The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

Title: The Last Olympian

Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians #3

Pages: 361

Published: May 5th 2009

Publisher: Hyperion Books

This was an epic ending to the Percy Jackson books. Towards the end I started wondering when the real battle was going to happen and then I realised it had been going on for basically the whole book. All the questions where finally answered and it was a very satisfying ending to such a lovely series. You've got to admire these kids for their bravery, even as some of their parents don't seem to care. Although we mainly followed Percy and his close friends in the other books all of Camp Half Blood got involved in this book as a united force which made it much more fun to read.


Plot Summary:

Most People gets presents on their sixteenth birthday. I get a prophecy that could save or destroy the world.
It happens when you're the son of Poseidon, god of the sea. According to an ancient prophecy, I turn sixteen and the fate of the entire world is on me. But no pressure.
Now Kronos, Lord of the Titans, is beginning his attack on New York City. And the dreaded monster Typhon is also heading our way. So it's me and forty of my demigod friends versus untold evil . . .

Other Books in Percy Jackson and the Olympians:

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1)
The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #2)
The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #3)
The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #4)
The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #5)
The Sword of Hades (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Singer of Apollo (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Stolen Chariot (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Demigod Files (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jackson's Greek Gods (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jacksona and the Bronze Dragon (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)

Other Books by Rick Riordan:

The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus #1)
The Son of Neptune (The Heroes of Olympus #2)
The Mark of Athena (The Heroes of Olympus #3)
The House of Hades (The Heroes of Olympus #4)
The Blood of Olympus (The Heroes of Olympus #5)
The Demigod Diaries (The Heroes of Olympus companion book)
The Red Pyramid (The Kane Chronicles #1)
The Throne of Fire (The Kane Chronicles #2)
The Serpent's Shadow (The Kane Chronicles #3)
The Kane Chronicle's Survival Guide (The Kane Chronicles companion book)
The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #1)
The Hammer of Thor (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #2)
The Ship of the Dead (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #3)
For Magnus Chase: Hotel Valhalla, Guide to the Norse Worlds (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard companion book)
The Hidden Oracle (The Trials of Apollo #1)
The Dark Prophecy (The Trials of Apollo #2)
The Burning Maze (The Trials of Apollo #3)
The Son of Sobek (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #1)
The Staff of Serapis (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #2)
The Crown of Ptolemy (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #3)

My Rating:

7/10

What's on my bookshelves?

I own over 400 books at home. But I've only read about 130 of them. Naturally I have read eBooks and audiobooks that don't have a place on my bookshelf but they're not mentioned in this post. No matter how often I promise myself not to buy new books and to finish my own books and to tick them off the list, I still end up with an unread majority in my room. So here goes. A random list of all the read and unread books I have on my bookshelf. In no particular order.

Read!

• City of Bones - Cassandra Clare
• City of Ashes - Cassandra Clare
• City of Glass - Cassandra Clare
• City of Fallen Angels - Cassandra Clare
• City of Lost Souls - Cassandra Clare
• City of Heavenly Fire - Cassandra Clare
• Clockwork Angel - Cassandra Clare
• Clockwork Prince - Cassandra Clare
• Clockwork Princess - Cassandra Clare
• Lady Midnight - Cassandra Clare
• Lord of Shadows - Cassandra Clare
• Throne of Glass - Sarah J. Maas
• Crown of Midnight - Sarah J. Maas
• Heir of Fire - Sarah J. Maas
• Queen of Shadows - Sarah J. Maas
• Empire of Storms - Sarah J. Maas
• Red Queen - Victoria Aveyard
• Glass Sword - Victoria Aveyard
• Half Bad - Sally Green
• A Game of Thrones - George R.R. Martin 
• A Clash of Kings - George R.R. Martin
• A Storm of Swords 1. Steel and Snow - George R.R. Martin
• A Storm of Swords 2. Blood and Gold - George R.R. Martin
• A Feast for Crows - George R.R. Martin
• A Dance with Dragons 1. Dreams and Dust - George R.R. Martin
• A Dance with Dragons 2. After the Feast - George R.R. Martin
• Outlander - Diana Gabaldon
• Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief - Rick Riordan
• Percy Jackson and the Seas of Monsters - Rick Riordan
• Percy Jackson and the Titan's Curse - Rick Riordan
• Percy Jackson and the Battle of the Labyrinth - Rick Riordan
• Percy Jackson and the Last Olynmpian - Rick Riordan
• The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
• The Murder Complex - Lindsay Cummings
• Divergent - Veronica Roth
• Insurgent - Veronica Roth
• Allegiant - Veronica Roth
• Carve the Mark - Veronica Roth
• Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - J.K. Rowling
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - J.K. Rowling
• Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - J.K. Rowling
• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - J.K. Rowling
• Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix - J.K. Rowling
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - J.K. Rowling
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - J.K. Rowling
• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - J.K. Rowling
• The Magical Worlds of Harry Potter - David Colbert
• The Fault in Our Stars - John Green
• The Girl of Ink and Stars - Kiran Millwood Hargrave
• Everything, Everything - Nicola Yoon
• The Sun is Also a Star - Nicola Yoon
• We Were Liars - E. Lockhart
• The Sun is Everywhere - Jandy Nelson
• Fangirl - Rainbow Rowell
• Carry On - Rainbow Rowell
• Beautiful Broken Things - Sara Barnard
• The Perks of Being a Wallflower - Stephen Chbosky
• 13 Reasons Why - Jay Asher
• Simon vs the Homo Sapien's Agenda - Becky Albertally
• A Country of Refuge - Lucy Popescu et al.
• Letters to the Lost - Brigid Kemmerer
• The Bad Beginning - Limony Snicket
• The Constant Princess - Philippa Gregory
• The Other Boleyn Girl - Philippa Gregory
• The Queen's Fool - Philippa Gregory
• The Luxe - Anna Godbersen
• Rumours - Anna Godbersen
• Envy - Anna Godbersen
• Splendour - Anna Godbersen
• Elizabeth - Kathryn Lasky
• Twelfth Night - William Shakespeare
• The Taming of the Shrew - William Shakespeare
• As You Like It - William Shakespeare
• Arcadia - Tom Stoppard
• Persuasion - Jane Austen
• The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald
• The Essex Serpent - Sarah Perry
• Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children - Ransom Riggs
• Friday Night Lights - H.G. Bissinger
• Northern Lights (The Golden Compass) - Philip Pullman
• Noughts and Crosses - Malorie Blackman
• Matched - Ally Condie
• The Crocked Sixpence - Jennifer Bell
• Me Before You - Jojo Moyes
• After You - Jojo Moyes
• Never Let Me Go - Kazuo Ishiguro
• The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
• Big Little Lies - Liane Moriarty
• Love, Aubrey - Suzanne LaFleur
• Elsewhere - Gabrielle Zevin
• The Book Thief - Markus Zusak
• Fairies - 
• Twilight - Stephene Meyer
• New Moon - Stephene Meyer
• Eclipse - Stephene Meyer
• Breaking Dawn - Stephene Meyer
• The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner - Stephene Meyer
• Vampire Diaries: The Awakening - L.J. Smith
• Vampire Diaries: The Struggle - L.J. Smith
• Vampire Diaries: The Fury - L.J. Smith
• Vampire Diaries: Dark Reunion - L.J. Smith
• Shiver - Maggie Stiefvater
• Linger - Maggie Stiefvater
• Forever - Maggie Stiefvater
• Caraval - Stephanie Garber 
• Ink and Bone - Rachel Caine
• A Great and Terrible Beauty - Libba Bray
• The Star-Touched Queen - Roshani Chokshi
• Daughter of the Burnt City - Amanda Foody
• The Bone Witch - Rin Chupeco
• Death's Mistress - Terry Goodkind
• The Invasion of the Tearling - Erika Johansen
• The Left Hand of God - Paul Hoffman
• Sigrid - Johanne Hildebrandt
• Estrid - Johanne Hildebrandt
• Odinsbarn - Siri Pettersen
• Dans för en Död Prinsessa - Lo Khan
• Ordbrodösen - Anna Arvidson
• Tillsammans I+II - Denise Rudberg
• Här Ligger Jag och Blöder - Jenny Jägerfeld
• Jag Är Tyvärr Död Och Kan Inte Komma Till Skolan Idag - Sara Ohlsson
• Som Jag Vill Vara - Katarina von Bredow
• Syskonkärlek - Katarina von Bredow
• Flyga Högt - Katarina von Bredow
• Allt Jag Säger Är Sant - Lisa Bjärbo
• Min Typ Brorsa - Johanna Lindbäck
• Simon och Sophie - Emma Granholm
• Lex Bok - Sara Kadefors
• Gilla Hata Horan - Johanna Nilsson
• Tusen Gånger Starkare - Christina Herrström
• Det Händer Nu - Sofia Nordin
• Jag Saknar Dig, Jag Saknar Dig! - Peter Pohl, Kinna Gieth

