Milk & Honey by Rupi Kaur

Page Count: 204

Published on: November 4, 2014

Published by: Createspace

Genre(s): Poetry, Nonfiction, Feminism, Contemporary, Adult, Romance, Cultural, Mental Health, Sociology, Literature  

Source: Paperback -Borrowed

Age Rating: PG-17 -mature themes and topics

Trigger Warning: Rape & Abuse

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

Twitter: @rupikaur_

My Rating: 3 stars

Goodreads synopis:

milk and honey is a collection of poetry and prose about survival. It is about the experience of violence, abuse, love, loss, and femininity. It is split into four chapters, and each chapter serves a different purpose, deals with a different pain, heals a different heartache. milk and honey takes readers through a journey of the most bitter moments in life and finds sweetness in them because there is sweetness everywhere if you are just willing to look.

~~~

Hey, guys!

      I was lent this book by one of my friends that I met at college (Thank you, Abby!) and I was really excited but kind of wary of this book of poetry. I had heard  from Abby that the book was really amazing, but I had heard from Whitney from WhittyNovels on YouTube that it wasn't that great. I kind of have to agree with Whitney. Overall, the book was kind of underwhelming. I mean the hype for this poetry is unreal, but I really wasn't impressed with most of it. Some of the poems were really beautiful and profound, but some of them just weren't. 

     Most of the poems were quite random and didn't have any specific rhyme or structure. They weren't lyrical and were like regular sentences with weird spacing. The feminist message wasn't anything new, I had been hearing the message for years now and I've accepted the ideals for a long time. It wasn't anything new for me. It's what I've been reading online and hearing in the media for years now. It was very Tumblr-aesthetic and I think it was just really frustrating to have something so powerful to be so underwhelming. I really wish that I loved this but I didn't. 

      The overall look of the book is really elegant and lovely, but the insides are kind of pretencious and unimpressive. This book had the potential to be really fantastic and powerful, but it felt cliche and the poetic devices weren't used right at all. I will probably see more of Rupi Kaur's work on Tumblr, but I probably won't go out of my way to read a full novel of her poetry...


Things That Made Up For the Lame:
~Rupi Kaur's passion
~The aesthetic
~The illustrations
~The few poems that I loved

Other Verse Novels That I've Reviewed:

• The Good Braider by Terry Farish ~ 3 stars
• Waiting by Carol Lynch Williams ~ 3 stars

I would love to read more novels in verse or even a collection of poems. If you would like me to read a book in verse or even recommend a specific poem, I would love to check out your recommendations. I love poetry and I love getting your recommendations. Comment down below or contact me through my social media! 

Happy reading!

Olivia 
~LivTheBookNerd~

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{LivTheBookClub BOTM #3} Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi

Page Count: 416

Published on: August 30, 2016

Published by: Dutton Books For Young Readers

Genre(s): Fantasy, Middle Grade, Fairy Tales, High Fantasy, Adventure

Source: Hardback

Age Rating: PG

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

Twitter: @TaherehMafi

My Rating: 4.5 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

      The bestselling author of the Shatter Me series takes readers beyond the limits of their imagination in this captivating new middle-grade adventure where color is currency, adventure is inevitable, and friendship is found in the most unexpected places.

      There are only three things that matter to twelve-year-old Alice Alexis Queensmeadow: Mother, who wouldn't miss her; magic and color, which seem to elude her; and Father, who always loved her. The day Father disappears from Ferenwood he takes nothing but a ruler with him. But it's been almost three years since then, and Alice is determined to find him. She loves her father even more than she loves adventure, and she's about to embark on one to find the other.

      But bringing Father home is no small matter. In order to find him she'll have to travel through the mythical, dangerous land of Furthermore, where down can be up, paper is alive, and left can be both right and very, very wrong. Her only companion is a boy named Oliver whose own magical ability is based in lies and deceit--and with a liar by her side in a land where nothing is as it seems, it will take all of Alice's wits (and every limb she's got) to find Father and return home to Ferenwood in one piece. On her quest to find Father, Alice must first find herself--and hold fast to the magic of love in the face of loss.

~~~

Hey, guys!

      In September the LivTheBookClub read Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi, a whimsical and magical middle-grade novel that follows young Alice Alexis Queensmeadow who goes on a quest to find her father.

