"All you have to do is be willing to accept the parts of you that you pretend aren't there. Accept the darkness, and she will Book 61 of 2022: 4 Stars
"All you have to do is be willing to accept the parts of you that you pretend aren't there. Accept the darkness, and she will wake, and she will serve you."...more
If I'm being honest, I'm not sure how this book found its way into my hands. Not only physically (for real I have no re3.5 out of 5 Stars...I think...
If I'm being honest, I'm not sure how this book found its way into my hands. Not only physically (for real I have no recollection of purchasing this), but also what lured me into starting this yesterday afternoon.
And Lord was I ill prepared for what I signed up for. First of all, I had no clue this was book 1 in a 6-deep series...so far...?... Second, I wasn't expecting how chock-full of creatures this book was going to be. Seriously you name it and it was in there: Vampires, werewolves, fae, elementals, vampire hunters, gobels, trolls, hybrids, offensive stereotyped villains, etc.
And ALL in 280 pages!!!
I want to read more since I suspect book 1 was basically foundation for the journey ahead, but I'm also fearful of what might be around the bend if so much made its way into book 1!
If I'm being totally honest a MAJOR factor in my decision to read book 2 is to get me some more Nikolai.
What IS it with fictional characters named Nikolai?!?!?
Full RTC once I've sorted my thoughts. Has anyone else read this? I need to discuss asap!...more
Update 11/21/19: I completed my reread last night. On to The Queen of Nothing! Wish me luck, y'all! Wish me luck!
I finished.
I finished The Wicked KinUpdate 11/21/19: I completed my reread last night. On to The Queen of Nothing! Wish me luck, y'all! Wish me luck!
I finished.
I finished The Wicked King.
And now I have to sit here...and wait...and wait some more to get answers.
And like how am I meant to do that? How am I meant to function and move on when Holly and her Black magic have left me feeling more apathetic to things non-Faerie than Jude holding a plate of cold fish sticks?
And some of y’all have been living this life for MONTHS!!!
Update: After reading the novella, I realized I had forgotten a lot of the small plot details in The Cruel Prince. I listened to the audiobook this tiUpdate: After reading the novella, I realized I had forgotten a lot of the small plot details in The Cruel Prince. I listened to the audiobook this time around and I've decided to up my rating. It kept me entertained despite it being a reread and I forgot just how many twists & turns Black weaves into this opening installment. Now I'm prepped and ready for TWK.
Original Review/Rating: So I'm going to need a bit more time to come to terms with my rating.
Don't get me wrong I thoroughly enjoyed this read. I actually think I'll end up rating it higher once I get all my thoughts down on paper. But for now I'm sitting at a solid 4 Stars.
What I loved:
Pre-read: I was lured into the hype and was happy to make any bargain with the Queen of Fey to get my hands on this twisted novel.
Pre-read: When I saw fanart of Cardan I knew I was going to be a goner. Like I was convinced there wasn't enough salt in the world to protect me from falling under his spell.
During read: The first page gave me super Harry Potter vibes (the appearing on the street as if by magic), which elevated the fangirling to an even higher level...Then 5 pages in BAM!! I could tell this was going to be more GoT than HP and it secured my seat on the hype train!
During read: I was so intrigued by the characters because I think this is the first book I've ever read where almost EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER has unlikable qualities. Some drastically more than others, but still it was an interesting feeling being so addicted to the lives of characters you're not even sure you like.
What I liked but didn't love:
During read: I'm not gonna lie the hype surrounding this novel almost ruined the romance aspect of this book for me. I think -- due to the hype -- I was expecting it to be the steamiest, most seductive, agonizingly slow burn read of my life. And it simply was not. Do not get me wrong, there are some terrific lines and sexual tension sprinkled throughout, but it wasn't the result I was expecting.
HOWEVER, I can tell that Holly Black came to play and CLEARLY knows what she's doing when it comes to plot and storylines. Ultimately, even if this wasn't -- at the moment -- the 5 Star read I was expecting, I am 100 percent confident that I am not prepared for the story Black is going to serve us up in book 2. This was just a delicious amuse bouche that's teasing us for what's about to be the meal of a lifetime. I'll make sure I have enough salt for all of us, come 2019. ;)
Update: Reread in 2021 in preparation for A Court of Silver Flames
Book 15 of 2021: 4 out of 5 Stars
[image]
Original Review: Forced from her impoverisheUpdate: Reread in 2021 in preparation for A Court of Silver Flames
Book 15 of 2021: 4 out of 5 Stars
[image]
Original Review: Forced from her impoverished hovel and ungrateful family, Feyre, a teenaged huntress with ice in her heart and a debt to repay, serves as a moody and headstrong tour guide through The Wall to the enchanting and Faerie-filled lands of Prythian. From daily meals with the High Lord of the Spring Court, convenient eavesdropping sessions, and constantly being in places she shouldn’t be, Feyre, slowly unravels the Faerie caste system, a magical blight (read: curse) spread across the Faerie realm, and the problems that arise when a mortal falls for a Fae. Full of steamy romance scenes, beheadings, paintings, and a trio of tests akin to the Triwizard Tournament this Beauty and the Beast retelling provides a thorny twist to the tale as old as time.
I love you…thorns and all� As someone who has multiple shelves devoted to fairy tale retellings, I have to say the subject matter captured my interest first: A Fae/BatB combo? What’s not to love? I was instantly lured into the world created by Maas from the District 12-ish land Feyre calls home, to the simplicity of the Spring Court, to the labyrinthine land Under the Mountain.
In addition to the scenery, one of my favorite elements of this book was the foundation it creates for future installments via the supporting cast of characters. Don’t get me wrong, I loved Feyre and Tamlin, but you can tell their interactions � despite some blush worthy hallway encounters � were rather baseline in comparison to the emotions and interest piqued by fellow characters. In only a few scenes you can feel the fire from #NastyNesta (as I lovingly renamed her while reading), the promising camaraderie with Mad-Eye Moody Lucien, and of course some sparks with “the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen� Rhysand (read: my fae bae). Ha, sorry! Couldn’t resist. To my point, these characters are my favorite part of the novel because you truly become invested in their fates, feelings, and futures � no matter how minor a role you initially think they’ll play.
And your hair is…clean� My biggest issue with this novel was that it all felt like it came together too conveniently. And its overuse of the word feral, although that’s a rather trivial fault. But back to my main concern...On one hand, I understand it’s because those foundation-building characters I loved so much are likely about to throw us all through a loop in the second installment. But, on the other hand, for the amount of struggles Feyre has to endure it did seem to tie up a little too easy. I mean, not for her obviously, but the reader.
In addition to a quick wrap-up ending, my two biggest contentions were: 1) the curse itself. It just had one too many elements that needed to be overcome perfectly in order to break the spell and 2) the obvious answer to the riddle that would end the trials and save the day. Don’t get me wrong, the Amarantha created death trials and the time Feyre spent Under the Mountain was my favorite part of the book, but when you, as the reader, know the answer 100+ pages before it’s revealed it does tend to be a buzzkill.
°¿±¹±ð°ù²¹±ô±ôâ€� This is a solid read with a promising future that will leave you blushing as red as the cover art and asking who truly is the beast?...more
Loading...
