Top 10 Reads of 2016

It's already that time of year again - the time where we look back at our year in books!
In terms of numbers, 2016 has probably been my best year, having managed to read 103 books! (All while juggling college work!)
But, in terms of the number of 5 stars I've given out, 2016 hasn't been the best. I usually struggle to narrow my favourite reads down to 10 books, but for some reason it was actually quite easy this year and I could honestly just about choose 10 favourite books. This isn't necessarily because I read a lot of awful books (I gave out mostly 4 stars this year,) instead it's because my expectations of a 5 star book have risen.

But anyways, I present to you, in no particular order, my Top 10 Reads of 2016!!

A Monster Calls - Patrick Ness

Firstly, we have the brilliant and heart-breaking A Monster Calls. This book had been sat on my TBR for over a year, just waiting to be read. It wasn't until I saw the final movie trailer did I realise that I NEEDED to read this book right away. It was heart-breakingly beautiful and had one of the most unique ways of portraying grief and loss. (Make sure to have a few tissues on hand when reading this one)

The Raven King - Maggie Stiefvater

Next we have the conclusion to TRC, The Raven King. I read all four books in this series this year, but The Raven King has to be my favourite of them all - I think what I loved most about this book was the relationships, both romantic and platonic. Every time members of the gang interacted with each other, you could see the love that was present. If it wasn't for these characters, I wouldn't have enjoyed this series as much as I did. (Click the cover to read my review)

A Court of Mist and Fury - Sarah J Maas

I don't think anyone is surprised that this is on my list, considering how much I've gushed about it. I loved this book so much. Last year ACOTAR failed to make it in my Top 10 because I felt like it was missing something, well whatever that thing was, ACOMAF has it and much more. Like I said in my review it was an epic, romantic, feminist, fantasy novel. If you didn't enjoy the first book, I recommend you pick up the second, because it is SO much better! (Click the cover to read my review)

The Unexpected Everything - Morgan Matson

The Unexpected Everything is my favourite Morgan Matson book to date! It's the perfect book to read during the summer time or whenever you're in need of a pick-me-up. I guarantee it will leave you with your heart full and a smile on your face. Also, the love interest in this book is just the sweeeetest!! Clark is 100% a cinnamon roll, too pure for this world!

A Torch Against the Night - Sabaa Tahir

I cannot explain how glad I am that AEITA wasn't a standalone! I knew from the start that this series had potential to be phenomenal, and Sabaa Tahir has managed to live up to that potential! This book kept me on the edge of my seat throughout - Sabaa might be the new queen of plot twists, because damn, there were so many I honestly did not see coming! I cannot wait to see what Sabaa Tahir has in store for these characters in the next instalment. (Click the cover to read my review)

Some Kind of Perfect - Krista & Becca Ritchie

Next up we have the final book/epilogue to one of my favourite series ever. I think this was the perfect end to the Addicted/Calloway Sisters series - it spans over 10 years, giving us an insight into how life has changed from the core 6 being young adults and finding their footing, to them having their own family. It had everything you'd expect from a KBRitchie book - happy moments, sad moments, funny moments, cute moments, it was the whole package! It was also a great way to introduce us properly to all the children before we get to know them more in the Like Us series.

It Ends With Us - Colleen Hoover

This book! THIS BOOK! I don't think I've ever cried so much because of a book before. While reading this book I was a blubbering mess. Days after reading this book, I was still a blubbering mess. It Ends With Us is raw, painful & sad, but it is such an important book. I don't want to go into the details, because I think it's best to go into this book completely blind, but this is a book everyone should read because of how honest it is. It's completely heart-wrenching, but 100% worth it!

Mafiosa - Catherine Doyle

Third book in the Blood For Blood Trilogy, and my favourite out of the three. This was a pretty fantastic book - It had everything you would want and expect in a finale, especially one to do with the mafia. So much plotting. So much fighting. But, on top of all of that, we had one of the strongest friendships between Sophie & Millie and one of the swooniest relationships. I cannot recommend this trilogy enough - READ IT! (Click the cover to read my review)

Caraval - Stephanie Garber

Caraval is one of the best debuts I have ever read - I loved it so much! The writing was exquisite, so much so that at times I felt as though I was actually part of the world and not just reading about it. The romance wasn't overbearing, there was just the perfect amount to keep any hopeless romantic (aka me) satisfied. And the world-building was truly magical. This book will hook you from page one and by the end you will be begging for more! (Click the cover for 5 reasons to pre-order Caraval)

Crooked Kingdom - Leigh Bardugo

Last, but certainly not least, we have the perfection that is Crooked Kingdom. So the books in my top 10 are in no particular order, but Crooked Kingdom is undoubtedly my favourite book of the year! I simply cannot fault this book at all - it was perfect. My heart went through the blender while reading CK, but I wouldn't have had it any other way, because with those moments of sadness, there were moments of victory, which made it all worth it. I will miss my 6 precious sinnamon rolls, but hopefully we'll see them again in the future *fingers crossed* (click the cover to read my review)

So, there we have it, My Top 10 Reads of 2016!
Did you spot any of your favourites? If so, which ones? If not, what were some of your favourites of the year?

Crooked Kingdom - Review

Book Review:
Title: Crooked Kingdom
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Publisher: Orion's Children's Book

“I would have come for you. And if I couldn't walk, I'd crawl to you, and no matter how broken we were, we'd fight our way out together-knives drawn, pistols blazing. Because that's what we do. We never stop fighting.”

