Book Reviews

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black [Book Review]

 in Book Reviews / Books / Fantasy / Otherworldly / Young Adult by

This post contains affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure here.

Summary

“Of course I want to be like them. They’re beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever.

 
And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.
 
Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.
To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences.
In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.”
Review
I had really high hopes for this book because literally everyone is talking about it all over Bookstagram  and I kept getting emails from book blogs that I followed reviewing the book and raving about it. Now, don’t get me wrong, it was a really well done book and really enjoyable but for me I felt like it was…kind of like a lot of other YA fantasy books out there.
Strong female character who was powerful too!
You know me. I love me a good strong female character who takes charge and kicks butt. Jude definitely hit that on the mark. She was badass, she was powerful and she kicked butt. I would have liked to see her develop more as a Spy though. I felt it was kind of glossed over…like she was a spy and got a little training but her missions were pretty lackluster. But as for her throughout the story, she went from being cool and strong to being a Kingmaker! How cool!
Traditional power struggle story.
The story itself, not looking at the fact that it had fae people, was a pretty common frame of someone being in charge and there being the evil brother and then overthrowing people and stuff. I don’t know, maybe I’ve just read too many of these kinds of books that I sometimes want something new or a new angle or something. The only reason I didn’t give it up was because it had these interesting fae creatures in it as well as it mixing between the fae world and the human world which was an interesting aspect – mixing these two worlds into one.
Quick read – writing was simple.
I know this is a YA book, so this is part of it, but the writing was really simple. The book was like…nearly 400 pages long I think and I got through it in about 6 hours which I was shocked about. It definitely caught my attention, so that helped, but also the writing was simple to read so this definitely was a middle YA book. Even with the ‘violence’, it is perfectly suited for mid to up YA (although most people reading it are adults I’ve seen LOL!)
Overall, I did definitely enjoy it and will read the second one.
Even though I had moments of being like ‘what is the hype all about’, I did ultimately enjoy the book. I want to read the newest one, The Wicked King, soon because everyone is loving that one as well and after the ending of this one, I do want to see what happens!
I do give it a 4 out of 5 teacups because it’s an enjoyable book and I think that it’s something to check out!
4 Teacups
Happy Reading!

Justice Gone by N. Lombardi Jr [Book Review]

 in Book Reviews / Books / Hot Off The Press by

Summary

“When a homeless war veteran is beaten to death by the police, stormy protests ensue, engulfing a small New Jersey town. Soon after, three cops are gunned down. A multi-state manhunt is underway for a cop killer on the loose. And Dr. Tessa Thorpe, a veteran’s counselor, is caught up in the chase. Donald Darfield, an African-American Iraqi war vet, war-time buddy of the beaten man, and one of Tessa’s patients, is holed up in a mountain cabin. Tessa, acting on instinct, sets off to find him, but the swarm of law enforcement officers get there first, leading to Darfield’s dramatic capture. Now, the only people separating him from the lethal needle of state justice are Tessa and ageing blind lawyer, Nathaniel Bodine. Can they untangle the web tightening around Darfield in time, when the press and the justice system are baying for revenge? Justice Gone is the first in a series of psychological thrillers involving Dr Tessa Thorpe, wrapped in the divisive issues of modern American society including police brutality and disenfranchised returning war veterans. N Lombardi Jr. is the author of compelling and heartfelt novel The Plain of Jars.”

-From Amazon.com

Review

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. It is an ARC and will come out February 22, 2019.

I haven’t been taking many books for a review request for a while because I’m just so busy with school work and I really like to read for fun, and not as a chore, especially when it’s my free time. But when I got an email from Mr. Lombardi, I was really excited because the synopsis of this book immediately had me curious as well as it seeming like it would read like TV show episode. And I wasn’t disappointed at all.

Just like a crime show – decently paced.
Honestly, while I was reading this book, I kept thinking I was watching Law and Order as it was broken up in that way. It started with the incident, then would go to people who knew people involved, and then it would jump to the trial and so forth and I really liked that. I don’t generally read books that are set up like a show, as I just watch shows to get that kind of atmosphere, but now and then I do like these real-life books! To me, it was well paced and kept me guessing as to what was going to happen and to whom.

