Heartless Review

Title: Heartless
Author: Marissa Meyer
Release Date: November 8, 2016
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Pages: 464 (Hardcover)
Format: Paperback ARC
All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

SUMMARY:

Long before she was the terror of Wonderland — the infamous Queen of Hearts — she was just a girl who wanted to fall in love.


Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland, and a favorite of the yet-unmarried King of Hearts, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, all she wants is to open a shop with her best friend and supply the Kingdom of Hearts with delectable pastries and confections. But according to her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for the young woman who could be the next Queen.
At a royal ball where Cath is expected to receive the king's marriage proposal, she meets Jest, the handsome and mysterious court joker. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the King and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into an intense, secret courtship.
Cath is determined to define her own destiny and fall in love on her terms. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.

NON-SPOILERY REVIEW:

Going into this book, I had super high expectations because I absolutely love the Lunar Chronicles. I should probably review those soon, but anyways I thoroughly enjoy the character development and world building from a "typical" Marissa Meyer novel. That being said, I also want everyone to know before continuing with my review, that I'm not a giant fan of Alice in Wonderland-esque books. I was really hoping that Heartless would change that for me because the Queen of Hearts is my favorite character in that particular world. 

I was expecting a lot out of this book, and part of me is still unsatisfied with it. I enjoy her writing, but Heartless seemed kind of slow to me compared with the Lunar Chronicles to me. I got about 300 pages in and still felt like not a lot had happened or really changed since the beginning of the story. Sure, there was a small progression in the side love story, but I feel like there needed to be more action to hold you over for the kissing that doesn't really begin until after halfway thru the book. After that, I did start to skim, which I feel bad about, but I'd rather skim than not finish it. 

All of that being said, I did like it. I'm in no way saying that it's a bad book. It's just a bit slow for me, and after Illuminae I need more fast paced reads. Also, I absolutely love Jest. He's by far the best thing in this book. Her writing of his character is amazing. His riddles in the book are very thought provoking and we finally get an answer to why is a raven like a writing desk! I feel like I would really enjoy this book more if I was more into books on Alice in Wonderland. Don't hate me, I liked it, but I didn't love it like I wanted to. 

RATING:

Heartless by Marissa Meyer 4/5 Hearts!

OVERALL:

If you really like Alice in Wonderland prequels/additions/retellings, then this is probably more suited for you! I'm not saying it's a bad book, just not for me. 

Subscribe to the blog so that you never miss a post! I have reviews for Nevernight and Gemina coming soon! 

Glass Sword Review

Title: Glass Sword
By: Victoria Aveyard
Release Date: February 9, 2016
Pages: 444
Publisher: HarperTeen
Format: Hardback
All thoughts and comments are my own.

SUMMARY:

If there’s one thing Mare Barrow knows, it’s that she’s different.

Mare Barrow’s blood is red—the color of common folk—but her Silver ability, the power to control lightning, has turned her into a weapon that the royal court tries to control. 

The crown calls her an impossibility, a fake, but as she makes her escape from Maven, the prince—the friend—who betrayed her, Mare uncovers something startling: she is not the only one of her kind.

Pursued by Maven, now a vindictive king, Mare sets out to find and recruit other Red-and-Silver fighters to join in the struggle against her oppressors. 

But Mare finds herself on a deadly path, at risk of becoming exactly the kind of monster she is trying to defeat. 

Will she shatter under the weight of the lives that are the cost of rebellion? Or have treachery and betrayal hardened her forever?

The electrifying next installment in the Red Queen series escalates the struggle between the growing rebel army and the blood-segregated world they’ve always known—and pits Mare against the darkness that has grown in her soul.

NON-SPOILERY REVIEW:

I know I've had Glass Sword forever (well, just last November), but I am finally getting around to reviewing it on here. I had super high expectations for the sequel because of how much I loved Red Queen. For the most part I think those expectations were met. It still had all of the action that I loved from the first book. I really enjoyed being able to explore more into the secrets behind the Newbloods. Though I still have plenty of questions about them! Also, I know I shouldn't love him, but I absolutely love King Maven. He's the perfect baddie with that frightened child underneath. 

Finally being able to see how extent of the Scarlet Guard gives me hope in Mare's rebellion. We get to see lots more of Farley and learn some more about her, and a brand new character in the Scarlet Guard. She's become one of my favorite side characters. My heart still goes out to Cal. Poor thing, watching him cope with all of the events from the end of Red Queen breaks my heart. He's like a lost puppy trying to figure out why his owner won't come get him. Mare's evolution has been astounding. By the end of Glass Sword, she is barely the Mare that she started out being. I'm really excited to see how she grows and changes and stays true to herself. 

