The City of Brass (The Daevabad Trilogy, #1) – S.A. Chakraborty

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32718027

RATING:⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

SYNOPSIS:

Nahri has never believed in magic. Certainly, she has power; on the streets of eighteenth-century Cairo, she’s a con woman of unsurpassed talent. But she knows better than anyone that the trades she uses to get by—palm readings, zars, and a mysterious gift for healing—are all tricks, both the means to the delightful end of swindling Ottoman nobles and a reliable way to survive.

But when Nahri accidentally summons Dara, an equally sly, darkly mysterious djinn warrior, to her side during one of her cons, she’s forced to reconsider her beliefs. For Dara tells Nahri an extraordinary tale: across hot, windswept sands teeming with creatures of fire and rivers where the mythical marid sleep, past ruins of once-magnificent human metropolises and mountains where the circling birds of prey are more than what they seem, lies Daevabad, the legendary city of brass—a city to which Nahri is irrevocably bound.

In Daevabad, within gilded brass walls laced with enchantments and behind the six gates of the six djinn tribes, old resentments run deep. And when Nahri decides to enter this world, her arrival threatens to ignite a war that has been simmering for centuries.

Spurning Dara’s warning of the treachery surrounding her, she embarks on a hesitant friendship with Alizayd, an idealistic prince who dreams of revolutionizing his father’s corrupt regime. All too soon, Nahri learns that true power is fierce and brutal. That magic cannot shield her from the dangerous web of court politics. That even the cleverest of schemes can have deadly consequences.

After all, there is a reason they say to be careful what you wish for . . .

REVIEW (Spoiler Free:)

The City of Brass was one of my favorite reads of 2018! The story is original, the world-building is excellent and detailed, and the characters are well done and have good development. I was blown away by The City of Brass!

Many authors are able to build epic worlds, but not a lot are able to not only build the world, but also construct a whole culture…and do it phenomenally well. Chakraborty creates an entire culture, complete with tribes, history, and magic. I will say that there is A LOT of information and detail in The City of Brass. I had a hard time digesting all of the info and differentiating between a lot of the terms. I actually had to start taking notes while reading, which is something I normally don’t do. However, I did not mind it! I have a four page document on my computer that contains lists of terms, defining characteristics, history, characters, and tribes. This might sound overwhelming, but it wasn’t to me. It was helpful to have a reference while I was reading. There is also a glossary in the book which defines a lot of the terms Chakraborty uses. The City of Brass was definitely a slower read for me, but it didn’t bother me because I was able to savor the story more!

The imagery is vivid and the setting is vibrant and colorful. The city of Daevabad, otherwise known as the City of Brass, is the cultural hub of Chakraborty’s world. There are six sections of the city–each devoted to one of the six different tribes. I loved learning about each different tribe…the characteristics, specific cultures and traits, and values. It is extremely interesting because we learn that the tribes started out as one, united people. But because of a curse, the were separated into six different tribes. One of the biggest plot points is the rivalry between the tribes, especially against the Daeva. Another important plot point is the divide between the Djinn (pureblood, first class, privileged) and the Shafit (mixed blood, second class). The Shafit are seen as second-rate citizens and are treated horribly…they have no access to education, healthcare, or work. This connects to our “real-life” society and shows how we can not treat those who are different, especially minorities, as lesser. I think Chakraborty does a great job of blending this powerful message into the story. I love when authors create a high fantasy world and story, but also include powerful messages that relate to my world and help readers (including myself) learn something.

I hadn’t really read many books based in Middle Eastern culture so it was very interesting to learn a little about Middle Eastern mythology. I found the Djinn, Ifrit, and magic system fascinating. The setting was also gorgeous and so unique compared to a lot of other fantasy books I’ve read. It is also different from other fantasy books because the action isn’t as fight focused…it’s more political and society based action. There are plenty of epic fight scenes, just not as much as some other fantasy books. Despite this, I still found the story very exciting.

The story is told from two points of view: Nahri and Prince Alizayd. The two POVs start out separate, but the characters eventually meet and their stories converge. The two are dealing with their own conflicts. Nahri is on the run from Ghouls, but also learning about herself, her magical identity, and her role in the Daevabad society. Prince Alizayd is struggling to choose between loyalty to family and doing something about the unfair treatment of many of Daevabad’s people. I do actually wish that there was a third POV by Dara. He is also very conflicted in the story, but we don’t know the full extent. I think it would be really cool to see the world and events from his perspective. He also has a very complicated and somewhat troubling history. I really want to learn more about that as well.