Kaz Brekker and his crew have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn't think they'd survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they're right back to fighting for their lives. Double-crossed and left crippled by the kidnapping of a valuable team member, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz's cunning and test the team's fragile loyalties. A war will be waged on the city's dark and twisting streets―a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of magic in the Grisha world.

It has taken me two months to be able to write this review. Two months. Now, part of that reason is because I have been swamped with college work, but mostly it's because I honestly have no idea to how to review this book. It's actually ridiculous. You know when you love something so much that there are simply no words to completely do it justice? That's how I feel writing this review. I can rave about this book for hours on hours, yet nothing I say can really express how amazing this book was.

In my opinion, this book is faultless. If I had to name something I didn't like about this book, the only thing that comes to mind is the fact that it ended. I wanted moreeee!!! This is one of the rare series where the author could release a million books and I would read and devour every single one of them. And the main reason for that is because of the characters. I don't think I've ever loved a group of characters as much as I love the Dregs; they're my little Cinnamon Rolls. I fell in love with them during Six of Crows, and then I fell even more during the sequel.

Crooked Kingdom picks up roughly where we left off from. Inej has been taken and the rest of the Dregs are formulating a plan in order to get her back and get the money that they rightfully earned.
And then of course, once they start carrying out their plan, shit goes down! No joke, this book gave me heart palpitations! At one point, I'd be letting out a squeal of victory, and then, I would suddenly be screaming in frustration. At one point I'd be crying tears of joy, but then I'd be crying tears of sadness. My emotions were played like a fiddle.
I just wanted my Dregs to be happy. And safe. And well-fed. And getting enough sleep.
But honestly, even though this book messed with me, I wouldn't of had it any other way. I believe that the truly amazing books are the ones that can evoke raw emotions from the reader.

(sits for 10 minutes and tries to think about what I can write about without spoiling the entire book. sighhh...)

Okay...lets talk romance!
I find that with most YA novels there's always a hint of insta-love *shudders* and for me, insta-love can really ruin my reading experience. Personally I love a good slow-burn romance, where you can feel the build up of passion; well in Crooked Kingdom, I got exactly what I love. All of the romances in this book progressed beautifully and I constantly found myself swooning (you know, at the few times when shit wasn't hitting the fan.) All of the relationships in this book were beautiful in their own way. Nina & Matthias had a passionate romance. Wylan & Jesper had a banter-filled and adorable romance. Kaz & Inej had a angsty and intense romance. All different, yet they were all just as equally as precious to me.
Also, props to Leigh Bardugo for keeping the relationship between Kaz and Inej realistic. As much as I would have loved seeing them doing all the typical romancy stuff, I'm glad they didn't and that their relationship is progressing at a slow pace. And you know what, even though their relationship is moving at the slowest place, I without a doubt swooned at their moments the most *remembers that one scene...sighs blissfully*

Well, I think I've rambled on enough.
Basically, in short, I absolutely loved this book and I hope that at some point in the future Leigh decides to revisit this world and these characters, because I can never have enough!
 
Without a doubt, one of my Top 10 Reads of 2016 (or even possibly ever!!)
5+ Stars (ALL THE STARS) 
Goodreads

5 reasons to pre-Order CARAVAL & GIVEAWAY [CLOSED]

So, a couple of months ago, I was lucky enough to receive an (two) early proof(s) of CARAVAL by Stephanie Garber. It was, without a doubt, the prettiest proof I had EVER received. Far more prettier than even some finished copies of books. I was in AWE! (If you don't believe me, look at these pictures!)

GORGEOUS, I KNOW!
I was immediately tempted to pick it up and devour it straight away, but then I realised that the release date was quite a while away (Jan 2017,) so I managed to restrain myself...for two months.
I succumbed to the temptation and I DON'T REGRET IT AT ALL! This book was glorious!
After finishing it, I was going to write a review, but it felt too soon for that, so instead I'm going to give you 5 reasons why I loved this book so much and hopefully persuade you to pre-order a copy for yourself.

Before I begin, here's the synopsis:

Scarlett has never left the tiny island where she and her beloved sister, Tella, live with their ruthless father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval, the legendary, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show, are over.
Then, Scarlett’s long-dreamt of invitation to Caraval finally arrives. So, Tella enlists a mysterious sailor’s help to whisk Scarlett away to this year’s show. But as soon as the trio arrives, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organiser, Legend.
Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. But she nonetheless soon becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic with her sister, with Legend, and with the other players in the game. And whether Caraval is real or not, she must find Tella before the five nights of the game are over, a dangerous domino effect of consequences is set off, and her sister disappears forever.

Reason One - The Premise

From reading the synopsis above, you can learn the basic gist of what this book is about. What really drew me into this book was the whole concept of a magical game where everything seems real, but isn't. I have never read anything like it. I mean I've heard some people (positively) compare it to The Night Circus, but I have not read that book, so this was such a unique and interesting read for me.
While reading I was constantly thinking to myself, 'wow, this is so cool.' 'Why can't this be a real thing?!' I've become so obsessed with the world of CARAVAL, all I want to do is read about previous games and see how they panned out.

