Hey there!!
So not sure if anyone's noticed but I've been on a bit of a blogging hiatus for the past month or so. This was completely unplanned, but uni and college commitments completely took over and before I knew it weeks had past without me posting anything! Most of my extra-curricular things for this semester have now come to an end, so you know what that means... more time for blogging again!! I've missed it so much, and so many exciting bookish things have been happening that I can't wait to talk about!
I've been really utilising my library lately (may or may not have like fifteen books out at the moment) and am so addicted now! I can't stop borrowing and putting books on hold, it is actually an issue! I've been trying to get up to date with a lot of books that are super popular on booktube and book blogs that I've never picked up yet, and am having so much fun with it! I'll go into more detail in my next monthly wrap up on that note.
There's also been SO MANY new YA releases this month (how freaking amazing is ACOMAF!!!!) so I'll for sure be posting about my thoughts on those that I've picked up so far.
This was just a little post to catch up and let you all know where I've been for the past month or so, but I promise that there'll be much more to come!
Let me know in the comments what you're reading at the moment!
Love always,
Ari
Showing posts with label young adult fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label young adult fiction. Show all posts
Friday, 27 May 2016
Tuesday, 19 April 2016
The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh - review
Hey there!
Firstly, sorry for being super slack with posts lately, it's hectic at uni and college at the moment but I should have a tad more time from now!
This week I finally picked up The Wrath and the Dawn from my library, after having heard soooo many amazing things about it all over the booktube and book blogging communities. I thought it sounded like something that I would really enjoy, and boy was I right.
The Wrath and the Dawn is a retelling of One Thousand and One Nights, and it takes place in a land where a boy-king rules. Each night he takes a new bride, and each morning he has his bride killed. When Shahrzad's best friend is taken as the king's bride and subsequently killed, she vows to avenge her. She has a plan for how to stay alive and to end the king's terror. However, as she begins to learn more about the young king she discovers that all is not as it seems and there are mysterious powers at play in the kingdom.
This story is just so incredible. I've never read any retelling of One Thousand and One Nights, but I find the story so mysterious and intriguing, and I adored the setting. Renee Ahdieh's writing style is incredibly beautiful and engaging, and I was absolutely mesmerised the entire time I was reading this book. I also found the characters so wonderful and intricate. Shahrzad is such a strong protagonist, who knows what she wants and is determined to do anything it takes to get it. Whilst there is a beautiful romance in here, there is also a lovely friendship between Shahrzad and her maid at the palace which I thought was amazing! All in all, I am totally obsessed with this book and cannot wait to delve further into the series!!
Rating: 5/5
SPOILERY SECTION:
Aaaah I have so many wonderful things to say about this book!! I can't believe it took me so long to pick it up, it for sure deserves all of the hype that surrounds it on booktube and blogs.
I'll start with the characters, always my favourite part of books! I found Shahrzad super interesting. On the outlook she is an incredibly strong young woman filled with anger and the need for revenge, willing to do anything to kill the king. However, as you begin to learn more about her and watch her character develop you also see her softer side, and understand how incredibly intelligent and emotional she is.
Then there's Khalid. I ADORE Khalid. He's so mysterious, and we know barely anything about him for the majority of the book, even though you have a vague idea that he is not who he seems from the Prologue. Even though his personality has been revealed much more by the end of the novel, I know there is still so much to learn about him, and I can't wait to delve further into his character as the series progresses. I thought Shahrzad and Khalid's relationship was done really well, and wasn't too tropey with the whole quiet, angry boy and strong, rebellious girl. There was a real beauty to their relationship, which especially came out towards the end of the book.
In regards to plot, I find it so incredibly intriguing!! I love the magical elements intertwined in the tale, with Khalid's curse, and now the mystery of Shahrzad's father. I need to know what happened there! I find it so upsetting when books end with a couple apart - I need them back together again!! Needless to say, I LOVED this book.
Let me know in the comments if you've read The Wrath and the Dawn what your thoughts are!!
Love always,
Ari
Firstly, sorry for being super slack with posts lately, it's hectic at uni and college at the moment but I should have a tad more time from now!
This week I finally picked up The Wrath and the Dawn from my library, after having heard soooo many amazing things about it all over the booktube and book blogging communities. I thought it sounded like something that I would really enjoy, and boy was I right.
The Wrath and the Dawn is a retelling of One Thousand and One Nights, and it takes place in a land where a boy-king rules. Each night he takes a new bride, and each morning he has his bride killed. When Shahrzad's best friend is taken as the king's bride and subsequently killed, she vows to avenge her. She has a plan for how to stay alive and to end the king's terror. However, as she begins to learn more about the young king she discovers that all is not as it seems and there are mysterious powers at play in the kingdom.
This story is just so incredible. I've never read any retelling of One Thousand and One Nights, but I find the story so mysterious and intriguing, and I adored the setting. Renee Ahdieh's writing style is incredibly beautiful and engaging, and I was absolutely mesmerised the entire time I was reading this book. I also found the characters so wonderful and intricate. Shahrzad is such a strong protagonist, who knows what she wants and is determined to do anything it takes to get it. Whilst there is a beautiful romance in here, there is also a lovely friendship between Shahrzad and her maid at the palace which I thought was amazing! All in all, I am totally obsessed with this book and cannot wait to delve further into the series!!
Rating: 5/5
SPOILERY SECTION:
Aaaah I have so many wonderful things to say about this book!! I can't believe it took me so long to pick it up, it for sure deserves all of the hype that surrounds it on booktube and blogs.
I'll start with the characters, always my favourite part of books! I found Shahrzad super interesting. On the outlook she is an incredibly strong young woman filled with anger and the need for revenge, willing to do anything to kill the king. However, as you begin to learn more about her and watch her character develop you also see her softer side, and understand how incredibly intelligent and emotional she is.
Then there's Khalid. I ADORE Khalid. He's so mysterious, and we know barely anything about him for the majority of the book, even though you have a vague idea that he is not who he seems from the Prologue. Even though his personality has been revealed much more by the end of the novel, I know there is still so much to learn about him, and I can't wait to delve further into his character as the series progresses. I thought Shahrzad and Khalid's relationship was done really well, and wasn't too tropey with the whole quiet, angry boy and strong, rebellious girl. There was a real beauty to their relationship, which especially came out towards the end of the book.
In regards to plot, I find it so incredibly intriguing!! I love the magical elements intertwined in the tale, with Khalid's curse, and now the mystery of Shahrzad's father. I need to know what happened there! I find it so upsetting when books end with a couple apart - I need them back together again!! Needless to say, I LOVED this book.
Let me know in the comments if you've read The Wrath and the Dawn what your thoughts are!!
Love always,
Ari
Saturday, 2 April 2016
Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken - review
Hey!!
I finally picked up Never Fade, the sequel to The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken the other day and I am so glad!! If you saw my Darkest Minds review you will know that I absolutely adored it, and Alexandra Bracken is now one of my favourite authors. If you haven't read The Darkest Minds yet, please please please go and do so, and then read Never Fade, and then come back to this post, as I don't want to spoil anything for you! Bye bye spoilery people!!
SPOILERY SECTION:
Ahhh so many feels in this book!! At the end of The Darkest Minds I cried possibly the most I have ever cried whilst reading a book, my heart was broken into a million tiny pieces. I was desperately hoping that Liam would remember Ruby eventually in Never Fade and thank goodness he did, although I am still heart broken at their relationship state at the moment. But before I go off on tangents, I'll start with the character development in this novel.
I loved how we've continued to see Ruby develop since The Darkest Minds. Her time with the Children's League really highlights how strong she is, and how focused she is on achieving her goal of freeing the children in the camps. Even to the extent that wen Liam remembers her she still refuses to go with him, rather staying with Cole and the others to work towards freeing the camps. That was simultaneously painful and exciting to read, as I really wished she'd be with Liam but it showed such strength in her character that she stayed.
It was super interesting seeing how Liam was affected by Ruby taking his memories of her. When he was acting super strange around her I started to suspect that he vaguely remember her, and I thought it was amazing how she had accidentally put into his mind that story of them meeting at the beach! So beautiful and heart-breaking. In The Darkest Minds Liam was one of my favourite characters EVER, and he has maintained this in Never Fade. He's such a loving person and is primarily focused on those that he cares about. Of course, he also wants to free the camps but will go about it in a way that he wants to, making sure that it isn't compromising his beliefs and ideals.
In regards to the new characters we are introduced to in Never Fade, I absolutely loved them!! Jude and Vida are wonderful, so different from one another! I love how Jude is such a fragile character, but at the same time is desperate to impress Ruby, Veda, and especially Cate. Vida is so kick-butt and intense, and I truly never knew what she was going to come out with next. Her relationship with Chubs was just hilarious!!
And then there is Clancy. I thought we were rid of him, but oh no, he just keeps coming back!! So infuriating, but it was dealt with so well. The whole idea of the fake Slip Kid with Knox was also super interesting, and I was so freaked out when Ruby and Vida had to fight the Red!
I really enjoyed all of the plot twists and turns, and never saw them coming! Jude's death absolutely broke my heart, as Alexandra Bracken always seems to do...
Overall, I LOVED Never Fade, and although The Darkest Minds probably beats it a tiny bit, I will continue to recommend this series to every single one of my friends.
Rating: 4.75/5
Let me know in the comments what your thoughts are on Never Fade, and who is your favourite character in this series?
Love always.
Ari
I finally picked up Never Fade, the sequel to The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken the other day and I am so glad!! If you saw my Darkest Minds review you will know that I absolutely adored it, and Alexandra Bracken is now one of my favourite authors. If you haven't read The Darkest Minds yet, please please please go and do so, and then read Never Fade, and then come back to this post, as I don't want to spoil anything for you! Bye bye spoilery people!!
SPOILERY SECTION:
Ahhh so many feels in this book!! At the end of The Darkest Minds I cried possibly the most I have ever cried whilst reading a book, my heart was broken into a million tiny pieces. I was desperately hoping that Liam would remember Ruby eventually in Never Fade and thank goodness he did, although I am still heart broken at their relationship state at the moment. But before I go off on tangents, I'll start with the character development in this novel.
