From Blood And Ash

FROM BLOOD AND ASH

BY: JENNIFER L ARMENTROUT

RATING:

4.5 WINE GLASSES

Okay, I am SQUEALING. Even when JLA makes me angry and frustrated, I really just want to grab her hand and jump around with her because I actually LOVE it. This book was such a wonderful surprise; it’s fresh, exciting, and all around the most swoooony read I’ve picked up in a while. There’s so much sexual tension, I would put my iPad down and do one of those weird happy dances, and then proceed to read, and then I would do that same happy dance like ten minutes later. This happened for a very long time. Even after finishing around 3am, I was so pent up on happy energy that it took me another 45 minutes to even get my mind to just not think about this book. Which was so DIFFICULT. How was I supposed to stop thinking about Hawke, Poppy, and THIS AMAZING PLOT? I'm fully aware that this review is basically me sobbing/fangirling online, but just read this book. It’s nothing too heavy, it’s a fun easy, read, the characters have so many layers, and the plot is actually super intriguing. But honestly, we all know JLA is here for the romance, and I was TOTALLY okay with that. 

First, a very accurate image of me every ten pages: 

HERE’S SOME GIFS TO SUM UP THE THEMES OF THIS BOOK AND PUSH YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION OF READING IT:

Stay Drunk...On Books,
Steph

Crescent City: House of Earth and Blood

Crescent City

 (House of Earth and Blood)

By: Sarah J. Maas

Rating: 5 Wine Glasses

There are some moments where I’m at a loss for words after reading a book, and many of those moments have been after reading a Sarah J Maas book. I am a big fan of this lady, and I feel this way because of the books she has created. She has said, “You are enough”, “Love is enough”, “Being broken doesn’t mean you don’t deserve the world” in more ways than these phrases can mean when simply read on paper. She shares a story that gets down into the roots of all things painful and broken with characters you long to follow until the end.  Crescent City is so beautiful, so aw inspiring, so supernatural filled; but it is ultimately human. It reminds you of what being human feels like, how to love, the power of love, and the importance of friendships that will span even through death.

I was sobbing throughout the last hundred pages, and finished this book expecting to go full blown fangirl, but there is an air of maturity that flows throughout this book that I’ve yet to see in her others. So, I finished this book, sobbing, happy/sad, but most importantly contemplating it’s message. The importance of everything I’d just learned through these characters. I sat in silence, grateful that someone has written these words, that they exist.

This book is well written, the plot is so intricate I had to go back to reread things just to make sure I knew exactly what was going on, the romance was beautiful, but secondary. The friendship that Bryce has with Danika is right up there as one of my favorite relationships to ever grace the book world. It’s to the very very end. We can all only hope to find someone like that one day, and I hope we all do.  Bryce is a heroine you don’t fully appreciate until you know her; her faults, the struggles she’d gone through, what she’d given up for those she loves. The surface level of Bryce Quinlan is what she wants you to see, and SJM did a beautiful job of exploring this and digging deeper into what makes a person who they are.

There are so many plot twists you don’t expect- which is something I’ve always loved about Sarah J Maas. The thought might have crossed your mind, but so did the other 40 possibilities. She leaves so many doors open that you can’t pinpoint the answer down until it’s right in front of you and you are REELING. This world she has built is so fantastical and imaginative that I wished to walk the streets of Crescent City with my own feet. The multiple point of view narrative creates this 3-dimensional world that introduces us to more information from many different characters. Sarah has perfected this kind of writing, weaving each character more tightly together with each chapter, and ultimately creates a climax that is far more powerful than a single narrative would have been.

The romance is swoony, raw, and honestly the best kind, (you know): enemies to lovers. Hunt is all kinds of broken and beautiful, but so is Bryce. Together they pick each other off the floor, wipe away the tears, and love each other through the faults. I think you always know who the romantic interest will be (for the current book at least) with Sarah J Maas, but the execution of how this love blossoms is captivating. Watching the enemies, to friends, to lovers relationship take place within Crescent City was refreshing. We’ve seen this trope a million times, but never with these characters, and they gave it a shiny new light that made it enjoyable to read.