One last point that I have is that it’s unclear which side is the “right” side to be on. This story isn’t black and white. Every party involved (the royal family, the Daeva, the Shafit, etc.) has a good reason for their actions. Every party does very bad things. It’s a little frustrating to not have a clear cut “good guy” and “bad guy”, but I actually like it because it makes me, as the reader, think more. It’s a good lesson to remember that life is not purely black and white, and to always look at all sides of a story or disagreement.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

  • Excellent world building and culture building.
  • Huge amount of detail which can be overwhelming.
  • Powerful message about inequality and the treatment of minorities — able to relate to our society!
  • No clear cut good vs evil – every character is complex and makes both positive and negative choices.
  • Lots of twists and turns at the end of the story! I was shocked by one of the twists even though I totally should have seen it coming. The clues were all there, but for some reason I didn’t see it. I usually pick up on twists, but it was a pleasant surprise to not this time.
  • New and interesting setting which made for a unique and fresh read.
  • Get to learn a little about Middle Eastern mythology – especially the Djinn and Ifrit. The author did extensive research, but also put her own twist on it!
  • I have a lot of questions about the ending. It’s going to be a long wait to find out the answers!
  • Content warning – slavery, violence, war, and rape

Strange the Dreamer (Strange the Dreamer, #1) – Laini Taylor

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28449207RATING:⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

SYNOPSIS:

The dream chooses the dreamer, not the other way around–and Lazlo Strange, war orphan and junior librarian, has always feared that his dream chose poorly. Since he was five years old, he’s been obsessed with the mythic lost city of Weep, but it would take someone bolder than he to cross half the world in search of it. Then a stunning opportunity presents itself, in the form of a hero called the Godslayer and a band of legendary warriors, and he has to seize his chance or lose his dream forever.

What happened in Weep two hundred years ago to cut it off from the rest of the world? And who is the blue-skinned goddess who appears in Lazlo’s dreams?

In this sweeping and breathtaking novel by National Book Award finalist Laini Taylor, author of the New York Times bestselling Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy, the shadow of the past is as real as the ghosts who haunt the citadel of murdered gods. Fall into a mythical world of dread and wonder, moths and nightmares, love and carnage.

The answers await in Weep.

REVIEW (Spoiler Free):

Strange the Dreamer was absolute magic. I was speechless when I finished because it was so beautiful. Laini Taylor has the exceptional gifts of story telling and world building. Her writing is stunning. There is really nothing else like it. She literally writes magic! I really liked the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy but Strange the Dreamer blew me away. I don’t know how I can possible write a review that adequately describes how spectacular it is.

I don’t know how she does it, but once again Laini Taylor has built a beautiful world. The Unseen City is so creative and original. I had never read anything like it. I was completely immersed in this world. The atmosphere is whimsical, lyrical, and at times bleak. I wanted to savor every single moment. The characters and plot were completely unique. Lazlo and Sarai are excellent leads. I especially adore Lazlo because he is so kind, dorky, and a book lover! I loved reading both of their POVs. I truly felt like I was there with them, especially in the dream sequences. And Minya!? What a creepy and well-done antagonist! I love to hate her!!

The story is filled with magic, dreams and nightmares, gods and goddesses, godslayers, ghosts, romance, friendship, and moths! There also is the strong theme and message about race and how wrong it is to judge someone based on the color of their skin. This book was not only a fantastical story, but also can relate to our society. I love when authors are able to do this with their books.

The mystery, the love, and the messages of Strange the Dreamer are all phenomenal. I was hooked from the first line. It is a love letter to reading and book lovers everywhere. There is a quote in the book that says, “On the occasions that he did look up from the page, he would seem as though he were awakening from a dream.” I absolutely felt like I was in a dream while reading Strange the Dreamer. It took my breath away and I will carry this story with me forever. I cannot wait to read what happens next in Muse of Nightmares.

Thank you, Laini Taylor. You are a queen.

Favorite Quotes:

  • “He read while he walked. He read while he ate. The other librarians suspected he somehow read while he slept, or perhaps didn’t sleep at all.”
  • “You’re a storyteller. Dream up something wild and improbable,” she pleaded. “Something beautiful and full of monsters.” “Beautiful and full of monsters?” “All the best stories are.”
  • “It was impossible, of course. But when did that ever stop any dreamer from dreaming.”
  • “I think you’re a fairy tale. I think you’re magical, and brave, and exquisite. And I hope you’ll let me be in your story.”
  • “Life won’t just happen to you boy, he said. You have to happen to it.”
  • “I turned my nightmares into fireflies and caught them in a jar.”
  • “He looked him right in the eyes and saw a man who was great and good and human, who had done extraordinary things and terrible things and been broken and reassembled as a shell, only then to do the bravest thing of all: He had kept on living, though there are easier paths to take.”
  • “And they gazed at themselves in it, side by side and hand in hand, and they beheld neither gods nor monsters. They were so nearly unchanged, and yet that one thing – the color of their skin – would, in the real world, change everything.”

 

Rule – Ellen Goodlett (Advanced Reader Copy)

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37946451RATING: ⭐️⭐️

SYNOPSIS:

Three girls with three deadly secrets. Only one can wear the crown.

The king is dying, his heir has just been murdered, and rebellion brews in the east. But the kingdom of Kolonya and the outer Reaches has one last option before it descends into leaderless chaos.

Or rather, three unexpected options.

Zofi has spent her entire life trekking through the outer Reaches with her band of Travelers. She would do anything to protect the band, her family. But no one can ever find out how far she’s already gone.

Akeylah was raised in the Eastern Reach, surrounded by whispers of rebellion and abused by her father. Desperate to escape, she makes a decision that threatens the whole kingdom.

Ren grew up in Kolonya, serving as a lady’s maid and scheming her way out of the servants’ chambers. But one such plot could get her hung for treason if anyone ever discovers what she’s done.

