Lord of shadows: Cassandra Clare

The year was 2010, Clockwork Angel had just come out and my friend Karla introduced me to one of the greatest series I had read at the time. I was a young 14 year old and this one off my first kind of "mature books" in the since that it had a better story line, better character development, and better romance. City of bones became one of my favorite series, until I read Clockwork Angel. To this day I still think this is the best series in the shadowhunter world.
Anyway the year is 2017, Cassie Clare has just released the second book to her third series. The Dark Artifices. And I am disappointed. And here  are the reasons why, which I'll list as I go.

1. The romance

•     Specifically Emma and Julian's romance. From the moment Cassie told her readers, how much we were going to LOVE them.... I knew something was up, and I probably wouldn't like them. Flash forward to me reading Lady Midnight... guess what, I really didn't like Emma or Julian. Their relationship just felt weird to me. Like Cassie was trying to hard for this to happen. The romance was just unnatural with how fast it moved. And in Lord of Shadows it just gets worse. I'm kind of bored of Cassie's over use of "we can't love each other because blank." Cassie has pulled it off before and I loved it! But I just feels forced in this book, it was too fast. I feel like if she had done it like the other books where she took it slowly, maybe it wouldn't have been so forced.
• Mark and Cristina, be still my beating heart! My god these two characters are so interesting, they are so engaging. And the two times they kiss, I literally swooned. This is what I excepted Emma and Julian to be. Mark and Cristina were attracted to each other but it wasn't an instant love thing. It took them forever to finally kiss, and anytime they were together I couldn't help but want them to kiss! Or hug or hold hands, or something! This is want I wanted, they learned and grew from their past relationships. I just love these two so much 😻
• Cristina and Kieran, my god I am swooning for these two. Cristina just understands Kieran so well and I just love their dynamic. 

     2. The conflict

• Honestly it's too much drama. Like everything was set up to happen perfectly, Emma and Jules were going to get exiled (or whatever it's called), but then it doesn't happen. I know this was supposed to be super dramatic and, like, end of the world type of drama. But to me, it just felt like a cop out. It felt like Ms. Clare needed the drama to make the story work... and it didn't
• Livy's death.
• I'll have you know that I honestly didn't care the Livy died (heartless I know). But here's why, Livy's death did not feel genuine. It didn't feel organic to the plot, it didn't feel needed, it felt forced, it felt unnecessary. Yes I know in REAL life, death is unexpected. It is not planned. It just happens, but this is a book. And deaths in books usually help further the plot or have a great meaning. And this, to me, was neither of that.

Honestly I am disappointed. I have loved these books since I was young, but I truly felt cheated out of a better book. I have loved these books, and this author. To have this book be such a disappoint for me was tragic. Who knows, maybe the next book will be better. Maybe it won't. I'll read it.... But not as excitedly as I would read other books.

Until next time readers <3

Shadowsong: S. Jae-Jones

Six months after the end of 

Wintersong, Liesl is working toward furthering both her brother’s and her own musical careers. Although she is determined to look forward and not behind, life in the world above is not as easy as Liesl had hoped. Her younger brother Josef is cold, distant, and withdrawn, while Liesl can’t forget the austere young man she left beneath the earth, and the music he inspired in her. 
When troubling signs arise that the barrier between worlds is crumbling, Liesl must return to the Underground to unravel the mystery of life, death, and the Goblin King—who he was, who he is, and who he will be. What will it take to break the old laws once and for all? What is the true meaning of sacrifice when the fate of the world—or the ones Liesl loves—is in her hands?

(Goodreads) 

Honestly I have mixed feeling about this book, especially since the first one was just so incredible. This one was slow, and it was confusing, with multiple points of view, I sometimes didn't know who was speaking. But I got used to it. The characters didn't feel as the characters where as important. Kathe was just there, excited for the new life they had in Italy, but nothing important until the end. Francois was introduced.... But honestly didn't have anything to do with the plot, except that he was occasionally Josef's lover. And Josef... Josef was having an identity crisis long before he knew he was a changling, and once he did know he was a changling he jumped into a lake... Like? Why? The whole section with the count and his wife was just confusing and I personally didn't care for it. I didn't understand why they were with them, why suddenly out of know where, Kathe and Francois became important again. I don't know it was just weird and just very slow... 

