Showing posts with label Sarah J. Maas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sarah J. Maas. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Review Time #84

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J Maas

Everyone Celaena Sardothien loves has been taken from her. But she's at last returned to the empire—for vengeance, to rescue her once-glorious kingdom, and to confront the shadows of her past . . .

She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die just to see her again. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen's triumphant return.

Celaena’s epic journey has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions across the globe. This fourth volume will hold readers rapt as Celaena’s story builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world.

All I can say is wow. Yep that is basically what I thought of the book. I came home from uni to this book, I read this book instead of doing my lit review that was due in two days (still got a high D, so that turned out all right) and I read it in 24 hours (would of been less but I was too tired from driving home). I absolutely loved it and in typically me behaviour I am writing this review instead of doing my nutrition analysis! 

*Do not read past this book if you a) have never read Throne of Glass which you will now go and read this epic series and b) haven't read up until Heir of Fire which you should do right now and then come back as there may (correction there totally is) spoilers for Heir of Fire and the previous books in here*

This review will be split up into different parts because there are so many story lines going on in this series! Starting with Aelin, and holy hell did you kill some people/things/who-knows-what-that-was! As the cover says 'Her destiny awaits. But first vengeance...' you know right away that shit is going down and well it did. So many intricate plans were execuated during this book and well lets just say that no one put Aelin knew the full plan. So many decisions that Aelin had to make in this book, but you know what they say 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger'.

Rowen. Rowen. Rowen. You will know from my Heir of Fire review that I was shipping these two and well I still am. When he turned up in the book I was jumping up and down! And that is all I am saying, you can read it yourself to find out the rest. 

"You look like-"
"A queen?"
"The fire-breathing bitch-queen those bastards claim you are."

Dorian made me cry in chapter 1. Yep I was crying in chapter 1 and almost all of the chapters from his POV. You know the fall out  from the end of Heir of Fire, well that is why I was upset. And AHHHHHHH! Also the bromance between Choal and him is simply the greatest. Choal, I was hating on you at the start and then you were back in my heart after a while when you stopped being such an ass (which I understand why, but still no need to be an ass). Also I don't know how you were going along with Aelin's plans without actually knowing the full plan! Aedion, gah I felt so bad for you at certain points, but your fighting skills and getting over said problem made me like you even more than before.

Manon I really wasn't a fan of you in Heir of Fire but damn girl in Queen of Shadows I loved you! Manon has no allegiance expect to her 13 and that makes her even more dangerous as you don't know if she will end up fighting with Aelin in future books or against her.

"She was fire, and light, and ash, and embers. She was Aelin Fireheart, and she bowed for no one and nothing save the crown that was hers by blood and survival and triumph."

One of many favourite moments of mine is when all the story lines intersect at a point and a few chapters I'm not sure if I was breathing, freaking out and going 'oh my fucking god' the entire time. And the ending, no cliffhanger! But I am still so desperate for the next book it makes no difference.

Sarah J Maas just has a way with words and how she has created the epic fantasy series makes you wish you had the entire series with you. Maas manages to keep you guessing throughout the entire book and makes you believe/think tings have happened which haven't actually happened. I cannot wait for the next book in this series!

Thank you very very very very much Bloomsbury Australia for sending me out a review copy of this book!

Rating: 10/5

Keely xx

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Most Anticipated for 2015!

It is that time of year for me to let you all know what I cannot wait for that is coming out in 2015!