No one is truly whole in this book, everyone had problems, and it’s because of this rocky surface that Crescent City is easily one of my favorite books now. Crescent City broke me, but I don’t think I’ve ever felt more seen, and for that I think I’m a little more whole. Read this book, I can’t recommend it more highly.

Stay Drunk...on Books,

Steph 

Wardens of Eternity

Wardens of Eternity

By: Courtney Moulton

Rating: 2 wine glasses

I am upset. I was pumped about this book coming out, and honestly expected it to be quite wonderful because Courtney’s Angelfire trilogy is great. I have been looking for a new release from her for AGES, so when Wardens of Eternity hit my radar I was prepared. What I wasn’t prepared for was disappointment. I couldn’t finish this book. I got halfway through and just knew it wasn’t going to get better.

First off, this book isn’t terrible, it’s just plain. I didn’t connect with any of the characters, all of them fall very flat. Ziva, the main character, seemed cool in the beginning, and gosh, I wanted to like her so so badly. But no. There is no spark to any of these characters which is so sad because Courtney spends mass amounts of time on details that hold no real importance to readers. Like I’m so happy that sword is pointy and very good at cutting things, but I don’t want to read about it forever. More time should have been spent on character development. And because there was a lack of character development the romance was like watching two stick figures fall in love. Also, it was insta love, so nothing shocking to see here folks.

The final straw for me was Ziva’s transformation from a skinny, starving girl to glorious badass all within like four days. I’m sorry, whhaaaat? So unrealistic, in WHAT WORLD does that happen? No one learns how to be a ninja in four days, especially if they were just starving four days prior.

The premise for this was promising, Egyptian Gods are cool, the idea was just poorly executed. I’m not counting Courtney Moulton out because of this book though, it’s one bad book. So I will still be watching out for her in the future. However, if you’re looking for a badass angel book, read Angelfire by her, it’s at least worth your time!

Stay Drunk…on Books,

Steph

The Great Hunt

The Great Hunt

 By Wendy Higgins

3 Wine Glasses

After reading the Sweet trilogy, Higgins has easily become an author that I look forward to reading! When I found out that she would be coming out with a new duology, I flipped.

Plus, after reading the premise I was more then intrigued. And I was intrigued, for most of this book I was seriously invested, but by the time I finished it I realized I didn’t actually love this book. I really think the way it ended wasn’t satisfactory for me. I know there is going to be a second book, but this ending kind of killed me. By the time I put it down I was like, “ this is one of those books that you read in one sitting, finish it, and wonder why you read it in one siting.” I know all of this sounds really negative, but this book honestly wasn’t bad, I’m just a bit unsatisfied with the ending.

Now, Higgins is a romance junkie, so when I picked this book up I was expecting so many moments…. there isn’t, people. Yeah, I swooned for some of it, but it wasn’t the Higgins I was expecting. However, considering the book and its storyline I really shouldn’t be that shocked. This is a hunt, with beasts, men who can’t keep their opinions to themselves, and a family full of moxie. So, the romance really isn’t an important part of this book, but with good reason. This all being said, I don’t think the lack of romance takes away from the book. I do wish there was a bit more, but I like the call she made.  

The character development was one of the few things that was done well for some characters and eh for other characters. I did like most of the characters, but some of their relationships weren’t developed enough. It felt slightly rushed in a way. When I finished I realized I was so invested in finding out the ending that the development didn’t quite match up. People were at places in their relationship that didn’t make sense to me.  

Overall, this book is one that I would tell people to wait for the second one if they want to read it. It’s good, but I feel this should have been made into one large standalone.

Stay Drunk…on Books,

Steph

Lady Midnight

Lady Midnight

By: Cassandra Clare

Rating: 5 Wine Glasses

Cassandra Clare is brilliant with words. I just want to see her sentences placed everywhere. Every single time I read one of her books I am reminded once again that Cassandra Clare is one of the Queens of YA for a reason. She has tact for detail that is unlike any other, and in Lady Midnight I was swept away by the shadow world once again.

 

I’d just like to point out that, I know I sound calm, but I am in no way calm about this book. 

