Erica (storybookend)'s bookshelf: absolute-favorites

Erica (storybookend)'s bookshelf: absolute-favorites en-US Thu, 02 Jan 2025 15:49:12 -0800 60 Erica (storybookend)'s bookshelf: absolute-favorites 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg <![CDATA[Rhythm of War (The Stormlight Archive, #4)]]> 49021976 The eagerly awaited sequel to the #1 New York Times bestselling Oathbringer, from epic fantasy author Brandon Sanderson

After forming a coalition of human resistance against the enemy invasion, Dalinar Kholin and his Knights Radiant have spent a year fighting a protracted, brutal war. Neither side has gained an advantage, and the threat of a betrayal by Dalinar's crafty ally Taravangian looms over every strategic move.

Now, as new technological discoveries by Navani Kholin's scholars begin to change the face of the war, the enemy prepares a bold and dangerous operation. The arms race that follows will challenge the very core of the Radiant ideals, and potentially reveal the secrets of the ancient tower that was once the heart of their strength.

At the same time that Kaladin Stormblessed must come to grips with his changing role within the Knights Radiant, his Windrunners face their own problem: As more and more deadly enemy Fused awaken to wage war, no more honorspren are willing to bond with humans to increase the number of Radiants. Adolin and Shallan must lead the coalition’s envoy to the honorspren stronghold of Lasting Integrity and either convince the spren to join the cause against the evil god Odium, or personally face the storm of failure.]]> 1232 Brandon Sanderson 0765326388 Erica (storybookend) 5
Review to possibly come. For sure. Maybe, if I can get my emotions under control ]]> 4.58 2020 Rhythm of War (The Stormlight Archive, #4)

Rhythm of War (The Stormlight Archive, #4)

author: Brandon Sanderson
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.58
book published: 2020
rating: 5
read at: 2020/11/25
date added: 2025/01/02
shelves: cover-love, 2020-reads, absolute-favorites, best-characters, best-endings, brilliant-authors, epic-fantasy, heroes-i-respect-and-praise, i-recommend-it, incredible, lds-authors, love-love-it, love-the-title, love-with-all-my-heart, made-me-cry, made-me-laugh, novels-that-inspire-me, original-creative-premise, outstanding-worldbuilding, played-with-my-emotions, purely-brilliant, stellar-writing, i-own, currently-reading
review:
5 stars is not nearly enough. I’m still processing the brilliance of this book. What even are words?

Review to possibly come. For sure. Maybe, if I can get my emotions under control
]]> <![CDATA[Oathbringer (The Stormlight Archive, #3)]]> 34002132 Oathbringer, the third volume of the New York Times bestselling Stormlight Archive, humanity faces a new Desolation with the return of the Voidbringers, a foe with numbers as great as their thirst for vengeance.

Dalinar Kholin's Alethi armies won a fleeting victory at a terrible cost: The enemy Parshendi summoned the violent Everstorm, which now sweeps the world with destruction, and in its passing awakens the once peaceful and subservient parshmen to the horror of their millennia-long enslavement by humans. While on a desperate flight to warn his family of the threat, Kaladin Stormblessed must come to grips with the fact that the newly kindled anger of the parshmen may be wholly justified.

Nestled in the mountains high above the storms, in the tower city of Urithiru, Shallan Davar investigates the wonders of the ancient stronghold of the Knights Radiant and unearths dark secrets lurking in its depths. And Dalinar realizes that his holy mission to unite his homeland of Alethkar was too narrow in scope. Unless all the nations of Roshar can put aside Dalinar's blood-soaked past and stand together--and unless Dalinar himself can confront that past--even the restoration of the Knights Radiant will not prevent the end of civilization.]]> 1248 Brandon Sanderson Erica (storybookend) 5 4.60 2017 Oathbringer (The Stormlight Archive, #3)

Oathbringer (The Stormlight Archive, #3)

author: Brandon Sanderson
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.60
book published: 2017
rating: 5
read at: 2024/12/01
date added: 2025/01/02
shelves: cover-love, 2017-reads, absolute-favorites, best-characters, brilliant-authors, epic-fantasy, heroes-i-respect-and-praise, i-recommend-it, incredible, lds-authors, love-love-it, love-with-all-my-heart, novels-that-inspire-me, outstanding-worldbuilding, purely-brilliant, stellar-writing, treasured-keeps, would-love-if-it-were-a-movie, 2020-reads, i-own, 2024-reads
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Graceling (Graceling Realm, #1)]]> 3236307
She never expects to fall in love with beautiful Prince Po.

She never expects to learn the truth behind her Grace—or the terrible secret that lies hidden far away . . . a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone.

With elegant, evocative prose and a cast of unforgettable characters, debut author Kristin Cashore creates a mesmerizing world, a death-defying adventure, and a heart-racing romance that will consume you, hold you captive, and leave you wanting more.]]> 471 Kristin Cashore 015206396X Erica (storybookend) 5 4.07 2008 Graceling (Graceling Realm, #1)

author: Kristin Cashore
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.07
book published: 2008
rating: 5
read at: 2024/08/08
date added: 2024/08/14
shelves: 2009-reads, cover-love, absolute-favorites, 2010-reads, read-several-times, swoon-worthy-male-love-interests, beautiful-writing, favorite-romance, would-love-if-it-were-a-movie, love-love-it, best-characters, best-endings, i-recommend-it, 2019-reads, i-own, 2024-reads, listened-to-audiobook
review:
I love Graceling! It’s absolutely amazing. It’s intense and intriguing. The plot of the story is so intricate and vivid. It was thought out to perfection. The world Kristin created is amazing and beautiful, I can picture it perfectly. Kristin’s writing style is unique, but I love it. It fits the story and Katsa’s character. The characters are so real and believable. I love all the characters. Katsa and Po have so much depth to them, and their relationship was beautiful. Even the minor characters are perfect. Sometimes I just found myself smiling over something someone said, or what Katsa thought, or I would be laughing, and have to read the scene again because it was just perfect and funny. The ending is so sad, but it ended perfect. I love this book! Love it, love it!
]]> <![CDATA[Midnight Sun (The Twilight Saga, #5)]]> 53287484 When Edward Cullen and Bella Swan met in Twilight, an iconic love story was born. But until now, fans have heard only Bella’s side of the story. At last, readers can experience Edward’s version in the long-awaited companion novel, Midnight Sun.

This unforgettable tale as told through Edward’s eyes takes on a new and decidedly dark twist. Meeting beautiful, mysterious Bella is both the most intriguing and unnerving event he has experienced in his long life as a vampire. As we learn more fascinating details about Edward’s past and the complexity of his inner thoughts, we understand why this is the defining struggle of his life. How can he let himself fall in love with Bella when he knows that he is endangering her life?

In Midnight Sun, Stephenie Meyer transports us back to a world that has captivated millions of readers and, drawing on the classic myth of Hades and Persephone, brings us an epic novel about the profound pleasures and devastating consequences of immortal love.]]> 662 Stephenie Meyer 031670704X Erica (storybookend) 5
Edward is very much an overthinker, but it didn’t bother or bore me one bit. I Loved seeing into his mind, seeing his thought process, feeling everything he felt. It was overwhelming and heartbreaking, and painful, and beautiful, and euphoric. He’s very analytical and reasonable. He doesn’t make rash decisions, and when his vampiric bloodthirsty nature threatens to take over, he somehow finds the willpower to supress it until he’s able to get a better control over it.

I don’t think we (at least I) realized how hard it was for him to not kill Bella, during so many different episodes. His struggle is tremendous, which makes his success in not succumbing to the monster even more triumphant and incredible. I love Edward more through this POV than in Twilight through Bella’s eyes. I was able to empathize with him more, with his distaste of himself and that he is so wrong for Bella. But oh how I wanted him to be immersed in this love story and find his happiness.

Bella and Edward’s love story in Twilight made me believe in love. And their love story in Midnight Sun made me believe in it even more. I even loved Bella more in MS. She seemed less average and boring because I saw all the true reasonings behind why Edward loved her so much, and it is beautiful!

Bella and Edward are so alike in that they don’t like themselves and they find themselves unworthy of the other’s love and affection. Maybe that’s why they work so well together, because they’re always trying to prove that the other is worthy of so much love, and so they do everything in their power to show that love.

When Bella went to find James and Edward was frantic to get to her, my heart was breaking for him. The entire scene, from when the vampire nomads show up to the baseball game, till Bella is safe in the hostpital, I was so anxious and worried. I knew what would happen obviously, but seeing it through Edward’s eyes, the horror, the pure panic, racing with all his might to get to her, gosh, my heart was hurting and I could not put the book down.

I want to see more of Edward’s POV. But I know Meyer said she won’t, since being inside Edward’s head was depressing. And it is, but maybe that’s why I connect to him so much. However, I would not like Edward’s POV during the stupid love triangle. So I guess I want the beginning and ending of New Moon, and most of Eclipse (skipping over scenes with Jacob). And then most of Breaking Dawn. ESPECIALLY the wedding! If nothing else, I hope Meyer writes the wedding scene in his POV. That would at least be incredibly happy and beautiful.

I loved this book so much. I’m actually surprised by how much I loved it, but there it is. I’ll definitely need to reread it soon.]]> 3.72 2020 Midnight Sun (The Twilight Saga, #5)

author: Stephenie Meyer
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 3.72
book published: 2020
rating: 5
read at: 2024/06/29
date added: 2024/06/29
shelves: 2020-reads, didnt-expect-to-love-so-much, i-recommend-it, incredible, love-love-it, made-me-cry, needs-a-sequel, played-with-my-emotions, i-own, absolute-favorites, 2024-reads, listened-to-audiobook
review:
Coming into this book, I didn’t have really high expectations. They were there, but I was mostly thinking Twilight in Edward’s POV would be interesting. And it was, but it was so much better than I could have imagined!

Edward is very much an overthinker, but it didn’t bother or bore me one bit. I Loved seeing into his mind, seeing his thought process, feeling everything he felt. It was overwhelming and heartbreaking, and painful, and beautiful, and euphoric. He’s very analytical and reasonable. He doesn’t make rash decisions, and when his vampiric bloodthirsty nature threatens to take over, he somehow finds the willpower to supress it until he’s able to get a better control over it.

I don’t think we (at least I) realized how hard it was for him to not kill Bella, during so many different episodes. His struggle is tremendous, which makes his success in not succumbing to the monster even more triumphant and incredible. I love Edward more through this POV than in Twilight through Bella’s eyes. I was able to empathize with him more, with his distaste of himself and that he is so wrong for Bella. But oh how I wanted him to be immersed in this love story and find his happiness.

Bella and Edward’s love story in Twilight made me believe in love. And their love story in Midnight Sun made me believe in it even more. I even loved Bella more in MS. She seemed less average and boring because I saw all the true reasonings behind why Edward loved her so much, and it is beautiful!

Bella and Edward are so alike in that they don’t like themselves and they find themselves unworthy of the other’s love and affection. Maybe that’s why they work so well together, because they’re always trying to prove that the other is worthy of so much love, and so they do everything in their power to show that love.

When Bella went to find James and Edward was frantic to get to her, my heart was breaking for him. The entire scene, from when the vampire nomads show up to the baseball game, till Bella is safe in the hostpital, I was so anxious and worried. I knew what would happen obviously, but seeing it through Edward’s eyes, the horror, the pure panic, racing with all his might to get to her, gosh, my heart was hurting and I could not put the book down.

I want to see more of Edward’s POV. But I know Meyer said she won’t, since being inside Edward’s head was depressing. And it is, but maybe that’s why I connect to him so much. However, I would not like Edward’s POV during the stupid love triangle. So I guess I want the beginning and ending of New Moon, and most of Eclipse (skipping over scenes with Jacob). And then most of Breaking Dawn. ESPECIALLY the wedding! If nothing else, I hope Meyer writes the wedding scene in his POV. That would at least be incredibly happy and beautiful.

I loved this book so much. I’m actually surprised by how much I loved it, but there it is. I’ll definitely need to reread it soon.
]]> North and South 512710 'How am I to dress up in my finery, and go off and away to smart parties, after the sorrow I have seen today?'

When her father leaves the Church in a crisis of conscience, Margaret Hale is uprooted from her comfortable home in Hampshire to move with her family to the north of England. Initially repulsed by the ugliness of her new surroundings in the industrial town of Milton, Margaret becomes aware of the poverty and suffering of the local mill-workers and develops a passionate sense of social justice. This is intensified by her tempestuous relationship with the mill-owner and self-made man John Thornton, as their fierce opposition over his treatment of his employees masks a deeper attraction. In North and South, Elizabeth Gaskell skillfully fused individual feeling with social concern, and in Margaret Hale created one of the most original heroines of Victorian literature.

In her introduction, Patricia Ingham examines geographical, economic and class differences, and male and female roles in North and South. This edition also includes a list for further reading, notes and a glossary.]]> 496 Elizabeth Gaskell 0140434240 Erica (storybookend) 5 4.18 1855

author: Elizabeth Gaskell
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.18
book published: 1855
rating: 5
read at: 2024/05/02
date added: 2024/05/03
shelves: 2024-reads, absolute-favorites, favorite-romance, love-love-it, need-to-buy, treasured-keeps
review:
That ending struck me in the heart. So so good. I listened to it on repeat so that I could savor every word over and over. This is just about up there with my love for Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre.
]]> Jane Eyre 385989 Jane Eyre, a plain yet spirited governess, and her employer, the arrogant, brooding Mr. Rochester. Published in 1847 under the pseudonym Currer Bell, the book heralded a new kind of heroine—one whose virtuous integrity, keen intellect, and tireless perseverance broke through class barriers to win equal stature with the man she loved. Hailed by William Makepeace Thackeray as “the masterwork of a great genius,�� Jane Eyre is still regarded, over a century later, as one of the finest novels in English literature.]]> 493 Charlotte Brontë Erica (storybookend) 5 4.16 1847

author: Charlotte Brontë
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.16
book published: 1847
rating: 5
read at: 2024/01/12
date added: 2024/01/12
shelves: movies, classics, 2009-reads, absolute-favorites, 2010-reads, swoon-worthy-male-love-interests, beautiful-writing, purely-brilliant, favorite-romance, love-love-it, treasured-keeps, best-endings, best-characters, novels-that-inspire-me, brilliant-authors, love-with-all-my-heart, i-recommend-it, 2014-reads, i-own, fave-romance-books, 2024-reads
review:
I absolutely adore Jane Eyre. It is my all time favorite book. The wrting is intricate and beautiful, and expresses completley the feelings of Jane, and the ardent love Jane has for Mr. Rochester. Their love for each other was so precious and endearing. It transcended against all time. It shone through the bleakest moments of their lives, the most truest, beautiful, endearing love. Jane's world almost shattered when she found out the truth about Rochester's past. But even that could not shake her love for him. She just knew things had to change. Their love is so powerful. Charlotte Bronte expressed her characters so clearly. I felt Jane's and Rochester's love so strongly. I felt their agony so acutely. I ached for them. For Rochester, when Jane left and he was left alone, separated from his true love. And knowing that he searched for her tirelessly, desperately. And Jane, when she realized that she had to leave him, no matter how dearly she loved him, and how much she knew he loved her. And the end, when they reunite, it was so perfect, so precious, so full of love. I turned the last page smiling, loving how the story unfolded itself beautifully. This is an absolutely beautiful, beloved classic, a book to be re-read continually and treasured always close to my heart.
]]> <![CDATA[The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #4)]]> 8130423 In this fourth installment of the blockbuster series, time is running out as war between the Olympians and the evil Titan lord Kronos draws near. Even the safe haven of Camp Half-Blood grows more vulnerable by the minute as Kronos's army prepares to invade its once impenetrable borders. To stop the invasion, Percy and his demigod friends must set out on a quest through the Labyrinth - a sprawling underground world with stunning surprises at every turn.]]> 361 Rick Riordan Erica (storybookend) 5 4.44 2008 The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #4)

The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #4)

author: Rick Riordan
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.44
book published: 2008
rating: 5
read at: 2010/02/22
date added: 2023/10/16
shelves: 2009-reads, 2010-reads, absolute-favorites, love-love-it, i-recommend-it, i-own
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Yumi and the Nightmare Painter]]> 60531416 #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson brings us a gripping story set in the Cosmere universe told by Hoid, where two people from incredibly different worlds must compromise and work together to save their worlds from ruin.

Yumi comes from a land of gardens, meditation, and spirits, while Painter lives in a world of darkness, technology, and nightmares. When their lives suddenly become intertwined in strange ways, can they put aside their differences and work together to uncover the mysteries of their situation and save each other’s communities from certain disaster?]]> 480 Brandon Sanderson 1938570375 Erica (storybookend) 5
I also completely loved the Korean inspiration for Yumi’s world. I’ve watched plenty of K-dramas and lived in South Korea for a year, so I could see so clearly all of the historical clothing and everything that Sanderson described.

