***Advance Review Copy generously provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Romanov family fascinates people for a century. Well***Advance Review Copy generously provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Romanov family fascinates people for a century. Well, mainly their end does. And I was curious what Nadine Brandes would do with the story. And mainly how she's going to end the story, that's what I'm always curious to see.
I believe that the book had great potential. However, it seems a bit like a miss. Like the story is always the one note away for me to really enjoy. But it's still an enjoyable read, and I think that you won't be disappointed reading this.
Roughly the first 60% follow the Romanov family from Tobolsk to Ekateringburg. Here, it seems very precise. The author then said that she did a lot of research. However, it seemed like she mainly used the Wikipedia article about the Execution of the Romanov family. There are some sentences that seem very similar. Or they might have the same source. (No judgement, only stating my subjective feeling). However, the result is that it seems a bit textbook said from the POV of a teen girl. And I'm not sure this is the desired result.
Then the last 40% is a fiction. Following the myth that Anastasia and fully developing the fantasy element of this book.
Strangely enough, I prefer the textbook beginning. Why? Because it at least makes sense. Unfortunately, the author seems to be lost when she suddenly does not have a history to follow. What to do now? And suddenly there are so many problems for me to unsee.
I have several things I need/want to point out.
- There is a lot of Russian words used to describe things. Budenovka, fortochka, droshky. I understand all of them. But, I really doubt that someone who does not speak a Slavic language will know all of them. And unfortunately, it is not a good thing to be forced to google things, especially in fantasy. Also, I saw that several times the Russian was done wrong as well. In a basic sentences. If I remember correctly the "Good morning" was wrong.
- The Romanov family was shown as the nicest people ever. And while I understand that of course, Anastasia would love her parents... It does not work. The author claims extensive research, but here I believe she fails. Nikolai was very much a family man who loved his wife and children. But, he was a very bad tsar. Meek. Under the influence of his wife who was HATED by the Russian people. But here Nikolai is suddenly the perfect leader who leads his family and supposedly was a devoted leader to his people. It seems fake. Romanticised. (But I have to say that I loved the relationship in the family! Well written).
- The book should have started at a different point; not everyone is familiar with the Revolution and the Romanov family. If the book started maybe with the abdication, it would make more sense. Explain why Nikolai was forced to abdicate. Why people hated him and his wife. Explain Bolsheviks, Mensheviks. Why the revolution started, how badly the Russian people were affected by the First World War. And I wish Grand Duke Michael was at least mentioned in the book.
-This is one of the problems. People need knowledge. One time Nicholai talks about his cousin King George V of the United Kingdom. But he does not say his name and people are left guessing. Or confused. (view spoiler)[From the book it sounded as if Nicholai was hurt that George did not take them to Britain to save them. But he did not know that George refused; he believed that it was the UK's government! So, do not try to be historically correct and then drop things like that. (hide spoiler)]
- There is a lot of talk about the White Army, but once again I felt like it was very confusing unless you know the history. And by the way, correct me if I'm mistaken. But wasn't it the Czechoslovak legion that was reaching Ekaterinburg? They were going East so that they could go back to Czechoslovakia if I remember correctly.
- Also, Maria went with her parents first and once they left her sisters sewed the jewels in their dress. So, how is it possible that Maria wore jewellery in her dress as well in the end? The jewels had to be put there before leaving Tobolsk but they started to do it once Maria left.
- Do I have any Russian friends here? If yes, please, help me here. Zash. I'm really confused by the name. I know the name Zasha exists, but I never saw Zash. I know that защитник (zashchitnik) means defender. But is there Zash as a name?
- Also, Zash is supposed to be from an aboriginal tribe from Siberia, but his description makes him sound more Scandinavian than Siberian.
- Talking about Zash. (view spoiler)[ The supposed romance between him and Anastasia does not work. At all. (hide spoiler)]
(view spoiler)[Oh my main issue! The anjin spell takes them into a shadow world or whatever and whatever happens to their bodies after that will be erased. But not before. Anastasia says it after the execution while lying in a car. And then when they come back, she only has bruised ribs. The way they were killed was a massacre. They were butchered; there is no way she would be shot only one time. They would put more bullets in her and then take a bayonet on her. This is nonsense! (hide spoiler)]
- And the ending: (view spoiler)[ Anastasia asks to be buried with her family. And it's true that she and Alexei were found in a different grave. But still, I don't like this because if they lived a long happy life and then they were buried with their family, their skeletons would be of old people. I know fantasy... but still. And talking about this I just want to point out that the point where Alexei tells the soldiers that he is now the tsar there is no way they would just let him go! If they were truly the Whites, Alexei is the most important thing to them. They would have stayed with him, protected him and tried to get him to their leaders. They would have not just waved goodbye and watched as they went back to the enemy. (hide spoiler)]
- Also, Anastasia is injured if only cracked ribs, but she was starved for months with a minimum of exercise. She's wearing a skirt, corset and heavy coat. But suddenly she's able to walk for a day while carrying her brother. Then she manages to jump out of the train on a horse and then from horse to the train... Oh, I almost forgot, MOVING train. I'm saying no. Making her a superhero is stupid and I hated this part.
