Rating: 4.5 STARS Genre: YA/Fantasy Standalone/Series: Spellslinger #4 How I got this book: ARC from Bonnier Zaffre and Hot Key Books via NetGalley The fourth book in the page-turning SPELLSLINGER fantasy series. Perfect for fans of The Dark Tower, Firefly, Guardians of the Galaxy, Terry Pratchett, Ben Aaronovitch and Jim Butcher. (Not much of a synopsis on Goodreads, but, if you haven't read the first three books in the Spellslinger series yet, you can find them here!) I discovered the first book in the Spellslinger series in December 2017, and after reading the following two books in the series earlier this year, it's become a huge favourite.
So, I was more than excited to see Soulbinder pop up in NetGalley as I was desperate to find out what happened after the events of Charmcaster. I'm going to do my very best here to keep any spoilers out of this review, but if you haven't read the first three books of this series, you might want to look away now. You can find my reviews of book two (Shadowblack) and book three (Charmcaster) by clicking on the respective links. This series goes from strength to strength with each new instalment that I read, and Soulbinder is no exception. It felt much more action-packed than the other books in the series, which really sped up the pace. I have noticed a few recurring trends in these books, often with how they start (in the form of the trouble that Kellen is usually in), something bad happening to my favourite character, and the endings which lead Kellen on a new path and show how much he's grown, but each time it's something a little different that keeps things fresh and moving forward, and whilst each individual book has a sub-plot, the overall plot is continuously fuelled and driven forwards. One of the best things about this book is the new characters, in particular, Butelios who is the absolute sweetest person, and the source of many, many smiles during his interactions with Kellen. "...wearing an idiots smile so bright it made you want to kiss him. Even if you weren't into boys." (Shame, because I'd totally ship these two!) Kellen has developed beautifully throughout this series, discovering new strengths, facing his weaknesses, learning new truths and just becoming a better person. He truly rules this book (as does my little fur baby Reichis, of course) and his agony was so painful to witness, even though at the same time you can visibly see just how much he's grown and learned from Ferius and Reichis, becoming the hero (I personally believe) he was destined to be all along. This book is the most heart-wrenching of the entire series, and I was so close to sobbing at one point that I almost didn't want to continue, so brace yourself for ALL THE FEELS! "Life ought to be more than just losing the things you love one after another until you have nothing left." As always, the politics between the various regions, clans, peoples etc. in this series, made the book extremely interesting, as did seeing the cast of new characters clashing with the old. Look out for some pretty awesome new displays of magic!! The book itself is absolutely stunning, so far we've had beautifully illustrated covers in red, blue, orange and now green...I think the next one is purple and it's going to look stunning! The illustrations inside are also beautiful and work extremely well alongside the funny and poignant quotes at the start of each paragraph. "Cages have bars and everyone knows you're supposed to escape a cage, but houses have walls and people lock themselves inside to feel safe. You ask me, it's a lot easier to break out of a cage than a house. - What passes for Squirrel Cat Wisdom." After reading Soulbinder, I can't wait to find out where Kellen's journey takes him next, to discover new enemies, reface old ones, to reconnect with past characters, to be introduced to new ones, and above all, to see what kind of man he becomes. "...I won't know for sure until I meet the man you're going to be once you finally get tired of being the boy you once were." If fantasy and magic is your thing and you're looking for a story featuring an unlikely non-typical hero, a ferocious, bloodthirsty squirrel cat, beautiful friendships, brutal enemies and uncertainty at every turn, I highly recommend that you read this series! Feel free to chat with me about it in the comments whilst I twiddle my thumbs waiting for book 5! Rating: 4.5 STARS Genre: Romantic Comedy Standalone/Series: Awkward Love #6 (Can be read as a standalone) How I got this book: Bought I’m the girl who likes ‘the cock in the back hole.’ At least, that’s what the dating profile my so-called friends set up for me claims. I’m also into BDSM, Furries and ‘I’ll try anything twice.’ I have no idea the profile exists until the replies start rolling in. They range from funny, to downright creepy and everything in between. Just as I’m shutting down my email account for good, a new message pops up. He’s funny and he's the only one to suspect the profile is a joke, so I think what the hell? I reply. When he suggests that we meet, I say yes. When I walk into that bar, he's sitting at a table, facing the other way. He turns his head just enough for me to be able to make out his face… Fuck. It’s Cameron Hunter, one of the rudest, most arrogant assholes I’ve ever had the displeasure of meeting. He's also the son of one of the state's most influential judges. The same judge who's about to become my step-father... OMG! This book was hilarious!