I loved how we've continued to see Ruby develop since The Darkest Minds. Her time with the Children's League really highlights how strong she is, and how focused she is on achieving her goal of freeing the children in the camps. Even to the extent that wen Liam remembers her she still refuses to go with him, rather staying with Cole and the others to work towards freeing the camps. That was simultaneously painful and exciting to read, as I really wished she'd be with Liam but it showed such strength in her character that she stayed.
It was super interesting seeing how Liam was affected by Ruby taking his memories of her. When he was acting super strange around her I started to suspect that he vaguely remember her, and I thought it was amazing how she had accidentally put into his mind that story of them meeting at the beach! So beautiful and heart-breaking. In The Darkest Minds Liam was one of my favourite characters EVER, and he has maintained this in Never Fade. He's such a loving person and is primarily focused on those that he cares about. Of course, he also wants to free the camps but will go about it in a way that he wants to, making sure that it isn't compromising his beliefs and ideals.
In regards to the new characters we are introduced to in Never Fade, I absolutely loved them!! Jude and Vida are wonderful, so different from one another! I love how Jude is such a fragile character, but at the same time is desperate to impress Ruby, Veda, and especially Cate. Vida is so kick-butt and intense, and I truly never knew what she was going to come out with next. Her relationship with Chubs was just hilarious!!
And then there is Clancy. I thought we were rid of him, but oh no, he just keeps coming back!! So infuriating, but it was dealt with so well. The whole idea of the fake Slip Kid with Knox was also super interesting, and I was so freaked out when Ruby and Vida had to fight the Red!
I really enjoyed all of the plot twists and turns, and never saw them coming! Jude's death absolutely broke my heart, as Alexandra Bracken always seems to do...
Overall, I LOVED Never Fade, and although The Darkest Minds probably beats it a tiny bit, I will continue to recommend this series to every single one of my friends.
Rating: 4.75/5
Let me know in the comments what your thoughts are on Never Fade, and who is your favourite character in this series?
Love always.
Ari
Friday, 25 March 2016
Prince of Fire by Megan Linski Cover Reveal!
Hi!!
Today I have a super exciting cover reveal for Prince of Fire by Megan Linski, the fourth novel in her Kingdom Saga!
Here is a bit of an overview of the book:
Today I have a super exciting cover reveal for Prince of Fire by Megan Linski, the fourth novel in her Kingdom Saga!
Here is a bit of an overview of the book:
Genre: YA Fantasy
Release Date: April 1st 2016
Summary from Goodreads:
Thief lord. Wanted criminal. College student.
Zayde Amirmoez is in his last year of college at Ashana University, and he couldn’t be more eager to leave. A talented thief, Zayde makes a living by robbing jewelry stores in order to care for his ailing mother, who grows sicker each passing day.
Then the dreams begin. Zayde’s nightmares echo memories of a land from another time, visions of a mysterious princess who lived two thousand years ago. At the insistence of his annoying history professor, Zayde becomes friends with the beautiful freshman who loves to dance…the girl who looks exactly like the princess in his dreams.
As a dangerous new Dean and his spiteful son take the helm at Ashana University, Zayde learns of the legends of Queen Bennua, which are eerily similar to his nightmares. Could Zayde’s dreams be a coincidence? Or is it possible that Bennua and Zahid have returned, to save Sahrahn once more?
Zayde Amirmoez is in his last year of college at Ashana University, and he couldn’t be more eager to leave. A talented thief, Zayde makes a living by robbing jewelry stores in order to care for his ailing mother, who grows sicker each passing day.
Then the dreams begin. Zayde’s nightmares echo memories of a land from another time, visions of a mysterious princess who lived two thousand years ago. At the insistence of his annoying history professor, Zayde becomes friends with the beautiful freshman who loves to dance…the girl who looks exactly like the princess in his dreams.
As a dangerous new Dean and his spiteful son take the helm at Ashana University, Zayde learns of the legends of Queen Bennua, which are eerily similar to his nightmares. Could Zayde’s dreams be a coincidence? Or is it possible that Bennua and Zahid have returned, to save Sahrahn once more?
Aaaand, the beautiful cover:
Previous novels in The Kingdom Saga:
About the Author
Megan Linski is the owner of Gryfyn Publishing
and has had a passion for writing ever since she completed her first (short)
novel at the age of 6. Her specializations are romance, fantasy, and
contemporary fiction for people aged 14-24. When not writing she enjoys ice
skating, horse riding, theatre, archery, fishing, and being outdoors. She is a
passionate advocate for mental health awareness and suicide prevention, and is
an active fighter against common variable immune deficiency disorder. She lives
in Michigan.
Author Links:
Cover Reveal Organized
by:
Let me know in the comments if you've read this series, or are interested in checking it out!!
Love always,
Ari
My Thoughts On The Shadowhunters TV Series
Hey!!
So I just watched episode 11 of the Shadowhunters TV show on Netflix, and thought it would be fun to discuss what I'm thinking of the show so far, and see if you guys agree or have other opinions!
For non-spoilery people, as a broad overview I'll say that I am finding the show very entertaining and am enjoying watching it (Matthew Daddario in particular!). However, don't go into it expecting accuracy to the book series because it is COMPLETELY different. This bothered me initially, but as the show's gone on I've decided to just look at it as a complete different entity to the book series, and enjoy it for what it is on it's own. The show definitely had a rough start in regards to acting and script writing, and has since had it's ups and downs but for sure has improved. That's about all I can say that isn't spoiler, so for sure go check the show out, then come back and read the rest of this post and comment what you think!!
SPOILERY SECTION:
Okay, so since there's quite a lot for me to discuss in regards to what has occurred in the show so far, I'm going to split it up into rough categories.
Characters:
I'm pretty divided with my opinion on how the characters are being represented in the show, as I adore some of them, and am really disappointed by others. Initially I wasn't sure about Clary, however as the show's gone on I feel like she's settled into her role much more, and the problem is now more to do with the script writing than the acting.
Jace, on the other hand, I am super disappointed in! I know I shouldn't judge the show too much in relation to the book, as they're so different, but this Jace is unrecognisable!! He is literally nothing like the book Jace that we know and love. Of course, this is pretty much entirely due to the awful script that Dom has been given - it is missing Jace's snarkiness and confidence, and at the moment he is feeling pretty two-dimensional.
Some of the characters I'm loving, however, are Simon, Alec, Izzy and Magnus. Starting with Simon, I'm pretty confident in saying he is my favourite character in the show. He is exactly as I imagine Simon in the books, although his personality did seem to shift super fast after he was changed to a vampire.
Alec I also adore, of course partly because I'm in love with Matthew Daddario, but mostly because of the wonderful acting, and semi-wonderful script. Alec is just so sarcastic and funny, and has been extremely well fleshed out I feel, particularly surrounding his sexuality, and his issues with always being second best to Jace.
Certain aspects of Izzy I'm loving - her acting and most of the script, however I do have a major problem with how sexualised she's been. Yes, in the books Izzy in very confident in her sexuality, but in the show she is transformed into a sexual object, sleeping with Meliorn to get information... not cool.
Valentine I feel is absolutely fantastic. He is super scary, but complex at the some time when we see his almost obsessive love for Jocelyn. I'm really excited to start seeing him appear more in the episodes!
And finally, Magnus! I love Magnus so much!! He's hilarious, and has that air about him that reminds you that he's actually hundreds of years old. Great representation of his character.
Relationships:
As you can probably guess from my discussion about the characters of Clary and Jace, I am not enjoying their romance. They seem to have zero chemistry, and I'm finding it makes no sense in the show why they are in love all of a sudden. Hopefully it will improve as their relationship develops, but at the moment I'm not enjoying it.
The relationship between Jace and Alec I also have massive issues with. They are PARABATAI for goodness sake!! They would not be treating each other like this. Alec legit said in the show that Jace is dead to him....WHAT. NO. That is so not okay. This relationship had better fix itself soon or I'm going to be super upset.
On a more positive note, I love the sibling relationship between Alec and Izzy. They seem extremely close and open with one another, so great!
Similarly, Clary and Simon truly feel like best friends, their chemistry is great. It's been obvious from the beginning that Simon is in love with Clary and she doesn't realise it, so will be interesting to see if anything else is done with this...
And finally, my favourite relationship from the books...Malec!! I'm loving all of the Malec action going on in the show, the writers obviously know that the fans love Malec so they're giving us a load of it!! I feel like it's being done very well, their chemistry is obvious and super adorable, I literally get so excited whenever Alec and Magnus are in a scene together!
Plot:
I don't even know where to start with the plot. So many random things seem to be going on that have serious plot holes and make zero sense, I have no idea how they are going to be resolved. I'll refer to episode 11 as it is the most fresh in my brain - random things like going to get blood from the vampires when Jace gets bitten by a demon... when they have runes for things like that. There are so many little plot holes that prevent the story from having any continuity.
Also, in episode 11, I feel like the whole Jace and Clary brother-sister drama wasn't really played out to it's full potential. It seemed very forced and rushed, and Clary did not seem surprised or upset when she found out. Anyways, we'll see where it goes from here, I'm always hoping for improvement!
Overall, I am for sure enjoying the show entertainment-wise, however am not overly impressed with the quality of writing or acting, and definitely not accuracy to the books!
Let me know in the comments what your opinion is on the Shadowhunters TV show, I'd love to know!!
Love always,
Ari
So I just watched episode 11 of the Shadowhunters TV show on Netflix, and thought it would be fun to discuss what I'm thinking of the show so far, and see if you guys agree or have other opinions!
For non-spoilery people, as a broad overview I'll say that I am finding the show very entertaining and am enjoying watching it (Matthew Daddario in particular!). However, don't go into it expecting accuracy to the book series because it is COMPLETELY different. This bothered me initially, but as the show's gone on I've decided to just look at it as a complete different entity to the book series, and enjoy it for what it is on it's own. The show definitely had a rough start in regards to acting and script writing, and has since had it's ups and downs but for sure has improved. That's about all I can say that isn't spoiler, so for sure go check the show out, then come back and read the rest of this post and comment what you think!!
SPOILERY SECTION:
Okay, so since there's quite a lot for me to discuss in regards to what has occurred in the show so far, I'm going to split it up into rough categories.
