The Smoke Thieves | Sally Green | Published May 3rd, 2018
Rating:
Source: I recieved a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads | Book Depository

I mostly enjoyed The Smoke Thieves and the new world that Sally Green has created.

Look, it’s no secret that I’m a sucker for a royal setting in a fantasy. Add in a forbidden romance and I’m pretty much hooked. It’s for this reason that Catherine and Ambrose’s perspectives were my favourite. Becoming accustomed to a new court, evil family members, going on the run, royal politics and war. It’s my crack. I loved it.

The other perspectives, however... some were better than others. The story opens with a young girl, Tash, chasing demons with her partner Gravell to catch their smoke. It was a very slow beginning and I did contemplate giving up at one point. I really struggled to connect with the story and I think there may have been a stronger viewpoint to open with. I get that the idea was probably to introduce us to who and what “Smoke Thieves” relates to though.

March is a servant who serves the king responsible for destroying his home kingdom and the people in it. He comes across an opportunity for revenge and goes in search of the king’s bastard son Eydon. I didn’t really care for March either way but I did like Eydon and the fact he was a little naive. I also liked the growing relationship between March and Eydon as their journey progressed.

Overall, I think parts of this book were great and paced well. Other parts were really slow and I think there were probably too many different view points. After being really disappointed with the ending of the Half Bad trilogy (sorry to bring it up!) I was hoping to love this and while I didn’t quite reach that level, I did enjoy most of it and I’ll be picking up the sequel.


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Review: How Do You Like Me Now? By Holly Bourne

  How Do You Like Me Now? | Holly Bourne | Published June 14th, 2018
Rating:
Source: I recieved a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads | Book Depository

How Do You Like Me Now is a must-read for any woman in their mid twenties and above. Tori seems to have it all - a long-term relationship, a publishing deal with a hugely successful self-help book and thousands of social media followers who shower her in likes and adoration. Pretty perfect life, right?

But life outside of Instagram isn’t as perfect. Tori’s relationship with Tom has hit a stalemate and he’s actually a bit of an arse (a big arse, really). I think their relationship is really going to resonate with a lot of people who are maybe still in a relationship that they know isn’t working. Some difficult issues are tackled within this relationship and it was really refreshing to read that side of things. A side that isn’t necessarily explored all that often.

Tori’s friends all seem to be “growing up” with engagements, weddings and babies. She proclaims in her self-help book that these things aren’t needed for you to be successful. You’re not a failure for not having those things. But she begins to have doubts and questions what she really wants. As women everywhere do at some point.

The biggest message I took from this book is that it’s OK to be yourself. It’s OK to want babies and marriages and it’s equally OK to not to. It felt like a more socially relevant, darker, Bridget Jones and I’ll be recommending it to everyone.


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Review: The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

The Cruel Prince | Holly Black | Published January 2nd, 2018
Rating:
Source: I received a copy from Readers First in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads | Book Depository

This was just fantastic.

There is nothing I love more than a fantasy that completely enraptures me from beginning to end. The Cruel Prince has a perfect balance of drama, twists, cruel yet charming characters and a plot that surprises. I loved every bit of it.

The world is vivid and intriguing. The characters are flawed and complex and the twisty, evil politics will keep you turning page after page. Our main character, Jude, is a mortal who has been raised in Faerie. She battles her desire to want to belong in a kingdom she has grown to love when her parents were ruthlessly murdered by the man who raised her and her sisters. She isn’t always likeable and it’s not easy to always get on board with her decisions but that’s what makes her all the more compelling.

As for the Cruel Prince himself, Cardan... he definitely lives up to the title. But if you have a fondness for charming villains (and who doesn’t?) then you’re going to want to pick this up.

This is my first read of 2018 and, honestly, it’s going to be a hard act to follow. The ending is sufficiently wrapped up after some surprises but has still left me begging for the follow up. I cannot wait for that release and in the meantime I’ll be devouring everything else Holly Black has written.


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Mini Review: Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine | Gail Honeyman | Published May 18th, 2017
Rating:
Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads | Book Depository

This book really took me by surprise. I don't know what I was expecting, really, but it's a story, and a main character, who is going to stick with me for a long time.