The only thing I don’t understand is why it took me about a month and a half to read it ]]> 4.45 2023 Yumi and the Nightmare Painter

author: Brandon Sanderson
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.45
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2023/09/09
date added: 2023/09/09
shelves: release-in-2023, 2023-reads, absolute-favorites, best-characters, best-endings, brilliant-authors, i-own, i-recommend-it, incredible, lds-authors, love-love-it, original-creative-premise, outstanding-worldbuilding, would-love-if-it-were-a-movie
review:
Brilliant perfection, which is no surprise, considering who the author is. The story becomes even more meaningful once knowing it’s basically a love letter from Sanderson to his wife. Such a beautiful, sweet sentiment and act of love.

I also completely loved the Korean inspiration for Yumi’s world. I’ve watched plenty of K-dramas and lived in South Korea for a year, so I could see so clearly all of the historical clothing and everything that Sanderson described.

The only thing I don’t understand is why it took me about a month and a half to read it
]]> Pride and Prejudice 1893
Humorous and profound, and filled with highly entertaining dialogue, this witty comedy of manners dips and turns through drawing-rooms and plots to reach an immensely satisfying finale. In the words of Eudora Welty, Pride and Prejudice is as 'irresistible and as nearly flawless as any fiction could be.']]> 432 Jane Austen 1593083246 Erica (storybookend) 5
Elizabeth's and Mr. Darcy's love for each other is so romantic and beauitful. It is timeless, undergoing trials and contempt before it could blossom into something truly majestic and true. Their love for each other is sweet and shy, yet sincere and ardent. Several times during the book I had to laugh, or found myself smiling stupidly over the awkwardness their love goes through, when Elizabeth starts to harbor feelings of gratitude and respect for Mr. Darcy which slowly turn into true love, and then seeing Darcy's changed character and that he still loves Elizabeth, and more, since she vehemently rejected him.

Reading Pride and Prejudice just makes me giddy with delight. The romance makes me sigh in contented bliss, and root for Lizzy and Darcy. This is an absolute beloved classic, one that I will love and reread eagerly forever.]]> 4.38 1813

author: Jane Austen
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.38
book published: 1813
rating: 5
read at: 2023/08/16
date added: 2023/08/28
shelves: movies, classics, 2009-reads, 2008-reads, 2006-reads, read-several-times, absolute-favorites, 2010-reads, swoon-worthy-male-love-interests, beautiful-writing, purely-brilliant, favorite-romance, love-love-it, best-characters, treasured-keeps, love-with-all-my-heart, i-recommend-it, 2017-reads, i-own, 2021-reads, 2022-reads, fave-romance-books, 2023-reads, listened-to-audiobook
review:
I absolutely love this book. I can never contain my excitement over it. It is brilliant, romantic, poetic, it's just simply amazingly incredible. How anyone could not like, no- love, this book is beyond me. I am in love with Mr. Darcy. Tall, dark, and handsome, how could I not? He has faults, yes, but that just makes him that much more likable and believable. I love Elizabeth's wit and character, and seeing her change from hating Darcy, to loving him completely. And I want to hit Mr. Collins over the head for his stupidity and ignorance of women's feelings and thinking he knows their thoughts!

Elizabeth's and Mr. Darcy's love for each other is so romantic and beauitful. It is timeless, undergoing trials and contempt before it could blossom into something truly majestic and true. Their love for each other is sweet and shy, yet sincere and ardent. Several times during the book I had to laugh, or found myself smiling stupidly over the awkwardness their love goes through, when Elizabeth starts to harbor feelings of gratitude and respect for Mr. Darcy which slowly turn into true love, and then seeing Darcy's changed character and that he still loves Elizabeth, and more, since she vehemently rejected him.

Reading Pride and Prejudice just makes me giddy with delight. The romance makes me sigh in contented bliss, and root for Lizzy and Darcy. This is an absolute beloved classic, one that I will love and reread eagerly forever.
]]> Entwined 8428195
Every night, Azalea and her eleven sisters may step through the enchanted passage in their room to dance in his silver forest, but there is a cost. The Keeper likes to keep things. Azalea may not realize how tangled she is in his web until it is too late.]]> 472 Heather Dixon Wallwork 0062001035 Erica (storybookend) 5
You know the telling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses, or The Shoes That Were Danced to Pieces by the Grimm Brothers. Entwined was a beautiful, fresh take on this tale of old. It stayed true to most of the tale, but differed in a few things, and adding an intriguing, magical, dangerous twist. 12 Princesses, whose mother just died, begin their year of mourning with the King, their father. Donning black dresses every day, curtains pulled to smother any sunlight, no going outside, no dancing, no suitors, no talking of mother. The King is utterly disheartened and depressed at the death of his beloved wife and queen. He offs to war leaving his daughters, one of which just newly born the night her mother died, bitter and saddened at his abrupt departure. It is while the King is away that they find the enchanted staircase leading them to the captivating pavilion where they dance their hearts out and shoes to pieces every night. An oath is taken that prevents any girl from telling where they go to anyone. But danger lurks in this enchanted world under the castle, and the girls have to find a way to thwart it, finding all sorts of love along the way. Love for each other, for their papa, for dancing, and for men;)

Each princess is named after a flower alphabetically, starting with the oldest at Azalea, and ending with the newborn Lily. I loved each and every girl. They all had a part, each one was able to show her colors and to let the reader get to know them. Some didn’t have as much spotlight, but they were never forgotten. And they all shared such a strong sisterly, loving bond, deepened through dancing and holding their secrets close to their hearts. This book is told from Azalea’s perspective, but each sister’s lives were entwined so much you always caught a glimpse of all the sisters no matter who the story was focusing on at the moment.

Now for the romance. Ooh, the romance! There were several here, for the eldest sisters, each one as breathtaking and beautiful and romantic as the next. As the eldest, Azalea doesn’t really get a say in who her husband will be, since parliament votes on who will be the new king, and hence, chosen as Azalea’s husband. So naturally she fears that she’ll never find love, but she finds herself falling in love with a handsome, swoon worthy, disheveled man. Bramble feared she would never marry for love because who could love someone as headstrong and loudmouthed as she. But she did, with the sweetest, most endearing, funny man. Even Clover, the shyest of the bunch finds love with an unsuspecting man.

Entwined is a divinely beautiful fairytale full of magic and love and humor. Oh my gosh, the humor! It was downright hilarious! I couldn’t stop laughing at the silliness of it, it just had those perfect moments tweaked, or drenched with humor that for some reason just caught me and threw me into a giggling and burst out loud laughing frenzy. I don’t know if others will find it as hilarious as I did, but it was such an amusing, frolicking ride for me, I don’t care if I’m the only one :D I give most of the credit to Bramble. Thank heavens for her ill-mannered, unruly, outspoken, fiery personality. It definitely livened up the reading.

The ending was superbly beautiful and perfect and heart melting. I read it like three times, and then hugged the book to my chest, grinning, and couldn’t even stand the thought of putting it down to write this review. Ah, I just want to read it again! If you love fairytales, of any kind, READ THIS BOOK!! Read Entwined. Glory in it, swoon over it, laugh at it, smile, love, lose yourself in the magic and enchantment. I was absolutely and utterly riveted and enchanted. This book was perfect for me, and I will forever love it and treasure it.

What are you waiting for? Go read it. Now. ]]> 3.87 2011 Entwined

author: Heather Dixon Wallwork
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 3.87
book published: 2011
rating: 5
read at: 2023/06/07
date added: 2023/06/11
shelves: cover-love, 12-dancing-princesses, 2011-reads, absolute-favorites, best-characters, best-endings, enchanting-reads, endearing-heroes, favorite-romance, i-recommend-it, incredible, love-love-it, love-the-title, made-me-cry, made-me-laugh, love-with-all-my-heart, novels-that-inspire-me, swoon-worthy-male-love-interests, would-love-if-it-were-a-movie, treasured-keeps, lds-authors, dance, 2014-reads, i-own, 2023-reads, listened-to-audiobook, read-several-times
review:
Oh, what absolute glorious beauty and fun and rapture! I’m all in a flutters, I can’t stop smiling and swooning and laughing. I had absolutely no doubt that I would love this book, and I did, oh so very much. So much more than I imagined. Immensely, completely, utterly. It captivated me from the very beginning, and kept a tight hold throughout the entire story! I’m still caught up in it! This book is without a doubt one of my new absolute favorite books ever!! And rightly earned. Just so. The dancer inside me danced and soared and leapt with the princesses as they danced, as they lived and grew and loved. The fairytale lover I am was enchanted with this beautiful retelling of my favorite fairytale. And the absurdly hopeless romantic in me swooned at the heart fluttering, brilliant, joyful, beautiful romances. I loved this book. I loved it so so much!

You know the telling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses, or The Shoes That Were Danced to Pieces by the Grimm Brothers. Entwined was a beautiful, fresh take on this tale of old. It stayed true to most of the tale, but differed in a few things, and adding an intriguing, magical, dangerous twist. 12 Princesses, whose mother just died, begin their year of mourning with the King, their father. Donning black dresses every day, curtains pulled to smother any sunlight, no going outside, no dancing, no suitors, no talking of mother. The King is utterly disheartened and depressed at the death of his beloved wife and queen. He offs to war leaving his daughters, one of which just newly born the night her mother died, bitter and saddened at his abrupt departure. It is while the King is away that they find the enchanted staircase leading them to the captivating pavilion where they dance their hearts out and shoes to pieces every night. An oath is taken that prevents any girl from telling where they go to anyone. But danger lurks in this enchanted world under the castle, and the girls have to find a way to thwart it, finding all sorts of love along the way. Love for each other, for their papa, for dancing, and for men;)

Each princess is named after a flower alphabetically, starting with the oldest at Azalea, and ending with the newborn Lily. I loved each and every girl. They all had a part, each one was able to show her colors and to let the reader get to know them. Some didn’t have as much spotlight, but they were never forgotten. And they all shared such a strong sisterly, loving bond, deepened through dancing and holding their secrets close to their hearts. This book is told from Azalea’s perspective, but each sister’s lives were entwined so much you always caught a glimpse of all the sisters no matter who the story was focusing on at the moment.

Now for the romance. Ooh, the romance! There were several here, for the eldest sisters, each one as breathtaking and beautiful and romantic as the next. As the eldest, Azalea doesn’t really get a say in who her husband will be, since parliament votes on who will be the new king, and hence, chosen as Azalea’s husband. So naturally she fears that she’ll never find love, but she finds herself falling in love with a handsome, swoon worthy, disheveled man. Bramble feared she would never marry for love because who could love someone as headstrong and loudmouthed as she. But she did, with the sweetest, most endearing, funny man. Even Clover, the shyest of the bunch finds love with an unsuspecting man.

Entwined is a divinely beautiful fairytale full of magic and love and humor. Oh my gosh, the humor! It was downright hilarious! I couldn’t stop laughing at the silliness of it, it just had those perfect moments tweaked, or drenched with humor that for some reason just caught me and threw me into a giggling and burst out loud laughing frenzy. I don’t know if others will find it as hilarious as I did, but it was such an amusing, frolicking ride for me, I don’t care if I’m the only one :D I give most of the credit to Bramble. Thank heavens for her ill-mannered, unruly, outspoken, fiery personality. It definitely livened up the reading.

The ending was superbly beautiful and perfect and heart melting. I read it like three times, and then hugged the book to my chest, grinning, and couldn’t even stand the thought of putting it down to write this review. Ah, I just want to read it again! If you love fairytales, of any kind, READ THIS BOOK!! Read Entwined. Glory in it, swoon over it, laugh at it, smile, love, lose yourself in the magic and enchantment. I was absolutely and utterly riveted and enchanted. This book was perfect for me, and I will forever love it and treasure it.

What are you waiting for? Go read it. Now.
]]> Tress of the Emerald Sea 63068384 #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson brings us deeper into the Cosmere universe with a rollicking, riveting tale that will appeal to fans of The Princess Bride.

The only life Tress has known on her island home in an emerald-green ocean has been a simple one, with the simple pleasures of collecting cups brought by sailors from faraway lands and listening to stories told by her friend Charlie. But when his father takes him on a voyage to find a bride and disaster strikes, Tress must stow away on a ship and seek the Sorceress of the deadly Midnight Sea. Amid the spore oceans where pirates abound, can Tress leave her simple life behind and make her own place sailing a sea where a single drop of water can mean instant death?]]> 369 Brandon Sanderson 1250899656 Erica (storybookend) 5 4.27 2023 Tress of the Emerald Sea

author: Brandon Sanderson
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.27
book published: 2023
rating: 5
read at: 2023/02/01
date added: 2023/02/09
shelves: release-in-2023, 2023-reads, absolute-favorites, brilliant-authors, i-recommend-it, incredible, lds-authors, love-love-it, love-the-title, made-me-laugh, outstanding-worldbuilding
review:
So perfectly perfect. The pov was the best thing ever. Reading in the postscript what inspired the plot was beautifully wonderful. The little Cosmere nuggets were mind-boggling and fun as ever. I’m so glad one amazing thing came from the pandemic! Thank you Brandon Sanderson for creating such a fun pirate story set on a sea of spores, that even has a dragon! The most perfect fairytale fantasy.
]]> Delirium (Delirium, #1) 7686667
But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena meets enigmatic Alex, a boy from the "Wilds" who lives under the government's radar. What will happen if they do the unthinkable and fall in love?]]> 441 Lauren Oliver 0061726826 Erica (storybookend) 5
Delirium takes you on the journey of Lena, a normal girl in a loveless society, who is soon immersed in the unthinkable, has found herself facing the most deadly thing ever known to mankind. Love. Lena begins to explore this completely new and forbidden emotion. An emotion that people shun and fear. An emotion that could get her killed. And in the end, she is tried more than she could have possibly imagined. My heart breaks for her, and yet it soars with hers as she discovers this whole new, enthralling world.

Delirium is such a uniquely, enchanting, astounding story. It was beautifully written, brilliantly told. And the ending. I don’t know if I’ve read a more heartbreaking, incredible ending. The last several pages I was on the edge. I couldn’t read fast enough. The story had me captive, refusing to let go until the very last word. I don’t know how I can possibly wait until 2012 for Pandemonium to come out! When February 1 rolls around, get your hands on this book, and don’t let go. Prepare yourself for a wonderful, beautiful love story that hopefully touches you the way it did me.

Thank you, thank you! for Netgalley and HarperCollins for letting me read this arc. It was incredible.
]]> 4.01 2011 Delirium (Delirium, #1)

author: Lauren Oliver
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.01
book published: 2011
rating: 5
read at: 2011/02/27
date added: 2022/12/21
shelves: arc, netgalley, 2010-reads, beautiful-writing, swoon-worthy-male-love-interests, made-me-cry, unbearable-cliffhangers, incredible, heartbreaking-endings, love-love-it, i-recommend-it, 2011-reads, best-endings, novels-that-inspire-me, absolute-favorites, movies, i-own
review:
There are some books written that touch you deeply. Stories that work their way stealthily into your heart, and imbeds itself securely there, and refusing to disperse, leaving you utterly breathless and completely captivated with wondrous awe. Delirium did this for me. There are not many books that can speak to you the way Delirium does. Books that tug at your heartstrings, and make you believe in the impossible. Books that can express what love really is: an all consuming, brilliantly captivating, wrenchingly heartbreaking power that takes control over you. Love that turns your world around, shows you things you never saw before, makes everything brighter and more amazing than you ever thought they could be.

Delirium takes you on the journey of Lena, a normal girl in a loveless society, who is soon immersed in the unthinkable, has found herself facing the most deadly thing ever known to mankind. Love. Lena begins to explore this completely new and forbidden emotion. An emotion that people shun and fear. An emotion that could get her killed. And in the end, she is tried more than she could have possibly imagined. My heart breaks for her, and yet it soars with hers as she discovers this whole new, enthralling world.

Delirium is such a uniquely, enchanting, astounding story. It was beautifully written, brilliantly told. And the ending. I don’t know if I’ve read a more heartbreaking, incredible ending. The last several pages I was on the edge. I couldn’t read fast enough. The story had me captive, refusing to let go until the very last word. I don’t know how I can possibly wait until 2012 for Pandemonium to come out! When February 1 rolls around, get your hands on this book, and don’t let go. Prepare yourself for a wonderful, beautiful love story that hopefully touches you the way it did me.

Thank you, thank you! for Netgalley and HarperCollins for letting me read this arc. It was incredible.

]]> Jane Eyre (Manga Classics) 26591771 319 Stacy King 1927925657 Erica (storybookend) 5 4.26 1847

author: Stacy King
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.26
book published: 1847
rating: 5
read at: 2016/12/31
date added: 2022/02/18
shelves: love-love-it, absolute-favorites, 2016-reads, favorite-romance, i-recommend-it, i-own
review:

]]> Reflection 35960069 What if Mulan had to travel to the Underworld?