Characters:
I'm pretty divided with my opinion on how the characters are being represented in the show, as I adore some of them, and am really disappointed by others. Initially I wasn't sure about Clary, however as the show's gone on I feel like she's settled into her role much more, and the problem is now more to do with the script writing than the acting.
Jace, on the other hand, I am super disappointed in! I know I shouldn't judge the show too much in relation to the book, as they're so different, but this Jace is unrecognisable!! He is literally nothing like the book Jace that we know and love. Of course, this is pretty much entirely due to the awful script that Dom has been given - it is missing Jace's snarkiness and confidence, and at the moment he is feeling pretty two-dimensional.
Some of the characters I'm loving, however, are Simon, Alec, Izzy and Magnus. Starting with Simon, I'm pretty confident in saying he is my favourite character in the show. He is exactly as I imagine Simon in the books, although his personality did seem to shift super fast after he was changed to a vampire.
Alec I also adore, of course partly because I'm in love with Matthew Daddario, but mostly because of the wonderful acting, and semi-wonderful script. Alec is just so sarcastic and funny, and has been extremely well fleshed out I feel, particularly surrounding his sexuality, and his issues with always being second best to Jace.
Certain aspects of Izzy I'm loving - her acting and most of the script, however I do have a major problem with how sexualised she's been. Yes, in the books Izzy in very confident in her sexuality, but in the show she is transformed into a sexual object, sleeping with Meliorn to get information... not cool.
Valentine I feel is absolutely fantastic. He is super scary, but complex at the some time when we see his almost obsessive love for Jocelyn. I'm really excited to start seeing him appear more in the episodes!
And finally, Magnus! I love Magnus so much!! He's hilarious, and has that air about him that reminds you that he's actually hundreds of years old. Great representation of his character.
Relationships:
As you can probably guess from my discussion about the characters of Clary and Jace, I am not enjoying their romance. They seem to have zero chemistry, and I'm finding it makes no sense in the show why they are in love all of a sudden. Hopefully it will improve as their relationship develops, but at the moment I'm not enjoying it.
The relationship between Jace and Alec I also have massive issues with. They are PARABATAI for goodness sake!! They would not be treating each other like this. Alec legit said in the show that Jace is dead to him....WHAT. NO. That is so not okay. This relationship had better fix itself soon or I'm going to be super upset.
On a more positive note, I love the sibling relationship between Alec and Izzy. They seem extremely close and open with one another, so great!
Similarly, Clary and Simon truly feel like best friends, their chemistry is great. It's been obvious from the beginning that Simon is in love with Clary and she doesn't realise it, so will be interesting to see if anything else is done with this...
And finally, my favourite relationship from the books...Malec!! I'm loving all of the Malec action going on in the show, the writers obviously know that the fans love Malec so they're giving us a load of it!! I feel like it's being done very well, their chemistry is obvious and super adorable, I literally get so excited whenever Alec and Magnus are in a scene together!
Plot:
I don't even know where to start with the plot. So many random things seem to be going on that have serious plot holes and make zero sense, I have no idea how they are going to be resolved. I'll refer to episode 11 as it is the most fresh in my brain - random things like going to get blood from the vampires when Jace gets bitten by a demon... when they have runes for things like that. There are so many little plot holes that prevent the story from having any continuity.
Also, in episode 11, I feel like the whole Jace and Clary brother-sister drama wasn't really played out to it's full potential. It seemed very forced and rushed, and Clary did not seem surprised or upset when she found out. Anyways, we'll see where it goes from here, I'm always hoping for improvement!
Overall, I am for sure enjoying the show entertainment-wise, however am not overly impressed with the quality of writing or acting, and definitely not accuracy to the books!
Let me know in the comments what your opinion is on the Shadowhunters TV show, I'd love to know!!
Love always,
Ari
Wednesday, 23 March 2016
Endangered by Dani Hoots Cover Reveal!
Hey there!!
I'm super excited to be taking part in the cover reveal of Endangered by Dani Hoots! This is the first book in Dani's Daughter of Hades series, and it sounds absolutely INCREDIBLE. And take a look at this cover:
I'm super excited to be taking part in the cover reveal of Endangered by Dani Hoots! This is the first book in Dani's Daughter of Hades series, and it sounds absolutely INCREDIBLE. And take a look at this cover:
Looks pretty damn cool, hey! Here's some more info about the book:
Endangered (Daughter of Hades #1)
by Dani Hoots
by Dani Hoots
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Release Date: May 13th 2016
Summary from Goodreads:
Chrys has been in the Underworld for thousands
of years, hidden away by her father, Hades, from all of the other gods. He's
afraid that if someone finds out about her, they will destroy her because of
the dichotomous power that she holds, the power of life and death. So she has
remained in the Palace of Hades all her life, making very few friends and
always bored out of her mind.
Huntley would have never guessed that after he died he would wake up with a beautiful girl standing over him. And that she would be the Dark Lord of the Underworld's daughter. Yet, for some reason, she keeps him around as her tutor, as if he knows anything about the world. But Huntley knows that all she really wants is a friend; being trapped in the Underworld can get pretty lonely.
That is, until Chrys decides she wants to run away to the human world after a big fight with her mother Persephone. Chrys claims her father is just over reacting and that nothing bad will come of it. There's no way that the gods will notice she's there for only a couple of days...right?
Huntley would have never guessed that after he died he would wake up with a beautiful girl standing over him. And that she would be the Dark Lord of the Underworld's daughter. Yet, for some reason, she keeps him around as her tutor, as if he knows anything about the world. But Huntley knows that all she really wants is a friend; being trapped in the Underworld can get pretty lonely.
That is, until Chrys decides she wants to run away to the human world after a big fight with her mother Persephone. Chrys claims her father is just over reacting and that nothing bad will come of it. There's no way that the gods will notice she's there for only a couple of days...right?
About the Author:
Dani Hoots is a
science fiction, fantasy, romance, and young adult author who loves anything
with a story. She has a B.S. in Anthropology, a Masters of Urban and
Environmental Planning, and is currently in the Your Novel Year Program through
Arizona State University.
Currently she is
working on a YA urban fantasy series called Daughter
of Hades,
a historic fantasy vampire series called A
World of Vampires, and a YA sci-fi series called Sanshlian Series.
Her hobbies include
reading, watching anime, cooking, studying different languages, wire walking,
tinkering with her violin and concertina, and volunteering at the library. She
lives in Seattle with her husband and two cats.
Author Links:
Cover Reveal Organized
by:
Let me know in the comments if you think you'd check out this book, and for sure go visit YA Bound Books Tours, such a wonderful blog!!
Love always,
Ari
Monday, 21 March 2016
My Favourite Places To Read
Hi!!
Along with my How to read more often post, I thought it would be interesting to discuss my favourite PLACES to read, and hear if we have any in common!! Some of them are pretty random, but nonetheless I adore them all!
So here is a list of my top places for settling down with a good book:
IN BED
The obvious one! Who doesn't love curling up in bed under your quilt with a steaming mug of tea or hot chocolate (I'm not a coffee fan!) and a snack, with your pet on your lap and a wonderful novel in your hands!! My absolute favourite place to be.
IN THE BATH
Another pretty classic one, having a bath and reading are my two favourite ways of relaxing and winding down after a long, stressful day so there's nothing better than combining the two! Unfortunately I don't have a bath at college though, so I have to wait for my holidays at home to enjoy this luxury now.
ON A PICNIC RUG OUTSIDE
On the more random side, I absolutely love reading outside, lying on a picnic rug in the sunshine! As I live on a bit of acreage, I can do this in my backyard next to my dam, underneath the eucalyptus trees (classic Australia!). It's just super relaxing, especially in Winter when you can rug up in a jumper and get warm from the sun.
AT UNI
Another slightly odd one, I actually really enjoy reading while I wait for lecturers to arrive at uni. It gives my mind a break from work, and I often completely forget I'm even at uni!!
UP A TREE
This is something I don't do so much now, but did all the time when I was at high school. In my backyard there are these trees that are perfect for climbing, and I would always go there after school with my book and climb right to the top to read for a good hour or so. It felt like I was in a completely different world up there, away from all the school work and drama! Super weird I know, haha!!
Let me know in the comments where your favourite places to read are, I'd love to know! Especially if you have some super random ones like me!!
Love always,
Ari
Along with my How to read more often post, I thought it would be interesting to discuss my favourite PLACES to read, and hear if we have any in common!! Some of them are pretty random, but nonetheless I adore them all!
So here is a list of my top places for settling down with a good book:
IN BED
The obvious one! Who doesn't love curling up in bed under your quilt with a steaming mug of tea or hot chocolate (I'm not a coffee fan!) and a snack, with your pet on your lap and a wonderful novel in your hands!! My absolute favourite place to be.
IN THE BATH
Another pretty classic one, having a bath and reading are my two favourite ways of relaxing and winding down after a long, stressful day so there's nothing better than combining the two! Unfortunately I don't have a bath at college though, so I have to wait for my holidays at home to enjoy this luxury now.
ON A PICNIC RUG OUTSIDE
On the more random side, I absolutely love reading outside, lying on a picnic rug in the sunshine! As I live on a bit of acreage, I can do this in my backyard next to my dam, underneath the eucalyptus trees (classic Australia!). It's just super relaxing, especially in Winter when you can rug up in a jumper and get warm from the sun.
AT UNI
Another slightly odd one, I actually really enjoy reading while I wait for lecturers to arrive at uni. It gives my mind a break from work, and I often completely forget I'm even at uni!!
UP A TREE
This is something I don't do so much now, but did all the time when I was at high school. In my backyard there are these trees that are perfect for climbing, and I would always go there after school with my book and climb right to the top to read for a good hour or so. It felt like I was in a completely different world up there, away from all the school work and drama! Super weird I know, haha!!
Let me know in the comments where your favourite places to read are, I'd love to know! Especially if you have some super random ones like me!!
Love always,
Ari
Saturday, 19 March 2016
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas - review
Hey guys!
I've just finished A Court of Thorns of Roses by Sarah J. Maas and had to share my thoughts with you immediately.
