcard, and temporary tattoo, but they might include a little something extra as well as a surprise.

2. Order a copy from any retailer and send your mailing address and proof of purchase to TLMPreorders@gmail.com.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Stop the Magician.
Steal the book.
Save the future.

In modern day New York, magic is all but extinct. The remaining few who have an affinity for magic—the Mageus—live in the shadows, hiding who they are. Any Mageus who enters Manhattan becomes trapped by the Brink, a dark energy barrier that confines them to the island. Crossing it means losing their power—and often their lives.

Esta is a talented thief, and she’s been raised to steal magical artifacts from the sinister Order that created the Brink. With her innate ability to manipulate time, Esta can pilfer from the past, collecting these artifacts before the Order even realizes she’s there. And all of Esta’s training has been for one final job: traveling back to 1902 to steal an ancient book containing the secrets of the Order—and the Brink—before the Magician can destroy it and doom the Mageus to a hopeless future.

But Old New York is a dangerous world ruled by ruthless gangs and secret societies, a world where the very air crackles with magic. Nothing is as it seems, including the Magician himself. And for Esta to save her future, she may have to betray everyone in the past.

SOUNDS AMAZING, RIGHT!?
GO!
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!
PREORDER!

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May Mini Reviews

June 5, 2017 carolinevaughtLeave a comment

It occurred to me that I don’t do full reviews of all the books I read over the month and decided that doing a post or two during or at the end of each month to get a few ideas out about the books I read, without going into lengthy detail! Bigger posts will still be made, but for the other books I don’t have so many thoughts on, they will go in here!

Each title will have a header and each one MAY contain spoilers. Fair warning!

1. A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses #3) by Sarah J. Maas

I thought this was a beautiful ending to the trilogy. The fact that it was a mirror of the events in book one at the end though kind of unsettled me a bit and I found the deaths (or lack thereof) strangely unlikely, regardless of the strength and power of the Inner Circle. And even though I love Feysand and I will fight for them forever, they lacked a tension that they had in the first two books that I missed (but they were adorable together). Even though the rest of the series isn’t supposed to focus on them, I do hope we see lots more of them later on.

2. Throne of Glass (books 1-5) by Sarah J. Maas

As a whole, I loved the series and can’t wait for more! After falling in love with Dorian in book 1, he almost got on my nerves in the later books (especially with Sorscha). And even though I loved Chaol in book 2, I absolutely, without a single doubt in my mind, hate him. So much. Rowan. My love. My poor small cinnamon roll. To precious for this world. But, like Feysand, he and Aelin lost that tension that I loved in Empire of Storms. Until the end of the book, that is. Now I need the book after this upcoming book, because this next one will be all about Chaol and that makes me sad. Love my badass Aelin, though! More badass assassin fighting please and thank you.

3. The Midnight Star (The Young Elites #3) by Marie Lu

Oh this book…after loving book one and being somewhat disappointed with book two, I hoped for a lot more. Almost most important to me is Magiano and Adelina’s relationship, of which we got very little. Second, is what happens to Enzo, who was my first love of this series and I miss the book one him very dearly. The ending in general just makes me upset. I had higher hopes and expectations, but in a twisted way the ending makes sense, so I’ll let go of my personal opinions.

4. A Torch Against the Night (An Ember in the Ashes #2) by Sabaa Tahir

Elias… poor naive Elias. You don’t have to do everything alone, let Laia help you. Keenan…holy shit. Helene, please leave me alone. I’m so tired of your ‘I’m a girl but I can do it better than you’ act even though you turn around and make the wrong choice or lose the fight. The tough act doesn’t suit you, so please…don’t. More Elias and Laia please, their interactions give me life. Guys, spoilers. Just think, we get to see more of Laia and her brother in book three!!!

5. The Crown’s Fate (The Crown’s Game #2) by Evelyn Skye

Such darkness. What is it with all these books coming out and destroying my favourite characters?! In more ways than one. I’m talking mentally, physically, and spiritually. Nikolai is basically damaged beyond repair the majority of the book and I’m here mentally shoving him away from what’s-her-face and trying to push him back toward Vika so she might be able to help him and she does…kind of. Boi, Nikolai’s mother…*deep breath* I just cannot think of her without this uncontrollable rage coming over me, so I won’t even go there. Book three please?? P.S. my name is in the acknowledgements of this book and that is probably my greatest achievement in life.