Reason Two - Sister Relations

Another thing I love about this book is that although we do have some romance in this book, the main relationship we focus on is between the two sisters, which is very refreshing. In a lot of YA books, I find that the most common type of relationship we focus on is the romantic relationship rather than familial ties and that can sometimes become a bit frustrating. YA characters are usually about 16-17 years old, yet we hardly ever see any family which I don't understand, because strong family relations, like Scarlett and Tella's, are so beautiful to read about.

Reason Three - The Characters

Every character in this book, and I literally mean every character, was brilliant! Whether they had a major or minor role, whether they were a player or performer, they all added something extra to the story and were fascinating to read about. The main protagonist, Scarlett, was especially fantastic! She was brave. She never lost focus of the task at hand. And she was relatable! Everything you would want in a main character.

  

Reason Four - The Writing

Stephanie Garber has got a way with words. Her writing in this book is pretty much flawless. The story flowed excellently. It had vivid and imaginative imagery. And the world-building was phenomenal. 
Also, getting deeper into the story, I didn't feel like I was reading a book, I felt like I was actually part of the game, trying to uncover all the secrets and win, which is such a rare experience for me.
I honestly cannot fault the writing at all!

Reason Five - The Cover 

Now, I know people like to say 'don't judge a book by its cover' but let's be honest, we all do it. You're more likely to buy a book if it has an aesthetically pleasing cover because it draws you in and, if buying the physical copy, you want something that's going to look pretty on your bookshelf. 
Well let me just say that as well as having a glorious inside, this book also has a glorious outside.

Feast your eyes on the beautiful final covers!! 

US Cover

UK Cover

How can you not want this book?!

So, hopefully I've managed to persuade you to pre-order this magnificent book! It releases on the 31st January 2017! (Click one of the covers for an Amazon pre-order link!)
If you are unable to wait that long to get your hands on the book, here's your chance to win an UK ARC...
 

GIVEAWAY TIME! [CLOSED]

Since I somehow ended up with two ARCs of CARAVAL I have decided to give one away to one of you lucky people. 
This giveaway will unfortunately be UK only, since I will be paying for postage.
To be in with the chance of winning follow me on twitter HERE and RT this tweet HERE  
The Giveaway will end on October 14th. GOOD LUCK!

A Torch Against The Night - Review

Book Review:
Title: A Torch Against The Night
Author: Sabaa Tahir
Publisher: HarperVoyager
Release Date: 8th September (UK)
I received an early copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

“So long as you fight the darkness, you stand in the light.” 

A Torch Against the Night takes readers into the heart of the Empire as Laia and Elias fight their way north to liberate Laia’s brother from the horrors of Kauf Prison. Hunted by Empire soldiers, manipulated by the Commandant, and haunted by their pasts, Laia and Elias must outfox their enemies and confront the treacherousness of their own hearts.
In the city of Serra, Helene Aquilla finds herself bound to the will of the Empire’s twisted new leader, Marcus. When her loyalty is questioned, Helene finds herself taking on a mission to prove herself—a mission that might destroy her, instead.

An Ember in the Ashes was one of my favourite books of 2015, possibly even of all time, so going into the sequel I had extremely high expectations, but also wariness in case of second-book syndrome (nobody likes second-book syndrome.) But honestly, there was no need for the wariness, because this book matched - no wait - exceeded my expectations and was just as good as the first.

This book picks up right where we left off. Elias and Laia are on the run trying to escape the martial soldiers, as well as trying to break her brother out of prison. Like the first, we have both Elias' and Laia's POV, but we also have a new POV that belongs to Helene where we follow her journey as the new blood shrike. In AEITA, I liked Helene's character, but I didn't love her (her love and obsession(?) towards Elias irked me a bit). But after ATATN, I can say without any hesitation that I love Helene and that she is now definitely one of my favourite characters! I have so much respect for her. She is so brave and strong and a complete inspiration.

My feelings for Laia on the other hand were a bit different. I loved her in AEITA, and I do still love her, yet there were a few times where her actions and decisions annoyed me a bit. I mean I sort of understood her reasoning for these things, but they were still annoying. (I wish I could go into more detail, but I don't want to spoil anyone...)
And Elias? My love for Elias is eternal! He is such a great person. His choices are almost never to benefit himself, everything he does, he does for others. If I had only one word to describe Elias, I would choose 'selfless', because he is by far one of the most selfless characters I have ever read about.

Sabaa Tahir really knows how to write such brilliant and complex characters. And her world-building as well as story telling skills? Amazing! This book is essentially a journey book, of getting from point A to point B, and usually these kind of books feel filler-like and are 90% of time boring. But this book is in the other 10%! While getting from point A to point B, there was truly never a dull moment. We were constantly meeting new characters, finding out new information (some real crazy stuff!) and I loved it! The majority of the book was read in one sitting where I was literally at the edge of my seat. At one point in the story I literally closed the book and just sat there for 5 minutes thinking WHAT THE HELL! (To be fair, this happened about 3/4 times in total) My emotions were put into a blender and it was turned on full speed. I was happy, then angry, then sad, then shocked, then annoyed, then happy again. By the end of this book, I was emotionally drained - I think I still might be!

Before I wrap up this review, I want to quickly touch upon the romance aspect of this book. So, in AEITA, I shipped Elias & Laia together, but I wasn't completely invested into it, because there was a lot of room for things to change, which in turn could change my feelings. Now, after finishing ATATN, I have two firm ships that I'm positive I will stick with till the end of the series. I'm not sharing them because once again, spoilers, but I feel like the majority of people who also read this book will feel the same as me (or at least I hope they do.)