TBR:

• The Bane Chronicles - Cassandra Clare
• Tales From the Shadowhunter Academy - Cassandra Clare
• An Illustrated History of Notable Shadowhunter and Denizens of Downworld - Cassandra Clare
• Tower of Dawn - Sarah J. Maas
• A Court of Thorns and Roses - Sarah J. Maas
• A Court of Mist and Fury - Sarah J. Maas
• A Court of Wings and Ruin - Sarah J. Maas
• Citadel - Kate Mosse
• Sepulchre - Kate Mosse
• Labyrinth - Kate Mosse
• Wolf Hall - Hilary Mantel
• Bring Up the Bodies - Hilary Mantel
• Dragonfly in Amber - Diana Gabaldon
• Voyager - Diana Gabaldon
• Drums of Autumn - Diana Gabaldon
• Heroes of Olympus: The Lost Hero - Rick Riordan
• Heroes of Olympus: The Son of Neptune - Rick Riordan
• Heroes of Olympus: The Mark of Athena - Rick Riordan
• Heroes of Olympus: The House of Hades - Rick Riordan
• The Hidden Oracle - Rick Riordan
• The Dark Prophecy - Rick Riordan
• Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins
• Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins
• The Maze Runner - James Dashner
• The Scorch Trials - James Dashner
• The Death Cure - James Dashner
• The Kill Order - James Dashner
• The Death Code - Lindsay Cummings
• Four - Veronica Roth
• Lament - Maggie Stiefvater
• Ballad - Maggie Stiefvater
• The Raven Boys - Maggie Stiefvater
• The Cruel Prince - Holly Black
• The Thousandth Floor - Katherine McGee
• The Diabolic - S.J. Kincaid
• Rebel of the Sands - Alwyn Hamilton
• A Crown of Wishes - Roshani Chokshi
• Will Grayson, Will Grayson - John Green
• An Abundance of Katherines - John Green
• Paper Towns - John Green
• Scrappy Little Nobody - Anna Kendrick
• After the Fire - Will Hill
• Ketchup Clouds - Annabel Pitcher
• All the Bright Paces - Jennifer Niven
• The Poison Diaries - Amy Alward
• Finding Audrey - Sophie Kinsella
• The Truth About Forever - Sarah Dessen
• Journey to the Sea - Eva Ibbotson
• The Dragonfly Pool - Eva Ibbotson
• A Song for Summer - Eva Ibbotson
• Mad Girl - Bryony Gordon
• Scrappy Little Nobody - Anna Kendrick
• Matilda - Roald Dahl
• The B.F.G. - Roald Dahl
• The Statistical Probably of Love at First Sight - Jennifer E. Smith
• 3 Willows: The Sisterhood Grows - Ann Brashares
• The Future of Us - Jay Asher
• A Song for Summer - Eva Ibbotson
• If I Was Your Girl - Meredith Russo
• The Knife of Never Letting Go - Patrick Ness
• The Truth About Forever - Sarah Dessen
• The Poison Apples - Lily Archer
• Tamar - Mal Peet
• Jepp, Who Defied the Stars - Katherine Marsh
• The Bailey Game - Celia Rees
• I Am Malala - Malala Yousafzai
• Star-Crossed - Rachael Wing
• One Of Us Is Lying - Karen M. McManus
• After the Fire - Will Hill
• Sjutton År Och Skitsnygg - Emma Granholm
• Liv och Lovisa - Emma Granholm
• Om Du Var Jag - Jessica Schiefauer
• Homecoming Queen - Moa Herngren
• Tillsammans III - Denise Rudberg
• Sthlm Queens Disa - Denise Rudberg
• Sorgfjäril - Ingelin Angerborn
• Konsten Att Ha Sjukt Låga Förväntningar - Åsa Asptjärn
• Amandas Bok - Katerina Janouch
• Jonnas Bok - Katerina Janouch
• Sagas Bok - Katerina Janouch
• Amanda och Axel - Katerina Janouch
• En Enda Kväll - Mars Berggren
• I Taket Lyser Stjärnorna - Johanna Thydell
• Janis Den Magnifika - Johanna Nilson
• Tagg i Hjärtat - Cannie Möller
• Agnes Cecilia - Maria Gripe
• Shoo Len - Douglas Foley
• Tänk Om Det Där Är Jag - Johanna Lindbäck
• Välkommen Hem - Johanna Lindbäck
• Pojkarna - Jessica Schiefauer
• Du och Jag, Marie Curie - Annika Ruth Persson
• Axel von Fersen och Drottningen Marie Antoinette - Margareta Beckman
• Löwensköldska Ringen - Selma Lagerlöf
• Apelsinflickan - Lena Kallenberg
• The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe  - C.S. Lewis
• Prince Caspian - C.S. Lewis
• The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - C.S. Lewis
• The Silver Chair - C.S. Lewis
• The Horse and His Boy - C.S. Lewis
• The Magicians Nephew - C.S. Lewis
• The Last Battle - C.S. Lewis
• Half Lost  - Sally Green
• Rebel of the Sands - Alwyn Hamilton
• The Thousandth Floor - Katharine McGee
• Uglies - Scott Westerfeld
• Pretties - Scott Westerfeld
• Specials - Scott Westerfeld
• Hollow City - Ransom Riggs
• Library of Soul - Ransom Riggs
• Paper and Fire - Rachel Caine
• Ash and Quill - Rachel Caine
• Crossed - Ally Condie
• Knife Edge - Malorie Blackman
• Rivers of London - Ben Aaronovitch
• Marked - P.C. Cast, Kristin Cast
• The Twilight Saga: The official Illustrated Guide - Stephenie Meyer
• Vampire Diaries:
• Vampire Diaries:
• The Blade Itself - Joe Abercrombie
• After They Are Hanged - Joe Abercrombie
• The Magician's Guild - Trudi Canavan
• The Novice - Trudi Canavan
• The High Lord - Trudi Canavan
• The Last Four Things - Paul Hoffman
• Warleggan - Winston Graham
• Jeremy Poldark - Winston Graham
• The Black Moon - Winston Graham
• Eragon - Christopher Paulino
• Master of Shadows - Neil Oliver
• Assassin's Apprentice - Robin Hobb
• Crowner's Quest - Bernard Knight
• The Tinner's Corpse - Bernard Knight
• Röta - Siri Pettersen
• Barkhes Döttrar - Bodil Mårtenson
• Cirkeln - Mats Strandberg, Sara Bergmark Elfgren
• Eld - Mats Strandberg, Sara Bergmark Elfgren
