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| 0062797654
| 9780062797650
| 4.09
| 9,574
| Jul 02, 2019
| Jul 02, 2019
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really liked it
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None
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Notes are private!
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1
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Jan 2019
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Jan 2019
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Dec 28, 2018
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ebook
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| 9780998151687
| unknown
| 4.35
| 1,536
| Aug 21, 2017
| Aug 21, 2017
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really liked it
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Binge read (n.): 1) When you get so engrossed in a book that you read it in one sitting. 2) To read a book (usually for school) in the course of a day; Binge read (n.): 1) When you get so engrossed in a book that you read it in one sitting. 2) To read a book (usually for school) in the course of a day; most times when you were given a long period of time to read the book in the first place. 3)The impulse to finish Reign of Secrets without giving a darn about sleep, work, food and other nuisances, such as zombie apocalypse, alien invasion etc So, let me be your “I don't need to hear my mother's speech. I know what my destiny is, and I'm ready to face it.” What is this about? Following her traumatic imprisonment and the horrors she faced in Russek, Alyssa has finally a choice: live her life as peasant, away from court and its politics that suffocate her, or resume her role as the crown princess of Emperion, whose stability and freedom is more precarious than ever with the Russek queen bent on destroying Alyssa's family. Alyssa is pondering on her options when a letter arrives, informing her that the person who broke her heart is in danger and needs her help. Now Alyssa will join a “For us to survive this tomorrow, I need you to be the fighter I know you can be. I need you to be you.” IsCage of Destinya worthy conclusion to Alyssa's storyline? Hell yeah! This series is getting better and better; as soon as I finishedCage of Darkness(which, as the title suggests, was way darker that the first installment) I inhaledCage of Destiny.The third novel of the Reign of Secrets series followed Alyssa's journey to healing, to making choices in accordance with her own will and needs. It washeart-poundingandnail-biting,featuringschemes, skirmishes, espionageand everything you expect in a YA fantasy adventure. Darmik's active role and his protective-father-scenes were a precious treat, and I couldn't help but reminisce about the wonderful moments I spent with him and Rema in the past. [image] Did Alyssa stop being reckless and acting without thinking? Do donkeys fly? Alyssa's character evolution was tremendous throughout the series, but sadly that's a trait she didn't shed. Having said that, I admired her love and devotion to her people, I was mourning alongside her for the loss of innocence and her horrible experience in the hands of her tormentors, and her guilt for her first kill. All those emotions were perfectly depicted, they made her real a person you couldn't help but root for. And now the million dollar question: Kerdan or Odar? If you asked me a book ago, I wouldn't be sure. Now the answer is crystal clear:Kerdan*insert heart-eyes*. At first I begrudged Jennifer for the way she handled Odar's character, but gradually I saw the truth; the person we met in the first book was not the real Odar. His feelings were pure, but he was too scared to follow his heart, leading to a series of bad decisions. Kerdan, on the other hand, was a multi-layered character, with his lethal and agressive side co-existing with his kind, generous and tender one. He didn't try to stifle Alyssa, he was always supportive without ignoring her flaws, and he managed to win me over. His banters with Darmik had me cackling like a hen, and his moments with Alyssa were brimming with passion and affection, making my heart burst from my chest. [image] “I swore never to trust anyone ever again. Then you come blazing into my life like a raging fire and burn down my resolve. And now, here we are.” Do I recommend this series? Yes, yes, a thousand times yes!Jennifer Anne Davisis an extremely talented author, her stories area wonderful blend of action, politics, war and romanceand definitely deserve more attention. Just give meOath of Deceptionalready! Review also posted on Booknest ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Apr 27, 2018
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Apr 28, 2018
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Apr 29, 2018
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ebook
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| 1681195771
| 9781681195773
| 4.27
| 615,848
| Sep 05, 2017
| Sep 05, 2017
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it was amazing
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I was not prepared for this book. Tower of Dawnwas everything I wanted, even though I was not aware of it before the first chapters.A Court of Mist a I was not prepared for this book. Tower of Dawnwas everything I wanted, even though I was not aware of it before the first chapters.A Court of Mist and Furyinflicted some serious damage to my relationship withSarah J. Maasdue to severe character mistreatment, shameless manipulation and a shrine built for Saint Rhysand, but this one restored my faith in her. Before readingTower of DawnI was furious for the delay in Throne of Glass' conclusion. Foranotherchange of ships I knew would come. I decided to dive into it for the sake of continuing the story, as if it was an unpleasant task I had to get over with. I never expected to bethisinvestedin the new characters. I never expected the frantic heartbeat, the way my chest exploded. And I ended up full of gratitude and a little awe in front of the miracle, the wondrous feeling of finding a little gem, a flare of magic where you least expected it. “He was Lord of Nothing. Lord of Oath-Breakers. Lord of Liars.” Tower of Dawnfollows Chaol and Nesryn's journey to the southern continent, in order to search for potential allies against the forces of Morath and a way to heal Chaol after the events ofQueen of Shadows.In a foreign land, a place thriving and actually cared for by its monarchs, Chaol was forced to face the demons within, along with the court manipulations and the political games between the viziers and the possible heirs of the khaganate. There he met Yrene Towers, an unwilling Healer hating Adarlan and everything Chaol represented with a seething passion, but for reasons unknown to him decided to help him nonetheless. Nesryn, on the other hand, was restless. Even though she finally found a place to blend in despite her mixed heritage, she craved the adventure Chaol promised her but never delivered. And so, she set off on an adventure of her own. On the back of aruk,she battled horrendous beings and came across secrets that could alter the outcome of the war to end all wars. In the city of Antica, where the Tower of Healers blessed by the Goddess loomed, in the unforgiving mountains of the famous ruk riders, Chaol and Nesryn found answers, even to questions they never dared ask. “For wherever you need to go - and then some. The world needs more healers.” Healing. That's what Chaol needed, for his broken body and his broken soul, ravaged by the guilt and self-loathing that festered inside him. And Sarah, the wonderful and terrible Sarah, gave them to him. I always thought that his relationship with Aelin was not treated smoothly, that in her desperate need to make Rowan/Aelin happen, the author decided to sacrifice him. To be honest, though, I never turned against him. I just wanted Sarah to restore this beautiful, flawed character who gave up everything, his title, his honour, his men, and ended up feeling like a total waste, a disappointment and a pathetic excuse of a human being. The portayal of his inner thoughts, the broken pieces of him, wasspectacular,and