Overall, this was a fantastic sequel and I can't wait to see where Sabaa Tahir takes this story, because if you haven't heard already, AEITA is now going to be a FOUR book series! I'm so excited!

5 Stars
Goodreads

Nevernight - Review

Book Review:
Title: Nevernight
Author: Jay Kristoff
Publisher: HarperVoyager
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

“I’m a rumour. A whisper. The thought that wakes the bastards of this world sweating in the nevernight.”

Destined to destroy empires, Mia Covere is only ten years old when she is given her first lesson in death.
Six years later, the child raised in shadows takes her first steps towards keeping the promise she made on the day that she lost everything.
But the chance to strike against such powerful enemies will be fleeting, so if she is to have her revenge, Mia must become a weapon without equal. She must prove herself against the deadliest of friends and enemies, and survive the tutelage of murderers, liars and demons at the heart of a murder cult.
The Red Church is no Hogwarts, but Mia is no ordinary student.
The shadows love her. And they drink her fear.

What a book!
When I first became aware of Nevernight, there were three key words I constantly heard over and over again that stuck with me. Three words that ultimately drew me into this book and made me realise that this is a book I NEED to read. What were those three words you say? Assassins, Revenge & Murder. Otherwise know as my kind of book. Honestly, what more could I even ask for?! (Okay, maybe some more romance because I'm a sucker for a good romance, but it still had basically everything I love)
This book managed to deliver on everything it pitched - there were assassins, there was revenge and there were a lot of murders, some of which are still a bit too raw to talk about *sobs* (Jay Kristoff is ruthless!)

So we have our main protagonist, Mia Covere, who at the tender age of 10 was made to stand and watch as her father was murdered right in front of her eyes. Since that life changing moment, six years ago, she has lived her life with one goal in mind, avenge her father's death. And once Mia sets her mind to something, she ensures that she sticks to it and doesn't let anything or anyone get in her way. And trust me when I say, you would not want to get in her way. She will cut you! It's one of the main things I admired about her; she was a head-strong and all-around intriguing, complex character. I mean, she has the power to control the shadows!! How cool is that?! I loved learning more about her ability throughout this book and seeing how she can command the shadows and bend them to her will. Forget flying, super strength & all those other powers, I want to control the shadows!

Also while we're on the topic of shadows, I just want to quickly share my love for Mister Kindly who is Mia's very own shadow cat and definitely one of my favourite characters of the book!
To be honest, I loved every character in this book. They were all so fascinating and each of them added something special to the story. We had Tric, Ashlinn and Jessamine to name a few.

As a whole, I really enjoyed this book, but there were two things that unfortunately stopped this book from being a 5 star read. (Bear in mind that these are my personal opinions and that they may differ from other people)

1. It took quite a bit of time to really get used to the writing and be able to fully immerse myself into the story. The ARC I had was 640 pages and I believe it took about 150 pages for it all to really click with me.
2. The footnotes didn't work for me. They were actually very interesting and funny at times, but every time I read one, especially the longer ones, it ended up distracting me and pulled me out of the story.  

But other than those two points, this was a fantastic read!

On a different note, I've seen a lot of discussion on whether this book should be classed as young-adult or adult. Everyone has their own different view points, which is great, but personally rather than classing this as one or the other all I'm going to say is, that this book is a dark & gritty read. It has graphic violence, sexual scenes and a lot of swearing. If these don't bother you, then I really recommend you pick this book up.
In my opinion, as a young-adult, I actually found it quite refreshing to see a teenage character swearing. So many authors when writing about a teenager tend to refrain from including swear words and dirty deeds, but in some ways, it makes the story unrealistic for me, because who are we kidding, teenagers swear a lot! (Though I do understand and respect that it may make some feel uncomfortable when reading)

Never Flinch. Never Fear. Never Forget.

4 Stars
Goodreads

The Crown's Game - Blog Tour (Review)

Blog Tour & Review:
Title: The Crown's Game
Author: Evelyn Skye
Publisher: HarperCollins

WELCOME to the second day of The Crown's Game blog tour, which just so happens to be on my blog. For my portion, I will be sharing my thoughts and feelings on this magical book.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

"For the winner of the game, there would be unimaginable power. For the defeated, desolate oblivion. The Crown's Game was not one to lose."

Vika Andreyeva can summon the snow and turn ash into gold. Nikolai Karimov can see through walls and conjure bridges out of thin air. They are enchanters—the only two in Russia—and with the Ottoman Empire and the Kazakhs threatening, the Tsar needs a powerful enchanter by his side.

And so he initiates the Crown’s Game, an ancient duel of magical skill—the greatest test an enchanter will ever know. The victor becomes the Imperial Enchanter and the Tsar’s most respected adviser. The defeated is sentenced to death.

Raised on tiny Ovchinin Island her whole life, Vika is eager for the chance to show off her talent in the grand capital of Saint Petersburg. But can she kill another enchanter—even when his magic calls to her like nothing else ever has?

For Nikolai, an orphan, the Crown’s Game is the chance of a lifetime. But his deadly opponent is a force to be reckoned with—beautiful, whip smart, imaginative—and he can’t stop thinking about her.

And when Pasha, Nikolai’s best friend and heir to the throne, also starts to fall for the mysterious enchantress, Nikolai must defeat the girl they both love... or be killed himself.

