Review: The Dark Days Club

The Dark Days Club
Rating: 5/5
Buy or Borrow: BUY BUY BUY! 
Source: Copy Courtesy of the Publisher, Walker! 

London, April 1812. Eighteen-year-old Lady Helen Wrexhall is on the eve of her debut presentation to the Queen. Her life should be about gowns and dancing, and securing a suitable marriage. Instead, when one of her family's housemaids goes missing, Lady Helen is drawn to the shadows of Regency London, full of demonic creatures and deadly power.

There, she finds William, the Earl of Carlston, a man of dubious reputation and infuriating manners. He
is one of the few who can stop the perpetrators: a cabal of powerful demons that has infiltrated every level of society. He believes that Helen, too, is destined to protect humanity, but all he is offering her is danger, savagery and the possibility of madness. Not the kind of destiny suitable to a Young Lady or a life she is sure she wants. On the other hand there is a Duke offering her a normal life, one she has been trained for all her life. 

But Helen finds herself being drawn further and further in to the shadowy world Carlston is offering. Should Helen trust a man whose reputation is almost as black as his lingering eyes? And will her headstrong sense of justice lead them both into a death trap?

"In 1812, Prinny had been regent for one year. Britain was on the brink of war with America, and in its tenth year of almost continuous war with France and its emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte. None of these countries, however, knew there was another, even older war being waged."

Well, well, well, I had a feeling I was going to love this book, it was pitched as "Jane Austen meets Cassandra Clare" it's set in Regency London and has demons...how could I not?! I was definitely not wrong. The Dark Days Club has firmly situated itself as one of my favourite books, and just completely blew me away. I became so immersed in to the world that my notes took on a very distinct Regency manner of speech! I bet this review will as well! I'm just not over the book, it was completely fantastic from start to finish and as soon as I started to read I knew I was going to love it, and I loved the book more and more the more I read and I fell completely in love. It surprised me, it didn't go where I thought it might, it took turns I didn't think it would and I never wanted the book to end as I was reading it! The world was so sumptuous and vivid and authentic!

There's a little introduction page at the beginning of the book that gave me such a shiver of anticipation as well as setting the scene and giving me some quick background information on the time period! Then we go straight in to the story, and it's everything you hope it will be and are expecting it to be and more! 

Helen is introduced to us immediately, and you get such a sense of her as a person just from one chapter, and I immediately loved her, and was on her side. She's fantastically loyal, particularly to a friend in a situation that would have seen most ladies of the time running away from said friend! She's friendly with her servants, Darby being her closest confidant. She's willing to help them as well, which would have been unusual for the time! Helen herself is quite unusual, she's taller than most girls of the time period, she's a debutant that also has some crazy demon slaying destiny, and she's fairly well learned when most ladies of her age would not be, nor would care to be. She's witty, intelligent, and she takes steps to protect her made as well as herself as things come to light. I can't get over how fantastic she is, she's completely different from the majority of YA female leads! I connected to her immediately and continued to love her more and more, feeling what she felt and rooting for her. 

You're immediately curious about Helen's parents and begin to suspect something is amiss. Little tidbits are dropped to drive you mad with intrigue and even when you get some answers, you don't get the one answer you're desperately trying to work out! So hoping for that mystery solved in the next book! Particularly as the Queen herself appears to be on Helen's mother's side! But that's only the start of the mysteries, more on the rest later! Let's talk characters....

Every single character was fantastically created and really came to life as you where reading, you could picture the characters so perfectly and they where complex and in a lot of cases there was or is more than meets the eye! I loved Darby, her ladies maid, she was loyal to Helen as well as her own friend. She was as protective as she could be of Helen, and she's there for her every step of the way supporting her and helping her with her plans. I'd love to know more about her in the next book, and she definitely has a larger part to play! 

Lord Carlston was an interesting character, I don't want to give too much away, which makes most of my notes redundant actually! BUT, he has a very shady reputation, like done something really bad and all of society is determined to shun him as best they can, except he has some friends in high places! As such, Helen's family hate him, but he knows about her mother and what's going on with Helen herself, he's pretty much decided he's her mentor. I actually really loved his character, I liked how there's this mystery to him and you're not entirely sure what the real story is, so for all you know he could actually be really dodgy, but then...as you get to know his character you're like noooo there's a proper explanation and he's innocent, much like Helen's thought process! I'm waiting to find out the truth to be honest! He was a bit tough to crack in the beginning, he was cold and rude,  but as Helen gets to know him you see more and more of what he's really like as well as why he is the way he is and he's kinda perfect. He's pretty much really misunderstood and I loved how he was protective of Helen if when she wasn't sure she'd actually join him and the Dark Days Club. Helen's right though, his manners are awful! 

The supporting characters as well, are equally as well created, and complex, they're colourful and lively and add so much to the story just by being present. A lot of them you don't really see much, but I'm hoping to see more of some of them in the next book, as well as learn more about them. I really liked Helen's brother Andrew, he made me chuckle and was so open with his emotions compared to Helen, although I did want to smack him one at a couple of points! He was there for Helen in the end though! 

Quinn is another interesting supporting character I'm itching to know more about, he's Carlston's Terrene. What's that I hear you ask? That'd be giving too much away! The deranged mentor of Calrston's, was very well created, he made my skin crawl and made me feel mildly sickened. Then you have Lady Margaret and her brother Mr Hammond, I'd love to know how they came to be involved in things! I'm also looking forward to seeing more of the pair and their backgrounds hopefully! Duke Selburn (more of him shortly!), Beau, Millicent and so on, so many smaller characters helping to add to the story and create the atmosphere and setting so perfectly! 

Now we've covered characters, I'm sure you're all itching to know about the romance! The romance is  very subtle. We spend most of the book watching Helen and Carlston getting to know each other and watching things slowly building up. There's cute scenes, don't get me wrong, but they're further in to the book as the two have gotten to know each other better and feelings are beginning to develop! All of this culminates in a scene near the end that had me quietly cheering (because it was nearly 5am), and then the very end of the book was totally cute and made me so excited for the next book! The romance isn't the main point of the plot, and I loved that it was subtle and the romance didn't jump straight in. The pair have some definite chemistry that becomes more and more apparent, and it leaps off the page. 

One thing I dislike in YA is insta-love so I loved watching Helen and Carlston get to know each other, be surprised by each other as they learn new things about the other. They both have a lot more in common other than both being ya know...what they are, and their opinions of each other clearly change as they learn. They're both logical and intelligent, rationalists. I think they both surprised each other at varying different parts of the book, and you see them slowly get to know each other and then like I said, it perfectly segues in to developing feelings. Developing. I say that for a reason because we are literally just seeing the beginning of the potential romance, and I'm excited to see they're relationship develop more over the course of the next book and see where it goes! 