When Captain Shang is mortally wounded by Shan Yu in battle, Mulan must travel to the Underworld, Diyu, in order to save him from certain death. But King Yama, the ruler of Diyu, is not willing to give Shang up easily.

With the help of Shang's great lion guardian ShiShi, Mulan must traverse Diyu to find Shang's spirit, face harrowing obstacles, and leave by sunrise⁠—or become King Yama's prisoner forever.

Moreover, Mulan is still disguised as the soldier called Ping, wrestling with the decision to reveal her true identity to her closest friend.

Will Mulan be able to save Shang before it's too late? Will he ever be able to trust her again? Or will she lose him—and be lost in the Underworld⁠—forever?]]> 416 Elizabeth Lim 1484781295 Erica (storybookend) 5
This Twisted Tales series published by Disney takes the animated classics and gives it a twist. This Mulan twist is “What if Mulan had to travel to the Underworld?�� The book starts with the fight on the mountain with the Huns, and Mulan fires the last cannon. But then, instead of Shan-Yu hurting Mulan, Shang gets hurt and nearly dies. What follows is an otherworldly quest as Mulan tries to save Shang in the Underworld.

This book was pure fun! I’m in love with the Mulan tale, and so I knew I would love this, but the way Elizabeth Lim executed the retelling was fantastic. The entire story was new besides the very beginning. But throughout, there would be references to the past, and there would be lines and dialogue directly from the movie. I loved it! It gave the story a perfect little touch of nostalgia from the beloved movie.

And the romance tension! Not a ton, since Mulan and Shang and a lion guardian 😮 are navigating the land of the dead. But still, I live for romance! And I always wanted to see the romance between Mulan and Shang blossom, not the sequel where they are already in love and get engaged at the beginning of the movie.

The best part about this book was the characters. They were 100% true to the characters in the movie. Whatever the book characters did or said or thought, I could absolutely imagine the movie characters doing. In fact, the animated characters played out the scenes in my mind. Lim did an amazing job at staying true to the movie, but crafting an entirely new story that was exciting, powerful, and beautiful.

Also, the reflection theme threaded throughout was gorgeous! And the way it culminated at the end, *cue delighted sigh* Simply breathtaking.

I did not want to leave this book. Thank you Elizabeth Lim for writing a beautiful book.

If you like the Disney animated movie, I’m pretty sure you will love this book 😊 Also fans of Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson etc.) would probably like it too. Reflection has that quest aspect that is hallmark in Riordan’s stories.]]> 4.00 2018

author: Elizabeth Lim
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2018
rating: 5
read at: 2021/07/17
date added: 2021/07/17
shelves: mulan-retellings, cover-love, 2019-reads, absolute-favorites, best-characters, best-endings, i-recommend-it, incredible, love-love-it, love-with-all-my-heart, novels-that-inspire-me, smile-inducing, treasured-keeps, mulan-trope, i-own, 2021-reads
review:
It isn’t often that when I finish a book, I linger on the ending. Rereading it slowly so as to savor it again. It’s even rarer that I hug a book to my chest in an attempt to be closer to it, to become one with it. Reflection did this to me. As I read the last pages, a smile grew on my face, my heart warmed with happiness. This is my new favorite read of 2019.

This Twisted Tales series published by Disney takes the animated classics and gives it a twist. This Mulan twist is “What if Mulan had to travel to the Underworld?�� The book starts with the fight on the mountain with the Huns, and Mulan fires the last cannon. But then, instead of Shan-Yu hurting Mulan, Shang gets hurt and nearly dies. What follows is an otherworldly quest as Mulan tries to save Shang in the Underworld.

This book was pure fun! I’m in love with the Mulan tale, and so I knew I would love this, but the way Elizabeth Lim executed the retelling was fantastic. The entire story was new besides the very beginning. But throughout, there would be references to the past, and there would be lines and dialogue directly from the movie. I loved it! It gave the story a perfect little touch of nostalgia from the beloved movie.

And the romance tension! Not a ton, since Mulan and Shang and a lion guardian 😮 are navigating the land of the dead. But still, I live for romance! And I always wanted to see the romance between Mulan and Shang blossom, not the sequel where they are already in love and get engaged at the beginning of the movie.

The best part about this book was the characters. They were 100% true to the characters in the movie. Whatever the book characters did or said or thought, I could absolutely imagine the movie characters doing. In fact, the animated characters played out the scenes in my mind. Lim did an amazing job at staying true to the movie, but crafting an entirely new story that was exciting, powerful, and beautiful.

Also, the reflection theme threaded throughout was gorgeous! And the way it culminated at the end, *cue delighted sigh* Simply breathtaking.

I did not want to leave this book. Thank you Elizabeth Lim for writing a beautiful book.

If you like the Disney animated movie, I’m pretty sure you will love this book 😊 Also fans of Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson etc.) would probably like it too. Reflection has that quest aspect that is hallmark in Riordan’s stories.
]]> <![CDATA[Dreams of Gods & Monsters (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #3)]]> 13618440 What power can bruise the sky?

Two worlds are poised on the brink of a vicious war. By way of a staggering deception, Karou has taken control of the chimaera's rebellion and is intent on steering its course away from dead-end vengeance. The future rests on her.

When the brutal angel emperor brings his army to the human world, Karou and Akiva are finally reunited—not in love, but in a tentative alliance against their common enemy. It is a twisted version of their long-ago dream, and they begin to hope that it might forge a way forward for their people. And, perhaps, for themselves.

But with even bigger threats on the horizon, are Karou and Akiva strong enough to stand among the gods and monsters?

The New York Times bestselling Daughter of Smoke & Bone trilogy comes to a stunning conclusion as—from the streets of Rome to the caves of the Kirin and beyond—humans, chimaera, and seraphim strive, love, and die in an epic theater that transcends good and evil, right and wrong, friend and enemy.]]> 613 Laini Taylor 0316134074 Erica (storybookend) 5 4.12 2014 Dreams of Gods & Monsters (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #3)

Dreams of Gods & Monsters (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #3)

author: Laini Taylor
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.12
book published: 2014
rating: 5
read at: 2016/05/21
date added: 2021/05/16
shelves: 2016-reads, absolute-favorites, beautiful-writing, best-characters, best-endings, brilliant-authors, heroes-i-respect-and-praise, i-recommend-it, incredible, love-love-it, made-me-laugh, novels-that-inspire-me, original-creative-premise, outstanding-worldbuilding, treasured-keeps, i-own-1-copies, i-own
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Days of Blood & Starlight (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #2)]]> 12812550 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.

Art student and monster's apprentice Karou finally has the answers she has always sought. She knows who she is—and what she is. But with this knowledge comes another truth she would give anything to undo: She loved the enemy and he betrayed her, and a world suffered for it.

In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Karou must decide how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, secrets and impossible choices, Days of Blood & Starlight finds Karou and Akiva on opposing sides as an age-old war stirs back to life.

While Karou and her allies build a monstrous army in a land of dust and starlight, Akiva wages a different sort of battle: a battle for redemption. For hope.

But can any hope be salvaged from the ashes of their broken dream?]]> 517 Laini Taylor 0316133973 Erica (storybookend) 5 perfect.]]> 4.13 2012 Days of Blood & Starlight (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #2)

Days of Blood & Starlight (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #2)

author: Laini Taylor
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.13
book published: 2012
rating: 5
read at: 2016/05/15
date added: 2021/05/16
shelves: cover-love, 2016-reads, best-endings, best-characters, brilliant-authors, beautiful-writing, absolute-favorites, heroes-i-respect-and-praise, i-recommend-it, incredible, love-love-it, novels-that-inspire-me, made-me-cry, original-creative-premise, outstanding-worldbuilding, played-with-my-emotions, treasured-keeps, i-own-1-copies, i-own
review:
Glorious. Oh so glorious. Why on earth did I wait so long to read this beautiful, magnificent book? So powerful, so deep, so emotional, so incredibly, unbelievably perfect.
]]> <![CDATA[Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #1)]]> 8490112
In a dark and dusty shop, a devil’s supply of human teeth grows dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherworldly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real, she’s prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands", she speaks many languages - not all of them human - and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out.

When beautiful, haunted Akiva fixes fiery eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?]]> 418 Laini Taylor 0316134023 Erica (storybookend) 5
The first two thirds of the book didn’t wow me. I loved it, with its beautiful writing and story, and characters that were so real, but I wasn’t seeing the stunning brilliance that everyone seemed to have been hit with when they read the book. But then, THEN, Taylor spins the world upside down, and you see a whole new side to Karou and this angel, one full of hope, and love, and wonder. And I couldn’t put the book down. It sucked me right in and held fast until I closed the book with a smile, and thinking, how did she do it? Because seriously, how do authors do this? How do they write such incredible stories with fantastic worlds and characters and every single flipping little detail attended to? It’s just mindboggling. I could only dream to be half so brilliant.

So, the writing. Mmm, it is luscious, isn’t it? It’s beautiful, and just draws you immediately into the story. It flows so seamlessly, and paints vivid pictures in front of you. And the characters were all superb. So much emotion and hope filled their lives, breathing life onto the pages. Karou especially was one strong girl who would do anything, ANYTHING, to save the ones she loves. And the romance was beautiful. I loved Akiva, that he put up a strong, cold front, yet inside he was hurting, and it was only time before that dam would break. Seeing their love come to pass, blooming into something truly precious and wonderful, it gave me a feeling of contentment and hope. Hope that there could be a better world, where hate and prejudices don’t exist, and where love is everything, and appearances and pasts don’t matter. Hope is the primary building block of this story, it creates the characters, it calls to you, and it makes you invested in the story.

The world building was amazing, especially once we set foot into the world of the demons. It is a strange and beautiful place. The demons characteristics intrigued me. I would love to be able to actually see them, and not just the pictures I got in my head. My favorite part was the masquerade. It was just so wild and interesting with the strange creatures and dancing and masks. Gosh, I wanted to be there, witnessing this event, taking place in it, dancing the endlessly moving wild dance of the demons, continually switching partners, flying, twirling. And with Taylor’s wonderful writing, I did feel like I was there, in spirit at least.

This book was just so incredible. It has everything you could want in a book. It will suck you in until you’re completely invested in the story and the characters�� lives, and will leave you wanting more, yet still being satisfied in how the story ended. This book deserves all the praise and love. Laini Taylor deserves to be honored and loved. Fear and tremble before her, for here is an author with a cunning ability to weave a stunning story that will take you completely captive; but a captivity that you will not want to escape.
]]> 3.98 2011 Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #1)

Daughter of Smoke & Bone (Daughter of Smoke & Bone, #1)

author: Laini Taylor
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 3.98
book published: 2011
rating: 5
read at: 2016/05/10
date added: 2021/05/16
shelves: cover-love, 2011-reads, best-characters, best-endings, beautiful-writing, enchanting-reads, favorite-romance, i-recommend-it, love-love-it, novels-that-inspire-me, swoon-worthy-male-love-interests, unbearable-cliffhangers, would-love-if-it-were-a-movie, absolute-favorites, incredible, being-made-into-a-movie, original-creative-premise, treasured-keeps, outstanding-worldbuilding, 2016-reads, i-own-1-copies, i-own
review:
Sometimes books just come out and surprise you and you can’t help but fall in love with it. And not just the twists the story might take, but a dawning realization on your part of how something might fit in the story, or you find that you just love this character, and their stalwartness in doing what needs to be done, or what may have started out mediocre suddenly became amazing. Well, Daughter of Smoke and Bone did this to me. It surprised me. And not specifically the twist that Taylor threw us, but just the way it was done, and seeing the loose ends come together in an intricate, beautiful, wondrous way.

The first two thirds of the book didn’t wow me. I loved it, with its beautiful writing and story, and characters that were so real, but I wasn’t seeing the stunning brilliance that everyone seemed to have been hit with when they read the book. But then, THEN, Taylor spins the world upside down, and you see a whole new side to Karou and this angel, one full of hope, and love, and wonder. And I couldn’t put the book down. It sucked me right in and held fast until I closed the book with a smile, and thinking, how did she do it? Because seriously, how do authors do this? How do they write such incredible stories with fantastic worlds and characters and every single flipping little detail attended to? It’s just mindboggling. I could only dream to be half so brilliant.

So, the writing. Mmm, it is luscious, isn’t it? It’s beautiful, and just draws you immediately into the story. It flows so seamlessly, and paints vivid pictures in front of you. And the characters were all superb. So much emotion and hope filled their lives, breathing life onto the pages. Karou especially was one strong girl who would do anything, ANYTHING, to save the ones she loves. And the romance was beautiful. I loved Akiva, that he put up a strong, cold front, yet inside he was hurting, and it was only time before that dam would break. Seeing their love come to pass, blooming into something truly precious and wonderful, it gave me a feeling of contentment and hope. Hope that there could be a better world, where hate and prejudices don’t exist, and where love is everything, and appearances and pasts don’t matter. Hope is the primary building block of this story, it creates the characters, it calls to you, and it makes you invested in the story.

The world building was amazing, especially once we set foot into the world of the demons. It is a strange and beautiful place. The demons characteristics intrigued me. I would love to be able to actually see them, and not just the pictures I got in my head. My favorite part was the masquerade. It was just so wild and interesting with the strange creatures and dancing and masks. Gosh, I wanted to be there, witnessing this event, taking place in it, dancing the endlessly moving wild dance of the demons, continually switching partners, flying, twirling. And with Taylor’s wonderful writing, I did feel like I was there, in spirit at least.

This book was just so incredible. It has everything you could want in a book. It will suck you in until you’re completely invested in the story and the characters�� lives, and will leave you wanting more, yet still being satisfied in how the story ended. This book deserves all the praise and love. Laini Taylor deserves to be honored and loved. Fear and tremble before her, for here is an author with a cunning ability to weave a stunning story that will take you completely captive; but a captivity that you will not want to escape.

]]> <![CDATA[Words of Radiance (The Stormlight Archive, #2)]]> 11543195 From #1 New York Times bestselling author Brandon Sanderson, Words of Radiance, Book Two of the Stormlight Archive, continues the immersive fantasy epic that The Way of Kings began.

Expected by his enemies to die the miserable death of a military slave, Kaladin survived to be given command of the royal bodyguards, a controversial first for a low-status "darkeyes." Now he must protect the king and Dalinar from every common peril as well as the distinctly uncommon threat of the Assassin, all while secretly struggling to master remarkable new powers that are somehow linked to his honorspren, Syl.

The Assassin, Szeth, is active again, murdering rulers all over the world of Roshar, using his baffling powers to thwart every bodyguard and elude all pursuers. Among his prime targets is Highprince Dalinar, widely considered the power behind the Alethi throne. His leading role in the war would seem reason enough, but the Assassin's master has much deeper motives.

Brilliant but troubled Shallan strives along a parallel path. Despite being broken in ways she refuses to acknowledge, she bears a terrible burden: to somehow prevent the return of the legendary Voidbringers and the civilization-ending Desolation that will follow. The secrets she needs can be found at the Shattered Plains, but just arriving there proves more difficult than she could have imagined.

Meanwhile, at the heart of the Shattered Plains, the Parshendi are making an epochal decision. Hard pressed by years of Alethi attacks, their numbers ever shrinking, they are convinced by their war leader, Eshonai, to risk everything on a desperate gamble with the very supernatural forces they once fled. The possible consequences for Parshendi and humans alike, indeed, for Roshar itself, are as dangerous as they are incalculable.]]> 1088 Brandon Sanderson 0575097396 Erica (storybookend) 5 4.77 2014 Words of Radiance (The Stormlight Archive, #2)

Words of Radiance (The Stormlight Archive, #2)

author: Brandon Sanderson
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.77
book published: 2014
rating: 5
read at: 2020/09/24
date added: 2021/05/16
shelves: cover-love, 2014-reads, absolute-favorites, best-characters, brilliant-authors, epic-fantasy, heroes-i-respect-and-praise, i-recommend-it, incredible, lds-authors, love-love-it, love-the-title, love-with-all-my-heart, made-me-cry, made-me-laugh, novels-that-inspire-me, original-creative-premise, outstanding-worldbuilding, played-with-my-emotions, purely-brilliant, stellar-writing, swoon-worthy-male-love-interests, would-love-if-it-were-a-movie, treasured-keeps, 2017-reads, 2020-reads, i-own
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive, #1)]]> 9647295
In the end, not war but victory proved the greater test. Did our foes see that the harder they fought, the fiercer our resistance? Fire and hammer forge a sword; time and neglect rust it away. So we won the world, yet lost it.

Now there are four whom we watch: the surgeon, forced to forsake healing and fight in the most brutal war of our time; the assassin, who weeps as he kills; the liar, who wears her scholar's mantle over a thief's heart; and the prince, whose eyes open to the ancient past as his thirst for battle wanes.

One of them may redeem us. One of them will destroy us.

