THRONE OF GLASS 

– Outstanding

Book Summary: After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.

Her opponents are men—thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the kings council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she’ll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom.

Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. But she’s bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her… but it’s the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.

Then one of the other contestants turns up dead… quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas Book Review Overview:

• A heroine – or more accurately, assassin - that will blow you away
• A gripping adventure
• A captivating love triangle

So, once upon a time Cialina handed me an ARC of Sarah J. Maas’ THRONE OF GLASS. I scoffed at the summary on the back cover, which states: “Perfect for fans of George R. R. Martin and Suzanne Collins, this explosive debut is not to be missed.” Suzanne Collins? Come on. Little did I know what an amazing adventure this ARC contained. Sarah J. Maas, I will never doubt you again!

THRONE OF GLASS by Sarah J. Maas tells the story of Celaena Sardothien, who is Adarlan’s most famous assassin. Although she’s quite conceited about her notoriety, it is more than well-deserved. She has, after all, been training for this position since she was eight years old. She possesses all of the key qualities that a good assassin needs in this kingdom: intelligence, strength, stamina, cleverness, and swiftness. Thus, she is Prince Dorian’s ideal candidate for the King’s competition. If she wins this deadly competition against twenty-three fellow criminals, then she will serve the King of Adarlan as his Champion for four years. But that’s not some honor that Celaena desires, nope, it’s all about the freedom that comes after the job is done.

Celaena’s a badass. There is no better word to describe such a character. Within the first chapter, we already see how intelligent Celaena is: she can easily plot an attack to escape, no matter how hard her captors try to deceive her:

…Nor had she missed when they zigzagged between levels, even though the building was a standard grid of hallways and stairwells. As if she’d lose her bearings that easily. She might have been insulted, if he wasn’t trying so hard. (Chapter 1)

But her impressive occupation as an assassin isn’t the only thing that makes her a badass. It’s her amazing character strength and room for growth. She befriends Princess Nehemiah despite her reservations against forming a friendship (because an assassin shouldn’t have friends) and also many others such as the Crown Prince Dorian and Chaol Westfall AKA Captain of the Guard.

I wish there was a better word for adventure because THRONE OF GLASS  by Sarah J. Maas is so much more than a simple adventure. Maas’ wonderfully detailed descriptions of the death camp in Endovier, the glass castle, and magic and fight scenes are too good to be true. I wasn’t sure if I was watching an action movie or stuck in the middle of one. THRONE OF GLASS by Sarah J. Maas will blur the lines between imagination and reality. No, scratch that, Maas will suck readers into Celaena’s world  until they realize that fantasy is reality. Seriously, Maas’ writing skills are awesome. 

I hate love triangles. I’ve never been caught in the middle of one until now. Maas does a wonderful job of convincing her readers that both guys are perfect for her. Also, both men grow thanks to their friendships with Celaena. This triangle made my soul ache. Maas, seriously, you’ve killed me. Here are some lines from one of my favorite passages:

…stared up at the young woman’s balcony, watching as she waltzed alone, lost in her dreams. But he knew that her thoughts weren’t of him. She stopped and stared upward. Even from a distance, he could see the blush upon her cheeks. She seemed young – no, new. It made his chest ache. Still, he watched, watched until she sighed and went inside. She never bothered to look below.

Okay, I can’t really say much more without giving anything away, but let me wrap this review up by posting my IMs to Cialina about THRONE OF GLASS by Sarah J. Maas:

me:  yay! haha omg my review is going to consist of one sentence: “BUY MULTIPLE COPIES BECAUSE YOU WILL DAMAGE THE PAGES WITH TEARS AND BLOOD.”

me: oh thank god it’s #1 in a series
OH GOD SHE’S GOING TO TEAR MY SOUL APART SOME MORE

I recommend THRONE OF GLASS by Sarah J. Maasto everyone. And if this review hasn’t convinced you, then let the novel do it. This magnificent story caught me off guard and I hope it does the same with you

