YA in Review: Kingdom of Ash (Sarah J. Maas)

This post will essentially be Spoiler Free, however comments by other users may possibly contain information that spoils portions of the plot, so read at them your own risk. As this is part of a series, this review may spoil portions of the plot from previous books in the series. Now, are you ready for a monster-sized review to go along with a monster-sized book?

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What it's about:

It is the end. Aelin Galathynius must put everything on the line one final time to stand against Erawan and Maeve - saving not only her people in Terrasen, but all of the land of Erilea. With her loved ones by her side and Aelin's immensely powerful gifts, they could just stand a chance against all of Morath's evil forces. But, where is she? Captured by Maeve and separated from her husband, cousin, friends and allies, Aelin is unable to be found, let alone able to fight. With battles raging all around and all those she loves fighting constantly for their lives, how can they possibly be expected to win? And how will an army rally without a queen to lead them to victory?

YA in Review: Tower of Dawn (Sarah J. Maas)

This post will essentially be Spoiler Free, however comments by other users may possibly contain information that spoils portions of the plot, so read at them your own risk. As this is part of a series, this review may spoil portions of the plot from previous books in the series.

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What it's about:

Chaol Westfall, former Captain of the Guard, now Hand of the King, has been given two missions: one, to convince the khagan of Antica and his children to join their side in the war against Erawan, and two, to heal the damage to his spine at the Torre Cesme - home to the greatest healers in the world. Yet the khagan's recent tragedy - the loss of a beloved daughter - clouds his judgement, the healer assigned to help him holds a grudge against his former king, and Erawan's forces grow stronger every day. There is no time to delay, and yet Chaol must use all of his past training in the palace to remember that political games, as well as true healing, take time.

TTT: Platonic Relationships in Books

Thanks to Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl for this week's topic! I haven't done one in a bit because things have been rather crazy, but I wanted to take the time for this one.

1) Aelin and Aedion > Cousins - Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

2) Tibby, Lena, Bridget, and Carmen > Best Friends - The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants by Ann Brashares

3) Charlie and Patrick > Friends - The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

4) The Pilot and The Little Prince > Friends - The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Characters I Hated in Books I Loved

Happy April! Another week, another Top Ten Tuesday from That Artsy Reader Girl. I'm reversing the topic for this week, so instead of "Characters I liked That Were In Non-Favorite/Disliked Books," I've gone with characters I highly disliked in books I really liked. Even in an otherwise perfect book, there can often be a character that you just can't stand, so here are some of the ones who I really didn't like in great books:

1. Dolores Umbridge - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
   I know, I know...she's going to be on an insane amount of lists this week (if other people flip the topic), but I couldn't not include her.
2. The Mechanicals - A Midsummer Night's Dream
   This is a bit of a cheat because there are not only several characters here, but this is also a play. In truth they all bother me so I couldn't pick just one. They are definitely my least favourite part of this beloved play.
3. Mrs. Norris - Mansfield Park
   No, not Mrs. Norris from Harry Potter! This Mrs. Norris is 100% human, 0% feline.
4. Amy March - Little Women
   I have never been able to stand Amy. I know that she "improves" by the end, and we are supposed to feel better about her...but I've never been particularly good at doing what I was supposed to.
5. Merlin - I Am Mordred
   Merlin is a terrifying and nasty sorcerer in this novel, and you don't really get why unless you have more familiarity with other Arthurian tales (more than just Mordred's fate), so he just seems to be nasty to Mordred for no good reason.

Top Twelve Tortured Romances

This week's Top Ten Tuesday from That Artsy Reader Girl is a Love Freebie in honour of Valentine's Day tomorrow, so I decided to do a bit of a bummer spin on it for kicks. I am a huge sucker for angsty and tortured romances, so that's my choice for today. Although most of these are from books, I threw in a few that I have only watched the shows of.

Tortured/Angsty Romances

1) Jace and Clary (The Mortal Instruments - Cassandra Clare)

2) Heathcliff and Cathy (Wuthering Heights - Emily Brontё)

3) Will and Tessa (The Infernal Devices - Cassandra Clare)

4) Sookie and Eric (The Southern Vampire Mysteries/True Blood - Charlaine Harris)

5) Maxim and the second Mrs. de Winter (Rebecca - Daphne du Maurier)

6) Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester (Jane Eyre - Charlotte Brontё)

7) Elide and Lorcan (Empire of Storms - Sarah J. Maas)

Five Books I Meant To Read In 2017 But Didn't Get To

As many of you probably know, Top Ten Tuesday from The Broke and The Bookish will now be hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. As this is the last official TTT that they will be hosting, I definitely had to make sure to do this one. Although my TBR is stupidly long, there were a few books that I intended to focus my efforts on in 2017, but just didn't get around to. Some of them I am part way through, and some I didn't even touch. So, here we go:

sarahjmaas.com

Tower of Dawn - Sarah J. Maas

Now, do I actually want to read this? Originally when I heard about it I was hesitant to pick it up (especially because the character of Chaol did a complete 180 in Queen of Shadows, and I don't care one way or another about Nesryn). Then I decided I would give it a shot and took a copy out from the library. Now though? I just can't seem to get into it. 

