Review: Crystal Storm (Falling Kingdoms #5)

Image from Goodreads

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Audience: YA, just a little intense make-out session, almost a love scene, a touch of language
Length: 379 pages
Author: Morgan Rhodes
Publisher: Razorbill
Goodreads


*Potentially spoiler-ish if you haven't read the previous books (in regards to Crystal Storm it'll be spoiler free).

OH MY GOODNESS THAT ENDING.

I don't even know where to begin. 

Once again I was completely enamored by this story. I love all of the POVs and the world-building that creates such a dynamic book.

Cleo & Magnus get me every time (Magnus is my favorite POV). I love their banter, yet uncompromising will to help each other. Watching their relationship blossom is great.

I feel for so many of these characters (especially Nic & Jonas 😭), so I applaud Rhodes and her ability to create enough character depth for all the feelings. 

There was somehow less death this time than the previous books. Seriously, every other chapter someone died, this time...every 2 chapters 🤣. Some critical characters did survive, and I'm pleased with that fact. Leading up to the finale though makes me concerned for which main character will meet their demise.

Reiteration of the beginning of this post...THAT ENDING THOUGH. Reminiscent of another novel I'm currently awaiting the ending for, this threw me for a loop. How do they get out of it? Are they found in time?! Questions, my friends, so many questions.

There is a very small spattering of language, an intense make-out session or two. Nothing overtly descriptive. Lots of stabbing and some skirmishes. (all about those dark books).

Loving this series and am excited to start the next [last] book immediately.

Question: Who is your favorite POV of this series?

*Note: All opinions are my own. I only add the Goodreads link if you want to check out other reviews and information on the book itself. Thanks!*

Review: Snow Like Ashes (Snow Like Ashes #1)

Image from Amazon

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Audience: Teen (Adults might find boring/repetitive to other stories), minor language, a kiss or two

Length: 416 pages

Author: Sara Raasch

Goodreads

NOT TOO SHABBY.

I listened to this on audio during my runs and it kept me interested enough to ignore how long I needed to run that day 🤣. Lots of magic and some adventure involved!

It's really easy to get the 'main' plot twist early on, but it doesn't take away from the overall book. This book follows most fantasy YA novels with the story line, so nothing too new here.

There is a love triangle (and if you're like me, you generally stay far away from them). This one wasn't bothersome enough for me to stop listening. I can't decide which guy I like better for Meira so I'll see how book 2 goes.

Some dragging themes do occur, having to learn the history of Winter and the other nations, people being captured, etc. Raasch focuses too much on some of the side stories that either haven't resolved (which could be why there's so much focus), or truly are there for no good reason. 

While nothing that special stands out, it's still a good, quick read if you're looking for something simple (and that has a cute love component).

They're some fight scenes that are a touch gory. No major love scenes (two characters kiss once) so it's appropriate for most ages. 

*Note: All opinions are my own. I only add the Goodreads link if you want to check out other reviews and information on the book itself. Thanks!*

Review: The Thief (The Queen's Thief #1)

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5

Audience: Teen+, no language, some fight scenes, no love scenes

Length: 280 pages

Author: Megan Whalen Turner

Goodreads

TOUGH TO GET THROUGH.

Oh goodness, I had been warned that this book was tough to get through, but necessary to the rest of the series, and that is SO true!

I spent most of it speed reading through to conversations just to understand the story. The book tells the story of the Thief, Gen, going with the Sounis to find a stone said to give immortality to its holder. 

While I enjoyed the back story of the formation of the world by the Gods (Earth & Sky), besides that I could barely hold on. Most of the time it's the group moving through the country trying to get to the fabled Temple.

Once there, the story does begin to pick-up as real action descends. Fighting rebel armies, ending up back in prison, and a solid twist round out the conclusion. 

I believe that this book will set-up the rest of the series well (and I've heard great things about the rest of her books). 

If you're interested in reading this series, I would still recommend reading this book. 

The Thief is appropriate for all ages. I don't recall any language, and there's literally 3 women in the entire book who speak (maybe 15 lines?) so no love involved either, haha. They're some fight scenes, but gore is minimal.

Looking forward to ordering her next book!

Question: Have you read this series? What do you think about it?

*Note: All opinions are my own. I only add the Goodreads link if you want to check out other reviews and information on the book itself. Thanks!*

Review: Hero at the Fall (Rebel of the Sands #3)

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

Audience: True YA, appropriate for teens, language very minimal

Length: 464 pages
Author: Alwyn Hamilton

Goodreads

SOLID ENDING.

I went with a 4.5 star rating because as my husband let me know I didn't say the book was AMAZING, only really good haha.

I felt the pace of the book did drag somewhat, but Hamilton does a good job of being descriptive without being long-winded. There was also some 'unnecessary' drama involved that annoyed me, and yet, I read faster trying to make sure the author really wasn't going to end her series that way!

I could have used more of Jin & Amani in this book. There relationship had blossomed so well over the series, and I felt their moments were rushed and hurried. 

I appreciated that the twists were a little out of reach of me figuring out. I came up with enough ideas, and hoped that most of the them weren't going to come true. Total cardinal sin in my book is killing a main character undue a death (**cough cough** Divergent series 😆). While characters do die, it made sense and rounded out the conclusion well.

I love that Hamilton adds POV chapters from a 'storyteller' side. It allows the reader to experience other areas of the desert without Amani being present. It helped to close out some story lines and influence others so I wasn't confused as to how one place went to the next.

The characters in this series were also some of my favorite too. The Demdji were colorful and unique in personality and added to the sass and overall group dynamic of the Rebels.

This series is definitely YA. In this book there was only one true 'love' scene and it's written appropriately for [somewhat] younger audiences. There isn't an over abundance of detail (which I appreciate as well).

I really enjoyed this series and look forward to what Hamilton writes next!



*Note: these opinions are all my own, I only add the Goodreads link if you want to check out other reviews and information on the book itself. Thanks!*