Review: Mirage (Mirage #1) by Somaiya Daud

May 14, 2018 GoodeyReads1 Comment

Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Audience: YA, no language, a few kiss scenes, some violence
Length: 320 pages
Author: Somaiya Daud
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Release Date: [expected] August 28th, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

THEY WERE ON A MOON.

The first thing that made me excited was this fact. That’s so cool. And so different!! It reminded me to a degree of the Red Rising series with the sci-fi esque pieces of this novel. I love when authors take risks and explore cultures and worlds that aren’t often seen!

I loved the depth of the main characters. Amani maintained who she was during all the uproar. Maram had a lovely character arc, and the author left a solid suspense for the second book. Idris was totally adorable and the story between him and Amani is precious and sweet.

The story flowed well as I discovered the world Daud built. There was the right touch of drama that actually let you feel for the characters rather than wondering why there was too much going on. The action scenes weren’t huge, but were written well. There was a larger focus on the politics of Ziyaana [the palace] and how Amani was able to navigate as a body double. Though, unlike some stories the politics enhanced the story rather than took away. You weren’t stuck reading drawn-out council meetings.

They’re aspects of religion throughout the book. It is a guiding factor for different tribes and I thought it was very well done. Nothing was in your face, but you understood the importance of their God to them. It guided their choices and gave more of a background into what characters actions were occurring and better yet, why they were happening.

True YA, no language [which is awesome]. A few kiss scenes that are sweet and appropriate. Some violence, but nothing gruesome.

Thank you to Netgalley and Flatiron Books for the digital ARC!

Review: The Last Namsara (Iskari #1) by Kristen Ciccarelli

May 10, 2018May 10, 2018 GoodeyReads3 Comments

Rating: ☆☆☆☆.5
Audience: YA, one curse word, violence, minor kiss scenes
Length: 432 pages
Author: Kristen Ciccarelli
Publisher: Harper Teen
Release Date: October 3rd, 2017
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

DRAGONS.

I already love the movie How to Train Your Dragon. And I imagine every one of those dragons like Toothless haha (though okay, they were described as a lot more ‘intense/scary’).

Toothless

All the dragons aside, this book had me hooked. It had all the components that make a solid series starter.

I appreciated that Asha could hold her own, slaying dragons, and watching out for her family. Her love story wasn’t a true given, and not insta-love. This made the conversation stand out more as I kept trying to figure out how it would all end.

Plenty of betrayal and horrid Gaston-like characters. I was plenty enraged by the twists and turns, most things worked out at least.

There could be some more backstory for a few characters, but I think that’s going to open up in the second book based on the ending.

Having to hold in a spoiler that would mess with your soul, so if you’ve read it, DM me on Instagram!

One curse word, and some violence [non-gory]. A few minor kiss scenes that stay in the appropriate realm for younger audiences. Very clean book in my mind!

Review: And I Darken (The Conqueror’s Saga #1) by Kiersten White

May 6, 2018May 10, 2018 GoodeyReads3 Comments

Rating: ☆☆☆
Audience: YA, no language, some detail-y kissing scenes, violence
Length: 475pages
Author: Kiersten White
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: June 28th, 2016
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

WAY TOO LONG.

My thoughts and feelings are all over the place for this book. The main issue stands with the fact that this book did not need to be almost 500 pages. It took away from the action and conversations (which if you smashed together, make it more interesting).

I was intrigued from the beginning and thought these characters are dark. Cruel, conniving, and brutal, they set themselves apart from most YA books.

The focus was then dragged away for way too many pages. Pumped with politics, and who was fighting who (seriously, couldn’t keep up sometimes). I wanted more action. More Lada actually in battle, because she’s insane, and I LOVED that. The pulls from history were great, and made me curious as to the real history (the author notes she took some liberties with the historical figures, etc.).

I also got lost with sooooo many side characters. I mean, whoa. I had to flip back occasionally to remind myself who was speaking.

Overall, one dark and brooding book. I have sat on it for awhile (saw mixed reviews), and I understand why. It’s a book you’ll love or hate. And there’s nothing wrong with that!

No language, some of the detail-y-ish kissing scenes read more adult, but truly isn’t crazy detailed. Definitely some violence, but nothing gruesome.

Review: A Court of Frost and Starlight (ACOTAR #3.1) by Sarah J. Maas

May 2, 2018May 10, 2018 GoodeyReads1 Comment

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: New Adult, descriptive love scenes, language, some violence
Length: 224 pages
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Release Date: May 1st, 2018
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

IS IT REALLY OVER?

I am SJM trash y’all. I can’t even. Ah, I love her writing. I love this world. I love it all.

Getting to be with these characters all over again, and after the war, tore my heart to pieces. Everyone struggling with their own PTSD was high-lighted poignantly and beautifully by the multiple POVs. I loved getting to read from just about every member of The Court of Dreams. Knowing their struggles and triumphs made even the highest Fae, human.

Emotions ran raw, and had me feeling so much. Feyre showed the power of creativity and allowing ourselves to create in whatever form to help cope with loss and tragedy.

I am consistently in awe at the end of her books at the way the stories wash over my soul. I will probably re-read this before I can even pick up another book because I am always in a book slump after reading one of these.

Also, pumped for the next books coming in this series. I really enjoyed the bonus sneak peak. While some of my previous assumptions were right, I definitely don’t know quite where this next story will lead. They’re are some good cornerstones that will supply another endless love for these new POVs.

Language (including f-words), and some good ol’ love between Rhys & Feyre (because, of course, so this shouldn’t be a spoiler). Remembrance of the violence that had taken place in previous books.