Their first meeting though, I just have to mention it because I kind of wanted to smile and chuckle a bit, but at the same time I really wanted to smack him one! Much like Helen, actually! I loved how Helen didn't give him the nicest description in the beginning either, and you could see Helen's feelings develop and change as her descriptions of him changed, which was a lovely touch to be honest! 

I'm not gonna lie, I'm pretty much on the Helen and Carlston ship, (do they have a ship name?) like as soon as they first met I was like YUP! I SHIP IT! I'm also fairly certain Helen is set on Carlston as well. So yeah, I have picked my team and my ship and so because I immediately loved the two of them together, and their back and forth, it added another dimension to watching the whole getting to know you oops now I have feelings, thing!  There's some interesting obstacles in their way as well, and the way is not smooth in this book either, there's trust issues and some drama but like I said, I do find them kinda cute when he's not being all jerky. I'm so excited to learn about Carlston and hopefully have one of the obstacles removed, but it looks like it's going to be an interesting romance and not straight forward. No drama for the sake of drama, but perfectly natural and organic obstacles before things can be settled. I really hope I'm correct, because if the author goes in a different direction with the romance I'll look back at this and probably cry! 

Although, speaking of obstacles, I loved how Helen's struggle over whether or not to join The Dark Days Club was so completely authentic. It's a perfect example of what I'm talking about, no drama for the sake of drama, it's a completely natural obstacle. Considering the time period and the situations being a Reclaimer throws her in to, and what things where like for women of the time, her concerns about joining where very real. She's risking a lot by joining, her sanity, her reputation and so on, so it's a very genuine struggle and because she's intelligent and logical and weighs everything she can see both sides, good and bad of joining or not joining. I can't really blame her for hesitating! I love how you have that level of understanding of Helen! 

Now. I'm not entirely sure if there is going to be a love triangle. The previously mentioned Duke Selburn has an interest in Helen, an interest that doesn't go away no matter what situation she gets herself in to that isn't entirely proper. He and Carlston have an interesting background together, and I'm not entirely convinced that Selburn really does like Helen and doesn't want to just one up Carlston, or isn't seeing his past love when he see's Helen. Selburn is kind of the perfect contrast to Carlston, he too has things in common with Helen, but has a different countenance to him than Carlston. Or does he? Thinking about it, there's a bit near the end that made me wonder about him actually. ANYWAY, he's an interesting potential romance. He can offer Helen a normal life, and a way out from her Uncle and his douchey nature. 

We don't actually see much of Selburn or get to know him as much as Carlston, I'm wondering if that might change in the next book. Like I said, I'm not sure if there is going to be a love triangle but like he seems pretty determined, and even though Helen seems fixed on Carlston and joining his cause and has seemed to settle on not having a normal life, I'm wondering if it might change or if maybe she does have some sort of feelings for Selburn, not as strong as Carlston but maybe. I'm not sure. If there is going to be a love triangle, it's definitely going to be an interesting one for many reasons! 

So at this point, you're probably dying to know what Helen and Carlston are. All I'm going to say is the book introduces us to the Reclaimers. Helen and Carlston are two of 8 in the country, and they are part of the Dark Days Club. The club also has other members who gather intelligence, and they fight Deceivers aka demons. They have plenty of different gifts, but eventual madness is a consequence of using them. Helen is tied up in a prophecy, there's signs of a Grand Deceiver coming ( I snorted so hard at the implication Bonaparte was one) and the game could change. This is a brief, very brief, explanation without going in to too much detail, because there is seriously so much to the story and what they are! 

The lore of the demons in the book and the mythology surrounding the Reclaimers is rich and detailed and very well explained, as well as astoundingly original. There's different kinds of demons that feed on different things. The demons and how they operate is original, and I just love original spins on things! You come away from the book feeling like you really did enter the world, you have such a complete understanding without reading pages and pages of explanation, it's all slotted in to the dialogue and is so fascinating that you're gripped and eager to learn more. So my very brief explanation is merely the tip of the iceberg, there is so much to learn and it all gives your imagination a workout! 

I really, really liked that it didn't jump straight in with the demons right at the beginning, it builds up to it, adding to the mystery that Helen is trying to solve. You could tell something weird was going on but you weren't sure what was going on, you where kept guessing as you, along with Helen, tried to work out what she was, what she could do and so on. The introduction of this shadowy world was gradual, strange events occur, Helen discovers more and more things she can do, and you make some guesses, and the intrigue and the suspense builds....then there's the reveal. I think the reveal was done right at the perfect moment in the story and fit with the pace, and I loved how when Carlston does the whole reveal thing, there are still surprises that you aren't expecting, within the lore and the mythology and what they can do and so on! I must say, I was delightfully surprised at the detail to it all! I've read so many that don't delve in to it too much, but everything is laid out in a fantastic amount of detail so you can fully understand the workings of the Reclaimers. 

I just have to mention Helen's abilities for a minute, she immediately displays some of them, and it really gets you excited for what's to come especially when you know some of the ones that are coming. The strength coming on was a fantastic scene *fans self*, I wasn't sure what to expect from it and I loved the position it put Helen in, being able to fight back. I loved the Chi thing, it was something I'd not seen done before! I particularly loved how she could predict/calculate what would happen next in situations, particularly potentially violent ones, and could see the steps needed to prevent them and so on, the way it was written when she uses this ability really reminded me of the Sherlock Holmes films! I also loved the way Helen reading people was described! So much thought has gone in to the book! 

I immediately fell in love with the world of the book, and it was obvious that a hell of a lot of research had gone in to it. It doesn't romanticise the time, I mean the talk of the hair pads, uncomfortable clothing, and ya know....what happens if you need to pee while waiting to be presented! While that was quite gross, I did actually chuckle at the whole, men using sawdust to bulk out their calves, and women using wax rather than the more modern chicken fillets! The author has done a hell of a lot of research on events at the time, phases of the moon, etiquette, people of the time, publications of the time and what life was like and more! 

You genuinely are thrown straight back in time to Regency London, you can picture the streets and the settings so clearly, smell the food, feel the heat of the dance rooms. You're fully brought in to the world in how authentically created it is. No to mention the fact that real historical events have been smoothly tied in to the plot, with a twist to bring them fully in to the world of the book, and it's so brilliantly done that you immediately accept the alternate explanation like "yup, can totally see that happening".  Other events are mentioned to give you an idea of the political climate of the book, and what else was going on in the world, events that weren't tied entirely to the plot, but just added a nice touch to bring you in to the world. Not to mention the historical figures added to the book, some that you see more than others like Beau and others you only see in passing like Byron that helps to set the scene. Not to mention the characters authentic reactions to Byron and Beau, in particular! 

