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melissasreads's reviews
302 reviews
The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
5.0
this book brought me a feeling that I can't even put into words!! it was so so so so so good, I can't wait to continue on with the series.
and to think i thought sjm was top tier fantasy 👀
Find a full review here:
https://cardinalreads.wordpress.com/2018/01/02/the-queen-of-the-tearling-by-erika-johansen/
and to think i thought sjm was top tier fantasy 👀
Find a full review here:
https://cardinalreads.wordpress.com/2018/01/02/the-queen-of-the-tearling-by-erika-johansen/
Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
5.0
A copy of this review can also be found on my blog Cardinal Reads here!
I made 2 fatal mistakes while reading this book.
#1: I began it the day it came out and now have to wait another full year for what I'm sure will be an epic conclusion.
#2: I finished it, in school, in our crowded library, and bawled like a baby when it was done.
*WARNING SPOILERS*
Why Sarah J. Maas? Why do you do this to me? When I began Throne of Glass, in March of 2015, I would not have believed you if you told me this series would turn out to be my favorite EVER. Yes, it tops Harry Potter. That's how much not only the story, but the characters mean to me.
Maas' writing has grown so much from the first installment, I feel like I'm reading from two different authors. She is able to capture the moment perfectly, using all the right descriptions, and brings her characters to life.
The plot itself has changed dramatically from the first book as well. Throne of Glass introduces us to a pretty light fantasy story, we meet Celaena, the assassin, a little love triangle action, and not much on the side of Wyrdkeys.
Empire of Storms is jam-packed with action regarding the Wyrdkeys, Wyverns, magic, and much more. The story itself has grown into an epic fantasy and gripped me from start to finish. There is little on the side of "fillers", we see war begin by page 80.
There are a lot of broken characters in Empire of Storms. Basically every view point comes from a place of past evils haunting our narrator. All of them, Aelin, Rowan, Dorian, Aedion, Lysandra, Manon, Elide, Lorcan, Gavriel, etc have all gone through hardships we cannot even fathom. Their pasts have shaped them, but will also help them fight, stay strong, and work together to fight the evil forces surrounding all of Erilea.
AND THE SHIPS. I know there seems to be some controversy surrounding the ships in this book, I understand the concerns, but in my opinion, the majority of the relationships (either fully out, or just beginning to grow) work perfectly. I am a big lover of Rowan and Aelin. I originally shipped her with Chaol and was super upset when Sarah J. Maas began shoving both him and Dorian out of the picture, but Rowan has grown on me. I think he and Aelin suit each other very well, feeding into each other's needs and are able to get each other through everything. Elide and Lorcan are the sweetest, I enjoyed the flirting between Aedion and Lysandra. The only relationship that began to form that made me feel off was Dorian and Manon. In my opinion they don't really suit each other, but that's just me. Hopefully I can learn to like them in the final book.
And, can you believe that ending? What a cliffhanger. I need to know if our cast of warriors can find Aelin, their queen, and bring her home. For gods sake, her and Rowan finally accept that they are mates, get married and may now never see each other again?!
Empire of Storms was an epic episode of the Throne of Glass series. It teaches a lot into the background of the world, the Wyrdkeys, Erawan, and explains how our beloved characters can finally try to destroy the evil trying to ruin them all. I cannot wait for TOG #6. Here's to another year of waiting!
I made 2 fatal mistakes while reading this book.
#1: I began it the day it came out and now have to wait another full year for what I'm sure will be an epic conclusion.
#2: I finished it, in school, in our crowded library, and bawled like a baby when it was done.
*WARNING SPOILERS*
Why Sarah J. Maas? Why do you do this to me? When I began Throne of Glass, in March of 2015, I would not have believed you if you told me this series would turn out to be my favorite EVER. Yes, it tops Harry Potter. That's how much not only the story, but the characters mean to me.
Maas' writing has grown so much from the first installment, I feel like I'm reading from two different authors. She is able to capture the moment perfectly, using all the right descriptions, and brings her characters to life.
The plot itself has changed dramatically from the first book as well. Throne of Glass introduces us to a pretty light fantasy story, we meet Celaena, the assassin, a little love triangle action, and not much on the side of Wyrdkeys.
Empire of Storms is jam-packed with action regarding the Wyrdkeys, Wyverns, magic, and much more. The story itself has grown into an epic fantasy and gripped me from start to finish. There is little on the side of "fillers", we see war begin by page 80.
There are a lot of broken characters in Empire of Storms. Basically every view point comes from a place of past evils haunting our narrator. All of them, Aelin, Rowan, Dorian, Aedion, Lysandra, Manon, Elide, Lorcan, Gavriel, etc have all gone through hardships we cannot even fathom. Their pasts have shaped them, but will also help them fight, stay strong, and work together to fight the evil forces surrounding all of Erilea.
AND THE SHIPS. I know there seems to be some controversy surrounding the ships in this book, I understand the concerns, but in my opinion, the majority of the relationships (either fully out, or just beginning to grow) work perfectly. I am a big lover of Rowan and Aelin. I originally shipped her with Chaol and was super upset when Sarah J. Maas began shoving both him and Dorian out of the picture, but Rowan has grown on me. I think he and Aelin suit each other very well, feeding into each other's needs and are able to get each other through everything. Elide and Lorcan are the sweetest, I enjoyed the flirting between Aedion and Lysandra. The only relationship that began to form that made me feel off was Dorian and Manon. In my opinion they don't really suit each other, but that's just me. Hopefully I can learn to like them in the final book.
And, can you believe that ending? What a cliffhanger. I need to know if our cast of warriors can find Aelin, their queen, and bring her home. For gods sake, her and Rowan finally accept that they are mates, get married and may now never see each other again?!
Empire of Storms was an epic episode of the Throne of Glass series. It teaches a lot into the background of the world, the Wyrdkeys, Erawan, and explains how our beloved characters can finally try to destroy the evil trying to ruin them all. I cannot wait for TOG #6. Here's to another year of waiting!
The Revolution of Ivy by Amy Engel
4.0
* 4.5 stars
wow!! I am so happy I picked up the sequel. A case in which the sequel was better than the first. So beautifully written and I am so pleased with the ending.
wow!! I am so happy I picked up the sequel. A case in which the sequel was better than the first. So beautifully written and I am so pleased with the ending.
The Book of Ivy by Amy Engel
4.0
My heart is shattered yet hopeful. Why do I get so attached to fictional characters?