so was thedepiction of disability,and how the emotional trauma, the constant feeling of incompetence, can wreck more havoc than the physical wound itself. Iachedfor him. For his trials, for his demons, for everything. His stay in the southern continent was a much-needed journey ofredemption,and in the end I feltpurified.Ready to conquer the world, fight the horrors of Morath and Erawan by his side. It wasinvigorating. “He had made one promise. He had not broken it yet. But Chaol was not the only one who needed to find himself. Yrene Towers, the young healer Aelin helped a lifetime ago, came to play a vital part. At first I was so angry at her, for being blind with rage and grief and failing to see that Chaol was not the one who took everything from her, that the same nation can breed both bad and good men. But as the story progressed, and her walls started crumbling, I loved the person that emerged.Her bravery, her devotion, her compassion.I keep saying that Sarah never fails to create imperfectly perfect male characters (except Rhysand, the One-Who-Makes-Mountains-Tremble), but her female characters are fantastic as well. They're badass, truly badass, and strong despite the impediments they keep facing. Nesryn is another example, and she proved again and again how brave and brilliant she is. The way her relationship with Chaol unfolded was, thankfully, well-handled, and she shone as an independent person, without Chaol's influence. “I wish we'd had time.” The characters introduced for the first time inTower of Dawnwere deeply intriguing, but there was one that made the others pale compared to him.Shartaq.Let's take a moment to admire the Winged Prince, who's a soft marshmallow and a fierce warrior at the same time.New crush alert,people, new crush alert (don't worry Dorian, you're still my number one bae) [image] The feelings evoked while readingTower of Dawnwereall-encompassing,and I cried so many times I lost count. Tears of joy, sorrow, pain and relief stained my face, especially in the last chapters (and, to be honest, every time Chaol remembered or talked about Dorian, his brother, his king - his loyalty and love towards Dorian made my heart swell). The descriptions were vivid, and everything related to the khaganate, the history, the culture, the court intrigue, was fascinating, the new world was richly painted. I felt the freedom of riding on a ruk, and wandered in lush palaces full of spying servants and scheming nobles, grieving for a princess who was lost so young and rooting for the next heir of a prosperous kingdom. The revelations about the Valg, and the secrets contained in libraries and tombs set the road for an explosive final book. But as it's slowly sinking in how much I'll have to wait for the last instalment of the series I cherish, a series “I will cherish always. I think I'm on the verge of depression. [image] If you have any doubts about readingTower of Dawn,get over yourselves and read it. You won't regret it. For this review and more visit BookNest! ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Nov 20, 2017
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Nov 26, 2017
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Apr 22, 2017
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Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 0544991192
| 9780544991194
| 0544991192
| 3.88
| 5,496
| Feb 05, 2019
| Feb 05, 2019
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liked it
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3.5 stars
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1
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Jan 2019
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Jan 2019
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Oct 08, 2016
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Hardcover
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| 1250073022
| 9781250073020
| 1250073022
| 4.22
| 100,231
| Aug 09, 2016
| Aug 09, 2016
|
it was amazing
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Nevernight,gentlefriends, is an O, so bloody piece of Art. It is not for the faint-hearted. It is not a Young Adult book. It does not feature noble he Nevernight,gentlefriends, is an O, so bloody piece of Art. It is not for the faint-hearted. It is not a Young Adult book. It does not feature noble heroes, polished by their acts of kindness. It is a story of killers A tale of the vicious fight between Light and Darkness And in the shadows cast by the Lady of Blessed Murder, her faithful servants thrive. [image] Source “You'll be a rumour. A whisper. The thought that wakes the bastards of this world sweating in the nevernight. The last thing you will ever be in this world, girl, is someone's hero. In the beautiful and terrible city of Godsgrave, inspired bymedieval Venice,a city of Bridges and Bones, where the sky is illuminated by three suns and the God of Light is worshipped, the last daughter of a disgracedfamiliafled for her life. Swearing revenge. She headed to the finest school of assassins, devoted to the Mother of Darkness. Trained in the fine Arts of Blade. Poison. Seduction. She sang the Song of Death, bathed in Blood, called the Shadows that bowed to her will. But revenge has a steep price. It demands sacrifice. Your conscience. Your soul. And Mia Corvere, the Pale Daughter, the Crow, was tested time after time, only to discover that she was not made of glass. She was steel. “Never Flinch. Nevernight,gentlefriends, is agritty saga.Jay Kristoffis not one to shy away frombrutality,nor he sugarcoats the actions and the motives of his characters. As the narrator kindly informs us, he does not spare the reader from the gore and the vulgarity. Torture scenes, death, sex scenes, they're all depicted in explicit detail, and while you'll probably want to close your eyes and forget the violence you just witnessed, you can't. But mind that this is not necessarily a bad thing, gentlefriends. Becausethe ugly and the raw is infused with rare moments of beauty, and humanity.Because the narration isingeniousandwitty,and the information regarding the lavish world-building (and other random facts) is presented in the form of footnotes, commented by the mysterious, all-knowing narrator that will make you crack a smile. The prose is unique, elegant, the sarcasm entwined with lyricism, and you can't help but read read read as if enchanted by a powerful being*. “When all is bood, blood is all.” While you walk in the filthy streets of Godsgrave, or the dim-lit corridors of the Red Church (the caste of assassins blessed by the All-Mighty Mother), you will meet dubious characters. You will be swept away by politics and murder, and you will try to find a ray of sunshine in acolytes seeking blood, only to be answered with Darkness. Mia Corvere will make you cringe, and curse, and O, this is unexpected, but love. Her courage,her badassery and determination will win you over, and so will her cunning and devious mind. You will follow her wide-eyed in her journey paved with bodies, in the moments she is overwhelmed with lust (for human flesh or for blood), you will participate in the trials she struggles to dominate, and share her heartbreak. Her feeble friendships and longing, and wishes that are not fulfilled. Her nightmares and her questions about who she is.Whatshe is. [image] Source The death toll will take you by surprise. The plot-twists will make you gasp for breath. You will want to hurtJay Kristoff,gentlefriends, the way he hurt you with a seething passion. But if you yearn for adark tale featuring assassins, smut, ancient magic and a dream of revenge,Mister Kristoff awaits to serve you thedelicious and grim story of Mia Corvere. *Imperio! You can find, gentlefriends,this reviewand more onBookNest! ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Sep 24, 2017
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Sep 29, 2017
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Jan 28, 2016
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Hardcover
| ||||||||||||||
| 1943363005
| 9781943363001
| 4.38
| 18,460
| Oct 15, 2015
| Dec 01, 2015
|
it was amazing
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You can findthis reviewand more onBookNest!