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Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes – Series Review/Recap/Overlook

May 12, 2017 carolinevaughtLeave a comment

Image result for falling kingdoms series

Bear with me, this review/recap/overlook will include spoilers and my own personal opinions of the events that take place in the books Falling Kingdoms, Rebel Spring, Gathering Darkness, Frozen Tides, and Crystal Storm. If any of these are spoiled for you in the upcoming post, it is now your own fault, for I have given you this warning. I, in no way, own Falling Kingdoms or the characters in it.

Clearly, this being about the first 5 books in a rather long, tasking series, this will be a super long post. I will try my hardest to keep spoilers at the minimum, despite my prior warning, and I will do my best to keep this in sections. I will talk about the character evolution, the relationship evolution, and the plot evolution. As a reminder, these are my opinions and I don’t mean to offend anyone.

Evolution of Characters

Princess Cleiona Aurora (Cleo) Bellos of Auranos: It’s safe to say that Cleo is one of my favourite characters. Her transition from book one Cleo to book 5 Cleo is amazing and truly inspiring. She’s forced to become this strong, deceitful person so quickly, you can’t help but fall in love with her. In the first book, she is so happy-go-lucky and loose, she hates the Limerians by the end of book one, understandable. By the end of book five, though, she’s in love with her worst enemy. Strong, proud, and willing to do anything to get her throne back. All the loss she has endured, it’s only fair that something should finally go her way.

Prince Magnus Lukas Damora of Limeros: Magnus, like all the main characters, also went through a great transition. It’s obvious in the first book how closed off and cold he is toward everyone, which is no surprise given his parents. The only light being Lucia in his life for so long. The end of book five was so incredibly heartbreaking for me, reading what happens to him (shan’t spoil). After being with Cleo through so much, he finally opens up and when he does, it just turns on him. I just feel so bad for him. And I love him. So much.

Princess Lucia Eva Damora of Limeros: Being almost the sole hope for so many people must be a struggle in itself, but when everyone is fighting over the same power, it must be so much harder. I’m not saying that Lucia’s loss of Alexius is anything to excuse the destruction she caused after the fact, but I feel like she should be cut some slack at the very least. It’s possible, I think, for Lucia to redeem herself in the last book, having finally seen through the thick fog that blinded her for so long.

Jonas Agallon: Regardless of what I’ve read about Jonas, I find he has very few layers to his character. Simple peasant boy turned rebel. In ways it’s so predictable, it should be expected. But as a rebel leader, Jonas fails in so many ways, seeing as his plans seem to almost never work and even when they do they result in a great loss of life. I understand his rage against losing his brother, but in his quest for revenge, he basically left his family behind and almost single handedly caused the Auranian battle in book one.

Felix Gaebras: King’s assassin turned rebel. Somehow trained by some of the world’s hardest people, yet manages to get in the clutches of Princess Amara and imprisoned. I’m not going to say that Felix’s actions earned him his current position, but Felix’s actions earned him is current position.

Nicolo (Nic) Cassian: I’ve loved Nic since book one. His banter with Magnus (whom he needs to make friendship with) alone is great, but his friendship with Cleo is the most pure thing ever and they deserve to be friends forever. He’s just so sassy despite losing his sister and he’s so strong and independent, I just love it! P.S. Nic, please be okay.

Princess (Empress??) Amara Cortas of Kraeshia: Power hungry. To the very core, power hungry. I hope she gets what she deserves in the long run.

Relationships

Magnus/Cleo (Magneo): Nothing in this world or the next could possibly convince me that they don’t 100% belong together. They are passion and love and if they ruled together, they could become the most powerful couple, I’m convinced.

Jonas/Cleo: Dead end romance? Seemed like they had something going on that just kinda died off.

Lucia/Magnus: Started out super gross, but ended out being okay. I don’t ship it, but I do want them to make up and be close again. It’s the least that Magnus deserves.

Magnus/King Gaius: Super intense. Every scene with them is a show-down and I have to slow down to take in every minute. When Magnus finally stood up to him, I practically cried. Yet Gaius continues to intervene with Magnus’s life, as if anything he does could fix their relationship.

Nic/Cleo: Worlds strongest/best friendship

Ashur/Nic: I want them to be happy. Let them be happy *looks hopefully at Morgan Rhodes*

Lysandra/Jonas: I’m actually convinced that they would never have worked out. Jonas was so in love with Cleo and then suddenly he’s in love with Lys? SPOILER Right after she died?! I just don’t believe it.

SERIES AS A WHOLE

To get across just how much I love this series, keep in mind that in order to properly do this post, I reread all five books and book marked pages I thought were important. And after I finished book five like yesterday, I wanted to start all over again. This series is so beautiful and I can’t believe I called it a Game of Thrones wannabe the first time I read book one. I am so happy I decided to keep reading, it really shows that you should never judge a series by the first book. I will actually cry very real tears when I finish the last book, but until then I’ll just reread the series until my books fall apart.