      To be honest, I kind of went into this book blindly. I didn't read any reviews, I didn't watch any of the promotional videos that were posted, and I definitely waited to watch Whitney from WhittyNovel's review and ramblings on YouTube. If you haven't read the book, or if you don't really care to get a hint into what this book entails then read on! If you don't want to go into this book with much of a synopsis, then do not read on! Come back when you're done reading! 5/5 stars! Read Furthermore!!!!

      I have been anticipating this book for over a year and I've been so excited to get another taste of Tahereh's writing. I fell in love with Tahereh Mafi's writing when I first read Shatter Me, her first book in her Shatter Me series, in December of 2014. The Shatter Me series has a special place in my heart. It was one of the first series that I reviewed on my blog, and even after reading the books almost 2 years ago, I still remember the story line very very clearly. I just love these books so much, and when I found out that she had been working on a middle-grade fantasy stand-alone, I was squealing with excitement. 

      Julia will testify to this, but I bought Furthermore on the first day of the month (the day after the release day) from Target. She wanted me to have my mom or someone record me finding the book, but in the end, it wasn't that eventful. Squealing, stroking the spine, geeking out over the cover. Nothing major. I was so so so excited to get my hands on my own physical copy. I started Furthermore as soon as I finished City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare, and then I had to stop for school reading, review copies, and because I really didn't want to read it as quickly as I would have if I had just sat down and ignored my school work. Anyway, here is what I actually thought about the book.

     First of all, I really loved the whole aesthetic of this book. It was so colorful and beautifully written. Tahereh's writing gave me such a lovely feeling inside and it gave me a light and whimsical vibe. When reading Shatter Me, it's very dark, ominous, and suspenseful...but when reading Furthermore, it's very suspenseful and mysterious, but it's still really light-hearted and adorable. I really liked her narration style. She would have little author interjections that always managed to make me laugh because she was basically breaking the fourth wall of writing. It reminded me of The Series of Unfortunate Events (that I wasn't impressed with, overall) and The Secret Series (LOVE!!!). 

      Let's talk about the magic system. Okay, Ferenwood and Furthermore are so mysterious and whimsical. If you don't have an open mind to nonsense, magic, and tomfoolery then you'll probably have a hard time wrapping your mind around the magic in this book. As a college student that is expected to have a very serious frame of mind when it comes to life, it was such a relief to have a book that was so beautiful and magical and strange. I'm not sure if I'm just rambling or not, but this book was just a huge breath of fresh air when it comes to taking a break from reading dull and dense textbooks. I think I may read Furthermore again when I have more time to sink down into the world. Reading something for fun has been making me feel guilty for not utilizing my time for school work, so I really want to experience the beauty of this book for what it is and not have to worry if I have a random math assignment due the next day. 

      I would love to have another book set in Ferenwood or Furthermore. I really want to explore the whimsy of Furthermore more and I would love to read more about the magical talents of the people of Ferenwood. 


      Okay, Alice Alexis Queensmeadow. Let's talk about Alice! I loved how sassy, brave, colorful, and real Alice is. I loved her attitude throughout this book. I saw my sister Reagan in her when she would sass Oliver and I saw my sensitive little Beetle when she would have her little emotional moments. She had such a great character arc at the end of the end of the book. She accepted herself and she embraced her amazing talent. I loved how impulsive she was. I mean, kids think they're invincible. I thought this added a very relatable aspect to the book. 

      Oliver...I'm not sure how I feel about him yet. He's a little butthead during most of the book, but his personality changed a lot towards the end. I think the events that occurred humbled him quite a bit, and I really liked that. It just felt a bit rushed to me...But I binge read the last chunk of the book, so that might be the reason....

     The one problem that I had with the book was that it was really rushed towards the end and it kind of wrapped up too perfectly. I wanted a great ending that worked the problems out, but this ending was just really rushed and I felt like there could have been so much more added to the book. 

Random Things I Loved:

~The diversity of the characters! Not only did the characters have actual colored skin (purple, pink, sunset), but there were so many diverse characters in Furthermore too! 

~Characters get hurt/disabled during the book. This rarely happens, and it's so interesting to have a character like Alice to go through something like this. I kind of wish that I hadn't been fixed. 

~"If a girl is afraid she doesn't have to be nice" This is so important! Need I explain? 

~Alice went pee! I've never read a book where the character goes pee! Hallelujah! It's so normal to go to the bathroom. Why is it ignored in books? I mean it's redundant if they just keep going pee, but sometimes it should be mentioned. 

      Overall, I really loved this book. I definitely want a sequel. I need more of Tahereh's writing. She is such a beautiful human being and I love her social media updates. I not only love her writing, but I think she is a lovely person in real life too. Someday I hope to meet her, but until then I will read everything that she releases. 

