{Review} Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass #4) by Sarah J. Maas

Page Count: 648

Published on: September 1, 2015

Published by: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Genre(s): Fantasy, High Fantasy, YA, Romance

Source: paperback 

Age Rating: YA

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon // Book Depository

My Rating: 5 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

The queen has returned.

Everyone Celaena Sardothien loves has been taken from her. But she’s at last returned to the empire—for vengeance, to rescue her once-glorious kingdom, and to confront the shadows of her past…

She has embraced her identity as Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen. But before she can reclaim her throne, she must fight.

She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die for her. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen’s triumphant return.

The fourth volume in the New York Times bestselling series continues Celaena’s epic journey and builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world.

~~~

Hey, guys!

     If you've been following my blog for very long, you'd know about my avid love for Sarah J, Maas's books. I've been reading her Throne of Glass series for a good part of the year and I'm just so in love with it. Queen of Shadows is probably one of my favorite books of the year...actually, a good majority of my top 17 will probably be books by Maas. Prepare yourself for a ramble-y review (spoilers for the previous books will be in this review). I'll mainly focus on my thoughts on the characters, but know I just love them all. They are so imperfectly perfect. 

    Anyway, I adored this book. It was such a fantastic addition to the series and I love love love the characters that were developed throughout this book. The characters that were introduced in Heir of Fire were just so well developed and so beautifully done in Queen of Shadows. I thought they were fantastically written and it was such a joy to get to know even more. The changes and events that these characters live through are so realistically written and they are just so well done. 

      I especially enjoyed reading more and getting to know Lysandra. She is such a great character and I love love love how her character has developed. I can't wait to read more about her in Empire of Storms. I'd also love to read more about Nesryn because I kind of adore her? She's a major badass and I love her whole personality. She's so loyal and passionate and it's evident that she is falling in love with Mr. Angst (aka Chaol). I just cannot wait to see how she develops in Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn.....I need it! 

     Also! Can we just gush about Aedion? I just love his character. He's so dreamy and I love his relationship with Aelin and I ship him hardcore with Lysandra. I desperately hope that he and Lysandra get together. The tension between them kills me!

    Can we just rave about Rowan? He is just a perfect specimen of fae prince. I just adore his relationship with Aelin. They just fit each other so well and I really want them to just be together forever. They deserve every happiness and I want them to just love each other forever and rebuild Terrasen. I just want it to be so. 

    Arobynn....what a sick, sick dude. I cannot stand him! He needs to just not. I really did not fully realize how awful he was to Celeana until this book. QoS really shows how much Celeana went through and how it really shaped who she is. Arobynn's behavior really opens the eyes of the reader to her trials as a human being. (And then when/if you read The Assassin's Blade, then your heart just breaks. I definitely recommend you read TAB either before or after QoS.)
     
     I just love the interactions between Manon and Dorian. I feel like their relationship is going to be really important in the next couple of books. I really ship them. However, I feel like the death of Sorcha was a major plot device and used to develop Dorian's character. I love how their love changed Dorian and helped him grow, but his grief and heartache just breaks my heart. Maybe it was because I read these books so quickly, but I felt like the potential relationship between Manon and Dorian developed very quickly. It's evident that Dorian is absolutely crushed by the murder of Sorcha, but he just seemed to move on really quickly from it. '

    The amount of world-building and plot detail that Maas includes and continues to include as the series continues is so astoundingly well done. I've always known that Sarah J. Maas is a thorough writer and has the fantastic capability to create a phenomenal world, but she just always blows me away with how fleshed out and intricately detailed her world is. The similarities between the magic system and fae world in her ACOTAR & TOG series are just amazing and it's always so amazing to learn something new about Erilea (and compare it to Prythian). I never see the plot twists or character twists coming, which is always a delight. They never seem to be too convenient or done in order to just complete the plot circle. Everything that happens in these books happens for a reason. I just love it so much.       
      I apologize if this is a bit of a ramble, but my Sarah J. Maas reviews tend to go in that direction. It's so hard to write about something you love so much. I find it hard to read her books very critically because they are a bit of a (not-so) guilty pleasure. Next time, I'll write consistent notes. 

Happy reading, everyone!

My Sarah J. Maas Reviews:

• The A Court Of Thorns & Roses series
• A Court of Thorns & Roses
• A Court of Mist & Fury
• A Court of Wings and Ruin
• The Throne of Glass Series
• Throne of Glass
• Crown of Midnight
• Heir of Fire
• The Assasin's Blade {coming soon!}
• Empire of Storms {coming soon!}
• Tower of Dawn {to read}

Olivia

~LivTheBookNerd~

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@LivTheBookNerd on Books Amino

{Review} A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

Page Count: 247

Published on: January 1, 1962

Published by: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Genre(s): Fantasy, Science Fiction, Classic, Children's, Middle Grade, Fiction

Source: paperback 

Age Rating: all ages

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon // Book Depository

My Rating: 2 stars

Goodreads synopsis: 

Meg Murry and her friends become involved with unearthly strangers and a search for Meg's father, who has disappeared while engaged in secret work for the government.