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The Mysterium Chronicles by Simone Pond

March 31, 2017 carolinevaughtLeave a comment

Exodus of Magic (The Mysterium Chronicles Book 1) by [Pond, Simone]

Hi all! Just thought you all would like to know about The Mysterium Chronicles by Simone Pond!

Exodus of Magic (book 1) synopsis:

An ancient prophecy. A chosen leader. A warlock who will stop at nothing.

Magic is illegal in the city of Mysterium, so Jordan must keep her secret buried deep. If anyone discovers the truth about her powerful and extraordinary magic, it would destroy everyone she cares about.

When Jordan uses illegal magic to protect others from a terrorist attack, she becomes a person of interest for the diabolical Counselor Magnus. He’ll keep her secret as long as she does his dirty work. She soon discovers the disturbing truth about Magnus, Mysterium, and her supernatural past.

Forced to leave the city, she learns about her true ancestors and an ancient prophecy she’s supposed to fulfill. But with Magnus, a vengeful werewolf, and a bloodthirsty vampire hunting her down, Jordan doubts she’ll ever be able to save this ancient race of people.

Follow Jordan’s epic adventure in the Mysterium Chronicles as she fights against evil to fulfill an ancient prophecy. Buy Exodus of Magic today to start your journey!

And it’s just 99 cents on Kindle right now!!!!!!

You can join Simone Pond’s newsletter at simonepond.com to get updates on exciting new releases.

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The End of an Era – The Vampire Diaries

March 11, 2017 carolinevaughtLeave a comment

I hear a lot of talk about a lot of different shows and boy do I have my fair share. I don’t know if it reflects just how young I am or maybe I just haven’t connected with anything to this degree, but I’ve never been in a position where a show I’ve grown up with has come to an end. And I don’t mean a Disney or Nickelodeon show where yeah, you watch it occasionally, but when it ends you’re just like “oh, it’s over”, I mean one that matters and actually means something to you, personally. Whether it got you through a rough time or spoke to you on a deep level, helped you figure something out about yourself, or you just followed it for so long it’s just always been there for you.

Friday, March 10, 2017, the last episode of The Vampire Diaries aired. Of course, many would merely shrug off such an occasion and many more wouldn’t think to post about it. “It’s just a TV show about vampires” is what many people I know would say and have said to me. But as a lover of books and one that obsesses about TV shows, when I feel a connection to a show or book series, I remember it. Forever. The Vampire Diaries holds a close spot in my heart and therefore, I think I should give it the closure it (and I) deserves. Back in probably 2012 or 2013, I got a Netflix account and started the art of binge-watching. When The Vampire Diaries popped up in my recommended tab, little did I know it would have an impact on me that would carry on for years and probably will for years to come.
As a teenager, of course I got caught up in the season one drama of vampires and high school. I fell in love with the show instantly. I could relate each character to someone I knew. Caroline was that bitchy friend that you had a love-hate relationship with. She was that one preppy cheerleader mean girl that you shied away from in the school hallways. Bonnie was the best friend, but the one you didn’t agree with all the time. The one where you would fight with one minute and laugh with the next. Elena was the girl everyone loved to love, well rounded, but somehow always in a tragic problem and found herself in the middle of everything. Stefan was that hot new guy that everyone loved to obsess and talk about, but he ended up not being interested in anyone (of course, not how the show ended up). Damon. Oh boy where do I start with Damon? He might not be like anyone I know but I could connect him to almost any book I’ve read. The bad boy. To a degree, I think I could relate with Damon the most, for better or worse.
I loved the raw intensity of the show. The pain was so real, something you could feel, even if you weren’t with them in Mystic Falls. While I didn’t like many of the characters (Bonnie, Caroline, and Matt), the ones I did love essentially became a part of me. I’m not afraid to say that there was a period of time where I shipped Stelena, but at some point I opened my eyes and realized that Delena was where it was all at. The passion, the fiery love, the emotion. It was at that point where my obsession for The Vampire Diaries truly solidified. Delena became my OTP and finally, in season four, my dream came true. With Elena’s turning, she finally realized her feelings for Damon. Yes, I know, sire bond and all, but I firmly believed that they were meant to be together and every time they got pushed away from one another, I died a little on the inside.
Before I get into the last episode and the books I just want to take a minute to talk about how much I truly hate Katherine Pierce. A lot of people say that she’s the villain that everyone loves to hate, but I honestly just straight up hated her and I’ll stick by that. Especially now since there won’t be any more episodes and therefore no way to “fix” everything she’s done to not only Stefan and Damon, but the entire cast. While on the subject of characters I hate, after Bonnie got linked to Elena’s life, essentially anything I felt for her meant nothing. I just wanted Damon and Elena together again and that was all that mattered to me, I didn’t care if that meant Bonnie was going to die.

