What do the three books of today's Mini Reviews post have in common? THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT by Veronica Rossi, DAYS OF BLOOD AND STARLIGHT by Laini Taylor and SHADOW AND BONE by Leigh Bardugo are all extremely easy to love. Have you read any of them?
After months of being separated, Aria and Perry are finally reunited. Perry has become Blood Lord of the Tides and is struggling. How can he convince his people of his capability? Meanwhile Aria is set on finding the Still Blue.
It doesn't take long for the young lovers to realise that they can only succeed if they face the tasks ahead on their own. How are they gonna deal with the fatal Aether storms that are annihilating the country? And when will they get a chance to be together again?
Can you imagine THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT being even better than the first book in the series, knowing Aria and Perry aren't together most of the time? I couldn't either, but it really is just as good, if not better, than the first. It took me maybe about fourty pages or so and I was drawn into Aria and Perry's story like the first time I picked up UNDER THE NEVER SKY. I love that Aria and Perry get to tell chapters from their own perspectives and although they are on their missions, they are always connected through a major common goal.
This second book in Veronica Rossi's UNDER THE NEVER SKY series deserves a loud roar, it's that good (pun intended). Her characters are as strong and unique as in the first book and the trials they see themselves faced with are even harder to endure. Roar and Liv's story was just as intriguing as Aria and Perry's. So many feels!
With nature lashing out at the Tides, Reverie and all the other tribes, Veronica Rossi built in a relatable and reliable time bomb, putting high pressure on our characters and making sure to upset the reader, too. As Aether storms got stronger, my emotional involvement with Veronica Rossi's world grew exponentially stronger, too. I never get tired of this world!
4,5/5 ****/* THROUGH THE EVER NIGHT – A fearless and glowing second book in a beloved YA dystopian series!
I'm so delighted I gave UNDER THE NEVER SKY a try back when I thought I wouldn't like it a bit. Now I do like it so, so much. As much as Aria and Perry's story is inflicting heartache from time to time, I'm still craving to read more about them. I'm already wondering what I'll do when the series comes to an end.
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publishing Date: January 8th 2013
Length: 341 pages
Keywords: YA, dystopian fiction, fantasy, romance, science-fiction, friendship
Length: 341 pages
Keywords: YA, dystopian fiction, fantasy, romance, science-fiction, friendship
Source: Netgalley
Author's Homepage
Days of Blood and Starlight (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #2) by Laini Taylor"Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love and dared to imagine a world free of bloodshed and war. This is not that world. [...] She loved the enemy and he betrayed her, and a world suffered for it."
How could one not want to read DAYS OF BLOOD AND STARLIGHT after the ending of DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE? Took me a while to get into the story and feel moved though. This could be because we are following the stories of a bunch of new characters now. The many perspectives mean there's less time to learn more about our beloved Karou and Akiva, too. Akiva's siblings are playing a major role. Then there are chapters about what Zuzana and Mik are up to and how they are planning on getting Karou back. The evil angel leaders' plans on the one side, the forming of a chimaera revolution on the other. We are travelling with a slave caravan and find out how the victims are treated in a war without rules. Many new characters, that could bring new meaning, too, make sure that this sequel is a well-rounded read regarding the narrative emphases Laini Taylor is setting.
Unforunately, there's not as much travelling in the real world, than in Eretz (One of my favourite parts of DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE were Karou's travels). But Laini Taylor takes us back to Prague where Zuzanne and Mik are worrying about Karou and a second setting in the real world which is located in the desert, under the blazing sun and the bright starry sky. Again, I did feel like I was in a different country and time when I read DAYS OF BLOOD AND STARLIGHT. Laini Taylor's writing is so vivid and grasping.
How could one not want to read DAYS OF BLOOD AND STARLIGHT after the ending of DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE? Took me a while to get into the story and feel moved though. This could be because we are following the stories of a bunch of new characters now. The many perspectives mean there's less time to learn more about our beloved Karou and Akiva, too. Akiva's siblings are playing a major role. Then there are chapters about what Zuzana and Mik are up to and how they are planning on getting Karou back. The evil angel leaders' plans on the one side, the forming of a chimaera revolution on the other. We are travelling with a slave caravan and find out how the victims are treated in a war without rules. Many new characters, that could bring new meaning, too, make sure that this sequel is a well-rounded read regarding the narrative emphases Laini Taylor is setting.