Books Mentioned:

• Shatter Me review {click}
• Unravel Me review {click}
• Ignite Me review {click}
• Unite Me review {click}
• City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare {review coming soon!}

Happy reading!

Olivia

~LivTheBookNerd~

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@LivTheBookNerd on Books

{Non-Spoiler & Spoiler} Harry Potter & The Cursed Child (Harry Potter #8) by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany, & Jack Thorne

Page Count: 343

Published on: July 31, 2016

Published by: Little Brown UK & Arthur A. Levine Books

Genre(s): Fantasy, Young Adult, Plays, 

Source: Hardback

Age Rating: PG

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

Twitter: @jk_rowling

My Rating: 5 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, a new play by Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. The play will receive its world premiere in London’s West End on July 30, 2016.

It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children.

While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.

~~~

Hey, guys!

      I've been absolutely ecstatic about The Cursed Child for over a year now and on August 2nd my amazing Aunt Michele brought me a copy of The Cursed Child that she had pre-ordered for me months ago. When I started this book, I was a mess of emotions. Although this book didn't affect me emotionally like the other books, but I still thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it. I absolutely adore the story and that J.K. & Tiffany & Thorne had this play/screenplay written in a dual perspective. I loved reading from Albus Severus's perspective and I loved reading from Older Harry's point-of-view. I loved reading about how my favorite characters' lives were going and I loved meeting their children. It was a privilege to read this book.

      The Cursed Child was set up in a different format and pace, which was much different than reading the other books. The Cursed Child was in a screenplay format and was much faster than the other books. It felt kind of rushed, but I think it would be a really great full-length novel and I know it would be a really great play. The thing about screenplays and written plays are that they aren't really meant to be only read, but are supposed to be watched. Don't go into this book thinking it will be like the other books, because it's not. It's a play. Don't make it out to be anything different.

      It also reminded me of really well-written fanfiction screenplay. Which wasn't bad, but some of the old characters didn't act like their normal selves. It also kind of reminded me of STARKID'S A Very Potter Musical. Some of the mannerisms of the characters and the plot choices reminded me of the plays. You'd have to watch the 3 musicals to understand. I think I'm going to consider The Cursed Child to be something separate from the Harry Potter series. I mean I know it takes place 19 years later, but it's still not real to me...Maybe it will feel real when I reread it again... Even a few weeks later, it hasn't really sunk in..I can't imagine the story being completely canon.

      Overall, I really enjoyed the book, but I had a few problems with it. The reason that I gave this book 5 stars was because it was a privilege to read another Harry Potter book. J.K. Rowling is one of my all time favorite authors and one of the best authors ever. I love love love her. It's kind of impossible for me to I can't really get into the bits I had questions about without revealing spoilers, so if you have read the book then read on! If you haven't read the book, I don't recommend that you continue unless you..just don't care. So if you haven't read the book then continue on past the spoilers section!

~~~

Spoilers! Read At Your Own Risk!

• For one, I didn't trust Delphi for the whole book, but I really didn't see that ending coming...
• Scorpius is such a sweet boy! He's a sweet little cupcake. I totally love the friendship between Albus and Scorpius. They're such boys and total idiots. I see a lot of Ron & Harry in them. I also really wish that Draco and Harry had become friends towards the end of the Harry Potter series. I loved their interactions throughout The Cursed Child. I'm so glad they're on good terms now.
• Time turners! I loved that we found out more about time turners and how there were different types. If the book were written out I feel like we would get even more information about the different types.
• I didn't like Amos Diggory's attitude in the beginning of the book, but I totally get it now. He was Confunded or the Imperious curse was used on him...I really hate Delphi...
• When Harry started having dreams and his scar started bugging him again, I literally put my book down and walked around my house to mull over what could happen. I couldn't just dive back into the book! I wasn't ready! 
• The Trolly Witch! Wow! I didn't think they would flesh out a character like hers. It was kind of random, to be honest.
• Oh my gosh! Hermione! I didn't surprise me that Hermione would be the Minister Of Magic, but I really thought she would have been a teacher or something. 
• How did Bellatrix have a baby? In prison? There is a plot hole, guys...This would have been explained if the play were a full-length book...JUST SAYING!
• Polyjuice. It took months to create in book two! How did they have it made at the end of the book? Did Delphi have the stuff made before she started her evil plot???