~~~

Hey, guys!

      I never grew up reading Madeleine L'Engle's books. I know. It's a shock. Once I saw the trailer for the 2018 movie for A Wrinkle in Time, I. had to see what the hype was about. Better late than never, right? I think I was wrong. I really didn't enjoy this book. It just wasn't for me. I didn't like the characters, I felt like the world was just crammed into the 247 pages, and that the story wasn't fleshed out enough. I understand that it's a children's story, but I've read plenty of children's books that were really well done! I felt like AWiT was just a bit of a disappointment. I'm not even sure if I would have loved it back in the day, but I guess we'll never actually know. 

      There were quite a few reasons why I didn't really enjoy this book. One of them being the characters. The main character, Meg, was just so annoying. She was always whining and she never really had any realistic progression. One second she was whining, the next she was trying to seem heroic. I just didn't like her character much at all. The little brother Charles wasn't any better. Now, I'm not a person who hates a fictional six-year-old. I'm really not. But by the time I got halfway through the book, Charles Wallace was just really aggravating and unrealistic. There are plenty of smart six-year-olds, but they still have 90% of their child-like qualities. Charles Wallace just seemed like a 50-year-old stuck in the body of a 5 to 6-year-old. It wasn't done well. I really could not get into his character. Let's talk about Calvin. He had no character depth at all. He was just there within a chapter, they trusted him right away, and then he was a part of the group. What? There was no real explanation! 

      I really liked the premise of Mrs Whatsit, Mrs Who, and Mrs Which. They could have been really cool, but they weren't fully fleshed out or done well either. There were no real establishing factors for the world, the characters, or the magic/science thing they were doing. It was just there. I was fully ready to get into this classic quintet, but the whole book (and all aspects of it) fell flat. I just was really really disappointed.  

      I can see why children all over the world grew up loving this book, but I don't think that it's something I would enjoy now. I wish it was, but I can't force it. I'll definitely go see the movie, but I don't think I'll finish the books. 

Other Middle Grade and Children's Books I Love:

• The School For Good & Evil (#1-4) by Soman Chainani
• Book 1 {click here}
• Book 2 {click here}
• Book 3 {click here}
• Handbook {click here}
• Anything by Rick Riordan
• Blood of Olympus
• Demigod Diaries
• The Hammer of Thor 
• Anything by Pseudonymous Bosch
• Bad Magic
• Bad Luck 
• Furthermore & Whichwood by Tahereh Mafi
• ALL HARRY POTTER!

Happy reading!

Olivia

~LivTheBookNerd~

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{Review} The Tailor (Shadow & Bone #1.5) by Leigh Bardugo

