Tag: fantasy

My Favorite Books of 2018!

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

This was a great year for reads and I fell in love a million times over with too many books. So this is not a top 10 because I have no ability to choose only that many. In no particular order these were the books I enjoyed most:

Thanks to Goodreads I wanted to add some pieces of my Year in Review:

  • Longest book I read: Grant by Ron Chernow — 1,074 pages (first 1,000 page read!)
  • I will finish 176 books (out of the 100 I was aiming for.
  • A total of 55,416 pages were consumed. Wowza.

My Least Favorite Books of 2018

GoodeyReadsLeave a comment

I only took into consideration books I actually finished. I DNF five books and I think that’s pretty good! The following books are ones that I never got fully behind. These were all 2 or 3 stars for various reasons.

I’ll post my favorite books tomorrow!

Were any of these on your least favorites this year? Or were they on your favorite list? Let’s talk in the comments!

ARC Review: The Winter of the Witch (Winternight Trilogy #3) by Katherine Arden

GoodeyReads7 Comments

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ 
Audience: Fantasy, no language, violence, some romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: Katherine Arden
Publisher: Del Rey Books
Expected Release Date: January 8th, 2019
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Following their adventures in The Bear and the Nightingale and The Girl in the Tower, Vasya and Morozko return in this stunning conclusion to the bestselling Winternight Trilogy, battling enemies mortal and magical to save both Russias, the seen and the unseen.

Reviewers called Katherine Arden’s novels The Bear and the Nightingale and The Girl in the Tower “lyrical,” “emotionally stirring,” and “utterly bewitching.” The Winternight Trilogy introduced an unforgettable heroine, Vasilisa Petrovna, a girl determined to forge her own path in a world that would rather lock her away. Her gifts and her courage have drawn the attention of Morozko, the winter-king, but it is too soon to know if this connection will prove a blessing or a curse.

Now Moscow has been struck by disaster. Its people are searching for answers—and for someone to blame. Vasya finds herself alone, beset on all sides. The Grand Prince is in a rage, choosing allies that will lead him on a path to war and ruin. A wicked demon returns, stronger than ever and determined to spread chaos. Caught at the center of the conflict is Vasya, who finds the fate of two worlds resting on her shoulders. Her destiny uncertain, Vasya will uncover surprising truths about herself and her history as she desperately tries to save Russia, Morozko, and the magical world she treasures. But she may not be able to save them all. 

*Note: I was given this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Del Rey Books, for the opportunity to read The Winter of the Witch. Publication date, length, etc. subject to change.

THIS IS WHY I READ.

I LOVE THIS SERIES.

YOU SHOULD READ THIS SERIES.

I was beyond ecstatic to receive an e-ARC of this book because I didn’t know if I could wait til it came out! It was the perfect winter read and had everything a brilliant fantasy should have.

First of all, the action starts immediately. I was whisked away to Moscow in such a rush that it was hard to put the book down. They’re an immense amount of raw emotions that Vasya feels that will break your soul in two. And what’s even better it wasn’t a one and done kind of setting. It takes time to come to terms with her story and Vasya felt so real because you could understand her on a personal level.

Y’all, watching a death-God and a Winter Witch deal with feelings was a big highlight of this book for me. IT WAS SO PRECIOUS. Morozko and Vasya’s relationship continues to grow, but they still remain their own people. I love the stubborness to be with each other, and to taking care of their own stories. Their relationship is passionate and sincere and I am here for “evil” characters trying to swim through emotions.

The antagonists of this trilogy get a lot more spotlight. I actually came around to appreciating the Bear (and his totally witty one-liners) and understanding the plot in a whole new light. The other ambiguous characters were entertaining. It was a lively bunch that kept me on my toes because they themselves were constantly choosing new directions.

This was a completely satisfying ending (minus a few tragedies, ya know, Russia in war and all). The combination of watching characters turn their flaws into strengths, the teeth-clenching action and the swoon-worthy cheyrti [devils] make for a trilogy that deserves a lot more attention.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy/Historical fiction
  • Romance: a light love scene, some kissing
  • Violence: magic, knives, war, suicide
  • No language
  • Trigger Warnings: suicide

Review: The Caged Queen (Iskari #2) by Kristen Ciccarelli

GoodeyReads2 Comments

Rating: ☆☆☆.5
Audience: Young adult fantasy, no language, a little romance, violence
Length: 400 pages
Author: Kristen Ciccarelli
Publisher: Harper Teen
Release Date: September 25th, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Once there were two sisters born with a bond so strong that it forged them together forever. When they were angry, mirrors shattered, and when they were happy, flowers bloomed. It was a magic they cherished—until the day a terrible accident took Essie’s life and trapped her soul in this world.

Dax—the heir to Firgaard’s throne—was responsible for the accident. Roa swore to hate him forever. But eight years later he returned, begging for her help. He was determined to dethrone his cruel father, under whose oppressive reign Roa’s people had suffered. Roa made him a deal: she’d give him the army he needed if he made her queen.

Together with Dax and his sister, Asha, Roa and her people waged war and deposed a tyrant. But now Asha is on the run, hiding from the price on her head. And Roa is an outlander queen, far from home and married to her enemy. Worst of all: Dax’s promises go unfulfilled. Roa’s people continue to suffer.

Then a chance to right every wrong arises—an opportunity for Roa to rid herself of this enemy king and rescue her beloved sister. During the Reliquishing, when the spirits of the dead are said to return, Roa can reclaim her sister for good.

All she has to do is kill the king.

COMMUNICATION IS KEY.

I was missing a lot from this book, namely DRAGONS. WHERE WERE THE DRAGONS? A few cameos was not enough! That’s why I loved the first book. Along with the dragons missing were Asha and Torwin. I was all for them and thought that maybe they’d play a bigger role.

[Actually, I wished this book had continued their story…]

Rebekah was actually a good evil character, she totally went through with her plans! *applause* My emotions were definitely tied up in how much I hated her bitter, self-serving soul.

Y’all. Dax is my precious cinnamon roll no one will hurt. He was better than our main character: Roa. Dax was not a fool. I loved how conniving and heartfelt each action was. He continually sought a better kingdom and if someone *cough cough* Roa *cough cough* would give him half a second she would’ve seen that from the start.

Now on to Roa. I really dislike when it is SO OBVIOUS that one simple conversation could change the entire course of the book. If Roa seriously asked Dax, Hey what’s up?, we wouldn’t even have a story. She was so focused on Essie (understandably to a point, but also this was her major downfall) and Theo (don’t even get me started on how much I don’t like him). I also have a huge issue with anyone sleeping with someone to gain an advantage. It put me off from her entirely. 

This book wasn’t as epic as the first. I couldn’t fully immerse myself in this new story and unfortunately was an outsider looking in. I know some people were really interested in her character from The Last Namsara. So don’t let this deter you if you’re on of those! Each book can be read as a stand-a-lone or together. It’s still pretty writing that is full of court politics and a friend-to-lovers trope.

Overall audience notes:

  • Young adult fantasy
  • No language
  • Violence (swords, physicality)
  • A love scene that is barely there; an intense kiss or two