I just completely fell in love with the world of the book as I fell in to it, despite it not pulling it's punches and showing the harsher sides to living in that time as well as the glamour of the dances and being presented and so on. Like I wouldn't have liked to have lived in that time, or at least not as one of the ton and being married off to any bloke with good standing, not one that you necessarily like! I wanted to smack her Uncle so many times, preferably with a heavy object for being such a d**k! I mean I know he was a "product of his times" but he made me so damn angry and how he treated Helen and spoke to her and ugh. Yeah. Women couldn't really do much and didn't have all that much control basically.

The writing was beautiful with some fantastic descriptions, including the not so flattering one of Carlston where she says he basically has eyes like a shark. Hey! I told you she's not that flattering of him in the beginning! As well as the stunning and vivid descriptions, the writing was compelling with a steady pace that ramps up as the action does and we head towards the end! Every word rang with authenticity. The entertaining narrative, the dialogue, all of it was authentic in the language and phrases used, without being a heavy read. I loved that. That I felt like I was reading an actual book from the time period, without being bored, or struggling, in fact I was gripped the whole way through! 

It was also incredibly atmospheric, each setting have an atmosphere to go with it that was practically a physical thing, that rises off the page and surrounds you, drawing you in to the book more and more until you get completely lost in the book. That is, coincidentally, how I ended up reading until gone 5am! And THAT is probably why I found some bits creepy. Like there where some bits that where creepy in general, but made even more creepy by the fact I was reading it at night, when everyone else was asleep and kept hearing strange noises! The fight scenes where also fantastically written! They where gripping and had you on the edge of your seat, just as much as the social situations fraught with backstabbing Ladies and people watching and judging your every move. 

The plot is fantastic. Like I said, we build up to the big reveal and learning about the world, which gives time for the author to let you get to know the characters, the world and what things are like in that world. Not to mention to show you how much Helen overcomes and develops over the course of the book! It's got a fantastic pace, and there are so many threads! The missing maid, who Carlston is, what really happened with him, Helen's life, what she is, the man following her, and that's just some of them. Seriously. There's so many fantastic threads, that weave together perfectly to create one hell of a gripping and enchanting plot. Each thread adds another element to the plot, another piece of intrigue to keep you guessing. Not to mention the surprising plot twists, and some that where downright shocking, I actually gasped and choked on what I was drinking! 

I would fully agree with the description about being Jane Austen crossed with Cassandra Clare, I would however, say that Dark Days Club is darker than the Mortal Instruments, and as much as I love Mortal Instruments, I think this is on another level. I'm kind of leaning towards saying it's more grown up and definitely doesn't shy away from the seedier elements of Regency London! I completely loved the mix of these darker elements with the lighter ones such as the dances, and the humour. 

The build up to the ending of the book ramped up the tension, like I said, I stayed up until 5am because I couldn't put it down and was completely engrossed in the world of the book! It was the perfect build up of everything that had been going on, and the scene with her Uncle! SO MUCH FIST PUMPING! I can't even with the end! It got me so excited for the next book, and it's a YEAR wait! A YEAR! I can't cope that long without more Lady Helen! Like I've said, I can't decide if a love triangle's coming, or just a problem in general, there's so many possibilities for the next book and the direction of the story!

I'm so excited to see what's going to happen next, I'm in complete desperate need of the next book and I'm really not looking forward to the incredibly long (A YEAAAAARRR) wait! So many questions where answered, but there's more questions and some questions left unanswered, mysteries left unsolved and I'm hoping to see them sorted in the next book because my curiosity for some of them is killing me, and all my theories have been shot down and they're getting more and more elaborate and ridiculous now! 

The authors note is a font of knowledge, giving you even more than you picked up over the course of the book, and showing you just how much the author has done. I was in awe at her researching abilities and dedication to making it so completely accurate! As a history nerd I'm so blown away by it and insanely jealous of her resources! There's also confirmation that not much has been tweaked to fit the story! I particularly loved the note "To my knowledge, there is also no documentation that supports the assertion that Napoleon Bonaparte was a Grand Deceiver.....but you never know" *snorts*

SO this has been an incredibly gushing review, but I am 100% in love with this book, the world, the characters and just everything. I mean the book has everything you could want, rich mythology, manners, romance, a fantastic female lead, lively characters, vivid settings, astounding historical accuracy, originality, heart stopping fight scenes, cool gadgets and a perfectly building romance with plenty of cute moments to keep you going! Not to mention the previously mentioned perfectly created, gripping plot! How could you not love that!? It sucks you in, you lose track of time and reality and fall on to the streets of Regency London. As the ending neared I wanted the book to last longer and found myself getting sadder as the page numbers went up and up. I'm just still completely in awe of this book and blown away and I immediately want to dive back in! Roll on the next books, and more adventures! 

Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children

Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children 
Rating: 5/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy 
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher! 

I've got another series review, or in this case, trilogy! I was incredibly lucky to receive the Peregrine's Home books to review, I've seen people hyping them all over the place but never actually gotten around to reading them myself. Just recently the third and final book was released, and thus I was incredibly grateful to be allowed to review all three! I have to say, these books deserve the hype, and a hell of a lot more of it! I'm kind of mind blown still after reading them! What an experience, what a world. It's a bit of a jolt being back in reality after reading! 

Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children 

A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of curious photographs.

A horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

The first book sucks you in from the first page and keeps you hooked on the book and the series from the go. Once you start reading, you just know you'll be reading the other books, not only because of the story, but because of how unique the book is, and because of all the fascinating photos and the way they are smoothly integrated with the narrative. 

Miss Peregrine's Home introduces us to the world, the fantastic characters and the unique format of words and vintage photographs. Some of said photos are a tad unsettling, I'll happily accept the authors explanation of "over exposure" or something because ya know...creepy. But as unsettling as some of them are, they are all fascinating, these snapshots in to history and other time periods. Looking at the photos and wondering who it is in the photo, what their story is....which is what led the author to writing the book! It's even  more fascinating when you think about the fact that some of these photos are from the time when photography was new and was still not exactly precise. 

Anyway, the book was intriguing from the beginning, hooking you in and brimming with originality. Not only in it's format, but in the story and the characters and the world. There's heartbreaking tragedy, a quest like vibe as Jacob seeks answers about his grandfather and the house. I felt like the book was dark, but that could be because the photos where all in black and white so my brain was picturing things in black and white, which is probably not a good thing but still! I had a dark vibe from it. It's not only the photos that are creepy either, the Wights, the Hollowgasts, they where plenty creepy! 

The book was insanely atmospheric, sucking you in to the world of the book, and it was incredibly addictive. Partly because of the lively, lovable array of characters, partly because of the setting and partly because of the originality. Seriously, you all know I love all things unique at this stage! Either way....I was hooked from the start! 

