Monthly Archives: October 2013

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Review: Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

Title: Crown of Midnight
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: Throne of Glass
Rating: ★★★★★

I am nearly speechless. It’s rare for me to lose words when it comes to books I love, but Maas has managed to write a book that took the words from me. I’ve been eagerly awaiting Crown of Midnight and it did not let me down at all. I mean…wow.

Celaena is now the King’s Champion, doing his bidding by getting rid of his enemies. He tells her a name; she goes to get rid of the “problem.” It’s the bargain she has made for her freedom. She is anything but loyal to the king, though, and that puts not only herself in danger, but those she cares for as well. Chaol is the man she finds herself drawn to, but she values her friendship with Prince Dorian as well. Things only get more complicated when secret plots and long forgotten information start finding their way out.

Celaena is a dichotomy. She is fearless, yet cowardly. She’s strong, yet powerless. She’s incredibly brilliant, but confused. She has no problem taking on someone in a fight. She knows how to handle herself there. But when faced with secrets and cover-ups, she cowers. She can fight against the most well trained fighter and win, but she can’t fight against forces she can’t see. When faced with horrible tasks, she figures out a way around them in order to save lives, but lets her emotions cloud her judgment at times. She’s a fascinating character and after the last chapter, I really cannot wait to read more about her.

Chaol and Dorian are still wonderful. Dorian has accepted that he may not be her first choice and that creates a bit of tension between the three of them. He still wants to remain friends, but the lines are blurry and need to be sorted out first. Chaol is loyal to the crown and he lets that interfere with what he wants to do. And then trouble hits and the three of them fall apart and roles are changed. It’s amazing how Maas can write a love triangle that’s not really a triangle, but still lets you have those warm, fuzzy feelings about both boys. I love it.

The plot. My, oh my. The entire story is a thing of beauty. There are creates and fights and secrets and it’s simply lovely to read. Everything that happens answers one question but leaves you with more. It’s a twisting, winding maze that I can’t see the end of, but can’t help but try to piece together. That I have to wait until next year to get more of the story is leaving my insides curling.

Crown of Midnight is a stunning novel that has me declaring that this is a must read series and author. Maas can write an amazing novel and the wait for the next novel is way, way to long. I need it in my hands as soon as possible.

If Crown of Midnight sounds like your kind of novel, you can purchase it here:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
IndieBound

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Review: The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson

Title: The Bitter Kingdom
Author: Rae Carson
Series: Fire and Thorns
Rating: ★★★★★

This is such a bittersweet review to write. One the one hand, the book was amazing. Everything I wanted, could have asked for, and more. But it’s the last of the series, and I almost didn’t want to read it, just so I could make the series last.

Elisa is on the run. Not only is she a fugitive in her own country, but her enemies have taken the man she loves to lure her to them. Her Godstone is more alive than ever and she knows she still has more to accomplish. She is driven and determined to not fail the man she loves, her country, her friends, and herself. Every choice she makes is important and the pressure she is under is immense.

Elisa is amazing in The Bitter Kingdom. She doesn’t let worry or fear cloud her judgment. She knows she faces many problems, but instead of losing control, she decides what to do and when. She uses her voice powerfully and doesn’t back down when she knows she’s right. There is so much she accomplishes in this novel.

There is also a glimpse into Hector’s mind in The Bitter Kingdom. They don’t take up a large section of the novel, but they are enough. They show the respect and admiration he has for Elisa as well as the love he has for her. They carry so much weight in so few pages, but they give you such a good, warm feeling. As for the romance between Elisa and Hector, Carson isn’t building it up as much in this novel, but instead focuses on showing how Hector and Elisa are equals, and how their love built on friendship, trust, and admiration is a guiding force for each of them.

The storyline just about did me in. I couldn’t stop reading, deciding sleep wasn’t necessary and that caffeine loading the next day would be completely worth it. I just had to know what was going to happen next. There was no easy spot to stop and say “here is good, I’ll pick it up here tomorrow.” I even had trouble stopping to make myself lunch and dinner. The action and fighting was intense, and even the times when there wasn’t fighting, I still couldn’t put the book down.

The Bitter Kingdom is one of the best series ending novels I’ve read. It has a little bi of everything and is incredibly well written. I’m extremely sad to see this series end, but it ended perfectly. I cannot wait to see what Carson comes up with next.

If The Bitter Kingdom sounds like your kind of novel, you can purchase it here:
Amazon
Audible
Barnes and Noble
IndieBound