Unforunately, there's not as much travelling in the real world, than in Eretz (One of my favourite parts of DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE were Karou's travels). But Laini Taylor takes us back to Prague where Zuzanne and Mik are worrying about Karou and a second setting in the real world which is located in the desert, under the blazing sun and the bright starry sky. Again, I did feel like I was in a different country and time when I read DAYS OF BLOOD AND STARLIGHT. Laini Taylor's writing is so vivid and grasping.
4/5 **** DAYS OF BLOOD AND STARLIGHT - A brutal and, later into the story, very emotional read with strong character additions.
A war-torn country, beasts and angels are fighting for their lives when the battle had been thought to be lost. I pretty much guess the pages of this sequel to DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE capture the darkest moments in our character' lives. DAYS OF BLOOD AND STARLIGHT didn't have the immediate stun effect on me that the first book had. What can we expect from DREAMS OF GODS AND MONSTERS now?
Publisher: Little Brown Books For Young Readers
Publishing Date: November 6th 2012
Length: 513 pages
Keywords: YA, fiction, fantasy, romance, chimaera, angel, war
Length: 513 pages
Keywords: YA, fiction, fantasy, romance, chimaera, angel, war
Source: Bought
Author's Homepage
The nation of Ravka is destroyed by monsters and darkness. No one could've guessed that orphan Alina has the power that could destory Ravka's enemies and threats. Suddenly she's seeing herself becoming a part of the Grisha, the magical elite of the kingdom. And in the midst of Ravka's largest battle, Alina's heart is struggeling between her childhood friend Mal and the Darkling, the dangerous leader of the Grisha.
Leigh Bardugo set her story in Ravka, on the territory of today's Russia, whose culture has a big influence on how this story feels. The story's strong features aren't any high tech gadgets, but man power, traditions and elemental magic that hold the reader's attention easily.
The first thing that comes to my mind when I think about SHADOW AND BONE is darkness. It's a lot about war, fighting for justice and against evil.
But there's time for friendship and love, too. Alina and Mal's is an original love story, one I wouldn't have wanted to be any different. They grew up together and have been friends for as long as they can remember. Now Alina's feelings are changing and you desperately hope that Mal's have, too. Because, honestly ladies, he's a very good catch. Strong and loyal and passionate. You definitely want him at your side when it's time to face off the evil enemies.
But there's time for friendship and love, too. Alina and Mal's is an original love story, one I wouldn't have wanted to be any different. They grew up together and have been friends for as long as they can remember. Now Alina's feelings are changing and you desperately hope that Mal's have, too. Because, honestly ladies, he's a very good catch. Strong and loyal and passionate. You definitely want him at your side when it's time to face off the evil enemies.
It's like they were cut out of the very same fabric. Frayed and a little bit beaten, cut here and there, patched up. They were separated on their journies to become the person they are today. And now sewn together, reunited, they are only stronger than before. They stand for a bond and cloth that can't be torn too easily.
All the while the Darkling is reigning the nation with an iron fist. He holds great power over Alina, too, is even considered a legit love interest. Many, many girls will fall for his dark magic.
5/5 ***** SHADOW AND BONE - A dark and original read, set in a winter wonderland of magic and cruelty with an old soul.
Leigh Bardugo introduces us to a world full of dream-like beauty. Magicians and witches, soldiers and lovers. You practically feel the magic drifting off the pages and filling up your imagination jar. SHADOW AND BONE is fabricated like your classic, old, very skillfully written fairy tale.
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Publishing Date: June 5th 2012
Length: 358 pages
Keywords: YA, fiction, fantasy, romance, friendship, magic, Grisha, Darkling
Length: 358 pages
Keywords: YA, fiction, fantasy, romance, friendship, magic, Grisha, Darkling
Source: Bought
Author's Homepage
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