This is starting to get long and I’m rambling because I’m distraught over the last episode, so I’ll try and keep this somewhat short and sweet from now on. The ending killed me. Katherine and Damon got the reunion that should have been for Damon and Elena, so when they were reunited it seemed forced and upsetting. I didn’t get enough of Delena. I wanted to see them old or with children, or at least looking somewhat happen, but they both looked pretty solemn when they were together. In no universe should a TV show called The Vampire Diaries end with there being one vampire left on the entire show.

I get it. They ended it in a way where everyone got closure, but I’ll always want more. They can’t make everyone happy, I just wanted something more. I know a lot of people won’t care about this, but I really love being a part of the TVD Family and I’ll remember it forever (and me crying for about an hour during and after makes that pretty obvious).

Now, for anyone that has ever read the books, they know that little to nothing from them was moved over to the TV show. For starters, Elena is supposed to have blonde hair and have blue eyes. Damon and Stefan are supposed to be 500 years old and short (and Italian). Bonnie is supposed to have red hair. There’s so much different that I actually can’t remember what all is different. But it is a good book series if you separate your ideals of both the series and the show. I truly recommend it and hey, since the show is over, maybe give the books a try?

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How to be Swoonworthy 101

March 1, 2017May 16, 2019 carolinevaughtLeave a comment

One of the things I love about the bookish community is that there’s so many opportunities to get involved. And what better way to get involved than to swoon over your favourite characters? Well, that’s exactly what Book Madness 2017 is for and boy am I excited to be a part of it!

What is Book Madness? Just 60 or so bloggers, booktubers, and other bookish people mooning over their favourite character! The goal? To convince you that my character is the best, most inspiring character. All you have to do is vote! And who is my character, you may ask? I think you’ll find it’s not entirely surprising.

Of course, Finn! (Is not picking a specific Finn cheating?) From Traveler by L.E. DeLano!

Why is Finn so swoonworthy?

He literally goes across realities to try and save the love of his life(lives?).
He risks his life time after time to keep her out of danger
Did I mention he has green eyes?
He basically survived the apocalypse in his reality
In his reality, he has the strength to do such brave things (I shan’t spoil)
Now, a few sub points about Pirate Finn (who in general is swoonworthy)

Irish accent
Daring and outgoing
Knows what he wants and is out to get it
The ultimate swipe-you-off-your-feet swashbuckler

Every Finn is the same, compassionate, loving person in every life who will do anything to be with his love

Finn is so new to YA world, he has gotten barely any exposure, which is so unfair, because he has such great potential, he’s like an onion he has so many layers to his character!

I could go on and on about Finn and why I love him, but why do that when you can figure it out for yourself by reading Traveler?!

You have 5 votes, so, vote for Finn!!! —-> https://maggieannmartin.com/2017/03/01/welcome-to-bookmadness17/

Vote soon, because round one ends March 5 at 11:59 pm CST.

So go….vote….stop reading and go…NOW!!!

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Traveler by L.E. DeLano – Review

February 11, 2017 carolinevaught1 Comment

Title: Traveler
Author: L.E. DeLano
Format: Paperback
Rating: 5/5

Fair warning: may be spoilers

So, I put off this review for a while solely because I’m not entirely sure what to say about it without being repetitive of the review I wrote a while back. Of course, this book is the final copy, therefore different, but for the most part, it’s the same.

It is no secret that I absolutely love this book and that it’s one of my (if not my all-time) favourite books and has been since I first read it on Swoonreads.com. The way DeLano writes is like I’m actually in the pages of the book. From page one through the last page, you are having adventures with Jessa and Finn. With this writing, you are a Traveler. And I think that’s all a book lover really wants. To have the adventure of a lifetime. So, when you read a book that gives you the sense of that adventure, what more could you ask for? Besides a book 2, of course.

I could read this book a dozen, a thousand, ten thousand, one hundred thousand, a million times and I will fall in love with it every time. I could read this book until it falls apart in my hands, turns to dust, and I have it memorized and I would still fall in love with it. In a day and age where supposedly there are ‘no unique story ideas’, L.E. DeLano sure did find a way.

Now that I have my swooning (see what I did there?) out of the way, let’s get down to some points and characters.