ACOTAR is a loose retelling of Beauty and the Beast, and is set in a land where humans are separated from faeries by an inpenetrable wall. The faeries in this tale are beautiful, but extremely dangerous creatures that humans live in constant fear of. Feyre is a human, hunting in order to protect her family. One day, however, she hits a target that will change the course of her life, and the lives of the entire faerie kingdom forever.
This is a dark tale, filled with romance, fantasy, and bloodlust, and I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys a good retelling!
I have some mixed feeling about this one, however overall I did thoroughly enjoy the story. I found the characters slightly difficult to connect with for various reasons that I'll discuss in the spoilery section, and I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about the romance present in the novel. However, the characters were very interesting and their dynamic was extremely engaging. I loved the politics behind the relationships between faeries and humans, and how this complicated some of the relationships in the novel.
In regards to the plot, I really, really enjoyed it! I'm finding that I love retellings of fairy tales, and while ACOTAR is only a loose retelling, I could definitely feel the Beauty and the Beast vibes which I adored. It did get quite violent and bloody in parts which I found quite difficult to read, so I wouldn't recommend this for anyone probably under around 15, or if you're sensitive to that kind of material. This is a very dark book!
Whilst I definitely prefer the Throne of Glass series over ACOTAR, I am very excited to see where this series goes, and overall found it an enjoyable read!
Rating: 3.75/5
SPOILERY SECTION:
Characters and relationships:
I found the characters and relationships in this novel the most difficult aspect for me to engage with. Feyre was definitely a strong protagonist, who was quite well fleshed out with a variety of layers. However, I did find her slightly difficult to relate to due to the constant walls that she put up to hide her emotions and appear stoic. Tamlyn I really enjoyed, and found easier to connect to in regards to his expression of emotions (but how frustrating was it when he wasn't saying anything at all when they were Under the Mountain!!). My favourite characters, though, would have to be Lucien and Rhysand. I found Lucien super funny and complex, initially appearing as an antagonist, who you later find out is such a wonderful and damaged man. Rhysand obviously appears and awful person, but he has reasons for every single thing he does, and ultimately is the one who saves Feyre's life, and therefore the lives of all in the faerie realm. Let's wait and see for the rest of the series though to find out what his true motives were...
In terms of the relationship between Feyre and Tamlyn, I found it pretty disappointing. My problem wasn't that it was insta-lovey, as I didn't really find it that way, but rather that I didn't entirely feel the chemistry (apart from physical) between them. There were a couple of conversations that they had that made up for this slightly, but they seemed to barely talk to one another and yet fall deeply in love. Sarah J. Maas' incredible romance writing does lead me to partly forgive this however, as how gorgeous are her love scenes??
Whilst this is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, and so it was inevitable that it would be Tamlyn that Feyre would fall for, I found it extremely obvious, and think maybe it could have taken a bit longer for the romance to develop, with more talking scenes between the two of them.
Plot and world:
The plot and world-building was for sure my favourite part of this novel, I adored it!! This world, as Sarah J. Maas' always are, is incredibly intricate and so, so interesting. I love how she incorporates politics into her worlds, and this was done fantastically in ACOTAR.
I loved the plot twists all throughout this novel, as we slowly begin to understand what this terrible 'blight' is - I was absolutely not expecting what was to come, it was done so well!! I never even considered that Tamlyn was unable to tell Feyre what was really going on, and him needing a human girl who killed on of his own to fall in love with him!! I guess I should have seen it coming, being a Beauty and the Beast retelling, but I was so blown away!
The only issue that I had with the plot was the very ending, when Feyre ultimately is turned into High Fae. From the moment her and Tamlyn met I guessed this was going to happen, and found it pretty disappointing and a cop-out. I hate comparing books, but it happens a lot in YA when a love interest is immortal and the other is not, they always end up becoming immortal one way or another. I feel that it would have been more interesting if this hadn't been the case, and they'd had to deal with Feyre growing old while Tamlyn did not.
I know I've been pretty critical with this one, but don't get me wrong, I did really enjoy it!! I found it an interesting one to deconstruct and consider flaws in the plot and characters, but I definitely recommend it for lovers of retellings and Sarah J. Maas' writing.
Let me know in the comments what you thought of ACOTAR!!
Love always,
Ari
I've just finished A Court of Thorns of Roses by Sarah J. Maas and had to share my thoughts with you immediately.
ACOTAR is a loose retelling of Beauty and the Beast, and is set in a land where humans are separated from faeries by an inpenetrable wall. The faeries in this tale are beautiful, but extremely dangerous creatures that humans live in constant fear of. Feyre is a human, hunting in order to protect her family. One day, however, she hits a target that will change the course of her life, and the lives of the entire faerie kingdom forever.
This is a dark tale, filled with romance, fantasy, and bloodlust, and I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys a good retelling!
I have some mixed feeling about this one, however overall I did thoroughly enjoy the story. I found the characters slightly difficult to connect with for various reasons that I'll discuss in the spoilery section, and I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about the romance present in the novel. However, the characters were very interesting and their dynamic was extremely engaging. I loved the politics behind the relationships between faeries and humans, and how this complicated some of the relationships in the novel.
In regards to the plot, I really, really enjoyed it! I'm finding that I love retellings of fairy tales, and while ACOTAR is only a loose retelling, I could definitely feel the Beauty and the Beast vibes which I adored. It did get quite violent and bloody in parts which I found quite difficult to read, so I wouldn't recommend this for anyone probably under around 15, or if you're sensitive to that kind of material. This is a very dark book!
Whilst I definitely prefer the Throne of Glass series over ACOTAR, I am very excited to see where this series goes, and overall found it an enjoyable read!
Rating: 3.75/5
SPOILERY SECTION:
Characters and relationships:
I found the characters and relationships in this novel the most difficult aspect for me to engage with. Feyre was definitely a strong protagonist, who was quite well fleshed out with a variety of layers. However, I did find her slightly difficult to relate to due to the constant walls that she put up to hide her emotions and appear stoic. Tamlyn I really enjoyed, and found easier to connect to in regards to his expression of emotions (but how frustrating was it when he wasn't saying anything at all when they were Under the Mountain!!). My favourite characters, though, would have to be Lucien and Rhysand. I found Lucien super funny and complex, initially appearing as an antagonist, who you later find out is such a wonderful and damaged man. Rhysand obviously appears and awful person, but he has reasons for every single thing he does, and ultimately is the one who saves Feyre's life, and therefore the lives of all in the faerie realm. Let's wait and see for the rest of the series though to find out what his true motives were...
In terms of the relationship between Feyre and Tamlyn, I found it pretty disappointing. My problem wasn't that it was insta-lovey, as I didn't really find it that way, but rather that I didn't entirely feel the chemistry (apart from physical) between them. There were a couple of conversations that they had that made up for this slightly, but they seemed to barely talk to one another and yet fall deeply in love. Sarah J. Maas' incredible romance writing does lead me to partly forgive this however, as how gorgeous are her love scenes??
Whilst this is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, and so it was inevitable that it would be Tamlyn that Feyre would fall for, I found it extremely obvious, and think maybe it could have taken a bit longer for the romance to develop, with more talking scenes between the two of them.
Plot and world:
The plot and world-building was for sure my favourite part of this novel, I adored it!! This world, as Sarah J. Maas' always are, is incredibly intricate and so, so interesting. I love how she incorporates politics into her worlds, and this was done fantastically in ACOTAR.
I loved the plot twists all throughout this novel, as we slowly begin to understand what this terrible 'blight' is - I was absolutely not expecting what was to come, it was done so well!! I never even considered that Tamlyn was unable to tell Feyre what was really going on, and him needing a human girl who killed on of his own to fall in love with him!! I guess I should have seen it coming, being a Beauty and the Beast retelling, but I was so blown away!
The only issue that I had with the plot was the very ending, when Feyre ultimately is turned into High Fae. From the moment her and Tamlyn met I guessed this was going to happen, and found it pretty disappointing and a cop-out. I hate comparing books, but it happens a lot in YA when a love interest is immortal and the other is not, they always end up becoming immortal one way or another. I feel that it would have been more interesting if this hadn't been the case, and they'd had to deal with Feyre growing old while Tamlyn did not.
I know I've been pretty critical with this one, but don't get me wrong, I did really enjoy it!! I found it an interesting one to deconstruct and consider flaws in the plot and characters, but I definitely recommend it for lovers of retellings and Sarah J. Maas' writing.
Let me know in the comments what you thought of ACOTAR!!
Love always,
Ari
Monday, 14 March 2016
How I Organise My Bookshelves
Hey!
So as booklovers, something that is obviously very important to us is our beloved bookshelves.
I've met some people who sort their bookshelves by colour, some by genre, some by favourite authors, the list goes on!! I thought it my be interesting for me to share how I personally like to organise my bookshelves.
With over 400 books, it can be super difficult and time-consuming trying to organise them in a particular way, especially when I'm always coming home with new books to add to the shelves! Also, during the year while I'm at uni I live at a college, so will always take a bunch of books from my shelves at home with me for the year. Because of this, lately my shelves have been pretty all over the place!
I have three bookshelves at home, which are semi-organised by genre and favourite authors. So the majority of my fantasy series, which are generally my favourite books, are all together on one shelf, among a few stand-alone contemporary favourites. On another shelf I've tried to collect all of my classics together, although there is also a small section taken up by childhood books that I've kept for the memories!And on the final shelf is all of the left-overs! This by no means is for the books I don't like as much, some of them happen to be my favourites too, but as there is a little extra room on this shelf it is usually where my newly bought books go.
Like many other book bloggers and booktubers, I also like to have a little section for my TBR books. I don't tend to stick to a very rigid TBR pile, but I do always have a small collection of books I'm super excited for and in the mood to read, so these sit on top of one of my shorter bookshelves.
And finally, at college I have a bunch of my favourite books to make it feel like home, plus the new books I've bought recently and am super excited to read! There is also a few classics I've had at home for a while that I brought with me, as I'm trying to get through more of my abundance of classics!! I may do a blog post later on of all of the books that I've brought with me to college.
Please let me know in the comments how you organise your bookshelves, or if they're a bit higgeldy piggedly like mine!!
Love always,
Ari
So as booklovers, something that is obviously very important to us is our beloved bookshelves.
I've met some people who sort their bookshelves by colour, some by genre, some by favourite authors, the list goes on!! I thought it my be interesting for me to share how I personally like to organise my bookshelves.