- The problem with this book is simple. It tries very hard to be historically correct but always fails in small things which matter. And it does not work with the fantasy element. I want to believe that if it was fantasy all along, different names, different family, setting it might have worked. This book needs to be more fantasy, or more historically correct, the mix right now is very in between and seems artificial....more
Well, were the ACOTAR series was a huge surprise for me this was a great letdown.
I read it right after the A Court of Wings and Ruin, and there is noWell, were the ACOTAR series was a huge surprise for me this was a great letdown.
I read it right after the A Court of Wings and Ruin, and there is no way of hiding the problems of this novella. (Is it even a novella? Yeah, it's very short considering SJM, but normally this would be a normal novel, right? It has over 200 pages.)
ACOFAS took all the things that I was personally annoyed by from the ACOTAR series and tried to make a book out of it. And things I loved? Were not there. Well, except for the writing that it's easy to read.
-There is no action! No fight, nothing! And after the battles from the last two books, it seemed sort of boring in a way? And yes, I do not consider a snowball war action.
-If you read my review for A Court of Wings and Ruin you know that I was unhappy about the ending. And this novella(?) is basically the ending of ACOWAR stretched over 200 pages.
-Let Rhys be mean again! I miss the High Lord of the Court Of Nightmares. He has to be at list a bit evil!
-Can someone kick Nesta out? She is getting on my nerves; she's worse than at the beginning of the series. And honestly? I cannot imagine getting through a book where she's the main character. And seeing that "problems with Illyrians" will probably be one of the key topics of her and Cassian's book. Honestly? Even less interested.
-Elain is doe-eyed and unnecessary. I'm more interested in Nuala and Cerridwen than in her. (view spoiler)[The whole Lucien/Azriel drama does not work! (hide spoiler)]
-I'm surprised, but I really like Varian. Did not see that coming at all.
-There is not much of a plot in this book actually.
-Feyre opening an art studio for kids? Cute and everything. But... I don't know. I sort of don't care?
-And for Tamlin. I never liked that guy. Not even in the first book. But honestly? This is getting ridiculous.
(view spoiler)[After Feyre having a panic attack that she would be just a cute, little wifey for Tamlin. She surely is starting to be a cure, nice wifey for Rhys. Seriously? Is she going to pain with children? I bet that Tamlin would be happy about that. As for the having kid. Well, I sort of get why but at the same time... (hide spoiler)]
I don't think we needed this novella. But I get why it's here. A Court of Wings and Ruin was published in 2017. Book 4 should be published in 2020. That's a long time to wait. But I think it could have been done way better!...more
Why is my life so difficult? I love Stylo Fantome. I loved the Kane series, I was really surprised by the Mercenaries, and then The Bad Ones found itsWhy is my life so difficult? I love Stylo Fantome. I loved the Kane series, I was really surprised by the Mercenaries, and then The Bad Ones found its way among my all-time favourite books. But then it was a bit like hitting rock bottom with the Twin Estate which I did not even finish.
But I was excited about Church, it sounded great. Something a bit like The Bad Ones, I expected it to be great. And then... nothing happened. Where The Bad Ones went right, this went wrong.
To be honest, I still feel Church was supposed to be something like The Bad Ones, and I believe it may have worked. But the problem was that the characters were not fit for this. Where Dulcie was the big bad wolf, Emma was just... broken beyond repair and even her brilliant moments were so low I sort of wished it would just end.
You see when the book started I hated Margo, how anyone could be such a horrible mother but as the book progressed I found out that I was more indifferent towards her. Why? Because Emma was so... I don't have a word for it. I just don't like her character. I don't know why. I want to call her stupid. But really, she is not stupid. I want to call her weak. But really, she is not. I want to call her many things, but she is none of it. And there is the problem. She is insignificant. She has no real personality. She has nothing I could catch on and maybe like her for it or even despise her. I like characters I can hate. But there is nothing. I feel nothing for the characters which is a huge problem for me.
