Review: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles, #2)
Author: Marissa Meyer
Release Date: February 5, 2013
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Source: Library
Review by: Nahomi

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

5 stars out of 5 stars 

It was a wonderful surprise to find out that in Scarlet we still get the povs that were in Cinder! Although the focus of the story is Scarlet and Wolf we still get to read about all of the other great characters too!! There was so much going on in this story, that it made my head spin. I really loved this retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. Scarlet is fast paced and full of action and intrigue. You never really know who you can trust. Also it’s heartbreaking as well. Holy moly towards the end I was in tears for Scarlet.

Scarlet is a kick ass character for so many reasons. She isn’t afraid to speak her mind, and does what needs to be done even if it takes her shooting someone to accomplish her goal. I love her character so much! She is kind, trusting, but fearless and the same time. Her relationship with Wolf is odd. In the beginning I get that she is using him to get information about her grandmother, but as the story progresses it turns to more.

Wolf is hard to get a read on. He is good looking but aloof and I wanted to trust him but I couldn’t let myself trust him completely. His relationship with Scarlet is interesting in the sense that there are mixed signals coming from him. I didn’t really get a firm understanding of his character until the very end. There were definitely some very shocking moments for me where Wolf is concerned.

Scarlet is action packed and full of plot twists that will leave your head spinning and you itching to get your hands on the next book Cress.

Review: Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

Last Sacrifice
(Vampire Academy #6)
Author: Richelle Mead
Release Date: December 7, 2010
Publisher: Razorbill
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Jenn

It all comes down to now.

Murder. Love. Jealousy. And the ultimate sacrifice.

The Queen is dead and the Moroi world will never be the same. Now, with Rose awaiting wrongful execution and Lissa in a deadly struggle for the royal throne, the girls find themselves forced to rely upon enemies and to question those they thought they could trust...

But what if true freedom means sacrificing the most important thing of all?

Each other.

5 stars out of 5 stars

After reading this series in such a short amount of time, I wasn't fully prepared for the last book. I have become so attached to Rose, Lissa, Dimitri, Adrian, Christian, and everyone else and I wasn't ready to say goodbye to them. I also wasn't fully ready to deal with the outcome of Spirit Bound and what it would mean for Rose. I went into Last Sacrifice scared, apprehensive, excited, sad, and a host of other emotions.

Last Sacrifice picks off right where Spirit Bound left us and we're dealing with a confused Rose. She has no idea what is happening but we quickly learns that her friends concocted a crazy plan to her. In fact, their plan is straight out of a Rosemarie Hathaway's schemes' book. From then on, the books just takes us on a crazy ride that neither the reader or Rose knows what is going to happen.

This book was non-stop action from beginning to end. It was full of questions and not a lot of answers. In fact, the answers to questions came at such smaller pace compared to all the questions that piled up on Rose and Dimitri. The crazy ideas that Rose came up with and the chances she took, just further cemented how much Rose cares about Lissa and is willing to put herself on the line for her.

Last Sacrifice's ending was everything I was hoping that Rose would get. After a whirlwind 5 books, Rose deserves something good for herself. All the characters do. Richelle Mead outdid herself with this book and I am completely at her mercy. This series will always remain one of my favorite and have one of my favorite heroine ever. It will hold a very special spot in my life. So if you haven't already read this series, I seriously beg you to just give it a chance. You will not regret it.

Review: Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead

Spirit Bound
(Vampire Academy #5)
Author: Richelle Mead
Release Date: May 18, 2010
Publisher: Razorbill
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Jennifer

Dimitri gave Rose the ultimate choice. But she chose wrong…

After a long and heartbreaking journey to Dimitri’s birthplace in Siberia, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir’s—and to her best friend, Lissa. It is nearly graduation, and the girls can’t wait for their real lives beyond the Academy’s iron gates to begin. But Rose’s heart still aches for Dimitri, and he's out there, somewhere.

She failed to kill him when she had the chance. And now her worst fears are about to come true. Dimitri has tasted her blood, and she knows in her heart that he is hunting her. And if Rose won't join him, he won't rest until he's silenced her...forever.

5 stars out of 5 stars

Richelle Mead has completely broken my heart with this book. WHY, Richelle, WHYYYY? After putting my heart together, you just HAD to break it again and then leave me in need of a really strong drink. Guh. If you haven't realized by now, my love for this series just increases with every book and my emotions are always all over the place, so beware of my rambling review.

Rose has come back to St. Vladimir's and to Lissa. The duo are back together and are planning for their future after graduation. While doing what is necessary to be able to graduate on time, Rose receives words that Dimitri (be still my heart) is on the look for her. This time though, he is set on killing her. Rose concoct a plan in order to be ready for when she and Dimitri are face to face again. Like all of Rose's plan, they are out of this world and crazy.