As long-buried secrets emerge, threatening the future of the empire, it becomes dangerously clear... the Crown’s Game is not one to lose.

I first came across The Crown's Game in early 2016 when reading blog posts about 2016's most anticipated reads. It looked like everyone and their mother was waiting for this book to release, so I looked up the blurb...and instantly became one of those people. I was then lucky enough to receive an early copy of the book from the lovely Alice at HarperCollins. No time was wasted before I picked it up and devoured it within two days, and although it wasn't exactly what I expected, it was quite an enjoyable read.

I want to start off by talking about the magic within this book. As this is a fantasy story and the fact that the whole premise of this book centres around magic, it was highly important that every detail of it was executed well. And it was! Both of Nikolai's and Vika's enchantments were beautifully unique in their own way. The thing I loved most was that both of their magic couldn't have been any more different, which meant that I was always on edge since I could never tell who was in the lead. There was no way to compare who did the better job, they were both individually special.

Another thing I loved about this book was the setting and world-building. The Crown's Game takes place in Imperial Russia, which is always so fascinating to read and learn about. While reading this book it was quite easy to tell that the author had put a lot of effort and research into building this book and setting. The descriptions and imagery were vivid and imaginative, yet they were also realistic. The perfect mix.

Now, the magic and world-building were amazing, but one thing that I didn't enjoy as much was the romance/love triangle in this book. Now, personally I'm not the biggest fan of love triangles purely because they can become a tad too angsty for me, but if done well, I am able to endure them. I think the main issue I had with this love-triangle was that is all felt a bit too much like insta-love. From the first moment Nikolai and Pasha met Vika there was this instant attraction and connection which felt rushed. I would have have preferred a much more slow-burn attraction to make it more believable, but that's just my opinion.
However saying that, it did not take much away from the story, since it focuses mainly on the game rather than the romance.

My favourite relationship of the entire book was actually the friendship between Nikolai and Pasha. These two boys come from totally different backgrounds, yet their friendship has managed to stay strong. At times their relationship did become a bit rocky, but ultimately they always had respect and love for each other. And I do admire a good friendship!

One thing I don't admire though is THAT ENDING! Some may say that the author ended this book quite cruelly or  some may say they ended quite cleverly. Cruelly because...well you'll have you read the book to figure that out. And cleverly because it leaves you desperately needing and wanting the second book. How will I cope with having to wait a WHOLE YEAR before I can get my hands on the sequel? HOW?
If you need me, I shall be lying in a pool of my own tears until next year.

But overall, this book is a beautiful and captivating read with it's vivid and imaginative setting and it's utterly unique magic.
If you enjoy Imperial Russia, magic and strong world-building be sure to pick up a copy of The Crown's Game when it comes out (June 30th in the UK)

4 Stars
Goodreads

And that is a wrap on my portion of The Crown's Game Blog Tour! Be sure to check out the rest of the blog tour, dates & links below.

A Court of Mist & Fury - Review

Book Review:
Title: A Court of Mist & Fury
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Publisher: Bloomsbury

“To the people who look at the stars and wish, Rhys."
Rhys clinked his glass against mine. “To the stars who listen— and the dreams that are answered.”

 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.

How do I even convert my feeling into words. In my mind, all I can think is 'ASDFGHJKL PERFECTION. ABSOLUTE PERFECTION. RHYSAND. PERFECTION. FEYRE. PERFECTION. FEMINISM. PERFECTION.' and so on..
As you can see, my mind cannot process any coherent sentences regarding ACOMAF, but I'll try my best anyways.

This book was PERFECTION! (Have I said that already?) But honestly, I cannot fault this book at all. It was everything I wanted and more. It was an epic fantasy story. A unforgettable romance novel. But most importantly, it was an inspiring book about self discovery. 

I'll try to keep spoilers to a minimum, but in this novel we see Feyre realising her self worth. Understanding that nobody should settle for less than they deserve. That every female has a right to their own opinions and wants. That if there are people in your life who don't respect you and treat you as an equal, you should remove them from your life, because they will only drag you down. It was both beautiful and inspiring to read. This book touched me very deeply, and I want to give the highest praise to Sarah J. Maas for it. It's not often you see such a strong character growth and arc. 

Speaking of characters, I absolutely adored all of the new additions to the series. We had Cassian, Azriel, Mor, Amren, to name a few. They are all part of the Night Court, which I think is safe to say is my favourite court out of them all. The Night Court is literally what dreams are made of. I could live there forever, especially if I was surrounded by such awesome people. I mean it also helps that Rhysand is the High Lord.
If you haven't figured it out yet, Team Rhysand!
 
I loved seeing much more of Rhys and his life in this book. Seeing Feyre struggle broke me, but so did learning about Rhysand's past. He hasn't had an easy life. When anything seems to go right for him, there's always something new that pushes him back. It's heartbreaking! I need him to get the happy ending that he deserves. He has suffered way too much.
You can see clearly how much he loves and cares for Feyre, yet he doesn't make the same mistakes Tamlin does. He worries about her and wants to protect her, but understands that she is capable and should be able to make her own decisions. He let's her be her own person. And that - as well as his other traits - makes him pretty much near perfection in my eyes. 