I started reading this at about 11:30pm and didn't put it down until 2am when I'd finished, it was THAT addictive! I could not stop giggling, snorting and swooning throughout the whole of this book. It's my first Missy Johnson book and I will definitely be reading more by this hilarious author. The characters in this book were ridiculous, immature and sassy but it worked really well. I loved the clashing personalities, the unexpected comebacks and the pranks. The romance in this book is off the charts. It's very hot and heavy when it gets going. The pacing is fantastic, the writing is easy going and had me unable to put the book down once I'd started. I can honestly say that I don't regret the lack of sleep because Darcy, Cameron, Mack and the whole gang were too good to miss! If you're a fan of outrageous enemies-to-lovers rom-com's like The Hating Game and authors like Tara Sivec, you're going to love Payback's a Bitch! P.S. This book is part of a series but I happily read it as a standalone without feeling as though I'd missed anything. Rating: 4.5 STARS Genre: Contemporary Romance Standalone/Series: Standalone How I got this book: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review Brooklyn Manning thought her life was perfect in every way, until it crumbled down around her and turned into a dumpster fire. With her pride wounded and her tail tucked between her legs, she leaves New York and goes back to her tiny hometown of White Timber, Montana. No more twenty-four-hour taco trucks, no more shopping at the best designer stores within walking distance, no more giving taxi drivers the finger when they angrily honk at her. She didn’t think it could get any worse. But then Clint Hastings walked into the room and insulted her. Her arch nemesis from high school is no longer a nerdy computer whiz, masturbating to pictures in PC World magazine in his free time (allegedly). He’s grown up to be a hot-as-hell cowboy, and she has no other choice but to be a smart ass right back to him. After all, it’s what they do. It’s what they’ve always done, and twelve years apart hasn’t changed anything. Only this time, getting under each other’s skin is a hell of a lot more fun than it used to be. Pumpkins. Enemies to Lovers. Pumpkins. Cute Kids. Pumpkins. Sexy Cowboy. Pumpkins. Friendship. Pumpkins.
If, like me, you freaking LOVE AUTUMN and you're ready for falling leaves, chilly evenings, blankets, jumpers, gorgeous sunsets, morning frost and Halloween...I know, I know, I didn't mention pumpkins, fun fact, I don't like pumpkins (not that I take offence at the fruit itself, I love carving the buggers), I just hate the taste, so pumpkin pie, pumpkin spice latte, all that fun stuff that people go crazy for at this time of the year, I just can't stand...PLEASE DON'T BURN ME AT THE STAKE!! Anyway, if you love Autumn, and you're looking for a book to match your Autumn mood, The Simple Life is the book for you. Brooklyn is a hot shot writer living in New York City but her 'perfect' life quickly goes south and she's forced to move back home to the town she fled when she was younger. Forced to face facts, not to mention an incredibly handsome and infuriating man who she hasn't seen for years, along with a couple of fun, yet struggling kids, Brooklyn's life is about to be turned upside down. This book is so much fun! Tara Sivec has this way of writing that just draws me in and hooks me from page one and I always have trouble putting her books down. The Simple Life was no exception. The characters are realistic, the humour is blunt and hilariously inappropriate and the chemistry is sizzling. I loved the insult trading between the two main characters. I loved seeing each character grow and develop over the course of the book, especially Brooklyn who completely came out of her shell, and then there's the girls; the two amazing crazy girls, the youngest of which totally reminded me of my own crazy, free spirited daughter. I love the farm life aspect of this book and I love the unfiltered humour. Brooklyn and Clint's sarcastic nature along with their sizzling off-the-page chemistry really made this book stand out and made their relationship one of my favourites. I devoured the book, not wanting to put it down, which is how I am with almost all of Tara Sivec's books, so if you're looking for a cosy, romantic, autumn read, The Simple Life is definitely the book for you. This book is a 100% feel-good romantic comedy from one of my favourite romance authors with a guaranteed HEA. Rating: 4.5 STARS! Genre: Contemporary YA/LGBT Standalone/Series: Openly Straight #1 How I got this book: Bought via Audible Rafe is a normal teenager from Boulder, Colorado. He plays soccer. He's won skiing prizes. He likes to write. And, oh yeah, he's gay. He's been out since 8th grade, and he isn't teased, and he goes to other high schools and talks about tolerance and stuff. And while that's important, all Rafe