With over 400 books, it can be super difficult and time-consuming trying to organise them in a particular way, especially when I'm always coming home with new books to add to the shelves! Also, during the year while I'm at uni I live at a college, so will always take a bunch of books from my shelves at home with me for the year. Because of this, lately my shelves have been pretty all over the place!
I have three bookshelves at home, which are semi-organised by genre and favourite authors. So the majority of my fantasy series, which are generally my favourite books, are all together on one shelf, among a few stand-alone contemporary favourites. On another shelf I've tried to collect all of my classics together, although there is also a small section taken up by childhood books that I've kept for the memories!And on the final shelf is all of the left-overs! This by no means is for the books I don't like as much, some of them happen to be my favourites too, but as there is a little extra room on this shelf it is usually where my newly bought books go.
Like many other book bloggers and booktubers, I also like to have a little section for my TBR books. I don't tend to stick to a very rigid TBR pile, but I do always have a small collection of books I'm super excited for and in the mood to read, so these sit on top of one of my shorter bookshelves.
And finally, at college I have a bunch of my favourite books to make it feel like home, plus the new books I've bought recently and am super excited to read! There is also a few classics I've had at home for a while that I brought with me, as I'm trying to get through more of my abundance of classics!! I may do a blog post later on of all of the books that I've brought with me to college.
Please let me know in the comments how you organise your bookshelves, or if they're a bit higgeldy piggedly like mine!!
Love always,
Ari
Sunday, 13 March 2016
Harry Potter Book Tag!
Hey there,
As you would easily realise if you've read much of my blog, I am completely and utterly obsessed with Harry Potter and have been since before I can remember! So what better way to celebrate my love for the boy who lived than to do a tag based solely on him!! Enjoy.
1. What is your favourite book?
This has changed frequently over the years, but at the moment I'd say it's a tie between Goblet of Fire and Deathly Hallows. Goblet of Fire I love for all of the excitement over the Triwizard Tournament, and so many little aspects that are included in that book are super relevant for the tale later on. Deathly Hallows is just incredible in how so much is explained and finally linked together, it seriously blows my mind every time I read it!!
2. What is your favourite film?
For a long time it was Order of the Phoenix, but at the moment I think probably Prisoner of Azkaban. I'm not sure what it is, I'm just loving it lately!!
3. What is your least favourite book?
Ahhh how can I choose??? Maybe Chamber of Secrets? But I seriously cannot choose, I love them all so much.
4. What is your least favourite film?
Again, maybe Chamber of Secrets, but please don't make me choose.
5. Parts of the books/films that made you cry.
This list could go on forever. Dumbledore's death, Dobby's death, Sirius' death, Hedwig's death, Moody's death. And the ultimate. Fred's death.
6. If you could hook up with any character, who would it be?
Ron Weasley. Absolutely.
7. Who is your favourite character?
It's hard for me to decide between Ron and Hermione. Throughout my childhood, Hermione was always such an inspiration, as she is to so many girls, proving that it's okay to love reading, and love school. So even when I was being picked on a bit for being a "nerd" I could go home and read Harry Potter and be reminded by Hermione that it was okay. Lately I have also being really appreciating Ron, and I feel like we have so much in common, always bringing out the humour in a situation and being a loyal friend.
8. Who is your least favourite character?
I think probably Peter Pettigrew. He betrays the people who were meant to be his best friends, and is so weak and lacking in bravery that he turns to the dark side.
9. What is your least favourite line?
In all honesty, I cannot think of any line that I dislike in a Harry Potter book, let alone that I could deem my least favourite line!
10. What would your patronus be?
Well I took the buzzfeed quiz and it said a hare like Luna, but I actually think it would be a dog. My most important value is loyalty and what animal is more loyal than a dog?
11. If you could have the resurrection stone, the elder wand, or the invisibility cloak, which would it be?
Definitely the invisibility cloak. The resurrection stone and the elder wand both terrify me a bit, and how cool would it be wandering around undetected?? You could sneak into all sorts of cool places!
12. Which house would you be in?
I've changed a few times over the years, initially being a Ravenclaw, then a Gryffindor for a while, but I think I have now found my true place. I took the most recent Pottermore sorting quiz and I am officially a... HUFFLEPUFF!!
13. If you could meet any member of the cast, who would it be?
Aaah that is so hard, but I would have to go with Emma Watson. She is such an inspiration, not only with her acting but also her involvement with the UN which I am extremely interested in, having studied international relations at uni. #feminist always.
14. If you were on the Quidditch team, which position would you play?
I think I'd follow in Harry's footsteps and be a seeker. It just seems like it'd be so much fun, roaming around, keeping my eye out for the tiny snitch that could win your team the match.
15. Were you happy with the ending?
Absolutely. To be honest, anything J. K. Rowling writes I am happy with, but I feel like it was a beautiful way to end the story with Harry in the place he'd always dreamed of being - with a family that loves him.
16. How much does Harry Potter mean to me?
I cannot even put it into words. It is not only my childhood, it is a part of who I am and has massively shaped me into the person I am today.
Let me know in the comments how Harry Potter has influenced you, and what is your favourite book?
Love always,
Ari
As you would easily realise if you've read much of my blog, I am completely and utterly obsessed with Harry Potter and have been since before I can remember! So what better way to celebrate my love for the boy who lived than to do a tag based solely on him!! Enjoy.
1. What is your favourite book?
This has changed frequently over the years, but at the moment I'd say it's a tie between Goblet of Fire and Deathly Hallows. Goblet of Fire I love for all of the excitement over the Triwizard Tournament, and so many little aspects that are included in that book are super relevant for the tale later on. Deathly Hallows is just incredible in how so much is explained and finally linked together, it seriously blows my mind every time I read it!!
2. What is your favourite film?
For a long time it was Order of the Phoenix, but at the moment I think probably Prisoner of Azkaban. I'm not sure what it is, I'm just loving it lately!!
3. What is your least favourite book?
Ahhh how can I choose??? Maybe Chamber of Secrets? But I seriously cannot choose, I love them all so much.
4. What is your least favourite film?
Again, maybe Chamber of Secrets, but please don't make me choose.
5. Parts of the books/films that made you cry.
This list could go on forever. Dumbledore's death, Dobby's death, Sirius' death, Hedwig's death, Moody's death. And the ultimate. Fred's death.
6. If you could hook up with any character, who would it be?
Ron Weasley. Absolutely.
7. Who is your favourite character?
It's hard for me to decide between Ron and Hermione. Throughout my childhood, Hermione was always such an inspiration, as she is to so many girls, proving that it's okay to love reading, and love school. So even when I was being picked on a bit for being a "nerd" I could go home and read Harry Potter and be reminded by Hermione that it was okay. Lately I have also being really appreciating Ron, and I feel like we have so much in common, always bringing out the humour in a situation and being a loyal friend.
8. Who is your least favourite character?
I think probably Peter Pettigrew. He betrays the people who were meant to be his best friends, and is so weak and lacking in bravery that he turns to the dark side.
9. What is your least favourite line?
In all honesty, I cannot think of any line that I dislike in a Harry Potter book, let alone that I could deem my least favourite line!
10. What would your patronus be?
Well I took the buzzfeed quiz and it said a hare like Luna, but I actually think it would be a dog. My most important value is loyalty and what animal is more loyal than a dog?
11. If you could have the resurrection stone, the elder wand, or the invisibility cloak, which would it be?
Definitely the invisibility cloak. The resurrection stone and the elder wand both terrify me a bit, and how cool would it be wandering around undetected?? You could sneak into all sorts of cool places!
12. Which house would you be in?
I've changed a few times over the years, initially being a Ravenclaw, then a Gryffindor for a while, but I think I have now found my true place. I took the most recent Pottermore sorting quiz and I am officially a... HUFFLEPUFF!!
13. If you could meet any member of the cast, who would it be?
Aaah that is so hard, but I would have to go with Emma Watson. She is such an inspiration, not only with her acting but also her involvement with the UN which I am extremely interested in, having studied international relations at uni. #feminist always.
14. If you were on the Quidditch team, which position would you play?
I think I'd follow in Harry's footsteps and be a seeker. It just seems like it'd be so much fun, roaming around, keeping my eye out for the tiny snitch that could win your team the match.
15. Were you happy with the ending?
Absolutely. To be honest, anything J. K. Rowling writes I am happy with, but I feel like it was a beautiful way to end the story with Harry in the place he'd always dreamed of being - with a family that loves him.
16. How much does Harry Potter mean to me?
I cannot even put it into words. It is not only my childhood, it is a part of who I am and has massively shaped me into the person I am today.
Let me know in the comments how Harry Potter has influenced you, and what is your favourite book?
Love always,
Ari
Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton - non-spoiler ARC review
Hey there!
I was recently lucky enough to receive an ARC from Faber and Faber Ltd. through Netgalley of Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton. And boy was it fantastic!
Rebel of the Sands follows Amani as she finally escapes from her prison-like hometown in the search of a better life, only to get caught up in a rebellion so much larger than she could have dreamed of. Alongside a foreigner she crosses paths with, Jin, she must decide if she wants to continue in her search for the ideal life she has dreamed of for so long or take a new path that she had never expected.
Amani and Jin are both extremely intriguing characters, with so many layers that continue to be pulled back throughout the course of the novel. Amani's strength, skill, and determination are so exciting to read about. Her wonder at the world around her is truly refreshing and places a whole new light on the adventure taking place. Jin's mysterious past continues to develop, leaving the reader with no idea of what he could do next.
Alwyn Hamilton's writing style is at the same time fast paced and descriptive. You are never left bored, despite the potentially dreary desert surrounding Amani for much of the story. The interweaving of western themes and a middle-eastern setting is something that I have never read before, particularly in a young-adult novel, and an aspect that I feel made the novel so exciting. Whilst there are undoubtedly dystopian elements, this is by no means a sterotypical young-adult dystopian and I absolutely adored this unique aspect.
Overall, I highly recommend this novel, particularly to lovers of adventure and dystopia, with a dash of romance added in there!
Rating - 4.75/5
Love always,
Ari
I was recently lucky enough to receive an ARC from Faber and Faber Ltd. through Netgalley of Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton. And boy was it fantastic!