Other Book Reviews:
Alexa Loves Books
Bunbury in the Stacks
In the Best Worlds

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BLOOD RED ROAD

Summary: Saba has spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried-up wasteland ravaged by constant sandstorms. The Wrecker civilization has long been destroyed, leaving only landfills for Saba and her family to scavenge from. That’s fine by her, as long as her beloved twin brother Lugh is around. But when a monster sandstorm arrives, along with four cloaked horsemen, Saba’s world is shattered. Lugh is captured, and Saba embarks on an epic quest to get him back.Suddenly thrown into the lawless, ugly reality of the world outside of desolate Silverlake, Saba is lost without Lugh to guide her. So perhaps the most surprising thing of all is what Saba learns about herself: she’s a fierce fighter, an unbeatable survivor, and a cunning opponent. And she has the power to take down a corrupt society from the inside. Teamed up with a handsome daredevil named Jack and a gang of girl revolutionaries called the Free Hawks, Saba stages a showdown that will change the course of her own civilization.

Blood Red Road has a searing pace, a poetically minimal writing style, violent action, and an epic love story. Moira Young is one of the most promising and startling new voices in teen fiction.

Review Overview:

• Once I got sucked into the story, I had a hard time putting it down. There’s no such thing as “one more chapter before bed”.
• Epic love story? You bet. I cannot get enough of Jack and Saba!
• Dystopian / post-apocalyptic perfection – best of the genre that I have read this year!

Getting into this book is tough, I’m not going to lie. There’s loads of development and the story starts out somewhat slow, but the challenge is Saba’s thick accent. Moira Young writes like Saba is directly speaking to us readers – accent and all. But overcoming Moira Young’s unique writing style is just one of the many things that makes BLOOD RED ROAD stand out from the overwhelming amount of dystopian and post-apocalyptic releases in the YA market this year.

Other Lies I’m Not Going to Tell:

1. BLOOD RED ROAD is an easy read – this book is long. Over 500 pages, it is quite an intimidating length. Saba’s voice is initially difficult to get into and it took me a couple of chapters to get used to her. Prepare yourself for her accent and incorrect grammar.
2. There is fast-paced action all the way through – For me, the first third dragged on. The story didn’t really pick up for me until Saba meets the Pinches. After that, I could not put the book down (yes, I stayed up until 2 AM to finish this book).
3. OMG CLIFFHANGER – Nope, not at all, actually. One thing I love about BLOOD RED ROAD? The fact that Moira Young can actually write a decent first book that’s part of a series. I think a problem I have with most dystopian / post-apocalyptic releases this year is that the first book is just an excuse to have a lot of character and setting development without anything happening in 400 or so pages and the book ends up unresolved. Which is why Moira Young’s BLOOD RED ROAD stood out so much for me. Because Young actually writes a full novel with a beginning, middle, and – yes! – end while leaving the reader craving for more afterwards. There is no awful cliffhanger. The story gets resolved. Character development ensued. The end … but to be continued.

Have I sold the book to you yet? No? Well, if the “epic love story” part in the summary did not grab your attention, let me bring it to you again: THIS WAS AN EPIC LOVE STORY! But not in the way that our main girl, Saba, was hopelessly pining for “hot guy”. Romance is no way near close to being what this novel is about, but it’s a very entertaining and enjoyable component of it. If I could write a love interest in a novel, it would probably be similar to Jack: arrogant, charming, overly-confident, but also more than meets the eye. There is no denying that he and Saba have chemistry the moment they meet.

BLOOD RED ROAD is so far the best dystopian / post-apocalyptic novel I have read this year. I felt so satisfied as reader when I finished the book, but at the same time, I cannot wait until the next installment. Trust me, once Moira Young sucks you into her story, best of luck in trying to put the book down to get some sleep.

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ROTTERS

Summary: Grave-robbing. What kind of monster would do such a thing? It’s true that Leonardo da Vinci did it, Shakespeare wrote about it, and the resurrection men of nineteenth-century Scotland practically made it an art. But none of this matters to Joey Crouch, a sixteen-year-old straight-A student living in Chicago with his single mom. For the most part, Joey’s life is about playing the trumpet and avoiding the daily humiliations of high school.

Everything changes when Joey’s mother dies in a tragic accident and he is sent to rural Iowa to live with the father he has never known, a strange, solitary man with unimaginable secrets. At first, Joey’s father wants nothing to do with him, but once father and son come to terms with each other, Joey’s life takes a turn both macabre and exhilarating.

