Why I Won't Be Reading the New Sarah J. Maas Book

For years, Sarah J. Maas has been a staple author in the online book world. She rose to popularity through her Throne of Glass and A Court of Thorns and Roses series. Due to their addictive and entertaining nature, I managed to read all of these. However, I agree firmly with the camp of people who generally dislike SJM books. I don't think they are horrible but they are certainly not the best. I guess I just don't understand the hype. Therefore, I have decided to boycott her new publication, House of Earth and Blood. (P.S.: if you love SJM, that is great! She is just not my cup of tea).

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. 

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

Publication Date: September 6, 2016 
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA 
Pages: 693
Series: Throne of Glass #5
Genre: Fantasy
Synopsis: The long path to the throne has only just begun for Aelin Galathynius. Loyalties have been broken and bought, friends have been lost and gained, and those who possess magic find themselves at odds with those don't. As the kingdoms of Erilea fracture around her, enemies must become allies if Aelin is to keep those she loves from falling to the dark forces poised to claim her world. With war looming on all horizons, the only chance for salvation lies in a desperate quest that may mark the end of everything Aelin holds dear. Aelin's journey from assassin to queen has entranced millions across the globe, and this fifth installment will leave fans breathless. Will Aelin succeed in keeping her world from splintering, or will it all come crashing down?

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

Publication Date:  September 1, 2015
Publisher:  Bloomsbury
Pages:  648
Series:  Throne of Glass #4
Genre:  Fantasy
Synopsis:  Everyone Celaena Sardothien loves has been taken from her. But she’s at last returned to the empire—for vengeance, to rescue her once-glorious kingdom, and to confront the shadows of her past…

She has embraced her identity as Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen. But before she can reclaim her throne, she must fight.

She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die for her. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen’s triumphant return.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books To Read If You Like The Mortal Instruments

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and the Bookish.  This week you can read the title because I don't feel like repeating myself.  Honestly, I don't entirely trust posts like these!  To me, books are very individual, and just because you liked one doesn't guarantee you will like the other!  That is one reason that this is another short Top Ten Tuesday.  The other reason is lack of time.  School and life are both quite hectic right now and although I try my best, for the next two weeks or so my posting may be a bit off!

1.  The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black

Holly Black and Cassandra Clare have very similar writing styles.  They have to, considering they did write a book together.  That isn't this book, but The Darkest Part of the Forest is certainly wonderful.  It has just the right amount of whimsy and horror.

2.  The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Things The Mortal Instruments and The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer have in common: angst, tension, and sarcasm sprinkled in among the horror.  

3.  Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Complex plots and characters are two factors this series and The Mortal Instruments share.  I do not recommend if you dislike cliff hangers, although you are probably used to them after having read Cassandra Clare's books.

4.  The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Remarkable characters, remarkable quotes--yep, just like a Cassandra Clare book.  The world building is also something I would like to compare, since both are fantastic.  Really, I have just mentioned this series so many times that it has probably become redundant.

5.  Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

I don't know what it is exactly, but something about this book reminds me of The Mortal Instruments.  Or should I say that The Mortal Instruments reminds me of Cruel Beauty, which I read first?  I don't know--just go read this.

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Characters I Just Didn't Click With

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and the Bookish.  This Tuesday, I am tasked with listing ten book characters that I just didn't click with.  Some of these are probably expected, and others, not so much.  But I will never, ever despise someone as much as Dolores Umbridge.

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

Publication Date:  September 11, 2014
Publisher:  Bloomsbury
Series:  Throne of Glass #3
Pages:  562
Genre:  Fantasy
Synopsis:  Consumed by guilt and rage, Celaena can't bring herself to spill blood for the King of Adarlan. She must fight back...

The Immortal Queen will help her destroy the king - for a price. But as Celaena battles with her darkest memories and her heart breaks for a love that could never last, can she fulfil the bargain and head the almighty court of Terrasen? And who will stand with her? 

Top Ten Tuesday: Characters Who Are Fellow Book Nerds

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and the Bookish, and the theme this week is to list ten book characters who love books just as much as you do!  Although, let's be clear here, I love books the absolute most.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Publication Date:  May 5, 2015
Publisher:  Bloomsbury
Series:  A Court of Thorns and Roses #1
Pages:  416
Genre:  High Fantasy
Synopsis:  When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

Top Ten Tuesday: Most Anticipated Book Releases of 2015

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and the Bookish, and the theme this week is to list the top ten book releases of (the rest of) 2015 that I am excited for!  

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I'd Love to See as Movies/TV Shows

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme created by The Broke and the Bookish, and the theme this week is to list the top ten books I would love to see made into movie/TV show adaptations.  Now, I am a firm believer that not all books need to be made into movies or shows, but there are a few I would honestly kill for (just kidding).  

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

Publication Date:  August 27, 2013
Publisher:  Bloomsbury
Series:  Throne of Glass #2
Pages:  418
Genre:  Fantasy
Synopsis:  From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul as black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown. She hides her secret vigilantly; she knows that the man she serves is bent on evil.

Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult when Celaena realizes she is not the only one seeking justice. As she tries to untangle the mysteries buried deep within the glass castle, her closest relationships suffer. It seems no one is above questioning her allegiances—not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a foreign princess with a rebel heart.

Then one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to give up the very thing most precious to her and decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie...and whom she is ultimately willing to fight for.

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Publication Date: August 2, 2012
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Series: Throne of Glass #1
Pages: 404
Genre: High Fantasy
Synopsis: Meet Celaena Sardothien.
Beautiful. Deadly.
Destined for greatness.

In the dark, filthy salt mines of Endovier, an eighteen-year-old girl is serving a life sentence. She is a trained assassin, the best of her kind, but she made a fatal mistake: she got caught.Young Captain Westfall offers her a deal: her freedom in return for one huge sacrifice. Celaena must represent the prince in a to-the-death tournament—fighting the most gifted thieves and assassins in the land. Live or die, Celaena will be free. Win or lose, she is about to discover her true destiny. But will her assassin’s heart be melted?