• Nyckeln - Mats Strandberg, Sara Bergmark Elfgren
• Skämmerskan's Dotter - Lene Kaaberbøl
• Skämmartecknet - Lene Kaaberbøl
• Ormen's Gåva - Lene Kaaberbøl
• På Ödets Vingar - Julia Sandström
• Så Långt Vingarna Bär - Julia Sandström
• Tunnels - Roderick Gordon
• Ondvinter - Anders Björkelid
• En Dans För En Död Prinsessa - Lo Kahn
• The Fellowship of the Ring - J.R.R. Tolkien
• The Two Towers - J.R.R. Tolkien
• The Return of the King - J.R.R. Tolkien
• Crooked Kingdom - Leigh Bardugo 
• Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them - J.K. Rowling
• Quidditch Through The Ages - J.K. Rowling
• The Tales of Beedle the Bard - J.K. Rowling
• Shroud of Eternity - Terry Goodkind
• The Subtle Knife - Philip Pullman
• The Amber Spyglass - Philip Pullman
• The Ruby in the Smoke - Philip Pullman
• The Shadow in the North - Philip Pullman
• Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
• Alice Through the Looking Glass - Lewis Carroll
• The Wind on the Moon - Eric Lintlater
• A Discovery of Witches - Deborah Harkness
• Shadow of Night - Deborah Harkness
• Company of Liars - Karen Maitland
• The Owl Killers - Karen Maitland
• The Falcons of Fire and Ice - Karen Maitland
• The Virgin's Lover - Philippa Gregory
• The White Queen - Philippa Gregory
• The Red Queen - Philippa Gregory
• The Boleyn Inheritance - Philippa Gregory
• The Lady of the Rivers - Philippa Gregory
• The Other Queen - Philippa Gregory
• The King's Curse - Philippa Gregory
• Three Sisters, Three Queens - Philippa Gregory
• The Taming of the Queen - Philippa Gregory
• Changeling - Philippa Gregory
• Order of Darkness Volumes I-III - Philippa Gregory
• The Shadow Queen - Anne O'Brien
• Loungbourn - Jo Baker
• A Court Affair - Emily Purdy
• Radio Girls - Sarah-Jane Stratford
• Kissing Shakespeare - Pamela Mingle
• Northern Girl - Fadette Marie
• Call the Midwife - Jennifer Worth
• The Testament of Youth - Vera Brittain
• A Little History of the World - E.H. Gombrich
• The Midnight Queen - Sylvia Izzo Hunter
• Lady Jane Grey - Sue Reid
• Titanic - Ellen Emerson White
• Slave Girl - Patricia C. McKissack
• Marie Antoinette - Kathryn Lasky
• Victoria - Anna Kirwan
• Wartime Princess - Valerie Wilding
• Bloody Tower - Valerie Wilding
• Cleopatra VII - Kristiana Gregory
• Henry VIII's Wives - The Story of Henry's Six Queens - Alison Prince
• Utvandrarna - Vilhelm Moberg
• Invandrarna - Vilhelm Moberg
• Gone with the Wind - Margaret Mitchell
• Bright Young Things - Anna Godbersen
• Beautiful Days - Anna Godbersen
• Ink Exchange -Melissa Marr
• Fragile Eternity - Melissa Marr
• The Iron Witch - Karen Mahoney
• A Thousand Nights - E.K. Johnston
• By Royal Command - Mary Hooper
• Butterfly Summer - Anne-Marie Conway
• Prisoner of the Inquisition - Theresa Breslin
• The Memory Keeper's Daughter - Kim Edwards
• The Miniaturist - Jessie Burton
• Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn
• Dark Places - Gillian Flynn
• The Accused - John Grisham
• Theodore Boone - John Grisham
• The Abduction - John Grisham
• Cathedral of the Sea - Ildefonso Falcones
• I Am Number Four - Pittacus Lore
• Gone - Michael Grant
• TimeRiders - Alex Scarrow
• TimeRiders: Day of the Predator - Alex Scarrow
• TimeRiders: The Dooms Day Code - Alex Scarrow
• TimeRiders: The Eternal War - Alex Scarrow
• TimeRiders: Gates of Rome - Alex Scarrow
• TimeRiders: City of Shadows - Alex Scarrow
• TimeRiders: The Pirate Kings - Alex Scarrow
• TimeRiders: The Mayan Prophecy - Alex Scarrow
• TimeRiders: The Infinity Cage - Alex Scarrow
• Flood Child - Emely Diamand
• Frankenstein - Mary Shelley
• Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
• To Kill A Mockingbird - Harper Lee
• A Girl is a Half-Formed Thing - Eimear McBride
• The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
• The Skeleton Cupboard - Tanya Byron
• The Ice-Cream Girls - Dorothy Koomson
• Billy and Me - Giovanna Fletcher
• My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult 
• One Day - David Nicholls
• Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet - Jamie Ford
• The Power - Naomi Alderman
• The Circle - Dave Eggers
• The House of Jouralists - Tim Finch
• Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? - Jeanette Winterson
• A Farewell to Arms - Ernest Hemmingway
• The Blind Assassin - Margaret Atwood 

So there you have it. A random collection of various genres and authors. Have you read any of the books on my TBR and what did you think of them?

Half Bad by Sally Green (2014)

Title: Half Bad

Author: Sally Green
Series: The Half Bad Trilogy #1

Pages: 380

Published: Mar 4th 2014

Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers

This book was such a page turner that I read it in a day and a half. It is written in such a captivating way you truly can't help but wanting to know what's happening next. Green is not in a hurry to tell the story but moves forward at a relaxed pace. Each part of the book is introduced, experience and then moved on from. It allows for a new equilibrium to be set in each new setting or part before it's disrupted. It's very cleverly planned out to hold onto the readers attention.