I've been trying for a while to come up with a catchy line to open this review, but then it dawned o You can findthis reviewand more onBookNest! I've been trying for a while to come up with a catchy line to open this review, but then it dawned on me thatMichael J. Sullivandoes not need a catchy line to draw attention to his work. His marvelous writing skills, his endearing characters and their heart-pounding adventures, my eagerness to keep visiting his fantasy lands and the blissful feeling that I am home whenever I dive into his stories speak volumes, so I can't help but state the obvious;he is a master storyteller, and the world of fantasy is lucky to have him. (Was that catchy enough?) “If anyone had asked Royce Melborn what he hated most at that moment, he would’ve said dogs. Dogs and dwarves topped his list, both equally despised for having so much in common—each was short, vicious, and inexcusably hairy.” InThe Death of DulgathRiyria faces a new challenge: to save Lady Dulgath from her impending assasination by acting as consultants, offering their opinion about possible ways to murder her, in order for her people to make preparations against them. And yes, it's as shady as it sounds. But it's easy money, so Royce and Hadrian set off a journey to the edge of the world, to the mysterious land of Dulgath, where it never rains and the vegetation is lush, where the Church of Nyphron tries (and fails) to establish a strong hold and the struggle for power leads to unholy alliances and unsolved murders. But the greatest mystery is Lady Dulgath herself, aloof and perseptive beyond imagination and strangely worshiped by her people, who doesn't take the threats against her seriously. And Riyria wants to know why. These past weeksI was experiencing a reading / reviewing slump of the worst kind.I felt like I was robbed of the energy to read, to spend precious time inside a good book and let my veins fill with literatute and its wonders. The will was there, my soulachedfor it to be released, to fly, but it needed a trigger, and I couldn't find it. Until the dayThe Death of Dulgatharrived at my doorstep, and IknewthatMichael J. Sullivanwould be the one to help me. It couldn't be anyone else. Every time I return to Elan I sigh withreliefandcontentment,I am among old and beloved friends who share with me their new adventures, who want me by their side when they unveil conspiracies and get in the way of the Church's plans, and I let them be my guides to their world because I trust them to make me feel good. They always succeed. “So you have been paying attention." Mi xing hilarity with action, inThe Death of DulgathMichael J. Sullivanserves a delicious dish of good ol' fantasy;whileThe Crown TowerandThe Rose and the Thornopen a portal to the origins of Riyria and the formation of the legendary duet ofcreative problem-solvers,the third instalment of the Riyria Chronicles is more like a standalone,an intense, sweeping adventurethat makes reality seem distant and insignificant, unworthy of your attention. What, or better who, deserves your attention, is Royce Melborn and Hadrian Blackwater; Royce is always his cynical, pragmatistic self that thinks murder is the way to deal with your problems, that acts of kindness hide nefarious motives, so naturally he is confused when help comes from unexpected places. But Hadrian, with his faith in mankind that sometimes borders stupidity, with his eagerness to do the right thing even though it will get him into trouble, is rubbing off on him. They complement each other, and while their (hilarious) dialogues consist mostly of Royce threatening to murder Hadrian, you can feel the strength of their bond, and the friendship that connects them. Even though Lady Dulgath manages to rattle Royce. Even though Hadrian is smitten with a fiesty redhead, and an ambitious nobleman tries to pin a murder on them. Others tried that too, and they all failed. “We are more than the bodies we inhabit. They're little more than clothes, and yet we judge so much by them.” If you're up for a fantastical tale that will lift your spirits and make you feel at ease, among friends,The Death of Dulgathis an ideal choice.Michael J. Sullivanand Riyria hold a vital piece of my heart, and I strongly wish that Mr. Sullivan will never stop delivering his enchanting stories, that the brilliant brain of his will keep producing ideas to keep Royce and Hadrian alive. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Sep 04, 2017
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Sep 08, 2017
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Aug 08, 2015
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Paperback
| |||||||||||||||
| 0316033677
| 9780316033671
| 0316033677
| 4.15
| 169,804
| Oct 2008
| Oct 01, 2008
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really liked it
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None
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Notes are private!