The Mime Order by Samantha Shannon
I loved The Bone Season so I have been patiently waiting for book two to come out! I love the world that this series is set in & can't wait to see what happens this time around.
Expected release date: Jan 27th 2015

All Fall Down by Ally Carter
After the Gallagher Girls ended I was so glad to know that Carter had a new series coming out. I love Carter's writing the mystery, thieving and spying that has appeared throughout her books, so for this new series to start I am beyond excited! Also this Aussie cover is amazing.
Expected release date: Feb 1st 2015

Shadow Study by Maria V Synder
I love Valek. Oh and Yelena too. But mainly Valek. This series is just amazing and I am so glad that Synder has come back and added another 3 books to this series. Behind All Fall Down this comes in at number two on my must have list.
Expected release date: March 2015

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
A new series from Maas, so of course I am impatiently awaiting this book. I only hope that I don't have too high of expectations for this novel from the Throne of Glass series.
Expected release date: May 2015

The Heir by Kiera Cass
I thought this series was over with The One but no, we get the heir to the throne's selection and this time it is bachelorette style with, yes a female heir! P.S THAT COVER & DRESS
Expected release date: May 5th 2015

The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West
After loving On The Fence this year, I am wanting more Kasie West books. Also I do love fluffy contemporary books.
Expected release date: May 5th 2015

Jesse's Girl by Miranda Kenneally
I just love the Hundered Oaks series and this book is all about Henry's little sister Maya = YES! So excited for this one!
Expected release date: July 1st 2015





Other titles:

  • All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
  • I Was Here by Gayle Forman
  • Throne of Glass #4 by Sarah J. Maas
  • The Queen of Bright and Shinny Things by Ann Aguirre
  • The Night We Said Yes by Lauren Gibaldi 
  • Age of X #3 by Richelle Mead
  • The Conspiracy of Us by Maggie Hall
  • The Starbound Trilogy #3 by Amie Kaufman & Megan Spooner
So what are your most anticipated for 2015!? Let me know!

Keely xx

Monday, December 22, 2014

Top 14 of 2014: YA

Hey everyone! Since I have read so many books this year just picking 14 was hard so I split it into two parts, YA and NA/Adult lists!

1. Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
This book was just brilliant and I couldn't help but love this 500+ paged fantasy novel filled with assassins and fae!

2 & 3. Secret & Sacrifice by Brigid Kemmerer 
Secret was my favorite in the series and Sacrifice finished up the series nicely. Nick will forever be mine ;)

4. Head of the River by Pip Harry
I just loved this book, being me & what I study I just couldn't help myself in loving it. PED's in school & college sport is awareness that is needed.

5. Killer Instinct by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Love this series and the mystery/thriller all behind it! Teenagers tracking down serial killers!

6. This Shattered World by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner
I never like Sci-Fi but this series is the exception, cannot help but enjoy these books.

7 & 8. Corruption & Disruption by Jessica Shirvington
This duology was just fantastic and another exception to my dislike of  Sci-Fi books. Thankfully my love for human biology was quite helpful in understanding a few of things that happened in this series.

9. Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins
The ending to this trilogy and was my favorite (I have a huge soft spot for Josh). Getting to have both New York and Paris in this novel just made me want to go to New York and back to Paris!

10. The One by Kiera Cass
This series is fantastic America and Maxon *sigh* I am so glad that they have added more books to the series for the next generation of royals!

11. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
I love mystery and thriller books and this book just kept me guessing!

12. On The Fence by Kasie West
This book was just cute and Charlie was just a main character that I could connect to being a tom boy and all that.

13. Cooper Bartholomew is Dead by Rebecca James
An Aussie mystery/thriller, just loved before & present chapter changes.

14. What I Thought Was True by Huntley Fitzpatrick
All the cuteness. Seriously the there is so much cuteness.

So what are your favorite books for the year? Let me know in the comments! Don't forget on Wednesday my Top 14 of 2014: NA/Adult will be out!

Keely xx

Friday, November 28, 2014

Review Time #73

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas 
Consumed by guilt and rage, Celaena can't bring herself to spill blood for the King of Adarlan. She must fight back...

The Immortal Queen will help her destroy the king - for a price. But as Celaena battles with her darkest memories and her heart breaks for a love that could never last, can she fulfil the bargain and head the almighty court of Terrasen? And who will stand with her?


Do not read this review if you haven't read Crown of Midnight because of spoilers for this book will appear!