I don't have much to say other than this is quite different from what I've read before. It's a lovely interpretation on witches which I cannot wait to know more about. The plot doesn't follow the classic turning of sixteen or seventeen when one's life suddenly means life or death. It's more about Nathan's life as a whole, his childhood and upbringing until his seventeenth birthday when he officially becomes a which. It's pre-birthday, rather than post-birthday.

The relationships in this book are so amazingly developed. Nathan's relationship with his older brother Arran is one of the best sibling relationships I've read about. And in such contrast to his relationship with his sister Jessica. If you can't think of another reason to read this book read it because of that. And Celia of course. Although haven given me a bad first impression (as I'm sure she did with plenty of other readers) she actually doesn't appear to be the monster she's made out to be towards the end and the banter between her and Nathan truly lightens the mood at times.

A truly enjoyable book about witches in the modern world England. Quite a light read but plenty to keep you entertained.

Plot Summary:

You can't read, can'r write, but you heal fast, even for a witch.

You get sick if you stay indoors after dark.

You hate White Witches but love Annalise, who is one.

You've been kept in a cage since you were fourteen.

All you've got to do is escape and find Mercury, the Black Witch who eats boys.

And do that before your seventeenth birthday.

Easy.

My Rating:

7/10
I really did enjoy this book and it had me captivated.

More by Sally Green:

Half Bad (The Half Bad Trilogy #1)
Half Wild (The Half Bad Trilogy #2)
Half Lost (The Half Bad Trilogy #3)
Half Lies (The Half Bad Trilogy novella)
Half Truths (The Half Bad Trilogy novella)
The Smoke Thieves (The Smoke Thieves #1)

Death's Mistress by Terry Goodkind (2017)

Title: Death's Mistress

Author: Terry Goodkind
Series: Sister of Darkness: The Nicci Chronicles #1

Pages: 468

Published: Jan 24th 2017

Publisher: Head of Zeus

This is a book that I judged by is cover. I came across it in Waterstones and the deal was £4 off the hardcover and seeing as it was the first in a series and I was craving some serious high fantasy I bought it. The cover itself was indeed beautiful and very tempting.

I did not start reading it straight away however. After purchasing the book I looked it up and I saw that Nicci is a major character is Terry Goodkind's fantasy series Sword of Truth of some 15 odd books. I was slightly put off as I did not know whether I would be able to immerse myself in  fantasy world that I did not understand. Seeing as he has gotten quite some criticism for the last few books in the series I was unsure whether this book would be worth it or not.

A year later however I decided to give it a go. This is not the best fantasy book I have read. Not by far. My biggest issue was probably Nicci, the protagonist. I do understand that she is the badass assassin with a heart of stone and ruthless killing habits but I could not connect to her at all. Not until the very end, and even so it was not a lot. To be honest I much more appreciated the attitude of the wizard Nathan Rhal who had much more charisma, Bannon who's backstories were always more interesting than the book itself, and Thistle who added personality to the whole story. In fact Nicci became quite annoying. She did not seem badass and dangerous but rather boring and I quickly lost my respect for her. I do not know if this is due to my lack of backstory of her since I have not read the Sword of Truth series, the author's storytelling or just the character.

As a story the book followed a simple storyline. Days of walking, finding a town/village, helping that town/village and then out to walk again to stumble upon another town/village and helping them out. After the third round I desperately needed the narrative to move forward to a more concrete story. And it did. The last third of the book is actually much more exciting and it really does pick up. Nicci becomes more bearable, thanks to Thistle's addition to the story and it did end on a very good note. I do intend to read the sequel, but not straight away.

I would have appreciated more world building and perhaps a bigger picture as the plot only concerned the three adventurers but nothing of the world as a whole. It was quite isolated. However, this makes it a light read and I do recommend reading this book for readers who are new to fantasy as it is not intimidating in length, politics, or amount of characters. Although it is a fairly quick fantasy read, it is not a page turner as such and not the most exciting of high fantasy.

Plot Summary:

Sister of the Light, Sister of the Dark, The Slave Queen, Death's Mistress...
Nicci has gone by many names and faced many challenges.
But that's in the past.
Now, on the far horizons of a world forget anew, she much head the witch woman's words:
'and the Sorceress must save the world'.

My Rating:

5/10


Other Books by Terry Goodkind:

Wizard's First Rule (Sword of Truth #1)
Stone of Tears (Sword of Truth #2)
Blood of the Fold (Sword of Truth #3)
Temple of the Winds (Sword of Truth #4)
Soul of the Fire (Sword of Truth #5)
Faith of the Fallen (Sword of Truth #6)
The Pillars of Creation (Sword of Truth #7)
Naked Empire (Sword of Truth #8)
Chainfire (Sword of Truth #9)
Phantom (Sword of Truth #10)
Confessor (Sword of Truth #11)
The Omen Machine (Sword of Truth #12)
The Third Kingdom (Sword of Truth #13)
Severed Souls (Sword of Truth #14)
Warheart (Sword of Truth #15)
Death's Mistress (Sister of Darkness: The Nicci Chronicles #1)
Shroud of Eternity (Sister of Darkness: The Nicci Chronicles #2)
Siege of Stone (Sister of Darkness: The Nicci Chronicles #3)

The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan (2008)

Title: Percy Jackson and the Battle of the Labyrinth

Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians #4

Pages: 361

Published: May 6th 2008

Publisher: Hyperion Books

As the fourth book of the series this was a seriously good story. Rick Riordan does not fail in making Greek gods and demigods into fun and charismatic characters. The relationship between Percy and Annabeth is only getting better and both of their characters are really developing, like Annabeth and her architect dreams.

The labyrinth allowed for such grey ideas and storytelling. With the different chambers and corridors and time difference. There was no limit to imagination. I can't wait for the final book.

Plot Summary:

Honestly, blowing up another school was the last thing I wanted to do. As the son of a Greek god, I've had my share of near-death disaster - and now my arch enemy Luke wants to invade our camp via an ancient Labyrinth.If he succeeds, thousands of bloodthirsty monsters will attack. So it's goodbye sunshine, hello darkness as four of us descend into the terrifying underground and beyond...

My Rating:

8/10

Other Books in Percy Jackson and the Olympians:

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1)
The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #2)
The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #3)
The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #4)
The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #5)
The Sword of Hades (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Singer of Apollo (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Stolen Chariot (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Demigod Files (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jackson's Greek Gods (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jacksona and the Bronze Dragon (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)

Other Books by Rick Riordan:

The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus #1)
The Son of Neptune (The Heroes of Olympus #2)
The Mark of Athena (The Heroes of Olympus #3)
The House of Hades (The Heroes of Olympus #4)
The Blood of Olympus (The Heroes of Olympus #5)
The Demigod Diaries (The Heroes of Olympus companion book)
The Red Pyramid (The Kane Chronicles #1)
The Throne of Fire (The Kane Chronicles #2)
The Serpent's Shadow (The Kane Chronicles #3)
The Kane Chronicle's Survival Guide (The Kane Chronicles companion book)
The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #1)
The Hammer of Thor (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #2)
The Ship of the Dead (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #3)
For Magnus Chase: Hotel Valhalla, Guide to the Norse Worlds (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard companion book)
The Hidden Oracle (The Trials of Apollo #1)
The Dark Prophecy (The Trials of Apollo #2)
The Burning Maze (The Trials of Apollo #3)
The Son of Sobek (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #1)
The Staff of Serapis (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #2)
The Crown of Ptolemy (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #3)

Flyga Högt by Katarina von Bredow (1991)

Title: Syskonkärlek

Author: Katarina von Bredow

Pages: 295

Published: Sep 1991

Publisher: Rabén & Sjögren
Language: Swedish


I'm just going to take a minute to appreciate that the protagonist is called Vendela. This never happens.