Hollow City

This second novel begins in 1940, immediately after the first book ended. Having escaped Miss Peregrine’s island by the skin of their teeth, Jacob and his new friends must journey to London, the peculiar capital of the world. Along the way, they encounter new allies, a menagerie of peculiar animals, and other unexpected surprises. 

I should probably admit at this point, that I picked this up straight after I'd read the first, and had resigned myself to reading all of them in one go....and I did. Genuinely. All day. I have no regrets either. 

In this second book, we get to explore the world of the Peculiars a lot more, and we get to spend more time with the other kids, getting to know them a bit better. I ended up loving them all even more to be honest. I found them such an easy bunch to relate to, Enoch is definitely me when I haven't had enough sleep and I'm grouchy! Each of them is so different, but they all work together, and each of them has something relatable about them. 

This book made me fall even more in love with the setting as we spent a lot of time in time loops, mostly the 1940's, but a couple of others as well and I just loved how well each was created through the authors words and the photos that went with certain passages. The 1940's came alive, each setting had a different vibe and was different from the other. It's vivid enough that you're pulled in there with the characters and you're completely fascinated because it's so authentically written. The visuals from the photos just give the book an entirely other level. 

In this book the suspense is even greater as the kids are trying to save Miss Peregrine and are kind of on their own, on their quest to locate Wren and get her help in restoring Miss Peregrine, while being chased by the bad guys the entire time. The ending really leaves you hanging as well, and the tension is ramping up further and further as you read. 

We get to meet and learn about peculiar animals in this book, and boy did I love Addison, and the visual we where given! They're integral to the storyline and I loved learning about them and getting to know them. One of the way's we learned about them was through a book of Peculiar Tales, and I would love for that to be brought out in real life, because what we did read....I loved and was completely fascinated by. I just love what the authors doing, what he's creating and each new taste of it leaves me wanting more! There's something so compelling about the writing, that even when it slows down a bit....you can't stop reading. This is the perfect continuation of the series! 

Library Of Souls

The adventures that began with Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children and continued with Hollow City comes to a thrilling conclusion with Library of Souls.

As the story opens, sixteen-year-old Jacob discovers a powerful new ability, and soon he’s diving through history to rescue his peculiar companions from a heavily guarded fortress. Accompanying Jacob on his journey are Emma Bloom, a girl with fire at her fingertips, and Addison MacHenry, a dog with a nose for sniffing out lost children.

They’ll travel from modern-day London to the labyrinthine alleys of Devil’s Acre, the most wretched slum in all of Victorian England. It’s a place where the fate of peculiar children everywhere will be decided once and for all. 

I was so not ready for this series to end. Seriously. The ending was perfect, don't get me wrong. But it was bittersweet because I really didn't want to leave the world of the book or the characters. I've literally spent all day reading these three books in one go, because I have no self control, and I got so emotionally invested in these characters and so attached to them and so engrossed and enchanted by the world that closing this book after the last page....I kind of just sat there blinking a bit because it was a bit of a jolt, going from one fantastical world....to well....whatever rubbish was on TV. 

This series has been perfect, it has to be said. The continuation between each one...perfect. The blend of fantasy narrative with vintage photos....perfect. The plot....perfect. The characters....perfect. I could go on but I'm sure you get where I'm going with this. This one picks up straight from the end of the second book, and it's such a journey. We've come such a long way from the first book and here we are. Nearing the end. The conclusion is on the horizon. The stakes are high, the suspense is strong and you're kind of sitting there like....I'm so not ready for this to be over. 

We learn more about loops, more about Miss Peregrine and her family and more about the peculiars, or more specifically their beliefs. I personally found that fascinating and an idea I could totally get behind. It was another original touch, giving even more detail to the peculiars and bringing them even more to life. 

This book, as I've already mentioned, is complete perfection. The ending was so, completely perfect. I'm still not over it and it really made you see how far the characters had come. I was cheering for them and fist pumping because they all got their happy ending. They all got a chance at life, in a way. 

I've loved watching the friendships and the relationships develop over the course of the book. The relationship between Emma and Jacob was kind of, well...peculiar what with her connection to his grandfather and everything. But watching it develop....the author has done such a fantastic job. The relationship was organic, and so realistic, especially in this book and the obstacles they overcome and what happens towards the end and everything. It's just been so well done. The friendships really where beautiful to watch grow between Jacob and the others. Especially when there where heartwarming little moments, like Jacob being given the scarf, and you had a little moment of realization about how the friendship has grown over the books. 

The other two books have led perfectly to this one, without sacrificing the stories in them individually, and you could see everything coming together in this book and everything being wrapped up nicely and perfectly. I loved meeting Miss Peregrine's other brother...slimey though he was. I loved jumping through all the loops. I loved Jacob and his powers being expanded on, and him finding out what else he can do. There where plot twists all over the place and they all had me gasping or being like "noooooo!".  This book was just as compelling as the others and it was full of action, adventure and suspense. Suspense that you could actually feel from the page. You really rooted for the characters which made you get so attached and so one plot twist really upset me, to be honest! 

The Library of Souls is the perfectly peculiar and original ending to a completely enchanting and fantastical trilogy. I found myself fascinated as I was reading and looking at the photos. You go on a journey with the characters and the photography adds another level, another understanding to the book or visualisation of it, perhaps is what I mean! I genuinely have never read anything like this before, and I couldn't love the books or crow about them enough, I think everyone should read them because they're an incredible reading experience! 

The Almost King

The Almost King
Rating: 5/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher

Aleks is the youngest of four brothers, each of whom has their future nice and predictably mapped out. Marriage, kids and so on, content to stay in their little village. But Aleks wants more than that life, more than living in his little village and working in his father's shop. He wants to travel, see the world....fly. So when he hears his parents talking about money or rather, the lack of it, he decides to save them some money and heads down south to find some form of work. 

When Aleks arrives down south there's a distinct lack of work, so he decides to enlist in the army. But the army isn't all it's believed to be. There's deception and corruption and when Aleks begins to realise this, he deserts. Fleeing to the north. It's there that he stumbles upon the life he always wanted, although that didn't really include being hunted down by a lieutenant determined to drag him back to Rensav. 

He finds friends, a home, an interesting job with a mildly crazy old inventor, and he also finds love. It's when his new inventor boss reveals his biggest project, that he also finds adventure and a skyship of his own to Captain. His adventure will take him to places no-one has ever ventured before. 

This series really does get better and better! I loved the first book when it came out, it had it's own brand of originality to it and we all know I love books that are a little bit different. There's an entirely different world, skyships, it has Tyrium that fuels most things, and it was totally different from anything I had read before, it was an easy to read fantasy that I quickly marked down as one I would read again and again, and would sit and wait eagerly for the next book. 

