Oof I just couldn’t this one. This book I actually went back and forth on to try or not but decided to grab it from my library and give it a try. And Oof I just couldn’t this one. This book I actually went back and forth on to try or not but decided to grab it from my library and give it a try. And maybe I’m in the minority, but this just didn’t work for me at all. This is described as a YA gothic fantasy.
This book was too long and just dragged, the world building was lacking, the characters felt very one dimension and surface level so I never felt like I cared about them, and then the magic system…they’re trying to gather up and collect a deck of cards to find a cure? I’m sorry, that took me out, I can’t even. Good news, I was able to return the 2nd book I had out from the library immediately since I won’t be continuing on....more
This just did not work for me. The cover is what caught my interest and after I kept seeing it everywhere, I decided to put a Libby hold on it and givThis just did not work for me. The cover is what caught my interest and after I kept seeing it everywhere, I decided to put a Libby hold on it and give it a try! This just never grabbed my attention and I didn’t care about anything in it. I knew going in it was YA fantasy romance, it also has a bit of a historical fiction vibe as well and is set kind of during regency era. But we have magic that the heroine can weave into clothing, I don’t know, it just didn’t work on any level for me. On to something else!...more
This was so so good! No surprise since I love this author’s books so much (House of Salt and Sorrows, House of Roots and Ruin I highly recommend)! TheThis was so so good! No surprise since I love this author’s books so much (House of Salt and Sorrows, House of Roots and Ruin I highly recommend)! The Thirteenth Child is a dark, gothic, fairytale retelling of Grimm’s Godfather Death. This author always delivers on the atmospheric vibes and I had a great time with this one! Perfect for spooky season.
The story starts off with Hazel on her birthday, she’s being told The Birthday Story, and we quickly learn about her complex relationship with her godfather Merrick, the God of Death. Every year on her birthday he shows up for a visit, until her 12th birthday when he whisks Hazel away with him and tells her she’s going to be a healer. I was just along for the ride with this one and really enjoyed it. At times it’s dark and gory, and the atmosphere and characters were just so good. We see Hazel struggle with her ability to heal, taking and giving life at times. She also struggles with the balance of life and death, who she can help versus should help, and her seeing the impact of her choices. Her relationship with Merrick is complex and I liked how when she’s sent to the castle to help the King and try to find a cure for a sickness killing many in the kingdom, that she really comes into her own. Plus the whole full circle moment at the end and the author’s note had me in my feels for a second!...more
Meh, not it for me. I think this was marketed wrong and that definitely played a part in my enjoyment of it. I thought this was YA fantasy with maybe Meh, not it for me. I think this was marketed wrong and that definitely played a part in my enjoyment of it. I thought this was YA fantasy with maybe some magic and talk of constellations. Instead this felt more science fiction, and don’t get me wrong I love sci-fi but this was done in a boring way. Basically the main character Vega has a premonition/sees in the stars that her world is ending and she needs to leave. Her mom is sick and can’t travel but ends up dying in the beginning of the story allowing Vega to travel from their isolated home. So we follow her adventures from there and the people she meets along the way.
I just didn’t care about these characters, I think the long chapters didn’t help, and it was so repetitive! My first read from this author and I just was not impressed....more
Crooked Kingdom is the follow up to Six of Crows and I really enjoyed this one! Even more so than the first book. This kind of jumps right into where Crooked Kingdom is the follow up to Six of Crows and I really enjoyed this one! Even more so than the first book. This kind of jumps right into where the crew is after events go down in the first book.
Coming into this book I already had some favorite characters: Inej, Nina, Matthias. But I definitely grew to like the rest of the characters as well. Leigh Bardugo really crafts these books in a way where we follow in present day but learn a little bit of something about each character as well. The flow of it all worked really well in this one for me. In SoC I mentioned how I think it was better going in with the prior knowledge of her Grisha world and the Shadow and Bone trilogy, with this book I think the Magic and world was delved into a little bit more than SoC which I liked. The first half of this did move pretty fast, but unlike the first book that kept that fast-pace the whole way through, this one did slow down for me as far as the plot. Which I’m not too mad about because the characters definitely made up for it.