This is on of my favourite YA contemporaries. Plot wise I would compare this to the English 'Beautiful Broken Things' by Sara Bernard but this is much better. It's a story about friendships, social statuses in school, love and trust. And its exciting. The characters are rich and the plot is rich and it's a highly enjoyable book. There is friendship and romance and an altogether funny story. The romantic part is the cutest thing as well. It may remind people of 'Tusen Gånger Starkare" by Christina Herrström in subject matter but I personally much prefer this one. Its capturing and strong. A page turner if there ever was one.

Plot Summary:

There are codes. Certain rules.
Like when you're new to school.
It's about not being noticed too much. To be somewhere in the middle. But Silja doesn't. She does the complete opposite.
Vendela is fifteen and is in high school. It's nice to be back in school. She's going to meet Nils with the brown eyes again. But there's a new girl in their class. Silja, who dominates and doesn't care at all about the unwritten rules. She sits wherever she pleases, she spends time with whoever she wants to and doesn't seem to want to blend in at all. Is she dim, defiant or just incredibly strong. No one knows, but the sensation is a fact. And suddenly the obvious statuses, and roles that are decided don't count anymore, nothing is certain.

My Rating:

9/10

Other Books by Katarina von Bredow:

Syskonkärlek (Brother and Sister Love)
Hur Kär Får Man Bli? (How In Love Can You Be?)
Som Jag Vill Vara (As I Wish To Be)
Expert På Att Rodna (Expert In Blushing)
Räcker Det Om Jag Älskar Dig (Is It Enough If I Love You)
Bara Inte Du (Just Not You)
Som Om Ingenting (As If Nothing At All)
Knappt Lovlig (Barely Allowed)
Du och Jag (You And Me)

Upcoming Reviews

I realise that I have not updated the blog in a month due to having been on holiday. I am still on holiday in fact. I have read plenty this summer but have not written any reviews in a while, but will tell you about some upcoming reviews for this autumn.

• Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief - Rick Riordan
• Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters - Rick Riordan
• Percy Jackson and Titan's Curse - Rick Riordan
• Percy Jackson and the Battle of the Labyrinth - Rick Riordan
• Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian - Rick Riordan
• Carve the Mark - Veronica Roth
• The Crooked Sixpence - Jennifer Bell
• Lord of Shadows - Cassandra Clare
• The Essex Serpent - Sarah Perri
• Daughter of the Burning City - Amanda Foody
• Odinsbarn - Siri Pettersen

Looking forward to updating these reviews with you guys soon!

Ink by Alice Broadway (2017)

Title: Ink

Author: Alice Broadway
Series: The Skin Books #1

Pages: 366

Published: Feb 2nd 2017

Publisher: Scholastic Ltd.


I have mixed feelings about this book. First of all, I went in with no knowledge at all. I had no clue what it was about except that people ink their skin based on the things they do in life. Sounds intriguing. And the cover was gorgeous. I really worked up excitement for this book and got really high expectations. And it was such a let down.

Absolutely nothing happened during the first 200 pages. It was boring. I felt like I was just reading about Leora's everyday life where nothing was happening. I suppose it was meant for world building but I don't feel like there was an interesting world. And this world irritated me. These people's view on their society was disturbing. There are no secrets in this world because people ink their every action onto their skin. Everything bad and good. So everything is visible for everyone all the time. Where is the privacy?! And then in order to keep someones soul eternal after their death they make books out of their skin. OUT OF THEIR SKIN! This creeped me out so much I wanted to stop reading. And it felt like this was so out of place in this world as well because it wasn't dystopian enough either. So weird. It reminded me of this tv show where a man came in to try and trade this wallet made of human skin (that was meant to bring luck) and all the traders rejected him cause it's so gross.

I did ending got much better but I was unsure what Leora's decision was in the end. Which side did she choose. I didn't like her attitude and couldn't tell how it actually ended. It was not satisfying at all, but it wasn't a cliffhanger either. I'm so confused.

It was a light read which I'm happy about. It only took about a day and a half to read, and I didn't want it to take any longer. The story was altogether weak and I felt like this dystopian world didn't have enough to offer. It looked like it had potential (yes I judged it by its cover) and it was just so unimpressive. With my thoughts for the book at the moment I don't think I'm going to read the rest of the books.

Plot Summary:

Every action, every deed, every significant moment is tattooed on your skin for ever. When Leora's father dies, she is determined to see her father remembered forever. She knows he deserves to have all his tattoos removed and made into a Skin Book to stand as a record of his good life. But when she discovers that his ink has been edited and his book is incomplete, she wonders whether she ever knew him at all.

My Rating:

4/10

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan (2006)

Title: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief

Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1

Pages: 377

Published: May 4th 2005

Publisher: Hyperion Books


As I have promised in my TBR Announcement for Percy Jackson and the Olympians my goal was to read the series this summer and as I didn't know how to start of my June reading I thought it best to start with Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief to get going.

It was a good choice. This book was highly enjoyable and I see why people truly enjoy this series. I wish I had read them when I was younger because although it is suitable for the nineteen-year-old I am, it is initially written for 9-14 year olds and maybe I would have enjoyed it even more back then. But no point mourning the lack of Percy Jackson in my childhood. This book was so great. It's funny, exciting and entertaining.

I love how every day objects are turned magical
and that everything is not over the top supernatural. It's as simple as a magic cap or winged shoes. Makes everything funnier and a little more realistic. Although there is plenty of fighting in Percy Jackson its all written for a younger audience and everything is described with excitement and action. It's not graphic in the way that it's not PG, but it is described well and everything is played out in my head perfectly.

I have heard that people find that a lot of the story is lost if you do not know Greek Mythology. Let me tell you something about my knowledge about Greek Mythology. I know the names Zeus, Poseidon, Hades and Aphrodite. And, that's about it. I never got the opportunity to study the Greek gods in school and haven't read any books about them. I am clueless. But Riordan so cleverly interweaves little facts here and there for the reader to understand the story. Very simplified and interesting. You don't have to know anything of Greek Mythology because Percy will tell you about everything that is relevant. It's brilliant.

So this book was great. I think I may have enjoyed it even more if I'd been younger and I'm so happy I'm reading them now rather than letting them collect dust on my bookshelf. Highly recommend.