Now, this is a sequel, and as much as I loved Take Back the Skies and the characters and wanted to see what else happened to Cat after the heartbreaking ending and what happened to Matt and Ben, I was kind of glad that this had totally new characters, because I couldn't really see what would happen next in Cats world, and I love the idea of each of the books in the series showing a different part of the rather extensive world.

The world of Tellus is imaginative and richly vivid. The world building sucks you in to the book and you become lost to the real world as you galavant around Tellus with the characters. The book and it's world and characters completely take you out of reality and it's always a bit of a jolt when you surface from the book and back to the real world. The world of Tellus is clearly very extensive, and while I can work out where some of the countries may be based, Mericus and Siberene for example, others are a bit of a mystery. Throughout the book we hear bits and pieces about the other lands, but I'm itching to actually get to their books and learn all about them. 

Siberene is different to Anglya, Anglya is a mining country and seems to be like England with it's weather and so on, I'm fairly certain Anglya is based on England for some obvious reasons. Siberene is very monochrome, cold, dark, I was picturing Russia and winter and cold when I was reading haha.  From the sounds of it, each country has it's own different look and feel and the atmosphere of Siberene comes off the page and gets under your skin. 

While this is a sequel but not really a sequel, and had new characters and a new plot and a new setting to the first book, this book was linked to the first book nicely. It's linked without having the plot being taken over by threads from the previous book and basically being Skies part two. It was a little thing, that had importance to the plot as it's why Shulga was determined to hunt him down, but it wasn't the entire plot of the book and I kept thinking something huge was going to happen with it but then it didn't and it was dealt with and tied up nicely. The main plot of the book is Aleks fleeing the army and flying to the Stormlands and so on. 

I enjoyed the idea of the expedition to the Stormlands that no-one has ever managed to get through before, it had the kind of huge expeditions of history feel to it but in an entirely different way. I liked the questions and issues it raised, about the land being ruined by people and so on. I would imagine that's what some people would have thought before other lands which are now countries where colonized. But I liked that they didn't want to colonise it and destroy it. 

I can't really decide if this book is a little bit darker than the first one. I mean the first one was kinda dark with the whole kids thing, but maybe what I mean is that this one is a bit more violent with the army and how things are there and the whole Kara thing. This one just felt like it was a bit more mature or darker, or something than the first one. 

In the least rude way possible, the writing in this book has definitely improved. In the first book it was very easy to read, I sped through, and there where a few moments when it was quite cheesy and cliche, don't get me wrong I loved the first book and I don't really mind the odd cliche and cheese so it wasn't a problem for me. The writing in this book seemed more grown up, more mature and at another level to the first book. I can't really describe it, but I definitely thought there was a difference in the writing between the two books and a bit in the tone. But it was all good, like I'm just making a note that it's different! Which just means the series is getting better and better because I'm confident that the next book will be, again, on another level. I have no idea which bit we'll visit next though! 

There was a cutely, subtle romance that bloomed naturally and adorably, and even had a little bit of an obstacle in the form of an aunt whose comments had me snorting, chuckling and rolling my eyes! The romance also had some conflict with everything going on, and rather than being just for the sake of drama, it was all natural and organic and was just a perfectly written romance really! It was subtle and didn't take over the plot, it was as an addition to enhance rather than the main focus of the book.

The Almost King takes us on a sweeping journey across Siberene, we see the west and the village Aleks lives in, we see the south and the north and a fair amount of Siberene, as well as the Stormlands. So it's not like we get just a glimpse, we get a proper look at this other country that we heard so much about in the first book and saw briefly. We even see the exact place from the first book, and I loved the comments about it being the tourist area and the grass being imported for the tourists, and I had a chuckle remembering Cat noting it! She even gets a few mentions as well! 

The Almost King has everything you love in a good book, it's got romance, action, adventure and even, regrettably, heartbreak. Now it wasn't quite as heartbreaking as the death in the first book, but it was pretty up there to be honest. I think I'm so jaded by Game of Thrones that I'm reading books like this, and I'm thinking the worst is going to happen. I'm like "something really bad is going to happen, this person is going to get killed or something or something's going to go horrifically wrong" or "that character is going to screw this person over" and while there is a bit of betrayal and a death that literally had me like "NO OMG NO", I wasn't expecting them at all. Then the bits that I was expecting bad stuff to happen....nothing bad ever did so I was constantly being surprised with no idea what was going to happen next. 

Aleks was easy to connect with, I could relate to him quite well to be honest! I've had many of the same feelings he has regarding family, although not with an actual sibling! The dangers of having a cousin near enough the same age as you! Anyway, he was realistic, believable and very well created as was the rest of the colourful and lively cast of characters. Each is well developed with plenty of depth and dimensions to them. I really felt for him and felt everything he did regarding his brothers. 

Shulga reeked of shadiness and was so creepy and just ugh. I shuddered when I was reading about him multiple times he was kind of the perfect villain. The King wasn't what I was expecting, he was kind of a douche to be honest. But it did make a change as I was expecting him to be all nice and everything! I LOVED Luka, he made me laugh so much and he was so, so lively and vivid, and he jumped off of the page just slightly more than the others! But only slightly! He kind of reminded me a bit of Doc Brown as well if I'm honest haha. Aleks's brothers where an interesting bunch, but I was sad we didn't get to see more of them! I also really, really loved Zhora and Drazan and Raina and Ksenia and Bodan. The brothers where just brilliantly separate and together, their relationship brought a smile to my face as I was reading about them together. The Compass crew, well Ksenia reminded me a bit of Alice, and they were the perfect home away from home for Aleks and I felt like they all appreciated him more than his actual family from what I'd seen. I was so glad that Raina wasn't a love interest to make a love triangle, I loved Aleks and Raina's relationship and it was so well done. 

Saria was pleasantly surprising. I mean at the beginning I had this suspicion she was going to be horrible and he'd end up with Raina but I was pleasantly surprised with how things panned out. Saria was actually quite a brilliant character, and the perfect match for Aleks. I loved her right up until she did the thing. I kept thinking she'd been forced in to doing it or coerced, and when I realised she'd done it because she was angry, my opinion changed of her a little bit and I was a little bit like "okay she betrayed you but you're not even angry at her, you just instantly forgive her?" that was the only bit that seemed a bit suspect to me but then it's all got to be wrapped up in one book and so we can't have ages faffing I suppose! 