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1
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Aug 24, 2020
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Aug 30, 2020
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Jul 09, 2015
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Mass Market Paperback
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| 0451417828
| 9780451417824
| 0451417828
| 3.61
| 1,698
| Apr 02, 2013
| Apr 02, 2013
|
it was amazing
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I have to be honest,I started reading Assassin's Gambit because of thegorgeouscover.I can't even describe how happy I am that the inside was even be
I have to be honest,I started reading Assassin's Gambit because of thegorgeouscover.I can't even describe how happy I am that the inside was even better! Vitala Salonius.Half Riorcan,half Kjallan,she was never accepted by neither of them.Until the Obsidian Circle,an underground organisation that struggles for Riorca's freedom,recruits her and forges her into a weapon,an assassin with one goal;kill the emperor and spread civil war to a crumbling empire.Preparing her entire life for this moment,she never expected to fall for her target. Lucien Florian Nigellus.A young emperor striving to hold an empire that faces numerous problems,including economical crisis,rebellions and betrayals.The fact that he is crippled due to a failed assassination attempt doesn't give him much credit. When these two meet,the entire universe explodes.Through coups,alliances and hard choices,Lucien's brilliant strategic mind and Vitala's ruthlessness and training have the potential to unite two peoples who hate each other in the face of a common enemy.Amy Raby did a fantastic job in painting the politics,the intrigue,the sensitive matter of post-traumatic stress disorder and the battle strategies.The magic system was fresh,something I had never encountered before,with the Riftstones and the Shards and the wardbreakers.But the main theme of the book is the romance between Vitala and Lucien.It started as physical attraction (and they had some very steamy scenes together),the love and trust followed afterwards.Vitala had to balance her commitment to saving her country,a country that never accepted her,with her growing feelings for a man she thought he was the enemy, and had to make some decisions that bereaved her of everything she held dear until then.Lucien was also a complex character,I loved the fact that he wasn't physically perfect and that this didn't stop him from being his smug confident self.They were broken,both of them,and they accepted and embraced that. I love deeply the books which combine war,politics,assassins and romance,and the Assassin's Gambit fits this profile perfectly.A pleasant surprise,I am absolutely going to read more of the Hearts and Thrones series. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Apr 26, 2015
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Apr 27, 2015
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Apr 23, 2015
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Mass Market Paperback
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| 0356502287
| 9780356502281
| 0356502287
| 4.40
| 27,586
| Sep 17, 2013
| Sep 17, 2013
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it was amazing
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It'sMichael J. Sullivan. It's Royce and Hadrian. Of course it isphenomenal. [image] “Wait! What is it? What is Riyria? What does it mean?”It'sMichael J. Sullivan. It's Royce and Hadrian. Of course it isphenomenal. [image] “Wait! What is it? What is Riyria? What does it mean?” The Rose and the Thornhad been sitting on my bookshelf for months. Reading it was a physical need, but I kept postponing it because I knew that when I gave in, I would move one step closer to the end, and a point in my life when there wouldn't be any new adventures of my favorite thieves, and that was depressing. Two days ago, I finally caved in. And it waswonderful. “I'll make a human being out of him yet.” For those who haven't read Riyria Revelations,The Rose and the Thornis the gripping story of two incredibly different men who became a team, a boy that was bullied but became a hero nonetheless and a conspiracy to get rid of the royal family that was uncovered by a young prostitute and led to great losses, violence and ashes. For those who have read Riyria Revelations, this is the story of how an awkward but brave young Hilfred saved Arista and became her guard, how Royce and Hadrian met their partner in crime, Albert, and established their reputation ascreative problems solvers,and why Gwen named her tavern The Rose and The Thorn. Events that were mentioned in Revelations came in the spotlight and gave us a better understanding of how and why our beloved characters were made this way, we learned more about King Amrath and we witnessed the first attempts of the villains to shape the world to their liking. “Even if you're doing it for selfish reasons, you're still helping to save his life. It just goes to show that good can come from helping a stranger, and it proves that the world isn't so bad after all.” Returning to Melengar wasbittersweet.I was content to revisit places and people that are now a part of me, but at the same time, knowing their fates and the suffering they would endure in the future made this experience painful,heartbreaking.I was overcome withmelancholyandnostalgia,I wanted to spare them from all the ugly things and the hurt, but I was helpless. So I sat aside, and let Mr. Sullivan guide me, through dark alleys and dim-lighted corridors, stables and haunted towers. I let him show me how vulnerable Hilfred had been, and how Gwen wanted