An interesting look at our justice system.
Besides it being an interesting story overall, it was also an interesting look at the American justice system and how flawed and corrupt it was. In a way it did stress me out, as it was incredibly accurate in how the situation took place and I wanted to shake the politicians and say ‘where is your honor you piece of s$%t’. It was just so infuriating how a Veteran, Donald Darfield, was treated – and it was a double whammy because he was also an African-American so that just brought in the race card as well. I really liked it because while it was a normal book, it was tackling quite a few issues in society and I always love me a book that does that and makes you really question things.

Not just our justice system, but Vets as well.
I haven’t come across many books with Vets in them, honestly. I mean sometimes they’ll make a passing comment about someone having been to war, but it is never the center of the story and this one was interest, addressing mental health issues, PTDS and how these individuals are treated in society, after everything they have done for their country. So seeing this issue, something which really isn’t talked about much, was really nice to see and new.

Great character development.
I really enjoyed seeing how the characters changed and grew throughout the story, depending on the situation that was presented to them. Especially with a situation that was controversial such as this, seeing how there was such a range of reactions to the situations was really refreshing as well. It was executed in a very realistic way.

Overall, a fantastic book!
I really did enjoy this book. Yes, there were a few moments that were slightly slow, like in the courtroom proceeding, but it didn’t exactly bother me because it was much more realistic and you got to see how the system worked, which I really liked. This book addressed some very important issues and I think is a book that people should read to maybe understand issues regarding our justice system a little better. It was an eyeopener and was written well, especially since it was like a TV show so it really kept you engaged!

I give this book 4/5 teacups!

4 Teacups

Happy Reading!!

My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell [Book Review]

 in Adult / Book Reviews / Books / Books-to-Movie / Young Adult by

Summary

“When the unconventional Durrell family can no longer endure the damp, gray English climate, they do what any sensible family would do: sell their house and relocate to the sunny Greek isle of Corfu. My Family and Other Animals was intended to embrace the natural history of the island but ended up as a delightful account of Durrell’s family’s experiences, from the many eccentric hangers-on to the ceaseless procession of puppies, toads, scorpions, geckoes, ladybugs, glowworms, octopuses, bats, and butterflies into their home.”

-From Amazon.com

Review

This was another Christmas book and I swear, I devoured this one sooooo fast. I am obsessed with this book, the story and just everything to do with it honestly.

It’s a memoir but it didn’t feel like it at all.

It’s so challenging to keep in mind while you read this that the book is based on true events. It’s just so…unbelievable with everything that happened. But, it was a different time then, in a completely different world than any of us are used to. So, anything is possible in Corfu. You must always remember that! But while this is a memoir, it never felt like it. Memoirs can be sometimes dry and a little dull and a drag to read, but this one was a page turner. It was hilarious, exhilarating, heart-warming, sad and just everything you needed.

Who needs a vacation when you can travel in these wonderful books?!

Honestly, I felt like I had this wonderful vacation while reading this book. I was able to imagine the sun and the warmth and I just felt like I was part of this incredibly dysfunctional family in a wonderful way. I honestly don’t know what it was, but you just were able to feel like you were with this family in their trials and tribulations, there for just everything. It’s so wonderful and beautiful to read and the fact that there are 2 other books (The Corfu Trilogy) makes me so happy!!!

The writing was just so beautiful and eloquent.

The writing was unlike anything else. Reading about this young boy, Gerald, the author (who the story is about) and everything he went through, from his perspective as a young boy, was unlike anything else. Gerald is disgustingly smart and just such a free spirit. Reading about his perspective on everything that was happening was just so different. I don’t have tons to compare it to as besides memoirs for school that I have to read, I honestly don’t read many of these, but based on the few that I have read, this was, by far, the most enjoyable ever!!!

Overall this is a book that EVERYONE needs to read.