Daniel Kraus’s masterful plotting and unforgettable characters make Rotters a moving, terrifying, and unconventional epic about fathers and sons, complex family ties, taboos, and the ever-present specter of mortality

Review Overview:

• Gritty, graphic, violent, and gut-wrenching; a great read that pushes you out of your comfort zone
• Complex novel full of realistic characters and relationships with vivid descriptions
• Similar in grit to THE MARBURY LENS, so it is definitely not for everyone

Read at your own risk. Daniel Kraus’s ROTTERS is far from a beautiful book. It is gritty, graphic, violent, gut-wrenching, and so, so addicting. Don’t be afraid to read outside of your comfort zone. Sometimes, the most unlikely books end up being one of the best you’ve read in a while. 

ROTTERS is just one of those books in which the summary cannot do it justice. A few paragraphs and a handful of sentences cannot capture the essence of the novel.  A son finds out his dad robs graves. Ok, so what? That is what the novel is essentially about, but it is also so much more. It’s about the history of their trade, a teen who lost his mom and just met his dad, the relationship with his dad, bullying, morals, growing up, and so much more. It’s complex on so many levels; a few sentences can’t cover what it’s about.

What I love most about ROTTERS is the development of the father/son relationship between Harnett and Joey. Their relationship is far from conventional which is the beauty of it. But Kraus has written it so wonderfully. The beginning is rocky and the progression is gradual. Changes didn’t happen overnight. Kraus is a master at character and relationship development.

I can’t believe how many times I can get grossed out from reading a book. The descriptions are so vivid that I sincerely hoped that Kraus simply has an overactive imagination. Because the things that Joey has seen are just unbelievable. The first time Joey goes on a dig with Harnett, I literally had to put the book down and said, “Ew!” But the descriptions were just so well written, that I had to read them out loud. His writing transports you right into the grave. I could almost touch, feel, smell, hear, and certainly see exactly what it was like down there. The descriptions were so powerful and stunning.

Similar in grit to THE MARBURY LENS, readers beware. This book is definitely not for everyone. There are lots of graphic scenes, and the subject topic is a little amoral and could come across as offensive. I could see this book as appealing more to boys, but I strongly urge readers of both genders to read this gem. ROTTERS is unlike any other book I’ve read.

I admit, the length is a bit daunting, but don’t let that stop you.

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BUMPED

Summary: When a virus makes everyone over the age of eighteen infertile, would-be parents are forced to pay teen girls to conceive and give birth to their children, making teens the most prized members of society.

Sixteen-year-old identical twins Melody and Harmony were separated at birth and had never met until the day Harmony shows up on Melody’s doorstep. Until now, the twins have followed completely opposite paths. Melody has scored an enviable conception contract with a couple called the Jaydens. While they are searching for the perfect partner for Melody to bump with, she is fighting her attraction to her best friend Zen, who is way too short for the job.

Harmony has spent her whole life in religious Goodside, preparing to be a wife and mother. She believes her calling is to bring Melody back to Goodside and convince her that “pregging” for profit is a sin. But Harmony has secrets of her own that she is running from.

When Melody is finally matched with the world-famous, genetically flawless Jondoe, both girls’ lives are changed forever. A case of mistaken identity takes them on a journey neither could have ever imagined, one that makes Melody and Harmony realize they have so much more than just DNA in common.

Review Overview:

• Refreshing dystopian novel that will make you laugh out loud
• Rocky start, but I ended up loving it by the very end
• Incomparable to the Jessica Darling series – it’s fantastic in its own way

First impressions are never a good basis to judge a book. Despite my initial thoughts on BUMPED, Megan McCafferty has not disappointed me: in a year full of heavy, hardcore dystopia, BUMPED stands out as a light-hearted and funny novel that still tackles important issues on teen pregnancy. Yes, you will laugh out loud.

Don’t expect a scientific explanation about the virus. The book deals with more about the social aspect of being “bumped” than the science behind the whole epidemic. It’s not about politics, but more about the choices that these girls have at sixteen. It’s about what Melody and Harmony are experiencing – two girls from two very different backgrounds and how they are each handling the issue.

