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

Review Time #78

Mr Kiss and Tell by Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham

The Neptune Grand has always been the seaside town’s ritziest hotel, despite the shady dealings and high-profile scandals that seem to follow its elite guests. When a woman claims that she was brutally assaulted in one of its rooms and left for dead by a staff member, the owners know that they have a potential powder keg on their hands. They turn to Veronica to disprove—or prove—the woman's story.

The case is a complicated mix of hard facts, mysterious occurrences, and uncooperative witnesses. The hotel refuses to turn over its reservation list and the victim won’t divulge who she was meeting that night. Add in the facts that the attack happened months ago, the victim’s memory is fuzzy, and there are holes in the hotel’s surveillance system, and Veronica has a convoluted mess on her hands. As she works to fill in the missing pieces, it becomes clear that someone is lying—but who? And why?

I'm back with another Veronica Mars review! Last time I hadn't watched the TV show and movie, but now that I have I am so addicted to the VMars world! 

Mr Kiss and Tell starts 6 months after the previous book ended. For those who have watched the Veronica Mars movie know why Eli is back in trouble wit the law, well we are finally get the outcome of that court case. There are two distinct story lines in this novel, the same why that Thomas did in the TV show. Eli and Kieth are working on discrediting the sheriff's department while Veronica is trying to find out who attacked Meg Manning's little sister Grace.

Grace Manning is a blast from the past for Veronica after everything that happened in high school with Meg and Duncan. Grace was attacked and left for dead, with no witness and only DNA evidence to figure out who did this to Grace, the sheriff's department aren't really interested in who did this to Grace. With Veronica on the case, she uncovers a secret which Grace doesn't want anyone to know. Veronica being Veronica keeps on digging until she finds more victims of the same attacker in different states.

Kieth, Cliff and Eli are working on Eli's civil case against the sheriff's department, trying to discredit them after what happened to both Kieth and Eli. This isn't the greatest time for the sheriff's department as it is an election year with another runner whom Kieth knew 35 years ago.

With both these cases going on Veronica has little time to spend with Logan, who has been back for 2 months now. After watching the TV show I was super glad for more Logan! Both having grown up since college, their relationship right now is a lot stronger. Mac! So glad that we got a lot of Mac, who had some family things come up again but none the less still awesome. Wallace I want you more than a chapter please!

Mr Kiss and Tell is a fantastic edition to the Veronica Mars franchise. Seeing how much Veronica has really grown since the TV show and how she still handles her cases in the same sort of way is great. The way that Thomas has taken Veronica Mars from the TV show to the movies and now the book series shows everyone how brilliant this franchise is. The mystery and characters who you love just draw you in for a ride that is Veronica Mars.

Thanks so much for Allen & Unwin for the review copy & the Veronica Mars addiction!

Rating: 4.5/5

Keely xx

Review Time #70

Sacrifice by Brigid Kemmerer

Earth. Fire. Air. Water.

One misstep and they lose it all. For the last time.

Michael Merrick understands pressure. He's the only parent his three brothers have had for years. His power to control Earth could kill someone if he miscalculates. Now an Elemental Guide has it in for his family, and he's all that stands in the way.

His girlfriend, Hannah, understands pressure too. She's got a child of her own, and a job as a firefighter that could put her life in danger at any moment.

But there are people who have had enough of Michael's defiance, his family's 'bad luck'. Before he knows it, Michael's enemies have turned into the Merricks' enemies, and they're armed for war.

They're not interested in surrender. But Michael isn't the white flag type anyway. Everything is set for the final showdown.

Four elements, one family. Will they hold together, or be torn apart?

What can I say, the elementals series is over and what an ending it has. I have loved the Merrick boys since Storm & Elemental came out and have continued to love the series. I remember when I stopped studying for my HSC to run out, buy and read Spark because I was so excited.

Sacrifice is Michael's full length novel after his novella which told the story of how this war all started out. After everything that happened at the end of Secret, Michael, the Merricks & Hunter are all prepared for war. Michael is full of pressure to protect his family, to keep his family together & to keep the women he loves away from everything that could hurt her.

Hannah, we finally get to learn more about her. We see how and why she became a firefighter, learn more about Jamie & how much of a bad relationship that she has with her father. I loved how Hannah really grew as a character in Sacrifice & became stronger & more independent. While yes, she isn't as kickass as some of the other female leads, her vulnerability made her character.

We meet a new firefighter Irish who I absolutely loved! He was a fantastic edition to the novel & helped out Hannah a lot when Michael was in some trouble. The Merrick boys, while we did get less of them this time around it was still great to read about them. Adam was fantastic he gave some good advice to Michael when he needed it. Tyler was actually good & helpful which was a great change after his previous actions. Hunter was well Hunter, he really became selfless throughout the book.