I did come around to Kaz’s character by the end of this book, probably because of some events at the end of the book actually. Lol Not that I disliked him before, I was just more indifferent to him in SoC. I felt for Wylan’s character in this one and just enjoyed seeing all 6 characters work together! They all have their strong-suits (Jesper’s guns, Kaz’s brains, Nina’s wit, Inej’s talent, Wylan’s ingenuity, Matthias’ strength) and as a whole are pretty unstoppable. ...more
3.5 stars. Six of Crows, and the follow-up Crooked Kingdom, have been on my TBR for years. I had read the Shadow and Bone trilogy years back and thoug3.5 stars. Six of Crows, and the follow-up Crooked Kingdom, have been on my TBR for years. I had read the Shadow and Bone trilogy years back and thought that was okay-ish but didn’t like the direction/choices that happened there. So I put this series off, even knowing people love it more. I think the Netflix adaptation combining the 2 series was a fun idea and not gonna lie, it made me want to finally get to this series. So when the opportunity to cohost a readalong came about, I definitely jumped on that to finally help me get to this duology.
I listened to this on audio and I really enjoyed the full narration. I did try reading this one physically at first and it was taking me a while to get into it, so I’m glad I switched to audio. Having previous knowledge of the world and the Grisha from Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone trilogy I think does help since this builds on that and doesn’t really go out of its way to explain much about the world, magic, or Grisha. We are in Ketterdam and meet Kaz, a 17-year old, who puts together a crew of 6 for a heist. We follow the crew on this adventure, it’s very fast-paced and action-packed and we do learn a little about each of the character’s backstories as well. It does move pretty fast and sometimes the flashback/backstory moments did throw me off on the timeline.
There are definitely characters I enjoyed more: Inej, Nina, and Matthias being my favs! I did like the twists and turns the story takes us on, especially in the last bit. The ending of the story is definitely what brought up my rating to round up. I think the storytelling and writing was good. YA fantasy isn’t a genre I particular love nowadays, I definitely aged up the characters in my mind lol. While I didn’t love this and am not completely sold on it, I did enjoy the plot at the same time and am obviously going to continue on!...more
4.5 stars! I had a great time with this read! I loved House of Salt and Sorrows from this author a few years ago, then I went on to read Small Favors 4.5 stars! I had a great time with this read! I loved House of Salt and Sorrows from this author a few years ago, then I went on to read Small Favors and only thought it was okay. So I was looking forward to getting back to the same world as HoSaS and the atmospheric, horror-esque, gothic vibes definitely were right up my alley!
I loved this read and the slower, meandering story and how it ramps up the characters and story and plot. I do think HoSaS is still my fav from this author, but this comes in second closely. The ending did feel a bit rushed and a lot of things hitting all at once, which felt jarring after the more slow buildup for the rest of the book. Like many others mention, the romance wasn’t everything for me…felt insta lovey and kind of like settling. That said, I think this book is perfect for fall and all the atmospheric, gothic vibes! The audiobook was especially well done. ...more
This was a fun novella addition to The Folk of the Air series. We get to see a lot of stories from Cardan throughout the years, as well as some scenesThis was a fun novella addition to The Folk of the Air series. We get to see a lot of stories from Cardan throughout the years, as well as some scenes from the main trilogy from him as well. Again, Holly Black just always impresses me with the way she weaves faerie tales with this series. The illustrations in the physical copy of this book are especially lovely and so beautiful! Really enjoyed this short addition to the series. ...more
Honestly the amount of Jude and Cardan in this book made me happy enough. Otherwise lots of Oak, lots of complex feelings about his past and family anHonestly the amount of Jude and Cardan in this book made me happy enough. Otherwise lots of Oak, lots of complex feelings about his past and family and secrets, captivity moments, plotting, scheming, adventures, friends, enemies. This was solid and a lot of fun. Maybe too long but it is what it is! It kind of leaves things open for future books so that’s always fun too. ...more
This is a super short (less than 50 pages), companion novella to The Cruel Prince. It’s half apology,“Once upon a time, there was a girl named Taryn…”
This is a super short (less than 50 pages), companion novella to The Cruel Prince. It’s half apology, half explanation, and some secrets as well told from Jude’s sister Taryn. I wasn’t too sure what to expect with this novella before going in but not gonna lie, the way this is written from the start just grabbed my attention and pulled me in (Holly Black is so good at grabbing you with the writing). I love the way the beginning pulls you in, sounding like it’s own faerie tale. But let’s be real, the two characters in here (T & L) are not great, the apology wasn’t it, but like, I can’t fault the writing in this and pulling me in! ...more
4.5 stars! This was a really great read. I had heard such rave reviews for this from so many friends and they were absolutely right, this was such a f4.5 stars! This was a really great read. I had heard such rave reviews for this from so many friends and they were absolutely right, this was such a fantastic book! This is a YA fantasy with the Death and the Maiden trope and it was such a deliciously intriguing time. I loved the relationship between Death and Signa, their chemistry and encounters together were always sooo good! I liked the gothic vibe to the whole story, the poison, the intrigue. I do think it started to drag a little in the middle for me, but otherwise this was great and grabbed my attention right from the start! The audiobook was fantastic. This actually gave me vibes of The Invisible Life of Addie Larue which I also really loved.
