Is Chain of Gold Worth Reading?

Cassandra Clare has dominated the YA sphere for years with her shadowhunter novels. I, like many others, adored her Mortal Instruments as a teen. As she expanded the world into more and more additional series, doubt grew over me. Were there really more stories to tell or was this a cash-grab? With The Dark Artifices, I was sure she had more to say. The characters were new, the plot was intense, and her writing was better than ever. But do I still feel the same way after reading the newest installment and series, Chain of Gold? (P.S: this review is spoiler free for CoG but not for the other series).

Skyward is Epic Science Fiction

Listen, I am a fantasy lover all the way. But being a lifelong nerd means I also adore science fiction. Brandon Sanderson, one of my favorite fantasy authors, released his first sci-fi YA book in 2018. I finally got around to reading it this year and (SPOILERS) I loved it. Skyward is epic, action-packed, and suspenseful. Plus, there are talking space ships, aliens, and a cute slug. If I haven't convinced you to read it yet, keep on reading.

The Song of Achilles Made Me Cry

In 2019, I read and loved Madeline Miller's newer release, Circe. It was one of my favorite books that year and frankly, of all time. I am a huge classics nerd. It started off with reading the Percy Jackson series as a child and had developed into a fascination with all things ancient. My minor in university is classical studies. So I was obviously stoked to pick up The Song of Achilles, which is Madeline Miller's debut novel. I expected to love it, of course, but I didn't expect it to make me emotionally unstable. 

The Queen of Nothing: A Disappointing End to a Good Series

Last year I broke down and read Holly Black's extremely popular series, The Cruel Prince and its sequel. I found them to be very fun reads and highly enjoyable, but not perfect. Nevertheless, I had high hopes for the final installment in the trilogy, The Queen of Nothing. But I was ultimately disappointed with this book. I listened to the audiobook version since I am now in Edinburgh and spend a lot of time walking around or on the bus. The audiobook was definitely very nice and I recommend it for those who prefer that format. But the content within was lackluster. Also, this is a spoiler-free review!

Review: is Ninth House Leigh Bardugo's Worst Book?

In October of 2019, beloved YA author Leigh Bardugo released her first adult novel, titled Ninth House in reference to its occultist themes. Like many other fans of Bardugo's Grisha and Six of Crows series, I was very excited for its release. However, some readers found themselves disappointed by the new book and its dark, disturbing contents. I, on the other hand, loved it. Spoiler alert: this is going to be a (mostly) positive review. 

The Secret History is Amazing and You Should Read It

Donna Tartt's The Secret History is a beloved classic and a tale of dark academia, secrets, and murder. To be perfectly honest, a hundred pages into this book had me convinced I hated it. I found the characters to be strange, the pacing to be slow, and the writing to go off on one too many tangents. So how did I end up loving it by the end?

Review: Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

I almost exclusively read fantasy books nowadays. Fantasy is my favorite genre and between school and work, I don't have much time to read so I naturally tend to only read my favorites. But occasionally I feel like picking up something a bit different and nothing it more out-there for me than a contemporary novel. However, Little Fires Everywhere surprised me in the best way and I ended up thoroughly enjoying it. 

Three Reasons to read Circe by Madeline Miller

Circe has taken the book world by storm in the year since its release. Everywhere I turn I see it advertised on Instagram, blogs, and placed on must-read shelves in bookstores. This is another beautiful Greek myth retelling focusing on the sorceress Circe from the Odyssey. If you are in the mood for a spellbinding story or you want to read another series featuring the Greek gods, you should pick this one up.

Is The Cruel Prince Worth the Hype?

Holly's Black The Cruel Prince was one of the most popular and controversial books in 2018. The book community on the internet and social media exploded with opinions, rant reviews, and people gushing over the characters. I somehow managed to avoid reading it until now, even with all of the hype. This is one of those books that you either love or hate, but the question is: is The Cruel Prince worth the hype?

Kingdom of Ash Spoiler Review (It's FINALLY Over)

I finally finished the Throne of Glass series. When the first book was released, it was cool to obsess over the series. Nowadays, it's more "cool" to hate it. I have always fallen awkwardly in the middle: I don't hate it, but I certainly don't love it. I find Sarah J, Maas' books to be enjoyable and digestible but I can't help but notice the glaring flaws and issues with things like plot and representation. This book was no exception and I found it equally entertaining and frustrating. 

The Redundancy of A Court of Frost and Starlight

It's no secret that I am a little sick and tired of Sarah J. Maas books in general, but I usually tend to enjoy them because they're entertaining. Even with all the issues I take with her series', they offer an fun read if nothing else. But A Court of Frost and Starlight? Nothing happens. Nothing at all. Like many others, I am beyond frustrated with the absence of any action. 

Book Review: Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield

Once Upon a River was an impulse buy at the bookstore one day. I spotted it sitting on the shelf and immediately wanted it. Not only is the cover gorgeous, the story inside is a winding, whimsical tale set on the Thames River in the late 1800s. The story centers around the river itself and features a mystery of a girl found dead who mysteriously comes back to life. The ambiance of this book is so beautiful that you will want to sink right into the story yourself.

Time Travel and Magic: The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell Review

I enjoyed this book. It has the perfect formula for a book that I would love: time travel, magic, secret societies, and a heist? Count me in! The Last Magician is well written, diverse, and has a vibrant setting. But I just couldn't shake the feeling that it could have been more than what it was. It could have pushed more boundaries, provided more insight, and built up a deeper world. While it was a special book, I don't think that it was especially fantastic.