Moving on to the plot of the story. In one word; Perfection! (Am I using that word too much?)
In more words; It was non-stop action that kept my heart racing. I was unfortunately spoiled on some minor plot points of ACOMAF before it was released, which I was annoyed about, but it did not take anything away from the story. There were many parts which I knew were coming, yet when they arrived my stomach still dropped and my mind was still blown. Also, THAT ENDING! I (sort of) regret reading ACOMAF within a day, because the wait for the next book is going to be TORTURE! Cauldron save me! Though I have complete faith that the wait will be worth it entirely.

Before I wrap this review up, there's one more topic I want to share my feelings about. And that topic is the sexual content within this book. Now, before reading ACOMAF I knew there were going to be some steamy scenes, but what I read, I did not expect. WOW! I assume that there will be a number of people who will try to make this into a big issue and will argue that it shouldn't be classed as YA, which I understand to some degree. However as a young adult myself (17 years old) I had no problem with those scenes at all and found it quite refreshing to see some sexual relations in a YA novel. It should definitely be embraced more in young-adult fiction.

Well, there are my views. It was so hard to put my feeling into words and not just write 'ASDFGHJKL' repeatedly. 
It's only May, but I can already guarantee that this book will be part of my Top 10 of 2016.

To sum up in 6 words: An epic romantic, feminist fantasy novel

5+ Stars (ALL THE STARS)
Goodreads

The Raven King - Review

Book Review:
Title: The Raven King
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Publisher: Scholastic

“He was a book, and he was holding his final pages, and he wanted to get to the end to find out how it went, and he didn't want it to be over.”

Read my review for the The Raven Boys (1st in series) HERE, my review for The Dream Thieves (2nd in series) HERE and my review for Blue Lily, Lily Blue HERE

This review may have some minor spoilers for the entire series.
 
All her life, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love's death. She doesn't believe in true love and never thought this would be a problem, but as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she's not so sure anymore.

I can't believe it's over. It's actually over. No more Blue. No more Gansey. No more Ronan. No more Adam. And no more Noah. What do I do with myself? I've become way too attached to these characters (like I do with every series I read) and I just don't think I'm ready to let go yet. 

However, saying that, this was quite a brilliant finale. It was action-packed from start to finish (some may argue it was too packed) and my heart was racing - and breaking - constantly throughout it. From the very first book, we've both seen and been told of Gansey's fate. Even Maggie herself said that - and I quote - 'That kid is going down.' Furthermore, I think we were told like four times within the first couple of chapters of The Raven King that Gansey was going to die. Knowing something like that really keeps you on edge. I mean, I could have easily read this book in one sitting, but the constant death reminders scared me, so I ended up reading the book over 2 days to prolong the experience and preserves Gansey's life. 

In the previous books there are little hints of romance, but it's not focused purely on that topic. This book however, has so many more 'romantic' moments with pretty much every character. Some people may not enjoy that, but I for one am a sucker for romance so I loved it. The Bluesy scenes and the Pynch scenes we got were everything I wanted and needed. So much swooning! 
The relationships as a whole within the gang, both romantic and platonic, are just inspiring. They always had each others backs. They always saw the best in each other. And they would die for each other. Literally. It's the kind of friendship you strive for in life.

The Raven King is without a doubt my favourite book of the series, but I did have one little issue with it. I wanted more Noah! Noah is my son. My precious Cinnamon Roll. And I felt dissatisfied with how much Noah we got in this book. It felt like he had been pushed to the side as a minor character, and I didn't like that. Some might disagree with me, but that's just my personal view. If we had more Noah, this would definitely be a five star read, but unfortunately due to that issue I can only give it 4.5 stars, which to be honest is still an amazing rating. 

Other than that, I cannot fault this book. Maggie Stiefvater knew exactly what she was doing. I think the direction that this book took was done well and even though it completely shattered my heart, I wouldn't change anything (apart from having more Noah, obviously.)

So, I guess those are my views about this finale. I haven't spoken much about the plot, because I don't think I can say anything without spoiling it, but in short, I loved it!
It's sad to say goodbye to such a fantastic series, yet I'm excited to see what Maggie has in store for us next. And hopefully, she *might* consider writing about the gang again? (One can dream)


4.5 Stars
Goodreads

When We Collided - Review

Book Review:
Title: When We Collided
Author: Emery Lord
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Release Date: 7th April 2016

I received an early copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

"We are seventeen and shattered and still dancing. We have messy, throbbing hearts, and we are stronger than anyone could ever know"

I don't want to say too much about the premise of this book, but I'll give you a little insight on what it's about. When we collided follows two protagonists by the name of Vivi and Jonah. It's safe to say, that these two teenagers are completely different: Vivi craves adventure and living life to the fullest, whereas Jonah is more reserved and uses all of his time to look after his family. Meeting these two characters, you wouldn't associate one with the other, they're polar opposites, but when their lives collide (see what I did there) everything thing seems to lock into place.

I was quite sceptical going into this book after hearing that it deals with a mental illness. I normally find that when reading a book that deals with mental health, the topic is glossed over and kept quite tame. It's never realistic enough. This book however, could possibly be one of the best portrayals of a mental illness that I have ever read. It dealt with the topic very maturely and realistically.

Every character is going through their own personal struggles and fighting their own demons, but they fight through it with the help of their loved ones. And I admire that immensely.