Plot Summary:

Look, I didn't want to be a half-blood. I never asked to be the son of a greek god.

I was just a normal kid, going to school, playing basketball, skateboarding. The usual. Until I accidentally vaporized my maths teacher. Now I spend my time battling monsters and generally trying to stay alive.
This is the one where Zeus, God of the Sky, thinks I've stolen his lightning bolt - and making Zeus angry is a very bad idea.


My Rating:
8/10

Other Books in Percy Jackson and the Olympians:

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1)
The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #2)
The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #3)
The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #4)
The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #5)
The Sword of Hades (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Singer of Apollo (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Stolen Chariot (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Demigod Files (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jackson's Greek Gods (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jacksona and the Bronze Dragon (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)

Other Books by Rick Riordan:

The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus #1)
The Son of Neptune (The Heroes of Olympus #2)
The Mark of Athena (The Heroes of Olympus #3)
The House of Hades (The Heroes of Olympus #4)
The Blood of Olympus (The Heroes of Olympus #5)
The Demigod Diaries (The Heroes of Olympus companion book)
The Red Pyramid (The Kane Chronicles #1)
The Throne of Fire (The Kane Chronicles #2)
The Serpent's Shadow (The Kane Chronicles #3)
The Kane Chronicle's Survival Guide (The Kane Chronicles companion book)
The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #1)
The Hammer of Thor (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #2)
The Ship of the Dead (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #3)
For Magnus Chase: Hotel Valhalla, Guide to the Norse Worlds (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard companion book)
The Hidden Oracle (The Trials of Apollo #1)
The Dark Prophecy (The Trials of Apollo #2)
The Burning Maze (The Trials of Apollo #3)
The Son of Sobek (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #1)
The Staff of Serapis (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #2)
The Crown of Ptolemy (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #3)

Caraval by Stephanie Garber (2017)

Title: Caraval

Author: Stephanie Garber
Series: Caraval #1

Pages: 402

Published: Jan 31st 2017

Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton

Honestly, I ordered this book on Amazon because it was £5 and I thought "ooohh, a hardcover for £5 and a pretty cover". (Also the hardcover under the dust jacket. OMG!) I hadn't heard anything about it. I didn't know anything about it and no matter how intriguing it was I didn't read it for another few months until my birthday in June actually.

And god, was I hooked? I stopped watching tv series (to my mother's disappointment who had to wait a few days to pick up Reign again) and I brought this book everywhere. This is my favourite release of 2017 so far. It has made it up on my favourite list. I can't express enough how amazing this books. It's literally soaked in magic. There are absolutely no boundaries to this book. When you think it couldn't get more intense there is even more on the next page.

The tagline of the 'Caraval' is 'Remember, it's only a game.' This worked for about half the book. I kept this is mind the whole time and felt like I would do even better than Scarlett in this game. I felt like I saw everything coming, I was sane. And then it just went mental and I was about to tear the book to shreds for all the emotions I experienced: panic, happiness, fear, confusion, frustration. Even when you have given up on it, remember, it's only a game. Literally.

I won't say more in fear that I will spoil it. I went into this book knowing nothing. I suggest you do the same. It's a story so cleverly structured and told, it's almost terrifying. 

Plot Summary.

Whatever you've heard about CARAVAL, it doesn't compare to the reality. It's more than just a game or a performance. It's the closest you'll ever find to magic in this world.
Welcome to CARAVAL, where nothing is quite what it seems.
Scarlett and Tella have never left the tiny island of Trisda, pining from afar for the wonder of Caraval, a once-a-year week-long performance where the audience participates in the show.
Maraval is Magic. Mystery. Adventure.
When the sister's long-awaited invitations finally arrive, it seems their dreams have come true. But no sooner have they arrived than Tella vanishes, kidnapped by the show's mastermind organiser, Legend.
Scarlette has been told that everything that happens during Caravla is an elaborate performance. But she quickly becomes entangled in a dangerous game of love, magic and heartbreak.
And real or not, she must find Tella before the game is over, and her sister disappears forever. 

- back of cover

Favourite Quote:

"Scarlett was not fond of fate. She liked to believe if she were good, good things would happen. Fate left her powerless, and hopeless, and with an overall feeling of lessness. To her, fate seemed like a larger, omnipotent version of her father, stealing her choices and controlling her life without any regard to her feelings. Fate meant that nothing she did mattered." (pg 148)
"It would have been a mistake to kiss him, yet she felt... disappointed. It came on cool shades of forget-me-not blue, which wrapped around her like evening fog, making her feel hidden enough to acknowledge that she wanted to experience more of Caraval's pleasures than she would have ver admitted out loud." (pg 173)
"Scarlett had always seen her own emotions in colour, but she'd never seen another person's. She didn't know what shocked her more, that she could now see the color of Julien's feelings, or that those feelings were so wounded." (pg 227)

My Rating:

10/10

Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer (2017)

Title: Letters to the Lost

Author: Brigid Kemmerer

Pages: 393

Published: Apr 4th 2013

Publisher: Bloomsbury

I got this book from WHSmith as it was buy one get one free with the Zoella Book Club. I didn't get the whole Book Club set but got this one together with 'After the Fire' by Will Hill. I couldn't help myself, they looked like such good summer reads.

I was in the middle of reading the Percy Jackson books and although I truly wanted to finish the series I couldn't stop thinking about how much I wanted to read Letters to the Lost so I simply took a break and how long did it take me to read this book? One day. ONE DAY. I was hooked.

The idea behind this book itself is so original and clever. Who thinks of something like this. Naturally I was sat there the whole book knowing more than the characters (dramatic irony!!) because it was written from both Juliet and Declan's point of view. I loved this layout and it kept my interest going the whole way through. The letters and the two different perspectives allows to the reader to know more about the characters. I know Juliet through herself, through Declan's point of view and through the letters she writes. I don't think I've ever connected so much with characters and they are so deep, so three diminutional - so real.

Although I cannot say that I have gone through any of what Juliet or Declan has gone through (I have not lost a family member) I can say that I truly value the opportunity to write to someone I trust. It may be over text and it may not be anonymous, but Cemetery Girl's and The Dark's openness with each other reminded me of a friend I know I can talk to and that hit deep. 

But the book wasn't just deep and understanding, it was funny and it made me laugh. And it's a happy ending. In a way it's a happy story with just so many memories of pain. But it's their journey to getting better.

Minor Spoiler! This book has one kiss. One kiss and it's at the very end. There are no hot scenes or declarations of love, yet it's one of the truest love stories I have ever read. And I was so nervous through it all, so excited, but my head didn't scream "KISS HER!" This love was deeper than that and evolved from something more personal than just boy needs girl. Is this a fluffy romance? Yes, to an extent. But you won't get the romantic first date. You'll get something much more exciting.

Plot Summary:

Juliet Young has always written letters to her mother. Even after her mother's death, she leaves letters at her grave. It's the only thing that helps Juliet cope.

Declan Murphy is the kind of tough guy you wouldn't want to cross. But while on community service doing landscaping at the local cemetery, he is haunted by ghosts of his own past.