From Brandon Sanderson—the author completing Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series—comes The Stormlight Archive, a richly imagined epic set in a world relentlessly blasted by awesome tempests, where emotions take on physical form, and terrible secrets hide deep within the rocky landscape.]]> 1258 Brandon Sanderson 0765365278 Erica (storybookend) 5 4.67 2010 The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive, #1)

The Way of Kings (The Stormlight Archive, #1)

author: Brandon Sanderson
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.67
book published: 2010
rating: 5
read at: 2020/09/15
date added: 2021/05/16
shelves: lds-authors, 2012-reads, absolute-favorites, best-characters, epic-fantasy, heroes-i-respect-and-praise, i-recommend-it, incredible, love-love-it, love-with-all-my-heart, made-me-cry, made-me-laugh, novels-that-inspire-me, outstanding-worldbuilding, original-creative-premise, played-with-my-emotions, purely-brilliant, treasured-keeps, stellar-writing, 2014-reads, brilliant-authors, would-love-if-it-were-a-movie, 2017-reads, 2020-reads, i-own
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter, #7)]]> 136251
In this final, seventh installment of the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling unveils in spectacular fashion the answers to the many questions that have been so eagerly awaited.]]> 759 J.K. Rowling Erica (storybookend) 5
The Brilliance of Rowling’s Mind: (spoilers below)

[spoilers removed]

Love, ultimately, is the end- the base, the core of everything. Without love, nothing is possible. Love helps people see the light in others, and enables them to reach farther than they could normally reach. It is enough to know that you are loved. With that knowledge, anything is possible, death is not the end.]]> 4.61 2007 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter, #7)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter, #7)

author: J.K. Rowling
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.61
book published: 2007
rating: 5
read at: 2020/08/27
date added: 2021/05/16
shelves: movies, 2008-reads, 2007-reads, read-several-times, absolute-favorites, 2010-reads, made-me-cry, purely-brilliant, love-love-it, best-endings, best-characters, brilliant-authors, 2015-reads, incredible, i-recommend-it, novels-that-inspire-me, 2020-reads, i-own
review:
The most amazing, brilliant, unbelievable book ever. An absolutely perfect, breathtaking end to the most amazing series ever. J.K. Rowling is brilliant. The world she created transcends all time. It’s so magical, and adventurous, and fun, and intricate. She thought of everything. Everything connects in the end, when Harry finally understands his destiny. And it’s just so perfect!

The Brilliance of Rowling’s Mind: (spoilers below)

[spoilers removed]

Love, ultimately, is the end- the base, the core of everything. Without love, nothing is possible. Love helps people see the light in others, and enables them to reach farther than they could normally reach. It is enough to know that you are loved. With that knowledge, anything is possible, death is not the end.
]]> <![CDATA[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter, #6)]]> 1 652 J.K. Rowling Erica (storybookend) 5 4.57 2005

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter, #6)

author: J.K. Rowling
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.57
book published: 2005
rating: 5
read at: 2020/08/23
date added: 2021/05/16
shelves: movies, 2008-reads, 2007-reads, 2005-reads, read-several-times, absolute-favorites, 2010-reads, made-me-cry, love-love-it, best-characters, brilliant-authors, 2015-reads, 2020-reads, i-own
review:
This book is amazing. Absolutely brilliant. The plot is so intricate and thought out to perfection, every little detail worked out. The ending is so sad, and full of darkness and death ahead, but lit with rays of hope. I love this book, I love the whole series. Competely amazing.
]]> <![CDATA[Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, #5)]]> 2
Harry has had enough. He is beginning to think he must do something, anything, to change his situation, when the summer holidays come to an end in a very dramatic fashion. What Harry is about to discover in his new year at Hogwarts will turn his world upside down...]]> 912 J.K. Rowling Erica (storybookend) 5 4.50 2003 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, #5)

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Harry Potter, #5)

author: J.K. Rowling
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.50
book published: 2003
rating: 5
read at: 2020/08/22
date added: 2021/05/16
shelves: movies, 2008-reads, 2007-reads, read-several-times, absolute-favorites, 2010-reads, made-me-cry, love-love-it, best-characters, brilliant-authors, 2015-reads, 2020-reads, i-own
review:
I love this book. I love how all the students, and teachers oppose Umbridge. I love it when Peeves is unscrewing a chandelier and Professor Mcgonagall whispers to him that it unscrews the other way. Ha ha, love it! And Fred and George are superb, as always. When I read this book, I sometimes just feel frustrated with Harry's rashness and temper. If he had only not been so quick to act, and had done exactly what Dumbledore had told him to do (and remembered the mirror Sirius had given him), well, the book wouldn't have ended the way it did. :( Ah well, it's still an amazing book, rather long, but still brilliant.
]]> <![CDATA[Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter, #4)]]> 6 734 J.K. Rowling 0439139597 Erica (storybookend) 5 4.56 2000

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter, #4)

author: J.K. Rowling
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.56
book published: 2000
rating: 5
read at: 2020/08/19
date added: 2021/05/16
shelves: movies, 2008-reads, 2007-reads, read-several-times, absolute-favorites, 2010-reads, made-me-cry, love-love-it, best-characters, brilliant-authors, 2015-reads, 2020-reads, i-own
review:
This book is brilliant. It's so amazing and well thought out. The plot is so intricate, and all the characters have so much depth. The ending is so sad, I always end up crying, but feeling utterly pleased and excited with the whole book. It's amazing.
]]> <![CDATA[Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter, #3)]]> 224926 Also see: Alternate Cover Editions for this ISBN [ACE]
ACE #1

For twelve long years, the dread fortress of Azkaban held an infamous prisoner named Sirius Black. Convicted of killing thirteen people with a single curse, he was said to be the heir apparent to the Dark Lord, Voldemort.

Now he has escaped, leaving only two clues as to where he might be headed; Harry Potter's defeat of You-Know-Who was Black's downfall as well. And the Azkaban guards heard Black muttering in his sleep, "He's at Hogwarts . . . he's at Hogwarts."

Harry Potter isn't safe, not even within the walls of his magical school, surrounded by his friends. Because on top of it all, there may well be a traitor in this midst.]]> 435 J.K. Rowling Erica (storybookend) 5 ]]> 4.60 1999 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter, #3)

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Harry Potter, #3)

author: J.K. Rowling
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.60
book published: 1999
rating: 5
read at: 2020/08/13
date added: 2021/05/16
shelves: movies, 2008-reads, 2007-reads, read-several-times, absolute-favorites, 2010-reads, made-me-laugh, love-love-it, best-characters, brilliant-authors, 2015-reads, 2020-reads, i-own
review:
I love this book! It's so hilarious. No matter how many times I read it, I always find myself smiling and laughing at it, especially Fred and George. These books just wouldn't be the same without them :) The Prisoner of Azkaban is engaging, fantasical, fun, and ingenious. I love it!

]]> <![CDATA[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #2)]]> 15881
And strike it does. For in Harry’s second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor and a spirit who haunts the girls�� bathroom. But then the real trouble begins �� someone is turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects�� Harry Potter himself!]]> 352 J.K. Rowling Erica (storybookend) 5
Favorite line: "Fred and George, however, found all this very funny. They went out of their way to march ahead of Harry down the corridors, shouting, "Make way for the Heir of Slytherin, seriously evil wizard coming through...'" Ha Ha! Love it! I think Fred and George are my favorite.]]> 4.42 1998 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #2)

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Harry Potter, #2)

author: J.K. Rowling
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.42
book published: 1998
rating: 5
read at: 2020/08/11
date added: 2021/05/16
shelves: movies, 2008-reads, 2007-reads, read-several-times, absolute-favorites, 2010-reads, made-me-cry, love-love-it, best-characters, brilliant-authors, made-me-laugh, 2015-reads, 2020-reads, i-own
review:
I love Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets! This book had me laughing, crying a little, and feeling every emotion that the characters went through. It's imaginative, fun, gripping, and fantastical. Oh yes, I do love Harry Potter. :)

Favorite line: "Fred and George, however, found all this very funny. They went out of their way to march ahead of Harry down the corridors, shouting, "Make way for the Heir of Slytherin, seriously evil wizard coming through...'" Ha Ha! Love it! I think Fred and George are my favorite.
]]> <![CDATA[Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter, #1)]]> 77523
All he knows is a miserable life with the Dursleys, his horrible aunt and uncle, and their abominable son, Dudley - a great big swollen spoiled bully. Harry’s room is a tiny closet at the foot of the stairs, and he hasn’t had a birthday party in eleven years.

But all that is about to change when a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger: a letter with an invitation to an incredible place that Harry - and anyone who reads about him - will find unforgettable.

For it’s there that he finds not only friends, aerial sports, and magic in everything from classes to meals, but a great destiny that’s been waiting for him…if Harry can survive the encounter.
(front flap)]]> 309 J.K. Rowling Erica (storybookend) 5
It isn’t as well written as the latter books, but it is Rowling’s first novel, and she’s just barely tapping into the wizarding world of Harry Potter. I love the world Rowling created, I love the characters, especially Fred and George. My favorite line: “You haven’t got a letter on yours,�� George observed. “I suppose she thinks you don’t forget your name. But we’re not stupid--we know we’re called Gred and Forge.�� Ha ha! Love it!

Ah, I love the Harry Potter series. I’ve read this book several times- each time the next book came out- and I still love it. And I will read it several more times in my life.
]]> 4.47 1997 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter, #1)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Harry Potter, #1)

author: J.K. Rowling
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.47
book published: 1997
rating: 5
read at: 2015/05/25
date added: 2021/05/16
shelves: movies, 2008-reads, 2007-reads, read-several-times, absolute-favorites, 2010-reads, made-me-cry, love-love-it, best-characters, brilliant-authors, 2015-reads, 2020-reads, i-own-1-copies, i-own
review:
I love Harry Potter. Love, love it! The Sorcerer’s Stone is a small, quick, yet fun read. It’s actually quite a simple book, as it was written for children and was Rowling’s first novel. I realize that it could have been better and longer, but there are little gems in it. Laughter and tears, friendship and love. It’s really quite a little treasure with fantasy and fun in it.

It isn’t as well written as the latter books, but it is Rowling’s first novel, and she’s just barely tapping into the wizarding world of Harry Potter. I love the world Rowling created, I love the characters, especially Fred and George. My favorite line: “You haven’t got a letter on yours,�� George observed. “I suppose she thinks you don’t forget your name. But we’re not stupid--we know we’re called Gred and Forge.�� Ha ha! Love it!

Ah, I love the Harry Potter series. I’ve read this book several times- each time the next book came out- and I still love it. And I will read it several more times in my life.

]]> <![CDATA[Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, #7)]]> 33590260
With Aelin captured, friends and allies are scattered to different fates. Some bonds will grow even deeper, while others will be severed forever. As destinies weave together at last, all must fight if Erilea is to have any hope of salvation.

Years in the making, Sarah J. Maas's New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series draws to an explosive conclusion as Aelin fights to save herself―and the promise of a better world.]]> 980 Sarah J. Maas 1619636107 Erica (storybookend) 5 4.63 2018 Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, #7)

author: Sarah J. Maas
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.63
book published: 2018
rating: 5
read at: 2019/12/15
date added: 2021/05/16
shelves: 2019-reads, absolute-favorites, warning-sexual-content, i-own
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass, #2)]]> 17167166 "A line that should never be crossed is about to be breached.

It puts this entire castle in jeopardy—and the life of your friend."

From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul as black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown. She hides her secret vigilantly; she knows that the man she serves is bent on evil.

Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult when Celaena realizes she is not the only one seeking justice. As she tries to untangle the mysteries buried deep within the glass castle, her closest relationships suffer. It seems no one is above questioning her allegiances—not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a foreign princess with a rebel heart.

Then one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to give up the very thing most precious to her and decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie... and whom she is ultimately willing to fight for.]]> 420 Sarah J. Maas 1619630621 Erica (storybookend) 5
I was pretty surprised by this sequel to Throne of Glass. I loved that book. I loved the characters, and writing, and story building, and plot. Everything. But then I read Crown of Midnight, and it blew everything out of the water. I was sucked so deep into the book, into Celaena’s story and anguish. I did not expect to be so affected by this book. But Celaena’s pain and anger cried out to me, struck me. Then the story line deepened and became more complex, more intriguing, just, more. There is so much more to Celaena’s backstory and who she is. The twists in the story knocked me off my feet, especially the ending. I love the magical element, how it is threaded into the plot, giving it more meaning and infusing it with intrigue and promise of a better world.

I loved all the characters. They all have so much depth to them, and emotions. They’re not just lifeless characters who serve only to take up space. They all have meaning, and they all have an integral part. Celaena is one tough girl. She had to be, what with her past. And she has so many secrets. I didn't realize how much she was keeping inside and what those secrets could mean to her, and everyone else.

I loved the romance. I liked it a lot better here than in the first book because I like the male interest better. Well, I love them (Dorian and Chaol) both, but I like the couple better in this book. It became one of my favorite romances! I just wanted them to get together. There was just so much tension, and you know that they both want each other, they’re just too stubborn to give in. But they couldn’t hold it in forever. It was bound to come out sooner or later. And it did, and it was fantastic.

The writing was fantastic, the world building was outstanding. The story just ran along at a fast pace, I could barely keep up. And then the end happened, and it left me breathless and stunned. But those twists at the end...wowzer! did not see anything like that coming at all. And now I cannot wait for the sequel.
]]> 4.35 2013 Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass, #2)

author: Sarah J. Maas
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.35
book published: 2013
rating: 5
read at: 2019/11/09
date added: 2021/05/16
shelves: absolute-favorites, best-characters, brilliant-authors, favorite-romance, heartbreaking-endings, heroes-i-respect-and-praise, i-recommend-it, incredible, love-love-it, novels-that-inspire-me, outstanding-worldbuilding, swoon-worthy-male-love-interests, unbearable-cliffhangers, 2014-reads, 2016-reads, 2019-reads, best-endings, i-own
review:
Well, I honestly don’t know what to say after that ending. Quite the twist. Not to mention my heart laying on the floor bleeding (which was kind of the state of it through almost half the book, [spoilers removed]

I was pretty surprised by this sequel to Throne of Glass. I loved that book. I loved the characters, and writing, and story building, and plot. Everything. But then I read Crown of Midnight, and it blew everything out of the water. I was sucked so deep into the book, into Celaena’s story and anguish. I did not expect to be so affected by this book. But Celaena’s pain and anger cried out to me, struck me. Then the story line deepened and became more complex, more intriguing, just, more. There is so much more to Celaena’s backstory and who she is. The twists in the story knocked me off my feet, especially the ending. I love the magical element, how it is threaded into the plot, giving it more meaning and infusing it with intrigue and promise of a better world.

I loved all the characters. They all have so much depth to them, and emotions. They’re not just lifeless characters who serve only to take up space. They all have meaning, and they all have an integral part. Celaena is one tough girl. She had to be, what with her past. And she has so many secrets. I didn't realize how much she was keeping inside and what those secrets could mean to her, and everyone else.

I loved the romance. I liked it a lot better here than in the first book because I like the male interest better. Well, I love them (Dorian and Chaol) both, but I like the couple better in this book. It became one of my favorite romances! I just wanted them to get together. There was just so much tension, and you know that they both want each other, they’re just too stubborn to give in. But they couldn’t hold it in forever. It was bound to come out sooner or later. And it did, and it was fantastic.

The writing was fantastic, the world building was outstanding. The story just ran along at a fast pace, I could barely keep up. And then the end happened, and it left me breathless and stunned. But those twists at the end...wowzer! did not see anything like that coming at all. And now I cannot wait for the sequel.

]]> <![CDATA[Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1)]]> 23599075 There is an alternate cover edition for this ISBN here.

"Nothing is a coincidence. Everything has a purpose. You were meant to come to this castle, just as you were meant to be an assassin."

When magic has gone from the world, and a vicious king rules from his throne of glass, an assassin comes to the castle. She does not come to kill, but to win her freedom. If she can defeat twenty-three killers, thieves, and warriors in a competition to find the greatest assassin in the land, she will become the King's Champion and be released from prison.

Her name is Celaena Sardothien.

The Crown Prince will provoke her. The Captain of the Guard will protect her.

And a princess from a foreign land will become the one thing Celaena never thought she'd have again: a friend.

But something evil dwells in the castle—and it's there to kill. When her competitors start dying, horribly, one by one, Celaena's fight for freedom becomes a fight for survival—and a desperate quest to root out the source of the evil before it destroys her world.]]> 406 Sarah J. Maas 1599906953 Erica (storybookend) 5 4.12 2012 Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass, #1)

author: Sarah J. Maas
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.12
book published: 2012
rating: 5
read at: 2019/11/02
date added: 2021/05/16
shelves: i-recommend-it, heroes-i-respect-and-praise, incredible, best-characters, 2014-reads, swoon-worthy-male-love-interests, love-love-it, absolute-favorites, 2016-reads, being-made-into-a-movie, 2019-reads, i-own
review:

]]> The Night Circus 9361589
But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.