The Almost King is vividly created, richly brought to life, imaginative, atmospheric and cinematic. The world is extensive, with visible differences in each country that I loved noting as I read. The politics of this new country where complex, it had an atmosphere to it that seeped over you. The plot was soaring and intricate and had a lot going on, all of which was perfectly wrapped up by the end without rushing things. The threads of the plot were combined in to one web, with subtle links to the first book and a subtle romance to make you squeal. The characters where relatable, colourful and lively, brought to life right before your eyes. The tone of this book is different to the first book, and this one is even better than the first! I can't wait to see where the series is going next. It gets better and better and stronger and stronger. 

An Ember In The Ashes

An Ember In The Ashes
Rating: 5/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy buy BUY!
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher!

Laia is a slave. Elias is a soldier. Neither is free. 
The Scholars used to be an Empire all of their own, but their mistakes cost them dearly. The Martials invaded and ever since the Scholars have lived under their cruelty and brutality since. Defiance is met with death. Resistance is met with death. Anything less than loyalty to the Empire is met with death, or the death of their loved ones. 

Laia lives in this world with her grandparents and her brother. They eke out an existence as best they can, selling jams and healing others. They live in the impoverished backstreets of the Empire, and they do not challenge said Empire. They've seen what happens when you do first hand. 

But Laia's brother has been keeping secrets, secrets that result in their home being raided. Secrets that result in her brother being arrested for treason and Laia is desperate to get him back. So she goes hunting those supposed to aid her. 

The Resistance. Laia makes a deal, in exchange for the Resistance freeing her brother from prison, she will risk her life by spying for them from inside the Empire's greatest military academy. By spying on the most dangerous woman the Empire has. 

It's there that she meets Elias, the school's finest soldier-and secretly, it's most unwilling. Elias only wants to be free. But a prophecy is about to change his hard laid plans. Elias is thrust in to a brutal and cruel Trial, as the Emperor's reign is destined to come to an end. 

Laia and Elias's destines are intertwined, and their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself. But everyone is keeping secrets, some aren't who they seem, betrayal is everywhere and there's a darkness coming. 

Okay, so, I changed the synopsis a bit, to try and give you guys a better idea of what the book is about and what's going to go on without giving too much away because seriously this book is way too awesome. 

I was excited to read and review it, but at the same time I thought I knew what to expect. I kind of assumed that it would be about Elias and Laia falling in love and so on, and that'd be it, with some action but I was so very, very, delightfully wrong. I wasn't sure what this was categorised as but it wasn't YA like I was thinking. I have never been more glad to be wrong, because this? This is one of my favourite reads of 2015 so far, I need the next book, like, yesterday, and it's one of my favourite new series.

It's very rarely that I get hooked on a book to the point that I'm like "Oh look....it's 4am...who needed sleep?" but it happened. I would have finished this in a matter of a day, maybe or two, but as I embarked on the book, there was a family tragedy type thing, and then there was no time to read and to be honest, I kind of just sat listlessly for a while doing nothing, but then I was always thinking about the book when I wasn't reading it, and it may have taken me a lot longer to pick up a book if I hadn't had this book and the characters stuck in my head, and it was like the book was a little demon thing, staring at me and going "read me, read me",  and so while it took me way longer than it normally would have, and while I was finding it really hard to put down, I was also kind of glad it took me so long to read because I was enjoying being totally lost in this vivid world. And now I'm back to my normal self so there we go. This book is magic. 

This book is kind of like crack to be honest. You're reading it, and you're saying "only a couple of chapters because it's really late and you should be asleep" so you read a couple of chapters, but then the chapter will end on a mini cliffhanger and you're like..."I can't sleep after that!? I'll be thinking about it all day, I'll probably even dream about" so you read a couple more and then it happens again, and it only gets worse as the book goes on. Towards the end I seriously couldn't be pried away from the book with a crowbar. I was trying to read as fast as I could to find out what was going to happen next, how it was going to end. 

This book surprised me at every turn. Not least in what actually happened, but in the plot. There were twists and turns everywhere, twists and turns that shocked you and hit you like a bomb. Ones you weren't expecting because this book is very difficult if not impossible to predict. It's a rollercoaster ride you're riding blind. I loved every minute of it. It's so rare for me to find books that I get lost in and have no idea what's going to happen, which is one of the many reasons I loved this book.

I was caught in the story from the first page. It's fast paced, the atmosphere is a physical thing you feel as you read, the tension ramps up and up, it's nail biting and edge of the seat. The prose is slick and concise. There's detail, plenty of detail, but rather than being pages and pages of information being dumped on you, you get all the background info from dialogue and the odd bit of narrative, and some of it you're finding out with the characters. 

I love a rich history, and this book has it. Rich background, rich history, a complex political system, and it has magic and the supernatural combined with the fighting and the more...non supernatural and magical elements. It's late and I can't find the words I'm looking for, sorry guys! ANYWAY. The richness of the history/background, combined with the characters and the world building to create this world that just comes to life as you read. It's vivid, you can picture everything, and the atmosphere, history/background and characters add more and more layers and dimensions to the world, bringing it more and more to life. Clearly it's an extensive one, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of it in the next book! 

As I was reading, I got some very strong Roman Empire vibes, as well as modern day issue vibes. Those were combined with the original world, characters and so on, to create such a unique and original and imaginative world. But don't get me wrong, this book is very blunt, there's blood and gore and violence and it's got a lot of brutality, and it was all combined to create this totally gripping read that keeps you hooked. But at the same time, there were bits that made me chuckle, mostly comments, and there were a good few lighter bits, it's a perfect balance. Although, having said that, the world is so horrific that you, or at least I, actually get pretty angry at it, the author has created it and the nastier characters so well, you actually want to crawl in to the book and kick their asses. 

The plot itself is very complex, you've got the politics going on, the Resistance and their plans and Laia and her dealings with them, Darin and what exactly he's been up to, Elias and his life and the Trials, then there's the whole Commandant thing and she's so shady it's unbelievable and who she's working with and what she has planned. There was a moment, when the Commandant reveals something to Laia and you realise how complex this plot is and everything that's going on and has gone in to it has created this plot you're reading one way, and then this bit of dialogue has blown it open and revealed a far darker upcoming plot, and has set up the next books very nicely while not taking away from this book, or rendering this as a set up book. Like, it is a set up, but it has it's own complex plot going on, and the setting up of the next book, much like the romance is very secondary and very subtle. 

Romance. Ah romance. How subtle you were, creeping up while I was occupied with the other happenings of the book, but being so very natural and so very perfectly done. I'm going to straight up say that while Keenan is okay, I'm fully on Elias's team okay. For a minute or two over the course of the books, I did think there was going to be some mad love square? Pentagon? But everything was handled very, very well, and it kept you guessing. If there were to still be an upcoming love triangle, and the elements of it in this book, although I'm not sure whether there actually was a love triangle, it's very well done. That's all I'm going to say, mostly because I'm still undecided if there was an actual love triangle, cos I was like "ELIAS OMG" and pretty much liked to ignore Keenans existence. Sorry Keenan. No offence. 