I really connected with Eleanor and could empathise a lot with her. She went through a terrible ordeal as a child and has never fully recovered. She is socially inept and doesn't have any close relationships. She is written in such a wonderful way that even though you feel her sadness, her mishaps and interactions are also very funny. The balance of warmth and humour whilst tackling more sad and horrific aspects was just right.

One of the highlights for me is the lack of romance. I don't think it would have felt right in Eleanor's story. It was nice to see her develop meaningful relationships without there having to be a romantic aspect to them. Whilst there is a potential romance in the future which is hinted at, I appreciated that it wasn't used as a way of pushing Eleanor towards healing. I also loved the inclusion of a human-pet relationship! Eleanor interacting with a cat provided some laugh out loud moments for me.

Sad, funny, warm, emotional and heartbreaking. Absolutely deserved of the hype it is receiving and definitely in my top 5 books this year.


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Mini Review: The Dire King by William Ritter

The Dire King | William Ritter | Published August 22nd, 2017
Rating:
Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Goodreads | Book Depository

"The thrilling conclusion to the New York Times best-selling series the Chicago Tribune called “Sherlock Holmes crossed with Buffy the Vampire Slayer” sends the eccentric detective and his indispensible assistant into the heart of a war between magical worlds."

This was the perfect end to an amazing series! I've loved Jacaby and Abigail since the beginning and thoroughly enjoyed going on their quirky adventures with them. The Dire King was no exception and I loved everything from the humour to the new creatures to the epic battle that concludes their story. This might be the fourth book of the series but William Ritter still very much knows how to surprise us. There are unexpected twists and shocks and I had no idea how things were going to end. I'm sad that this series is over but I'm really excited to read whatever Ritter writes next.


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Blog Tour | Dare to Fall by Estelle Maskame (Review)

Dare to Fall | Estelle Maskame | Published July 27th, 2017
Rating:
Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads | Book Depository
Blurb

Death.
She was afraid of it.
He was used to it.

There's not much that MacKenzie Rivers is afraid of. In the small town of Windsor, Colorado, she is known for her easygoing, strong personality, some would even say she isn't afraid of anything. But MacKenzie knows that's not true. She's afraid of losing those closest to her. Recovering from a family tragedy, Kenzie is fully aware of just how big an impact death can have on those it leaves behind. Seeing its effects on other people is something she just can't quite handle. From now on, Kenzie is her own priority.

There are not many things that Jaden Hunter can make sense of. He doesn't understand why it was his parents who lost their lives last year. He doesn't understand why his friends don't crack jokes around him any more. He doesn't understand why his teachers still insist on letting him skip assignments. He doesn't understand why MacKenzie, the girl he was falling for last year, has suddenly distanced herself from him.

Too afraid to get wrapped up in Jaden's world as he deals with the tragic death of his parents, Kenzie has stayed away from him as best she can, until one night when they unexpectedly come face-to-face for the first time in months. As old feelings resurface and new memories are made, both MacKenzie and Jaden show each other how to appreciate the little things in life, the moments that are taken for granted. But will MacKenzie dare to fall for the one person she's so afraid of growing close to?


Review

Dare to Fall is one of those perfect YA romance contemporaries that you find yourself becoming completely engrossed in. From the romance, to the drama, the twists and the more serious aspects, it was completely addictive.

Whilst this is a romance novel, serious topics aren't shied away from and are dealt with realistically and delicately. There is an overall theme of grief and how people cope with that in different ways. Each character dealing with grief has their own way of dealing with it. Some cope better than others and some heal more slowly than others. I appreciated that emphasis on how there is no "right" way and that the healing process can be very unpredictable and change a person. There are also lots of lighter, cute moments scattered throughout though. I liked the romance and the slow-burn nature to it and also the interactions between friends and family members which weren't forgotten about in favour of the romance.

Overall, a perfect balance of heartwarming and heartbreaking moments!

This is the first of Estelle's books that I've read but I'm definitely getting my hands on the DIMILY trilogy now. I have a feeling I'll be just as gripped as I was this time around!

P.S. How gorgeous is the cover?!

Make sure you check out all the other stops on the blog tour!

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Review: Now I Rise by Kiersten White

Now I Rise | Kiersten White | Published July 6th, 2017
Rating:
Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads | Book Depository
I loved this SO MUCH. Whilst And I Darken was a little slow going at the beginning as we were introduced to the world, this was the complete opposite. I was completely drawn in from the beginning.