Page Count: 18

Published on: May 23, 2013

Published by: Holt/Macmillan

Genre(s): short story/novella, fantasy, high fantasy, young adult

Source: Paperback - via publisher 

Age Rating: PG

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon // Book Depository

My Rating: 4.5 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

New scene from Shadow and Bone told from Genya's point of view.

~~~

Hey, guys!

Julia had lent me her copy of Siege & Storm and her copy featured the awesome novella: The Tailor. This novella consists of a scene from Genya's perspective that took place between Shadow & Bone and Siege & Storm. 

This was such a great novella. I didn't realize that I needed this scene until I read this novella. This really revealed an influential key part of Genya's character. I was so sad about her character change back in the day, but after reading this bit, I kind of understood why she did what she did. I just hope she has a fantastic character arc. 

I can't reveal much about this novella, but I highly recommend it. If you've read the other Grisha books then, this is pretty important for the character arcs and the development of the story (in my opinion).

I cannot wait to read Ruin & Rising! I need it in my life!

My Bardugo Reviews:

• Six of Crows: {click here}
• Shadow & Bone: {click here}
• Siege & Storm: {click here}

Happy reading!
Olivia
~LivTheBookNerd~

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{DNF Review} Trust (Between the Lions #1) by Jodi Baker

Page Count: 296

Published on: October 3, 2015

Published by: BookBaby

Genre(s): Urban Fantasy, Supernatural, Mythology, Fantasy, YA, MG 

Source: Paperback - via publisher

Age Rating: YA

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

Twitter: @jodibakerbooks

My Rating: 1 star - DNF

Goodreads synopsis

TRUST is a young adult, mythological, urban fantasy thrill ride about the darkly fantastical, supernatural Museion that has secretly protected humanity’s greatest treasures for millennia, and Anna, the sixteen-year-old New York girl who is the unknowing Heir to it all:

TRUST.
That’s what the voice inside my head kept repeating when I woke up between the infamous lion statues of the New York Public Library, with no idea how I got there and no memory of the last year of my life.

The only person I ever trusted was my mother, who lied about everything.

I want to trust myself, despite my missing memories. But hearing a voice inside my head obviously isn’t a good thing, especially since it know things I don’t… like how to speak Ancient Sumerian, the fact that yellow-eyed people aren’t actually people, and that my mother’s Egyptian ankh necklace was the key to unlocking the truth she was hiding:

I’m the last in a long lineage of powerful women whose secrets date back to the ancient Library of Alexandria.

I’m fighting like hell to stay alive while searching for both my missing mother and the truth, desperate to find something or someone I can trust.

~~~

Hey, guys!

    I was sent Trust quite a while ago, but because of school, book slumps, and failed attempts at even starting. I haven't had the chance, lately, to just sit down and power through it. I was sent this book after helping the author promote the release of her book through a giveaway and guest post. She and her agent sent me a book a few weeks after the giveaway. I this book really intrigued me. I love mythology and I love the mystery behind the library of Alexandria, but this book just was not for me. 

    Trust follows a sixteen-year-old girl, Anna as her life is turned upside down through paranormal and supernatural events after her mother goes missing. Anna begins to hear a mysterious voice in her head ...who can speak ancient Sumarian and knows about her ancient bloodline. As Anna continues to discover more and more about her family, she begins to doubt that she can trust anyone she comes across.

      This book has a great premise, however, I did not like it much at all. I read the first 30% of the book, but I really just could not get into the book. I usually give a book about 40-50 pages before I DNF it, but I really was hoping for Trust to pick back up. I have tried to start this book three or four times, but I didn't get into it. I thought it was just a timing issue, but I really do not think that is the case. This book just was not for me. 

      
     As I started this book and got a decent chunk read, I realized that I really did not like how the characters were established. I didn't like their personalities and I just didn't care about what was happening to them. Not to mention, I really did not care for Baker's writing style.The way she wrote the dialogue to any scene, the constant rambles, the random monologues. It just wasn't interesting to me and I just found all of the characters to be annoying. Everything was described vaguely and even moments that I figured would have more substance to them lacked everything I would hope for. 

    This book was just not for me. I think that this book could be marketed for the middle grade genre. The writing style lacked the depth of what I would expect from a young adult novel. I expected something with some Percy Jackson vibes, but...no.

Happy reading!
Olivia
~LivTheBookNerd~

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{Review} Seraphina (Seraphina #1) by Rachel Hartman

Page Count: 499

Published on: July 10, 2012

Published by: Henry Holt & Company

Genre(s): Fantasy, High Fantasy, YA, Romance

Source: Hardback - personally purchased & audio --via library/Overdrive

Age Rating: YA

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon // Book Depository

Twitter: @_rachelhartman

My Rating: 4.75 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

In her New York Times bestselling and Morris Award-winning debut, Rachel Hartman introduces mathematical dragons in an alternative-medieval world to fantasy and science-fiction readers of all ages. Eragon-author Christopher Paolini calls them, "Some of the most interesting dragons I've read in fantasy."