Rebel of the Sands follows Amani as she finally escapes from her prison-like hometown in the search of a better life, only to get caught up in a rebellion so much larger than she could have dreamed of. Alongside a foreigner she crosses paths with, Jin, she must decide if she wants to continue in her search for the ideal life she has dreamed of for so long or take a new path that she had never expected.
Amani and Jin are both extremely intriguing characters, with so many layers that continue to be pulled back throughout the course of the novel. Amani's strength, skill, and determination are so exciting to read about. Her wonder at the world around her is truly refreshing and places a whole new light on the adventure taking place. Jin's mysterious past continues to develop, leaving the reader with no idea of what he could do next.
Alwyn Hamilton's writing style is at the same time fast paced and descriptive. You are never left bored, despite the potentially dreary desert surrounding Amani for much of the story. The interweaving of western themes and a middle-eastern setting is something that I have never read before, particularly in a young-adult novel, and an aspect that I feel made the novel so exciting. Whilst there are undoubtedly dystopian elements, this is by no means a sterotypical young-adult dystopian and I absolutely adored this unique aspect.
Overall, I highly recommend this novel, particularly to lovers of adventure and dystopia, with a dash of romance added in there!
Rating - 4.75/5
Love always,
Ari
Passenger by Alexandra Bracken - review
Hi there!
I just finished Passenger by Alexandra Bracken and had to write about it immediately because holy cow I absolutely loved it!!
Passenger follows the journey of Etta, a young violin prodigy who discovers that her family is not what she had always believed. She is thrust into a time travelling adventure, during which she comes across Nicholas, a handsome sailor. They must work together to ensure the safety of Etta's loved ones and all that she has worked for towards a fulfilling future.
I absolutely adored Alexandra Bracken's writing style in The Darkest Minds, and Passenger was no exception. Her description brought to life the variety of settings and characters and allowed the reader to connect on a deeper level with the protagonists.
Her characters are rich and detailed, and you are continually learning new aspects of their personality and history. Speaking of history, this novel is full of it! It is so enriching following Etta and Nicholas into different countries and time periods and learning little details about each. Highly, highly recommend this novel!!
Rating: 5/5
SPOILERY SECTION:
I don't even know where to start! This book is definitely in my list of favourite books so far in 2016!
Let's discuss characters first. I loved the complexity of them, especially Etta and Nicholas, of course. Etta is such a strong female heroine, which is an immediate plus. Her focus on her career with the violin is a wonderful, refreshing aspect to her character, as opposed to her being solely obsessed with her love interest. I also really enjoyed her love for her family and her drive to do whatever it takes to save them.
Similarly, Nicholas has so many layers to him, he is a joy to read about! His guarded personality develops the mystery of his past, however it is clear that it hides a very soft and loving side to him. Again, his focus on his future and achieving his goal of running his own ship is inspiring.
In regards to Etta and Nicholas' romance, I thoroughly enjoyed how it wasn't insta-lovey, and the 'forbidenness' wasn't overplayed. Rather, the conflict came predominantly from both individuals being focused on their careers and not wanting to put them in jeopardy. When they do finally reveal their feelings, it feels completely natural, and comes at the perfect point in the storyline. They have such a wonderful chemistry, and challenge one another in a way that a positive relationship truly should.
Plot-wise, I frequently found myself staying up late at night, unable to put the book down due to the gripping story. I adore how Etta and Nicholas travel to different countries and times, providing such stunning imagery. Despite how drawn out the search for the astrolobe could seem, it at no point gets boring, and the threat of being caught by an Ironwood or Thorns maintians the pace.
Finally, the ending. I thought from around the middle of the novel that something serious would have to happen to either Etta or Nicholas, as it would be too obvious for him to go with her back to her time, and would completely go against his morals. Also, considering that this is not a stand-alone novel, it was inevitable that something drastic would need to occur as a final cliff-hanger. I think it was a perfect way to end the first novel in this series, with Etta disappeared and Nicholas on the hunt for her. Now I absolutely cannot wait to get my hands on the sequel!!! I also enjoyed the plot twist of Sophia wanting the astrolobe for herself to make Ironwood's life hell! It added so much depth to her character and was a really clever aspect for Alexandra to include.
Overall, I obviously adored Passenger! Please let me know in the comments if you've read it, what are your thoughts, and if you haven't, are you planning to?
Love always,
Ari
I just finished Passenger by Alexandra Bracken and had to write about it immediately because holy cow I absolutely loved it!!
Passenger follows the journey of Etta, a young violin prodigy who discovers that her family is not what she had always believed. She is thrust into a time travelling adventure, during which she comes across Nicholas, a handsome sailor. They must work together to ensure the safety of Etta's loved ones and all that she has worked for towards a fulfilling future.
I absolutely adored Alexandra Bracken's writing style in The Darkest Minds, and Passenger was no exception. Her description brought to life the variety of settings and characters and allowed the reader to connect on a deeper level with the protagonists.
Her characters are rich and detailed, and you are continually learning new aspects of their personality and history. Speaking of history, this novel is full of it! It is so enriching following Etta and Nicholas into different countries and time periods and learning little details about each. Highly, highly recommend this novel!!
Rating: 5/5
SPOILERY SECTION:
I don't even know where to start! This book is definitely in my list of favourite books so far in 2016!
Let's discuss characters first. I loved the complexity of them, especially Etta and Nicholas, of course. Etta is such a strong female heroine, which is an immediate plus. Her focus on her career with the violin is a wonderful, refreshing aspect to her character, as opposed to her being solely obsessed with her love interest. I also really enjoyed her love for her family and her drive to do whatever it takes to save them.
Similarly, Nicholas has so many layers to him, he is a joy to read about! His guarded personality develops the mystery of his past, however it is clear that it hides a very soft and loving side to him. Again, his focus on his future and achieving his goal of running his own ship is inspiring.
In regards to Etta and Nicholas' romance, I thoroughly enjoyed how it wasn't insta-lovey, and the 'forbidenness' wasn't overplayed. Rather, the conflict came predominantly from both individuals being focused on their careers and not wanting to put them in jeopardy. When they do finally reveal their feelings, it feels completely natural, and comes at the perfect point in the storyline. They have such a wonderful chemistry, and challenge one another in a way that a positive relationship truly should.
Plot-wise, I frequently found myself staying up late at night, unable to put the book down due to the gripping story. I adore how Etta and Nicholas travel to different countries and times, providing such stunning imagery. Despite how drawn out the search for the astrolobe could seem, it at no point gets boring, and the threat of being caught by an Ironwood or Thorns maintians the pace.
Finally, the ending. I thought from around the middle of the novel that something serious would have to happen to either Etta or Nicholas, as it would be too obvious for him to go with her back to her time, and would completely go against his morals. Also, considering that this is not a stand-alone novel, it was inevitable that something drastic would need to occur as a final cliff-hanger. I think it was a perfect way to end the first novel in this series, with Etta disappeared and Nicholas on the hunt for her. Now I absolutely cannot wait to get my hands on the sequel!!! I also enjoyed the plot twist of Sophia wanting the astrolobe for herself to make Ironwood's life hell! It added so much depth to her character and was a really clever aspect for Alexandra to include.
Overall, I obviously adored Passenger! Please let me know in the comments if you've read it, what are your thoughts, and if you haven't, are you planning to?
Love always,
Ari
Saturday, 12 March 2016
How To Read More Often
Hey!
So being a uni student, and involved in a lot of extra-curricular activities, I understand that it can sometimes be difficult to have time to read as much as you might like.
However, over the years I've figured out a few ways of maximising my time throughout the day to read as much as possible, and I thought it was a good idea to share some of these with you guys!
(A lot of this is related to being a university student, as that's the experience I have, but some can definitely be useful for those of you who work full-time or are at school!)
Read before bed
This is a bit of an obvious one, but I thought I'd mention it anyway. As with many book lovers, my favourite time to read is right before I go to sleep. It's a way to release any stresses of the day and disappear into a wonderful bookish world that you can dream about afterwards! Not to mention it's much better for you than being on your phone right before bed time!
Read on public transport
Living on campus at my university, this doesn't really apply to me on a daily basis, but if you need to catch a bus or train to and from school or uni, this is a perfect time to get some reading done! It's also such a lovely way to start and finish the day with a relaxing reading session.
Read before and in between lectures
I often arrive at lectures and tutorials at uni 10 or so minutes early, and make sure I have a book along with me to read until it begins. In two hour lectures, my lecturers tend to give us a short break - another opportunity to have a relax and read! Also, those of you who don't live on campus and sometimes need to wait around at uni in between classes can find a comfy spot in a library and read away that spare time!
Read as a study break
I especially love to do this in exam periods - when you're in an intense study block, you can break up your sessions with little 10 minute or so breaks that can be spent making a cup of tea and letting your brain relax with an enjoyable read for a while. Personally, I find reading really revitalising, especially young-adult novels which are often easy to get into. So a perfect way to have a quick refresher from your study!
Read while you eat breakfast
I did this SO much during high school (often resulting in a crazy rush to get to school!). There's nothing better than getting a cup of tea and some toast and curling up on the couch with a book to start your day the right way!!
I hope some of these tips are helpful for you busy folk! Please let me know in the comments if you have any tips of your own for fitting in extra reading time during the week.
Love always,
Ari
So being a uni student, and involved in a lot of extra-curricular activities, I understand that it can sometimes be difficult to have time to read as much as you might like.
However, over the years I've figured out a few ways of maximising my time throughout the day to read as much as possible, and I thought it was a good idea to share some of these with you guys!
(A lot of this is related to being a university student, as that's the experience I have, but some can definitely be useful for those of you who work full-time or are at school!)
Read before bed
This is a bit of an obvious one, but I thought I'd mention it anyway. As with many book lovers, my favourite time to read is right before I go to sleep. It's a way to release any stresses of the day and disappear into a wonderful bookish world that you can dream about afterwards! Not to mention it's much better for you than being on your phone right before bed time!
Read on public transport
Living on campus at my university, this doesn't really apply to me on a daily basis, but if you need to catch a bus or train to and from school or uni, this is a perfect time to get some reading done! It's also such a lovely way to start and finish the day with a relaxing reading session.