True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus performers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.

Written in rich, seductive prose, this spell-casting novel is a feast for the senses and the heart.]]> 506 Erin Morgenstern Erica (storybookend) 5
The writing was one thing that drew me in; that, combined with the vivid descriptions of the circus and the characters and their lives. I delight in a descriptive book done well, and while some will think the pace too slow, or that there is too much description, it was just right to me. I found I was hanging onto every word, seeing the world as if I was actually there. Interspersed through the story, between chapters, there are little excerpts that take you into a few tents in the circus, written as second person so it is as if you are a character in the story, and are seeing the wonders for yourself. I could see and taste and feel everything that Morgenstern wrote.

There are several points of view, but I felt that it was needed. Because it isn’t just Marco and Celia’s story, it was Bailey’s, and Poppet and Widget’s, and the man in the grey suit’s, and Tsukiko’s. It starts telling the beginning of Marco’s and Celia’s lives, going on to building the circus from the seed of an idea, and then we see Bailey, an average boy years later who finds something special in the Night Circus and becomes an integral part of the story. We see the circus through Bailey’s eyes before it has truly formed in Marco and Celia’s lives. It gives a sense of subtle excitement, and a need to know how the circus comes to life, how it becomes the largely successful, mysterious, enchanting wonder, and how Marco and Celia play into it. And then the two stories finally meet, and we see how the puzzle pieces fit together seamlessly, and how the characters fight against the odds to achieve what they believe in.

I was expecting a bigger, shocking conclusion, where the revealing of the story’s end and how it all works together would be surprising, but done amazingly. It wasn’t though. It was executed wonderfully, but it was nothing unexpected and utterly brilliant. But I loved it anyway. It was magical, and intriguing, and perfect, so I wasn’t disappointed at all, and finished the book with satisfaction.

This book was like a breath of fresh air. I loved the originality of it, the strange beauty of this strictly black and white circus that, even void of color no matter where you turn, manages to attract you, to draw you in with words of enchantment, and magic woven into the story. I was enchanted from the beginning, and it lingered long after I turned the last page.

So, enter if you will, a place of wonderment and magic, where dreams become your life, and where life, may just be a dream.
]]> 4.00 2011 The Night Circus

author: Erin Morgenstern
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2011
rating: 5
read at: 2011/10/01
date added: 2021/05/16
shelves: cover-love, being-made-into-a-movie, 2011-reads, absolute-favorites, beautiful-writing, best-characters, best-endings, enchanting-reads, love-love-it, original-creative-premise, incredible, i-recommend-it, i-own
review:
The Night Circus is a beautiful, transcendent lifelike dream, carefully constructed out of magic and intrigue. The circus is unlike other circus', bringing strange, unique entertainment and illusions, and is, in actuality, the base for a game between a man and woman, trained since children, and pitted against each other by two rivalries. These two opponents have been training for years, with different methods, to win this decades old game that is basically their life. They use the circus as their game board, one moves a piece, and the other retaliates with a piece of their own, shaping the circus into something truly magnificent and awe inspiring. I found the magic and circus life enchanting, with beautiful writing and elegant execution that formed a true work of art.

The writing was one thing that drew me in; that, combined with the vivid descriptions of the circus and the characters and their lives. I delight in a descriptive book done well, and while some will think the pace too slow, or that there is too much description, it was just right to me. I found I was hanging onto every word, seeing the world as if I was actually there. Interspersed through the story, between chapters, there are little excerpts that take you into a few tents in the circus, written as second person so it is as if you are a character in the story, and are seeing the wonders for yourself. I could see and taste and feel everything that Morgenstern wrote.

There are several points of view, but I felt that it was needed. Because it isn’t just Marco and Celia’s story, it was Bailey’s, and Poppet and Widget’s, and the man in the grey suit’s, and Tsukiko’s. It starts telling the beginning of Marco’s and Celia’s lives, going on to building the circus from the seed of an idea, and then we see Bailey, an average boy years later who finds something special in the Night Circus and becomes an integral part of the story. We see the circus through Bailey’s eyes before it has truly formed in Marco and Celia’s lives. It gives a sense of subtle excitement, and a need to know how the circus comes to life, how it becomes the largely successful, mysterious, enchanting wonder, and how Marco and Celia play into it. And then the two stories finally meet, and we see how the puzzle pieces fit together seamlessly, and how the characters fight against the odds to achieve what they believe in.

I was expecting a bigger, shocking conclusion, where the revealing of the story’s end and how it all works together would be surprising, but done amazingly. It wasn’t though. It was executed wonderfully, but it was nothing unexpected and utterly brilliant. But I loved it anyway. It was magical, and intriguing, and perfect, so I wasn’t disappointed at all, and finished the book with satisfaction.

This book was like a breath of fresh air. I loved the originality of it, the strange beauty of this strictly black and white circus that, even void of color no matter where you turn, manages to attract you, to draw you in with words of enchantment, and magic woven into the story. I was enchanted from the beginning, and it lingered long after I turned the last page.

So, enter if you will, a place of wonderment and magic, where dreams become your life, and where life, may just be a dream.

]]> <![CDATA[Tiger's Voyage (The Tiger Saga, #3)]]> 12044735 With the head-to-head battle against the villainous Lokesh behind her, Kelsey confronts a new heartbreak: in the wake of his traumatic experience, her beloved Ren no longer remembers who she is. As the trio continues their quest by challenging five cunning and duplicitous dragons, Ren and Kishan once more vie for her affections--leaving Kelsey more confused than ever.
Fraught with danger, filled with magic, and packed with romance, TIger's Voyage brings Kelsey and her two tiger princes one step closer to breaking the curse.��This fast-paced novel includes a sneak peek at Tiger's Destiny (Book 4) and a smartphone Tag code on the back cover that links to the series website.
��ձ�> 543 Colleen Houck 1402784058 Erica (storybookend) 5 eternity, to find what happens next. For this reason, I hate her. And yet I love her because she writes such a fantastic story with possibly my favorite romance that I have read. And that is because of Ren. The drop dead gorgeous, tall dark and handsome, Indian Prince of ultimate perfection. Not that he doesn’t have his faults, because he does, but there is no man who has me swooning more, than he.

I loved how dragons were incorporated into the story. That Kelsey and her two tigers had to find five dragons that would eventually lead them to Durga’s Necklace, which would bestow upon Ren and Kishan more time that they can be humans. Each of the dragons were unique and interesting. I thought the development and execution of the plot was excellent. There was adventure and danger and fantasy and heart stopping romance and laughter. One of my favorite parts was when the trio met the dragon that wanted to play a game with them that turned out to be like an old fantasy story with knights and dragons and princesses. I thought it was fantastic ;)

Now the romance. Oh my, the romance! Never has any romance been so sweltering hot and swooning inducing than what goes on between Ren and Kelsey. Every time Ren stepped onto the page and said something, or did something, or kissed or touched Kelsey, or Houck described what he was wearing, I was swooning, and falling for him hard. Which was like every other page. And he’s not even real! Yeesh Erica, get a grip. He is my dream man, next to Apollus in the , and all my classic men crushes. (If I had to choose between Ren and Apollus, I don’t know who I would choose. Because Apollus, strapping young Roman soldier with a strong spirit and so incredibly good looking, come on!) *pause as I fan myself from all the hotness going on here*

Anywho, where was I? I also like Kishan in this novel. I liked him more in Tiger’s Quest, where he was more himself: roguish, charming, bad boy that he is. In Tiger’s Voyage his personality is watered down some, but I think he’s showing the more tender, calmer side of him who truly loves Kelsey. It shows us a different side of him that lets us understand his love and devotion to Kelsey, and that he won't take her from something that she desperately wants, even if that means giving her up to Ren.

I don’t usually like love triangles. It’s just a way for authors to add words to their story, and angst and kisses with two different guys and bemoaning of the girl that she loves them both and she can’t choose who she wants to be with, blah blah blah.

But here, here is love triangle that I can say tops every one of those contrived romances, and soars above with stark emotion and true love that wraps around my heart and I love it. I love the two men vying for Kelsey’s heart, I love the changes she inspires in them, I love the sizzling moments and beautiful moments Ren and Kelsey have, I love the sweet tender moments Kelsey and Kishan have. I know there are people who don’t like it, who don’t like Kelsey and the decisions she makes, and who found something lacking in Ren and Kishan in this novel. And I understand that, and at times agree. I wish Kelsey and Ren could just be together already, and I wish that Kishan could find someone who he can come to love more than Kelsey, and realize that Kelsey will always be happier with Ren than with him. It cuts my heart to see Kishan suffer, but Ren and Kelsey are meant to be together. I think it’s time for the love triangle to stop. I hope that in Tiger’s Destiny, Kelsey finally firmly decides to stay with Ren forever, no matter what, though doing it gently and lovingly so that Kishan isn’t crushed.

And I’ve got to say that I loved Wes. I loved that Colleen put him into the story. He was sweet and charming, and wasn’t vying for Kelsey (though he kind of pretended to), but he still managed to put both of Kelsey’s overprotective tigers at unease and in modes of jealousy. I loved it :)

I guess these books are just my guilty pleasure. I’ll love them no matter what happens, (although if Kishan dies I will destroy the book. After I’ve read it all and loved the rest of it, that is.) I can understand why people don’t like these books, two of my sisters hate them for the same reasons. The writing, Kelsey’s bad decisions, the love triangle. But those things don’t bother me as much as they do most people. I feel the writing is getting better. I feel that Kelsey is growing, and learning, and becoming a stronger person. I may not have made some of the same choices she made, but I can understand her, can understand the dilemma she’s in, that the love of her life doesn’t know her, and she has this other incredible man who loves her, who is waiting for her. I have no idea what that could possibly feel like. As if you’ve lost the man you love, though he’s standing right in front of you. Though I think that I would never let him go, no matter if he doesn’t remember or want me, and I would fight to the world’s end to have him again. But that’s just me.

I just can’t help but love these books to death. They are treasures in my treasure chest of most beloved books. I don’t expect people to understand my love of them, which is perfectly fine, because I sometimes don’t understand the love people have of other books. To each their own, right? But let it be known I will always love these books, and I see Colleen as a wonderfully gifted storyteller.
]]> 4.37 2011 Tiger's Voyage (The Tiger Saga, #3)

author: Colleen Houck
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.37
book published: 2011
rating: 5
read at: 2011/11/05
date added: 2021/05/16
shelves: cover-love, 2011-reads, absolute-favorites, best-characters, favorite-romance, incredible, i-recommend-it, love-love-it, love-with-all-my-heart, made-me-cry, made-me-laugh, novels-that-inspire-me, smile-inducing, swoon-worthy-male-love-interests, treasured-keeps, unbearable-cliffhangers, would-love-if-it-were-a-movie, i-own
review:
Tiger’s Voyage captured my heart, ensnared my soul, and left me breathless and so so in love. I love this book, this series, with a passionate, heart soaring, brilliant love that consumes me, and I become so invested in the story and Kelsey and Ren and Kishan’s lives that their pain is my pain, their love my love, and I dread the end, because it means I must finish this part of their story, and wait, and wait, for the next part. And Colleen Houck doesn’t give you a happy, perfect ending to stay your anxiety, no, she, the evil witch she is, slams the worst of cliffhangers into your face, and you turn the last page to find it blank, and you’re so desperate to find out what happens, but that’s it. That’s the ending, and you must wait, for eternity, to find what happens next. For this reason, I hate her. And yet I love her because she writes such a fantastic story with possibly my favorite romance that I have read. And that is because of Ren. The drop dead gorgeous, tall dark and handsome, Indian Prince of ultimate perfection. Not that he doesn’t have his faults, because he does, but there is no man who has me swooning more, than he.

I loved how dragons were incorporated into the story. That Kelsey and her two tigers had to find five dragons that would eventually lead them to Durga’s Necklace, which would bestow upon Ren and Kishan more time that they can be humans. Each of the dragons were unique and interesting. I thought the development and execution of the plot was excellent. There was adventure and danger and fantasy and heart stopping romance and laughter. One of my favorite parts was when the trio met the dragon that wanted to play a game with them that turned out to be like an old fantasy story with knights and dragons and princesses. I thought it was fantastic ;)

Now the romance. Oh my, the romance! Never has any romance been so sweltering hot and swooning inducing than what goes on between Ren and Kelsey. Every time Ren stepped onto the page and said something, or did something, or kissed or touched Kelsey, or Houck described what he was wearing, I was swooning, and falling for him hard. Which was like every other page. And he’s not even real! Yeesh Erica, get a grip. He is my dream man, next to Apollus in the , and all my classic men crushes. (If I had to choose between Ren and Apollus, I don’t know who I would choose. Because Apollus, strapping young Roman soldier with a strong spirit and so incredibly good looking, come on!) *pause as I fan myself from all the hotness going on here*

Anywho, where was I? I also like Kishan in this novel. I liked him more in Tiger’s Quest, where he was more himself: roguish, charming, bad boy that he is. In Tiger’s Voyage his personality is watered down some, but I think he’s showing the more tender, calmer side of him who truly loves Kelsey. It shows us a different side of him that lets us understand his love and devotion to Kelsey, and that he won't take her from something that she desperately wants, even if that means giving her up to Ren.

I don’t usually like love triangles. It’s just a way for authors to add words to their story, and angst and kisses with two different guys and bemoaning of the girl that she loves them both and she can’t choose who she wants to be with, blah blah blah.

But here, here is love triangle that I can say tops every one of those contrived romances, and soars above with stark emotion and true love that wraps around my heart and I love it. I love the two men vying for Kelsey’s heart, I love the changes she inspires in them, I love the sizzling moments and beautiful moments Ren and Kelsey have, I love the sweet tender moments Kelsey and Kishan have. I know there are people who don’t like it, who don’t like Kelsey and the decisions she makes, and who found something lacking in Ren and Kishan in this novel. And I understand that, and at times agree. I wish Kelsey and Ren could just be together already, and I wish that Kishan could find someone who he can come to love more than Kelsey, and realize that Kelsey will always be happier with Ren than with him. It cuts my heart to see Kishan suffer, but Ren and Kelsey are meant to be together. I think it’s time for the love triangle to stop. I hope that in Tiger’s Destiny, Kelsey finally firmly decides to stay with Ren forever, no matter what, though doing it gently and lovingly so that Kishan isn’t crushed.

And I’ve got to say that I loved Wes. I loved that Colleen put him into the story. He was sweet and charming, and wasn’t vying for Kelsey (though he kind of pretended to), but he still managed to put both of Kelsey’s overprotective tigers at unease and in modes of jealousy. I loved it :)

I guess these books are just my guilty pleasure. I’ll love them no matter what happens, (although if Kishan dies I will destroy the book. After I’ve read it all and loved the rest of it, that is.) I can understand why people don’t like these books, two of my sisters hate them for the same reasons. The writing, Kelsey’s bad decisions, the love triangle. But those things don’t bother me as much as they do most people. I feel the writing is getting better. I feel that Kelsey is growing, and learning, and becoming a stronger person. I may not have made some of the same choices she made, but I can understand her, can understand the dilemma she’s in, that the love of her life doesn’t know her, and she has this other incredible man who loves her, who is waiting for her. I have no idea what that could possibly feel like. As if you’ve lost the man you love, though he’s standing right in front of you. Though I think that I would never let him go, no matter if he doesn’t remember or want me, and I would fight to the world’s end to have him again. But that’s just me.

I just can’t help but love these books to death. They are treasures in my treasure chest of most beloved books. I don’t expect people to understand my love of them, which is perfectly fine, because I sometimes don’t understand the love people have of other books. To each their own, right? But let it be known I will always love these books, and I see Colleen as a wonderfully gifted storyteller.

]]> <![CDATA[Tiger's Quest (The Tiger Saga, #2)]]> 9662386
Aside From battling immortal sea monkeys and trekking the jungles of India, she fell in love with Ren, a 300-year-old prince.

When danger suddenly forces Kelsey on another Indian quest, with Ren's bad-boy brother, Kishan,the unlikely duo begins to question their true destiny. Ren's life hangs in the balance--so does the truth within Kelsey's heart.

Tiger's Quest, the thrilling second volume in the Tiger's Curse series, brings the trio one step closer to breaking the ancient prophecy that binds them.]]> 479 Colleen Houck 140278404X Erica (storybookend) 5 Tiger’s Quest was lacking. It had adventure, mythology, magic, intrigue, danger, adventure, romance, so much more than I could have asked for. Aside from perhaps the beginning (I'll get to that), this book is incredible, breathless, utterly amazing, leaving me with the same feelings as in Tiger's Curse and that unbearable cliffhanger it left me with. But this cliffhanger, in Tiger’s Quest, is so much more horrible, I’ll die if I don’t find out what happens.