really wants is to just be a regular guy. Not that GAY guy. To have it be a part of who he is, but not the headline, every single time. So when he transfers to an all-boys' boarding school in New England, he decides to keep his sexuality a secret -- not so much going back in the closet as starting over with a clean slate. But then he sees a classmate break down. He meets a teacher who challenges him to write his story. And most of all, he falls in love with Ben . . . who doesn't even know that love is possible. This witty, smart, coming-out-again story will appeal to gay and straight kids alike as they watch Rafe navigate feeling different, fitting in, and what it means to be himself. While fantasy has always been my top choice of novel, particularly when it comes to YA fiction, I seem to be falling in love with contemporary novels more and more lately. It's strange that this is coinciding a little with my recent love-affair with audio books. I signed up for a 3-month free trial with Audible two-months ago, and so far I haven't looked back.
This book caught my eye as a recommendation from Audible after I'd finished listening to Leah on the Offbeat and The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue. I hadn't actually heard of this one before but the sample and the synopsis piqued my interest. I instantly found the narrator, Pete Cross, really likeable, I love his voice work for all of the different characters, giving each one their own different, distinguishable voice, which really helps the story to flow smoothly. I love the life he brings to Rafe who is funny and witty, to the point where I found myself giggling away while I listened. The very different mixture of characters is something I really enjoyed, from the enigmatic, quirky Albie, sweet and crazy Toby, troubled Bryce, and Rafe's crazy parents, to the extremely complicated Ben, who is so very wise and thoughtful. Openly Straight surprised me. There are so many laugh out loud moments but they're woven into a complex story about personal identity and the importance of being true to yourself whilst also containing a bittersweet love story that hurt a little to witness. My heart goes out to both Rafe and Ben for their stubbornness and naivety, but the true beauty of this story wasn't their friendship but Rafe's journey of self-discovery, something that I think can be appreciated no matter your gender or sexual orientation. This book made me think. It's something I'm really enjoying about a lot of the contemporaries that I'm reading lately, that they force you to look deeper, to assess your own life and reflect on it, and for the most part, I agree with Rafe, labels shouldn't matter. Whether it's your skin colour, your sexual preferences, your proficiency at a certain skill; that one thing does not define your entire being. But, I also understand the conflict, that you can't push aside an unchangeable, inextricable part of who you are. What really cemented my love for this beautiful book was the finishing sentence: "There was nothing anyone needed to accept or tolerate. We celebrated." Which is exactly what this book felt like. A celebration of everything that makes us different, but how in that, we're all tied together, all connected. So, if you're looking for a book that will make you smile, laugh and maybe even cry a little, and if you love books like Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda and Running With Lions, I'd highly recommend Openly Straight. Book two, Honestly Ben is now available, and will more than likely be my next Audible purchase because I NEED to find out what happens next! A slightly odd, side note, is that this book really made me want to write. I haven't written anything other than my blog (and stuff for work) for a couple of months. I've been stressed, bogged down with life and just not feeling it, but the more I read this book, the more I just wanted to pick up my pen and write fiction. Finally, I did and it feels great again, so fingers crossed the feeling continues. Rating: 4.5 STARS Genre: Contemporary YA Standalone/Series: Standalone How I got this book: ARC from Little Brown Books via NetGalley Florence is pretty sure she's not got much in common with the other patients at Manor Lane Diagnostic & Therapy Centre. Wilf has ADHD and a tendency to punch doors, Andrew's ASD means he likes to run to a schedule as precise as a Japanese train, and Jasper would be far too perky if it wasn't for his moods at mealtimes. It's only when Howard Green, the centre's psychotherapist goes missing that they start to share some common ground. They've told Howard things they've never told anyone before. They trusted him and were making progress. Starting again with someone else is an unbearable prospect. Together the four of them decide that they need answers and set off on a roadtrip, vowing to track him down. I really wasn't expecting to like this book as much as I did!