Spirit Bound is one roller coaster after the other. I always felt like I was trying to catch with Rose and the gang. I love that we got spend more with Rose and Lissa this time. Lissa, after spending the majority of the series being taken care of, is set on helping and being there for Rose. We also get more time with Eddie and Adrian, which is always fun. There is such a different contrast from the last book, Blood Promise, to now. Rose actually has help with her shenanigans and it interesting to see how everyone reacts to them. They always tends to hear about her crazy ideas after the act not while in play.

There's some plot points I don't want to talk about considering it a pretty big ones but I'll say that I had my heart in my throat so many times. I knew what I wanted to happen but I was worried because I wasn't sure how it would work out. But when it DID, I was over the moon. Of course, there was this issue that Rose (and me) hadn't counted on. Which is when my feels just about bubbled over. There is only so much a girl can take, you know. And I'm not even talking about that ending. THE ENDING. What the hell is going to happen? I mean, hello!

But seriously, if you're still reading this, I hope my ramblings somewhat made sense because I'm not sure if it did. I love this book and this series but I can never seem to control myself when talking about it. I always want to talk about the feels, the characters, the plot points, the romance, the action, the everything! I'm looking forward to Last Sacrifice but I'm sad that it'll be the end for the series. I've gotten quite attach to Rose and the gang.

Review: Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

Queen of Shadows
(Throne of Glass #4)
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Release Date: September 1, 2015
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Jenn and Nahomi

Her destiny awaits. But first, vengeance…

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 will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die for her to regain her throne. 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.

Celaena’s epic journey has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions across the globe. This fourth volume will hold readers rapt as Celaena’s story builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world.

Jenn's rating: 5 stars out of 5 stars

Nahomi's rating: 5 stars out of 5 stars

Our Overall Rating: 5 stars out of 5 stars

Jenn:
Queen of Shadows was everything I was expecting in a Sarah J Maas' book. It was filled with a vivid world, some amazing and complex characters, and writing that captures a reader's attention and doesn't let go until the last page. It a book that left me satisfied as well as drained with how the story unraveled. This book was perfection.

By the end of Heir of Fire, Celaena's has embraced her true identity and destiny. She knows she needs to return to Rifthold and face her past. When she returns to Rifthold in Queen of Shadows, Chaol has news to share with her and with it, set a crazy and risky plan in motion. What follows is Celaena/Aelin's usual badassery of taking charge of whatever situation.

Throughout the entirety of this book, I was one big ball of emotions. One page I was shaking my head at whatever Aelin had concocted, the next I was almost in tears and in fear for Dorian, then the following page I was worried about what Manon was getting herself into. The story telling in this series just amaze me with every book. The plot, the characters, their stories, they're so fascinating and mind blowing. Sarah manages to keep me surprised with how the plot plays out but every now and then, I learn something that had already been hinted at in a previous book. How Maas manage to keep all the plot points so intricately woven between each book, I'll never know. However, I love reading something and then seeing it come up later on and see how it comes into play in the bigger story arc.

This series hold some of my favorite characters and what I love about each and every one of them is how much growth and development they have all gone through. We meet Celaena in Throne of Glass and I found her to be selfish and scary but a badass. In Queen of Shadows, Aelin is still all those things but we've seen her grow up, be vulnerable, and learned her history. The same with Dorian, Chaol, Rowan, Manon, and Aedion. We are reintroduced to Lysandra and meet new characters like Nesryn and Elide. Each characters, we learn of their motivations and their secrets (some of them at least). Maas does character development so unbelievably well and in turn makes the reader all the more invested into the story.

Queen of Shadows was well worth stalking my mailman as well as ignoring the outside world while I read all 656 pages of its glory. Sarah J. Maas is queen and I will patiently await book five to be release.

Nahomi:
Let me begin by saying that Queen of Shadows spoke to me on so many different levels. The writing is superb and the plotting is unreal. I was speechless because Sarah J. Maas is a master of intricately weaving even the most minute detail into the storyline. I was completely immersed in this world and totally invested in all of the characters lives. By far this is definitely my favorite book of the series and overall one of my favorite books in general.

Ninety percent of the book is highlighted on my Kindle app because I love all of it! I don't want to get into details, but I will say that Queen of Shadows is incredibly fast paced. During certain parts of the story I was literally holding my breath because it was so suspenseful! Sarah J. Maas isn't afraid to put her characters through hell.  This in turn creates an honest portrayal of pain, angst, perseverance, and hope that is inspiring. I experienced the full range of emotions as I read the book and feel I came out the other side changed. I absolutely adore this book, series and its characters. I can't wait to see what Sarah J. Maas has in store for us next!