I won’t say this book is for everyone. There are some who will find more problems with it than I could, things to nitpick at. But for me, I loved this book entirely, because of the emotions I felt while reading it. The emotions portrayed were so believable and real. The characters, oh, I just loved them all. Kelsey is one of my favorite heroines. She’s strong, determined, loving, would fight to her death to save the man she loves. And the love triangle is intense. But it is most possibly the best executed love triangle I’ve read about. Most of the love triangles in YA books are fickle and annoying and reincarnations of Twilight. Tiger’s Quest though, while it may bear some resemblance to Twilight, it was not nearly enough for me to be annoyed at, and it is so much more believable and well written than Twilight and so many other novels.

I have never felt so torn between the two male love interests before. Well, I guess I can’t necessarily say that. Ren and Kelsey belong together, I know that, I want it, anything else and I wouldn’t like it. I love Ren, he is so perfect for Kelsey, his love for her is undeniable, never ending, as it is with her love for him. But I can not help but mourn with Kishan that he can’t have Kelsey. I loved Kishan in this book. He is just so unbelievably charming, and handsome, and endearing, and, I just want him! I do not want him to be in so much pain. But what I love about him is that he loves his brother so much that he wouldn’t take Kelsey from him, unless Ren didn’t want her and Kelsey didn’t want Ren. But, Kishan and Kelsey had chemistry. It sizzled, it made me swoon. And that kiss..! Oh my gosh! But I loved the moments with Ren and Kelsey so much more, because not only did it sizzle, it shone brilliantly with such love and adoration that melted me completely.

I hope you’re sensing at least a little bit of my dilemma, and Kelsey’s (especially with this ending that could possibly shatter everything for Kelsey if they don’t find a way to rectify it). I love Ren, I love Kishan, I love Ren with Kelsey, but I want Kishan to have what he wants, which is Kelsey. Jeesh, Colleen, are you watching this turmoil you’ve given me? Thanks a lot.

Because I’m a hopeless romantic, and I love a good love story in any book, the romance is more of what I focus on. But this book isn’t just the trying romance. The adventure was intense and adrenaline rushing, especially at the end. I think it would make a fantastic movie. Well, at least a movie that I would love and enjoy, what with the adventure, mythology, were tigers, monsters, magic, romance (with the kissing…alright, so I swoon at kiss scenes, so what?) Oh yeah, I would so love if this series became movies. (oh, and I totally loved the divine scarf, and the magical qualities it possesses.)

One gripe I may have is with the dating part in the beginning when Kelsey was trying to forget Ren by dating other guys. She went on several dates with three guys, one that she actually liked (but only as a friend) who liked her a lot in return. But then Ren entered the picture, and Kelsey didn't want anyone else. Because Ren wanted Kelsey to be sure of her decision of what and who she wanted, Ren wanted to date her, and have her still date this other guy, Li. Honestly, I didn't quite like the way this was handled. Ren and Kelsey were playing a game, to see who would cave under love and need first, and Li was just a pawn that Ren wanted to pummel for even thinking about Kelsey, and that Kelsey didn’t mind playing with. She liked Li, but she obviously didn’t think about his feelings when she agreed to do to do this whole dating thing that Ren wanted. How could Li even stand a chance against someone like Ren, especially when Kelsey still undeniably loves him, and only ever felt friendship with Li?

Girls, if you’re dating two guys, and you’re in love with one, don’t lead the other guy on. It’s cruel to him, unfair to the one you do love, and only messes with your mind and possibly destroying the chance you could have had with your love. When this plot was resolved, I actually didn’t hate it as much as I was kind of originally starting to. It ended nicely (obviously, since she chose Ren, and had some moments that melted my heart, mmm-hmm), and I can understand that it was to help Kelsey firmly cement her decision. Because of her indecision she ended with in Tiger’s Curse about her relationship with Ren, there had to be something like the whole Ren/Li thing to push her in the direction that was right for her. And the rest of the book was so incredible that I can forgive this more readily.

And the ending, it’s so awful. How can Houck put her characters though this? And me for that matter. You’re killing me Houck. And I have to wait until November 1 to read Tiger's Voyage?! Oh, I may just die. Dang it, I hate endings like this, hate hate hate. But I stupidly love them for making me feel the way I do. Wouldn’t the world be a better place without heartbreaking cliffhangers in books? I wouldn’t be reduced to a pathetic sobbing mess, I wouldn’t be wasting all my energy anxiously awaiting the sequel. You know what, this is kind of what I feel with The Lost Hero, with its stupid unbearable cliffhanger. Not as bad as Tiger‘s Quest, but still the same. Colleen, do you think we could speed up the publishing process a bit? *wishful thinking, I know :( *

Sorry this review is so long, I really had no intention of rambling on like that. ]]> 4.31 2011 Tiger's Quest (The Tiger Saga, #2)

author: Colleen Houck
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.31
book published: 2011
rating: 5
read at: 2011/05/29
date added: 2021/05/16
shelves: 2011-reads, absolute-favorites, best-characters, favorite-romance, heartbreaking-endings, love-love-it, made-me-cry, made-me-laugh, novels-that-inspire-me, swoon-worthy-male-love-interests, treasured-keeps, unbearable-cliffhangers, would-love-if-it-were-a-movie, i-own
review:
So incredibly heartbreaking. I don’t know if I’ve ever cried so much while reading a book. The ending just.. It broke my heart and trampled on it. Why?! Why did it have to happen? I hate it when authors do this to us readers. But, I can’t help but respect and love Colleen Houck for creating such an emotional ending. It’s books like this that I love utterly, books with real, endearing characters that latch onto my heart so securely and refuse to leave, no matter how well the writing is, or how well the story is executed. A book could be lacking a bit in those aspects, but if there are characters that I come to love, I don’t care how amazing or not so amazing the rest of the book is. The characters are enough. This isn’t to say that Tiger’s Quest was lacking. It had adventure, mythology, magic, intrigue, danger, adventure, romance, so much more than I could have asked for. Aside from perhaps the beginning (I'll get to that), this book is incredible, breathless, utterly amazing, leaving me with the same feelings as in Tiger's Curse and that unbearable cliffhanger it left me with. But this cliffhanger, in Tiger’s Quest, is so much more horrible, I’ll die if I don’t find out what happens.

I won’t say this book is for everyone. There are some who will find more problems with it than I could, things to nitpick at. But for me, I loved this book entirely, because of the emotions I felt while reading it. The emotions portrayed were so believable and real. The characters, oh, I just loved them all. Kelsey is one of my favorite heroines. She’s strong, determined, loving, would fight to her death to save the man she loves. And the love triangle is intense. But it is most possibly the best executed love triangle I’ve read about. Most of the love triangles in YA books are fickle and annoying and reincarnations of Twilight. Tiger’s Quest though, while it may bear some resemblance to Twilight, it was not nearly enough for me to be annoyed at, and it is so much more believable and well written than Twilight and so many other novels.

I have never felt so torn between the two male love interests before. Well, I guess I can’t necessarily say that. Ren and Kelsey belong together, I know that, I want it, anything else and I wouldn’t like it. I love Ren, he is so perfect for Kelsey, his love for her is undeniable, never ending, as it is with her love for him. But I can not help but mourn with Kishan that he can’t have Kelsey. I loved Kishan in this book. He is just so unbelievably charming, and handsome, and endearing, and, I just want him! I do not want him to be in so much pain. But what I love about him is that he loves his brother so much that he wouldn’t take Kelsey from him, unless Ren didn’t want her and Kelsey didn’t want Ren. But, Kishan and Kelsey had chemistry. It sizzled, it made me swoon. And that kiss..! Oh my gosh! But I loved the moments with Ren and Kelsey so much more, because not only did it sizzle, it shone brilliantly with such love and adoration that melted me completely.

I hope you’re sensing at least a little bit of my dilemma, and Kelsey’s (especially with this ending that could possibly shatter everything for Kelsey if they don’t find a way to rectify it). I love Ren, I love Kishan, I love Ren with Kelsey, but I want Kishan to have what he wants, which is Kelsey. Jeesh, Colleen, are you watching this turmoil you’ve given me? Thanks a lot.

Because I’m a hopeless romantic, and I love a good love story in any book, the romance is more of what I focus on. But this book isn’t just the trying romance. The adventure was intense and adrenaline rushing, especially at the end. I think it would make a fantastic movie. Well, at least a movie that I would love and enjoy, what with the adventure, mythology, were tigers, monsters, magic, romance (with the kissing…alright, so I swoon at kiss scenes, so what?) Oh yeah, I would so love if this series became movies. (oh, and I totally loved the divine scarf, and the magical qualities it possesses.)

One gripe I may have is with the dating part in the beginning when Kelsey was trying to forget Ren by dating other guys. She went on several dates with three guys, one that she actually liked (but only as a friend) who liked her a lot in return. But then Ren entered the picture, and Kelsey didn't want anyone else. Because Ren wanted Kelsey to be sure of her decision of what and who she wanted, Ren wanted to date her, and have her still date this other guy, Li. Honestly, I didn't quite like the way this was handled. Ren and Kelsey were playing a game, to see who would cave under love and need first, and Li was just a pawn that Ren wanted to pummel for even thinking about Kelsey, and that Kelsey didn’t mind playing with. She liked Li, but she obviously didn’t think about his feelings when she agreed to do to do this whole dating thing that Ren wanted. How could Li even stand a chance against someone like Ren, especially when Kelsey still undeniably loves him, and only ever felt friendship with Li?

Girls, if you’re dating two guys, and you’re in love with one, don’t lead the other guy on. It’s cruel to him, unfair to the one you do love, and only messes with your mind and possibly destroying the chance you could have had with your love. When this plot was resolved, I actually didn’t hate it as much as I was kind of originally starting to. It ended nicely (obviously, since she chose Ren, and had some moments that melted my heart, mmm-hmm), and I can understand that it was to help Kelsey firmly cement her decision. Because of her indecision she ended with in Tiger’s Curse about her relationship with Ren, there had to be something like the whole Ren/Li thing to push her in the direction that was right for her. And the rest of the book was so incredible that I can forgive this more readily.

And the ending, it’s so awful. How can Houck put her characters though this? And me for that matter. You’re killing me Houck. And I have to wait until November 1 to read Tiger's Voyage?! Oh, I may just die. Dang it, I hate endings like this, hate hate hate. But I stupidly love them for making me feel the way I do. Wouldn’t the world be a better place without heartbreaking cliffhangers in books? I wouldn’t be reduced to a pathetic sobbing mess, I wouldn’t be wasting all my energy anxiously awaiting the sequel. You know what, this is kind of what I feel with The Lost Hero, with its stupid unbearable cliffhanger. Not as bad as Tiger‘s Quest, but still the same. Colleen, do you think we could speed up the publishing process a bit? *wishful thinking, I know :( *

Sorry this review is so long, I really had no intention of rambling on like that.
]]> <![CDATA[Tiger's Curse (The Tiger Saga, #1)]]> 9284655
Would you risk it all to change your destiny?

The last thing Kelsey Hayes thought she’d be doing this summer was trying to break a 300-year-old Indian curse. With a mysterious white tiger named Ren. Halfway around the world. But that’s exactly what happened. Face-to-face with dark forces, spellbinding magic, and mystical worlds where nothing is what it seems, Kelsey risks everything to piece together an ancient prophecy that could break the curse forever.

Tiger’s Curse is the exciting first volume in an epic fantasy-romance that will leave you breathless and yearning for more.]]> 403 Colleen Houck 1402784031 Erica (storybookend) 5
Oh my gosh, this book, this breathtaking, thrilling, romantic, utterly perfect book. It swept me away in blissful awe. The India setting, the mythical lure, the enchanting curse, the charmed aura of India’s 300 year old prince. I was completely captivated by the story, the characters, the setting, just, everything! And the romance, oh so swoon. So completely gush worthy and butterfly inducing and breathtaking. This book is so original and creative. A 300 year old curse turning bitter brothers into tigers, and one girl, one strong, determined girl who is the only one who can break the curse, and free these two Indian princes back to their steady human form. But Kelsey didn’t expect to fall in love, to fall completely in love with her white tiger, the oh so dashing prince, who’s love for her is unbreakable. Ren, oh Ren. There is no one more swoon worthy, and so amazingly perfect. They share a connection, they know they love each other, but it’s not solid, hence the nerve wrecking, speechless ending. Gahh! Why must authors do this to us? My nerves are all on edge. I turned the last page, silently screaming in frustrated anxiousness. Stupid Kelsey, stupid stupid Kelsey. He loves you! You know it! You love him, you belong together! Go back! I can almost understand her feelings of inadequacies. But if a breathtakingly perfect man loves you, wants you, wants to kiss you and be with you, then there must be something wondrous about you that speaks to him, leaving him in breathless wonder. Perhaps there’s more to you than you think, something that others can see, that you can’t, or refuse to see because his love for you just seems too good to be true, and you make yourself believe that you’re not deserving of it, that he could have any gorgeous woman he wanted, and yet he’s chosen you, and you can’t understand why. But then I realize that sometimes people need to take a step back to know what they truly desire and need. When it’s right in front of you, begging you to acquiesce, loving you utterly, you become lost in the fantastical lure and beauty of it, and you can’t see anything else. And then one tiny doubt is seeded in your heart because of the surreal perfectness of it, and you wonder if this is real. If it’s just a fabrication of your mind, deluding yourself into thinking that he could truly want you because he deeply loves you. Sometimes, a breather is what you need, to think back of what was, to try new things, make mistakes, and become a better, stronger, more confident person who knows what you want, and when presented with that love again, with the one person you love and thought leaving was better for both of you, you will be able to gauge your true feelings for him, and his true feelings for you. If your love is still there, it will be stronger and deeper, more passionate and beautiful than you thought possible. And there will be no more doubts, just love.

Well, I didn’t expect to go so deep, but this story, the ending, Kelsey’s choice, it just affected me, and I so desperately wanted her to stay with him, to let him love her. After finishing this book, I am just so anxious to find out what happens. What Kelsey and Ren will do, how they’ll grow, how this change could affect them, and I hope bring them closer together.

Tiger’s Curse was breathless and beautiful. I was captivated and thrilled through the whole story. I am so glad I read this, and I cannot wait to read the next two books. Thank you Colleen for such a perfect, romantic, amazing story.

Edit 6/2/11 It's going to be made into a movie! That just made me so incredibly excited! If done right, it will make an incredible movie, with some fine men in it ;) *swoon* ]]> 4.07 2011 Tiger's Curse (The Tiger Saga, #1)

author: Colleen Houck
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.07
book published: 2011
rating: 5
read at: 2011/01/15
date added: 2021/05/16
shelves: coolio-covers, 2011-reads, favorite-romance, swoon-worthy-male-love-interests, unbearable-cliffhangers, made-me-laugh, would-love-if-it-were-a-movie, love-love-it, best-characters, enchanting-reads, absolute-favorites, heartbreaking-endings, being-made-into-a-movie, i-own
review:
NO! No no no no! Kelsey, go back, go back!

Oh my gosh, this book, this breathtaking, thrilling, romantic, utterly perfect book. It swept me away in blissful awe. The India setting, the mythical lure, the enchanting curse, the charmed aura of India’s 300 year old prince. I was completely captivated by the story, the characters, the setting, just, everything! And the romance, oh so swoon. So completely gush worthy and butterfly inducing and breathtaking. This book is so original and creative. A 300 year old curse turning bitter brothers into tigers, and one girl, one strong, determined girl who is the only one who can break the curse, and free these two Indian princes back to their steady human form. But Kelsey didn’t expect to fall in love, to fall completely in love with her white tiger, the oh so dashing prince, who’s love for her is unbreakable. Ren, oh Ren. There is no one more swoon worthy, and so amazingly perfect. They share a connection, they know they love each other, but it’s not solid, hence the nerve wrecking, speechless ending. Gahh! Why must authors do this to us? My nerves are all on edge. I turned the last page, silently screaming in frustrated anxiousness. Stupid Kelsey, stupid stupid Kelsey. He loves you! You know it! You love him, you belong together! Go back! I can almost understand her feelings of inadequacies. But if a breathtakingly perfect man loves you, wants you, wants to kiss you and be with you, then there must be something wondrous about you that speaks to him, leaving him in breathless wonder. Perhaps there’s more to you than you think, something that others can see, that you can’t, or refuse to see because his love for you just seems too good to be true, and you make yourself believe that you’re not deserving of it, that he could have any gorgeous woman he wanted, and yet he’s chosen you, and you can’t understand why. But then I realize that sometimes people need to take a step back to know what they truly desire and need. When it’s right in front of you, begging you to acquiesce, loving you utterly, you become lost in the fantastical lure and beauty of it, and you can’t see anything else. And then one tiny doubt is seeded in your heart because of the surreal perfectness of it, and you wonder if this is real. If it’s just a fabrication of your mind, deluding yourself into thinking that he could truly want you because he deeply loves you. Sometimes, a breather is what you need, to think back of what was, to try new things, make mistakes, and become a better, stronger, more confident person who knows what you want, and when presented with that love again, with the one person you love and thought leaving was better for both of you, you will be able to gauge your true feelings for him, and his true feelings for you. If your love is still there, it will be stronger and deeper, more passionate and beautiful than you thought possible. And there will be no more doubts, just love.

