{Review} West (East #2) by Edith Pattou

Page Count: 528

Published On: October 23, 2018

Published By: HMH

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

Source: paperback ARC provided by the publisher

Age Rating: 12+

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

My Rating: 4.5 stars 

Goodreads synopsis:

In the sequel to the beloved high fantasy East, Rose sets off on a perilous journey to find her true love when he goes missing in a thrilling tale of danger, magic, adventure, and revenge.

When Rose first met Charles, he was trapped in the form of a white bear. To rescue him, Rose traveled to the land that lay east of the sun and west of the moon to defeat the evil Troll Queen. Now Rose has found her happily-ever-after with Charles—until a sudden storm destroys his ship and he is presumed dead. But Rose doesn’t believe the shipwreck was an act of nature, nor does she believe Charles is truly dead. Something much more sinister is at work. With mysterious and unstoppable forces threatening the lives of the people she loves, Rose must once again set off on a perilous journey. And this time, the fate of the entire world is at stake.

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Hey, guys!

I was graciously sent an ARC of West by Edith Pattou for an honest review. West is one of my most anticipated releases of 2018. The first book, East, came out about 15 years ago and it is one of my all-time favorite books. It's so beautiful. All thoughts and feelings surrounding this book are my own. Thank you HMH for sending me an ARC.

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      Reading West was so much fun. It gave me so many nostalgic vibes. I absolutely adored reimmersing myself in Edith Pattou's writing style. She writes so beautifully. It's very much like a traditional fairy tale. In East, Rose has to travel east of the sun and west of the moon to rescue her White Bear, Charles, from the Troll People. West follows Rose and the White Bear's story soon after their happily ever after. However, their lives are soon turned upside down when Charles's ship goes missing and he is reported dead. Rose is convinced that he isn't dead, so she goes on another adventure to find her White Bear. 

     West is a lovely combination of lyrical writing, a plot imbued with Scandinavian legends/myths/fairytales, fantastical adventures, and lovely characters that you cannot help but love. Rose is a such strong, independent, and inspiring character. It was so nice to get to spend time with her again. She's one of my all-time favorite characters. 

      I absolutely adored the multiple perspectives throughout this book. It was so nice to get to read from Neddy, Rose's Mother and Father, and Charles' perspectives. It was also so nice to get to know Rose's children. I love their family dynamic.  I also really love how the characters have developed since the ending of East. 

East will always hold a special place in my heart. Though West isn't as good as East, it is well worth the read. I'm so excited to have gotten to read it. Thank you so much HMH and Edith Pattou for sending me an ARC. I cannot wait for my finished copy to come in.

Don't forget to pick up the new edition of West too! I will be posting pictures of my preorders on my Insta-stories this next week once they come out. 

Happy reading!
Olivia

~LivTheBookNerd~

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City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments #2) by Cassandra Clare

Page Count: 453

Published on: March 25, 2008

Published by: Margaret K. McElderry Books

Genre(s): YA, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Urban Fantasy, Supernatural, Fiction

Source: Paperback

Age Rating: PG-13

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

Twitter: @cassieclare

My Rating: 4.75 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go — especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil — and also her father.

To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings — and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?

In this breathtaking sequel to City of Bones, Cassandra Clare lures her readers back into the dark grip of New York City's Downworld, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation.

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Hey, guys!

      About a week ago, I reviewed City of Bones the first book in the Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare. I really loved City of Bones, but City of Ashes definitely had the second book slump. It wasn't as good as book one, but it was still an excellent book. The Mortal Instruments is such a famous and popular series, but I'm reading it for the first time this year. 

      I really enjoyed the character development in this book. I learned so much about Clary, Jace, and the other amazing characters. I really enjoyed the plot progression too, the only problem I had was that it progressed really similarly to City of Bones. I really loved the awkward dynamic between Clary and Jace. After the confusing realization at the end of book one, it was so awkward and confusing but really hilarious to read about. 

      Overall, I really loved this book. I can't really reveal much because I don't want to reveal series spoilers, but I can't wait to read more of Cassandra Clare's books. Her writing is so addicting and I love her characters so much. 