The plot was just as fast paced and full of plot twists as the first. I did something bad, and read the last page, so I knew how it ended, but even in the last ten pages I had NO IDEA how we were going to end up there. I never saw it coming. You think everything is going to be sunshine and rainbows and then BLAM plot twist back into the fire again! (get it? Maven. fire.) 

Also, a moment of silence, for that one part where Victoria rips out your heart and leaves you damaged for the rest of the book. If you've read it, you know what I'm talking about. If not, you will. 

RATING:

Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard 4.5/5 Stars

(I know a lot of my reviews have gotten the same rating lately, but I've loved everything I've read, so I don't feel bad about it)

OVERALL:

I think I liked Red Queen a tiny bit more, but I still loved this sequel.  It hurt my feels, but I am so eager to get my hands on King's Cage to see more of Mare, Cal, and Maven! Rise, red as the dawn.

Subscribe to the blog in order to stay up to date on all the newest posts! Comment below with your reactions and opinion of Glass Sword! Also, just an FYI, I read my ARC of this instead of my hardback, so it's one of my books for ARC August!

ARC August

I am so happy to announce that I will be participating in this year's ARC August hosted by Read.Sleep.Repeat. The original sign-up can be found here. My list for ARC August will consist of both new ARCs and ARCs that I've had for some time now. I'm going to start with all of my newer ARCs and then just fill what's left of the month with my older ARCs. So Let's jump into my list!

New ARCs
1) Three Dark Crowns
2) Gilt Hollow
3) Unnatural Deeds
4) Labyrinth Lost
5) Iron Cast

Older ARCs
1) Julia Vanishes
2) Illuminae
3) Glass Sword
4) A Madness So Discrete
5) Heir to the Sky

I have quite a few more older ARCs that I could in theory add to this list, but 10 ARCs in August is going to be rather ambitious for me. If I have any more time, then I will surely let this list grow! Right now, my priorities are on the ARCs with the earliest release dates. Let me know if there are any ARCs that you're super excited for or think I should read first! I know I didn't list authors or goodreads links, but the reviews will have all the information you need!

*There is probably going to be some changes in what I actually read for ARC August since I've been doing a lot of trades recently! I'm so excited for new arcs!

Doon Series Review

Okay Everyone! Thanks for dealing with my extended absence recently. I had a state test that had to be passed (yay I got my CNA!) but I've also been dealing with some pretty bad health issues. I am so sorry for being gone, but I had to take care of me that way I can keep blogging at all!

For this post, it's going to be a bit different from a regular review. I haven't had a chance to thoroughly review Shades of Doon or Forever Doon individually, but I will! (Stay tuned!) but I'm honor of the amazing release day of Forever Doon the final book in the Doon series, I am going to give an overall series review! It won't have any spoilers, except maybe a few from the first book! And away we go!

My love letter to Doon:

Before I'd started the Doon series, I had just finishing watching Outlander and couldn't help wanting more Scottish YA. After awhile of strolling the interwebs I found Sasha's post about Doon. That being said, I had super high expectations of Doon going into it! I basically thought it was going to be the same story lines from Outlander, but I was wrong and not in a bad way. I liked how different the two stories are. Both have amazing swoony romance and hot Scottish men, but Outlander is not Doon. I felt like I wanted to actually be in Doon, whereas I'd prefer not to travel to the outlander world. Doon feels so homey to me and that's what has kept me coming back since book one. Being able to see the changes in the culture and people of Doon throughout the series has been wonderful. It's felt like I've changed and grown too. 

The characters from Doon are absolutely some of my favorites. Veronica and MacKenna are very different when it comes to their thinking and approaching a situation, but flatter each other greatly. I never felt forced to read either of their POVs, which is often a problem for me. I also really loved the new POVs in Forever Doon! I won't tell you who if you don't already know, but it's been a long time coming for their side of the story. The hardships that MacKenna and Duncan go through as a couple is so believable and hurt me to read. I was mended by the end of Destined for Doon. 

The plot never felt forced or like it dragged behind. The series is overall a very quick and fun read. It's full of romance, Scottish princes, adventure, brave female leads, and of course my favorite pop culture references! I might have to do a separate post with some of my favorite ones. I am very happy I picked this series up and am sad that it's finally coming to a close. 

I was worried that Forever Doon would not give me the satisfaction or closure I needed to be able to happily finish the series. I was surprised when it did just that. Lorie and Carey have given a wonderful ending to a story and world that I want to keep visiting. Doon will always have a special place in my heart. 

On that note, I am very happy for its release into the wild today! Everyone should go pick it up and cross the bridge one more time. I'm glad I did. 

Comment all of your thoughts on the Doon series. Did you love it as much as me? Dreading the final chapter? Subscribe and make sure you don't miss it when I review Shades of Doon and Forever Doon separately! 

Also I'm sorry for the lack of pictures and links! I'm currently writing this from the doctor's office. :)