My initial qualms with the book was with Harmony. To be honest, I wasn’t a fan of her Bible-loving character. Reading from her perspective was a little annoying since she was a bit eccentric and I couldn’t relate to her views. Furthermore, the alternating perspectives did turn out to be confusing for a while. Melody and Harmony have very similar names but opposite attitudes. While I knew the distinction in their character, I still had trouble putting the name to the character. I was able to sort it out around halfway through the book. It took long enough…

So what is so great about this book? McCafferty does a wonderful job tackling a controversial issue in this satirical dystopian novel. From the fake baby bumps to the silly jingles of Babiez R Us, I couldn’t help but laugh at it all. The whole novel is kind of silly and ridiculous. The whole concept of girls making a competition of how many they can birth before they’re 18? Massive sex orgies to see how many girls can get pregnant in one night? McCafferty makes it seem silly and fun, but when you really think about it, it’s a scary concept. And the worst part is, it isn’t too far from the truth.

BUMPED is incomparable to McCafferty’s Jessica Darling series. The protagonists have a completely different tone from Jessica Darling, and I don’t think that readers should try to compare the two series at all. BUMPED is targeted towards a different audience and market, and readers should be aware of that.

BUMPED is a fantastic dystopian novel that will stand out from the many others that are being released this year. It tackles controversial issues with wit and humor, but still manages the reader to think, What if? BUMPED is definitely my new favorite series and I am counting down the days for the next book.

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THE MARBURY LENS

Summary: Sixteen-year-old Jack gets drunk and is in the wrong place at the wrong time. He is kidnapped. He escapes, narrowly. The only person he tells is his best friend, Conner. When they arrive in London as planned for summer break, a stranger hands Jack a pair of glasses. Through the lenses, he sees another world called Marbury.

There is war in Marbury. It is a desolate and murderous place where Jack is responsible for the survival of two younger boys. Conner is there, too. But he’s trying to kill them.

Meanwhile, Jack is falling in love with an English girl, and afraid he’s losing his mind.
Conner tells Jack it’s going to be okay.

But, it’s not.

Andrew Smith has written his most beautiful and personal novel yet, as he explores the nightmarish outer limits of what trauma can do to our bodies and our minds.

Review Summary:

• A lot different than I expected, but it was a wonderful surprise
• Gripping, graphic THE MARBURY LENS will toy with your mind
• Unlike any other book I’ve read, recommended strongly for older teens who need a thrilling read

I can’t quite remember how I stumbled across this one. But I was drawn into the book by its description. It sounded scary, yet fascinating and I knew I had to read it eventually. I borrowed this one from my local library, and I finally got to it as its due date neared. Boy, was I in for a ride.

First of all, the summary does not even begin to come close to the intensity of this novel. Straight from the beginning, I was almost surprised on the strong language, sex, and violence of THE MARBURY LENS. While it’s pretty much common in the shows, films, video games, and music that make up our generation, this kind of “obscenity” never quite makes it to the pages of our books.The writing reminds me of those gory slasher movies, complete with blood spraying everywhere. It was gross, it made me cringe, but I was hooked.

My imagination went absolutely nuts with this one. From Smith’s descriptions, I felt myself transported to Marbury and I can’t ever remember being so creeped out by a book. What’s so great about this book is that it is not only an engaging story, but it affects you psychologically. Like Jack, I constantly questioned reality and his sanity. This book just worked my mind into overdrive. It made me think – to the point that at times I thought I was looking way too into the story, by coming up with weird symbols for what it all “really means”.  Is there a deeper meaning behind THE MARBURY LENS? I think there could be a decent argument for such, but we’d have to ask the author to understand his intentions.

The plot was a little confusing to follow since I did question reality all the time. But if you take the book exactly the way it is, I think that it should be a lot less confusing the more you read on. One of the best things about this book is this strong connection between Jack and his best friend Conner. Their friendship is so strong that I can almost see them as brothers. Their mutual affection and understanding of each other was a highlight of the book. Overall, I was more of a fan of the strong relationships forged between the male characters than the male and female.