to protect Royce from the first moment she met him, how cruelty is a trait of poor and rich men and women alike, but so is kindness. I participated in swordfights and plots and hideous murders and I cheered for a noble swordsman and a cruel assassin that were unaware of their potential for greatness. And I could picture Michael Sullivan winking with mischief when a connection was made between the past and the present. “I don't think you've lost enough blood that you'd be suffering delusions yet. You must just be confused. I'm not assaulting you. I'm murdering you.” The dialogues werewitty,as per usual, andsassinessandsarcasmwere all over the place. Hadrian was asoft marshmallow,Royce thehuman equivalent of Grumpy Cat,which resulted in constant arguing and lessons, of humanity or cruelty, depending on the teacher. The things Royce did were disturbing, but I never believed he is soulless. Hehasa soul, but it's buried under thick layers of darkness, mistrust, anger, rejection and bitterness, and it needs patience and effort to dig though them and reveal what a great person he can be. And this person is Gwen. Her kindness was confusing to Royce, but she made him feel something good, something different that terrified him but also liberated him. “One day you'll remember this moment. It will have faded to a mere wisp, a ghost of a long-forgotten past, but it will return to you.” There is a chance I teared up a little (or a lot). Michael J. Sullivanis indeed amaster storyteller,and he created a vibrant world of action, adventure and friendship. Don't hesitate to give Royce and Hadrian a chance to steal your mind, your heart and your breath! ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Sep 23, 2016
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Sep 25, 2016
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Mar 08, 2015
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Paperback
| ||||||||||||||
| 031624371X
| 9780316243711
| 031624371X
| 4.33
| 39,079
| Aug 01, 2013
| Aug 06, 2013
|
it was amazing
| “You realize I'm just taking you to die?” Thankfully Hadrian did disappoint Royce, and thus Riyria “You realize I'm just taking you to die?” Thankfully Hadrian did disappoint Royce, and thus Riyria was born. After a long and hectic week, getting back to Elan and reading the first adventure of my beloved pair of thieves was likecoming home.Thank you Mr.Sullivan for giving usanotherhigh fantasy mastepiece! [image] “Excuse me. My name is Hadrian Blackwater.” The Crown Toweroffered us a great insight into the beginning of Royce and Hadrian's partnership and friendship when Arcadius paired them to steal a treasure from the Crown Tower. Meanwhile, Gwen stepped towards her freedom and shaped her future to her own liking, waiting forhim,the one she was bound to help and save in more than one ways. I expectedadventureandswordfightsandassassinationsandbantersandtwists and turnslike onlyMichael J. Sullivancan write, and I got them all. I inhaled every page, Ilaughedand yelled withexcitementandloveddeeply, but there wasmore.Mr.Sullivan gave us more. He gave us the story of a girl who was tired of being disrespected and humiliated and manhandled, the story of a young man who gave up killing and sought a greater purpose in his life, the story of another young man who was raised by wolves and didn't hesitate to kill his problems because no one ever showed him there is another way.I witnessed the forge of heroes,myheroes, and my heart swelled with pride and love and awe. “I believe there's a human inside that cloak, Hadrian. You just have to find a way to break through to it.” One of the many things I admire in Mr.Sullivan's writing is his ability to createthree dimensional characters,whether they're the protagonists or the helpful farmer or the savage brute. You can feel the difference between Royce and Hadrian of the past and Royce and Hadrian of the present (the Royce ofTheft of Swordsis a charming and pleasant fellow compared to his old self), you can see that naive and optimistic and trusting to a fault Hadrian needs Royce to survive in a cruel world, and ruthless Royce needs Hadrian to find goodness in mankind. They're the complete opposites and they had a rocky start, but what's a better way to start a friendship than stabbing a student and murdering five people? (well obviously there is a better way but that's Royce we're talking about). Mr.Sullivan didn't hold back, he showed us their ugly sides without restraint, he made us understand and sympathize with them. And there was also Gwen. Her character is a constant surprise and I was so happy to learn more about her. After all the horrors she went through, she remained kind and caring and helpful, and I cannot think of a better person to shed light into Royce's life, to mold him into a better version of himself. She's become one of my favorite female characters! “While she called all of them ladies, Rose knew the only real lady in Medford House was Gwen DeLancy.” Whether you're already a Riyria fan or not,The Crown Toweris the perfect opportunity to dive into aworld of pure adventure and absolutely amazing charactersand I can assure you,you will enjoy every single moment! ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Nov 18, 2015
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Nov 25, 2015
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Mar 08, 2015
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Paperback
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| 3.73
| 10,985
| Mar 01, 2008
| Mar 01, 2008
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it was amazing
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None
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Notes are private!