The Book Series You're Missing Out On: The Prydain Chronicles in Review

Reading these books feels like coming home. To me, that stands out more than anything else. I haven't felt that feeling since Harry Potter, or maybe with Percy Jackson. But this series moved my heart in a way that even those beloved books did not. This is storytelling at it's finest, high fantasy at its peak, and something that you are all missing out on. Just trust me this one time when I recommend something. If you enjoy fantasy, if you just enjoy a good story, then pick these ones up. Trust me, you're in for one hell of a ride that you won't regret.

A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab

The Shades of Magic series has definitely made my top ten list. I've been reading (and loving) V.E. Schwab for years and she never fails to amaze. A Conjuring of Light is a perfect example of how authors should wrap up series, with heart, skill, and a touch of danger.

The Motion of Puppets by Keith Donohue

Publication Date: October 4, 2016
Publisher: Picador
Pages: 272
Series: Stand Alone
Genre: Horror
Synopsis: In the Old City of Québec, Kay Harper falls in love with a puppet in the window of the Quatre Mains, a toy shop that is never open. She is spending her summer working as an acrobat with the cirque while her husband, Theo, is translating a biography of the pioneering photographer Eadweard Muybridge. Late one night, Kay fears someone is following her home. Surprised to see that the lights of the toy shop are on and the door is open, she takes shelter inside. The next morning Theo wakes up to discover his wife is missing. Under police suspicion and frantic at her disappearance, he obsessively searches the streets of the Old City. Meanwhile, Kay has been transformed into a puppet, and is now a prisoner of the back room of the Quatre Mains, trapped with an odd assemblage of puppets from all over the world who can only come alive between the hours of midnight and dawn. The only way she can return to the human world is if Theo can find her and recognize her in her new form. So begins a dual odyssey: of a husband determined to findhis wife, and of a woman trapped in a magical world where her life is not her own.

The Queen of Blood by Sarah Beth Durst

Publication Date: September 20, 2016
Publisher: Harper Voyager
Pages: 368
Series: The Queens of Renthia #1
Genre: Fantasy
Synopsis: An idealistic young student and a banished warrior become allies in a battle to save their realm in this first book of a mesmerizing epic fantasy series, filled with political intrigue, violent magic, malevolent spirits, and thrilling adventure. Everything has a spirit: the willow tree with leaves that kiss the pond, the stream that feeds the river, the wind that exhales fresh snow . . . But the spirits that reside within this land want to rid it of all humans. One woman stands between these malevolent spirits and the end of humankind: the queen. She alone has the magical power to prevent the spirits from destroying every man, woman, and child. But queens are still just human, and no matter how strong or good, the threat of danger always looms. With the position so precarious, young women are chosen to train as heirs. Daleina, a seemingly quiet academy student, is under no illusions as to her claim to the throne, but simply wants to right the wrongs that have befallen the land. Ven, a disgraced champion, has spent his exile secretly fighting against the growing number of spirit attacks. Joining forces, these daring partners embark on a treacherous quest to find the source of the spirits’ restlessness—a journey that will test their courage and trust, and force them to stand against both enemies and friends to save their land...before it’s bathed in blood.

The Martian by Andy Weir

Publication Date: February 11, 2014
Publisher: Crown
Pages: 369
Series: Stand Alone
Genre: Science Fiction
Synopsis: Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars. Now, he's sure he'll be the first person to die there. After a dust storm nearly kills him and forces his crew to evacuate the planet while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded on Mars' surface, completely alone, with no way to signal Earth that he’s alive. And even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone years before a rescue could arrive. Chances are, though, Mark won't have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment or plain-old "human error" are much more likely to kill him first. But Mark's not ready to quit. Armed with nothing but his ingenuity and his engineering skills—and a gallows sense of humor that proves to be his greatest source of strength–he embarks on a dogged quest to stay alive, using his botany expertise to grow food and even hatching a mad plan to contact NASA back on Earth. As he overcomes one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next, Mark begins to let himself believe he might make it off the planet alive. But Mars has plenty of surprises in store for him yet.

The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson

Publication Date: July 31, 2007
Publisher: Tor Books
Pages: 643
Series: Mistborn #1
Genre: Fantasy
Synopsis: Once, a hero arose to save the world. A young man with a mysterious heritage courageously challenged the darkness that strangled the land. He failed. For a thousand years since, the world has been a wasteland of ash and mist ruled by the immortal emperor known as the Lord Ruler. Every revolt has failed miserably. Yet somehow, hope survives. Hope that dares to dream of ending the empire and even the Lord Ruler himself. A new kind of uprising is being planned, one built around the ultimate caper, one that depends on the cunning of a brilliant criminal mastermind and the determination of an unlikely heroine, a street urchin who must learn to master Allomancy, the power of a Mistborn.

And the Trees Crept In by Dawn Kurtagich

Publication Date: September 6, 2016
Publisher: Little, Brown Books
Pages: 352
Series: Stand Alone
Genre: Horror
Synopsis: When Silla and Nori arrive at their aunt’s home, it’s immediately clear that the manor is cursed. The endless creaking of the house at night and the eerie stillness of the woods surrounding them would be enough of a sign, but there are secrets too—questions that Silla can’t ignore: Why does it seem that, ever since they arrived, the trees have been creeping closer? Who is the beautiful boy who’s appeared from the woods? And who is the tall man with no eyes who Nori plays with in the basement at night… a man no one else can see?