I absolutely love the characters and their varying personalities. Each one is so distinct, diverse and compelling and I love how well the author portrays mental health in all its variations. The book is set in the UK, which I really enjoyed. Since I'm British, I find I sometimes relate more to books with familiar settings etc, and it definitely felt that way with The Definition of Us. Whilst reading this book it gave me a bit of a Breakfast Club vibe whilst also reminding me a little of Clean by Juno Dawson (which I highly recommend if you haven't read it!) What I truly love the most about this book is how realistic the characters are, they were so relatable, and their journey both together and as individuals is really beautiful. I can honestly say that this is the best book about mental health that I've read to date. The representation, understanding, acceptance and relatability of mental health portrayed in this book was, in my opinion, flawless. It's juxtaposed with sweetness, humour, romance and friendship and I enjoyed every minute of it. I was so caught up in these characters and their stories that it was only when I'd finish did I realise I saw so much of myself in them. Different insecurities, worries, and problems that I've struggled with throughout my life, reflected back at me in these characters, and I was left feeling better about myself. This book is about hope, about strength and about how being human is complicated and that absolutely no one is perfect, everyone is facing some form of internal struggle, no matter how put together they seem on the outside. I'm going to finish with a truly beautiful quote, and encourage you all to read this book! "There is always a moment in the future you'll be glad you stuck around for." Rating: 4.5 STARS Genre: YA/LGBT/Romance Standalone/Series: Standalone How I got this book: ARC from Riptide Publishing via NetGalley Being perfect isn't all it's cracked up to be. Sixteen-year-old Declan is the perfect son . . . except for one tiny issue. When his sister Delia comes home to find him trying on her clothes, he fears her judgment, but she only fears his fashion choices. One quick makeover later, Declan is transformed into Delia’s mysterious cousin Layla and dragged to the party of the year, hosted by Carter, the most popular boy in school. When Carter meets Layla, he fumbles to charm her. He adores her sense of humor and her poise. But when she vanishes in the middle of the night, he’s left confused and determined to solve the mystery of who she is. As their school year begins, their high school embraces a policy of intolerance, and both Declan and Carter know they must stand up. Carter is tired of being a coward and wants to prove he can be a knight in shining armor. Declan is sick of being bullied and wants desperately to be himself. If they team up, it could be a fairy-tale ending, or a very unhappy ever after. I know? After reading that blurb how could I not read this?!?