Everything that I loved about And I Darken is even more prevalent in this sequel: the twists and surprises, Lada's fierceness that other YA characters struggle to rival, the complexity of Radu's character, the politics and the overall darkness.

Now I Rise focuses on the fall of Constantinople and Lada's pursuit of reclaiming the throne to Wallachia. Mehmed (horrible, horrible, Mehmed) sends Radu into Constantinople as a spy but he struggles throughout between his loyalty and what the right thing to do is. It would be easy for such a sensitive character - who doesn't necessarily always do the right thing thanks to being blinded by love - to be branded as weak but that isn't the case here. He elicits sympathy and his complexities make him that much more interesting to read. Lada is on a journey with her men to get back to Wallachia. She has to deal with people who don't think she can do the job because she's female. She's harsh and brutal but she knows what she wants and isn't going to let anything or anyone get in the way. If she wants to win she has to do things differently - her way. She is one of the best written YA female characters and I love her.

And I Darken is such a strong sequel that doesn't drop pace throughout. With an ending that promises there is much more to come in this story, I think we're in for an even more exciting installment to this saga.


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Review: When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

  When Dimple Met Rishi | Sandhya Menon | Published June 1st, 2017
Rating:
Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads | Book Depository

This was so cute! It takes a lot for a contemporary to become one of my favourite stories but this one does just that.

Dimple and Rishi are both American-Indian but feel very different about their heritage and traditions. Dimple is heading to university and has plans to conquer the technology world. Coding is her life and she's thrilled when her parents allow her to go to a coding convention in the summer before university starts. Rishi wants nothing more than to make his parents proud and find the perfect woman to really begin his life with. Their parents think that they make a great match, and Rishi thinks they could too, but Dimple doesn't know a thing about it..

What I loved most about this book is that it's totally believable. The romance wasn't over the top or unrealistic. Dimple and Rishi are both nerdy and not "cool". Dimple is into tech, particularly coding, and Rishi is a really great artist who creates comic book characters. I like that they are both pretty much evenly matched that way but are both also so unique.

This is the first Indian YA contemporary romance that I have read (I want more!) and I love the way the culture was represented. We get to see two different perspectives as Rishi very much wants to follow in his parent's footsteps and settle down early, whereas Dimple wants to go against that and focus on her education and career first. It was a really positive representation of arranged marriage. I loved the cultural references and the inclusion of Hindi and I feel like I learned some things about the culture along the way. My only small complaint is that I would have loved even more focus on the actual coding aspect of the story. Dimple is developing an app and I think it would have been fun to get more of an insight into what goes into that.

Utterly cute, funny, geeky and with completely lovable characters. You need this book in your life!


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Review: One Of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus

One Of Us Is Lying | Karen M. McManus | Published June 1st, 2017
Rating:
Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads | Book Depository

Do you love a good mystery that has you gripped from the start? If so then you need this book.

Five students walk into detention at the end of the school day but only four make it out alive. Simon, the school’s biggest gossip and owner of a scandalous website exposing students’ secrets, is murdered. Are one of the other four guilty? Did someone kill him to prevent him exposing their biggest secret? Can any of them be trusted?

I was absolutely hooked on this story from the start. We have perspectives from each of the four students: Bronwyn, the smart girl who earns straight A’s. Cooper, the star athlete. Addy, the popular girl. And Nate, the bad boy. There's more than what first meets the eye to these stereotypical personas, and as the story develops we quickly learn that each of them has secrets and issues. It quickly becomes apparent that any one of them could have had motive to kill Simon.

I guessed the big reveal quite early on in the story and even though I was right, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story. I still really enjoyed getting to that reveal and there were still a few surprises thrown in along the way to keep me entertained.

One Of Us is Lying is a completely unputdownable whodunnit that mystery and contemporary fans will love. The mystery isn't all that hard to figure out but the story is entertaining and the characters interesting enough to keep you engrossed throughout.


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Review: A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Wings and Ruin | Sarah J. Maas | Published May 2nd, 2017
Rating:
Goodreads | Book Depository

Oh my god.

When a book is hyped so much and you have to wait a whole year for it to come out, there's always that nervousness about whether it's going to live up to that hype. I loved ACOMAF so much and wanted this to be just as good and... it absolutely was. It was pure perfection.

The book focuses mainly on the inner circle of the Night Court and the battle against Hybern. The courts have to rally together to stand a chance of defeating them and this inevitably results in messy politics and wariness about who to trust.