I would definitely only recommend this book to older teens who can take a little gore, language, and sex. Jack’s struggle post-kidnapping is emotional, scary, and absolutely thrilling. This book is not for everyone, but for the brave souls that attempt to read it, it is a novel that will truly embed itself in your mind.

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ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS

Summary: Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris—until she meets Étienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he’s taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.

As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near-misses end with the French kiss Anna—and readers—have long awaited?

Review Overview:

• One of the best contemps I have ever read; worth all the hype
• Anna is so easy to relate to
• I fell in love with Etienne St. Clair and you will too

First of all, what’s with all the good books I’m reading lately? To find a five-star book is practically a miracle and to read two in the same week is just impossible! I can’t believe I’m saying it, but ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS, is a book worth its five-star rating – my second one this week and the nth 5-star rating the book has received. There was just so much hype about this book that I thought it was too good to be true. I read a handful of reviews all saying the same thing and I had to see for myself just how fantastic this book was. I was not disappointed.

One of the reasons that I enjoyed this book so much was because Anna was just so easy to relate to. I saw myself in her shoes so many times throughout the book. Despite the fact that she is in high school, her experience of being alone for the first time reflected a bit of my hesitations when I finally moved into my dorm at college. (Minus the language barrier, of course.) I couldn’t help but feel that Anna is just like me while reading.

And don’t let me get started on the romance. Banter, tension, the most romantic city in the world… The romance had a great build-up; it was very well developed which made it realistic. This book has everything I want in a great romance. Etienne St. Clair is definitely one of my favorite fictional male characters. What’s not to love about him? He has a British accent for crying out loud!

Furthermore, ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS has given me an appreciation for Paris. It was never one of my contenders for a study abroad program but that has changed. I want to see for myself the culinary delights as described in the book. Paris sounds like a magical city and I want to visit and learn more about the culture.

Stephanie Perkins is such a great writer. Her writing is fun and addictive. Once you start, you just have to devour the book like a yummy macaroon. ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS will make you laugh, make you cry, and make you want to hop on the next plane to Paris. She’s definitely one of the best new voices in YA and I cannot wait for her next book.

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A SPY IN THE HOUSE

Summary: Steeped in Victorian atmosphere and intrigue, this diverting mystery trails a feisty heroine as she takes on a precarious secret assignment.

Rescued from the gallows in 1850s London, young orphan (and thief) Mary Quinn is surprised to be offered a singular education, instruction in fine manners — and an unusual vocation. Miss Scrimshaw’s Academy for Girls is a cover for an all-female investigative unit called The Agency, and at seventeen, Mary is about to put her training to the test. Assuming the guise of a lady’s companion, she must infiltrate a rich merchant’s home in hopes of tracing his missing cargo ships. But the household is full of dangerous deceptions, and there is no one to trust — or is there? Packed with action and suspense, banter and romance, and evoking the gritty backstreets of Victorian London, this breezy mystery debuts a daring young detective who lives by her wits while uncovering secrets — including those of her own past.

Review Overview:

• Independent, witty, and fierce heroine
• Charming male protagonist
• Full of chemistry and unresolved sexual tension – but not a romance novel!
• Fun historical mystery novel that will have you at the edge of your seat
• A definite must-read, one of my new favorite series

Mary Lang (or Quinn) is witty, fiery, and independent – everything I love about a female protagonist. She’s brave, fierce, clever, never leaning towards the stereotypes of the Victorian era. I grew to relate with Mary, especially when she uncovered secrets from her past. It was honestly the moment when I thought to myself, Wow this might be my new favorite book. Y.S. Lee has created such a vibrant character that is seriously lacking in today’s YA market. (I’d explain more, but that would be dishing out the book and Mary’s secrets!)

As for the other characters, my first impressions of many of them were negative, but they proved themselves to be worthy characters as the novel progressed. Other than Mary, James Easton would have to be my favorite character. Mary’s accomplice and an accomplished civil engineer, James will not fail to charm readers. His playful banters with Mary are comedic yet full of unresolved sexual tension between the two of them. The book is definitely not a romance, but readers do feel the chemistry between James and Mary start to build.