Quick note: I'm still learning when it comes to all of the different types of sexuality, gender-fluidity being something I don't know a great deal about at the moment, and so I can't honestly say whether or not the author appropriately handles this, all I can offer is my own opinion. So, apologies in advance if I make any mistakes and please feel free to correct me. I can honestly say that I haven't been able to get this book off my mind since I finished reading it. This is one of the most poignant LGBT books I've had the pleasure of reading. If you're looking for a book that's ready to take the world by storm and show everyone just how diverse we are, and how that's perfectly okay, this is the book for you! I absolutely love Dex and Carter, Dex more so for his wit, his passion and his heart. He really is the purest of souls. Beyond the passionate protest for human rights that forms a solid backbone intertwined with a burning romance, this book is a cover to cover nerd fest, full of the most delightful witty conversation between the two main characters. My nerdy brain was so happy with the glorious geekiness of this book. My favourite aspect of this book was watching Dex transform, not into Layla as such, but into himself, watching his evolution from the nervous, shy, closeted Declan we meet at the beginning to the beautiful, confident, radiant Dex who evolves through the events of this book. His sass, confidence and unforgiving mouth as he blooms are brilliant and the chemistry between these two is perfect. Carter also goes through a pretty big personality transformation and it was wonderfully delivered. This book does a fantastic job of making you think, making you reassess the world around you, in very much the same way that Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli has made huge progress recently. I found myself thinking back to high school and how not a single person was openly gay or otherwise. We were all closeted, all afraid to make a wrong move. Constantly forced to be fake or fall victim to another. Cinderella Boy made me wonder how different life could have been if we'd had the courage to stand up for ourselves and for something that truly mattered. I loved every aspect of this book. The ending resolved things beautifully, it was perfectly sweet and poignant. I also have to mention the other fantastic characters we meet from Delia, Dex's sister, to Chloe, and Carter's mum. Even the antagonist's, whilst unpleasant are perfectly portrayed. If you're a fan of Becky Albertalli, Mackenzie Lee and Adam Silvera, Cinderella Boy should definitely be on your TBR! If you love lingering glances, passionate embraces and a friendship that will change everything, read this book! 4.5 tiara's from me! P.S. I also desperately want my own treehouse castle... Rating: 4.5 STARS Genre: YA/Fantasy Standalone/Series: Spellslinger #3 How I got this book: ARC from Bonnier Zaffre via NetGalley 'I was getting almost as good at running away from enemies as I was at making them in the first place. Turns out, I wasn't running nearly fast enough.' Kellen has begun to master his spellslinging and the Argosi tricks for staying alive, and he and Reichis have found a career that suits them both: taking down mercenary mages who make people's lives miserable. But Ferius is concerned that Kellen is courting disaster . . . Whilst I enjoyed the first two books in this series, Charmcaster was brilliant and, in my opinion, the best book in the series so far. I absolutely loved it. It completely tackled the slight issue that I had with the previous two books in that the pacing at the beginning of those felt a little slow. I did not have the same problem here, the pacing was fantastic throughout.
Charmcaster launches with a fantastic action scene that fully immersed me in the story from the moment I started reading. I loved the visuals at the start of this book. The whole 'storm' scene really blew me away (no pun intended). My number 1 bad-boy Reichis is back in all his furry glory in this book. I love him so much!! Reichis broke my heart in this book - I almost cried twice and one of those reasons was because of this feisty little devil and then I laughed out loud during a scene where he's practically high. "You have pretty eyes.' he said, staring up at her. 'What did he say?' she asked me. When I translated, she gave him a smile. 'Well now, aren't you the sweetest little-' 'I'd really like to eat them.' The squirrel cat's head swivelled towards me. 'Can I eat her eyes, Kellen? I'll give them back later, I promise." I adore Kellen and Reichis's relationship. It's so beautiful and gets stronger in each book. It may be weird that the relationship I love the most is between a boy and a squirrel cat, but I don't care! They're perfect together, and I need a stern word with the author as to why Reichis suffers so much in every single instalment! "You stink,' the squirrel cat said. 