It’s just so sweet and innocent and a beautiful book to read during these really troubled times. It was a fantastic escape, and once I get through a few other reads, I will be working through the rest of this trilogy! Everyone needs that book in their life that they can pick up and relax to, and for me, this is one of them. I felt so calm reading it and was constantly laughing out loud. It’s such a wonderful story, and there’s an amazing TV show to boot that does a fantastic job depicting the book (it’s on Amazon so check it out if you can!). But of course, read the book first!!!!

I easily give this book 5/5 teacups. This is one of the few books that will hold a special place in my heart.

5 teacups

Happy Reading!

A Discovery of Witches by Debroah Harkness [Book Review] 12

 in Book Reviews / Books by

Summary

“Deborah Harkness’s sparkling debut, A Discovery of Witches, has brought her into the spotlight and galvanized fans around the world. In this tale of passion and obsession, Diana Bishop, a young scholar and a descendant of witches, discovers a long-lost and enchanted alchemical manuscript, Ashmole 782, deep in Oxford’s Bodleian Library. Its reappearance summons a fantastical underworld, which she navigates with her leading man, vampire geneticist Matthew Clairmont.

Harkness has created a universe to rival those of Anne Rice, Diana Gabaldon, and Elizabeth Kostova, and she adds a scholar’s depth to this riveting tale of magic and suspense. The story continues in book two, Shadow of Night, and concludes with The Book of Life.”

–From Amazon.com

Review

This book was a Christmas gift and boy am I glad that I got it. Apparently there is a tv show based on the book that had season 1 come out last year, and I remember seeing the trailer and thinking ‘oh this will be a good show’ and then completely forgot about it. So, my mum got me this book for Christmas and immediately people on bookstagram lit up saying things like, ‘you’re going to love it. that book is amazing’, or similar statements. So I was immediately excited.

My gosh was it amazing.

So well written it kept you captivated!

I honestly couldn’t put this book down. It’s a pretty meaty read, into the 500 pages or so, with small font and larger pages, but I honestly couldn’t put it down. I devoured it in a week. The writing, while the sentences weren’t complex like older stories, no short like new stories, were just so well structured with descriptive language. I mean, it was just so descriptive and there was so much beautiful stuff going on. I don’t even know how to describe it. It was kind of like watching a movie in my head, because Harkness explained everything that I just got to go along for a ride. Which I really did love!

The story was so unique – even though you had the cliche romance.

When it became clear that there was going to be romance, I had a moment of ‘oh no, this is going to be some sappy YA romance thing with witches and vampires’ but boy was I wrong! Yes, there was romance but that was only part of the story. There was so much traveling, so many things going on, and it was such a new twist on the witchy stories. I don’t really read many books that have witches in it, now that I think about it. Or at least not frequently. So, this was really refreshing.

The setting was fantastic – so much traveling all over!

I really loved the setting in England and then traveling all around the world and the adventures! I mean come on, who doesn’t like a book with some traveling? But it was like a good kind of traveling. I know sometimes authors have characters move around a lot for a new setting and to fill space, but in this, the traveling was necessary and incredibly intricate to the story! Also the settings that they traveled to, from the small apartment to the massive family mansion that Matthew had…ugh, so beautiful! My mind imagined going from this small little quaint cottage-like room to this Dracula-style mansion…just with more style and light!

Character development – thank god!

I really hate when there is no character development, but there was some here thank goodness. Diana went from someone who hated magic to needing it and accepting and growing and learning as a person. I also liked how Matthew went from this control freak to someone who trusted his partner. I know when I was talking to some people about the book, they didn’t like how dominant Matthew was, feeling that he was suffocating or controlling her, but for me I didn’t take it like that. He was protective and like this old-ass vampire. I mean, what do you expect! I think that their relationship developed beautifully throughout the book though – that is one thing that I can say.

Such an enjoyable ride as a read!

Honestly it was just such a fun ride. Towards the end, with one of the settings in the family house of Diana, I got this Practical Magic kind of vibe with the Aunts and just the entire setting. It was just so much fun and I had such a wonderful time reading it!