There are many things I could talk about that make no sense and were brushed off when they sure should have caused a huge problem. But I won't go there.
I liked Church or the promise of Church, but he did not live up to it. The same could be said about the whole book.
Though, I will read the second book just because the ending made a bit curious and I want to know what will happen next. Maybe this book is only suffering the fate of second books in trilogies. It is just filling, the set up for the real story.
I know that the author wanted to show the ugly truth of what life sometimes is but it did not work for me at all.
Several typos found and when I see a typo there is something really wrong....more
So, I'm really busy at the moment, but I could not miss this one! Some of these books were my all time favourite!
So, let's break this one down.
The BaSo, I'm really busy at the moment, but I could not miss this one! Some of these books were my all time favourite!
So, let's break this one down.
The Bad Ones - This book is actually in my top 10! I really really love how wicked those two are. Unfortunately, I wanted a bit more from this. But they were mostly visiting old places and not really doing bad things. However, I liked the ending! I would love to see Dulcie talking to the journalist that would be really fun! So, I'm a bit sad that was not included. 3/5
My Time in the Affair - I did not read that book, so I skipped this part.
The Mercenaries: Law - Okay, I love Law! And Love Damiano - wish there was a part just about those two. However, the story is split into two parts and does not really seem to work together because in the short length it does not make sense. However, I enjoyed this part. 4/5
Muckle Memory - I did not read that book, so I skipped this part.
Twin Estate - Okay, I should have skipped this part. I did not like this series. And I did not like this. These characters do not work for me. At all! And what Liam did in the end? Absolutely wrong! 1/5
While I Was Away - I did not read that book, so I skipped this part.
The Kane Series - oh, this was my first series from Stylo Fantome! I was really looking forward to this! We were teased about this story in Completion (The Kane Trilogy, #3.5). I really liked this, but I felt like several times it did not work with what we were told before. In Completion Tate said that while they were in Russia visiting Sanders, Jameson was angry with Sanders, not her. But here we were presented with a different story. Then there is the fact that Tate was (view spoiler)[pregnant and lost the baby (hide spoiler)] which I think does not work with what happened in Reception (The Kane Trilogy #4). (view spoiler)[Tate wanted to get Jameson's attention she said she was pregnant and he reacted really badly. If things from Checking In really happened, I do not believe she would be joking about it, and he would react that bad. (hide spoiler)] It seems a bit like the author forgot about these since things do not really add up. Or maybe a little confusion in the timeline. 3/5...more
Well, I don't know what to say. I wasn't really a fan of the previous book, especially because I never found a way how to like Hartley. But the HUGE cWell, I don't know what to say. I wasn't really a fan of the previous book, especially because I never found a way how to like Hartley. But the HUGE cliffhanger forced me to read this book asap. Well, after finishing my review, I feel like I'm even generous with my rating. Funny thing that I always realize how angry a book made me only when I write the review.
Let's start from the beginning. The whole "(view spoiler)[ amnesia thing (hide spoiler)]" it only seemed to me like the author didn't know what to do with the plot and thought that this would be an amazing plot or solution. Well, no, sorry, it was not.
I'm not a doctor but (view spoiler)[, so she remembers nothing, and they just send her to school? Like nothing happened, you would expect some sort of counseling and "transition," tests what she remembers and what not. I get that her parents are assholes, but I would think that this would alert social services or someone that a girl who remembers nothing is just sent to school. Same with Sebastian, he woke from god knows how long coma a guy that is going to trial for murder just gets him out of the hospital and then he is in school like a couple of days later. (hide spoiler)] Really don't get that and I would be really surprised if that were how that worked in the US. (view spoiler)[Talking about a guy who committed a murder. It was said that he was also being charged with an attempt to kill Ella as well. - Btw, when did he try to kill her? Because what happened at the end of the Twisted Palace did not seem like attempted murder to me. But still, she is a major witness in the case. He should not be allowed anywhere near her! But he can just come to the house where she lives? No restrictions on that? Seriously? (hide spoiler)] And since I'm already talking about the lack of action from CPS or anyone for that matter, let's add other issues. (view spoiler)[ So, at the end Hartley's dad is dead, her mother just packs her backs and goes away as well as her older sister. And no social services, CPS or anyone is involved when she leaves Dylan, her 13-year-old daughter with the family of the guy her 17-year-old daughter is dating? And do not tell me that it's the money. The case was under media scrutiny; they would definitely report on that. (hide spoiler)]
Okay, this feels like this review is going to be full of spoilers.
