Title: 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.
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.
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.
The Schwa Was Here
Author: Neal Shusterman
Series: Antsy Bonano #1
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult
Format: Paperback
Pages: 228
Reason Read: Book Club
Rating:
My Thoughts
Before I read THE SCHWA WAS HERE, I had only read one other book by Shusterman–UNWIND. I liked it fine, but not really enough to run out and buy or check out any more of his books. Because of that, I wasn’t really looking forward to read this. I’m glad I read it, though. It was a very funny, heart-warming story. I especially liked the allusion to The Lord of the Rings.
I really liked the characters, especially Antsy, the Schwa, and Lexie. I also really liked Mr. Crawley, even though he was kind of the anti-hero of the story. I really felt for the Schwa. I think we’ve all felt invisible at times, but nowhere near the extent of how the Schwa feels. He’s truly functionally invisible. His dad didn’t even realize he was there most of the time.
I wouldn’t call this book a comedy, but I really wouldn’t call it a tragedy either. It definitely makes you think about how you treat others, how your choices impact those around you, and how your choices don’t just affect you.
Clockwork Princess
Author: Cassandra Clare
Series: Infernal Devices #3
Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Romance, Young Adult
Spice: 1 / 5
Format: Hard Cover
Pages: 570
Reason Read: Just Because
Rating:
My Thoughts
I’ve waited for CLOCKWORK PRINCESS ever since I read CLOCKWORK ANGEL. I wanted to read it sooner when it first came out, but I had to reread the first two first. I wanted to remember everything that happened before I read the end. I’m glad I did because there were details I had forgotten.
After I finished CLOCKWORK PRINCE, there were certain events I wanted to happen in the final book. The main one being that whoever Tessa ended up with, I wanted Will and Jem to remain friends. Yes, I wanted one of them to win out over the other, but I was more worried about their friendship than anything. The relationship between Will and Jem was intense in this book. I cried so many times.
I couldn’t imagine how this would end. The story could’ve gone so many different ways. I’m so happy it went the way it did. It was absolutely perfect. It fit with the characters, the story, and it didn’t feel contrived. I adored it and felt so much emotion while reading it.
I’m so sad this trilogy is over. I’m sad because I’ll never see all these characters together again. I loved these characters so much. I loved being part of their story. I’m glad I took the time to reread the first two books and to savor the story. CLOCKWORK PRINCESS was definitely worth the wait.
A Sleep So Dark
Author: Inara Scott
Genre: Fantasy, Thriller, Young Adult
Format: ARC
Pages: 221
Reason Read: ARC Review
Rating:
My Thoughts
I really liked the premise of A SLEEP SO DARK. It had a lot of potential. The concept of lucid dreaming and taking control of your dreams to stop recurring nightmares really intrigued me. I also liked the paranormal element of one of the characters hopping through other characters’ dreams. But, the story fell flat for me.
I didn’t really connect with any of the characters. Tandy and I had something in common, the recent loss of our mom, but that’s the only thing. I felt like her relationship with Cade, Dr. Gillman’s son, was forced. It didn’t seem natural with either of their personalities. It gave a new definition of insta-love for me. I’m also not a fan of cowboys, country music, ranches, or the rustic outdoors. Unfortunately, the setting was not my cup of tea at all.
Even though certain aspects of the story fell flat and disappointed me, I’ll admit I was interested in knowing how the story ended, how everything resolved itself, especially with the recurring nightmares and the bit of mystery. Thankfully, I thought the ending for those things was very satisfying.