I have FINALLY gotten around to reviewing the latest Throne of Glass book. I read this in May and it is now the end of November, I'm sorry I've been horrible at blogging this year. Now this will not be a normal review it will be split up into four parts because there is four separate story lines in Heir of Fire. I'll save the best for last:

Manon and the witches:
We meet a lot of new characters in Heir of Fire and Manon and the rest of the witches are just some of them. Manon is the granddaughter of the High Witch of the Blackbeak clan, she and the witches haven't flown in the sky since magic ceased in Adarlan. The King it seems is up to his old tricks by giving the witches "bulls" which have the ability to fly. 

There wasn't too much about this story in Heir of Fire but you can tell that the King is up to no good with this, hopefully we should see why the witches are important in book 4.

Dorian and Sorscha:
As we learnt in the previous book Crown of Midnight that Dorian has some magic in him. Chaol and Dorian have a bit of a falling out which causes Dorian to turn to Sorscha a healer at the castle to help him. I am saying no more without causing spoilers (sorry!).

Chaol and Aedion:
Aedion Ashryver, yep that is right he is Aelin's cousin. This friendship/alliance/we-won't-kill-each-other-pack-thing these two had going on did a lot to progression of the storyline. Chaol I hate your father and you need to make up your god damn mind on whose side you are on already! Aedion, I grew to like you because of how much you care about Aelin and want the best for her.

The ending of the Dorian, Sorscha, Chaol and Aedion story in this book was, I cannot even explain how crazy it was and I need book 4 because of it!

And lastly Aelin and Rowan
This was the main story of course and I loved how much Celaena/Aelin grew in this book. Celaena went to Wendlyn to find out from the Immortal Queen Maeve of the Fae about the Wardkeys and what they are. But of course Maeve being a Fae and all, she wants to know exactly what Celaena can do with her magic before letting her into Doranelle and telling her.

Rowan is in charge of training Celaena to help her get her magic back after being trapped for 10 years. I really loved the journey that Celaena took during Heir of Fire and Rowan really helped with that and unlocking Aelin from the mask the she created as Celaena. To see her become Aelin was fantastic and written beautifully. I want to say so much more about this topic but I really do not want to spoil the book for everyone :(

After Heir of Fire I am no longer Team Chaolena because of events during the book and understanding a bit more about everything. I guess I am Team Fire and Ice kinda because of stuff that happened that I want to talk about but I can't here :( I need book 4 because of the cliff-hangers (yep more than one). 

So if you have managed to make it through my not making any sense review, congratulations! Heir of Fire was a brilliant and you literally couldn't put the book down, Maas just has a way of words that drag you into the book and don't let you out until you have finished!

Thanks Bloomsbury for the eARC and ARC!

Rating: 5/5

Keely xx

Monday, April 28, 2014

Review Time #57

Hey everyone, sorry about the MIA lately it is because uni decided that I would have all my assignments due on the day that I had to travel home, so I had to get all my assignments done before I could leave! Then I also just watched a lot of TV shows and read a lot of books over break...

The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas


Contains all five novellas.

Celaena Sardothien is Adarlan's most feared assassin. As part of the Assassin's Guild, her allegiance is to her master, Arobynn Hamel, yet Celaena listens to no one and trusts only her fellow killer-for-hire, Sam. In these action-packed novellas - together in one edition for the first time - Celaena embarks on five daring missions. They take her from remote islands to hostile deserts, where she fights to liberate slaves and seeks to avenge the tyrannous. But she is acting against Arobynn's orders and could suffer an unimaginable punishment for such treachery. Will Celaena ever be truly free? Explore the dark underworld of this kick-ass heroine to find out.


Now if you have seen previously my reviews for books 1 and 2 in this series you would know how much I love the series! Thanks to the fantastic people at Bloomsbury I received a review copy of The Assassin's Blade which is all five prequel novellas which admittedly I hadn't read before I started the series because I won an ARC of Throne of Glass. 