When the king summons the girls, they arrive expecting arrest or even execution. Instead they learn the truth: they are his illegitimate daughters, and one must become his new heir. But someone in Kolonya knows their secrets, and that someone will stop at nothing to keep the sisters from their destiny… to rule.

Magic, mystery, and blackmail abound in this sensational and striking fantasy debut.

REVIEW (Spoiler Free):

I was fortunate to receive an uncorrected advanced reading copy of Rule from NOVL at Book Con 2018.

I am so bummed. When I heard NOVL was doing an ARC drop of Rule at Book Con I was thrilled! The synopsis sounded intriguing and I couldn’t wait to dive into a new fantasy. Grabbing Rule from the NOVL booth was the first thing my friend and I did at Book Con. I am sorry to say that Rule was a huge let down for me.

This book is pitched as “Three Dark Crowns meets Pretty Little Liars.” I haven’t read TDC, but I definitely think Rule leaned more to the Pretty Little Liars comparison. The only big comparison to TDC is that there are multiple heirs vying for the same crown. However, this is not the main plot point of the story and it’s really only the catalyst for bringing our protagonists together. The main conflict/plot is that the girls are being threatened by an unknown blackmailer ~ which is like Pretty Little Liars with A. There’s nothing wrong with this, but it wasn’t for me. It felt very soap opera-esc and juvenile. It just wasn’t the book I expected.

Now for the world-building…or lack thereof. Our story takes place in the Reaches, which is a nation made up of five regions. This world was interesting and could have been great, but it came up short. I felt like I was thrown into this world and given both too much information and not enough. There was a lot of information dumping, but it barely scratched the surface. I know that sounds like a contradiction, but it’s the only way I can think of to explain my thoughts. The reader is quickly given a ton of info purely to set up the story instead of build a world. It also bothered me that everything happened very sequentially…meaning if “x” happened to Zofi in chapter 1, it would then happen to Akeylah in chapter 2 and Ren in chapter 3. This wouldn’t have been as big of an annoyance to me if the world building had been better.

One thing that I did like was the magic system. I thought the Blood Arts and Vulgar Arts were fascinating…especially the latter. At first I was confused and I couldn’t really visualize it (I think this has to do with being thrown into the world). It became clearer as the story progressed and the magic was shown and explained more. For example, there is a chapter where the characters discuss different tithes and ways to use the blood arts. The magic definitely felt unique, but I wish we could have explored it more.

I did love seeing strong, diverse female leads narrating our story. The problem was I just wasn’t very attached to them. Again, this has to do with being thrown into the world and flooded with information. For example, we are told that Zofi loves Elex and that they have this amazing bond, but we don’t really know why. We’re just told that they’ve grown up together. This relationship could probably benefit from a prequel. I also felt like the character development was lacking. Our protagonists do get from point A to B, but it kind of just happens quickly and too easily.

I enjoyed the mystery of the blackmailer and trying to figure out who it was. It was a slow start, but the last third of the book definitely picked up and got me excited. But, I am so mad about the ending. WHAT A LET DOWN! I’m so disappointed. If anyone wants to talk about the ending and their thoughts please send me a message! I’d love to know what other readers think!!

FINAL THOUGHTS:

  • Beautiful cover!
  • More Pretty Little Liars than Three Dark Crowns.
  • The world had a ton of potential, but it came up short due to information dumping.
  • Cool magic system!
  • Strong, diverse female protagonists.
  • Poor character development.
  • Very frustrating and annoying ending.
  • Ended with a cliffhanger so will there be a sequel? If there is a sequel I don’t think I’ll read it.
  • Overall I was disappointed by Rule and I am so bummed about that.

Four Dead Queens – Astrid Scholte (Advanced Reader Copy)

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fourRATING: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

SYNOPSIS:

Seventeen-year-old Keralie Corrington may seem harmless, but she’s, in fact, one of Quadara’s most skilled thieves and a liar. Varin, on the other hand, is an honest, upstanding citizen of Quadara’s most enlightened region, Eonia. He runs afoul of Keralie when she steals a package from him, putting his life in danger. When Varin attempts to retrieve the package, he and Keralie both find themselves entangled in a conspiracy that leaves all four of Quadara’s queens dead.

With no other choices and on the run from Keralie’s former employer, the two decide to join forces, endeavoring to discover who has killed the queens and save their own lives in the process. When their reluctant partnership blooms into a tenuous romance, they must overcome their own dark secrets in hopes of a future together that seemed impossible just days before. But first they have to stay alive and untangle the secrets behind the nation’s four dead queens.

An enthralling fast-paced murder mystery where competing agendas collide with deadly consequences, Four Dead Queens heralds the arrival of an exciting new YA talent.

REVIEW (Spoiler Free):

I was fortunate to receive an advanced uncorrected galley copy of Four Dead Queens from Penguin Teen at Book Con 2018. I had only heard a little about this book, but I was thrilled when I was able to get a copy from Penguin Teen’s “secret ARC drop”. Can we talk about THAT COVER!?!?! It is stunning! It’s also super cool because it has a sticker on it that says “~Exclusive~ Book Con 2018 Edition~” which I thought was an awesome touch to make the cover even more special.