Review: Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

Blood Promise
(Vampire Academy #4)
Author: Richelle Mead
Release Date: August 25, 2009
Publisher: Razorbill
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Jenn and Nahomi

Rose Hathaway's life will never be the same.
The recent attack on St. Vladimir's Academy devastated the entire Moroi world. Many are dead. And, for the few victims carried off by Strigoi, their fates are even worse. A rare tattoo now adorns Rose's neck, a mark that says she's killed far too many Strigoi to count. But only one victim matters . . . Dimitri Belikov. Rose must now choose one of two very different paths: honoring her life's vow to protect Lissa—her best friend and the last surviving Dragomir princess—or, dropping out of the Academy to strike out on her own and hunt down the man she loves. She'll have to go to the ends of the earth to find Dimitri and keep the promise he begged her to make. But the question is, when the time comes, will he want to be saved?
Now, with everything at stake—and worlds away from St. Vladimir's and her unguarded, vulnerable, and newly rebellious best friend—can Rose find the strength to destroy Dimitri? Or, will she sacrifice herself for a chance at eternal love?

Jenn's rating: 5 stars out of 5 stars
Nahomi's rating: 5 stars out of 5 stars
Our Overall rating: 5 stars out of 5 stars

Jenn:
WELL. Let me tell you guys something. This book just about killed me. I was shocked and scared and worried and a host of other emotions. I didn't know what would happen next and I was just hoping for the best outcome. Richelle Mead completely outdid herself with this book and she knows how to play with her readers hearts because I was a wreck throughout it all.

Blood Promise follows Rose's journey into finding Dimitri and keeping their promise intact. Rose has to deal with her confusion and conflict of dealing with her thought and emotions towards what she needs to do. At the same time, she is torn in her decision of leaving Lissa back at St. Vladimir. Lissa has her own problems to deal with but, thankfully, she has Christian and Adrian to count on to help. We are introduced to Sydney Sage and to a host of new characters, several of which are very important later on.

Blood Promise is a journey full of heartache, hope, and resignation. Throughout Rose's whole journey of finding Dimitri, I experienced her grief and confusion right along side her. If I thought Richelle Mead had broken my heart in Shadow Kiss, this time she managed to take those mangled parts and set fire to any thoughts, hope, or dream I might have had of a good outcome. I was kept on the edge of my seat from beginning to end because I needed to know how it was going to end. And that ending! Good grief that ending just about gave me a heart attack. And I may or may not have flail. Just a tiny bit.

Oh Richelle, you slay me. I still don't know how I was coherent when I finished it.

Nahomi:
Holy Cannoli!! This book was heart wrenching for me. Oh the feels! I was on edge for the majority of the book. For starters I was mourning with Rose. Well, no... I think I was in denial in the beginning, but then I was definitely mourning because of a very specific loss. I totally understand Rose's decision and I was all for her going to do what she promised she would. I love that, although she was on a mission to accomplish something very important to her and Dimitri, she still took the time to find herself and come to terms with her life and what she wanted for the future.

Gah, I was so emotional throughout the entire book. With the sadness came an uncontrollable need to read as fast as I could to see what happened next. Then I was sooo freaking angry I looked like a crazy person shaking my head, waving my arms and cursing under my breath! Because honestly HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN!?!?! I was truly upset for a number of reasons you'll have to read the book to find out.

Richelle Mead writes in a way that I find myself experiencing all of the feels along with the characters as I get lost in the pages of her stories. I love her writing style and characters. Blood Promise turned me into a giant mess of emotions but it hurt so good.

Review: Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead

Shadow Kiss
(Vampire Academy #3)
Author: Richelle Mead
Release Date: November 13, 2008
Publisher: Razorbill
Source: Personal Copy
Review by: Jenn and Nahomi

It's springtime at St. Vladimir's Academy, and Rose Hathaway is this close to graduation. Since making her first Strigoi kills, Rose hasn't been feeling quite right. She's having dark thoughts, behaving erratically, and worst of all...might be seeing ghosts.
As Rose questions her sanity, new complications arise. Lissa has begun experimenting with her magic once more, their enemy Victor Dashkov might be set free, and Rose's forbidden relationship with Dimitri is starting to heat up again. But when a deadly threat no one saw coming changes their entire world, Rose must put her own life on the line--and choose between the two people she loves most.

Jenn's rating: 5 stars out of 5 stars

Nahomi's rating: 5 stars out of 5 stars

Our Overall Rating: 5  stars out of 5 stars

Jenn:
My heart you guys! This book further cemented my love for this series and for everyone in the book. Richelle Mead managed to kill me with the ending of this book and I am completely at her mercy. Shadow Kiss is one of my favorite books of the series and I loved every moment of it. Rose is still one of my favorite heroines and I definitely saw character growth in this book. The way she handled herself during the battle and how her acceptance of Christian and his relationship with Lissa finally came through. I also like how she realizing her true fate of being a guardian will entail. She has definitely grown up since Frostbite.