What makes a great fantasy novel, for me, is when a world is completely immersive and fleshed out. I love when previous plot points come back to the forefront and something that seemed small or insignificant can be integral to the plot later on. When everything is woven together and nothing happens just for the sake of it and there are plenty of twists and turns to keep you on your toes. Sarah J Maas is a master of creating that type of story and ACOWAR was no exception.

Feyre and Rhys (oh, how I love Rhys) are very much the leads here but the entire inner circle are developed and given ample time for us to learn even more about them. Elain and Nesta also have their own important parts to play. I love their interactions and the bond that they have with one another.

This entire series is one of the best (if not the best) fantasy series that I have read. I thought it would be hard to beat the perfection that is ACOMAF but I should have known better. Sarah knows how to write a bloody good story and I can't wait to see what other stories she's going to give us from this world. 5 stars isn't enough!


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Review: Sky Thieves by Dan Walker

  Sky Thieves | Dan Walker | Published March 2017
Rating:
Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads | Book Depository
Zoya Delarose has spent her childhood in an orphanage and dreams of one day getting off land and working on an airship. When the unexpected happens and she is smuggled onto a pirate airship, she learns that there are different types of pirates (good as well as bad!) and discovers secrets about her hidden past.

Sky Thieves is full to the brim with adventure and the added twist of making a pirate story take place in the sky really adds to the excitement. Zoya is rebellious, loyal and incredibly courageous. She learns how to sword-fight and doesn't hold back when fighting against the evil Kane. She learns a lot from the other crew members and teaches them a thing or two along the way too!

We are taken on a thrilling journey incorporating islands in the sky, treasure hunting, meteor storms, epic battles and friendship. The characters are all well-written and I really enjoyed their interactions with one another. An exciting adventure for younger readers that adults can (and will!) enjoy just as much.



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Review: The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli

  The Upside of Unrequited | Becky Albertalli | Published April 11, 2017
Rating:
Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads | Book Depository

I loved this book SO much. I don't read a lot of contemporaries these days but if they were all written like this then I would never stop.

The diversity in this book is unreal. There are so many different types of people and none of them feel like they are there for the sake of it. They all have their own story and are fleshed out so well. This is what we need more of in books! It reflects real life so well. The main character, Molly, is fat and negotiating her way through teenage life wondering if she'll ever have a boyfriend. Her twin sister is gay and starts a new relationship at the beginning of the book with Mina, a pansexual Korean-American. They have two mothers and are sperm-donor babies. There are other gay characters, Jewish characters, black characters, bisexuality and anxiety controlled with medication. The representation of all of these things was just so well done and it's exactly what I want to see being incorporated more.

The romance brought me so much joy. Reid is utterly cute and I was rooting for him throughout the entire book. I love all of his interactions with Molly and looked forward to their conversations the most. I also found the sibling relationship between Molly and Cassie really interesting. I like that the romances weren't always the main focus of the story. Their relationship as sisters was very important to both of them and I appreciated their struggle to keep that alive whilst also manoeuvring the changes in other parts of their lives.

I spent the entirety of this book either smiling or nodding along to Molly's comments about the doubts and feelings she was experiencing. It was completely relatable. I related and connected to Molly the way I always connect with Rainbow Rowell's characters. Becky Albertalli is firmly at the top of my contemporary go-to list alongside Rowell and I honesty can't wait to see what she writes next.

This book is special and deserves the hype. I loved it even more than Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda. It's real, funny, highly relatable and you need to read it immediately.


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Review: Perfect by Cecelia Ahern

  Perfect (Flawed #2) | Cecelia Ahern | Published April 6th, 2017
Rating:
Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads | Book Depository

I've been looking forward to this sequel for a long time and it certainly didn't disappoint!

I was really impressed with Celestine’s character development. I found her to be very naive in Flawed and quite dumb at times. Her inability to see certain things in front of her was tiring at times. In Perfect, however, she is a lot smarter. She's not as oblivious to what is happening around her and is constantly making smart decisions and plans. It doesn't always run smoothly, of course, but it's not down to her own misjudgements or naivety. I really enjoyed reading Celestine this time around and loved that she came to fully embrace her actions and the consequences.