And now for the story…I was blown away by this book! Four Dead Queens is a combination of my favorites genres. It’s fantasy, mystery, and action-adventure within a dystopian-esc world! The world of Four Dead Queens is extremely interesting! Quadara is a nation made of four quadrants. These four quadrants are physically separated by walls, but also divided by different customs, values, and cultures. Each quadrant is ruled by one queen who together are the four queens of Quadara. The four queens must follow Queenly Law, prioritize their own quadrant, and also rule together to ensure their society is successful. This world was so fresh and unique! It’s very hard to create new worlds today because there is so much content out there. However, Astrid Scholte was able to do this extraordinarily well. I am very impressed with this book and I look forward to hearing more from her in the future. There is a quote in Scholte’s author bio that I think described her writing perfectly…”She’s a visual writer and aims to capture the vivid stories that play like movies in her head.” I can say with 100% confidence that Scholte accomplished her aim with Four Dead Queens. I was swept away in the world of Quadara.

I normally do not like when books have more than two or three POVs. Four Dead Queens has SIX! However, this did not bother me at all. We get perspectives from our protagonist (Keralie), the four queens, and another that I will not spoil! Too many POVs can feel overwhelming and make the story difficult to follow, but this was not the case here. Each POV was well done and added to the story. It did not feel overwhelming at all. I loved all of the POVs, but I especially enjoyed the four queens’ chapters. It was fascinating to see their perspectives and insights.

Four Dead Queens is NON-STOP! The action is constant and completely engrossing. Every single chapter was full of twists and turns. There were so many clever plot twists and surprises! I couldn’t believe how many skeletons these characters had hidden away in their closets! The last twist was absolutely incredible! I had some inkling of who I thought was responsible, but I had no idea the extent of the plot.

The ONLY reason I gave four stars instead of five is because I thought the ending was very neat. It seemed almost too clean and easy, but I still loved it!

I loved this world that Astrid Scholte created. I am not sure if Four Dead Queens is going to be a series, but I actually hope that Scholte writes companion novels as opposed to a sequel. I loved Keralie and Varin, but I want to explore more of this world!

FINAL THOUGHTS:

  • Absolutely GORGEOUS cover!
  • Quadara is a fresh, unique, and interesting world.
  • Six point of views can be overwhelming, but Astrid Scholte did it in a way that was beneficial to the story. I think that the story would not have been nearly as good without all of the POVs.
  • Twists! Turns! Surprises!
  • I would love to explore the world of Quadara more! There is so much more I want to know!!

Children of Blood & Bone (Legacy of Orisha, #1) – Tomi Adeyemi

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cobab.jpgRating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

SYNOPSIS: 

They killed my mother.
They took our magic.
They tried to bury us.

Now we rise.

Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zélie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls.

But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope.

Now Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.

Danger lurks in Orïsha, where snow leoponaires prowl and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zélie herself as she struggles to control her powers and her growing feelings for an enemy.

REVIEW (Spoiler Free):

WOW! Children of Blood & Bone was spectacular!! I was a little nervous before starting CoB&B because there was so much hype. I didn’t want to be let down. But DAMN! I WAS NOT LET DOWN AT ALL. Children of Blood & Bone absolutely lived up to the hype. I was blown away. CoB&B is an epic high fantasy done beautifully. Tomi Adeyemi’s writing is exceptional. It pulls you in from the first page and doesn’t let go! Despite the length, the pacing was well done and kept me on the edge of my seat. The action was non-stop. Adeyemi created a fast-paced, spectacular world and story. It was just so good and imaginative.

This world is a masterpiece. The story takes place in Orïsha, a fictional world based on/inspired by West African culture and mythology. I have never read a world like it! The history of Orïsha and its magic was extensive, but not overwhelming. Adeyemi thought through every detail and it shows in her creative and beautiful writing. The world is vibrant and captivating. One of my favorite parts is the magic system. It was incredibly unique. The magic system is inspired by West African mythology.  There are twelve clans that each have their own set of powers and characteristics. There are “traditional” powers like manipulating water (Tiders) or air (Winders), but there are also crazy ones like the ability to infect people (Cancers). There’s a list of each clan and their power at the beginning of the book. This is such a cool detail and shows how well Adeyemi thought through CoB&B. I can’t wait to learn more about all of the clans and their magic.

The characters were also fantastically done. Zelíe and Amari are two badass women who have an incredible, strong friendship. The whole cast of characters was epic. Even the villains were so well done. The King was just the right amount of cruel and evil without being cheesy and overdone. I also loved that Adeyemi included the King’s backstory and showed why he is the way he is. I also have a lot of thoughts on Inan, but I am keeping this review spoiler free. I truly felt like I was there in Orïsha with the characters on their journey. I was on the adventure with Zelíe, Amari, Inan, and Tzain. I normally don’t love more than 2 POVs, but I loved all 3 in this. I thought all 3 POVs added depth to the story and the character development was excellent.

One of the major themes of this book is that we all have the power to fight back and to create change. This is shown through the divide between those with magic (low-class, inferior, mistreated, abused) and without (high-class, superior, privileged, nobles), which is meant to represent the racial divide in our society today. I thought this was beautifully done in a way where everyone can understand the hardship and brutality involved. Even though CoB&B is a fantasy, it was able to relate it to our society. It really got me thinking…which made me love it even more. I highly recommend everyone read the author’s note at the end. She talks about this much more eloquently than I am able to.