Well, I didn’t expect to go so deep, but this story, the ending, Kelsey’s choice, it just affected me, and I so desperately wanted her to stay with him, to let him love her. After finishing this book, I am just so anxious to find out what happens. What Kelsey and Ren will do, how they’ll grow, how this change could affect them, and I hope bring them closer together.

Tiger’s Curse was breathless and beautiful. I was captivated and thrilled through the whole story. I am so glad I read this, and I cannot wait to read the next two books. Thank you Colleen for such a perfect, romantic, amazing story.

Edit 6/2/11 It's going to be made into a movie! That just made me so incredibly excited! If done right, it will make an incredible movie, with some fine men in it ;) *swoon*
]]> <![CDATA[Wildwood Dancing (Wildwood, #1)]]> 2020473
But their peace is shattered when Father falls ill and must go to the southern parts to recover, for that is when cousin Cezar arrives. Though he's there to help the girls survive the brutal winter, Jena suspects he has darker motives in store. Meanwhile, Jena's sister has fallen in love with a dangerous creature of the Other Kingdom--an impossible union it's up to Jena to stop.

When Cezar's grip of power begins to tighten, at stake is everything Jena loves: her home, her family, and the Other Kingdom she has come to cherish. To save her world, Jena will be tested in ways she can't imagine--tests of trust, strength, and true love.]]> 400 Juliet Marillier 0375844740 Erica (storybookend) 5 Before reading this review, be warned, it’s a little, well, stilted, and maybe slightly spoilery, though the back of the book DOES say one enchanted frog, so, make of it what you will.

I didn’t know this story was a retelling of the 12 dancing princesses. Score! Being one of my favorite fairytales (if you couldn’t tell by my review of ), I was excited to read this different version from an author I adore. And this wasn’t the only fairytale retelling in this enchanting book; there’s a frog, I bet you can’t guess the other tale. I loved how these two tales were intertwined, creating one beautiful, magical story that captivated me utterly.

Marillier wrote a lovely, lyrical story with a perfectly flowing prose, making me hang onto every deliciously written word. Marillier takes us into the enchanting world of five sisters who found a secret realm of faeries and dwarves and the like when they were young girls. Every night of the full moon, they travel the secret passageway in their room to an enchanted land, and dance the night away. Then the Night People come, bloodsuckers. And with them, a sorrowful, pale boy who immediately catches the eye of the eldest sister, Tatiana, and they fall deeply in love. The sister who is telling the story, the second eldest sister, Jenica, discourages this relationship. The Night People can’t be trusted. But Tati will not be swayed. Jenica also, finds herself crossed in romance with someone who is wholly unwanted, and with someone from her dreams, but whom she believes she can not, must not have. Jenica’s cousin, Cezar, makes untoward advances at her, which she refuses, as she does not love him. And there’s something strange about her longtime, dear friend frog, Gogu�� But you’ll just have to read the book to find out what that is about.

I loved the storytelling of the story, how it was executed, how everything tied up so perfectly in its complexity ending. The story when Jenica was young and was playing with her two cousins in the wildwood, and they traded something dear to them to have a royal title in their little childhood game, plays a more pivotal part of the overall plot than you may think. Also, the writing was beautiful. It’s not the same as Heart’s Blood, obviously, since that books is for adults, and this is a young adult book, but they still possess that same magical feeling with flowing words.

The characters were superb. I loved Jenica, though she does act like a teenager, having strong, curt opinions, she never let anyone get the best of her, she wouldn’t bow down to pressure or her pompous jerk cousin. Yeah, Cezar, I don’t like him. He was uncompassionate, could care less about his cousin’s wants and feelings. But, he got the end he deserved. Ha ha! Ahem, anyway, as I love in any story, there was romance, two in fact. As before mentioned, Tatiana, falling in love with Sorrow, so named for his personality. Though he doesn’t have a very big part, and doesn’t possess a lot of depth, I still fell in love with him, mostly because of his shyness. He was endearing, with his quiteness, and his shy blush. And I do love my shy guys ;) And the other involving Jenica, which I won’t say anything about, as it involves, well, I can’t say. But with your intuitive deductive skills, I’m sure you could figure it out, from this other retelling explored in the story, that you’ll never guess what it is. (I'm trying very hard to be subtle, if you couldn't tell). But I will say that I love this love interest, and they make a very fine couple; sent my heart into some aflutter moments.

I’m so thrilled that there’s a sequel, I wonder what it’s about…Ooh, a Portuguese pirate! And it’s about Paula, searching for a magical artifact with her father who doesn’t have much of a role in Wildwood Dancing. I must acquire this book soon, *shifting my eyes nervously as I add yet another book into my cart online* What? I have a compulsive book buying disorder. Very distressing, I’ll tell you.

I seem to have gone off on some little tangents at places, and I may have repeated some stuff. I think it’s time to end this review. Suffice it to say I loved this book, it’s a treasure, I recommend it, and I love Marillier, I’m if just a touch envious of her storytelling, though I’ll never admit it. Oh, also, the cover, it’s gorgeous. At first glance it seemed a little weird to me. But as I read, I’d sometimes turn back to the cover, and I’d notice something new there upon closer examination, something that I recognized from the story inside. Like the embracing couple off to the right in white and black, and the old lady on the fox. The art is so intricate, you have to peer closely to see all the little, beautiful details, and I came to really appreciate it. I also noticed the artist is Kinuko Y. Craft, who did some covers in the , and some of books, whom I have yet to read but I hope to soon as they seem my type of magical fairytale type book. Craft’s art can be strange, but it’s rather beautiful with it’s otherworldly, magical, floating type quality, and it’s soft tones. So yeah, I loved this book. Did I say that already?]]> 4.18 2006 Wildwood Dancing (Wildwood, #1)

author: Juliet Marillier
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2006
rating: 5
read at: 2011/05/12
date added: 2021/05/16
shelves: 12-dancing-princesses, dance, retellings, 2011-reads, absolute-favorites, beautiful-writing, best-characters, best-endings, cover-love, enchanting-reads, favorite-romance, love-love-it, novels-that-inspire-me, swoon-worthy-male-love-interests, would-love-if-it-were-a-movie, i-own
review:
Before reading this review, be warned, it’s a little, well, stilted, and maybe slightly spoilery, though the back of the book DOES say one enchanted frog, so, make of it what you will.

I didn’t know this story was a retelling of the 12 dancing princesses. Score! Being one of my favorite fairytales (if you couldn’t tell by my review of ), I was excited to read this different version from an author I adore. And this wasn’t the only fairytale retelling in this enchanting book; there’s a frog, I bet you can’t guess the other tale. I loved how these two tales were intertwined, creating one beautiful, magical story that captivated me utterly.

Marillier wrote a lovely, lyrical story with a perfectly flowing prose, making me hang onto every deliciously written word. Marillier takes us into the enchanting world of five sisters who found a secret realm of faeries and dwarves and the like when they were young girls. Every night of the full moon, they travel the secret passageway in their room to an enchanted land, and dance the night away. Then the Night People come, bloodsuckers. And with them, a sorrowful, pale boy who immediately catches the eye of the eldest sister, Tatiana, and they fall deeply in love. The sister who is telling the story, the second eldest sister, Jenica, discourages this relationship. The Night People can’t be trusted. But Tati will not be swayed. Jenica also, finds herself crossed in romance with someone who is wholly unwanted, and with someone from her dreams, but whom she believes she can not, must not have. Jenica’s cousin, Cezar, makes untoward advances at her, which she refuses, as she does not love him. And there’s something strange about her longtime, dear friend frog, Gogu�� But you’ll just have to read the book to find out what that is about.

I loved the storytelling of the story, how it was executed, how everything tied up so perfectly in its complexity ending. The story when Jenica was young and was playing with her two cousins in the wildwood, and they traded something dear to them to have a royal title in their little childhood game, plays a more pivotal part of the overall plot than you may think. Also, the writing was beautiful. It’s not the same as Heart’s Blood, obviously, since that books is for adults, and this is a young adult book, but they still possess that same magical feeling with flowing words.

The characters were superb. I loved Jenica, though she does act like a teenager, having strong, curt opinions, she never let anyone get the best of her, she wouldn’t bow down to pressure or her pompous jerk cousin. Yeah, Cezar, I don’t like him. He was uncompassionate, could care less about his cousin’s wants and feelings. But, he got the end he deserved. Ha ha! Ahem, anyway, as I love in any story, there was romance, two in fact. As before mentioned, Tatiana, falling in love with Sorrow, so named for his personality. Though he doesn’t have a very big part, and doesn’t possess a lot of depth, I still fell in love with him, mostly because of his shyness. He was endearing, with his quiteness, and his shy blush. And I do love my shy guys ;) And the other involving Jenica, which I won’t say anything about, as it involves, well, I can’t say. But with your intuitive deductive skills, I’m sure you could figure it out, from this other retelling explored in the story, that you’ll never guess what it is. (I'm trying very hard to be subtle, if you couldn't tell). But I will say that I love this love interest, and they make a very fine couple; sent my heart into some aflutter moments.

I’m so thrilled that there’s a sequel, I wonder what it’s about…Ooh, a Portuguese pirate! And it’s about Paula, searching for a magical artifact with her father who doesn’t have much of a role in Wildwood Dancing. I must acquire this book soon, *shifting my eyes nervously as I add yet another book into my cart online* What? I have a compulsive book buying disorder. Very distressing, I’ll tell you.

I seem to have gone off on some little tangents at places, and I may have repeated some stuff. I think it’s time to end this review. Suffice it to say I loved this book, it’s a treasure, I recommend it, and I love Marillier, I’m if just a touch envious of her storytelling, though I’ll never admit it. Oh, also, the cover, it’s gorgeous. At first glance it seemed a little weird to me. But as I read, I’d sometimes turn back to the cover, and I’d notice something new there upon closer examination, something that I recognized from the story inside. Like the embracing couple off to the right in white and black, and the old lady on the fox. The art is so intricate, you have to peer closely to see all the little, beautiful details, and I came to really appreciate it. I also noticed the artist is Kinuko Y. Craft, who did some covers in the , and some of books, whom I have yet to read but I hope to soon as they seem my type of magical fairytale type book. Craft’s art can be strange, but it’s rather beautiful with it’s otherworldly, magical, floating type quality, and it’s soft tones. So yeah, I loved this book. Did I say that already?
]]> <![CDATA[The Hero of Ages (Mistborn, #3)]]> 3362870
To end the Final Empire and restore freedom, Vin killed the Lord Ruler. But as a result, the Deepness—the lethal form of the ubiquitous mists—is back, along with increasingly heavy ashfalls and ever more powerful earthquakes. Humanity appears to be doomed.

Having escaped death at the climax of The Well of Ascension only by becoming a Mistborn himself, Emperor Elend Venture hopes to find clues left behind by the Lord Ruler that will allow him to save the world. Vin is consumed with guilt at having been tricked into releasing the mystic force known as Ruin from the Well. Ruin wants to end the world, and its near omniscience and ability to warp reality make stopping it seem impossible. She can't even discuss it with Elend lest Ruin learn their plans!]]> 760 Brandon Sanderson 0765356147 Erica (storybookend) 5 This ‘review�� is not a review of the book, but more of my emotional journey through reading it and upon finishing. For those of you who have read the Mistborn trilogy, I think you can empathize with what I felt. For those of you who haven’t, I ask that you do yourself a favor, and feast upon these books. For they are truly the most amazing books I’ve ever read.

Before the end, I was going to write an absolutely glowing review full of caps lock and exclamations points and gifs and pictures and my singing glorious praising to high heaven to clearly show my ultimate love and devotion for this book. But I just can’t, I can’t.

I am hurting. I’m in so much pain. Never before has a book put me through such emotional turmoil, rendering me to a sobbing, terrible mess, with my heart ripped to pieces, bleeding on the floor, my chest aching, my mind, near in shock. I didn’t want this to happen. I didn’t even consider something like this, especially of this magnitude, happening. Sanderson put me through hell. But I cannot hate him. I cannot hate his prowess in making me go through all of this pain, and yet leaving me with feelings of indescribable joy and breathless wonder. I closed the book with such a wonderful feeling of satisfaction and completion, not wanting in anything save for that I didn’t want it to end. It was a difficult journey, yes, but any journey worth making is worth the trials. And this particular journey, was most possibly, the most rewarding journey I’ve ever been on in the literary world I thrive on.

When a novel really makes me feel, it becomes more dear and precious to me than any other book. It shines brighter, dark as the tale may be, tearful as it may make me. But that is what readers are looking for. A story that speaks to their heart and soul, pours emotion into them, making them feel everything the characters are feeling, and lingers well after the last page. And this is what I treasure. Any novel that can do this to me, even though it may not be the best written or executed, is one to be cherished dearly. This novel stands out though. Not only does it make you feel deeply, it has outstanding world building, an incredible cast of characters that you love dearly, and a brilliant execution of a story that leaves you in breathless awe.

I knew this series wasn’t all happy endings and rainbows and light. It is a terrible, dying world with an unknown force beating upon it. Horrible ramifications will happen, there is no escaping them. There is no hope of creating a happily ever after for everyone, and creating a world anew without some type of destruction and loss. People die, thousands of people. People you care about. My heart was torn out and trampled on. And it’s still trying to put itself together again. This is a dark tale. Sanderson doesn’t paint it light. He shows you what becomes of a world destroyed, what happens after its thousand years of relentless abuse. But, even then, even through all those dark moments, there are moments of light, of love and joy and laughter. And hope. Faith and hope, I believe, is the core of the novel, what makes all the characters press onward in hopes of a brighter future. The mists, the darkness are ever pressing on them, but they never give up hope. They never stop believing that all could be well if they but fight to secure it.

I can’t write this review and not talk about the characters. I can’t talk specifically about what they did that I loved, or their personal thoughts and journey, lest I spoil the book. But I can say that I adore these people with every fiber of my being. They are not just characters moving a story forward, they live and breathe and are REAL. When they were in pain, I was in pain. When something terrible happened to someone I loved, I cried, my heart raging inside, aching and furious at what was happening. But oh how wonderful they are, how glorious their stalwartness and love and self-discovery over the course of their lives.

One such person, whom I love and respect and praise, was Sazed. Dear Sazed. Your soul searching quest was perhaps the most riveting and saddening. I ached watching you despair and lose your hope that you had held onto the whole of your life until something devastating sent your doubts flying, your faith failing. But it all paid off! Everything you learned, discovered about your life’s devotion of studying religions. Therein was the faith you needed, you just had to look at them with a new light, a different perspective. And I loved what you became. It was so perfect for you, and made my soul soar with happiness.

And then Vin and Elend. Their characters were brilliant. Their outcome, their destiny, jaw dropping, and�� I cannot say more on them. You need to discover this on your own. You will come to love them, and you will ache deeply when terrible things happen to them. But the pain is not all for naught. You have to feel pain for them to connect you to them, to make them real, to make the story and their characters believable and entrancing. The ending was heartbreaking, but so perfect, it couldn’t- shouldn’t- have happened any other way. And even though thinking that disheartens me, it was remarkable in its execution, and ended with a perfect brush of the light and new found joy that I was so desperate to find. With the ever present mist and ash and red sunlight, I yearned for the characters to find their blue sky, and yellow sun, and green grass. They never knew of those things. With a thousand years of red sky and brown landscape, such things were preposterous, laughable. Vin believed in it though, because Kelsier did. And this vague image of a better, brighter, lively world full of color, brought them a measure of hope and desire that fueled them in their desperate actions to find this better world, where Inquisitors and Ruin cannot abound, and where peace and light reign.

One last character whom I thought was brilliantly crafted, even more so after his death, was The Lord Ruler. I never could have imagined his role in the story, his true intentions that were misunderstood by those seeking to overthrow him. Sanderson created the most unbelievably cruel, good villian. He is not what he seems, and is only a pawn of something even more devious and cunning and ruthless than he ever could be. The whole plot, how everything came together, the realization of what certain things meant, was utterly brilliant. It’s mindboggling to think that someone could concoct such a story, such a world, being so attentive to every single little last detail that is essential in making the world work and have no problems in its making and telling. Sanderson is a mastermind genius. I could never be as superb as he is, but I hope I could be half, or a fourth, or a hundredth so brilliant with storytelling and drawing people in.

I almost forgot Spook. Erica, what are you thinking? Ah, Spook, you captured my heart. You became the man I was hoping you would be. You never lost yourself, but you became so much more. And I loved it. I loved your growth and love you had and strength. You, with Elend and Sazed, are my hero.