'You too,' I replied. That, in a nutshell, is our relationship." Kellen is also at his best in this book. We finally see how much he's learned from Ferius, Reichis and everything else he's had to face and overcome. He really steps up his game in this book and shows us just how much potential he has. I also love that we find out more about Ferius's past in this book. I desperately wanted this at the end of the last book and it was perfect how it came together during this leg of the journey. We see the return of a few characters from book 1, one in particular that I wasn't too pleased about, but we'll see where that goes. There's so much more emotion in this book than there is in the previous two instalments. The bond between Kellen and Ferius, and Kellen and Reichis is much more prominent in this book and it's beautiful to see, especially after travelling with the trio over these three books. Also, does anyone else ship Ferius and Kellen or is that just me? I have no idea what the age difference is but I love them together. "I stopped for a second, holding on to that laugh. It contained everything I loved about Ferius Parfax, and everything about her that made me crazy." How can you not ship this?? I also felt like this book had much more humour, which really helped lift the pace compared to the others. There's so much more in Charmcaster than we see in the other books, a lot more is explained, there are better characters, and some of the mysteries that have been building are finally revealed. There are some really great scenes in this book, both action scenes and more heart-felt scenes that really make Charmcaster stand out for me as the best book of the series so far. Kellen picks up a few new tricks in this book and after the ending that just messed me up, I'm really wondering where this story is going to take us next. Roll on book 4!! You can read my review for book number 2 in the series, Shadowblack here. Note: I read this book as part of the Dewey's Readathon - April 2018! Rating: 4.5 STARS! Genre: YA/Fantasy Standalone/Series: The Smoke Thieves #1 How I got this book: ARC from Penguin Random House UK Children’s via NetGalley A princess, a traitor, a hunter and a thief. Four teenagers with the fate of the world in their hands. Four nations destined for conflict. In Brigant, Princess Catherine prepares for a loveless political marriage arranged by her brutal and ambitious father. In Calidor, downtrodden servant March seeks revenge on the prince who betrayed his people. In Pitoria, feckless Edyon steals cheap baubles for cheaper thrills as he drifts from town to town. And in the barren northern territories, thirteen-year-old Tash is running for her life as she plays bait for the gruff demon hunter Gravell. As alliances shift and shatter, and old certainties are overturned, our four heroes find their past lives transformed and their futures inextricably linked by the unpredictable tides of magic and war. Who will rise and who will fall? And who will claim the ultimate prize? I absolutely LOVED this book.
You might have seen my earlier post when I first received the ARC from NetGalley along with a letter from the author, Sally Green, about her promise to provide an intelligent heroine. Suffice it to say, I was excited to get started. The book starts with 1 of our 5 main characters, Tash and her companion Gravell, setting a trap for a demon. I loved this opening chapter, it really gives a lot of insight quite quickly into who Tash is and what she does, as well as doing a great job of building the world that we're entering into. Each of the characters' opening scenes works really well and what I love most about this book is how each characters' journey progresses until they all intertwine. I did draw some comparisons with Six of Crows in terms of the 5 main characters, I'll list these lower down for those who'd rather not know. It also has a certain element of danger, mystery and magic to it that was also reminiscent of our beloved Grishaverse. This book is very immersive, I didn't want to put it down once I'd started reading. Each character faces unique challenges and struggles on their respective journeys and I couldn't get enough. I love that the characters are diverse, I think the villain(s) are really strong, hate-able characters which drive the story really well and there's plenty of intrigue with a potential love triangle and 'forbidden' love brewing that I'm really looking forward to seeing more of. My only complaint, and it's a very minor one, is that the book ends on a slightly sketchy cliffhanger. It didn't really feel like a neat place to wrap up this book and now I'm brewing with questions over what happens next but also feeling like there should have been a little more clarification on what the hell just happened?!? Side note: This is probably just because all of the great books I've read lately end in cliffhangers and I hate waiting!! I loved this book. The author fulfilled her promise of a strong, intelligent heroine and also delivered more in the way of the other characters who I really can't get enough of, alongside the fantastic, magical plot. I do also have to mention Gravell, who I loved, and who almost made me cry. Highly recommended for fans of Six of Crows, Children of Blood and Bone, Harry Potter etc 4.5 stars for this brilliant YA fantasy. Six of Crows Character Comparisons:
In no way are the characters replicas, they're each interesting and unique, I just personally had a 'feel' about them that made me think of the Six of Crows gang. Although, no Kaz. If you have/do read The Smoke Thieves, let me know what you think! Rating: 4.5 STARS Genre: YA/Fantasy Standalone/Series: Legacy of Orisha How I got this book: Bought Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zelie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls. But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were targeted and 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 the enemy. Children of Blood and Bone promised an epic YA, fantasy adventure filled with magic, revenge, and anger, and it did not disappoint.