Tomi Adeyemi has created one of my favorite books and also inspired me.
And that ending?!? Are you kidding!? I can’t cope with the wait for the sequel!

I cannot wait to continue this story and return to Orïsha

FINAL THOUGHTS:

  • Action packed, fast paced high fantasy!
  • Original world inspired by West African culture and mythology.
  • Awesome and unique magic system.
  • Fantastic cast of characters, especially the badass women!
  • The divide between the diviners/maji & the kosidán (those without magic) is one of the major themes of this book.
  • Fantasy, but also highly relates to our society
  • HUGE cliffhanger! My jaw dropped and I WANT THE SEQUEL NOW! This wait is going to be killer!

Legendary (Caraval, #2) – Stephanie Garber

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RATING:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

SYNOPSIS:

Stephanie Garber’s limitless imagination takes flight once more in the colorful, mesmerizing, and immersive sequel to the bestselling breakout debut Caraval

A heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win.

After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister Scarlett from a disastrous arranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver: Caraval Master Legend’s true name.

The only chance of uncovering Legend’s identity is to win Caraval, so Tella throws herself into the legendary competition once more—and into the path of the murderous heir to the throne, a doomed love story, and a web of secrets…including her sister’s. Caraval has always demanded bravery, cunning, and sacrifice. But now the game is asking for more. If Tella can’t fulfill her bargain and deliver Legend’s name, she’ll lose everything she cares about—maybe even her life. But if she wins, Legend and Caraval will be destroyed forever.

Welcome, welcome to Caraval…the games have only just begun.

REVIEW (Spoiler Free):

Welcome back to the world of Caraval! I have been eagerly waiting Legendary since I finished Caraval. I actually bought two copies! The US edition (cover pictured above) and the U.K. edition with the mystery covers (I got the Aracle and it’s beautiful!).

Our story picks up the morning after the end of Caraval party. Tella wakes up with her letter and coin from her “friend”. Tella needs to repay her “friend” for helping her contact Legend for the previous game. To repay him, Tella must learn Legend’s true name. We discover that there is going to be another Caraval right away. It will be in the city of Valenda to celebrate the Empress Elantine’s birthday. On the boat ride to Valenda, Tella learns that she must participate in the upcoming Caraval and win to learn Legend’s name. I won’t include anything else from the plot to avoid spoilers!

I loved being back in Stephanie Garber’s fantastical world of Caraval. Legendary starts off very different compared to Caraval. This time around the story is told from Tella’s point of view. We begin seven years ago, where we learn about the “Fates” and the “Decks of Destiny” which are used to predict the future. However, these decks are very dangerous because once a future is foretold it becomes a living thing and fights to bring itself about. Tella finds her mother’s (Paloma) deck and draws 3 cards…the Maiden Death, the Prince of Hearts, and the Aracle. I was immediately captured by this story. It was so ominous and creepy. This short prologue is our first introduction to one of the main plots in Legendary…the Fates. I absolutely loved learning about the Fates and their mythology. Garber put a lot of thought into each Fate, their history, and mythology. It was so interesting and unique!

In Legendary, the world of Caraval expands and we travel to a new city…Valenda. Stephanie Garber’s writing is absolutely beautiful. She truly has a gift when it comes to the way she describes everything. Valenda is a stunning city with so much detail. All of Garber’s imagery is so beautifully done. Some of my favorites were the Caraval symbols in the stars, the dresses, and the Fates. I started to get lost in the story as soon as the Caraval troupe and our protagonists arrived in Valenda. I instantly found myself asking, “Has Caraval started already?” and “Is this part of the game?”. I think that I had a harder time telling what was real and what was part of the game in Legendary than I did in Caraval. We are told multiple times that the game is different this year, and that added to the confusion! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again (and again), Garber is able to create a captivating environment that leaves the reader guessing the whole time.

It’s no secret that I was not a fan of Tella in Caraval. I found her extraordinarily selfish and horrible to her sister, Scarlett. I started Legendary uneasy about Tella. She definitely began as the same selfish girl, but as the story progressed, I was able to watch as Tella grew and developed into a better person. I finished Legendary with a much higher opinion of Tella than when I started. One of my favorite quotes (page 441) is, “Tella had feared that was her true ending. But she was too young for endings. Her adventures were only beginning. They would be bigger than promises, and brighter than constellations. By the end of them, Tella would be the legendary one.” I really loved this quote and I think it shows how much Tella has grown throughout the series.

Now…as for the big reveal…we find out who Legend is in this book. This is a spoiler free review, so I will not give anything away. I will say that I’m a bit disappointed. I thought the reveal was kind of a let down. For the entire book (Caraval and Legendary), I was dying to know who Legend was. I was constantly theorizing and asking is it this person? or this person? I wanted to be shocked, but unfortunately I wasn’t. However, I am looking forward to learning more about Legend in the next book. We got a couple little snippets of his history in this book, but I am hungry for more! The book also ends with a new mystery about Legend. We once again don’t know what is real and what isn’t. I need answers!!

Overall, Legendary was a great story. I was drawn back into Garber’s magical and captivating world. The writing is beautiful and the characters are very well done. I once again got lost in Garber’s world and I can’t wait to continue Scarlett & Tella’s story in the next book.

