"No," Zafira agreed. "Neither of us were. We were not born to fight, but our cradles were built from struggles and hardships"I wasn't born to fight."
"No," Zafira agreed. "Neither of us were. We were not born to fight, but our cradles were built from struggles and hardships. Pens, swords, sticks --weapons shoved into our fists as soon as we're old enough to grasp them. So we fight, because the world will cut our throats otherwise. We fight, because we won't go down without one. Do you understand?"
4.5 stars. Brilliant. Swoon-worthy. There is so much to love, and this was a fantastic ending to this duology.
What I loved:
"My blade is yours. Until every last star is freed, we are bound." Zafira warmed at the ferocity in Kifah's dark eyes, her promise a harsh line across her brow. "Does that make us friends?" Kifah laughed. "A thousand times over."
The friendship building, whether between brothers, sisters, friends, the zumra. It was so welcoming to watch these relationships build, especially between those who thought they were so alone. (Even Zafria and the Jawarat).
When Altair held Nasir, and I wept.
"You could have used your light. Destroyed them the way you blasted the doors. You could have --" He dropped his hand with a sob, and Altair pulled him to his chest. Nasir stiffened at the first semblance of an embrace he hadn't had in years. His brow fell t Altair's shoulder.
Zafira and Nasir.
"But it had always been one of the many things he loved about her: that he could never understand the enigma that was her." "Laa, she missed him. His silent contemplation. his scarce words that were always precisely what she needed."
Altair being Altair.
"But if there was one thing he did better than look impeccable, it was bluff."
It was a vividly beautiful book and swept me into a new world. I listened to the audiobook for the We Hunt the Flame, but read We Free the Stars as an ARC from @netgalley. But as soon as the book is released for sale, I will be buying the audiobook. I cannot wait to hear these words come alive with the narrators....more
So good. I mean, not as a good as the first, because it's still a middle book, and truthfully, NOT ENOUGH Tatsumi. Sadness. But....I had Okame and DaiSo good. I mean, not as a good as the first, because it's still a middle book, and truthfully, NOT ENOUGH Tatsumi. Sadness. But....I had Okame and Daisuke, and I 100% heart both of them, so that helped ;) Onward to book 3...in like a year :(...more
A bunch of pirate ladies on a pirate ship, kicking pirate ass? Yes, please. I don't care what anyone says...this was fu*king fun. And Caledonia is aweA bunch of pirate ladies on a pirate ship, kicking pirate ass? Yes, please. I don't care what anyone says...this was fu*king fun. And Caledonia is awesome. ...more
Pirates ladies, Roman-esque partial world building, slow burn romance, Gods and magic, some pretty despicable bad guys. Uh...yes. Double yes. Sign me Pirates ladies, Roman-esque partial world building, slow burn romance, Gods and magic, some pretty despicable bad guys. Uh...yes. Double yes. Sign me up for #2 ASAP....more
Kaufman and Kristoff can do no wrong. There are probably about 1000 other reviews that will tell you how amazing (in really nice terms) this book is. Kaufman and Kristoff can do no wrong. There are probably about 1000 other reviews that will tell you how amazing (in really nice terms) this book is. I'll just tell you to read it. Because you should. ...more
I have a huge bone to pick with this book. An enormous one.
What gives with 527 pages of lead up, only to have ONE (O-N-E!!!!) page of romance with CaI have a huge bone to pick with this book. An enormous one.
What gives with 527 pages of lead up, only to have ONE (O-N-E!!!!) page of romance with Carlston and Helen??!?! I've been waiting for this for 3 fucking books, and that's all I got. I feel beyond gypped. As someone against insta-love (unless it's me and Christian Bale), and as someone who loves the slow burn, I need serious pay off in the end. And I did not get it. ARGG!!!! Ok, rant over.
In the end, still one of my favorite series. Combine fun magic in an interesting way, with Regency era, and you've got me. And really, Goodman remains true to the time, as though I was yelling at Helen for letting EVERY SINGLE MAN talk to her like that, neither Helen's character or the time period, would have allowed for that. (Still...it would haven amazing.) And I liked Goodman for that. For not throwing a 21st century woman in a 19th century period....more
I think it took me a long time to read this book because a reviewer I follow (I usually agree with her reviews) did not like this book. I love Kagawa'I think it took me a long time to read this book because a reviewer I follow (I usually agree with her reviews) did not like this book. I love Kagawa's Blood of Eden series, but most distinctly did not love her Iron Fey series (truth be told, I'm not a huge "fae" person, so maybe that's not her fault).
So, I hemmed and hawed over reading this, and finally, I just did. Probably to get it off my to-read shelf at the library's website.
And once again, I am seriously kicking myself, because I LOVED IT!!! The words, the language, and mythology, the creatures, the characters. (side note: I have a soft spot for strong, silent, tortured types).
But, in the end, I think I just loved the story. It had an epic fantasy feel to it, with the lush descriptions and magic, and it was no surprise that I went out and just bought the next book, because I couldn't wait for the library to have it available. ...more
So rarely does a second book in a trilogy (or more) leave me happy. At most, I am usually "that was good, but it will be better with the entire seriesSo rarely does a second book in a trilogy (or more) leave me happy. At most, I am usually "that was good, but it will be better with the entire series." At worst, I stop the series.
Bane and Shadow, oh wow. I seriously was blown away. These characters were amazing. I loved watching Hope's personality grow and change.
And despite Hope and Red (view spoiler)[ never getting to interact (hide spoiler)], I still loved it. And typically that really messes with my love of a book, when the main characters (view spoiler)[ are forced apart and not even brought back together in the end (hide spoiler)]. But, lo and behold, I was actually mostly ((view spoiler)[ I was really routing for those final couple of chapters to pull them back together (hide spoiler)]) good with it. They each had their own adventures and growth, and new characters were introduced to us. So many of were totally rad--Merivale, Leston, Captain Vaderton, Jilly, Old Yammy (well, those 2 were back).
This book was great fun. Think Jason Bourne, but with more people skills. The premise was interesting, and although I admit I am not one who "gets" thThis book was great fun. Think Jason Bourne, but with more people skills. The premise was interesting, and although I admit I am not one who "gets" the twists early, I was surprised with the ending. I very much appreciated that even with all the situations/people that Evan runs into, he wraps everything up in the end. I'm definitely reading the next book....more
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