Anyway, there were lots of feelings, and you could understand both sides feelings, there was a best friend has feelings for me type situation and then an "I like both" moment, but then at the end I feel like it's mostly been solved and it's hopefully a matter of time until my ship is sailing. Either way, I enjoyed the subtle romance, while squeeing every time Elias was adorable. 

Elias really is adorable though, for a trained killer. He's such a complex character. All of the characters are complex, some you don't even realise quite how complex until much later like the Commandant, she's definitely complex and very interesting. Anyway, Elias is brilliantly created, he was believable and you could connect with him and feel for him and you were on his side the whole way through. He was so sweet to Laia, his conflicts were so natural and so very real. He had such intense chemistry with Laia, and with her you saw his softer side I think, the scene with the dancing? I can't even. He's had a different upbringing to the others at the school and I think that's one of the things that sets him apart from the others, not the others are all bad, his friends, Helene in particular, is also an interesting character to me, I wasn't sure whether I liked her, there were moments I did and moments I didn't, she has a lot going on and you don't realise how much until near the end. I'm intrigued to see where she goes. 

Laia is a character that some people might not like, in the beginning she could be described as weak, she runs away and so on. What makes her complex, is the drive she has to save her brother, her determination to save him is, frankly, admirable and inspiring and so very brave. What makes her complex, is all of her fears, the thoughts she has and the way she keeps pushing herself. Her character development over the book is a thing of beauty, and you connect with her and you're right there with her, cheering her on as she develops in to this badass who, well, you'll see at the end! I was rooting for her the entire time, and cheering her on and I was so proud at the end, of how far she'd come. 

The Commandant and Marcus. What a......well, there are no words to accurately describe how truly evil they are. Cersei Lannister looks practically saint like compared to the Commandant, and Marcus? Well, I've a mind to think him in the same category as the Mad King, but then I have this foreboding feeling that he's going to be so much worse. I'm willing to bet that he's worse than every character you have ever hated put together. I'm so ready for him to get what's coming to him, and Mazen. To quote Evie O'Connell, "nasty little men like you always get what they deserve", but then that's kind of an understatement. 

The book is told from both Elias and Laia's points of view, which also helps to fuel the "I need to pee, I haven't eaten in hours and I need sleep, BUT I CAN'T STOP READING" thing, because one would leave you on a cliffhanger and you'd have to get through the other, heart pounding and totally on edge before you could find out what happened! Both of them have different voices, and both of them had very engaging narratives. There were no scenes repeated word for word but from two points of view, the flowed smoothly, continuing the story, filling in the gaps so you had a complete view of events. 

I can ramble on and write as much as I want but I don't think there are enough words to describe how truly amazing this book is. I enjoyed every page, I loved the characters that weren't pure evil. I got so lost in this world that reality ceased to exist as long as I was reading, and this book pulled me out of a funk and a crappy time a lot faster than any other book would have. The world is imaginative and original, the plot complex. You won't be able to put the book down so I'd advise getting plenty of sleep to tide you over before you start! 

An Ember In The Ashes adds another unique voice and imaginative world to a genre I love with all my heart, and I have a feeling this series is going to fill a void left over when a few of my other series have ended. I only just finished the book but already I want to go back and read it again, and it's going to become a well loved book of mine, and most likely of yours as well when you pick it up! 

A Court Of Thorns And Roses

A Court Of Thorns And Roses
Rating: 5/5
Buy or Borrow: Buy
Source: Copy courtesy of the publisher!

The world was once ruled by Fae, but after a great war between the Fae and the humans, there was a treaty agreed upon by both sides. Ever since the humans have lived on one side of the wall, hating the Fae, and the Fae have lived on the other hating the humans, but 100 years ago a blight settled upon the lands of the Fae....

Feyre is 19 years old, the sole provider for her family ever since they fill from grace to live in a cottage, she does everything her father can't for them to survive. It's when she's out hunting that she stumbles across a wolf, one who's skin would give them enough money to survive a little longer, so she does what any hunter does....she kills it....and it lets her.

That's when everything goes wrong in her life. Not long after a beast shows up, demanding retribution, she has two options according to the treaty....die or go and live across the wall with him, a life for a life. Feyre chooses to be dragged across in to the magical lands she's heard stories about, not good stories either, for her entire life. Except it turns out that the beast is actually Tamlin, and the beast is just a form he can take...he's actually a High Fae, and his emissary Lucien...well he's a pain in the ass.

Turns out everything she thought she knew was wrong. Fae can't lie? Hell no, they lie all the time. Iron can harm them? Aaaactuuuaaalllyy....no. They'd probably just laugh if you tried to use it against them. The only thing that works is Ash Wood, and we all know there's none of that on Tamlins estate. So she's stuck there. For now.

As she lives on his estate, Feyre starts to fall for the Fae with the clumsy attempts at flattery, who is nonetheless quite charming. She even manages to stomach Lucien, as they snap at each other. Just as she starts to call the estate home.....the blight comes back for round two. But what is the blight? Who is this she, the others are all fearful of? There is far more going on than Feyre is aware of, an ancient evil....a curse.....will she be able to figure it out, and survive, long enough to save Tamlin and his people?

Dammit I knew I was going to love this before I even started reading because I love Throne Of Glass, and I was so excited to start reading this I couldn't wait any longer and so read it now (February). I loved it. I can't even right now, with how to properly explain it. It was too awesome. I mean, it had a map at the beginning how could it not be awesome?!

So I felt like this take on the Fae was original, I loved the different courts, usually there's only been two in other Fae books I've read, but I loved all the different ones, the different looks, and the politics of the Fae world in this book. ACOTAR has a rich history to it's world, and you get to discover a lot of it, but still want to know more about the world and the war that happened, the history of the Fae is so rich and so intriguing!

 I'm curious about this King, and there was one point when I thought "Wait maybe this is actually a standalone" because towards the end of the book things where wrapping up quite nicely, but there's been a couple of threads of the plot, subtly left open for the second book involving a certain Night High Lord and a King and disappearing human.......what is the word I'm looking for.....uuh....appendages? Belonging to a certain b word that rhymes with witch.

ACOTAR much like Throne Of Glass throws you in to a unique and rich world, painted vividly for you to get utterly lost in when reading, I was fully engrossed and this is the first time I managed to read a book in one sitting in months. Months I tell you! As soon as I started reading, I fell in to the pages, and was following Feyre through her world, watching everything unfold, the atmosphere was a tangible thing, and the vivid and beautiful descriptions, not to mention previously mentioned rich and intriguing history to the world, helped to suck you in to the story, not to mention keep you engaged.