END OF SPOILERS

      I really hope that J.K. Rowling writes out the book or enables the Harry Potter community to be able to see the whole play live. If the screenplay was written as a full-length novel, I'm sure that it would be at least 500 pages. I desperately want a 500+ page book. I also need to reread the Harry Potter series. I may have a full month of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. It would be a fantastic month if I could reread some of my favorite books. Not to mention nostalgic. It would be a great way to destress during the first couple months of college too. 

Comment down below if you'd be interested in reading those reviews!

Happy reading!

Olivia 
~LivTheBookNerd~

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The Good Braider by Terry Farish

Page Count: 224

Published on: May 27, 2014

Published by: Skyscape

Genre(s): YA, Poetry, Cultural, Realistic Fiction, War, Fiction, Historical Fiction

Source: Paperback

Age Rating: PG-13

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

Twitter: @TerryFarish

My Rating: 3 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

The Good Braider was selected as the 2013 Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year and a book of Outstanding Merit.

In spare free verse laced with unforgettable images, Viola's strikingly original voice sings out the story of her family's journey from war-torn Sudan, to Cairo, and finally to Portland, Maine. Here, in the sometimes too close embrace of the local Southern Sudanese Community, she dreams of South Sudan while she tries to navigate the strange world of America—a world where a girl can wear a short skirt, get a tattoo, or even date a boy; a world that puts her into sharp conflict with her traditional mother who, like Viola, is struggling to braid together the strands of a displaced life. Terry Farish's haunting novel is not only a riveting story of escape and survival but the universal tale of a young immigrant's struggle to build a life on the cusp of two cultures.

The author of The Good Braider has donated this book to the Worldreader program.

~~~

Hey, guys!

      During the month of July, I participated in 3 read-a-thons. One of them being the Biannual Bibliothon. During the BiBib, I read 3 and a half books; one of them being The Good Braider. I originally got this from my high school when the high school librarians (love you guys!) gave out the paperback copies of the Eliot Rosewater books to those who read 5 or more of the books that were nominated. This was one of the books that didn't go to a home at the end of the day. 

     I had been saving this book for July because there are usually challenges that revolve around novels in verse. This was probably the only book I had that was in verse. I read this book and, unfortunately, I wasn't impressed. This book was alright, but I've read other novels in verse that I adored. I think the main problem that I had was that I wasn't familiar with the history that this book was focused on. I plan on doing some research on this time period (which was fascinating to read). While reading this book, I, unfortunately, was a bit confused about what was really going on historically, but after I read the historical blurb at the end of the book, I learned a bit more about this time period. 

      The writing alone deserves 5 stars, but if I configure in my reading experience I think it would be around a 3-star rating. Viola/Keji's voice was gorgeous and I loved the way she narrated her story. The writing was so lyrical and lovely. I really loved the cultural aspect of this novel and I loved the bits and pieces about her culture and how her life changed when she left Juba. Farish did her research with this book, and for that, alone, she should be applauded. I don't think it was anything regarding the book or the writing that brought the rating down, I think it was just me. This is one of those books that you have to be familiar with the subject matter and be in the mood for. I don't think I was in the mood when I started this book. I found myself just trying to finish it because it was short. I wasn't in the mood and I was uneducated when it came to the history. (I hate that.) 

If you love history, the African culture, and novels in verse; you will love this book. Comment down below if you love this book! Let's talk books!

Happy reading everyone!
Olivia

~LivTheBookNerd~

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Illuminae by Jay Kristoff & Amie Kaufman

Page Count: 599

Published on: October 20, 2015

Published by: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Genre(s): Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopian

Source: Paperback

Age Rating: PG-13

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

Twitter: @misterkristoff & @AmieKaufman

My Rating: 4.95 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do.

This afternoon, her planet was invaded.

      The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.

      But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she'd never speak to again.

      Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.

~~~

Hey, guys!

      I have been meaning to read this book for months now, but I've finally read it and I'm so glad that I did. This book was so special and unique. I have read one of Amie Kaufman's books, These Broken Stars, but I really wasn't impressed with it. A lot of the reviewers that I follow absolutely loved These Broken Stars and were raving about Illuminae...Because I did not really enjoy TBS, I was afraid that that would be the case with Illuminae as well. Thank goodness it wasn't. This book was so great! This was an excellent follow-up to A Court Of Mist & Fury, and I still miss Rhys and Feyre, but...what are yuh goin' to do? 