My favourite character and the one I admired the most was Jonah. From the start, we can see that Jonah is living a hard life. He's only seventeen, yet he carries the burden of looking after and providing for his siblings. He has essentially put his own life on hold, so that his brothers and sisters can have have everything they want and need in life. When Vivi bounces into his life, she encourages him to break out of his shell and start living for himself like a normal teenager and although we did see him embrace his life much more, he still continued to put his family and even Vivi's joy before his own. There's this one quote that comes from Vivi which I think describes Jonah perfectly,

"All this pain in his life, all this care he doles out to everyone else. And yet he still cracks his broken heart open even wider - wide enough to fit me too."

He's such a sweetheart.

Now moving onto Vivi. I found her chapters quite difficult to read at times. Not because I didn't enjoy them, but because they were very intense. Through Jonah's pov we see Vivi acting carefree and just embracing life and seeing the good in everything, but in Vivi's pov we see the truth. She tries her hardest to not let her disorder consume her after feeling flat and unaware for so long, yet these little snippets come out of when her actions catch up to her and we can see that she's struggling. As Jonah's life was improving, Vivi's was slowly crumbling around her. It broke my heart.

Both Jonah and Vivi are complex well-developed characters and their relationship was no different. The journey that they went through together was both beautiful and bittersweet. Both of their lives were shattering around them, but with the help of each other, they managed to build each other up again. The book didn't end exactly how I wanted it to, but it really did not bother me all that much, because when you really think about it, it works. It's realistic.
This book will stay with me for quite a long time, it would be quite difficult to forget such a powerful book. I laughed. I cried. I fell in love.

The YA genre needs more books like When We Collided. They are incredibly brilliant for teaching people about mental health if they do not know much about it themselves.
So, if you haven't ordered this book yet, do yourself a favour and go buy it.

This was my first book by Emery Lord, but it certainly won't be my last.

4 Stars
Goodreads

ILLUMINAE - Review

Book Review:
Title: ILLUMINAE
Author: Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Publisher: Rock the boat (Oneworld publishing)

“The universe owes you nothing, Kady. It has already given you everything, after all. It was here long before you, and it will go on long after you. The only way it will remember you is to do something worth remembrance.”

The year is 2575 and two mega-corporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice covered speck. With enemy fire raining down on them Ezra and Kady have to make their escape on the evacuating fleet. But their troubles are just beginning. A deadly plague has broken out on one of the space ships and it is mutating with terrifying results. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth its clear only one person can help her. Ezra. And the only problem with that is they split up before all this trouble started and she isn’t supposed to be talking to him.

I want to first off praise this book and the authors for creating what is probably the most uniquely written book I have EVER read. Many would say that reading a book is an experience and I agree. However, this book encompasses the true meaning of an experience. It was visually pleasing, the story was awesome and the formatting was original. Instant messaging. Surveillance cameras. Interviews. Documents. These are some of the ways in which we are told the story, and let me tell you, it was brilliant.

Although, since it is such a uniquely written book I must admit it did take some time to really get into the story and adjust to the layout. But that was inevitable. You can't jump into a book so differently written and become immersed straightaway, it takes time to wrap your head around it all. Or maybe that's just me.

I think it was about a third of the way through where I found myself completely hooked. I grew to love all the characters, especially their interactions with one another. They were witty and relatable to any teenager (the characters, not the situation.) Even in the most tense of times I found myself laughing out loud (mostly because of Ezra. I loved Ezra!) But then at the same time, there were many parts where my emotions were at a high and I felt my heart breaking. And those twists placed throughout the story? Did not see them coming at all! Let's just say that my emotions were messed with once or twice (more like a dozen times.)

I'm actually finding it quite difficult to put into words how cool this book truly was. All I can really say is, if you haven't read this book yet, I highly suggest you do. There's a reason why this book is so hyped. I'm not the biggest fan of sci-fi books, but this book is an exception. So whether you are a sci-fi fan or not, this book will capture you in some way or another. The second book in the series Gemina is set to release in October of 2016, which I am now highly anticipating, and is going to follow some of the old characters as well as some new ones.

Overall, a truly all encompassing unique experience.

4 Stars
Goodreads

Favourite Book Quotes

*These aren't necessarily inspirational quotes, but they are quotes that give me all the feels.

“Meeting your soul mate is like walking into a house you've been in before - you will recognise the furniture, the pictures on the wall, the books on the shelves, the contents of drawers: You could find your way around in the dark if you had to.” 

 

“Question everything. Your love, your religion, your passion. If you don't have questions, you'll never find answers.”

“They were infinite. They were the beginning and the ending; they were eternity. The king standing before them gaped as the shield of flame died out to reveal Aelin and Dorian, hand in hand, glowing like newborn gods as their magic entwined.”

“You were the sun, and I was crashing into you.”

  

“Hope can be a powerful force. Maybe there's no actual magic in it, but when you know what you hope for most and hold it like a light within you, you can make things happen, almost like magic.”

“Books are easily destroyed. But words will live as long as people can remember them.”

“While I'm gone," Gansey said, pausing, "dream me the world. Something new for every night.”

“Life is made of so many moments that mean nothing. Then one day, a single moment comes along to define every second that comes after. Such moments are tests of courage, of strength.”

“Sometimes in life, we need a few bad days in order to keep the good ones in perspective.”

“We accept the love we think we deserve.”

So, there are some of my favourite quotes from some of my favourite books. Obviously I have favourite quotes beyond these 10, so maybe some time in the future I will do a part 2. 