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Under The Greenwood Tree - Thomas Hardy

I love Tess of the D'Urbervilles and Far From the Madding Crowd, so I've wanted to explore more of Hardy's work. With this one being his shortest, and apparently "most cheerful," I thought it would be a good one...but I could barely get into it. I've tried reading it once and listening to it on audiobook. Although the audio format was better, I am not particularly motivated to continue it. Hopefully I can make myself get through it this year. 

YA in Review: Empire of Storms (Sarah J. Maas)

First of all, this post will essentially be Spoiler Free, however as this book is part of a series, it will contain spoilers from the previous books that are necessary to explain parts of the plot of this installment. Any comments by other users will not necessarily be spoiler free, so read at your own risk. Ready? Here we go!

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Empire of Storms is the fifth novel in the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. This is officially the second-last novel in the series (if you don't include the prequel novellas, and the novel in Chaol's perspective).

What it's about:
After the King of Adarlan's death, Dorian is now king - but that doesn't mean the fight is over. In fact, now even more questions have arisen. Grieving his father, and coming to terms with the magnitude of his powers, Dorian isn't fully ready to rule. Aelin, ready to reclaim her throne, sets off to Terrasen. But Aelin hasn't been heard of for years - is her kingdom ready to have her as their queen? And what of Duke Perrington? Or have his forces in Morath grown too strong to be stopped?

YA in Review: Queen of Shadows (Sarah J. Maas)

First of all, this post will essentially be Spoiler Free, however as this book is part of a series, it will contain spoilers from the previous books that are necessary to explain parts of the plot of this installment. Any comments by other users will not necessarily be spoiler free, so read at your own risk. Ready? Here we go!

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Queen of Shadows is the fourth novel in the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. For those eagerly anticipating vengeance and resolution, look no further. It's time for a fight.

What it's about:

Aelin Galathynius is now in charge of her powers and embracing her role as Queen. Returning to Adarlan, she is ready to assemble her court and enact revenge on those who have wronged her and her country. But a queen without a throne has to prove her worth, and a queen without allies has no power at all. With her friends imprisoned, under the watchful eye of the King, and on a different continent entirely, how can Aelin ever hope to reclaim her kingdom?

YA in Review: Heir of Fire (Sarah J. Maas)

First of all, this post will essentially be Spoiler Free, however as this book is part of a series, it will contain spoilers from the previous books that are necessary to explain parts of the plot of this installment. Any comments by other users will not necessarily be spoiler free, so read at your own risk. Ready? Here we go!

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Heir of Fire is the third novel in the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. Now, if the huge revelation at the end of Crown of Midnight didn't cause you to want to continue this series...probably nothing will. However if you are still unsure and want to know if it's worth a read, here you go:

What it's about:

Celaena Sardothien, (or should I say Aelin Galathynius?) is now in Wendlyn. Sent there by her once lover and friend Chaol Westfall for her own protection. The king of Adarlan however, thinks she's there to kill the royal family of Wendlyn, the Ashryvers. But is Celaena going to do that? Of course not! Found by Fae warrior Rowan, Celaena is brought to Queen Maeve who promises to give her knowledge about the Wyrdkeys once Rowan deems her a worthy warrior. But will Celaena ever meet Rowan's exacting standards? Will she get the answers she needs before it is too late?

YA in Review: Crown of Midnight (Sarah J. Maas)

First of all, this post will essentially be Spoiler Free, however as this book is part of a series, it will contain spoilers from the previous books that are necessary to explain parts of the plot of this installment. Any comments by other users will not necessarily be spoiler free, so read at your own risk. Ready? Here we go!

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Crown of Midnight is the second novel in the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. Now, if you adored reading the first novel, I'm sure you've decided to read Crown of Midnight, but if you want to know if it's worth a read, here you go:

What it's about:
Celaena Sardothien, formerly prisoner in the Endovier salt mines, formerly Adarlan's Assassin, is now the King's Champion. After winning the deadly competition in Throne of Glass, Celaena is now in the service of the corrupt King of Adarlan. That doesn't mean she signed over her loyalty when she wrote her name on the parchment though. Instead of following the King's orders blindly, Celaena schemes to do things her own way while still trying to keep her head, and finds more than she bargained for in the process.

YA in Review: Throne of Glass (Sarah J. Maas)

First of all, this post will essentially be Spoiler Free, however if there are any I need to mention, they will be marked by an asterisk and will be elaborated on following a dividing line. Any comments by other users will not necessarily be spoiler free, so read at your own risk. Ready? Here we go!

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Throne of Glass is the debut novel of Sarah J. Maas, which she started writing at 16. Consequently, there are some things about this story that feel a little juvenile and not properly fleshed out. BUT, not only did I finish it, I am currently on the fourth book of the series.

What it's about:
Celaena Sardothien is seventeen, beautiful, and adores clothes. But don't let that fool you - she isn't like other seventeen year olds. Celaena is an assassin - not just any assassin, but the famed Adarlan's Assassin. After being betrayed and spending a year in the prison mining camp Endovier, she is offered the chance to be free by no other than the crown prince of Adarlan. There's just one teensy tiny condition: she has to compete against 23 other criminals, assassins, and soldiers in various trials and battles. Oh, and if she wins? Then she serves the King as his personal assassin for several years before earning her freedom. Sounds fun, right?