But, be warned, you will need to prepare yourself for a monster cliffhanger at the end of this book that had me wanting to tear out my own hair! I absolutely loved the cultural insight that this book provides. The writing made me feel completely immersed in Orïsha, and in the lives of Zélie, Tzain, Amari and Inan. We're first introduced to Zélie, a strong-willed, short-tempered young woman who has suffered great loss at the hands of the King of Orïsha. We learn at the book's outset that she is strong, she is outspoken, she is fiery and passionate and that she is grieving for what has been ripped from her life. Her struggle with her brother Tzain is beautiful. Their constant battle to take care of each other and then dealing with the emotional fallout when something goes wrong is perfectly illustrated and only makes their bond stronger. I love them both equally, and especially love how Zélie continues to challenge the dynamic of their relationship, not allowing her bigger, stronger older brother to always be the protector. On the flip side, we have Princess Amari who upon our first meeting is demure, unwilling to speak out for herself, and always follows orders. She's almost the complete opposite of Zélie in every way, and her relationship with her brother Prince Inan (heir to the Orïsha throne) is nothing like that of Tzain and Zélie. All four characters change momentously during their journey. Through each experience, the characters develop, draw closer, push apart and learn who they truly are, and it's fantastic to see. The world-building in this book was stunning, from the small fishing village, to the temple, the campsite, the arena, the palace. Every scene captured me, immersing me in a new world and place until I didn't want to pull away. I felt that there were a lot of comparisons to The Hunger Games that could be drawn in this book, some similar themes and occurrences that I think work particularly well. On a side note, the creatures in this book are extremely cool - I wish they were real! The magic is brilliant, it's fantastic, unusual and intriguing, as are the battle scenes and I can't wait to find out more in book two. I also particularly loved the imagery in the dreamscape scenes, the way they worked was just beautiful. The romance in this book was a pleasant surprise, I like how naturally it seems to grow, although in one particular case there are two characters I really don't 'ship' and can really see someone else in that particular dynamic (but, we'll see). The cliffhanger ending really threw me. I actually didn't realise that this was the first book in a series whilst reading and so the ending was more than a little frustrating - I want answers, and I want them now! I feel like the author has perfectly captured this world of segregation, prejudice, hate and fear, and delivered it in such a way that not only do we get a fantastical adventure full of complex, stereotype-defiant, rich characters, we also get a very strong, poignant message that reflects the state of our society, of the real world and hopefully, with more books like this one, this message will resonate with our young adult readers, our future, who can work to make this real world that we live in much brighter for everyone. Side note: Mama Agba is a badass and I love her. Rating: 4.5 STARS Genre: YA/Historical/Romance Standalone/Series: Guide Series How I got this book: Bought Henry “Monty” Montague was born and bred to be a gentleman, but he was never one to be tamed. The finest boarding schools in England and the constant disapproval of his father haven’t been able to curb any of his roguish passions—not for gambling halls, late nights spent with a bottle of spirits, or waking up in the arms of women or men. But as Monty embarks on his Grand Tour of Europe, his quest for a life filled with pleasure and vice is in danger of coming to an end. Not only does his father expect him to take over the family’s estate upon his return, but Monty is also nursing an impossible crush on his best friend and traveling companion, Percy. Still it isn’t in Monty’s nature to give up. Even with his younger sister, Felicity, in tow, he vows to make this yearlong escapade one last hedonistic hurrah and flirt with Percy from Paris to Rome. But when one of Monty’s reckless decisions turns their trip abroad into a harrowing manhunt that spans across Europe, it calls into question everything he knows, including his relationship with the boy he adores. By Jove, this book was good!