I have patiently (not really) waited for this book for YEARS.  And now here I am, done with the book, and it’s honestly taking everything in me not to cry about the fact that I have to wait another year or two for a book that I would sell my college education for --so basically my future. My heart was broken and mended in ways that only Cassandra is capable of doing. However, as I sit here typing this, I can truly admit that I am beyond satisfied with Lady Midnight.

New characters sometimes make me a bit nervous, but it was so easy to love these characters right from the start. We are introduced to incredibly fierce Emma, who encompasses everything I love about a MC. If you don’t love Emma, I’m not sure we could be friend, honestly. Julian is just…WOW. Cassandra knows how to create her men. Julian basically has to raise all of his siblings, and you see just how much responsibility he has placed on his shoulders. He might be a 17-year-old guy, but he’s dealing with things that parents would be dealing with. The Blackthorn family is one for the books people; they are a quirky, amazing, and loving group. They all seem to have each other’s backs, and it’s a very big part of the book! I know I was laughing throughout a lot of their interactions with each other.

One thing that I not only want to point out, but applaud Cassandra Clare for, was how she included REAL issues, and problems that people deal with. 

Yes, this is a fictional book, but she made sure to intertwine current issues. Such as weight, family issues, relationships, and autism. What a breathe of fresh air this book was! I can’t think more highly of Cassandra, plus she definitely had some awesome references to women.

For Example: “Women are fiercer by far then men.”

LOVE IT.

The plot in this book was well thought out, and you will pretty much be unable to put it down. So fair warning: If you start this book at 9 at night…you will be up until 6 in the morning read.

Now, because I love Cassandra Clare quotes so much I’ll give you my favorite one from this book:

“You’re walking the edge of a razor blade, Julian, with everything you hide. Believe me. I’ve walked that razor blade half my life. You get used to it, so used to it sometimes you forget that you’re bleeding.”

BAM.

I don’t know how I’ll be able to wait for the next book, but Godspeed to us all.

Stay Drunk on Books,

Steph

Demons in Disguise

Demons in Disguise

By: A&E Kirk

Rating: 4 Wine Glasses

  This series is seriously underrated.

I’ve been thinking this from the moment I finished the first book and it still echoes in my thoughts even now that I’m done with the third one. I don’t feel like enough people are aware of just how FAN-FREAKING-FASTIC this series is…and that kind of makes me slightly upset. I know writing a review won’t make this series blow up over the country, but I just want people to be aware of just how much they are missing out on by not reading it.

I’m utterly engrossed in the character that is Aurora Lahey.  She has been the ultimate reason for me loving this series as much as I do. Loving the main character is so incredibly important and A&E Kirk made it absolutely impossible to hate this one. She’s relatable, she has spunk, she’s slightly awkward and incredibly clumsy - so yeah, I kind of feel like Aurora and I would hit it off really well.

 I’ve been hexed by the lovely hex boys.

The Hex boys are just another reason that I am so in love with this series. This group of guys are all so different, that just reading about how they interact and deal with each other is hilarious. I’ve obviously become a bit more attached to a few of them * cough* Ayden, Matthias *cough * but trust me when I say that I care deeply for all of them. There friendship is something that you can’t help but admire.

Now, you know how there are some books where you’re just like, “ Where the heck is this kids family? Well, I’m so happy to inform you that A&E Kirk make sure you’re aware this girl does in fact have a living breathing family- plus they are a hilarious group of people. I can’t get over half of the scenes that happen with her siblings. Usually families somehow are an issue in writing, but A&E Kirk made the family not only fit into Aurora life but also really expanded on it in a positive way.

The plot for this book was a bit different from the first two, we had a new- very important- character introduced…and let me just say. WOW. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to jump ship like this for any other book than Heir of Fire, so this guy was just that well done. I don’t know how this is going to affect the next book, but I’m slightly dying inside from not knowing. He MADE this book for me. If there was a book MVP award he would win. (Right next to Aurora, of course). It got to a point where I was just like, “He needs to be around all the time, if he leaves he needs to be back in 5 pages because withdrawal is real.”

This book just solidified how positive I am that this series is too good to not be in every ones hand now. I can’t speak highly enough on how much I’ve fallen for not only the fantastic plot, but these character that are sure to pull you in and keep you for good.