The story follows on from where Flawed leaves us and it was really easy to fall back into the story. One of the strongest parts of this society, for me, is the fact it's not so different from our own. It's easy to imagine a system like the Guild being implemented into today’s society (especially given recent politics). I also found the comparisons to concentration camps a great inclusion. I mean.. not great, obviously, but it makes for uncomfortable reading as you ponder if society could really return to a time like that.

I didn't realise that this series was only going to be a duology and for the world to be so immersive, and for so much action to be packed in without feeling rushed, is really impressive. It certainly didn't feel like a 400+ pages book as I was racing through it.

Perfect is full of twists, action and suspense. The pace never slows and there's always something happening to keep you on your toes. I enjoyed this sequel so much more than its predecessor, Flawed, and I only wish the series was longer! If you liked The Hunger Games and Divergent then you definitely need this duology on your TBR.



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Blog Tour - The Jungle by Pooja Puri | Review

The Jungle by Pooja Puri
Published March 16th by Black and White Publishing
Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads | Book Depository
SYNOPSIS
There was a story Jahir used to tell me. About how the first humans were born with wings. Can you imagine what that would be like? To fly anywhere in the world without worrying about having the right papers?

Mico has left his family, his home, his future. Setting out in search of a better life, he instead finds himself navigating one of the world's most inhospitable environments the Jungle. For Mico, just one of many 'unaccompanied children', the Calais refugee camp has a wildness, a brutality all of its own.

A melting pot of characters, cultures, and stories, the Jungle often seems like its own strange world. But despite his ambitions to escape, Mico is unable to buy his way out from the 'Ghost Men' the dangerous men with magic who can cross borders unnoticed. Alone, desperate, and running out of options, the idea of jumping onto a speeding train to the UK begins to feel worryingly appealing.

But when Leila arrives at the camp one day, everything starts to change. Outspoken, gutsy, and fearless, she shows Mico that hope and friendship can grow in the most unusual places, and maybe, just maybe, they'll show you the way out as well.

REVIEW
Welcome to my stop on The Jungle blog tour! Can we take a moment to appreciate that gorgeous cover?! It's so beautiful.

The Jungle is the story of Mico, a young refugee who leaves his country and everything and everyone he knows, to try and find a better life. The title refers to the Calais refugee camp where Mico is now doing his best to survive and find a way out.

One of the things I liked most is the exploration of how someone’s actions and thoughts can drastically change over time. As the story develops, Mico becomes more and more desperate and this results in some surprising actions. Things that he (and you) didn't think he would be capable of. It was a good way of highlighting the psychological effects of being in such a place.

I liked Laila and the friendship between she and Mico. I feel like the story became a lot more engrossing when she came along and I was rooting for the both of them throughout. I would have liked more background information on both of them though. We know a little of where they come from but I think if we knew even more of their previous life then it would create more of an emotional connection to them both.

The story ends in quite a surprising place but on reflection I think this aids the idea that the life of a refugee in The Jungle is uncertain and doesn't necessarily have a clear end in sight.

This is a story that is highly relevant given recent political events such as Brexit and I think it's an important book to have in the YA market. I feel like it could be a great tool to generate discussion and awareness of the situation. An extremely well-written and thought-provoking story highlighting such an important theme.

Make sure you check out the other stops on the tour:

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Review: Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones

 

 Wintersong | S. Jae-Jones | Published February 7th.
Rating:
Source: I received a copy from the publisher.
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Wintersong is essentially a retelling of the film Labyrinth but it does deviate from the original plot. There are familiar characters and scenes, and the Goblin King is a major character, but I think it's probably best not to go into this with an expectation of it being the same as the film as it does take a turn to make it a more original story.


I really enjoyed the writing, especially in the first half. Liesl used to spend her childhood playing with the Goblin King but has forgotten him as she has gotten older. She has lost that carefree spirit she had as a child and spends her time looking after her family. The Goblin King soon returns, steals Liesl’s sister and makes it so that only Liesl remembers she exists. And so begins the journey into the mysterious and magical Underworld.


The pace in this first half where we are introduced to the family and enter the Underworld was so strong. I loved the magic of it all and the mysteriousness of the Goblin King. The writing is also gorgeous. I have seen the writing compared to The Star-Touched Queen a lot but I personally wasn't a fan of that book and found Wintersong much more readable.


