Rating: ☆☆☆☆.5

Audience: YA, one [non-descriptive] love scene, a little language

Length: 391 pages

Author: Morgan Rhodes

Publisher: Razorbill

Release Date: Februray 6th, 2018

Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

WHAT A FINALE.

At last, Falling Kingdoms comes to an end. It was a great series and one I thoroughly enjoyed.

I appreciate that the nefarious characters who needed to meet their demise, did. Nobody likes loose ends. Or Gods running amok.

Also, CLEO & MAGNUS. Yet again, I’ll say I love them. Well, I love Magnus. All of his dark, broodiness and sassiness.

Rhodes does a good job tying all the bows on each story line so you aren’t left wondering ‘what happens next’. Everyone gets a solid ending. I HATE if an author gives ruin to any of my characters, it convinces me I can no longer read their books haha. In this case, I am content with how it all went down.

I feel at some portions there was addition of drama to try to increase the height of the conclusion, but I understand the need for it.

Overall, you can see the ending a mile away, yet can’t help but keep reading because the writing is done so well. The world created by Rhodes is spectacular and unique.

There’s one love scene that is very glossed over, and non-descriptive (except for the fact you know what they’re doing haha). Some kissing and such, but nothing ‘adult’. It’s written appropriately to maintain YA status. Definitely plenty of slashed necks, stabbing, and arrows flying. A few curse words here and there,b ut doesn’t detract from the story.

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

Audience: YA, just a little intense make-out session, almost a love scene, a touch of language

Length: 379 pages

Author: Morgan Rhodes

Publisher: Razorbill

Release Date: December 13th, 2016

Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

OH MY GOODNESS, THAT ENDING.

I don’t even know where to begin.

Once again I was completely enamored by this story. I love all of the POVs and the world-building that create such a dynamic book.

Cleo & Magnus get me every time (Magnus is my favorite POV). I love their banter, yet uncomproising will to help each other. Watching their relationship blossom is great and it’s definitely a slow burn on par with ACOTAR/ACOMAF.

There was somehow less death this time than the previous books. Seriously, every other chapter someone died, this time…every 2 chapters muwhaha. Some critical characters did survive, and I’m pleased with that fact. Leading up to the finale though makes me concerned for which main character will meet their demise.

Reiteration of the beginning of this post…THAT ENDING THOUGH. Reminiscent of another novel I’m currently awaiting the ending for, this threw me for a loop. How do they get out of it? Are they found in time?! Questions, my friends, so many questions.

There is a very small splattering of language, an intense make-out session or two. Nothing overtly descriptive. Lots of stabbing and some skirmishes (all about those dark books).

Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: Teen (Adults might find boring/repetitive to other stories), minor language, a kiss or two
Length: 416 pages
Author: Sara Raasch
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Release Date: October 14th, 2014
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

NOT TOO SHABBY.

I listened to this on audio during my runs and it kept me interested enough to ignore how long I needed to run that day. Lots of magic and adventure involved!

It’s really easy to get the ‘main’ plot twist early on, but it doesn’t take away from the overall book. This book follows most fantasy YA novels with the story line, so nothing too new here.

There is a love triangle (and if you’re like me, you generally stay far away from them). This one wasn’t bothersome for me to stop listening. I can’t decide which guy I like better for Meira so I’ll see how book 2 goes.

Some dragging themes do occur, having to learn the history of Winter and the other nations, people being captured, etc. Raasch focuses too much on some of the side stories that either haven’t resolved (which could be why there’s so much focus), or truly are there for no good reason.

While nothing that special stands out, it’s still a good, quick read if you’re looking for something simple (and that has a cute love component).

They’re some fight scenes that are a touch gory. No major love scenes (two characters kiss once) so it’s appropriate for most ages.

Rating: ☆☆☆
Audience: Teen+, no language, some fight scenes, no love scenes
Length: 280 pages
Author: Megan Whalen Turner
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Release Date: October 31st, 1996
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

TOUGH TO GET THROUGH.

Oh goodness, I had been warned that this book was tough to get through, but necessary to the rest of the series, and that is SO true.

I spent most of it speed reading through to conversations just to understand the story. The book tells the story of the Thief, Gen, going with the Sounis to find a stone said to give immortality to its holder.

While I enjoyed the back story of the formation of the world by the Gods (Earth & Sky), besides that I could barely hold on. Most of the time it’s the group moving through the country trying to get to the fabled Temple.

Once there, the story does begin to pick-up as real action descends. Fighting rebel armies, ending up back in prison, and a solid twist round out the conclusion.

I believe that this book will set-up the rest of the series well (and I’ve heard great things about the rest of her books).

If you’re interested in reading this series, I would still recommend reading this book.

The Thief is appropriate for all ages. I don’t recall any language, and there’s literally 3 women in the entire book who speak (maybe 15 lines?) so no love involved either, haha. They’re some fight scenes, but gore is minimal.