(view spoiler)[ I won't really comment on Callum going to Dubai to close a deal when his son is in a comma. If Sebastian was in a comma like for a month or so then okay but it was what? Days? Week? And he was off and left Easton in charge of everyone. As if he wasn't drinking all the time and Callum was aware of that. You would guess he would at least force Gideon or Reed to come back. (hide spoiler)]
As for Easton. In the last book, I was really angry about his behavior towards Ella. And to be honest several times in this book it was even worse than in the previous one. As well as his behavior altogether. (view spoiler)[He made no sense at all. He was just making things worse on purpose and then trying to excuse himself. (hide spoiler)]
Okay, so little miss Hartley. Still, don't like her. And have nothing much to say about her. Only that her actions were sometimes really stupid and forced her to do things were complicated. Maybe she should keep her mouth shut, just maybe sometimes.
The first half of the book is really slow and almost pointless.
We got some mandatory Felicity drama. Again sort of doing the same to get rid of the mean girl as Ella did. (view spoiler)[ Really don't get the Kyle thing. So Felicity set it up, and her parents just went with it? I understand that Kyle did it for money but don't understand why he punched her. Makes no sense at all. (hide spoiler)]
Then there is Steve who just won't go away. And I already voiced some of my issues about him in some of the previous spoilers. But let's add another. (view spoiler)[ So he has an ankle bracelet to monitor where he goes. And put that together with the fact that he should not be allowed anywhere near Ella he should be in jail for being at Royal's place. But okay, let'S pretend he could just order Ella in his car and all would be fine. Then to his suicide, come on, that was only a stupid way how to finish the book and close the Steve's issue without writing about the trial. (hide spoiler)]
(view spoiler)[Also, Steve just goes crazy, shooting anything and everything. It also gets revealed that Easton is apparently his son. Which was suggested in the previous book by Hartley's father. I didn't believe it because a) didn't really think the author would go for the Ella and Easton kiss and b)in the first three books it was hinted that the twins were more like Steve so it would make more sense if it were them than Easton. (hide spoiler)]
Also about Hartley's father who was just behaving really stupidly and I'm sort of surprised he managed to go on with it as long as he did. (view spoiler)[He also said that he pushed Hartley at the hospital that caused her amnesia. (really convenient) But I re-read her fall, and I do not see how he could push her without anyone seeing it. They were looking at her! (hide spoiler)]
Hopefully my last issue with the book. The twins and Lauren and anything altogether. Since the author revealed that the Royals were over, no more books, no-extras no nothing I'm really confused and maybe even angry because we always got just hints on them. A built up of their story to get people interested, and I really wanted to know more about them. And the author is just like: No book for them. Okay, then at least please explain the things in this book! (view spoiler)[ The author just threw there that Lauren broke up with them which made me really angry. It was same as with Steve. Just deleting the character so I don't have to bother with an explanation. And I thought I was angry after the previous book when Lauren went from the sweet and nice girl to a complete opposite manipulative monster. But this got me angry even more. (hide spoiler)]
Also (view spoiler)[Sebastian woke up after being super angry and rude which is understandable but we won't ever know if he gets better or what. (hide spoiler)]
Wow, after letting all of my anger out I sort of wonder if there is really something I've liked about the book. Also, as some people already pointed out there were some really unnecessary typos in the book....more
***An advance reading copy of Ivan by Kit Rocha was generously provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
“I would like to point out, just for t***An advance reading copy of Ivan by Kit Rocha was generously provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
“I would like to point out, just for the record, that at least I wasn’t a big enough asshole to say that.”
I'm really conflicted with this one and not really sure how to rate it. Let's start from beginning maybe I'll know at the end of the review how to rate this one.
EDIT: (I did not really realised that but I was a bit struggling with the families here since there are so many people. Good thing is that the authors provided sort of basic family trees on their fb group! :) )
I was really, really looking for this one! I could not wait. I had all these expectations. And somehow when the book finished there was... nothing. I loved the O'Kane series so much and could not wait for Gideon's Riders, but I feel like the O'Kane series was just so good that his one simply cannot measure up to it.