Read before and in between lectures
I often arrive at lectures and tutorials at uni 10 or so minutes early, and make sure I have a book along with me to read until it begins. In two hour lectures, my lecturers tend to give us a short break - another opportunity to have a relax and read! Also, those of you who don't live on campus and sometimes need to wait around at uni in between classes can find a comfy spot in a library and read away that spare time!
Read as a study break
I especially love to do this in exam periods - when you're in an intense study block, you can break up your sessions with little 10 minute or so breaks that can be spent making a cup of tea and letting your brain relax with an enjoyable read for a while. Personally, I find reading really revitalising, especially young-adult novels which are often easy to get into. So a perfect way to have a quick refresher from your study!
Read while you eat breakfast
I did this SO much during high school (often resulting in a crazy rush to get to school!). There's nothing better than getting a cup of tea and some toast and curling up on the couch with a book to start your day the right way!!
I hope some of these tips are helpful for you busy folk! Please let me know in the comments if you have any tips of your own for fitting in extra reading time during the week.
Love always,
Ari
Wednesday, 9 March 2016
Would You Rather Book Tag!
Hey there!
I found this awesome tag over on Sincerely, a Book Nerd's blog and thought it would be super fun to do myself!! Hope you enjoy!
1. Read only series, or stand-alone books?
Definitely series! I am a huge series fan, and I love how you really get to know the intricacies of characters through following them over the course of a series rather than in stand-alone novels.
2. Read a book whose main character is male or female?
I would have to say female, as I find them easier to relate to, identifying as female myself.
3. Shop only at a real bookstore, or online?
A real book store! There is nothing like browsing the shelves of a book store for hours on end.
4. All books to become movies or TV shows?
While I love the good book to movie adaptation, I'm gonna go with TV shows. That way the story can really be nutted out and attempt to stay closer to the plot line of the book. So much is often left out when a book is adapted into a movie.
5. Read 5 pages per day or 5 book per week?
Of course 5 books per week! The more the better, am I right?
6. Be a professional book reviewer or author?
It's been my dream ever since I was tiny to be an author. In the words of five-year-old Ari, "I want to be like J. K. Rowling when I grow up!"
7. Only read the same 20 books over and over or get to read a new book every six months?
Get to read a new book every six months. I'm always discovering new favourite books, and would hate to miss out on that!
8. Be a librarian or own a book store?
Having worked in a book store before and absolutely adored it, I will go with owning a book store.
9. Read only your favourite genre or your favourite author?
Favourite genre, because this would most likely include my favourite author!
10. Only read physical books or ebooks?
No question, physical books for sure! The smell, the feel, what's not to love??
Let me know in the comments if you've done the would you rather book tag, I would love to check it out! And if you haven't yet done this tag, I tag you!! It is so much fun, but hard to decide!!
Love always,
Ari
I found this awesome tag over on Sincerely, a Book Nerd's blog and thought it would be super fun to do myself!! Hope you enjoy!
1. Read only series, or stand-alone books?
Definitely series! I am a huge series fan, and I love how you really get to know the intricacies of characters through following them over the course of a series rather than in stand-alone novels.
2. Read a book whose main character is male or female?
I would have to say female, as I find them easier to relate to, identifying as female myself.
3. Shop only at a real bookstore, or online?
A real book store! There is nothing like browsing the shelves of a book store for hours on end.
4. All books to become movies or TV shows?
While I love the good book to movie adaptation, I'm gonna go with TV shows. That way the story can really be nutted out and attempt to stay closer to the plot line of the book. So much is often left out when a book is adapted into a movie.
5. Read 5 pages per day or 5 book per week?
Of course 5 books per week! The more the better, am I right?
6. Be a professional book reviewer or author?
It's been my dream ever since I was tiny to be an author. In the words of five-year-old Ari, "I want to be like J. K. Rowling when I grow up!"
7. Only read the same 20 books over and over or get to read a new book every six months?
Get to read a new book every six months. I'm always discovering new favourite books, and would hate to miss out on that!
8. Be a librarian or own a book store?
Having worked in a book store before and absolutely adored it, I will go with owning a book store.
9. Read only your favourite genre or your favourite author?
Favourite genre, because this would most likely include my favourite author!
10. Only read physical books or ebooks?
No question, physical books for sure! The smell, the feel, what's not to love??
Let me know in the comments if you've done the would you rather book tag, I would love to check it out! And if you haven't yet done this tag, I tag you!! It is so much fun, but hard to decide!!
Love always,
Ari
Sunday, 6 March 2016
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas - review
Hey there!!
So last night I stayed up finishing the second novel in the Throne of Glass series, Crown of Midnight, and holy cow I cannot deal. Words cannot express how much I am loving this series!!
If you haven't read Throne of Glass, what are you doing, please please please go read it, and then read Crown of Midnight, and then come back and read this review! I was super late to the Throne of Glass bandwagon, but I am so glad that I finally picked it up. Anyways, back to the review...
SPOILER REVIEW:
I found the first half of Crown of Midnight a bit on the slow side, however you can see later on that this is totally necessary to lay the groundworks for the action in the second half. I am loving learning more about the Wyrdmarks, and the introduction of the Wyrdkeys is so interesting! I was seriously freaking out when Celaena found that the key was in the clock tower.
Next, let me talk about the incredible development of Celaena's character that goes on in this novel. I was so excited when I found out that Celaena wasn't really assassinating the king's enemies, but giving them time to leave! I thought I'd learnt most of what there was to know about her in Throne of Glass, but then there's that bomb drop that she is Fae. I mean, there were clues, and I thought she was just descended from them or something, but when she transformed into Fae in that other realm I was so surprised!! Not to mention the final plot twist on the very last page when Chaol discovers that she is the lost Queen of Terrasen. What?!?! I just want to start the next novel right now and find out what will happen now that she's away from the king for a while.
Of course, I must also discuss the relationship with Chaol. I've mentioned before on this blog that I am a Dorian and Celaena shipper, and I will stand by that. At first when her and Chaol got together I was like nooooo. But as the story went on, I could see how well they worked together and how beautifully their relationship was woven into the story. However, I still have an inkling that somehow Dorian and Celaena will end up together. I feel like they can understand one another because of how they grew up, always under someone else's control, being told who to be their whole lives.
So overall, I am totally obsessed with Crown of Midnight. Sarah J. Maas seriously knows how to tell an intricate fantasy story. So many new aspects keep arising and interweaving with the tale, it is a joy to read!!
Rating: 5/5
Let me know in the comments your thoughts on Crown of Midnight!!
Love always,
Ari
So last night I stayed up finishing the second novel in the Throne of Glass series, Crown of Midnight, and holy cow I cannot deal. Words cannot express how much I am loving this series!!
If you haven't read Throne of Glass, what are you doing, please please please go read it, and then read Crown of Midnight, and then come back and read this review! I was super late to the Throne of Glass bandwagon, but I am so glad that I finally picked it up. Anyways, back to the review...
SPOILER REVIEW:
I found the first half of Crown of Midnight a bit on the slow side, however you can see later on that this is totally necessary to lay the groundworks for the action in the second half. I am loving learning more about the Wyrdmarks, and the introduction of the Wyrdkeys is so interesting! I was seriously freaking out when Celaena found that the key was in the clock tower.
Next, let me talk about the incredible development of Celaena's character that goes on in this novel. I was so excited when I found out that Celaena wasn't really assassinating the king's enemies, but giving them time to leave! I thought I'd learnt most of what there was to know about her in Throne of Glass, but then there's that bomb drop that she is Fae. I mean, there were clues, and I thought she was just descended from them or something, but when she transformed into Fae in that other realm I was so surprised!! Not to mention the final plot twist on the very last page when Chaol discovers that she is the lost Queen of Terrasen. What?!?! I just want to start the next novel right now and find out what will happen now that she's away from the king for a while.
Of course, I must also discuss the relationship with Chaol. I've mentioned before on this blog that I am a Dorian and Celaena shipper, and I will stand by that. At first when her and Chaol got together I was like nooooo. But as the story went on, I could see how well they worked together and how beautifully their relationship was woven into the story. However, I still have an inkling that somehow Dorian and Celaena will end up together. I feel like they can understand one another because of how they grew up, always under someone else's control, being told who to be their whole lives.
So overall, I am totally obsessed with Crown of Midnight. Sarah J. Maas seriously knows how to tell an intricate fantasy story. So many new aspects keep arising and interweaving with the tale, it is a joy to read!!
Rating: 5/5
Let me know in the comments your thoughts on Crown of Midnight!!
Love always,
Ari
Monday, 29 February 2016
February Wrap Up!
Hi there!
It hasn't been the biggest reading month for me in February, due to being super busy with college leadership things. So only four books read! Nonetheless, I have thoroughly enjoyed most of the novels I read this month so I thought I'd share them with you anyway.
Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon
I'm hoping to read one of the Outlander series at least every two months until I get through the series, and it is going fantastically so far! See my (spoiler) review here for my detailed thoughts on the second in the series.
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
I'd heard all about this novel on booktube, and thought it was finally time to pick it up. I know a lot of people don't really like Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver series but I actually loved it when I was in high school and read it so many times! And likewise, I adored The Raven Boys! I literally cannot deal with how much I enjoyed this novel. I need to own it and read it again and again and read the rest of the series and I can't even. Really.
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
I also have a review for this one, here, if you'd like to check it out. This is another one that absolutely blew me away. I'd never read anything of Ruta Sepetys before and now I am so keen to pick up Between Shades of Grey. So so good!
Counting Stars by Jordan Deen
This novel was a bit of a disappointment for me, however I did find the plot quite interesting. A good contemporary to open your eyes to the lives of extremely wealthy teens. Review here!
Let me know in the comments what you read in February, or if you've read and loved any of the book I read this month!
Love always,
Ari
It hasn't been the biggest reading month for me in February, due to being super busy with college leadership things. So only four books read! Nonetheless, I have thoroughly enjoyed most of the novels I read this month so I thought I'd share them with you anyway.
Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon
I'm hoping to read one of the Outlander series at least every two months until I get through the series, and it is going fantastically so far! See my (spoiler) review here for my detailed thoughts on the second in the series.