Don't worry, all of said rich history/background/politics, is slotted in to the narrative smoothly at the correct moment to give you maximum knowledge to keep up with the story and what's going down, without having to read pages of it all in one go. The book was complex and intricate with it's plot but never confusing, everything was laid out so you understood what was going on in the world of the book when you joined it, and you could understand why things where happening, or atleast the things you know about! There's the odd bit of intrigue, subtly hinted at, that keeps you guessing.

The plot was fast paced, there was a lot going on the book, and you go on a real journey in terms of character development on Feyre's part as well as with the story, if that makes sense. I loved seeing the two contrasting parts of the world, then seeing that third part, and the world is clearly extensive, and i'm intrigued to see more of it and more of the other courts.

There was always something going on, the book was hard to put down because it's one of those where you say to yourself, one more chapter, and then it's like 4am and you have no idea what happened or where the time went because it was actually daylight when you started reading and you realise you've nearly eaten an inedible type of thing because you can't even raise your eyes from the book to eat. (You don't want to know)

There's so much to the story and the plot, like I said it's intricate, getting all the details of the world in to build it, adding in the background and history to the world, the politics of the Fae, the characters and their own backgrounds, the action, the intrigue, the curse. The book is almost in two parts, we have Feyre getting to know Tamlin and trying to figure out what's going on and falling in love, and then we have the second part where she tries to get the freedom of everyone. One is no less action packed than the other, I can assure you. The book has it's own plot, and own goal, that is subtly setting up an overarching plot for the rest of the series, like for example, the King who is mentioned a few times, but you know is going to be a bigger player overall. I love when books set up the series without sacrificing the plot of the first book.

I'm rambling, I know, but this book is full of awesome, so we've done world building and plot, lets get cracking on the characters!

Feyre, I loved her, I love how Maas's characters are always badass and are in no means females in distress. Feyre bucked up and did what was necessary for her family to survive, and carried on doing it even though they treated her like dirt. We saw her go on a real journey as she goes from hating Fae, to falling in love with one. She's strong, she's determined and she's brave, she can stand up for herself and she can give as good as she gets. I seriously loved her, and I loved how she didn't lose her edge even when she was in love. I'm excited to see more of her. She's one of those characters you instantly connect with, and feel for, and you're totally on their side throughout the book.

Tamlin was interesting, and he really reminded me, more than once, of the Beast from Beauty and the Beast with his compliments in the beginning and Lucien prodding him along! Serious Beauty and the Beast vibes! I enjoyed him as a character, as you saw him change too, he was so gruff in the beginning but gradually over the book you see him soften a bit and you see more of the real him, and I'm so interested in his background and knowing more about him and his past!

I feel Lucien deserves a mention, because while I wanted to smack him one a couple of times, I did actually like him and he made me chuckle, and when you find out his story and at the end of the book when he helps Feyre, you can't help but love him a little for risking so much to help his BFF's girl out. I dare say he's a bit of a softy deep down, I think he should go up against Nesta, not gonna lie. I'd really love to see more of Lucien and the dynamics between him and his family!

I'm gonna mention two more characters I liked, which might not be a popular opinion either! I liked Rhys, he was dodgy and really shady (har de har har, geddit, shady) but at the same time, he did become kind of a guardian for Feyre and he helped her, and I'm curious to see what his game is with the whole deal they made, I really want to know what he's up to and it's driving me mad that I don't! Especially his reaction at the end! I want to get to know him more  because there's clearly more going on. Despite thinking she was a witch, I did actually end up quite liking Nesta, the sister who appeared to hate Feyre, yet hired a mercenary to take her to the wall to try and get her back. I was near on cheering when she and Feyre had their little moments and I'm desperate to see the pair reunited!

Each of the characters, main or secondary, where incredibly well written. They had depth, they all had a personality different from the other characters, and they all added intrigue to the story. The characters where a colourful bunch, and there where so many as there where so many Fae and different types! The characters where another aspect that kept you glued to the book, and helped draw you in to the world, as they came alive in your minds eye.

The romance, the important part to a few people, was subtle. It didn't take away from the story and the action going on and the mystery of what was going on, when it started it was subtle, and it built up naturally and I could appreciate it going the natural route, because I detest insta love! While it was subtle, it didn't stop me "Aw"ing and it's the squirmy, mushy insides kind of romance that we all love reading. Then ya know....the whole evil cow thing happens, and it's full of feels and pain, but then it's awww again and it's all good. So yes, the romance is enjoyable and believable you could say!

I'm as yet unsure if Rhys is going to be a problem or not, and I can't decide how i'd feel about it if he was to, say, create a triangle, or something. I don't know enough about him and what his goal is, but as of this book, there's no triangle or anything, but even if, in the next book or something, there was a triangle with Rhys, we all know it's going to be well written either way, Throne Of Glass is proof enough!

A Court Of Thorns And Roses is the beginning of what's set to be yet another utterly fantastic, mesmerising, spellbinding, enchanting, heart racing, emotional, badass, original, incredible series from Maas. This a fantastic first instalment, laying the groundwork and subtly setting up the series, without taking away from the story the first book is telling, and drawing you in to the world, and making you love the characters.

A Court Of Thorns And Roses is another original and unique offering from Maas, throwing you in to a world glimmering with magic, but with a hint of darkness as well, and another incredible romance. ACOTAR has some Beauty and the Beast vibes, and is going to be a must for Game of Thrones fans, (not just because of the Wall okay guys?!), and has an extensive world you're itching to learn more about, and see more of. I can't even begin to put in to words how I feel about this book, I have tried and I have rambled, but all I can say is just read it and I promise you won't be disappointed, especially if you're a Throne Of Glass fan!

I'm so excited to see where this series go, this book kept me on my toes and I never knew what was going to happen next, I just had to sit back and enjoy the ride, so I'm having trouble predicting what's going to happen in the next book, which is why I need it now! I want to get back to the world and the characters already, even after 400 pages I wasn't ready to leave them, and I'm sure the wait for the next book is going to be agonising. I'm fairly certain there is no book Maas will write that I will not be utterly obsessed with. (FYI this book is just as cinematic as Throne Of Glass should someone feel the urge to....I don't know.....make a movie of it)

So yes....well done Sarah, I am a hopeless fangirl of yours, and my book hangover is just....worse than any actual hangover I've ever had, and that's saying a lot, your storytelling and world building always draws me in, and I can't wait for the next book in this series, and in the Throne Of Glass series AND any other books you have up your sleeve! 100% obsessed.

(EDIT: It would appear i'm the only idiot that didn't know this was actually a fairytale retelling, so yeah....like I said...I got the vibes loud and clear, but it had it's own unique twist....obviously!)