The ending. I did not see some of it coming. It was intense, crazy and worrying. I want to write more but  I just cannot say anything with spoiling it.

Sacrifice was a brilliant conclusion to the Elementals series. Kemmerer wrapped almost everything up to have a satisfying ending (and a chance for more books). Secret was still my favorite book of the series because Nick is mine (sorry Adam). 

Thanks Allen and Unwin for the review copy!

Rating: 4.5/5

Keely xx

Review Time #60

Getting By by Claudia Burgoa

When Emma Anderson arrived at San Francisco International Airport, she regretted accepting the distinction of being the maid of honour to Gaby’s—her childhood friend—wedding. It had been years since the last time she set foot in Menlo Park, where her parents had been killed. The rug where she had been shoving her feelings since that day looked bumpier than a camel’s hump. Who could blame her; if she hadn’t been selfish they’d still be around. Ever since that fateful day, Emma has been perfecting the knack of Getting By.

Cade’s wedding in Menlo Park—a city close to San Francisco—might be the perfect place for Jake Knight to shake the memories of his ex, Emma Anderson for good. Single, available women galore for an entire week was the perfect medication, one he intended to take three times a day for an entire week to return to his player days. It was a plan the former spy thought flawless until he came face to face with the maid of honour. Jake’s perfect retreat turns into a flight, fight or hide week of celebrations.

Wasn't too sure what I was going to get when I started this book, knowing nothing expect it was an NA contemporary but I ended up loving it.

Emma has dealt with a lot of crazy in her life since her parents died when she was eighteen and now facing the past with her best friend's wedding and Jake, the guy who until three months ago was dating her until Emma ended it. Emma ends up spending the week with Jake and his family thanks to her childhood best friend Gaby, finally facing some of the past that she has avoided and learning more about Jake and what he is hiding from her.

When reading this book you can see how much they care about each other but are too afraid to commit because each of them have issues that they need to deal with. The way that Jake treats Emma during the week makes it obvious to everyone and especially his family who adore Emma.

Jake is ex-special forces and  doesn't want Emma to know about what happened on his final mission, even though she knows something bad has happened because of his nightmares. Jake doesn't know how to react when he finds out that Emma has seen him at his worst with these nightmares and what he does isn't the greatest thing in the world.

A great read for those who love some romance and it is an NA book, not YA! Cannot wait for the next Knight brother story!

Rating: 4.5/5

Keely xx

Review Time #52

These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

It's a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone. 

Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble than they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help. 

Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder—would they be better off staying here forever?

Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the same people who landed on it.

After hearing lots of good things from this book, I decided to look past the fact that it sci-fi, which is a genre that I normally don't read too much because it doesn't appeal to me like other genres. However, I am glad I made the leap to read this book because it exceeded my expectations. 

Major Tarver Merendsen doesn't know what he expected from going to a party where he and his medals are only for show, for the media, however, a girl with red hair he can't take his eyes off intrigues him. Lilac LaRoux, daughter of the galaxy's most powerful man, Roderick LaRoux. She is always recognised and everybody always wants something from her, until Tarver who doesn't recognise her at first since he stopped paying any attention to the media.

When Icarus gets pulled out of hyperspace, Tarver and Lilac end up together in an escape pod trying to eject themselves from the spaceliner. Lilac has a past which isn't explored much at the start of the novel, all you see of Lilac in Tarver's POV is that she is a spoiled princess, daddys girl etc. expect that she knows her way when it comes to circuits & mechanical engineering.

Crash landing on a plant that neither of them has seen or heard of before, with no apparent lifeforms (i.e. people) around to tell them. Trying to stay alive they learn to trust each other and for Lilac, how to survive with only basic supplies from the emergency pod. As they head for where Icarus crash-landed to see if anyone survived or if they could get more supplies, we learn more about Tarver & Lilac as they bicker, argue and fight there way to the site.

Both characters change a lot through out their journey, while 100 pages is them walking/making it to the site it still provides a lot of information that about each of them. We learn about Tarver & his family and why it is important for him to return home. We also get to see more of Lilac's past about why she was so cool and distant towards Tarver when they first met. I loved how in between each chapter was a part of Tarver's debriefing from when he gets found, it never tells you anything about Lilac which makes you wonder what has happened on that plant. The twist at the end was surprising and it interesting to see something like that put into this world. The romance was great because it wasn't sudden or forced but natural which was refreshing from some previous books I've read recently. 

Overall, These Broken Stars was a great read and apart of a world that I will enjoy reading the companion novels that are apart of The Starbound Trilogy and to see the twist explored more throughout these novels! Highly recommend this to readers who are a fan of YA Sci-Fi and those who aren't because you might end up enjoying it like me!

Thanks to Allen and Unwin Australia for sending me a review copy!

Rating: 4/5

Keely xx