I wanted to include a couple of other quotes that I loved…

“Glowing brighter than before, they danced into new constellations. She counted more than a dozen, all forming the same bewitching image – a sun with a starburst inside and a glittering teardrop inside of the star. The symbol of Caraval.” (page 104)

“…and Tella would be damned before she allowed any of them to use her like a pawn on a game board again.” (page 375)

“There are two types of endings because most people give up at the part of the story where things are the worst, where the situation feels hopeless. But that’s when hope is needed most. Only those who persevere can find their true ending.” (page 391)

FINAL THOUGHTS:

  • I absolutely loved learning about the Fates! I love when authors create their own mythology and Garber’s Fates were no exception! I am hoping we get to explore more of them in the next book.
  • The story and the game are very different this time, but it still felt like the same magical, whimsical, and mysterious world.
  • I started this book not liking Tella, but her character development was fantastic and I can’t wait to hear more from her in the sequel.
  • Garber’s imagery and world building is stunning once again.
  • The Legend reveal was a let down for me. I am curious to see what other readers think! Post in the comments (spoiler free please!) or send me a message of what you thought!
  • Garber once again ended on a big cliffhanger. Many of my questions from Caraval were answered, but now I have even more unanswered questions!! I can’t wait to see what happens next!!

Caraval (Caraval, #1) – Stephanie Garber

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RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

SYNOPSIS: 

Remember, it’s only a game…

Scarlett Dragna has never left the tiny island where she and her sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval—the faraway, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show—are over.

But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt-of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. Nevertheless she becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic. And whether Caraval is real or not, Scarlett must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over or a dangerous domino effect of consequences will be set off, and her beloved sister will disappear forever.

Welcome, welcome to Caraval…beware of getting swept too far away.

REVIEW (Spoiler Free):

“Whatever you’ve heard about Caraval, it doesn’t compare to the reality. It’s more than just a game or performance. It’s the closest you’ll ever find to magic in this world.”

What a magical and enchanting world! When I received Caraval in my February 2017 “Run Away With The Circus” Owl Crate box I was thrilled! It was very high on my anticipated reads list. Caraval did not let me down at all! It grabbed my attention from the very beginning.

Caraval is a story of family, love, magic, and a mysterious quest. I loved following Scarlett on her journey and discovering clues and obstacles with her. I felt like I was right there with her in the game of Caraval.

Caraval is pure magic. Stephanie Garber does an exceptional job of building a stunning world. The writing is beautiful and lyrical. I was absolutely captivated. The game of Caraval is mystical, mysterious, and whimsical. At the beginning of the game, Scarlett is advised that Caraval is a performance and to be careful to not get too swept away. It was so difficult to remember that Caraval is just a game. Garber does an excellent job of creating an environment where the reader is unable to determine what is real and what isn’t. The twists were very clever and unexpected. I was holding my breath at each twist and turn.  My theories about Legend and the game changed multiple times while reading. It kept me on my toes throughout the entire story.

At the heart of Caraval is Scarlett’s relationship with her sister, Donatella (Tella). The have a beautiful relationship and have always protected each other from their abusive father. The truly love and care for one another. However, Scarlett and Tella are opposites. Scarlett craves stability and safety, but Tella is a dreamer and desires adventure. At times, both characters are difficult to like. Scarlett is naive and too trusting. She always puts Tella’s well-being before her own, and Tella seems to take advantage of this. Tella does have good intentions, but her methods are difficult to understand. I will not say any more to avoid spoilers!

FINAL THOUGHTS:

  • Caraval is a beautiful, whimsical, and sensory world filled with magic, adventure, quests, and love.
  • All of the characters are flawed, but I loved going on this adventure with them. I can’t wait to learn more about their lives and worlds outside of the game.
  • Caraval ends on a cliffhanger and  I have so many questions! I am so excited to find out what happens next.
  • I cannot wait for the sequel, Legendary, to discover more about the game of Caraval and its master, Legend.

The Inquisition (Summoner, #2) – Taran Matharu

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RATING:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

SYNOPSIS:

A year has passed since the Tournament.

Fletcher and Ignatius have been locked away in Pelt’s dungeons, but now they must face a trial at the hands of the Inquisition, a powerful institution controlled by those who would delight in Fletcher’s downfall.

The trial is haunted by ghosts from the past with shocking revelations about Fletcher’s origins, but he has little time to dwell on them; the graduating students of Vocans are to be sent deep into the orc jungles to complete a dangerous mission for the king and his council. If they fail, the orcish armies will rise to power beyond anything the Empire has ever seen.

With loyal friends Othello and Sylva by his side, Fletcher must battle his way to the heart of Orcdom and save Hominum from destruction…or die trying.

REVIEW (Spoiler Free):

I was so excited to start The Inquisition after the cliffhanger ending of The Novice! This book picked up exactly one year after the events of The Novice. Fletcher has spent the last year wasting away in jail in fear of what will happen to him.  Fletcher soon finds himself on trial facing those who want him dead. I absolutely loved the trial portion of The Inquisition. It’s probably because I love to watch Law & Order, but I was enthralled by the procedural aspects and listening to Arcturus defend Fletcher. The trial was also great because we get to discover Fletcher’s birth history and who his family was. I am keeping this review spoiler free so I will not go into details, but I thought it was a great reveal and woven excellently into the trial. I love watching Fletcher grow and develop. He is discovering himself and finding his way with us along for the ride.