This couple was one I really was looking forward. Because in the previous books we could see both of them and I liked Ivan and Maricela and thought that they would be great together. And I liked that since it would be about Maricela, we will get to see more of Gideon or even Mad. But no, Mad appeared only once for a short time, couple pages max. And I would say that Gideon was not more present than in the previous books. Speaking of people that were not enough present in the book here comes me another problem. We got a new character that will be apparently really important and has the ability to seriously make things hell if he tries. But the character is introduced and then basically disappears from the pages except for another couple of pages filled with nothing and then the character is only mentioned. (view spoiler)[Come on! Lucas just comes, and he's their blood relative. One that could potentially challenge Gideon for his throne. One of the noble families is backing him up, and there is not more of him? That's really bad and a lost opportunity. If he was not going to play any role in this book than he maybe should have been introduced later in the book. Not almost at the beginning at then sort of forgotten. It was really disruptive. I was always thinking about him what he was doing and stuff like that. Do not introduce an important character and then leave him out. It seemed like they even forgotten that they put him in the story at all! (hide spoiler)]
So, the majority of the book is spent at a gathering organized by the Reyes family. Therefore, you'll get to see a lot of characters from the previous books or even new ones. (view spoiler)[ I'm starting to be really disgusted by how people were pushing for Maricela to marry someone noble. Same with how they want to get someone to catch Gideon and now probably Lucas will be very good catch as well. And I even felt sorry for how Nita was treated by her mother. And even that it is something that is completely normal. For some reason, I got feeling that Estela Reyes could be great friend with Cerys. And it was kind of sad that it had to be Lauren to point out how everyone thinks that they are entitled to a piece of Maricela or even any Rios in general. (hide spoiler)]
My favorite moments from the whole book were between the Riders. I love Reyes and Gabe. I want more of them. I was always laughing out loud. Their conversations are simply hilarious!
“I’m sorry, but we’re all a bunch of badass warriors trained in observation. Surely he didn’t think no one would notice. I mean, you didn’t, right?”
Well, I did not talk about the couple yet, did I? So, there is the biggest problem. The couple did not work for me. And in general, I would say that that is my main problem with this series. Except for the first book the couples do not work for me. So, what was my main problem? (view spoiler)[I feel like Ivan put Maricela on a pedestal. Like a goddess or something. And he would do anything she'll ask him to do. Sort of doesn't feel like a healthy relationship to me. (hide spoiler)]
Then it is pretty safe to bet that we will get Gideon and (view spoiler)[Avery - which I don't really know how I feel about. People won't be really happy that the Parrino sisters got the two most powerful men in the Sectors. (hide spoiler)] Then certainly we can expect Reyes, and I think (view spoiler)[Grace (hide spoiler)] And other characters I expect to get books are Lucas, Alexei, and Sara - not necessarily together.
I'm really sorry because I wanted to like this book more than I did. I was looking forward to this one. But it did not work. I missed something there and did not like the couple together; they simply missed all chemistry between them. Normally I would probably stop with the series especially since I did not like the previous book as well. However, I love the interactions between the Riders so much that I will get it another chance. I just need more of Reyes and Gabe! And Zeke is getting pretty hilarious as well.
Also, the ending hinted some great political struggle I cannot wait for....more
Tady fakt cesta nevede. Asi po 70stránkách jsem musela googlit, o čem ta knížka vůbec je. Ale ani na 200 stránce se to nedalo číst. Žádná z postav nebTady fakt cesta nevede. Asi po 70stránkách jsem musela googlit, o čem ta knížka vůbec je. Ale ani na 200 stránce se to nedalo číst. Žádná z postav nebyla nějak atraktivní, aby člověka zaujala. Děj byl prazvláštní. Ani si nejsem jistá, o co přesně v něm šlo. Ale nejhorší byl jazyk, kterým to bylo napsané. Dvakrát nedával smysl, autor něco vždy pojmenoval fancy odborně a hlavně vymyšleným názvem nebo takovým, co ma normálně jiný význam. Minimálně 10 různých věcí bylo nazýváno ''Manitou'', kdo se má v tom vyznat? ...more
Edit - April/2020 Back to my re-read session. And yet another disappointment. This book was always my least favourite from the wholes series, but it juEdit - April/2020 Back to my re-read session. And yet another disappointment. This book was always my least favourite from the wholes series, but it just got worse with time. I have to say that I did not remember a single thing about this book, so, it felt a bit like reading it for the first time. But that did not help at all; I was in chapter two when I started to feel like I needed to just skim through certain parts of the story.