     I really did go into this book blindly. I knew that it was science fiction/dystopian, but I didn't know the basic premise of it. From what I knew from the hauls that I watched or the ravings of my favorite BookTubers, I knew to go into it blindly. Thankfully, I loved it and luckily, I didn't pay full price. (Score!) I actually bought this book on Amazon for $7 or $8, so that's a bargain. The hardback is very cool to look at. I actually read some bits after I finished the book and I found out that some of my favorite bits were on the front. If you had read the text on the front, you wouldn't know what's going on. I found that pretty funny. 

     I really loved the characters in this book. Although this book is made up of emails, private messages, and other communication options; there weren't the traditional monologue or pages and pages of complete text. It was made up of their conversations that really showed their personalities and showed who they really were. Some characters were only featured for 10 or 15 pages and I got attached to them very quickly. If Kristoff or Kaufman killed them off or something, I was very upset. I remember one character in particular that I was really rooting for. I even had a potential ship and by the time I turned the page, half of my ship had died! 

      This book was skillfully done. The way it was structured and developed was quite genius. I really loved how it was set up.   The different narration styles were really cool to read, and not hard to follow. I felt like I knew the characters. Throughout the whole book, I was on the edge of my seat. I was rooting for the main characters, Kady and Ezra, and I was falling in love with their personalities. When they were angry, I was angry. When their hearts broke, mine broke too. The supporting characters were so wonderfully done and I found myself getting attached to them as well. James "Jimmy" McNulty was one of my special favorites. I was literally screaming during some of his bits of the book. Zhang was also another one of my favorite characters. He was so smart and sassy.... I was also finding myself looking forward to AIDEN's bits of the book. It's narration was very mysterious and cool to read. I heard that Jay Kristoff did those bits of the book. Great job Jay! *round of applause*

     If you can't tell by now, I was very invested in this book and I can't wait to find out what happens next in Gemina. I desperately wanted to get my hands on an ARC at BEA/BookCon, but I was unable to attend due to circumstances that I could not control...haha. There are so many questions that I have that revolve around the end of the book that I hope are resolved in Gemina. Questions about AIDEN, the Illuminae group, the narrator of the actions of the camera (that person was hilarious! I can't wait to see if there's more like that in Gemina)

      After watching Christine's (polandbananasbooks) on YouTube and her BOOKTALK about this book, I've decided that when I reread this book, I will listen to the audiobook. Everyone says that the audio book is like a movie in your head, so I plan on trying to acquire the audiobook someday.

Happy reading!

Olivia

~LivTheBookNerd~

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[Non-Spoiler & Spoiler] A Court of Mist & Fury by Sarah J. Maas

Page Count: 640
Published on: May 3, 2016

Published by: Bloomsbury

Genre(s): Fantasy, YA, Romance, High Fantasy, Adventure,
Source: Hardback

Age Rating: PG-17 - explicit sexual content WARNING

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

Twitter: @sjmaas

My Rating: 10/5 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two.