BEWARE MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

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WOLFGANG?!?!?!?!? Honestly that is the Goblin Kings name?! Why? I don't know why this bothers me so much but it totally does. Wolfgang, his name is Wolfgang
Wolfgang
That was the only important part, Liesl learning his name is flipping WOLFGANG
This bothers me more than Sep becoming the Goblin King and keeping his humanity because of Liesl's love. It was an interesting take. But I don't know.
That is honestly my overall feeling of the book, meh. It was meh, it could have been better. But it wasn't. It was mediocre which is disappointing since I loved the first one so much

Well until next time <3

A Court of Thorns and Roses: Sarah J. Maas

Feyre's survival rests upon her ability to hunt and kill – the forest where she lives is a cold, bleak place in the long winter months. So when she spots a deer in the forest being pursued by a wolf, she cannot resist fighting it for the flesh. But to do so, she must kill the predator and killing something so precious comes at a price ...

Dragged to a magical kingdom for the murder of a faerie, Feyre discovers that her captor, his face obscured by a jewelled mask, is hiding far more than his piercing green eyes would suggest. Feyre's presence at the court is closely guarded, and as she begins to learn why, her feelings for him turn from hostility to passion and the faerie lands become an even more dangerous place. Feyre must fight to break an ancient curse, or she will lose him forever.
(Goodreads)

This is seriously my new favorite book, I am in love with this book. The book, the characters, the world... This book is absolute perfection, by having such imperfect characters. I do admit that I actually didn't want to read this book. I found it interesting, but I never had the motivation to actually read it... Until a friend of mine legit forced me to read it, and it was absolutely incredible.
Feyre is just such a strong character, she is human and imperfect. She makes mistakes, she gets mad at her sisters. But she is strong, she is real and just so human. I just love her so much because of her imperfection.
Feyre is then taken by Tamlin who says she has broken a sacred treaty by killing one of his people. Now Tamlin is an interesting character, there is something about him that calls to Feyre's need for safety, to be taken care of and not have to worry when her next meal is going to be. Now this is a love story so of course there is going to be love.
Feyre's strength during the trials, is honestly incredible. She suffered through all of this for the love of her life. AND HE DIDN'T EVEN TRY TO GET THEM OUT WHEN RHYSAND GAVE THEM THE CHANCE. *cough* What was interesting though, was how passionate Rhysand was compared to Tamlin. Rhysand is just this stranger and he was the one to convince everyone to give a small bit of their power to see if that would bring her back. I honestly cannot wait to get my hands on the next one. And I hope Rhysand is in it. He's an interesting character. Excuse my rant... Anyways, Sarah J. Maas does an incredible job in making these characters human, she made me feel exactly what Feyre was.
That moment when Feyre is just about to break, she just can't do this anymore, she doesn't know how she will survive... And suddenly she hears music in her head. The most beautiful song she'd ever heard. And it helps her survive, it helps give her the motivation to survive. That, that right there makes me cry every time I read it.
Ms. Maas delivered an excellent book of love and trials, with a mixture of beauty and the beast and badass women.

Out of the Shadows: Ashlee Nicole Bye

Nobody ever said it was easy...

From the streets of Melbourne to the bowels of Westminster, the delicate balance between life and death that is so painstakingly maintained by the reapers of The Order of Dark and Light is being tested by the return of an ancient threat. Tensions are rising within the hidden world of The Shadowlands and if this threat is not contained war will be inevitable. And the destruction of the human world is bound to follow in its wake.

Amidst this tension, eighteen year-old Sachi Manning is struggling to cope with the grief and guilt that has plagued her ever since her best friend was murdered six months earlier—that is, until she spots him seemingly alive and well and being held at scythe point by a hooded figure who looks more like a GQ model than the Grim Reaper.