I still enjoyed the parts which related more to the war arc than anything to do with the main couple. In other words, if it was a chapter focusing on Jeni and Hawk, it was not good, if it was not focusing on them, it was great. The only reason why this is not a one star.
In all honesty, I believe that this book was an unnecessary addition to the series. There was no reason for this couple to be together. Jeni was always sort of there, and Hawk played a role in Finn's book, but I never thought that either of them needed a book. And definitely not together because the chemistry was basically non-existent. And the war-arc could have been split between book seven and nine.
Original: ***Advance Review Copy generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
To be honest I never really liked Jeni and Hawk. Their characters are okay. But I never saw them as a couple. So, I was a bit worried that I won't like this book as much. Well, I didn't have to. Kit again found a way how to make any couple work.
But yet I found myself more interested in the war arc - and our old friends showing up ;).
This series started as something easy to read. But now the war and all the things that built up during the whole series made it something completely else. More thrilling. And I cannot wait for the last book. And for the couple, I find it more interesting—full of potential.
To sum it up: I would like to read the scene where Noelle (view spoiler)[ finds out that her father died. Died trying to do a good thing for once. (hide spoiler)]. Jeni&Hawk aren't my favourite couple. But I'll still end up re-reading their book over and over again. What really holds this book is the anticipation. All those decisions. Friends and enemies.
So, I say well done. And please may I have the next book?
EDIT: Re-read time. (2/24/2017)
Okay, I don't like this couple again. They don't work for me. Rating changed....more
Honestly, my main problem is that up until 70% in the story was really, really slow. If the Beltane Festival started earliSo, let's the review begin.
Honestly, my main problem is that up until 70% in the story was really, really slow. If the Beltane Festival started earlier, it might have been more action filled. Then I sort of expect more murdering, but somehow it seemed a bit like the Vampire Diaries. You expect to get some action, but instead of that, you get some sort of How To Get The Boy. To much time spent on the relationships.
Furthermore, there were too many minor characters I had problems remembering. Especially on Arsinoe's side. And for some time I thought that Luca and Luke were one person.
Also, I'm a bit confused about certain things. Why the king-consort has to be a mainlander? They have no power at all! So, is it a story where women have more power than the men or how is it? I got a feeling that except from the Arrons I didn't see any men in the story having any real power. Also, it is so funny that the three girls are referred to as queens, but Arsinoe has to do chores apparently. Katharine is basically terrified and to a certain extent, you could say even (view spoiler)[tortured (hide spoiler)]. Then Mirabella is sort of captured by the temple. Do they even have any real power or are they puppets? And once one of them is crowned do they have any real power at all? Or are they still just for the image?
They cannot decide whether her weeping is a sign of weakness or of great mercy. Either way, they would prefer that she did not do it.
From now on, this review might be somewhat spoilerish
So, I liked Katharine probably most from all of the sisters. Especially the moment she got away from Genevieve and had an opportunity to gain confidence and some strength.
Then there is Arsinoe that was on my nerves from the first page. I just despise her, and I hope that she won't get the crown!
And honestly, Mirabella really disappointed me. I expected some strong character that has a goal, and she'll do anything for it. (view spoiler)[Well, to be honest, if her goal is Joseph, then she might prove to be determined. (hide spoiler)]
So let's move to the other characters. Funny, for a book this long there is not much to be said about the majority of the storyline but only mostly about the characters.
I love Pietyr! And the ending shocked me and tore my heart a bit, but I hope it will get sorted out in the next book. I'm still rooting for him and Katharine!
And as I said, I cannot stand Arsinoe, and that can be said about all of them. Jules, Joseph and especially Jules and Joseph as a couple. Just plain wrong.
Then there is Billy. Absolutely plain and I just hope that he won't be the king-consort because that would be a disaster.
“I could never hate you,” she says. “But if you do not leave now, my cat will tear your throat out.”
So, all together this could be a great introduction to a great series. If the rest of the series follows the last 30% of the book, then there might be a chance for it....more
The weakest book in series. I really liked the scenes with other characters than just between the main couple. I guess my problem was that I never likThe weakest book in series. I really liked the scenes with other characters than just between the main couple. I guess my problem was that I never liked Painter or Mel and they just do not work together at all. The thing is I did not like Painter in the previous books. Here, when he was not with Mel or not thinking about Mel, he was bearable in this book. But otherwise, he was just asking for someone to slap me.
But my main problem is Mel who is lucky that Jessica is in the series otherwise she would be the worse character....more
I'm sort of sorry because I know if I read this book 5 or 6 years ago I would have loved it. I really wish thisThis review might be mildly spoilerish.
