Reviews
I cannot claim to be a writer without also being a reader. Here is a collection of reader reviews of the books I’ve binged. To stay even more up-to-date with what I’m currently reading, add me on Goodreads.
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“Shadow’s Edge” by Brent Weeks • Book Review
“In suffering, we find the true measure of our strength.”
★★ (2.4 / 5 stars) The Night Angel Trilogy starts with The Way of Shadows, which was action-packed and overall an unexpected take on fantasy, magic with mythology, and an assassin main-character with a broody backstory. Shadow's Edge picks up right where the first book left off and carries us through 23 more audiobook hours.
I didn't write a review for the opening novel because I was trying to keep an open mind and not judge too harshly (or too quickly), knowing that a series can drastically change from novel to novel. While I wouldn't sincerely recommend this series to anyone (who doesn't have loads of time to waste on less-than-4-star-reads), Weeks has a unique story here and some amazing elements worth recognizing.
“The Wicked King” by Holly Black • Book Review
“Kiss me until I am sick of it...”
★★★★ (4 / 5 stars) In The Cruel Prince, Holly Black spun webs of lies and tales and strategies and paved the way for Jude to build a glass castle to rule from with her puppet king. The Wicked King tap-tap-tapped at that glass castle, splintering it page by page. All the while, Holly built me a heart of glass, etched with intricate moments and tangled words left for me to cherish like gifts on my front porch.
But in the end, it all came crumbling down.
“The Night Circus” by Erin Morgenstern • Book Review
“The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not.”
★★★★★ (5 / 5 stars) There was nothing about this book I didn't like. It was immersive, and I loved the writing—the way Morgenstern captured the most beautiful ambience with her words. Plus, I love stories with time jumps that make you wonder how it all comes together—how all the stars align for that specific ending.
This book was just so full. It made me feel so many emotions—the full spectrum. From wanting to sadness, to frustration, to love, to joy, to peace. I wish I could list highlights for you for this book, but even the highlights are too much to capture in a simple bullet point.
“Girls of Paper and Fire” by Natasha Ngan • Book Review
“I don't want an easy life. I want a meaningful one.”
★★★★ (3.8 / 5 stars) I want to start off by saying this is an important novel. The levels of emotion and passion written into the pages of this story are so potent and so high, I could practically taste it while I read.
Not only does this novel tackle sensitive issues with a raw openness worthy of all our respect, but also it presents what I think we need more of: development of strong female friendships, and a variety of them!
“Caraval” by Stephanie Garber • Book Review
“Every person has the power to change their fate if they are brave enough to fight for what they desire more than anything.”
★★★★ (4/5) While Caraval couldn't hold a candle to The Night Circus, this was a fun story with mystery, magic, and a great carnival setting that kept me hooked page after page. I look forward to reading the sequel Legendary as soon as I can get my hands on it!
“Mirage” by Somaiya Daud • Book Review
“The blood never dies.
The blood never forgets.”
★★★★★ (4.7 / 5) This was such a great work of fiction. I am extremely attached to our two leading ladies, and I can’t wait for the sequel(s).
I read the whole book in one sitting, and honestly, my biggest complaint is that I wish it were longer. There’s just so much story, action, and growth just waiting to happen, and I wish I could gulp it all in at once.
“The Cruel Prince” by Holly Black • Book Review
“Every day that I don't beg Cardan for forgiveness over a feud he started is a day I win.”
★★★ (3.7 / 5) The opening scene and overall premise of The Cruel Prince is grim yet mystifying. Our narrator Jude can be irritating and a bit unrelatable at times, but her ambition is captivating.
There is magic and mystery, tension and resolve, puzzle pieces and plot twists. I can't wait to get my hands on the sequel to see how the story continues.
“Ace of Shades” by Amanda Foody • Book Review
“People do not play this game to win, my dear. They play this game not to lose.”
★★★★ (4 / 5 stars) All around, I really enjoyed this novel. Foody's captivating descriptions of the City of Sin consumed me as I fell in love with Levi (and the rest of the cast) page by page.
My main qualm with the novel is how prissy Enne started out. Her personality irritated me quite a bit, and while my first thought was, "Why couldn't we have had this story with inverted gender roles?" Enne's arc and growth satisfied me in the end.