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The Two Princesses Of Bamarre

The Two Princesses Of BamarreTitle: The Two Princesses of Bamarre
Author: Gail Carson Levine
Series: Two Princesses of Bamarre #1
Genre: Fantasy, Middle Grade
Format: Paperback
Pages: 272
Reason Read: Recommended
Rating:

My Thoughts

After I read ELLA ENCHANTED and loved it, I wanted to read some of Levine’s other books. THE TWO PRINCESSES OF BAMARRE was recommended to me so I decided to read it.

I enjoyed ELLA ENCHANTED a little more because I like Ella more than Addie. I also liked Char more than Rhys because Ella and Char’s relationship was more throughout the whole story than Addie and Rhys’ was. I did like the little bit of romance that was in this story.

I really liked how fiercely loyal and close the sisters were. It made me wish I had a relationship like that with one of my sisters. I also loved how shy, fearful little Addie found herself in the story and finally realized she was brave and could accomplish hard things.

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Seeking Persephone

Seeking PersephoneTitle: Seeking Persephone
Author: Sarah M. Eden
Series: Lancaster Family #1
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance
Spice: 0.5 / 5
Format: Kindle
Pages: 288
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:

Also in this series: Courting Miss Lancaster
My Thoughts

After reading COURTING MISS LANCASTER and finding out it wasn’t the first book in the series, I decided I needed to read SEEKING PERSEPHONE.

It was kind of strange reading SEEKING PERSEPHONE second because I already knew the outcome and I already knew why Adam, the Duke of Kielder, was the way he was because Harry had explained it to Athena in COURTING MISS LANCASTER. However, what I didn’t count on were the circumstances of their marriage and that both Adam and Persephone would be so annoying as they got to know each other.

Adam and Persephone both assumed that the other didn’t want to have anything to do with the other. While I can understand that because of their past and the actions / reactions of the other person, it annoyed me to no end. I just wanted them to ask each other why or what they could do. I know there wouldn’t be a story without it and I know they probably wouldn’t have answered honestly or the other wouldn’t have believed them, but it would’ve sat better with me had they been more open with each other.

There were times in the story that I swooned. I especially loved the scene after Persephone was attacked by wolves. It really endeared Adam to me, which nothing else in the story had up to that point. I also loved seeing Harry from a different POV, especially Adam’s. I wanted to know what he really thought and I got it. And, it was nice to understand Adam a little better.

All in all, I enjoyed COURTING MISS LANCASTER better, but I still enjoyed SEEKING PERSEPHONE despite my grievances. It gave a lot of insight into the characters, the time period, and Falstone Castle.

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Courting Miss Lancaster

Courting Miss LancasterTitle: Courting Miss Lancaster
Author: Sarah M. Eden
Series: Lancaster Family #2
Genre: Historical Fiction, Romance
Spice: 0.5 / 5
Format: Kindle
Pages: 188
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:

Also in this series: Seeking Persephone
My Thoughts

COURTING MISS LANCASTER was a little predictable, but I didn’t mind that one bit. I was enthralled by the story and became invested in the characters, their interests, and their well-being.

I really enjoyed the characters. I loved Harry. I loved his playful attitude and I loved having the insight into both his mind and Athena’s. I became very attached to him. Athena was a little less endearing to me, but that’s only because she really didn’t stand out as much as Harry did. That was the only problem with the dual POV in this story.

I didn’t realize this was the second book in a series until I went to post my review on Goodreads. From what I’ve read, the books in this series are more like a companion novels than an actual sequels so I shouldn’t have missed anything too important. However, I will go back and read SEEKING PERSEPHONE now.

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Bitterblue

BitterblueTitle: Bitterblue
Author: Kristin Cashore
Series: Graceling Realm #3
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult
Spice: 1 / 5
Format: Hard Cover
Pages: 563
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:

My Thoughts

I absolutely loved BITTERBLUE. I felt like it was so much deeper than GRACELING and FIRE. They all have awesomely strong female protagonists, but I felt like Katsa and Fire did everything they did for love, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Whereas, Bitterblue did everything she did because she wanted to help her people heal, become a better queen, and subsequently a stronger person. Her journey of self-awareness and empowerment was very moving and powerful.

I actually really enjoyed that there wasn’t as much romance in BITTERBLUE as there was in the previous two. There was still enough to satiate my need, but it didn’t impede the story in any way. Bitterblue realized that with or without man, she could be a whole person. Women–single, in a relationship, with or without children–can be whole and their own unique person. Their significant other and / or children aren’t the only reasons they have a purpose in this life. I really liked that Cashore portrayed that in this story.

I loved the characters. I loved seeing Bitterblue older. I loved seeing her grown up. I loved seeing how she fared after being given such a monumental task at such a young age. I loved seeing my old favorite characters again, especially Katsa and Po. And, I loved seeing them from a different POV. I also loved that all three novels were tied together and brought things full circle. While Leck was creepy, horrible, evil, etc., I enjoyed learning more about him and what happened during his reign. Learning about his atrocities and what the kingdom and its people had to overcome helped make their happiness and sorrow feel more powerful.

This story was well worth the wait. I hope Cashore continues to explore this world in future novels.