I'm sort of sorry because I know if I read this book 5 or 6 years ago I would have loved it. I really wish this was published earlier and I also had time to read it right after it was published. Now? I'm mostly annoyed by it. Maybe because I wish I was stuck in time so I could still enjoy these? But I'm also a bit proud that I finally finished this one.
Also, this book just reminds me of too many other books. Selection (the marry the prince part), Divergent (the having oh-so-secret and so-dangerous powers that will help to tear the system down and also will be the same, I am the only one with these powers, and then you have this power, you have this power, and maybe everyone will have this power. What is this? Oprah?), then I see Hunger Games (the beginning of the book in the arena and Gisa practically being Prim. Also Kilorn really reminds me of Hurricane). And probably more but I think this list is enough to make the image.
EDIT: Okay, I knew I was not done with this review. - How come that Mare never knew about her (view spoiler)[powers (hide spoiler)] before this? Makes no sense and it's annoying, honestly. - She says several times how brave Maven is and grate etc. (view spoiler)[So, I really hate that suddenly, since he is the bad guy, she sees him as a coward! (hide spoiler)] END OF EDIT
So the first thing that is sort of problem is that I did not want to continue with the book once I started reading it. I started it in August 2018!
Main problem? I don't like Mare, at all. I could not get to like her. She just does not have any main character spark for me. And I am really sorry to say this, but pretty often she even came off as absolutely clueless or even dumb. From the start, she hates Silvers because they are just monsters, mean etc. But then she meets Cal, knows nothing about him but tells him everything! She trusts him for no real reason.
“It’s not my fault you were stupid enough to play along,”
I could not describe Mare better than that! And she was warned several times that anyone could betray anyone.
Then she got into the whole mess. She hates the Silvers who are so mean. But suddenly she likes Maven. She trusts him. Like, why? She knows him and Cal for that matter for a couple of days. After a lifetime of hating Silvers or even being afraid of them, she just trusts them. And the horrifying thing is that you cannot really even see her thinking if just maybe they/anyone is trying to use her. Because she is a brand new, technically powerful player in the arena and of course everyone would love to have on their side. Then she thinks she could just sneak around, using her powers and no one would ever think about it. Like: "You know, all these cameras suddenly turning off, do you maybe think that it could be that girl that can control electricity? Just maybe?" Why does she think all Silvers are stupid?
Then, I don't like Cal. Because he is just a little mister perfect. There is nothing about him. (view spoiler)[Also, I don't understand the so-called romance between him and Mare. How did it happen? There was nothing. No reason for those two to have feelings for each other. There was almost no interaction between them except for small episodes. (hide spoiler)]
Father - ... There must be another way."
In the end, he was also as naive as Mare was. Same with taunting (view spoiler)[Maven (hide spoiler)] making it like he is weak to refuse to battle with him. There is no weakness in knowing you are weaker and not able to win against someone in fair battle or on their terms. That would not be brave that would be stupid! You fight to win, not to present the best battle possible and let the best fighter win.
I was not sure about Maven. Cause he seemed, boring? And suspicious. (view spoiler)[ Not surprised at all that this was his/his mother's plan all along. However, I wonder. Mare said that he instantly changed, his behaviour, the way he speaks etc. So the question is, did he pretend to be a good guy just for Mare or long before her? Because if A, then his sudden change would have been suspicious to everyone else around. Including Cal. If B then why? (hide spoiler)]
The Sentinels bunch around Maven, still not used to guarding me as well...
That makes no sense! If you're there to guard someone you just don't forget about it cause it's new to you.
It looks like I even have problems writing this review. I have so much to say that I keep forgetting.
Also, it seems to have every trope imaginable. - She is chosen one, having powers like no one else - She has powers that the Reds don't have, it should be only for Silvers - (view spoiler)[The one dead person close to the main character whose death starts the events is actually not so dead (hide spoiler)] <-- I was able to say this was going to happen the moment we learned about it. - No one dares to fight the regime however suddenly there is a secret rebellion - The rebellion just needs that person for their rebellion to have a chance - The sort of chosen one - The best friend who is close to being a love interest - He will be still in the game to win the main heroine, but in the end, he will lose -And I could continue like that for a very long time. -Person is brave, untill we know they are actually the bad guy. Cause a villain cannot be brave! EVER!