What are some of your favourite book quotes? Leave them in the comments below!

Blue Lily, Lily Blue - Review

Book Review:
Title: Blue Lily, Lily Blue
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Publisher: Scholastic

"Blue was perfectly aware that it was possible to have a friendship that wasn't all-encompassing, that wasn't blinding, deafening, maddening, quickening. It was just that now that she'd had this kind, she didn't want the other.”

 Read my review for the The Raven Boys (1st in series) HERE and my review for The Dream Thieves (2nd in series) HERE

Blue Sargent has found things. For the first time in her life, she has friends she can trust, a group to which she can belong. The Raven Boys have taken her in as one of their own. Their problems have become hers, and her problems have become theirs. The trick with found things, though, is how easily they can be lost. Friends can betray. Mothers can disappear. Visions can mislead. Certainties can unravel.

Blue Lily, Lily Blue has definitely topped the series for me (though that could change after The Raven King.) It was a great fast-paced read which I was pleasantly surprised to find, as if you have read my reviews for the previous books I stated that I found the story to drag in some places. But not in this book! I literally flew through this book and even read about half of the book in one sitting. Then unfortunately real life caught up to me and I had to wait until the next day to finish it.

But anyways, back to the point, I loved this book! It had everything I wanted and more. We got more Noah. We got more swoon-worthy Bue & Gansey scenes. And something I didn't think I wanted but now crave more of, Ronan & Adam. At the end of the second book we get a little hint that Ronan may have feelings for Adam, so whenever those two were together in this book I found myself becoming more and more invested in their relationship. I'm not ashamed to say, I SHIP IT!

Also although this book is the shortest of the series, it's definitely the most action packed. There was never a dull moment, every new chapter held a new adventure whether it was with the core Raven gang or the ladies of 300 fox way or even Greenmantle and the Gray man. Every perspective was fun and enjoyable to read. Though I must admit, there were some parts that really hit me emotionally, so much so I think I may have shed a tear or two. But it was definitely worth the tears and it's preparing me for the sob fest that I know is going to come in the finale (please don't let Gansey die! I'm too emotionally invested.)

My favourite part of the story was pretty much the last 100 or so pages. Everything was building up, major plot points were revealed and my anxiety levels were through the roof. I didn't know if I was going to make it.

I think the book ended perfectly, it leaves you with some questions answered but mostly just anticipation for the finale, The Raven King, to wrap everything up. (Once again, please don't let Gansey die!)

4.5 Stars
Goodreads

The Dream Theives - Review

Book Review:
Title: The Dream Thieves
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Publisher: Scholastic

“In that moment, Blue was a little in love with all of them.
Their magic. Their quest. Their awfulness and strangeness.
Her raven boys.”

Read my review for the first book in the series, The Raven Boys HERE

Now that the ley lines around Cabeswater have been woken, nothing for Blue and Gansey will be the same. Ronan is falling more and more deeply into his dreams ... and his dreams are intruding more and more into waking life. Gansey is needed at home, and is struggling to stay in Aglionby. And Adam? He's made some new friends. Friends that are looking for some of the same pieces of the puzzle that Gansey, Blue, and Ronan are after. Great power is at stake, and someone must be willing to wield it.

This book was such a great follow up to what is becoming possibly one of my favourite series! I loved how we focus mostly of Ronan and his strange but fascinating gift of retrieving things out of his dreams. As I mentioned in my review for The Raven Boys, Ronan is my favourite character in the series (though he may now have to share that spot with Gansey) so I really enjoyed learning more about the complexity of his character.

The only problem I had with the first book was the pacing of the story. Certain parts seemed to drag on longer than others and it was hard to stay fully invested. Though I had the same problem with this book, it wasn't as frequent. There was possibly one or two points in the book that I found to drag (the parts where the gang were split up), but for the majority I was completely engrossed and loving what I was reading. 

I especially loved how naturally all the relationships in this book evolve. There's no insta-love or a complete one-eighty in a person's feelings. It all progresses very smoothly, making it a very believable read. I also really enjoyed how my perspective and feelings towards the characters changed throughout the story. My view of the Gray man at the start of the novel was incredibly different to my view of him at the end. My view of Kavinsky, another new character introduced, changed constantly. One minute I loved him and the next, I hated him. I think by the end, I couldn't commit to one feeling so I both love and hate him at the same time. You know what they say, there's a thin line between love and hate. 

Another thing that needs to be addressed is my admiration for Blue. She is quickly becoming a favourite protagonist of mine. She doesn't take (mind my language) shit from anyone and I love that. Whenever anyone is rude to her (usually Ronan), she doesn't sit back and endure it, she fights to ensure that she is treated with respect by everyone. And even though she is one feisty character, she has this adorable side that pops up a couple of times during the book. Namely that one scene with Noah and that other scene with Gansey. *Swoon* 

There wasn't as much Noah in this story as I would have liked to have, so I'm hoping that we see a lot more of him in the next books. To be honest, I want to see more of everyone. There is not one character that I don't enjoy reading about, they all have such different personalities that I never get bored of them and I just want to know more them and their thoughts and feelings.

But yeah, all in all I really enjoyed this follow up to The Raven Boys and I can't wait to see how the story continues in both Blue Lily, Lily Blue and the finale, The Raven King. (Wishing that we get to see some more Bluesy action)


4/4.5 Stars
Goodreads