When Declan finds a letter left beside a grave, he can't resist writing back. Soon he is sharing his pain with a perfect stranger... Except they're not strangers, and when real life inter fears with their secret life of letters, Juliet and Declan discover truths that might tear them apart.

Favourite Quote:

"I didn't know you could feed a baby Thai food" - Declan

My Rating:

10/10

Other Books by Brigid Kemmerer:

Storm (Elemental #1)

Spark (Elemental #2)

Spirit (Elemental #3)

Secret (Elemental #4)

Sacrifice (Elemental #5)

Elemental (Elemental novella)

Breathless (Elemental novella)

Fearless (Elemental novella)

Strife

More Than We Can Tell

A Curse so Dark and Lonely

Select by Marit Weisenberg (2017)

Title: Select

Author: Marit Weisenberg

Pages: 352 (Kindle)

Expected publication: Oct 3th 2017

Publisher: Charlesbridge, Teen


This eGalley was given to me by Charlesbridge, Teen vie NetGalley in exchange for the honest review. These are my personal opinions of the book.

If this book had to be compared to anything, in terms of genre, it would be Twilight. It is a YA romance with supernatural/paranormal undertones. Julia, the protagonist is, however, not a vampire, she belongs to a group of people who are genetically different than humans. All their seances are stronger, they are better at everything. And she falls for the normal, mortal boy. I would not consider this a strong sic-fi or supernatural/paranormal book as it seems to focus more on the romantic relationship between Julia and John than the supernatural aspect. However, I very much enjoyed this. It's like a fluffy YA romantic but with a constantly present, yet subtle element of science fiction. I have been looking a book like this forever, that is funny romantic, but not too cliche.

I liked the characters, except Novak (naturally). I felt like he was restricting Julia and had too much power over her. She didn't speak up to him, even as a daughter and I feel like she was unreasonable blamed for things. I would have liked more information about Julia's group of people as I often in the beginning felt just as lost as John if not more. Often the reader was just told that they were different, they had to be subtle or they were better. I felt like I was expected to know everything already. In a way this puts the reader in the situation of John, which is powerful in its own way, but as he only got to know Julia's whole story 53% into the book I felt like I was as well. And it frustrated me for quite a while. In other words, I felt like although it was a first person story Julia wasn't very open to the reader and we only found something out if it was spoken out loud. More insight would have been appreciated. Sometimes the language was a little boring and simple, but the dialogues were very enjoyable.

I very much enjoyed the mind reading. John is the best character with his funny personal remarks and he really brightens it up. His optimistic, humours thoughts were much more successfully written than his negative thoughts, which sometimes felt a little fake even if they would've been said out loud. John definitely made this book much better and with the constant presence of Angus it was even better.

I can't help but wonder if there will be a sequel. It works fine as a stand alone but I do wonder at some loose ends and the very end hinted at the fact that there might be more to told. What about Julia's mum? What about John's vision? The FBI? The utopia? Angus? I need to know what happens next.

Plot Summary:

“It had always been a fact of life that we were biologically different—better—and that it had to be kept secret.”

Seventeen-year-old Julia Jaynes has the perfect life. She’s beautiful, freakishly athletic, and extremely smart. That’s because she comes from a race of highly-evolved humans living in the heart of Austin, Texas.In order to protect their anonymity and preserve their elite society, Julia’s powerful father forces her to suppress her abilities. When she accidentally demonstrates her super human prowess in public, she’s banished to the one place meant to make her feel inferior: public high school. Thrust into the confusion and humiliation of a normal high school, Julia is just trying to keep her head down when John Ford strolls into her life. An outsider and tennis jock, John is immediately attractive to Julia as a curiosity. She can even read his mind. But as Julia's newfound powers over John grow, so do her feelings. When she discovers her father has been hiding dangerous secrets, for the first time in her life, Julia begins to question her restrictive upbringing. Caught between the prejudices of her manipulative father and the allure of an outsider’s life, Julia must decide how she will define herself—and who she will betray.

My Rating:

7/10

Favourite Quote:

"One more set like this, and that will officially be rock bottom. And in front of her. Definition of a shit show. I should be handing out toilet paper." - John

The Fate of the Tearling by Erika Johansen (2016)

Title: The Fate of the Tearling

Author: Erika Johansen 
Series: The Queen of the Tearling #3

Pages: 478

Published: Nov 29th 2016

Publisher: Harper, Bantam Press


The finale to the Queen of the Tearling trilogy was truly interesting. I was listening to this while painting our gate at home and I can truly say that it made it far more enjoyable.

Many secrets where revealed and questions answered. Who knew about Kelsea's mum? Or her dad? The visions got more and more interesting. I did miss listening to Lily's story but I understand that her story was told and we had to learn Katie's story. Katie's story made me question my initial interpretation of the Tearling. In my review of The Queen of the Tearling I said that I had chosen to imagine the Tearling in a Victorian style world. But I know started to question this. Katie's world is after the crossing and as far as I understand (although their lack of technology) it is very similar to our world today. They wear our type of clothes, live in our style of houses etc. And there's only a matter of years between Katie's tearing and Kelsea's Tearling, where no incredible advances in technology has been made (as far as I understand), so why should it be any different. And (SPOILER ALLERT) at the end, when Kelsea has changed history, her world seems to be very similar to today's world, but happier. I need to reread these book with a new look at the world I built up for myself.

Although I was happy with the ending, and it was satisfying as the issue was resolved and the Tearling was saved. Kelsea saved it. I still feel like there is more to tell. What happens now? Sure, Kelsea is no queen anymore (which is heartbreaking because no one will know how she saved the Tearling) but she has a new life and I feel like there could be more. The last line broke me. It gives the idea that not all is lost (when she's lost everyone she knew and loved) and I need to know what was said after "where have you been?" Give me more!! I understand why the book ended where it did, and as a plot, this was satisfying, but as a story I CRAVE MORE!!

This trilogy was such a unique take on fantasy and one of the best audiobooks I've read, even though each book was narrated by a different lady. Strongly suggest this if you crave fantasy but need something beyond castle, knights and dragons.


Plot Summary:

In less than a year, Kelsea Glynn has grown from an awkward teenager into a powerful monarch and a visionary leader.
And as she has come into her own as the Queen of the Tearling, she has transformed her realm. But in her quest to end corruption and restore justice, she has made many enemies - chief among them the evil and feared Red Queen, who ordered the armies of Mortmesne to march against the Tear and crush them.
To protect her people from such a devastating invasion, Kelsea did the unthinkable - naming the Mace, the trusted head of her personal guards, Regent in her place, she surrendered herself and her magical sapphires to her enemy. But the Mace will not rest until he and his men rescue their sovereign from her prison in Mortmesne.
So, the endgame has begun and the fate of Queen Kelsea - and the Tearling itself - will be revealed...
- Goodreads

My Rating:

8/10

Other Books in the Trilogy:

The Queen of the Tearling (Queen of the Tearling #1)

The Invasion of the Tearling (Queen of the Tearling #2)

The Fate of the Tearling (Queen of the Tearling #3)

The Boy (Queen of the Tearling novella)

The Gathering by K.E. Ganshert (2015)

Title: The Gathering

Author: K.E. Ganshert

Series: The Gifting #3

Pages: 379 (Kindle)

Published: Jul 1st 2015

Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform


I downloaded this book as soon as I finished the previous book, but took a break in between for an unknown reason. But the finale did not disappoint. Again, theres the pattern that I see a lot in sic-fi and dystopia. Where there is a broken society, the main characters seem to want to start a revolution, and though they seem to only be a couple of teenagers to start with they always end up being this huge organised group at a specific headquarters. Did The Gathering have this? You bet it did, and damn it was good. More things were revealed of the organisation and the people wight the Gift and it just got better and better. Action filled and so gripping.