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1
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not set
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not set
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Jan 29, 2015
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ebook
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| 4.23
| 683,541
| Mar 04, 2014
| Mar 04, 2014
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it was amazing
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Sam no no no NO NO!! *starts sobbing* I knew this was going to happen. I warned myself not to get attached. And yet I loved Sam beyond reason, and had
Sam no no no NO NO!! *starts sobbing* I knew this was going to happen. I warned myself not to get attached. And yet I loved Sam beyond reason, and had my heart broken. I shipped Celaena with Sam more than with Chaol. The hardships she endured,the pain and betrayal, they make me wonder how she trusted anyone after these. Sometimes I thought Celaena was a coward and got mad at her,but how can you blame someone that went to Hell and back? She's remarkable and brave after all! I have only one complaint; there are so many characters I fell in love with in this series that I feel like a slut! And the worst part is, I'm not even ashamed!! ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Jan 07, 2015
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Jan 09, 2015
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Jan 06, 2015
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ebook
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| 4.22
| 11,894
| Jan 26, 2016
| Jan 26, 2016
|
it was amazing
|
To quote Janco,I feel all warm and fuzzy inside. [image] I'm still intoMaria V. Snyder's impeccable writing.Or more precisely,I love her more than coff To quote Janco,I feel all warm and fuzzy inside. [image] I'm still intoMaria V. Snyder's impeccable writing.Or more precisely,I love her more than coffee.Chocolate-flavored coffee.I will never get tired of reading about Yelena and Valek's adventures and struggles to make both Sitia and Ixia a safe place,I'll never get tired of Janco's sassiness and banters with,well,everyone, and Ari's protective side and Leif's food-lust,becausethese people are my family,a loud,crazy and reckless family that gives me all the feels!AndNight Studyis one of the best fantasy books I've ever read! [image] “Holy snow cats,” Janco said. “We're screwed.” Yup,that summarizes pretty much what happens in this book.The war between Sitia and Ixia seems inevitable,and despite our dream team's efforts the bad guys are always one step ahead.The Commander doesn't trust Valek anymore,Owen Moon grows dangerous plants that can neutralize an entire army and a Cartel that targets magicians spreads chaos and fear in Sitia,while Yelena without her powers is extremely vulnerable but still stubborn as a mule and keeps endangering herself for the people she cares about.Ambushes,incarceration and deceptionare our heroes' constant companions,and eventually they face the horrible realization that perhaps this time they cannot win. “Sneaks, spies, defenders, heroes, masterminds, tenacious bastards - it doesn't matter what you call us. We're the ones who will do whatever it takes to stop those who believe they're entitled to wealth and power at the expense of others.” Son of a snow cat,I bit my nails until they bled!I was constantly worried and stressed and all I could hear was my frantic heartbeat because the story took so manyunexpected turnsand everyone got too close to death at least once that my delicate stomach could barely handle it!Every chapter ended in a cliffhanger and I desperately wanted to find out what happened,but then the next chapter would come and bite me in the ass with a shocking event that made my head explode and in the end I didn't know whose narrative I wanted to read the most! [image] “Valek no longed knew what to think,to believe,to do.He'd always known what action to take,but not now.Too much had happened.One thing stayed consistent.Yelena.He needed to protect her,to send her to safety,to ensure that she understood that his loyalties were no longer divided.” Fine,fine,of course Valek's was my favorite!This time we witnessed a more vulnerable Valek,who was hurt by the way the Commander treated him but saw with absolute clarity that his priority was one,his heart-mate (Gosh I love this word!),and for her he would defy every order and overcome every obstacle!I must admit that at first I couldn't see the reason why Maria narrated in such detail his hunt of the Storm Thieves because I found it irrelevant,but as the story unfolded and Valek finally faced his demons and defeated them,my heart sang a happy rhyme and I was so proud of him!He's still an assassin,he's still calculative and ruthless,but his armor has finally cracked. “Till death. I do swear, love." Valek whispered in my ear. [image] So.many.feels!!Myotpis strong,stronger than ever,and thank God they had many scenes together inNight Studythat brought me tears of joy and love!! Romance,friendship,humor,adventure and magicareMaria V. Snyder's ingredients that never fail to deliver a marvelous and memorable story!And now I regret my decision to readNight Studybefore the final book is out,because the suffering is just beginning.I'm going to curl into a ball and cry. ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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May 16, 2016
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May 18, 2016
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Dec 24, 2014
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Kindle Edition
| |||||||||||||||||
| 4.08
| 16,883
| Feb 24, 2015
| Dec 2014
|
it was amazing
|
How am I supposed to go on with my life afterthatending??I'm pretty sure my squeals woke the dead (along with my not-particularly-happy parents)!! [i How am I supposed to go on with my life afterthatending??I'm pretty sure my squeals woke the dead (along with my not-particularly-happy parents)!! [image] Shadow Studywas astastyas a steaming mug of caramel flavored cappuccino with loads of sugar accompanied by chocolate brownies!It felt like going home after a rainy day and finding dry clothes,a warm fire and an even warmer smile by the person you love the most!I savored each word,I welcomed the endearing feeling of returning to a world so cherished and characters so beloved and adventures that made my heart uncontrollably pound!If I could,I'd giveMaria V. Snydera tight hug! “Dead air surrounded me. As you can imagine,after losing her Soulfinder powers Yelena is vulnerable to every single person who hates her and believe me when I say it,they're many.She has to let other people protect her and find out how to survive with an assassin at her heels and the possibility of war between Sitia and Ixia becoming greater and more tangible each day,while Valek tries to balance his loyalty to the Commander and his love for Yelena.Not knowing who to trust and who to kill,afraid and on the run,Yelena might be the key to stop the impending war.Or be the cause of it. The truth is,at some points I had a hard time following the story because I haven't read the Glass series yet and I doubt I'll do so any time soon.But my lack of backround knowledge did not prevent me from inhaling Shadow Study or slowly becoming aware of the things at stake and the motivation of the villains!In fact,I loved Shadow Study more thanMagic StudyandFire Study,and I am content thatMaria V. Snyderdecided to continue Valek and Yelena's story!There wasn't a dull moment,I was constantly on the edge of my sit,each chapter ended in a cliffhanger and I swear there were times my frantic heartbeat was the only thing I could hear! [image] I loved the sarcastic touch of each narrative that made me snicker even when things got serious,and Janco's chapters were pure delight!Action,mystery and suspense,secrets and espionage,assassins and dubious characters,Shadow Study was a blend of everything you could ask for!But the book's hightlight wasValek's POV. “Valed stared at the dead man.No regret pulsed inside him.Just a deep feeling of satisfaction.” How can you not love this man?He's not someone who broods over the ugly things he's done,he accepts them and moves on.He's cold and calculative,cunning and self-aware,but he's not immoral.I've always wanted a glimpse to his past and thoughts and I must admit his chapters were the part I enjoyed the most in this book!I was frustrated he had only a few scenes with Yelena but being inside his head,witnessing his struggle between his duty and his devastating love for her,knowing that he would do anything to save her was enough to tame my frustation! “I’d like you to stay with me forever.” [image] The most refreshing thing about Valek and Yelena is that despite loving each other to death they're independent,they follow their path,they accept that they have different responsibilities and still they make their relationship work!Their trust,their devotion,their passion and their warmth make them one of my all time favorite couples,a couple I shipped since their first meeting and I'll ship until I'm an old toothless cat-lady reminiscing the glorious days of her youth,when a ruthless assassin stole her heart and never returned it!And I suspect that he owns a collection of missing hearts... ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Mar 04, 2016