Merged review:
4.5 stars! This was a really great read. I had heard such rave reviews for this from so many friends and they were absolutely right, this was such a fantastic book! This is a YA fantasy with the Death and the Maiden trope and it was such a deliciously intriguing time. I loved the relationship between Death and Signa, their chemistry and encounters together were always sooo good! I liked the gothic vibe to the whole story, the poison, the intrigue. I do think it started to drag a little in the middle for me, but otherwise this was great and grabbed my attention right from the start! The audiobook was fantastic. This actually gave me vibes of The Invisible Life of Addie Larue which I also really loved....more
4.5 stars. The Stolen Heir is the first book in a new duology from Holly Black that takes place in her Elfhame world. It was so fun to see characters 4.5 stars. The Stolen Heir is the first book in a new duology from Holly Black that takes place in her Elfhame world. It was so fun to see characters from The Folk of the Air series after coming off a binge of that series before this read came out.
As always, Holly Black has such a talent for pulling in readers with the darker faerie tale vibes. I loved the changeling child story in the beginning and seeing Wren’s backstory starting when she was a toddler and left in the mortal world. On a side note, I love all of the fanart for Wren, seeing the blueish tint to her skin and lip color that changes “like a mood ring”! I’m obsessed with Wren and I loved seeing her journey in this book with Oak!
We originally met Wren as Suren, the child Queen of the Court of Teeth and after seeing events that went down in The Queen of Nothing, it was fun to see where life had taken both her and Oak. This book takes place 8-9 years after events in TQoN. I loved seeing the quest that Oak and Wren find themselves on in this read and all the other characters along the way as well. The pacing was great in this read and I was just along for the ride of their journey and findings. I did really like that this was different and set itself apart from the TFotA series, less court intrigue/politics and more quest/adventuring! The ending definitely has me anticipating the next book in the duology already!...more
The Queen of Nothing is the 3rd book in The Folk of the Air series from Holly Black and I’ve had the best time binging this series recently (thank youThe Queen of Nothing is the 3rd book in The Folk of the Air series from Holly Black and I’ve had the best time binging this series recently (thank you readalong)! Just like book 1, The Cruel Prince, book 2 The Wicked King also left us on a cliffhanger that had me immediately picking up book 3. The Wicked King remains my favorite in the series but the whole series is so solid and a fantasy favorite now!
I loved seeing where Cardan, Jude, and their crew all left off from the previous book. More conniving characters, a prophecy, death, and all the scheming…loved to see it! I feel like this book caught us up and wrapped up things nicely. It also did get some very minor things setup for what I’m assuming will take us to in the newest spinoff, The Stolen Heir. I was just along for the ride of this series and had the best time! I was also pleasantly surprised with the romance we do get in this fantasy!...more
The Wicked King is the 2nd book in The Folk of the Air series following The Cruel Prince and omg I loved this so much! This YA fantasy series has me oThe Wicked King is the 2nd book in The Folk of the Air series following The Cruel Prince and omg I loved this so much! This YA fantasy series has me obsessed and I just cannot get enough of the political intrigue, the darker fae world, and these characters! The conniving, the revenge, the court politics, the plotting, the scheming…OBSESSED!