The novellas were fantastic as we could see how Celaena ended up Endovier and who Sam exactly was. I loved Sam and he was a greater partner/lover for Celaena as he challenged her and seeing him in the novellas and knowing how she reacted in Throne of Glass when asked questions about Sam was great to see this partnership.

The Assassin and the Pirate Lord
In this first novella we got to meet Sam and Arobynn (who I might add I hated and don't have some very internet/blog friendly words to say about him but you get the drift) and see the very hate and sometimes love relationship between all three of them. Now since I had read books 1 & 2 before this and had already seen some of Celaena's human side and not the I am going to kill you side, but in this novella we got inside her mind as to why she did what she did when Arobynn orders weren't something she liked. Sam while wanting to follow orders stayed beside Celaena's side *sigh*.

The Assassin and  the Healer
This was a short novella we saw more into Celaena's mind and how she reacted when someone she doesn't know got into danger and then help her out by giving her some self defence tips. Only Celaena in this novella so no Sam to love.

The Assassin and the Desert
After defying Arobynn's orders in the first novella Celaena is sent to the silent assassin's in the red desert and boy was this the best out of the lot. We got Celaena the assassin like in CoM and the silent assassin's were brilliant, especially for Celaena. 

The Assassin and the Underworld
I hated Arobynn so much more in this novella than the previous three because he just doesn't care about anything but what he has created. We got Sam and Celaena together at last and now after what Arboynn has done they want out. But of course as we have come to know with Celaena nothing is ever that simple.

The Assassin and the Empire
This novella will destroy you and if you haven't already read ToG and CoM you won't know what happens. For those of you that have we knew it was coming but we didn't know how horrible you were going to feel about it. 

"My name is Celaena Sardothien. I will not be afraid." 

That quote was the death of me after all these novellas, so I went and re-read ToG and CoM.

Overall rating: 5/5
Thanks again Bloomsbury for the review copy!

Keely xx

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Review Time #43

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Mass

Eighteen-year-old Celaena Sardothien is bold, daring and beautiful – the perfect seductress and the greatest assassin her world has ever known. But though she won the King’s contest and became his champion, Celaena has been granted neither her liberty nor the freedom to follow her heart. The slavery of the suffocating salt mines of Endovier that scarred her past is nothing compared to a life bound to her darkest enemy, a king whose rule is so dark and evil it is near impossible to defy. Celaena faces a choice that is tearing her heart to pieces: kill in cold blood for a man she hates, or risk sentencing those she loves to death. Celaena must decide what she will fight for: survival, love or the future of a kingdom. Because an assassin cannot have it all . . . And trying to may just destroy her.

Love or loathe Celaena, she will slice open your heart with her dagger and leave you bleeding long after the last page of the highly anticipated sequel in what is undeniably THE hottest new fantasy series.


Wow. This book was just simply amazing, so many twists and turns, deaths and new magical secrets arise. It was the perfect squeal to Throne of Glass which I also loved. 

Celaena Sardothien is the King of Adarlan's Champion, pretty much meaning that she is the Kings assassin. We pick up around four months after the end of Throne of Glass and Celaena already has a secret, she isn't assassinating those who the King wants dead, but faking their deaths. We see a lot of her past in this book, why she "snapped" at Endovier, her family and Sam. 

There is a lot of secrets this time around, people are not who they seem. But really what is to be expected, they are at war and no-one knows who side everyone is on. We meet some new characters and we are reunited with some favourites, Nehemia, Chaol and Dorian are back and we meet Roland, Mort and Archer. Each of the characters plays a role in their own right and everyone is keeping secrets.

As we found out in Throne of Glass we know that a few of characters have something magical in them or at least understand what is happening around them. Celaena learns more about the Wyrdmarks from Nehemia who seems to be hiding something from her. Dorian is starting to stand up to his father, who has more power than ever and with Celaena being his assassin his threat is greater than ever. 