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Mar 05, 2016
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Dec 24, 2014
|
Paperback
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| 4.62
| 750,152
| Sep 06, 2016
| Sep 06, 2016
|
it was amazing
|
All Hail Queen Maas! [image] I may hate her right now, I may be cursing her name and shaking and screaming, but deep down I love her with an unprecedent All Hail Queen Maas! [image] I may hate her right now, I may be cursing her name and shaking and screaming, but deep down I love her with an unprecedented reverence. She can't be human, no, she is a terrible, brilliant and cruel deity that messes with us mortals. For the past 48 hours I've been fighting and bleeding in Erilea. Now, I'm in a daze. Powerful gusts of wind scattered my mind. Bright fire reduced my sanity to cinders. And icicles have pierced my heart. Because this book, becauseEmpire of Storms,wasstunningly, absolutely, mindblowingly, breathtakingly, terrifyingly EPIC. “Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen, knew the time would soon come to prove just how much she'd bleed for Erilea.” In the fifth instalment of Throne of Glass series, the fire-breathing bitch queen is trying to gather an army in order to defeat the demon king, Erawan, before Erilea will perish to Darkness. But Erawan is not her only concern. The Fae Queen, Mauve, who is after the Wyrdkeys that will gift her with unlimited power, is as dangerous, ruthless and vindictive. Her enemies had decades, centuries, to plot and scheme. Aelin has barely months. With her loyal court by her side, and the heir of a shattered throne, she is calling old debts and promises, assassins and pirates and nobles, while Manon Blackbeak is fighting a different war, a war against her vicious nature and her own kind. And a storm is coming, a great storm that will either cleanse the world or annihilate it. “Aelin Galathynius had raised an army not just to challenge Morath, but to rattle the stars.” The words I'm trying to utter seem poor compared to themagnitudeof this book. It is my favorite in the series so far, the perfect way to set the chessboard before the final stand that will determine the fate of my heroes and their world.Fight sequencesto give you goosebumps,battleshipsto make your heart hammer,monstersand creatures that jumped out of legends to make your jaw drop,secrets and revelationsto break you. Piece by piece. Villains you hate with a loathing passion and heroes that make you laugh and bleed and weep with them. The moments of serenity were rare and precious. The moments of anguish and despair were so many and masterfully crafted that paralyzed you. Fear coiled you liked a poisonous snake, hope helped you breathe until you could not. But you were never laid to rest. Because this wasa song of blood and magiccomposed by a Muse. I am in awe. [image] “He was hers and she was his and they had found each other across centuries of bloodshed and loss, across oceans and kingdoms and war.” Aelin is still my least favoritein this parade of amazing, badass characters. I do feel admiration and sympathy towards her, but her swagger was always provocative, her pride, arrogance and self-righteousness, her tendency to not share her plans and gamble with many lifes irritated me very, very much. And I hated that everyone seemed to worship the ground she stood and let her get away with her tantrums and her hidden agendas like it was no big deal, but when Dorian solved the riddle towards the end he was met with a fist for being reckless. The last chapters though, they were redeeming. Excruciating. They were my undoing. “For Terrasen. For them. For a better world.” What can I say about the rest of the characters? That each of them was flawed and tarnished and I loved them for their weaknesses and their strengths in a way I would have never predicted? That I wept with pride for Dorian,my most precious of them all,who grew up from the carefree prince to the powerful magic-wielder, the cunning ruler that inspired respect even to those who were wary of him? That I loved dark and brooding and savage Lorcan as much as I loved Rowan and Aedion? But besides all theseediblemale characters, the women were a product of dreams and nightmares.A combination of beauty, sensuality and brutality. And my queen is none other thanManon.freaking.Blackbeak. [image] She was a slayer. A monster. She bathed in blood and she relished it. But then she started feeling somethingmore.It was Abraxos, and Asterin, and Elide, that made her show a vulnerable side, that made her seperate right from wrong and fight against injustice, fight against the part of her that was forged in war and gore. And Dorian knew exactly who and what she was. I didn't expect to become suchDorian/Manon trash,but I am. And I also loved theLorcan/Elidestoryline, I looked forward to their chapters and swooned at the way they started falling in love. And let's not forget the slowly blooming romance between Aedion and Lysandra, which gave me all the feels. Same way as Aelin and Rowan. [image] We're talking about a freaking armada. All these couples, with theirsweetandscorchingscenes (because there was a decent amount of smut I thoroughly enjoyed), were definitely one of the reasons that made Empire of Storms so special. “I'd walk into the burning heart of hell itself to find you.” And I would sell my soul to Erawan himself to get the next book in my hands. I don't know what's more devastating, the ending or the waiting until the final instalment? Probably both. [image] Instagram|Twitter|Facebook|BookNest ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
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Sep 18, 2016
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Sep 19, 2016
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Dec 11, 2014
|
Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||||
| 1619636042
| 9781619636040
| 4.61
| 881,073
| Sep 01, 2015
| Sep 01, 2015
|
it was amazing
| “But she was her own champion now.” Brutalandmagnificent.A force of nature. How else can I describe a book about witches, demons and dar “But she was her own champion now.” Brutalandmagnificent.A force of nature. How else can I describe a book about witches, demons and dark lords, fae queens and warriors, possessed princes, rebels and whores? Queen of Shadowsdeserves more than 5 stars.Queen of Shadows rattles the stars. [image] “She was a whirling cloud of death, a queen of shadows, and these men were already carrion.” The fire-breathing bitch-queen is back. Ready to gather her court, claim her throne and wreck havoc to those who hurt her and the people she loves. The world is changing, trust is tested, enemies turn to friends, friends to lovers, villains to allies and the real evil is darker and more cunning than anyone thought. The real fight starts now. “They joined hands. By the Wyrd,Sarah J Maas's storytelling is spectacular! I lost two nights' sleep and I forgot to eat because I was sucked in Erilea, sucked in battles and plots and plans that went wrong and sacrifices and generalbadassery.An emotional roller coaster, a wild ride, an incredibly vivid and captivating book. That's what we callhigh fantasypeople. The characters I can't help but admire Sarah's characters. It's true, Celaena is not someone I can relate to nor agree with, and I found myself scolding her for her decisions and cringing at her cruelty, but at the same time I felt a wave of pride for what she's achieved and the way she has grown up. And the rest of the women oh.my.god!! I freaking love Manon, my brilliant bloodthirsty witch, and Lysandra and Nesryn, they're the embodiment of strength and courage! And they kick ass! [image] As for the men in this book?Dorian is and always will be my favorite, my number one, my precious prince, my baby, my sun and stars, my chocolate cupcake,but Aedion and Rowan and Chaol are also perfect. Andedible.I'm a big fat slut. [image] Emotions Every time Dorian was in pain, my heart broke. Every time Sam was mentioned, my heart broke. Every time a story full of pain was revealed, my heart broke. [image] But then Aedion would say something funny and I would be like [image] The romance Let me make something clear. The new ship?Ahoy mates, I'm on board!BUT, I didn't like the way Sarah handled the Chaol/Celaena relationship. I actually felt bad for Chaol and thought that he was right most of the times he and Celaena argued. They all have changed, him and Celaena (and Dorian for that matter), they're not the people we met in the first book, and that's expected. I just wish some changes were smoother. However, this book wasepic.Period. The different storylines were knit together perfectly, and the last 100 pages gave me goosebumps. Like I said, epic. You haven't read it yet? Shame on you!(just kidding, but please go read it!) ...more |
Notes are private!