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
I'd heard all about this novel on booktube, and thought it was finally time to pick it up. I know a lot of people don't really like Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver series but I actually loved it when I was in high school and read it so many times! And likewise, I adored The Raven Boys! I literally cannot deal with how much I enjoyed this novel. I need to own it and read it again and again and read the rest of the series and I can't even. Really.
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
I also have a review for this one, here, if you'd like to check it out. This is another one that absolutely blew me away. I'd never read anything of Ruta Sepetys before and now I am so keen to pick up Between Shades of Grey. So so good!
Counting Stars by Jordan Deen
This novel was a bit of a disappointment for me, however I did find the plot quite interesting. A good contemporary to open your eyes to the lives of extremely wealthy teens. Review here!
Let me know in the comments what you read in February, or if you've read and loved any of the book I read this month!
Love always,
Ari
Counting Stars by Jordan Deen - non-spoiler review
Hey!
So I was lucky enough to be given access this novel by Smashwords Publishing through Netgalley. It is set to be released in April this year and is available on ebook.
I found this a very interesting read, and very different to the contemporaries that I have read before. Counting Stars follows Madison, a teen legacy whose life revolves around escorting bachelors to parties as a means of increasing her and her family's social status. This all changes when her father is involved in a terrible accident and thus requires her to escort someone rather different to her usual male companions.
Throughout much of the novel, I found Madison a very difficult character to relate to, due to her constant focus on material items and social status. However, as the story progresses you are able to view her more intricate character quirks and flaws. This is also the case with the minor characters in the novel, including Maddie's best friend Tisha.
Jordan Deen's writing style is very straightforward, and doesn't leave much room for the reader to make their own character judgments. I found this a bit of a let down, as the novel had more of a middle-grade writing style, despite it's older themes.
Overall, Counting Stars had an interesting storyline and was definitely a change from the YA novels I am used to reading. While it's not something I'd read again, I am glad that I gave it a go and would recommend picking up the ebook for a new perspective on the extremely wealthy in our societies.
Rating: 2.75/5
Love always,
Ari
So I was lucky enough to be given access this novel by Smashwords Publishing through Netgalley. It is set to be released in April this year and is available on ebook.
I found this a very interesting read, and very different to the contemporaries that I have read before. Counting Stars follows Madison, a teen legacy whose life revolves around escorting bachelors to parties as a means of increasing her and her family's social status. This all changes when her father is involved in a terrible accident and thus requires her to escort someone rather different to her usual male companions.
Throughout much of the novel, I found Madison a very difficult character to relate to, due to her constant focus on material items and social status. However, as the story progresses you are able to view her more intricate character quirks and flaws. This is also the case with the minor characters in the novel, including Maddie's best friend Tisha.
Jordan Deen's writing style is very straightforward, and doesn't leave much room for the reader to make their own character judgments. I found this a bit of a let down, as the novel had more of a middle-grade writing style, despite it's older themes.
Overall, Counting Stars had an interesting storyline and was definitely a change from the YA novels I am used to reading. While it's not something I'd read again, I am glad that I gave it a go and would recommend picking up the ebook for a new perspective on the extremely wealthy in our societies.
Rating: 2.75/5
Love always,
Ari
Thursday, 11 February 2016
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys - non-spoiler review
Hey there!
Today I finished Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys and I had to write a review right away because I was blown away. This novel is a young-adult historical fiction, set during World War II. It follows four different perspectives, all of young adults on the run and fighting to survive the war. At first I was concerned that the four perspectives would be too much and difficult to follow, but they were so distinct in their character voices that I had no problem whatsoever.
It was the predominantly the characters that really amazed me in this novel. Ruta fleshed out every one of them, even minor characters. They were all entirely three-dimensional, with their own flaws and goals driving them towards safety.
Ruta also utilises symbolism frequently throughout the novel which was absolutely incredible! Many I didn't pick up immediately but when they became clear everything tied together perfectly. Through this she weaved such an intricate web of a story, based on horrific true events that really should be addressed more in young-adult literature. This is definitely a must-read, it will have your heart-breaking for those affected by the horrifying event that was World War II, as Ruta depicts it so clearly through her poetic words.
Rating: 5/5
Love always,
Ari
Source: I was lucky enough to be given access to this novel through Netgalley by Penguin Random House Children's Publishers. Thank you so much, as you can tell I absolutely adored it!
Today I finished Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys and I had to write a review right away because I was blown away. This novel is a young-adult historical fiction, set during World War II. It follows four different perspectives, all of young adults on the run and fighting to survive the war. At first I was concerned that the four perspectives would be too much and difficult to follow, but they were so distinct in their character voices that I had no problem whatsoever.
It was the predominantly the characters that really amazed me in this novel. Ruta fleshed out every one of them, even minor characters. They were all entirely three-dimensional, with their own flaws and goals driving them towards safety.
Ruta also utilises symbolism frequently throughout the novel which was absolutely incredible! Many I didn't pick up immediately but when they became clear everything tied together perfectly. Through this she weaved such an intricate web of a story, based on horrific true events that really should be addressed more in young-adult literature. This is definitely a must-read, it will have your heart-breaking for those affected by the horrifying event that was World War II, as Ruta depicts it so clearly through her poetic words.
Rating: 5/5
Love always,
Ari
Source: I was lucky enough to be given access to this novel through Netgalley by Penguin Random House Children's Publishers. Thank you so much, as you can tell I absolutely adored it!
Wednesday, 3 February 2016
The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken - review
I know, I know, I am SUPER late to this bandwagon. Ever since discovering booktube I have heard so much hype surrounding this series, and now I completely understand why. I was blown away.
NON-SPOILERY REVIEW:
For those of you who are even further behind the times than me, The Darkest Minds is a young adult dystopian novel. It follows the story of Ruby, a teenage girl living in future America. When she younger, an epidemic broke out among children around the ages 8-12, causing them to suddenly drop dead. However, those who did not die as a result of the illness were taken by the government to camps, as they had special powers which were deemed dangerous. Ruby is one of these, and she must endure the hardships of the camp and attempting to understand and control her powers.
Alexandra Bracken's writing flows so well, she immediately pulls the reader into the story. In the style of YA, the novel is easy to read, however has loads of underlying messages and comments about society which I found extremely interesting. For those of you who love dystopian, you will absolutely adore The Darkest Minds!!
Rating: 5/5, SOOOO GOOD
SPOILERY STUFF:
Okay, first of all can I just say Liam. Liam is so freaking beautiful! One of my favourite characters ever, for sure. And possibly one of my favourite books ever. I adored every one of Bracken's characters, especially Ruby, Liam, Chubs and Zu. Each of them were so well fleshed out, and we got just enough backstory of each.
Can I just say, there are literally so many bad guys in this book! First we get all excited that Ruby's escaped the camp. Then, oh no, the Children's League is evil. Then we finally find the slip kid, wooo. Oh wait, no, don't get too excited, he's evil too. Can we trust anyone?!?! By the way, whilst I'm mentioning the slip kid, did anyone else figure out really early that he was the president's son? Even before I got there I was betting that it was either him or the orange that Ruby first saw when she arrived at the camp, if he had managed to escape. Super cool twist anyway!
What I really really really want to talk about is that ending. THAT ENDING. This was one of the most emotional endings I have ever read. I was literally lying in bed just staring at my wall saying "no" over and over again for a good five minutes. First we're all excited because the gang are free and going to achieve what they set out to. Then holy cow, Chubs is shot. Then Ruby presses the panic button and lo and behold she's back in the position she was trying to escape this whole time, except now Liam and Chubs are there too!!! And finally, Ruby wiping Liam's memory. All. The. Feels. I don't know if anyone else saw this coming, but I sure did not. My heart is aching just thinking about it. I haven't got the next two books in this series yet, but if Liam doesn't somehow get his memories back I am going to be so so so upset.
Let me know if you've read this book, and what your thoughts were. Were you as shocked at the ending as I was?
Love always,
Ari
NON-SPOILERY REVIEW:
For those of you who are even further behind the times than me, The Darkest Minds is a young adult dystopian novel. It follows the story of Ruby, a teenage girl living in future America. When she younger, an epidemic broke out among children around the ages 8-12, causing them to suddenly drop dead. However, those who did not die as a result of the illness were taken by the government to camps, as they had special powers which were deemed dangerous. Ruby is one of these, and she must endure the hardships of the camp and attempting to understand and control her powers.
Alexandra Bracken's writing flows so well, she immediately pulls the reader into the story. In the style of YA, the novel is easy to read, however has loads of underlying messages and comments about society which I found extremely interesting. For those of you who love dystopian, you will absolutely adore The Darkest Minds!!
Rating: 5/5, SOOOO GOOD
SPOILERY STUFF:
Okay, first of all can I just say Liam. Liam is so freaking beautiful! One of my favourite characters ever, for sure. And possibly one of my favourite books ever. I adored every one of Bracken's characters, especially Ruby, Liam, Chubs and Zu. Each of them were so well fleshed out, and we got just enough backstory of each.
Can I just say, there are literally so many bad guys in this book! First we get all excited that Ruby's escaped the camp. Then, oh no, the Children's League is evil. Then we finally find the slip kid, wooo. Oh wait, no, don't get too excited, he's evil too. Can we trust anyone?!?! By the way, whilst I'm mentioning the slip kid, did anyone else figure out really early that he was the president's son? Even before I got there I was betting that it was either him or the orange that Ruby first saw when she arrived at the camp, if he had managed to escape. Super cool twist anyway!
What I really really really want to talk about is that ending. THAT ENDING. This was one of the most emotional endings I have ever read. I was literally lying in bed just staring at my wall saying "no" over and over again for a good five minutes. First we're all excited because the gang are free and going to achieve what they set out to. Then holy cow, Chubs is shot. Then Ruby presses the panic button and lo and behold she's back in the position she was trying to escape this whole time, except now Liam and Chubs are there too!!! And finally, Ruby wiping Liam's memory. All. The. Feels. I don't know if anyone else saw this coming, but I sure did not. My heart is aching just thinking about it. I haven't got the next two books in this series yet, but if Liam doesn't somehow get his memories back I am going to be so so so upset.
Let me know if you've read this book, and what your thoughts were. Were you as shocked at the ending as I was?
Love always,
Ari
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