The writing was fast-paced and fluid. Throughout the whole book, I felt no need to skip over filler sentences because there were none. I am usually guilty of skimming paragraphs due to the plot’s excitement, but I can assure you that I read every word in A SPY IN THE HOUSE. Lee kept me guessing throughout the whole book. I was hooked into the mystery, the time period, the romance. I could not put this book down once I started. And when I did stop (to have dinner), I spent the whole time spacing out thinking about the book. A SPY IN THE HOUSE merged all my favorite aspects of a good novel all into one. This is exactly what I am always looking for.

I cannot wait to get my hands on the next installment on the series. I am always reluctant about sequels and further installments but I don’t think that is going to happen here. It really is too early to say this but I will do it anyway: The Agency Series and Y.S. Lee are my new favorite series and author, respectively. I should point out that a five-star rating is a very very rare thing indeed, so this is one of those few instances where I am going to say: YOU MUST READ THIS ONE.

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THE MAZE RUNNER

Summary: Imagine waking up one day in total darkness, unsure of where you are and unable to remember anything about yourself except your first name. You’re in a bizarre place devoid of adults called the Glade. The Glade is an enclosed structure with a jail, a graveyard, a slaughterhouse, living quarters, and gardens. And no way out. Outside the Glade is the Maze, and every day some of the kids — the Runners — venture into the labyrinth, trying to map the ever-changing pattern of walls in an attempt to find an exit from this hellish place. So far, no one has figured it out. And not all of the Runners return from their daily exertions, victims of the maniacal Grievers, part animal, part mechanical killing machines.

Thomas is the newest arrival to the Glade in this Truman-meets-Lord of the Flies tale. A motley crew of half a dozen kids is all he has to guide him in this strange world. As soon as he arrives, unusual things begin to happen, and the others grow suspicious of him. Though the Maze seems somehow familiar to Thomas, he’s unable to make sense of the place, despite his extraordinary abilities as a Runner. What is this place, and does Thomas hold the key to finding a way out?

I cannot believe it took me this long to read. If you have not read this yet, I would like to start of this review by saying that you should not be waiting any longer to read this one.

I found myself unable to truly relate with the main character Thomas, but it did not bother me so much because THE MAZE RUNNER is truly a plot-driven book. There are a variety of characters, each with distinct personalities such as Chuck, Newt, Alby, Frypan, and Minho. Chuck is like an annoying and irritating little brother. You can’t wait to get rid of him by your side, but you also can’t help but feel overprotective of him. I never realized how I formed a soft spot for Chuck until the very end of the book.

While reading the book, it is so easy to forget how old the characters are. I think it’s because the environment they are in is devoid of the usual problems teenagers are facing. They don’t have to worry about girls, sports, and high school. Survival is the only thing in their minds.

At first, the writing style of Dashner irritated me. One of the reasons why it took me so long to pick up the book was because I just couldn’t get into it. It reminded me of Michael Grant’s GONE series which I am not the biggest fan of. However, when I finally picked up THE MAZE RUNNER once more, trying to overlook the writing style, I found that I got used to it very quickly and I could not get enough.

THE MAZE RUNNER is a fast-paced page-turner. I was in conflict with myself the whole time I read. I hated that I could not put the book down because each chapter keeps you in suspense, ending in a cliffhanger. On the other hand, I hated it when I had to stop reading. What I love most about this book is Dashner’s ability to make you think. I was transported into the Glade with Thomas and I was trying to figure out all the puzzles and clues throughout the whole book. I felt like I was part of the “game” too, and I challenged myself to solve the mystery before the characters in the book.

But THE MAZE RUNNER isn’t predictable. It will keep you on the edge of your seat. You’ll be guessing chapter after chapter until the very end. Now I understand what the hype is all about…

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A DARKLING PLAIN

I finally finished the Mortal Engines Quartet! School has been getting in the way, but I found the time to read this week instead of wasting time on the Internet. Woohoo!

The once-great traction city of London is now just a radioactive wreck, a ruin haunted by electrical discharges and the dashed hopes of the people who once called it home—people like Tom Natsworthy. Twenty years after he fled, intending never to return, he discovers that something stirs in the remains of the old city.

Tom and his daughter, Wren, aren’t the only people interested in London. The desperate armies of the Traction Cities and the Green Storm are also closing in, certain that whatever is taking shape within the city holds the key to victory in their never-ending war.