Four decades of peace have done little to ease the mistrust between humans and dragons in the kingdom of Goredd. Folding themselves into human shape, dragons attend court as ambassadors, and lend their rational, mathematical minds to universities as scholars and teachers. As the treaty's anniversary draws near, however, tensions are high.

Seraphina Dombegh has reason to fear both sides. An unusually gifted musician, she joins the court just as a member of the royal family is murdered—in suspiciously draconian fashion. Seraphina is drawn into the investigation, partnering with the captain of the Queen's Guard, the dangerously perceptive Prince Lucian Kiggs. While they begin to uncover hints of a sinister plot to destroy the peace, Seraphina struggles to protect her own secret, the secret behind her musical gift, one so terrible that its discovery could mean her very life.

~~~

Hey, guys!

      After having Seraphina on my shelf for months and months, I've finally picked it up for the booktubeathon and TomeTopple read-a-thons. I originally picked it up via audiobook so I could read and paint at the same time, but I ended up finishing it in physical format. I really did enjoy the audiobook, but I think that because my focus was on two tasks, I didn't retain as much as I would have if I had just started and finished in physical format. Granted, the beginning was a bit slow, so I'm not sure if I would have continued the book if I had started in physical format. After a couple chapters, however, the book really picked up and I was sucked in. 

     Seraphina follows Seraphina Dombegh. Seraphina is a fantastically gifted musician as she joins the court of Goredd. As she begins her apprenticeship with the court master musician, a member of the royal family is mysteriously murdered in a draconian fashion. In Seraphina, humans and dragons live in peace -- the dragons in their human shape (saarantras). Seraphina is drawn into the investigation and under the scrutinous eye of the captain of the queen's guard, Prince Lucian Kiggs. As Seraphina attempts to keep her secrets and struggles to herself, she fears that her secrets will change her life forever. 

    My issues with the book are mainly caused by my own indecisiveness, but there was one main issue that I had that definitely was not because of my strange reading habits. I honestly think that this book is a bit slow in the beginning. It's probably because of the world building, the introduction of the characters, the world, the political standings, etc. However, I really do think it was essential for this novel. This book is so original and wonderfully done. Rachel Hartman's world is so diverse and intelligent and fascinating to learn about. I never felt like the author was trying to fit too much world building or the heavier topics into her book.The important topics that she wrote about were never dumbed down for the reader. Rachel Hartman has such a beautiful writing style. Her intelligence and wisdom just shine through.

      I really did not know if I would like this book when starting it. Lots of people raved about it back in 2012 and 2013, but I never really took the effort to get into it. I'm not sure if I would have fully appreciated this back when I was 14 or 15, but at age 19/20, I really enjoy this style of book. I adore the political intrigue, the secrets, the mystery, the fantastical magic system. I loved the dragon species and the depth behind the history of Goredd. I'm definitely going to have to pick up Shadow Scale when I'm not on a book buying ban. 

      I absolutely loved Hartman's new take on dragon-kind. I'm usually wary when reading dragon books, as they're usually really unoriginal or just bland as heck. In my opinion, Christopher Paolini's Inheritance Cycle cannot be beaten, but Hartman's Seraphina really impressed me and comes as a close second. It definitely deserved the many awards it has won. Hartman has the ability to successfully write a novel that covers all of the important topics --politics, equality, acceptance, etc. Her method of discussing acceptance, alone, was beautiful and done so well. I adore her characters and the depth behind their personalities. 

      Seraphina is such a fantastic character. She was so snarky and grumpy in the best way. She's so different and dynamic. I loved her attitude and passion for equality and the truth. Her friendship with the princess, the prince/captain, and her fellow court musicians was so fun to read about. She's not perfect, at all, but she's so naturally good. I loved how she dealt with all of her domestic issues and her friendships, as well as managing her secrets. She never became someone she wasn't and I adored her for it. 

      I'm not too keen on the romance aspect of the book. I can't get past some dishonest aspects of it. Maybe that will be resolved in Shadow Scale. I hope it is. 

      Overall, this book was really good. I'm definitely going to check out book two and more of Rachel Hartman's future works. I love her writing style and I adore her ability to create a dynamic and interesting cast of characters. 

Happy reading!
Olivia
~LivTheBookNerd~

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{Review} This Adventure Ends by Emma Mills

Page Count: 320

Published on: October 4, 2016

Published by: Henry Holt & Co. 

Genre(s): YA, Contemporary, Romance

Source: Hardback - personally purchased

Age Rating: YA

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon // Book Depository

Twitter: @elmify

My Rating: 5 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

Sloane isn't expecting to fall in with a group of friends when she moves from New York to Florida—especially not a group of friends so intense, so in love, so all-consuming. Yet that's exactly what happens.

Sloane becomes closest to Vera, a social-media star who lights up any room, and Gabe, Vera's twin brother and the most serious person Sloane's ever met. When a beloved painting by the twins' late mother goes missing, Sloane takes on the responsibility of tracking it down, a journey that takes her across state lines—and ever deeper into the twins' lives.

Filled with intense and important friendships, a wonderful warts-and-all family, shiveringly good romantic developments, and sharp, witty dialogue, this story is about finding the people you never knew you needed.