With more than a million copies sold of her beloved Throne of Glass series, Sarah J. Maas's masterful storytelling brings this second book in her seductive and action-packed series to new heights.

~~~

Hey, guys!

     Holy crap guys! This book was absolutely fantastic! This will definitely be one of my all-time favorite books. This book is ART! I couldn't put this book down! Trust me when I say that I don't give this high of a rating lightly. This book exceeded my expectations and it lived up to the hype that the bookish community gave it. A Court Of Mist & Fury has been one of my most anticipated 2016 releases ever since I read A Court Of Thorns & Roses last June. Sarah J. Maas is a masterful writer. Her characters are so wonderfully developed and their emotions were so real and raw. Words cannot express how much I adore this book...but I'm going to try. Three pages of notes, don't let me down!

      I'm not sure how SJM successfully changed my allegiance to my ship with one book, but she did. Feysand is my ultimate ship now. Rhysand is such a fantastic character. He's so dynamic and raw. I adore everything about him. His role in this book was wonderfully done and I can't wait to see where book three goes. I can't wait to find out more about Velaris, the spy stuff, Cassian, Mor & Az, the relationship between the Night Court and the Summer Court, the three queens, how Tamlin treats Feyre, Elaine & Nesta, and Lucien. 

This has also been called a retelling of the Hades and Persephone myth, but when I read it I would only call the first 150 pages a retelling because the rest was something completely original.

There are definitely some rated R scenes in this book, so I don't really recommend this book to a younger audience. If you're younger than 16 then....ask your parents?

      I adored this book. I may be my favorite book that I've read this year. I can't wait to read the third book. If I could give this book a rating it would be 5 stars...no it would be 10 stars .. out of 5 stars.

~ end of non-spoiler section--head to end of review ;) ~

      This book had a lot of aspects to it that were great messages for people in relationships. Feyre had to realize that the first man who loves her may not be the only option. She had to realize that after she returned from Under the Mountain, she wasn't the same person that she was before. Tamlin treated her like she would break if she was even outside. He ignored her needs and neglected to consider her mental and physical well-being. If your significant other can't help support and love you through the bad times, then they don't deserve to love you through the good times.

     Rhysand was definitely my favorite character in this book...it may be my huge crush on him...it may be because he's my newest book boyfriend..you read between the lines ;). He was there for Feyre when no one else was. He also didn't force her to love him. Their relationship was very natural and the banter between them was very hilarious to read. Their magical "texting" was really hilarious. I loved the banter between them throughout the book, though, not just their texting sessions. While Rhys would be helping Feyre hone and perfect her powers, they would be fighting half the time and it was just really funny to watch because I was just muttering the whole time "they're so in love....just kiss already!"


     Tamlin's character was so frustrating. At first his characters shift was quite abrupt, but if one compares his personality in the first book to the second, you'd realize that it's not too far fetched. His protecting and His actions, actually, weren't very surprising. They were a bit jarring at first, but when you compare his attitude towards Feyre in ACOTAR, especially towards the end, his behavior didn't surprise me. 

     The there are many difference between Tamlin and Rhy's attitudes towards how Feyre should deal with her PTSD. Tamlin wanted her to conceal her powers and feelings, stay inside, and don't take any chances in getting hurt. He didn't want to meet her half way. Feyre and Tamlin dealt with their problems all wrong, but even when Feyre started to turn to him for emotional help, he refused to talk to her and refused to talk about what he needed too. Rhys could tell there was something wrong through the bond. When Feyre called out for help through the bond for help, he came and took her away..on two occasions. He taught her to read and write and to protect herself. He taught her to love herself and to take care of herself. He wanted her to heal and to be the best person she could be. 

I love how SJM added more characters to the story. I loved Morrigan, Cassian, Azriel, and Amren. They were all so different, but I fell in love with each of their characters. I can't wait to read more about Cassian's wings and Azriel & Mor's relationship. I really really ship Nesta and Cassian as well. I can't wait to see if that ship sails. I almost ship Lucien and Elaine too... I can't wait to see what happens next.

Little comments about the book:

• Tamlin literally needs therapy. He needs help. He just bugs me now. 
• Lucien needs to reconsider his loyalties...I'm mean seriously! Help Feyre out! She was withering away!
• Feyre is going to be a total badass in ACOTR #3! I cannot wait!
• Velaris is so beautiful! I cannot wait to read about it again. When they were defending Velaris from King Hybern I was literally on the edge of my seat! I refused to put my book down. It also represented the change in Feyre.
• The mating ceremony! I was crying! Holy crap! Chapter 55! 
• Oh the whole ring ordeal with the Weaver! I was cracking up when I found out what that was about. 
• I really hope that The Night Court fixes relations with the Summer Court. I really liked Tarquin's character. 
• I'd also like to know more about the other courts. The map in the book was a really nice touch. It was nice to know where they were going and what they were talking about.
• During the StarFall celebration, I got all of the warm and fuzzy feelings. I loved Feyre and Rhy's interaction
• The throne scene...enough said...
• I can't wait to learn more about Amren. She was such a new and original character. She might be a vampire, but probably not..I doubt it.

~end of spoilers~

I'm sure there's more that I left out, but if you can't tell, I really love this book. There wasn't really anything that I didn't love. I highly recommend this book!

Favorite Character: Rhysand

Least Favorite Character: King Hybern

Ship(s): Feysand, Lucien x Elaine, Nesta x Cassian, Mor x Az

Book Talks You Should Watch:

• Christine from polandbananasbooks
• I loved Christine's comment about the Cauldron and how it looked like a bath tub..."Cauldron juice"
• Sasha from abookutopia

This book was absolutely wonderful. I cannot wait to read the next book. I desperately need an ARC of the third book. I can't wait to see what the title and cover art will be. If you'd like to witness my all of my fangirl-y posts about this book, then follow me on Tumblr! I probably reblog more fanart than I should... 

Until next time y'all!

Happy Reading!

Olivia

~LivTheBookNerd~

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