The next part of the book is my favorite visual of the series so far. Fletcher travels to the Elvish land in the great forest. Taran Matharu did an excellent job writing this gorgeous setting. It shows how talented Matharu is. The world he has created in this series is amazing. I could visualize it perfectly in my head. It was absolutely beautiful and I am hoping that we get to spend more time there in future books.

My favorite part of The Inquisition (and really the whole Summoner series) is the demons. We are introduced to more species of demons and they are even cooler than the ones we’ve already met. Matharu does a brilliant job describing the demons so that I can picture them as I’m reading. The demon classification guide at the end is also so cool. We are also introduced to the other species that live in Fletcher’s world…orcs, gremlins, and goblins. I really enjoyed learning about these species (especially the gremlins), their culture, and their history. It was thrilling and so scary to enter the orc territory with Fletcher and his team. I was sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen.

Whenever I’m reading fantasy, I always ask myself if I would want to live in the book’s world. I definitely want to live in Fletcher’s world so that I can be a summoner! Although, I’d be terrified to fight in the war against the orcs!!

I do have a small criticism for The Inquisition (which is why I deducted one star). It started off very strong and pulled me in immediately, but the middle was slow. I did like reading it and meeting a couple new characters, but it wasn’t as good as the first and last parts. I understand that Fletcher’s mission had to be set up and this middle part was necessary to the story, but it seemed to drag a bit.  HOWEVER, when the story picked up again it did not hold back!! The action was non-stop! I couldn’t put it down! And that ending!?! Are you kidding!? So many twists!! I am so excited to see what happens next. Matharu has a gift (or a curse depending on how you look at it) of delivering great cliffhangers!

FINAL THOUGHTS:

  • The Inquisition starts off strong, slows down a bit in the middle, and is non-stop in the last part.
  • We get to meet several new characters that add so much to the story! I especially liked Cress!
  • We meet even more super awesome species of demons. I stated in my review for The Novice that I wanted a salamander demon and a griffin. I am added a Gryphowl and all four elemental bird demons to my list!
  • I also want to be an elf and live in the great forest. It was so beautiful!
  • That ending!?! Such great twists and cliffhanger! I can’t wait to see what happens in The Battlemage!

BookCon 2018 Recap

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This past weekend I attended BookCon in New York City with my good friend, Kelsea. We had previously attended BookCon when it came to Chicago in 2016. We’ve been dying to go again, so we decided to splurge this year and buy ourselves VIP tickets (I highly recommend VIP tickets if you are looking to go to BookCon).

We had an epic time! It was a fun-filled, exhausting, and a book lovers dream.

I had absolutely no idea what I was doing or what to expect when I went to BookCon back in 2016. This year I was able to prepare and plan out my day which is an absolute MUST DO if you plan to attend. I used the BookCon website and publisher websites/social media to plan out my days and find out when events are occurring. This is especially helpful to find out about advanced reader copy (ARC) drops. I also used twitter during the two days of the convention. I turned on the alert notifications for all of the publishers and authors I was interested in. For example, PenguinTeen tweeted out the “passwords” to receive certain ARCs. I wouldn’t have known this if I didn’t have their tweet notifications on.

IMG_9516One of my favorite parts of attending BookCon is getting to meet some of my favorite authors. It is amazing to be able to talk with them and express my appreciation for their writing. This year I got to meet (from top to bottom & left to right) Alexandra Bracken, Tomi Adeyemi, Abbi Jacobsen, Marissa Meyer, Laini Taylor, the Dear Evan Hansen guys, Stephanie Garber, and (not pictured) S.A. Chakraborty, R.F. Kuang, and James “Murr” Murray. FYI most of the authors at BookCon required a purchase for signing, but also signed items brought from home.

I always get nervous before meeting authors because I don’t know what to say! However, all of these authors (except the Dear Evan Hansen guys because it was extremely quick) were so easy to talk to! It sounds cliché, but they are book lovers just like us!

I unfortunately only attended one panel at BookCon this year due to scheduling conflicts. There were a lot I wanted to go to, but it just didn’t work out. I did attend Magic & Power with Tomi Adeyemi, Cassandra Clare, Marissa Meyer, and Brandon Sanderson which was super interesting and fun. I did get to attend a panel at Barnes & Noble the night before BookCon with Renee Ahdieh, Melissa de la Cruz, Marie Lu, Ransom Riggs, and Sabaa Tahir. It was awesome to be able to see some of the authors that I wouldn’t be seeing at BookCon.

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Another huge aspect of the BookCon weekend is getting swag, free books, and advanced reader copies. It is so much fun to look at your haul at the end of the weekend. I added two pictures of my BookCon 2018 haul! I only brought 3 of those books with me to be signed and purchased 7 there. In total, I got 13 books (and 1 laptop skin) signed from 10 different authors.