Sachi shouldn’t be able to see through the glamours that shield Shadowlanders from the human world, so the reaper in question wants some answers. And so begins the craziest couple of weeks of Sachi’s life as she is drawn into a world of mysteries, magic, monsters, and mayhem, encountering dragons, faeries, soul-sucking demons, not-so-grim reapers, and even the Horseman of Death.
With a mix of heart, humour and hair-raising action, Out of the Shadows is the adventure of an afterlifetime, perfect for fans of Cassandra Clare and Paula Weston.
(Goodreads)

So I was given this book for free from the author for an honest review. 
Well, this was actually a pretty good book, it definitely had its moments of over description, and you can tell this is her first book. But it has potential, it is a good read. And Sachi is a very interesting character who has gone through a trauma and is coping with the the best way she can. 
I would definitely recommend this book just because I know it's going to get better and it already has such a rich plot, that its bound to get better as the story progresses.

Sarah J. Maas book signing May third 2017

 
  Well my life has changed... I got to meet my favorite author, Sarah J. Maas and I'll have you know that is amazing. Ms. Maas was just so funny and so sweet and just bruh.... It was honestly amazing

Between the Lines: Jodi Picoult & Samantha Van Leer

Delilah is a bit of a loner who prefers spending her time in the school library with her head in a book—one book in particular. Between the Lines may be a fairy tale, but it feels real. Prince Oliver is brave, adventurous, and loving. He really speaks to Delilah.
And then one day Oliver actually speaks to her. Turns out, Oliver is more than a one-dimensional storybook prince. He’s a restless teen who feels trapped by his literary existence and hates that his entire life is predetermined. He’s sure there’s more for him out there in the real world, and Delilah might just be his key to freedom.
A romantic and charming story, this companion novel to Off the Page will make every reader believe in the fantastical power of fairy tales.
(Goodreads)

 I loved this book even though it took me forever to read becasue I kept getting distracted. I found this such a unique story! The concept of the book being a sort of play and the characters are the actors? Absolutely wonderful, made me think that maybe the book characters in certain books aren't suffering nearly as much I'm looking at you A Court of Mist and Fury.. And Empire of Storms, literally killed me. I've only read one book that was similar to this and that was the Vampire Stalker by Allison Van Diepen, and the characters just leave the book.. 
Anyways I found this book so flipping cute!! Maybe William Herondale will come for me! Please? Book boyfriend come to life? Oliver was just so fun with his will to live a life outside of their "script." His love for Delilah was just so cute and adorable.
Seriously my favorite part of Between the Lines was Oliver's desire to leave the book be with Delilah. And every time it didn't work out it just made me cheer them on more!
I really did like the story line, it was just so sweet how many times have I said that now? and adorable. 
I think the only problem I had with this book was the ending because Oliver obviously made it out I mean come on, it has to have a happily ever after they kiss and that's the end... But! I found out today that there is actually a companion novel! So yay! :D 
Until next time
Kat
 

Six of Crows: Leigh Bardugo

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone...

A convict with a thirst for revenge
A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager
A runaway with a privileged past
A spy known as the Wraith
A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums
A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes 

Kaz's crew are the only ones who might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first. 
(Goodreads)

So I am going to admit that I totally bought this book because of the cover and the book itself. I mean the book is literally black! Like how cool is that?! So I bought it and didn't read it until the second one came out... 
Anyways it was actually a pretty good book, it had a pretty interesting plot, and a diverse set of characters. My biggest problem with the book was how slow it was in the beginning. 
It's a whole new world with different politics, different social systems. And it was hard to understand, it was kind of complex at times and I felt it drag. But everything changed when they went to go free Mattias which was the start of the action.
The diversity and complexity of the characters is what kept me most interested. All the characters were flawed in one way or another, and instead of just brushing off the flaws, they were all incorporated into the story in a way that didn't seem forced but natural. I love how, even though they all have problems, but they don't let that inhibit them.
Everything gets better, story line wise, with the escape of Mattias. On their way steal a Ravkan prisoner. 
Overall I actually really liked the book even though it was pretty slow in the beginning. The story was rich of impossibilities that ended up turned out alright. 
Until next time 
Kat