      I can't wait to read City of Glass. I haven't had the time to binge read the series yet, but I plan on reading the rest of the series during my Christmas break in December. I bought books 3-5 on Amazon and a hardcover copy of book 6 at Goodwill. I can't wait to binge read the Shadowhunter world.

After You (Me Before You #2) by Jojo Moyes

Page Count: 353

Published on: September 29, 2015

Published by: Penguin

Genre(s): Fiction, Romance, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Adult Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Drama

Source: Paperback -Sent to me by Penguin

Age Rating: PG-17

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

Twitter: @jojomoyes

My Rating: 4.5 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

“You’re going to feel uncomfortable in your new world for a bit. But I hope you feel a bit exhilarated too. Live boldly. Push yourself. Don’t settle. Just live well. Just live. Love, Will.”

How do you move on after losing the person you loved? How do you build a life worth living?

Louisa Clark is no longer just an ordinary girl living an ordinary life. After the transformative six months spent with Will Traynor, she is struggling without him. When an extraordinary accident forces Lou to return home to her family, she can’t help but feel she’s right back where she started.

Her body heals, but Lou herself knows that she needs to be kick-started back to life. Which is how she ends up in a church basement with the members of the Moving On support group, who share insights, laughter, frustrations, and terrible cookies. They will also lead her to the strong, capable Sam Fielding—the paramedic, whose business is life and death, and the one man who might be able to understand her. Then a figure from Will’s past appears and hijacks all her plans, propelling her into a very different future...

For Lou Clark, life after Will Traynor means learning to fall in love again, with all the risks that brings. But here Jojo Moyes gives us two families, as real as our own, whose joys and sorrows will touch you deeply, and where both changes and surprises await. 

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Hey, guys!

      If you've kept up with my reviews for the past few months, you would probably remember my very emotional thoughts on Me Before You by Jojo Moyes.... Boy was that great and thought provoking book. Well, After You follows Lou Clarke after the end of Me Before You. If you haven't read Me Before You and do not want to be spoiled, then I recommend that you read Me Before You and then come back. I will tell you though, that this is an excellent book and although it's not as great as Me Before You, I think it is essential that you read this book after it. I think it ties up Lou's story really nicely. It's not like Me Before You even needed a sequel, but the nerd in me really wanted more of Lou's story. I was so torn up about the ending of Me Before You, but I really enjoy the character development in this book. Anyway, here are my thoughts on After You by Jojo Moyes. 

       Like I said before, After You follows Lou after Will's death. Lou is in a rut and she doesn't know how to be kick started back to life. She's a shell of who she was before, and she just isn't happy. A person from Will's past shows up and turns her life upside down. On top of that, she's going to a therapy group and meets Sam Fielding. The guy who saved her life after a freak accident that she had. This book follows Lou's journey after Will's death and her attempts to find herself even after she feels like her world had ended. 

      I really enjoyed this book. Jojo Moyes's writing is so beautiful and lovely to read. Even though I've only read two of her books, I feel like I'm returning to an old friend when I pick her books up. They deal with some heavy subjects, but they still feel really light and easy. I really loved the characters that Moyes added to Lou's story and I really loved the continuation of the characters in Me Before You. Lou's mom for one, wow! What a character development. I really loved how she stood up for herself and worked hard to be the amazing woman that she is. At first, I really was surprised about her sudden shift of perspective, but then I really got into her attitude and I was cracking up about how Lou's dad reacted. 

      I really did enjoy Lily's character. At first I thought she was a bit dramatic, but once I got to know her whole story I really loved her and she was really real to me. I really want a book about Lily. I want to see her grow up and thrive and find love...I also really loved Sam's character. He is such a sweet guy and I totally ship Clarke and Sam... I also really enjoyed Clarke throughout this book. Her grief was very raw and realistic and I loved how Moyes dealt with her heart ache and her healing process. 

      Jojo Moyes is about to come out with another novel and I can't wait to read it. I'm not sure if I'll read her other books. I'm not sure where to start. Comment down below your favorite Jojo Moyes book other than MBY & AY. I adore her writing, but I don't know where to start. 

Thank you Penguin for sending me a copy of this awesome book! 

Books Mentioned:

• Me Before You by Jojo Moyes ~ 5 stars

Happy reading!
Olivia

~LivTheBookNerd~

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