Let’s start with Jessa; creative, clever, caring (especially when it comes to family), and down to earth. In the beginning, Jessa comes off as the normal day-to-day teenager; school, work, home, repeat, but Jessa is a writer. Her dreams are so vivid that she can take those and put them on a page like no other. That is, until she meets a guy from her dreams. After some coaxing, Jessa finally gets the truth behind her vivid dreams. She is a Traveler, a person who can travel between the different realities using reflective objects. But all is not as it seems as Jessa learns that being a Traveler isn’t all it’s made out to be. Some of her “other lives” don’t have it as well as she does, not to mention she’s being hunted in every reality.

Finn. The thing that I just can’t get over about this book is that you can have one character, but actually have him be like a hundred different characters at the same time. But he’s still always the same character. It might be a little confusing when you look at it that way, but trust me, it makes sense. I can’t say much about Finn without giving away some things, but just a warning, this character will make you cry at every turn.

Another thing about DeLano that just blows me away is that she must have had to come up with dozens of back stories and lives for every reality, because they are literally so detailed and insightful, it’s almost hard to believe. I could spend weeks just reading about all the different realities and how they differ from the one we’re in.

There’s just so much about this book that I love that if I went over everything I want to, this would win an award for world’s longest review, so I’ll just leave it to the reader to find all the amazingness (and pirates). This story and this world has so much to offer, I can’t believe I have to wait a year for book two!

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The Rose Society by Marie Lu – Review

January 18, 2017 carolinevaughtLeave a comment

Title: The Rose Society
Series: The Young Elites
Author: Marie Lu
Rating: 5/5

Okay, to sum it up, I’m very dissatisfied with the steps that were taken throughout the novel. Beware of spoilers, because I have a lot to say about this.

I do not like what happened to Enzo. I can understand that it was for plot and character development. As well as the whole “telling from the perspective of the villain” idea. I get it, really. But I shipped Adelina and Enzo sooooo hard and, regardless of the things that happened in this novel, I still freaking do. Magiano is great. He has a good vibe and I think he has great chemistry with Adelina that I would love to see more of in the next book.

I just don’t understand why Adelina can’t just explain what happened. Why can’t she get the Daggers together and calmly explain to them and Enzo what exactly happened when he died. Maybe then they could work together again. Or perhaps I misread entirely and no one was willing to hear her out, but me thinks it’s more because she craves the power to herself. Either way, I find it upsetting.

It probably seems like I’m just spewing a bunch of hate, but while I don’t agree with the course of things, I can’t deny that this was still an amazingly written book. The ending especially is what finally convinced me that this was a five star book. No matter how much I hate Violetta, I can’t turn away the fact that she does have a point about what’s happening with the Elites and while my fondness of Raffaelle has turned rotten and sour, it won’t blind me to the fact that he has discovered a genuine problem. I can’t wait to see how Lu decides to execute this in the last book.

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An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir – Review

January 14, 2017 carolinevaughtLeave a comment

Maybe 4.5

Great way to start off the year! Beginning was a little slow, but amazing once it picked up!
—
Okay, after further reflection, I decided I should go a little more in depth about the first book I read for 2017.

I absolutely, positively, with out a single doubt in my mind, hated Helene with a burning passion to the point where I can’t even explain why without it sounding fake. She tries…way to hard to be tough. And I get it, she is, and in a world full of boys that aren’t necessarily trained with boundaries and respect for women, she is forced into taking on a tougher persona even more than she would have. Yet, from the minute we met her I just knew she was a bad seed. And the way she interacted with Elias was just not okay with me and my disinterest in her and her life just went all the way through the ending and will probably carry into the next book.

Elias. Dear, poor soul. I did get a little tired of his ‘taking the high road’ personality where he looked down on basically everyone, but I got over it. He and Laia…I love it. I’m not blind though, I see the instalove, I can’t ignore it, it’s there, but it doesn’t change the fact that I love them so much. I’m excited to see them in the next book without Helene there to interfere with my little mental image of the happy ending (Is that even a thing?).

Laia.
Honestly, not that sure what to say about her. Well, if I had one thing to tell her I would say “Your mother doesn’t seem that great.” Am I the only one that thought that? Based on what I know about her, she seems to have had a god complex, while her father was the real caring, smart one. Laia must take after him a lot, but her courage is probably from her mother’s side. To a degree, I would compare Laia’s mother to the Commandant. But enough about the mother. I like Laia. She’s tough and on more than one occasion I was genuinely scared for her, but dang she can be stupid. For reasons that I won’t bring up because I don’t want to spoil, but if you read it, you know what I mean.

Overall, it was a great book. Truly. Quite excited to read more.