~~~

Hey, guys!

     Right before I started my book buying ban, I made a BookOutlet order that had the hardcover of This Adventure Ends in it. This was right after I finished First & Then and I just had to have TAE in my hands. I'm just in love with Emma Mill's writing now. TAE was even better than F&E! It is definitely going to be one of my top books of the year. 

     This Adventure Ends follows the snarky and hilarious Sloane. Sloane is the new girl in her new Florida town. She doesn't expect to become friends with Vera, Gabe, Remy, Aubrey, and Frank. Vera and Gabe are twins. When their late mother's painting is sold, Sloane decides to track it down. This book is full of fantastic friendships, an awesome parental relationship, hilarious banter, and an amazing plot. This book! Read it!

     This book had such a fantastic plot and a wonderful and diverse cast of characters. All of them were so fun to read about. They were all so relatable and natural. They had their own issues and flaws, but they stuck together. The big friend group was so wonderful. Their friendship is solid and their loyalty to each other is so great. Granted, they had their own issues amongst themselves and were prone to miscommunication sometimes, but that's normal! 

     I loved Sloane as the main character. Her voice was so great. She said things that were literally laugh-out-loud hilarious. I found myself laughing in public and I nearly cried during a couple parts of the book. This book was just so wonderfully written. I'm definitely going to be reading the books Emma Mills puts out in the future. Sloane's character development really made the book for me. She has her own flaws, but they're not the over dramatic things that frequent YA books. It's so original and fun.


      I loved the friend group. They all love each other so much even through their flaws. Emma Mills really has a skill for developing friend groups. They are always so loyal to each other, but of course, there's bound to be drama and miscommunication. I loved how they were portrayed in this book. 

     Vera is absolute friend goals. I loved her character. She's so different and she has a constant presence throughout the book. Sometimes girlfriends are just plot devices used to keep the plot going, but Vera was a true friend. I love her so much. She is a sweetheart.

      Gabe is such a cutie. I loved his character. He's kind of a butt at first, but he really grows on you as the book progresses. I loved his relationship with Sloane. It's a very natural and sweet. I shipped them throughout the book. I could just tell that he was a good egg...even with the annoying attitude at the beginning. It's not the main focus of the book, but it was such a great addition. I think I would be total trash for a whole book about Sloane and Gabe's day-to-day interactions. Add Vera and the rest of the gang and it would a hilarious and adorable book. That makes no sense, but....I want more of Sloane's snark and Gabe's attitude. 

      Remy is such a cinnamon roll. He is really flawed and imperfect. His character arc is so great to read. I love how his struggles were handled. I want more of his story. I also loved Frank. He's literally a legend. At first, I wasn't too sure about him, but by the end of the book, I wanted to be his best friend. I really loved the respectful girl and guy friendships. This book is a great example to show to those who think girls and guys can't have platonic friendships. THANK YOU, EMMA MILLS! Also! The female characters are so great in this book. There is no animosity between the girls, even if they aren't friends. I just loved that there wasn't any unneeded girl hate. Sloane literally calls herself out whenever she's being internally rude to others. I loved how aware she was of her actions. Much respect for Sloane. She's the best.