Rose and Lissa's friendship is still something to be envious of but I feel for both of them. Rose wants to protect Lissa but it's always at a cost to herself; Lissa just wants to do her magic like a normal Moroi but it's also at a cost to herself as well. I enjoy reading a book with such strong female friendship. I also enjoy reading a book with a hot Russian dhampir named Dimitri. Dimitri is and will always be my favorite part of this series. I just absolutely love how he just whole heartedly believes in Rose. Even when all the stacks are against her, Dimitri gives Rose the benefit of the doubt or waits until she is ready to share whatever she may know.

But seriously, my heart you guys! My heart. The ending of this book killed me and I was one hot mess when I finished this book. I remember freaking out and crying hysterically as I messaged my friends on a group chat at 3:30 in the morning so I can be comforted and have them answer my questions. I also remember starting book 4, Blood Promise, at 4 am just so could calm down enough to go to sleep. If you haven't already read this series/book, one, why are you reading this review since it for the third book and aren't you afraid of spoilers???, and two, GO READ THIS BOOK. NOW. I'll be here to provide you with hugs, snuggles, and comforting words afterwards.

Nahomi:
OH MY... This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time! There is so much going on in this book! and it took me less than a day to finish it because it was just so good. Shadow Kiss is fast paced, and full of mystery and swoonage! Can I just say I heart Dimitri and Rose! They compliment, support and push each other. This story never gives you a break just when you think the worst has passed BAM it gets worse. Even with the heartache it is still one of my absolute favorite books of all times!

Release Day Blitz - Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas

Queen of Shadows
(Throne of Glass #4)
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Release Date: September 1, 2015
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children

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 will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die just to see her again. 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.

Celaena’s epic journey has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions across the globe. This fourth volume will hold readers rapt as Celaena’s story builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world.

You can read the first five (5)!! chapters here.

About the author:

Sarah J. Maas is the author of the New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling Throne of Glass series–Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, and Heir of Fire, and the series’ prequel, The Assassin’s Blade–as well as the New York Times and USA Today bestselling A Court of Thorns and Roses. She wrote the first incarnation of the Throne of Glass series when she was just sixteen, and it has now sold in twenty-three languages. Queen of Shadows, the fourth book in the Throne of Glass series, will release worldwide on September 1st, 2015.
A New York native, Sarah currently lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and dog. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Hamilton College in 2008 with a degree in Creative Writing and a minor in Religious Studies.

Author's links: Website / Twitter / Pinterest / Instagram / Facebook / Tumblr / Blog /
World of Sarah J. Maas

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Review: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Thorns and Roses
(A Court of Thorns and Roses #1)
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Release Date: May 5, 2015
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children
Source: NetGalley/ARC from ALA
Review by: Jenn

A thrilling, seductive new series from New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas, blending Beauty and the Beast with faerie lore.
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.

5 stars out of 5 stars (But in reality, alllllllll the stars)

*I received an eARC of this title from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. However, that does not influence this review in any way.*

I'm not sure how to properly talk about this book without flailing so just bear with me if I tend to go off in a fangirl, rambling mess. But just know that it is because I absolutely LOVED this book. A Court of Thorns and Roses has been a such a hyped up read for me because Sarah J. Maas is the queen of fantasy for me. After falling in love with her Throne of Glass series, I knew that this book would be nothing less of completely captivating world, well-written characters and I'm very glad to report that it did live up to my high expectations.

A Court of Thorns and Roses follow Feyre, a young woman who has had to take care of her family by hunting and doing many dangerous things to survive. After killing a wolf during one of her hunting trips, she is tracked home by a creature that she's been warned about. She is taken as punishment by the creature and what follows is nothing what Feyre is prepared for.

This story, you guys. OHMYGOD THIS BOOK. It is SO good and I just loved every page of it. I love being in Feyre's head. Tamlin, oh my. I just loved him and all of his beast-like self. He is just a perfect mix of strong/sweet/capable/caring man/fae. Lucien is the best character because he is not only the comedic relief, he is the best of friend to Tamlin but also to Feyre as well. All the characters, even the one I hated, were so well done and developed. I'm not sure how Sarah does it, but I become attached to all of her characters and the world she writes. The world she a wrote for us is so vivid and full of back story that it feels like a real world.

The book left me feeling happy and satisfied but intrigued for the next book in the series. I can't wait to see how the story continue to develop and where Sarah takes these beloved characters of mine. However, I trust that whatever Sarah J. Maas does, her books will be good regardless.