Basically in this we follow Jude, Cardan, and the rest of the crew after events that went down at the end of the first book. The way Holly Black writes is fantastic and each time I’m immediately enraptured and pulled into these stories. I love the way she weaves her words and crafts with these books! This book ramps up the court politics and plotting and scheming even more than the first and I was here for it! We meet some new characters, we see some characters doing the same things they’ve been doing, we see choices being made, we go on new adventures. There is poison and crowns and glamours and training and deaths. The time spent at the Undersea was super intriguing. We get some fantastically drawn out enemies-to lovers vibes that gave a little more from the first book. Again it ends on an amazing ending and has me jumping into the next in the series!
“I hate you so much that sometimes I can’t think of anything else.”...more
The Cruel Prince is the first book in Holly Black’s popular YA fantasy series, The Folk of the Air, and I finally got to it (thanks to a readalong I’mThe Cruel Prince is the first book in Holly Black’s popular YA fantasy series, The Folk of the Air, and I finally got to it (thanks to a readalong I’m a cohost for of the series)! So I knew nothing about this book or series besides it dealing with Fae world and I was thoroughly impressed! It delivers on a darker fae world, court and political intrigue, scheming, vengeance, and characters that surprised me!
The story kicks off with the prologue, where 7-year old Jude’s parents are murdered and her and her two sister are taken away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Jude’s mother was mortal but one of her daughters belongs to the Faerieland and her father comes back to claim his heir. So off to Elfhame Jude and her sisters go! We then jump to 10 years later and catch up with Jude and her sisters, Taryn and Vivi, who have been living with Madoc, the High King’s general, who has raised them as his daughters even allowing schooling and teaching them how to fight. Jude wants to try for knighthood and centered around her during this is a very intricate web of court politics.
I really enjoyed this book from the start, it immediately pulled me in to the story. There are definitely a lot of side characters we learn about (I was taking so many notes ...more
This was fine. The cover is stunning! Nothing terrible about the book, like it was just an okay read. After loving Belladonna last year (the first booThis was fine. The cover is stunning! Nothing terrible about the book, like it was just an okay read. After loving Belladonna last year (the first book in this series, with these characters), like I definitely had high hopes for this one. And this was just okay. Like many other reviewers have said, this book felt like a filler book between book 1 and book 3. Just fine. On to the next....more
Sanctum is the first book in the Blackwater Pack series by Hannah McBride. This was the author’s first book and she is relatively new since this was pSanctum is the first book in the Blackwater Pack series by Hannah McBride. This was the author’s first book and she is relatively new since this was published in 2020. I didn’t realize before going in that this is a YA paranormal series, so while I had been expecting this to be an adult shifter romance I also was easily invested in the story and thought it was a great read!
Skye Markham is a 17-year old shifter and she and her mother have lived as less than within their abusive wolf pack. Skye, her mother, and 2 others have been living in the Omega house which is basically treated as a brothel and the 3 adults there are used to “service” the pack however they see fit. When their Alpha passes, who was Skye’s grandfather, her uncle becomes the new Alpha and decides that going forward Omegas can be declared at 16 instead of 18…which means Skye will be introduced to everything that comes with being an Omega in their pack. Skye and her mom end up escaping New Mexico that night and head for sanctuary with the Blackwater pack in Washington. Shortly after moving there and being accepted into their pack, Skye heads out to Granite Peak Academy in Montana, a high school for shifters. There she meets her new pack and Remy, the next alpha in line for the Blackwater pack.
Skye was quite sheltered in her previous pack, so while bonding with new friends she also learns about Netflix, true mate bonds and how rare they are, gets comfortable with shifting, and learns how female shifters are a rare commodity nowadays in packs. This was predictable, but like, I still enjoyed it for what it was. I’m a sucker for a mate bond so this was fun, even if I do wish it wasn’t YA. ...more
Christi (christireadsalot)
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