     Sloane's relationship with her parents was so refreshing. Cool and relatable parent relationships are also hard to come by in YA romance/contemporary. I don't know as much about Sloane's mom, but her dad was the best. I wish I had a dad similar to him. I'm a fan. He is such a hilarious and original character I've never read about a character like him before. He's basically an author similar to Nicholas Sparks. I would love to read his books. They sound perfectly cheesy and exactly like what I need in my life. I loved his passion for fanfiction and writing. His introduction to fandom is so REAL! I love love loved it. He and Sloane's mom have a very dynamic relationship and I loved the underlying subplot. 

     I also really liked Sloane's little sister, Laney. She's so cute and is so nine. My baby sister, Bailey, is nine and whenever Laney did anything I just had to nod my head and mutter "oh goodness she's so nine!" I love it when smaller kids are represented well in YA. Sometimes they're really annoying. 
    
     This book is just so fantastic. I adored every bit of it. I need more books like this. I desperately hope that Mill's books are like this in the future.This was exactly what I needed in my life. I highly recommend this book. 

Other Emma Mills Reviews: 

• First & Then

Other Contemporary/Romance Books You Would Love:

• Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
• The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson
• Anna & the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
• Eliza & Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia
• If I Fix You by Abigail Johnson

Happy reading!
Olivia
~LivTheBookNerd~

Twitter // Instagram // Tumblr // Goodreads // YouTube // Bloglovin // Book Depository @LivTheBookNerd on Books Amino

{Review} Shadow & Bone (The Grisha Trilogy #1) by Leigh Bardugo

Page Count: 358

Published on: June 5, 2012

Published by: Henry Holt & Company

Genre(s): Fantasy, High Fantasy, YA

Source: Paperback - personally purchased

Age Rating: YA

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon // Book Depository

Twitter: @LBardugo

My Rating: 4.75 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha . . . and the secrets of her heart.

Shadow and Bone is the first installment in Leigh Bardugo's Grisha Trilogy.

~~~

Hey, guys! 

Julia (from @jujuthereader on IG & Twitter aka my best friend) has been recommending and asking me to read this book for the longest time and I've finally gotten to it! This book definitely met and exceeded my expectations. I loved it so much. I flew through it in under 24 hours. 

Shadow & Bone was Leigh Bardugo's debut novel in 2012. In the book, Bardugo introduces the world of Ravka, a world that is very loosely based on the Russian culture. In her novel, she introduces Alina Starkov. Alina has never been good at much of anything. When Alina and her best friend, Mal's regiment is attacked, Mal is injured and Alina reveals a power that she was not only unaware of, but a power that could save her country. Alina is whisked away to the capital city to be trained by the Grisha and the Darkling; a mysterious, powerful, and dark Grisha. Alina's personal journey begins as she confronts her past and learns more about her mysterious power. 

            Shadow and Bone is such a fantastic introduction to the Grishaverse. Leigh Bardugo has such a fantastic ability to seamlessly create an original world. Her characters are so complex and interesting to read about. Alina is such a great main character. I loved her character arc and I loved seeing how she grew as the book continued. However, I do not like Mal as a character. I think he’s kind of lame and bland. Not because of the way his character was written, but I just don’t like him. I think Alina deserves someone who loves her and appreciates her. I think Mal manipulates her, but don’t hold me to that. It’s only the first book. Also, these are just my first thoughts. I’m probably wrong. I just don’t like him. I might have a prejudice. I’m sorry I’m rambling. Let’s continue on!

            Holy crap the Darkling was so cool. I can’t wait to see what happens in Siege and Storm & Ruin and Rising. I desperately need them. I hate that I decided to go on a book-buying ban. I just want all of Leigh Bardugo’s books. October can’t come fast enough.

            This book’s plot was so intriguing and the pacing was just perfect. It was so intricately done, but not hard to understand. I just loved how Bardugo wrote this book. It was so addicting and I never could tell what would happen next. I read most of the book in one sitting and whenever something happened that I didn’t anticipate, I would literally gasp or say something out loud.

            This book was just so stunning and flawlessly done. Bardugo’s world is so original and unique and I cannot wait to read more. This makes me even more excited to continue with the series. I cannot wait until the new boxset with the new covers is released, because you know I will definitely buy it. I need it in my life.

I need more books like this!

Happy reading!

Olivia
~LivTheBookNerd~

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