 

Because of all of this, I easily give this a 4/5 teacups. Honestly, I’m so tempted to give it a 5/5 but I don’t really ever do that. That is for the most perfect book. But know, that I do feel that it’s much closer to a 5 than a 4 (I just don’t have an image for that).

4 Teacups

Get yourself a copy here and Happy Reading!

Top 3 Reads of 2018 2

 in Book Reviews / Young Adult by

This post contains affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure here.

This year definitely wasn’t my best year of book reading. I read a decent amount of books, but not all of them for pleasure, as I had a ton of reading to do for my school from my major related classes as well as Spanish literature which was so detailed and I never got to review here.

So instead of rounding up everything I’ve read, I’ve decided to just pick a few books that I really enjoyed and thought were fantastic choices for this year!

Book 1 – Forest of a Thousand Lanters by Julie C. Dao

From Amazon.com

“Eighteen-year-old Xifeng is beautiful. The stars say she is destined for greatness, that she is meant to be Empress of Feng Lu. But only if she embraces the darkness within her.

Growing up as a peasant in a forgotten village on the edge of the map, Xifeng longs to fulfill the destiny promised to her by her cruel aunt, the witch Guma, who has read the cards and seen glimmers of Xifeng’s majestic future. But is the price of the throne too high? Because in order to achieve greatness, she must spurn the young man who loves her and  exploit the callous magic that runs through her veins–sorcery fueled by eating the hearts of the recently killed. For the god who has sent her on this journey will not be satisfied until his power is absolute.

Set in an East Asian-inspired fantasy world filled with both breathtaking pain and beauty, Forest of a Thousand Lanterns possesses all the hallmarks of masterful fantasy: dazzling magic, heartbreaking romance, and a world that hangs in the balance. Fans of Heartless, Stealing Snow, and Red Queen will devour this stunning debut.”

From Amazon.com

I absolutely adored this book as it had such a strong main character and it was so different than anything I had read! Check out my pitiful review (I have no idea why it is so small…), but I definitely loved this one. 4.5/5 teacups!

Book 2 – Gunslinger Girl by Lyndsay Lay

James Patterson presents a bold new heroine—a cross between Katniss Everdeen and Annie Oakley: Serendipity Jones, the fastest sharpshooter in tomorrow’s West.

Seventeen-year-old Serendipity “Pity” Jones inherited two things from her mother: a pair of six shooters and perfect aim. She’s been offered a life of fame and fortune in Cessation, a glittering city where lawlessness is a way of life. But the price she pays for her freedom may be too great….

In this extraordinary debut from Lyndsay Ely, the West is once again wild after a Second Civil War fractures the U.S. into a broken, dangerous land. Pity’s struggle against the dark and twisted underbelly of a corrupt city will haunt you long after the final bullet is shot.

From BN.com

I loved this book so much! It was filled with adventure, once again a strong female character and the story was just so intriguing. I think this could make an incredible movie, just saying!

Find my full review over here – this is certainly one you don’t want to miss!

Book 3 – The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

“First published in 1959, Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House has been hailed as a perfect work of unnerving terror. It is the story of four seekers who arrive at a notoriously unfriendly pile called Hill House: Dr. Montague, an occult scholar looking for solid evidence of a “haunting”; Theodora, his lighthearted assistant; Eleanor, a friendless, fragile young woman well acquainted with poltergeists; and Luke, the future heir of Hill House. At first, their stay seems destined to be merely a spooky encounter with inexplicable phenomena. But Hill House is gathering its powers—and soon it will choose one of them to make its own.”

From Amazon.com

This is such a perfect read for the spooky season but honestly it’s great for any time of year. It’s simple, not too scary and a classic that everyone should read. Find my review over here!

Bonus Book – My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell

So I don’t have a review up for this book yet, but I just finished My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell. It’s a beautiful memoir and one that I absolutely love so it’s definitely one of my favorites! Definitely a book you will want to purchase.