EDIT (8/3/2017): I am finding more things that were irritating me about Calaena. Like the scene where she got the puppy. Like I want the puppy to do tEDIT (8/3/2017): I am finding more things that were irritating me about Calaena. Like the scene where she got the puppy. Like I want the puppy to do this and that and that... It's a puppy! Not a doll or a robot for your amusement!
Calaena is simply too much of a brat for me! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Well, I wanted to read this for very long time and just watched the praise for this whole series rise. And unfortunately, I don't get it.
It was okay, but there are better series.
I was so sick of Celaena hating on Kaltain after the first second she saw her. Just because she wanted the prince and did not like her? (view spoiler)[ She was also so quick to think that Nehemia was doing something wicked. (hide spoiler)] She just judges others how she judges herself.
Also, Celaena was sort of torn between her hard/killer part and the girly-girl one. - Not a bad thing to be one or another. But sometimes it felt like two different persons. Maybe I would like to see her be both at the same time more.
I somehow like Dorian (It's the name!!!), but he was a bit shallow. I wish the book showed more of him because I think there is more to him. (view spoiler)[ But I am not buying all that "romance" and "love" between him and Celaena. (hide spoiler)] <-- Not working for me!!
As for Chaol - (view spoiler)[Captain of the guard who is shattered with grief after killing a pretty much criminal! (hide spoiler)] I would say that is a major flaw for his position!
Right now I am a bit critical of the series, but there are some plot lines and things hinted that I am curious about....more
Years ago when I finished the Hex Hall series I was excited for this one but never read it. So, after the Hex Hall re-I'm actually very disappointed.
Years ago when I finished the Hex Hall series I was excited for this one but never read it. So, after the Hex Hall re-reading, I just had I decided to tackle down this one as well. Bad decision.
The thing is if there was a time between reading the Hex Hall and this one I think the disappointment would be smaller. The thing that is missing the most is Sophie's humour. Izzy is dull in comparison with Sophie, and I realised that Sophie's smart comments (and Archer's as well) are actually a very important part why I loved the Hex Hall series so much. With them missing, the book is just sad.
I also always thought that Izzy would go to the Hex Hall, not just some sort of random high school. I do not know how I feel about that. And where I liked Izzy in the Hex Hall she was getting on my nerves here.
Also, nothing was solved in this book. Only pointless plot/drama that was introduced but would have no value in the long run.
And I feel cheated because there was so much potential far fabulous plot. Just more of Torin (because we all waited for that anyway, right?) and if you're going to start the book with Finn missing, then I expect the book to actually be about Izzy trying to find her sister. Not her living the life as a normal teenager.
I don't care for Romy or Anderson. Adam was really stupidly written character. I like Dex, but that's it. I could go with this book without them.
And I'm gutted that Sophie and Archer did not appear. They were only mentioned like twice.
I was going to rate this one three stars (weak ones but still three). But then I did a bit of digging. This was published almost six years ago, and it's clearly unfinished. Then in some comments, I read that the author changed publisher and she won't be finishing this one. Really angry and I even feel generous for giving this book two stars. Because yeah, it was okay, easy to read but it was wasted book. I want to know what is the deal with Torin instead I got some fictional soap opera Ivy Springs Izzy talks about all the time!
This is just filled with an unnecessary plot, but the thing that kills me is that we won't get another book that would solve the unanswered questions. If the author did not waste this book on teen high school drama, it could have been amazing. Right now I'm disappointed, angry and where I was really excited that I loved the re-read of the Hex Hall I'm left sad.
Personally, I find unfinished series very unprofessional, and it reflects really bad on the author. I won't trust said author ever again. I will not start any of their series unless they finish it. Because "trust issues".
As always I wanted to include some quotes, but where I had trouble to choose some for Hex Hall because there were so many great ones, here, I found none. ...more
--------- So please, how would you rate a book you've been reading for three years? I seriously don't know. TIt took me three years to finish this book!
--------- So please, how would you rate a book you've been reading for three years? I seriously don't know. The beginning was hell on earth! Someone else had to write it. No way this was a continuation to Anna Dressed in Blood one of my favourite books! So, it was boring. They were talking for ages. Then we got Jestine and I hoped it would be fun again. But they were talkingThen I finally got some action pops up like the Suicide forest which was brilliant! Then they were talking again! Then they finally went to hell which was great! And I don't even know how I feel about the ending. Cause it is pretty obvious there was no better way.
And yet another book where I'll pretend that it's standalone. Not even angry about it, as much as I wanted a good continuation, I think that Anna Dressed in Blood is pretty decent standalone story!...more
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