I also received several highly anticipated ARCs that I am super pumped about – Rule by Ellen Goodlett, Four Dead Queens by Astrid Scholte, and The Devil’s Thief by Lisa Maxwell. I am extremely excited IMG_9511.JPGabout all three of these books. Rule was the first thing my friend and I did on Saturday morning…we went immediately to the NOVL booth to get it.

I did not know that ARCs of The Devil’s Thief would be available, but I was talking with the girls at the Simon Riveted booth and they let me know it would be a prize at their carnival game. I was thrilled!!! I was unable to get it on Saturday due to atrocious lines for the game, but I made sure to be at the booth at exactly 11:00 on Sunday. I was over the moon when I won The Devil’s Thief. For those of you who haven’t read the first book (The Last Magician) in this series by Lisa Maxwell, I highly recommend it! It has all of my favorite things…time travel, fantasy, historical elements, magic, and heists. Also the cover is GORGEOUS.

Four Dead Queens was probably the “biggest” ARC I was able to get at BookCon. Prior to the event, PenguinTeen announced they would be having a secret ARC drop of a highly anticipated 2019 release. I knew it would be a long shot, but I wanted to at least try to get one. I went to the PenguinTeen booth about 20 minutes before the designated drop time and it was a madhouse! There were swarms of people all waiting and a ton of security. I luckily ran into two girls, Ivy and Drew, that I had met the previous day in line. We decided to stick together, and that was the best decision I made. Drew decided to check out the other side of the booth while Ivy and I held our spots. Penguin announced they were moving the line and everyone scrambled to get there. Since Drew already went that way, she was able to get a great spot in line. Ivy and I joined her and all three of us were able to get copies of the secret ARC, Four Dead Queens. Huge shout out to Ivy and Drew because I would not have been able to get a copy if I hadn’t joined with them. Meeting people is one of the most fun parts of BookCon. There are a lot of lines involved, so it’s nice to talk with the people near you in line. And it can pay off in situations like this!

BookCon was a blast and a huge success! By the end of the weekend I was exhausted and so sore, but it was 100% worth it. It was so fun to be surrounded by authors, books, and book lovers. I can’t wait for next year!!

The Novice (Summoner, #1) – Taran Matharu

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novice

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

SYNOPSIS:

When blacksmith apprentice Fletcher discovers that he has the ability to summon demons from another world, he travels to Adept Military Academy. There the gifted are trained in the art of summoning. Fletcher is put through grueling training as a battlemage to fight in the Hominum Empire’s war against orcs. He must tread carefully while training alongside children of powerful nobles. The power hungry, those seeking alliances, and the fear of betrayal surround him. Fletcher finds himself caught in the middle of powerful forces, with only his demon Ignatius for help.

As the pieces on the board maneuver for supremacy, Fletcher must decide where his loyalties lie. The fate of an empire is in his hands…

REVIEW (Spoiler Free):

The Novice has been on my TBR for a very long time. It sounded interesting, but some new book or series always came up. That all changed when I attended the Fierce Reads Spring Tour which featured Taran Matharu as one of the guest authors. During the tour panel, Matharu described The Summoner Series as Harry Potter meets Lord of the Rings meets Pokemon. I was hooked immediately and I knew I had to read The Novice ASAP. And I am so glad I did! Matharu’s description of his series was spot on!

The Novice was a highly entertaining and original story. I don’t often read books with male protagonists as the only POV, but I really liked reading from Fletcher’s POV. I was very invested in his story and development. He is very mature despite his young age. I felt like I was with Fletcher during his journey. The other characters were also very well done, especially Othello. I enjoyed Fletcher’s and Othello’s friendship! It seemed so genuine.

The magic system of The Novice is so cool! Fletcher discovers that he is a summoner. This means that he is able to summon demons from a parallel world (the ether). These demons then become bonded to the summoner – both as their partner and a part of their consciousness. The bond between the summoner and demon is strong and allows the summoner to use magic, or “mana”. Fletcher’s demon is a rare salamander demon named Ignatius. Fletcher and Ignatius train together at the Academy and become adept at using mana and spells. The demons and magic system were fascinating. I would really like to have my own demon!

While The Novice mostly focuses on Fletcher and his training, we also discover a world filled with humans, elves, dwarves, and orcs. The war against the orcs, the nobles’ overreaching power, and the class divide between the humans and dwarves are the fundamental conflicts faced by this world. These conflicts are all addressed and contribute to Fletcher’s story. I feel like we only scratched the surface of the war against the orcs. Fletcher has not yet seen the war or been involved. I am looking forward to the next book to really delve into the war and how Fletcher responds.

The Novice ended on a big cliffhanger! I won’t give anything away! I am going to start the next book (The Inquisition) very soon because I can’t wait to find out what happens next!

FINAL THOUGHTS:

  • Harry Potter meets Lord of the Rings meets Pokemon = very accurate description of The Novice. I highly recommend The Novice to fans of any of those fandoms.
  • Unique and extremely cool magic system!
  • Demons are awesome and I would like both a salamander demon and a griffin!
    • Make sure to check out the demon classification guide at the end of the book! Matharu definitely put a lot of thought and creativity into the demons.
  •  The first few pages were a tad slow, but as soon as Fletcher used the summoning scroll I was hooked! Matharu’s writing kept me interested and entertained throughout the entirety of The Novice.