The second half is weaker in my opinion. There is a lot more focus on the romance and I don't know what it was exactly but something felt a bit lacking there for me. It's kind of sexy and romantic but I think I maybe needed more chemistry. However, I do think the romance aspect improved by the end and I was feeling it more. I also would have liked more involvement with Liesl’s brother Josef as there is a lot going on there that has only just been touched on.


I really liked this book. The writing is so engaging but being unable to completely connect with the romance means I didn't love it as much as I thought I would.



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Review: Heartless by Marissa Meyer

 Heartless | Marissa Meyer | Published February 9th, 2017 (UK)
Rating:
Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads | Book Depository

“A heart, once stolen, can never be taken back.”

This is the first of Marissa Meyer’s books I have read and I'll be back for more!

Do you have a sweet tooth? This book is bound to make you hungry if you do! Catherine loves to bake and her dream is to open a bakery with her maid and friend, Mary Ann. She bakes the best tarts, pastries and other sweets in Hearts and you'll be craving them all by the end. Her parents, however, have different plans for their eligible daughter and want her to marry the king. The attitudes towards women in this society will infuriate you as Catherine is repeatedly told she is to marry and no other options are available to her.

The King of Hearts is quick to fall for her baking and decides he wants Catherine for his wife. They begin courting, much to her parent’s delight, but what they don't know is that Catherine has fallen for Jest; the King’s Joker who just oozes sexiness.

The king is a ridiculous bumbling fool who can't handle anything remotely negative or unpleasant. Jest is the complete opposite and the chemistry between he and Catherine is electric. You can't help but root for their forbidden love and hope that they can find a happy ending in a society that is so against them.

In this retelling of Alice and Wonderland, you'll find a lot of familiar characters and touches (including Cheshire who is a delight) but with a new spin on them. You don't need to be overly familiar with the original to appreciate the story Meyer has crafted. Full of imagination and a perfect balance of humour and action, Heartless will leave you heartbroken and with a craving for another piece.

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Review: The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

The Bear and the Nightingale | Katherine Arden | Published January 12th, 2017
Rating:
Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads | Book Depository

The Bear and the Nightingale incorporates Russian folklore and history to create a beautiful, mesmerising and immersive fantasy.

In a time where women are very much expected to be in the kitchen and their main purpose to marry and bear children, Vasya is more at home outdoors with nature and in the stables. She has been gifted with the sight which means she can see the spirits who protect their house and the surrounding forest. When her stepmother arrives who also has the sight but deems the spirits as demons and is terrified, and the arrival of a priest who uses this to make the village abandon the spirits in favour of god, Vasya is quickly cast as a witch but is determined to use her powers to protect her family.

It's not a fast read but instead slowly and steadily unravels so as not to give away all its secrets at once. This does mean that the pace and plot dip at times but there's always something waiting just around the corner to lift things back up. I admit I'm not usually a fan of such a gradual unraveling and prefer a faster pace, but I think it works wonderfully in The Bear and the Nightingale. I enjoyed the development of the characters over time and think the slow progress is fitting to the often harsh and slow winters experienced by the characters.

I have no experience of Russian folklore but I think it is obvious that a lot of thought and research has been put into the story and I really appreciate all the small details. My only real complaint is that the Frost-Demon isn't in the story much until the end (and not even much then) and that some plot details aren't quite thoroughly explained (such as the necklace). With more books in the series planned, though, I'm hopeful that this is still to come.

A truly magical and intriguing read.

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Review: Frostblood by Elly Blake

Frostblood | Elly Blake | Published January 12th, 2017
Rating:
Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads | Book Depository

Frostblood is a fast-paced fantasy that plays on a lot of common themes we see throughout YA fantasy but is still thoroughly engaging and a lot of fun.

I thought the world-building in Frostblood was really strong. The story has been likened to Red Queen, and can probably be compared to other YA fantasies with similar components too, but the world in Frostblood still feels brand new. I was captivated from the beginning with the contrasts between hot and cold and loved how descriptive Blake is in her writing. For a story that plays on a lot of the typical YA fantasy tropes, it would have been easy for this world to feel “samey” or like we’ve been there before but I don't think it suffers from that problem.

Our main character Ruby is a Fireblood in a world that is dominated by Frostblood and she has to hide her powers. When soldiers infiltrate her small village to capture her, killing her mother in the process, she is imprisoned and left to await execution. She is rescued by two Frostbloods and taken to a monastery where she is trained by the dark and mysterious Arcus to control and develop her powers for one goal: take revenge on the Frost King and destroy the throne.