Chaol Westfall, Captain of the Guard, what can I say? We get to see more of him with Celaena *squeallll* and his complicated relationship with his father, yes the father who pretty much disowned when he decided to the Captain of the Guard instead of being a Lord. We also get an insight into his relationship with Dorian which is great because we didn't get to see much of this in Throne of Glass. Dorian Havilliard the Crowned Prince is finally sticking up for himself and looking past what his father is making the world become. Even after everything that happened in Throne of Glass Dorian and Celaena are still able to maintain a great friendship, the secrets that they uncover about themselves and each other. Nehemia is helping Dorian out with everything happening between their countries and his father.

Crown of Midnight was the perfect sequel to Throne of Glass the mystery, secrets and hidden pasts of characters. The ending will leave you in suspense wishing you had the next book in your hands right there and then.

Rating: 5/5

Keely xx 

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Review Time! #18

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Thanks to Bloomsbury for holding the competition on twitter! I was lucky enough to win an ARC of Throne of Glass!

Meet Celaena Sardothien.
Beautiful. Deadly. Destined for greatness.


In the dark, filthy salt mines of Endovier, an eighteen-year-old girl is serving a life sentence. She is a trained assassin, the best of her kind, but she made a fatal mistake: she got caught.

Young Captain Westfall offers her a deal: her freedom in return for one huge sacrifice. Celaena must represent the prince in a to-the-death tournament—fighting the most gifted thieves and assassins in the land. Live or die, Celaena will be free. Win or lose, she is about to discover her true destiny. But will her assassin’s heart be melted?


This novel had me at assassin. Think of it like Maria V. Snyder's Study series with a female Valek. Celaena is taken from the death camp in the salt mines of Endovier to become Prince Dorian's "champion" a.k.a assassin for a competition to see who will be the King's champion. Celaena's identity is hidden from the other competors to give her the 'underdog' advantage in the final showdown.

But like any novel there of course is a twist. A magical creature is murdering the other contestents and other competitors are getting stronger. At first I didn't realise that it had a strong magical side to it which made it much more interesting. Prince Maxon and Chaol spend alot of time with Celanena as she prepares for each 'task' and of course romance spikes, but who falls for her I shall not reveal but it is quite unsual how they end up with each other.

The characterisation of the three main characters Celaena, Maxon and Chaol is different for each other them as they each have different upbringings. Celaena an orphan from a young age then trained into an assassin, both Maxon and Chaol grew up at court and became friends however Chaol abdicated being a lord to become Captain of the guard and we know that Maxon is a Prince. And then we have Nehemia, the Eyllwe princess who becomes friends with Celaena but doesn't know who she really is, it is intriuging as to how they let a trained killer be with a princess.

The supernatural twist that this story has makes it must more interesting and makes you want to read about Celaena and her life. The assassin aspect still holds a great part of the story which I liked because I have a thing for spies, thieves, assassins and murderous teens, don't ask me why.

All in all this a great start to a promising series which I cannot wait to read more of! I must admit I am yet to read the novellas which I will start to read shortly!

Rating: 5/5

Keely xx

Sunday, July 15, 2012

IMM #3

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi @ The Story Siren. I'm only going to do this when I get a chance, exams coming up and year 12 is terrible! So this is from the last few weeks!
 
Hey guys, this is my haul since the last IMM!

WON:
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas, Thankyou to Bloomsbury for the comp on twitter! I cannot wait to read it!

BOUGHT:
Second Chance Summer by Morgans Matson, After hearing nothing but great things about this book I had to go buy it! Loved all of it and it was a book that set you into tears.

The Last Echo by Kimberly Derting, I love the body finder series and this one was no expection! However it doesn't match my other covers! The others are so pretty and this one is dark, but then again it is a dark book

The Selection by Kiera Cass, This book was amazing, after seeing it in the shop I couldn't not buy it!

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins, I finally have an actual copy of this book! Instead of ebook reading it, I can now finally read it in book form.

Borrowed:
The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald, my best friend insited I read this before the movie comes out, so lets see how it goes!

And that is it for this week! What did you recieve in your mailbox this week?

Keely xx