But it may be too late. Even as Tom and Wren hurry to uncover the mystery of London, Hester Shaw—estranged from her husband and her daughter—tracks the resurrected Stalker Fang, who has found another way to end the war and all life on the planet once and for all.

Traction cities, airships, battles, Stalkers, and a sprinkle of romance. The Mortal Engines Quartet comes to an end in A DARKLING PLAIN and readers of the series will not be disappointed. Everything we know and love about the series are found all in the massive 500+ page novel. A DARKLING PLAIN is not really something one could read in one sitting because of its length. But once it’s been finished, you’ll be craving for more!

There were so many story lines to keep track of in A DARKLING PLAIN. I have to admit that it was overwhelming at times, but for the most part, the different stories pushed me to keep reading forward. One moment I would be enthralled with Fishcake’s story line and the chapter would leave off at a cliffhanger. It keeps me waiting for the next chapter with Fishcake, but then I find myself completely immersed into the next chapter that I almost forget about my anticipation for the next Fishcake story.

I loved how the different story lines intersected, diverged, and intersected once more throughout the whole story. It was fascinating to see how all the characters are connected in some way or another despite the differences in their origin, class, job, or political views.

One thing I love most about Reeve’s books are the strong, courageous female characters that he creates like Wren.I found Wren irritating in the previous book so I was very happy with how she progressed as a character. I definitely feel that she matured throughout the book and I came to love her.

Shrike continues to be my favorite character out of the whole series. I loved how he has changed as a character from Mortal Engines to A DARKLING PLAIN. His story line was the one I looked out for the most.

I think one of the strongest points of the book is the ending. I don’t want to give anything away, but I have to say that I absolutely loved it. Endings are very important to me, and I don’t think that the series could have ended any better!

This book is strongly recommended for those who have read Reeve’s other books, of course including the first three in the Mortal Engines Quartet. Readers will not be disappointed with the series finale. If you have not read the series, and this review has captured your interest, I strongly recommend reading from the beginning.

Note: The Mortal Engines Quartet is currently not available in the United States. While it was previously published in the US, it is currently out of print and in the middle of the process of being repackaged by Scholastic US. I have found some copies of Mortal Engines through libraries, second-hand bookstores like Strand, and the GoodReads book swap. However, if you plan on buying a copy, I strongly recommend buying from the Book Depository.

Post written by Muggle-Born.net

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she’s made it out of the bloody arena alive, she’s still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what’s worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss’s family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. Powerful and haunting, this thrilling final installment of Suzanne Collins’s groundbreaking Hunger Games trilogy promises to be one of the most talked about books of the year. – GoodReads

I think the biggest and only problem I encountered with this book was that I didn’t have the chance to reread Catching Fire entirely. I had only gotten up to the first two chapters before I had gotten the book. Naturally, I should have kept going and finished the book, but I was so busy, I didn’t know when I would end up reading Mockingjay. I pretty much knew the story line, but I found that I forgot a lot of the other tributes’ names and a lot of details that were really relevant. It was confusing at first because Mockingjay doesn’t give me much to work with. I only end up with a vague recollection of what happened. I tried not to dwell on details that were fuzzy and instead I focused on the story line.

I think what makes the third book so different from the rest is the fact that there is no arena in a literal sense. It’s the Hunger Games in a whole new way. It is a lot more political and war-centered than the first two books. At first I wasn’t sure I was going to live up to my expectations. But there were just so many twists and turns in the plot that got me hooked. There were so many times that I told myself, okay, last chapter before bed, but then a chapter ends with a massive cliffhanger and I couldn’t put the book down. Katniss’ voice is just so strong and she has a way of telling her story that makes me want more. However, since I don’t see Katniss as a romantic at all, so all the romance scenes to me were just up to par.

True, the plot was great. But really the element, or I should say character, that left me hanging on every page was Peeta. He makes the books for me. I think he is the highlight of every book.

Overall, I was very satisfied with the book and it’s ending. To me, a series has to end just right or all that time and investment goes to waste. I like to end a series with a warm, fuzzy feeling, not with a bad taste in my mouth. Endings leave the lasting impressions.

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Post written by Muggle-Born.net