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1
|
Sep 27, 2015
|
Sep 28, 2015
|
Dec 11, 2014
|
Hardcover
| |||||||||||||||
| 1619636107
| 9781619636101
| 4.70
| 630,056
| Oct 23, 2018
| Oct 23, 2018
|
really liked it
|
My heart is split in two. “Once upon a time, in a land long since burned to ash, there lived a young princess who loved her kingdom…” But this sto My heart is split in two. “Once upon a time, in a land long since burned to ash, there lived a young princess who loved her kingdom…” But this story is not only about the young princess. It's the story of awhite-haired queenof a divided people, and the warmth that eventually melted her cold heart. It's the story of atortured king,a king who was drowning in self-loathing and whose soul was darkened by demons and grief but the light within could not be extinguished. The story of adark and brooding warriorand thequiet, quick-witted mortalwho gave him a reason to fight; agolden princewhose love for his kingdom led him to unspeakable bloodshed and loss; aresilient shape-shifterwho gave everything for her new home; aforsaken lordthat emerged from the pit of despair and disability thanks to adetermined young womanwho healed him in more than one ways. It is the story of pirates and assassins, kings and queens, Fae, demons and mortals, of different people who were united by one common goal. A better world. “Live, Manon. Live.” Kingdom of Ashwas powerful . Bewitching. Gut-wrenching. It was a sweeping conclusion, extremelybrutalbut alsoa maelstrom of feelings, magic, precious laughter, camaraderie, friendship and love.I savored the moments I found myself shaking, due to fear, sorrow or wonder; I craved the parts that gave me goosebumps, and the ones that made my chest swell. But even thoughKingdom of Ashwrapped up everything, even though I was bestowed withglorious, gritty battles and heart-warming romances,I ended up wanting something more.Wanting more from a 1,000 pages book.And that's where I knew thatKingdom of Ashwas not my favorite instalment of the series. And do you know why?Because of Sarah playing favorites. Again. [image] When it comes to Aelin and Rowan, I feel that Sarah's writing is extremelyforced.Thatshe tries too hard to convince,to convey the message that Aelin is so amazing and powerful and worshipped, that she and Rowan are the perfect couple everyone admires and acknowledges their awesomeness. Everything about them was devoid of feeling, I could practically hear Sarah chanting“see how great they are love them love them love them love them LOVE THEM DARN IT”and the truth is, I couldn't. I got tired of reading the wordsmateandcourtso many times, as if Rowan and her friends had no names or something else to define them other than their relationship with Aelin. To be honest, Aelin and Rowan and theplastic, strained representationof their bond and Aelin's awesomeness led me to rate it with four stars. In addition, a notion I couldn't shake was howunceremonious some scenes or revelations could be.In part it's my own fault, since for the life of me I couldn't remember the majority of the events that happened in the previous books (with the exception of the scorching scenes between Dorian and Manon because those areforeverimprinted in my dysfunctional and selective memory), but knowing Sarah's talent, I do believe she could have done better. However, when it came to the rest of the characters, it felt that Sarahlet go of her obsession, and that words poured effortlessly from her soul.Her writing was genuine, fluid, and rattled me to the core. I shed oceans of tears for secondary characters and their sacrifices, I literally choked on them, soaked the pages with evidence of my mourning and heartache. My skin tingled whenever Elide and Lorcan (whose treating was so, so unfair) shared a precious moment, when Nesryn and Sartaq (whose page time was criminally limited because apparently endless and strained banters between Aelin and her court were more important) fought alongside for a nation that was not their own. I did not read this series for Aelin and Rowan. There were other characters who deserved my love, respect, every star in the freaking sky, and once again,the only queen I bow to, the only queen I pledge my loyalty to, is Manon Blackbeak. “Be the bridge, be the light. When iron melts, when flowers spring from fields of blood - let the land be witness, and return home.” Manon hasone of the most gripping storylines,and the development of the bloodthirsty, cunning witch is something to behold. She crossed skies and kingdoms, searched for her identity and her future in a world that marked her as a monster, a killer and nothing more. But with iron teeth and iron nails she carved her own place, she managed to open her heart bit by bit, and embraced feelings long forgotten. “Who do you wish to be?” Dorian Havilliard, the king of Adarlan, had a similar self-discovery arc. Gone is the carefree, flirting prince who brushed aside his responsibilities towards his now broken kingdom. He got harsher, manipulative and self-destructive, but was also guided by a fiery need to make things right, no matter the cost. I am proud of Dorian. [image] “Let’s make this a fight worthy of a song.” Kingdom of Ashwas a book I was waiting for years. It wasbloody, emotional, sizzling, truly worthy of a song;the majority of characters have scored a permanent place in my ever-loving fangirl heart. Parting with them hurts emotionally and physically, and I will always cherish this marvel of a series. My only complaint that dampened to a degree this reading experience is that, knowing the sheer magnitude that Sarah is capable of (helloEmpire of Storms),she could do justice to all of her characters, and not only to her favorite ones. ...more |
Notes are private!
|
1
|
Dec 10, 2018
|
Dec 16, 2018
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Dec 11, 2014
|
Hardcover
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| 4.18
| 42,571
| Mar 30, 2012
| Mar 22, 2013
|
really liked it
|
None
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Notes are private!
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1
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not set
|
not set
|
Dec 11, 2014
|
ebook
| |||||||||||||||||
| B007N6JEQ0
| 4.33
| 49,066
| May 01, 2012
| May 01, 2012
|
it was amazing
|
None
|
Notes are private!
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1
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Jan 08, 2015
|
Jan 08, 2015
|
Dec 11, 2014
|
Kindle Edition
| ||||||||||||||||
| B008HRMAPG
| 4.40
| 49,343
| Jul 20, 2012
| Jul 20, 2012
|
it was amazing
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None
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Notes are private!
|
1
|
Jan 08, 2015
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Jan 09, 2015
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Dec 11, 2014
|
Kindle Edition
|
|
|
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my rating |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| 4.09
|
really liked it
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Jan 2019
|
Dec 28, 2018
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|||||
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| 4.35
|
really liked it
|
Apr 28, 2018
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Apr 29, 2018
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|||||
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| 4.27
|
it was amazing
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Nov 26, 2017
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Apr 22, 2017
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|||||
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| 3.88
|
liked it
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Jan 2019
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Oct 08, 2016
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|||||
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| 4.22
|
it was amazing
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Sep 29, 2017
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Jan 28, 2016
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|||||
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| 4.38
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it was amazing
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Sep 08, 2017
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Aug 08, 2015
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|||||
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| 4.15
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really liked it
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Aug 30, 2020
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Jul 09, 2015
|
|||||
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| 3.61
|
it was amazing
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Apr 27, 2015
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Apr 23, 2015
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|||||
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| 4.40
|
it was amazing
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Sep 25, 2016
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Mar 08, 2015
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|||||
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| 4.33
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it was amazing
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Nov 25, 2015
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Mar 08, 2015
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|||||
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| 3.73
|
it was amazing
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not set
|
Jan 29, 2015
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|||||
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| 4.23
|
it was amazing
|
Jan 09, 2015
|
Jan 06, 2015
|
|||||
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| 4.22
|
it was amazing
|
May 18, 2016
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Dec 24, 2014
|
|||||
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| 4.08
|
it was amazing
|
Mar 05, 2016
|
Dec 24, 2014
|
|||||
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| 4.62
|
it was amazing
|
Sep 19, 2016
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Dec 11, 2014
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|||||
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| 4.61
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it was amazing
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Sep 28, 2015
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Dec 11, 2014
|
|||||
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| 4.70
|
really liked it
|
Dec 16, 2018
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Dec 11, 2014
|
|||||
|
| 4.18
|
really liked it
|
not set
|
Dec 11, 2014
|
|||||
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| 4.33
|
it was amazing
|
Jan 08, 2015
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Dec 11, 2014
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|||||
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| 4.40
|
it was amazing
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Jan 09, 2015
|
Dec 11, 2014
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