I enjoyed the characterisation of both Ruby and Arcus. Ruby is fiery and impatient whilst Arcus comes across as cold and distant. I liked that these qualities suited their Frostblood or Fireblood heritage respectively. The mystery with Arcus slowly unfolds as the book progresses, and there does come a point where you can guess, but I did enjoy the revelation. The romance is also very much a slow-burn and there is an element of love/hate going on which I'm a sucker for. The romance propelled me through the pages a lot quicker than I might have done otherwise.

Overall, I really enjoyed the pace and world-building of Frostblood as well as Blake’s take on some of the common tropes we find in YA fantasy.


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Review: Caraval by Stephanie Garber

Caraval | Stephanie Garber | Published January 31st, 2017
Rating:
Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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Caraval is one of those books that grabbed my attention from page one and just wouldn't leave my mind. It took me by surprise in the best possible way with vivid world-building, an intriguing set of characters and a plot full of twists.

Scarlett and Tella live with their over-protective and abusive father, constantly in fear of what the next punishment will be. Their father has arranged a marriage for Scarlett which she hopes will be the beginning of freedom for her and her sister but then an invitation to the legendary Caraval arrives and is impossible to ignore.

The relationship between Scarlett and Tella is one that I really liked. Whilst there is a small romance, it didn't get in the way of the sisterly relationship and the drama going on there. They both know what their goals are and their love for each other comes before the boy they've just met.

One of the central points running throughout the book is that Caraval is just a game - nothing that happens is real. Things start to get darker and weirder as we get further into the “game” though and Scarlett, as well as the reader, just can't be sure. If you see something happen with your own eyes, right in front of you, then you can be sure that it's real, right? The mystery of what is actually going on, and who Legend is, is so well done. I had some theories early on, was convinced I had it figured out, and then the plot twists in a completely different way. I love that. There's nothing better than a story that keeps you guessing all the way through and presents you with a revelation that you just didn't see coming.

Full of action, intrigue and alluring prose, I was completely swept away into the bewitching world of Caraval. I can't wait to experience the further twists that the sequel is sure to present.

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Review: The Fate of the Tearling by Erika Johansen

The Fate of the Tearling | Erika Johansen | Published December 1st, 2016
Rating:
Source: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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This was so good! I've been looking forward to this conclusion for so long and it was definitely worth the wait. If you think you had things sussed out in book two, or know where certain characters or relationships are going to go… think again!

The pacing felt a lot more quicker than in the previous books and this helped create a level of intensity that kept me fully engrossed until the end. The world is expanded upon again, and we all know how tricky it can be to stay on top of the different times, but it worked so well. I mentioned in my review for the previous book that I preferred being in Kelsea’s time but Katie’s narrative this time around was just so interesting. I found myself enjoying both times equally and I really loved learning more about Row Finn and the Fetch.

The other characters continue to be so well developed too. I love that whilst Kelsea is the main show, other people still get their own stories and time dedicated to them. Aisa, Javel, Ewen, Mace and Father Tyler were all compelling. They are each in the story in varying degrees but the fact I care what happens to every one of them is a sign of great storytelling. Kelsea and the Red Queen was an interesting relationship. It goes in a direction that I wasn't expecting but learning more about the Red Queen and how she became so treacherous was fascinating. As for Kelsea.. she is still so badass and not afraid to get her hands dirty. It's actually really refreshing to read about a heroine who isn't constantly pining over a man. She just gets things done and I love that about her.

I have conflicted feelings over the ending. I can't quite make up my mind as to whether I like it or dislike it. I think I'm wavering somewhere in the middle. On the one hand, I can see why the author decided to end things this way. It feels fitting for Kelsea who has spent the series with one ultimate goal: to protect the people of her kingdom at all costs. On the other hand, it feels quite bittersweet and anticlimactic. The ending comes about rather quickly and it is different than what we’re used to so maybe another chapter of exploration would have made a difference. I did really love the last line though which I think is very fitting for the series as a whole.

I've really, really enjoyed this series and getting to know the world and its characters. It's not always an easy ride (the Tearling is not an easy world to get to grips with!) but it has been a fascinating and exciting adventure. I can't wait to see what Erika Johansen’s impressive imagination comes up with next.

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