I had no idea what to expect from The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue except that I'd seen so many people raving about how great it was. This book quite literally has everything in it I could ask for: grand adventure, love, friendship, sibling rivalries, sass, wit, mystery, deception, intrigue, slow burn romance, beautiful British humour, character development, a treasure hunt, pirates, gay and bi characters, diverse characters, and a strong-willed hellcat of a woman. The entire novel is a coquettish rogue that seduces you from the moment you begin reading. I adore the history in this book that sets the scene without being at all stilted or boring. I love particularly that we get to see what is probably an extremely realistic account of hormonal, ass-drunk teens during the period and all the amazingly fun and misadventures that follow. The characters are wonderful. Monty is an arrogant, privileged rogue, but it's all part of his lovable charm. He has trials and torments that he needs to face, he misses the signs that are right in front of him, and in his own innocent ignorance, his mouth gets him into all sorts of trouble. But, it's Monty's witty, rambling, very heartfelt and at times naive narrative that really won me over. "Lucky for me as well, or else we might never have met, and then what would have been the point of my life?" I love that Monty isn't ashamed of who he is, or who he fancies, but that it's others who have the problem. He isn't actually afraid to express himself and I love that about him. "I’ve always been of the mind that subtlety is a waste of time. Fortune favors the flirtatious. And by now, if Percy doesn’t know how I feel, it’s his own damn fault for being thick." In case you hadn't guessed by now, this is a story with many themes. It's a love story, a coming of age story, a story of friendship, of loyalty, of overcoming fears and oppression. "Rather, it is simply the tale of how two people can be important to each other their whole lives, and then, one morning, quite without meaning to, one of them wakes to find that importance has been magnified into a sudden and intense desire to put his tongue in the other’s mouth." (I can't stop quoting this book!!) Percy is Monty's best friend and he's the epitome of sweetness. He's loyal, steadfast and I want him to be my best friend! "Percy had avenged me when no one else would look me in the eyes." Then there's Felicity. My badass heroine who I was so excited to find out has a book of her very own coming out later this year!! YAY!! Felicity is sassy, intelligent, sharp and unafraid to be herself. She also incidentally delivers one of my favourite lines in this entire book! “Ladies haven’t the luxury of being squeamish about blood,” she replies, and Percy and I go fantastically red in unison." (No, they do not!) The adventure that these three unlikely heroes undertake is packed full of hilarious moments (like this) - "Which is how I come to be running through the gardens of the Palace of Versailles, dressed only as Nature intended." (I really need help! I told you I couldn't stop quoting this book!) Alongside, fight scenes, lots of 'almosts', lingering touches, longing glances, near misses (and near kisses) and through it all, Monty's beautiful, touching narrative that takes this story to new heights and depths. "We are not broken things, neither of us. We are cracked pottery mended with lacquer and flakes of gold, whole as we are, complete unto each other. Complete and worthy and so very loved." If you haven't read this book yet, do it. In the meanwhile, I'll still be over here quoting every single line and counting down the days until The Ladies Guide to Petticoats and Piracy is Released! A resounding 4.5 stars from me!! |
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About Kay (She/Her)
Book addict, film mad, music lover, business owner, writer and mum (not necessarily in that order), living in the UK. About Sophie (She/Her)
Sophie loves books (obviously). She has a passion for photography and spotting wildlife, and is interested in anything made with passion and creativity. THIS BLOG IS SPOILER FREE!
Rating system: 5 Stars - AMAZING!! 4.5 Stars - Almost perfect! 4 Stars - I really loved it 3.5 Stars - I liked it alot 3 Stars - I liked it (I don't typically review books that I rate below 3 stars)
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