There was death, betrayal, and in that sense realistic. The ending was happy, as happy as it can get when you're in this situation, but satisfying. The book got very complicated and if I think back at it I'm not sure I remember everything or can recall exactly the roles of different people. I suggest you pay attention while reading this book. The complicated bits were introduced in The Awakening but it doesn't stop there. This book appears very thought through however and there's an answer to every question, if you read carefully.

Absolutely amazing trilogy, and I have now found out that they are officially available in physical paperbacks (rather than just the kindle versions that I read). How amazing is that?! And the covers are the same, and gorgeous. Want to get my hands on them.

Plot Summary:

"Darkness is a tricky thing. Especially when it cloaks itself in light." Luka isn't dead. He's not beyond saving. Tess knows because she saw him with her own eyes. After what she saw, she's sure of one thing: If they don't rescue him soon, Luka won't be Luka anymore. If only she could convince the other members of the hub. They're not sure Tess saw what she claims she saw. And they're preoccupied by the fact that their kind is being systematically eradicated. Answers lie in an ancient prophecy, one that revolves around a seventeen-year-old girl who never asked for any of this. K.E. Ganshert's final installment in The Gifting Series brings readers on an action-packed journey through loss, sacrifice, betrayal, and the impossible choice between what we want most and what we know is right.

- Goodreads

My Rating:

9/10

Other Books in this trilogy:

The Gifting (The Gifting #1)

The Awakening (The Gifting #2)

The Gathering (The Gifting #3)

Simon & Sophie by Emma Granholm (2008)

Title: Simon & Sophie

Author: Emma Granholm

Pages: 224

Published: Mar 14th 2008

Publisher: Alfabeta Bokförlag


This book was purchased as part of a module I would study in Swedish while living in England.

This book is a classic popular girl meets bullied boy, they become friends, they fall in love etc. It was predictable. I knew the ending after having read the back of the book. But it wasn't so much about the excitement about how it was going to end. It was more of a feel good book, a light romantic read about friendship and love. Not too complicated, yet a message about standing up for the people you love.

It is not a book I highly recommend, it won't blow your mind, but it's sweet and innocent and enjoyable.

Plot Summary:

"For fuck's sake!"
Simon shouts out loud when he sees that Sophie is about to move into the neighbouring house. Sophie isn't just the school's best looking and most popular girl, she's also made sure that Simon is bullied. Is he not even to be free of her when he's at home?!
During the Easter holidays - when Sophie is alone and bored - she goes over to Simon's house. He's at first both surprised and irritated, but soon realises that Sophie is different than when in school. One evening she tells him something she hasn't had the courage to tell anyone before. But what's it going to be like when school starts again?
-back of Book

My Rating:

7/10


Other Books by Emma Granholm:

Simon & Sophie (Simon & Sophie)
Ett Nytt Liv På Köpet (A New Life in the Bargain)
Liv & Lovisa (Liv & Lovisa)
Sjutton År och Skitsnygg (Seventeen and Hot as Hell)

The Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen (2015)

Title: The Invasion of the Tearling

Author: Erika Johansen 
Series: The Queen of the Tearling #2

Pages: 515

Published: Jun 9th 2015

Publisher: Harper, Bantam Press


Having a certain love for the audiobook of Queen of the Tearling I was quite disappointed when I found out that it wasn't narrated by Katherine Kellgren. Instead it was performed by Davina Porter and I was pleasantly surprised that she was just as good. These audiobooks are truly amazing.

This sequel is taking The Queen of the Tearling Trilogy one step further. This series is different from the usual high fantasy with its references to 'The Crossing' and a Land referred to as New England, New London and Europe. As if though England as we know today once existed.

And it did. In this book we get to see more of Kelsea's visions, about a young woman called Lily who lived in the United States, pre-crossing. At first, I wasn't too keen on these sections of the book, but I quickly got hooked. The bigger picture started to make itself clear and I wanted to know more and more. This is such an interesting take on fantasy where a new dystopian sci-fi sub genre is introduced and one can almost relate to the world, because it is becoming more and more similar to our own.

Kelsea herself is growing as a character as well. Strong as a queen, brave and her visions make her more interesting. It is slowly changing her appearance, strangely, and I am not quite sure what it adds to her characters apart from the fact that it doesn't change people's initial opinions of her (no matter how beautiful she becomes). Apart from visions, the sapphires have also allowed her powers which she is now experiencing - pain. And it makes her scarier to read about as it is a part of her that I do not enjoy as much - the Queen of Spades. The enemy of the Red Queen. I will leave it at that as I do not wish to spoil anymore for you.

All in all, this series has truly developed and as more things are revealed of the Tearling the more I want to know. And also, who doesn't like Pen? I quite like their relationship as it adds a subtle romantic interest but Kelsea stays true to her throne rather than love.

Plot Summary:

Kelsea Glynn is the Queen of the Tearling. Despite her youth, she has quickly asserted herself as a fair, just and powerful ruler.
However, power is a double-edged sword, and small actions can have grave consequences. In trying to do what is right - stopping a vile trade in humankind - Kelsea has crossed the Red Queen, a ruthless monarch whose rule is bound with dark magic and the spilling of blood. The Red Queen's armies are poised to invade the Tearling, and it seems nothing can stop them.
Yet there was a time before the Crossing, and there Kelsea finds a strange and possibly dangerous ally, someone who might hold the key to the fate of the Tearling, and indeed to Kelsea's own soul. But time is running out...

- Goodreads

My Rating:

8/10

Other Books in the Series:

The Queen of the Tearling (The Queen of the Tearling #1)
The Invasion of the Tearling (The Queen of the Tearling #2)
The Fate of the Tearling (The Queen of the Tearling #3)
The Boy (The Queen of the Tearling novella)

Buy This Book on:

Amazon
Waterstones
Book Depository

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard - video review

Title: Red Queen

Author: Victoria Aveyard

Series: Red Queen #1

Pages: 383

Published: Feb 10th 2015

Publisher: HarperTeen, Orion

Video review of Victoria Aveyard's Red Queen!

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Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard - video discussion

Title: Glass Sword

Author: Victoria Aveyard

Series: Red Queen #2

Pages: 444

Published: Feb 9th 2016

Publisher: HarperTeen, Orion

Video Discussion of Victoria Aveyard's book Glass Sword, the sequel to Red Queen.

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