I sincerely urge you, plead you, to read the Mistborn Trilogy. It is so outstanding and perfect and thrilling, you will find you cannot stay away from the world once you enter, and will dread leaving it. What truly, is more amazing than these books? Though I have read them just this year, and there are still thousands of books out there to read, I have a feeling I will not find another read more brilliant. And though I don’t read much epic fantasy (which I think will change soon), I believe the Mistborn trilogy stands out in this genre, and is more than worth reading and loving. They have become my favorite books ever; nothing I’ve read comes even close. And this is why I wish everyone on earth would read these books. I will recommend it to everyone I can. When I love a book so deeply and desperately, I can’t not tell everyone of its brilliance, and that they MUST read it. And you must. You must if you want a book that arrests you completely, and leaves you with such deep emotion and love and wanting more. I can’t praise these books enough, and I hope I have been able to sway you to read them. You will not regret it, trust me.]]> 4.49 2008 The Hero of Ages (Mistborn, #3)

author: Brandon Sanderson
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.49
book published: 2008
rating: 5
read at: 2017/06/25
date added: 2021/05/14
shelves: lds-authors, 2011-reads, absolute-favorites, best-characters, best-endings, brilliant-authors, favorite-romance, i-recommend-it, incredible, love-with-all-my-heart, made-me-cry, love-love-it, novels-that-inspire-me, played-with-my-emotions, original-creative-premise, outstanding-worldbuilding, purely-brilliant, treasured-keeps, heroes-i-respect-and-praise, 2017-reads, i-own-1-copies, i-own
review:
This ‘review�� is not a review of the book, but more of my emotional journey through reading it and upon finishing. For those of you who have read the Mistborn trilogy, I think you can empathize with what I felt. For those of you who haven’t, I ask that you do yourself a favor, and feast upon these books. For they are truly the most amazing books I’ve ever read.

Before the end, I was going to write an absolutely glowing review full of caps lock and exclamations points and gifs and pictures and my singing glorious praising to high heaven to clearly show my ultimate love and devotion for this book. But I just can’t, I can’t.

I am hurting. I’m in so much pain. Never before has a book put me through such emotional turmoil, rendering me to a sobbing, terrible mess, with my heart ripped to pieces, bleeding on the floor, my chest aching, my mind, near in shock. I didn’t want this to happen. I didn’t even consider something like this, especially of this magnitude, happening. Sanderson put me through hell. But I cannot hate him. I cannot hate his prowess in making me go through all of this pain, and yet leaving me with feelings of indescribable joy and breathless wonder. I closed the book with such a wonderful feeling of satisfaction and completion, not wanting in anything save for that I didn’t want it to end. It was a difficult journey, yes, but any journey worth making is worth the trials. And this particular journey, was most possibly, the most rewarding journey I’ve ever been on in the literary world I thrive on.

When a novel really makes me feel, it becomes more dear and precious to me than any other book. It shines brighter, dark as the tale may be, tearful as it may make me. But that is what readers are looking for. A story that speaks to their heart and soul, pours emotion into them, making them feel everything the characters are feeling, and lingers well after the last page. And this is what I treasure. Any novel that can do this to me, even though it may not be the best written or executed, is one to be cherished dearly. This novel stands out though. Not only does it make you feel deeply, it has outstanding world building, an incredible cast of characters that you love dearly, and a brilliant execution of a story that leaves you in breathless awe.

I knew this series wasn’t all happy endings and rainbows and light. It is a terrible, dying world with an unknown force beating upon it. Horrible ramifications will happen, there is no escaping them. There is no hope of creating a happily ever after for everyone, and creating a world anew without some type of destruction and loss. People die, thousands of people. People you care about. My heart was torn out and trampled on. And it’s still trying to put itself together again. This is a dark tale. Sanderson doesn’t paint it light. He shows you what becomes of a world destroyed, what happens after its thousand years of relentless abuse. But, even then, even through all those dark moments, there are moments of light, of love and joy and laughter. And hope. Faith and hope, I believe, is the core of the novel, what makes all the characters press onward in hopes of a brighter future. The mists, the darkness are ever pressing on them, but they never give up hope. They never stop believing that all could be well if they but fight to secure it.

I can’t write this review and not talk about the characters. I can’t talk specifically about what they did that I loved, or their personal thoughts and journey, lest I spoil the book. But I can say that I adore these people with every fiber of my being. They are not just characters moving a story forward, they live and breathe and are REAL. When they were in pain, I was in pain. When something terrible happened to someone I loved, I cried, my heart raging inside, aching and furious at what was happening. But oh how wonderful they are, how glorious their stalwartness and love and self-discovery over the course of their lives.

One such person, whom I love and respect and praise, was Sazed. Dear Sazed. Your soul searching quest was perhaps the most riveting and saddening. I ached watching you despair and lose your hope that you had held onto the whole of your life until something devastating sent your doubts flying, your faith failing. But it all paid off! Everything you learned, discovered about your life’s devotion of studying religions. Therein was the faith you needed, you just had to look at them with a new light, a different perspective. And I loved what you became. It was so perfect for you, and made my soul soar with happiness.

And then Vin and Elend. Their characters were brilliant. Their outcome, their destiny, jaw dropping, and�� I cannot say more on them. You need to discover this on your own. You will come to love them, and you will ache deeply when terrible things happen to them. But the pain is not all for naught. You have to feel pain for them to connect you to them, to make them real, to make the story and their characters believable and entrancing. The ending was heartbreaking, but so perfect, it couldn’t- shouldn’t- have happened any other way. And even though thinking that disheartens me, it was remarkable in its execution, and ended with a perfect brush of the light and new found joy that I was so desperate to find. With the ever present mist and ash and red sunlight, I yearned for the characters to find their blue sky, and yellow sun, and green grass. They never knew of those things. With a thousand years of red sky and brown landscape, such things were preposterous, laughable. Vin believed in it though, because Kelsier did. And this vague image of a better, brighter, lively world full of color, brought them a measure of hope and desire that fueled them in their desperate actions to find this better world, where Inquisitors and Ruin cannot abound, and where peace and light reign.

One last character whom I thought was brilliantly crafted, even more so after his death, was The Lord Ruler. I never could have imagined his role in the story, his true intentions that were misunderstood by those seeking to overthrow him. Sanderson created the most unbelievably cruel, good villian. He is not what he seems, and is only a pawn of something even more devious and cunning and ruthless than he ever could be. The whole plot, how everything came together, the realization of what certain things meant, was utterly brilliant. It’s mindboggling to think that someone could concoct such a story, such a world, being so attentive to every single little last detail that is essential in making the world work and have no problems in its making and telling. Sanderson is a mastermind genius. I could never be as superb as he is, but I hope I could be half, or a fourth, or a hundredth so brilliant with storytelling and drawing people in.

I almost forgot Spook. Erica, what are you thinking? Ah, Spook, you captured my heart. You became the man I was hoping you would be. You never lost yourself, but you became so much more. And I loved it. I loved your growth and love you had and strength. You, with Elend and Sazed, are my hero.

I sincerely urge you, plead you, to read the Mistborn Trilogy. It is so outstanding and perfect and thrilling, you will find you cannot stay away from the world once you enter, and will dread leaving it. What truly, is more amazing than these books? Though I have read them just this year, and there are still thousands of books out there to read, I have a feeling I will not find another read more brilliant. And though I don’t read much epic fantasy (which I think will change soon), I believe the Mistborn trilogy stands out in this genre, and is more than worth reading and loving. They have become my favorite books ever; nothing I’ve read comes even close. And this is why I wish everyone on earth would read these books. I will recommend it to everyone I can. When I love a book so deeply and desperately, I can’t not tell everyone of its brilliance, and that they MUST read it. And you must. You must if you want a book that arrests you completely, and leaves you with such deep emotion and love and wanting more. I can’t praise these books enough, and I hope I have been able to sway you to read them. You will not regret it, trust me.
]]> <![CDATA[The Well of Ascension (Mistborn, #2)]]> 2115046
They have barely begun when three separate armies attack. As the siege tightens, an ancient legend seems to offer a glimmer of hope. But even if it really exists, no one knows where to find the Well of Ascension or what manner of power it bestows.

It may just be that killing the Lord Ruler was the easy part. Surviving the aftermath of his fall is going to be the real challenge.]]> 781 Brandon Sanderson 0765356139 Erica (storybookend) 5 Warning: this review is long, and may contain spoilers of Mistborn. If you don’t read it, let me tell you the gist of my rambling praise. Read this book. Now. Or forever regret your decision. And now, for my stark love of this awesomely stupendous book.

This book is utterly brilliant. Brilliant says I! I bow down before Sanderson for his startling ingenious mind. I cower before him. I envy him, I admire him. He is my ultimate role model in how to write a novel that will stand out for its uniqueness and awesomeness, and rises eons beyond any other novel that attempts and fails what Sanderson has truly conquered. If there were gods in the world of literature he would be one. I honestly can’t even fathom someone having the kind of mind that can create such a complex world with every single tiny detail attended to and worked into the plot with preciseness and care, no stone left unturned. If you read this book and didn’t rate it a glowing five stars, you are obviously very delusional or very very stupid�� I’m just kidding. Really. I don’t expect everyone who reads this book to love it the way I do. ~~I’m really not kidding. I will hunt you down and force you to love with it with my awesome Allomantic power of Soothing!~~

At the end of Mistborn: The Final Empire, the tyrant Lord Ruler was slain. His reign ended, the years of planning of overthrowing him, overcoming and sometimes failing many obstacles finally paid off and the characters succeeded. The people were free. With this death, you might think the aftermath to be one of rejoicing and happiness and the building up of a new glorious kingdom of equality and joy. But in a downtrodden world which had seen 1000 years of distress and slavery under the rule of a god who showed no mercy, a world with no hope, how can a happy world be expected, be achieved? The ruler of implementing such misery is destroyed, but his world is not, his effect on the people, his legacy, it’s still there. They may have achieved the impossible in killing him, but the real work is only beginning. It would take a tremendous amount of effort and pain to undo what has been rooted into the world and people’s lives. And try they do. The characters fight with everything they have, rising above themselves to secure even a morsel of peace.

This book starts with Elend, now king of Luthadel, looking out over the wall surrounding the city as an army approaches. Soon, another army comes, and so begins the fight for Luthadel. This book is not so action packed as it is about political intrigue. If focuses on the armies, on how to defeat them, how to keep King Elend on the throne. And I was enthralled with it all, with the intellectualness of the characters, of their thoughts and decisions. But interplaying with this is of course Allomancy and mistborns. And then underlying that is an ancient old prophecy, that may, in the end, be their downfall. There were many unanswered questions in Mistborn upon realizing who the Lord Ruler really was, and what happened when the Hero of the Ages failed in acquiring the power of the Well of Ascension and using it to defeat the deepness resulting in the Final Empire with the Lord Ruler ruling. In this novel, the answers are explored in a beautiful, incredible unfolding, that leaves more questions, which undoubtedly are finally completely answered in the next installment and which I am desperate to know!

The Awesome World Building
What makes this novel stand out is its world building. It’s layered with perfection and so much depth. Sanderson has done more than just create a fantastical world, he’s built a whole history of a people and an empire, a society, a way that people live, where they have religion and legends and wars, and several different races of people and creatures. And he probably has much more that he planned out, that isn’t in the story, because it’s not necessary for the reader to know, but is necessary for the author to know to truly understand his world, and be able to weave a tale that makes sense and has no hitches in its telling. What’s sad in the literary world (*cough-ya authors-cough*) is that people don’t take care in plotting out their world. They have an idea and they run with it before they have a chance to sit down and find all the elements that is needed to mold their story into something worth reading and writing. Not so here. Sanderson didn’t just whip out this story once he had the idea. It took years. And, correct me if I’m wrong, I believe he actually had written two separate books, both containing some elements from what is now the Mistborn trilogy. Then he wove those two stories together and came up with this brilliance. That doesn’t just happen in a couple years. I appreciate his hard work. It certainly paid off.

The Amazing Characters
The world building may have cemented the books worthiness in the epic fantasy genre, but it was the characters that were the heart of the story, the force that drove it forward and commanded your full attention. Not a single character, main or minor, was two dimensional. Everyone had so much depth and emotion swirling inside them that they were tangible people. They were real, they breathed life into the pages, making this more than just a fun story to lose yourself in. We see everyone’s insecurities, their strengths, we feel their love and shame and unworthiness and pain. I cried. I cried when certain people died near the end, and feeling the other characters sadness. I was shocked, when the spy’s identity came out. (though that person ran through my head with all the other potential suspects I briefly thought of, I never really considered it would be that person). I was won over with Vin’s and Elend’s love. This novel toyed with my emotions, it broke my heart, made me smile, and made me so so anxious to know the outcome. It. blew. My. Mind.

Vin
I cannot fully express the love I have for Vin. She is my hero. She is the role model for females who wish to rise above their terrible pasts and become a strong, confident, kick-butt woman that people everywhere will look up to with respect and awe. She’s ridiculous. She has so much power, and she doesn’t shy away from doing the gritty work and killing people. But she has so many layers. Outside she’s viewed as this savior, the heir of the Survivor, THE mistborn. But to those who know her, they see the doubts and fears she has. And only to herself she sees who she thinks she really is that no one could understand. She thinks herself unworthy of Elend. How could he possibly love a killing machine like her? He with his stalwartness in believing the good of people, of being kind even to those who betray him or belittle him. And then there’s Vin, who kills people who so much as looks at Elend wrong. And this starts to eat at her. Who is she? Is she a weapon used at Elend’s disposal? Can she ever be her own person, not having to be called upon when danger arrives and be the one to defend everyone? But in the end, she realizes that her being the protector, the knife, isn’t from her being forced or expected, it’s because she needs to protect those she loves, because she wants to.

Elend
Elend. Oh Elend. He is my guy. He is sweet and caring, not foolhardy or rude. He has so much belief in himself and his people that they will do what is best, even if that means taking him from the throne. But that does not mean that he stops fighting, because he never does. He has become so much more than the book learned, disheveled young noblemen who had ideas for change, but never had a chance to implement them. I loved seeing his slow transformation into a man who is stronger, more sure of himself, one who stands true to his standards and will not let other people sway his beliefs, one who now takes command and demands people obey him (not in a tyrant way, but in the way that he is king, and when one is king, one must take charge and be firm and not let people tell you no if he ever hopes to build up a great, unified kingdom). And the next book only promises even greater things form him, and I can’t wait to see where Sanderson takes us in Elend’s journey of discovering who he is.

Sazed
And then there’s Sazed. Dear Sazed. My heart broke for you. For your tremendous pain and shattered hopes and beliefs. You who was the man of faith, who helped people find a reason to believe, to have hope after Kelsier who was the hope was gone. You fought bravely, you stayed true to your ideals, allowed yourself to love. And then everything you once knew to be true was crushed, crushed along with the one you loved. What will become of you? Pray, don’t let this utterly destroy you with no chance of redemption. Stay strong. Find your faith again. Please don't become a shell of the great man you were.

The End
Now let me tell you one thing that was absolutely win in this book. Most of the book is the build up for the inevitable battle over Luthadel. It’s a slow one, yes, but it doesn’t kill any of the intrigue or other action happening. But when the battle comes, it really comes. There is no downplaying it, or staying on the sidelines. Sanderson takes you straight into the heart of the battle, watching as men are slaughtered, as endeared characters die, as Sazed fights! That was so awesome, seeing him in that way! Sanderson doesn’t shy away from what happens in battle, even when the people you may care about have to die. And Vin was her usual ridiculously fantastic mistborn self. And then the end, THE END! Ah, my heart was nearly ripped out of my chest! (even though, of course that couldn’t actually happen, duhhh. Who’s still alive and kicking in the next book, hmm?) But still, seeing Elend and Vin’s pain and their ultimate decision for what they knew had to happen, no matter how much they didn’t want what would be the outcome broke my heart. Ah, but you see, it all worked out. Sort of. She may have unleashed something terrible, but they didn’t die!

Annnnd this review is too long. Why does that always happen with the books I furiously love? Alright, just some little other things I liked.

The Kandras. The spy, and the suspicion of who it could be, and who it actually was.

The Koloss. And Vin’s sudden brilliant realization in battle of what she can do to them.

TenSoon. So, he may be bad..ish. But he showed good inside him, didn’t he? He has the potential to turn his ways, and I really hope we see more of him. And I just loved his whole character even though we didn’t know who he really was.

Tindwyl, and hers and Sazed’s relationship.

Zane. Even though he’s so so bad.

The part when Elend is in the Koloss camp and kills a Koloss and his ridiculous explanation for doing it. That got me laughing.

Clubs. Spook. Breeze. Pretty much every character.

Ah heck, I LOVED EVERYTHING! AND I CAN’T PUT DOWN EVERYTHING I LOVED BECAUSE I WOULD BE QUOTING THE WHOLE DANG BOOK! Which obviously means that you have to read the book to fully understand my love and discover your own love for it. But seriously, this is one those books (series) that will stand the test of time, that will forever be loved, and Brandon Sanderson will always be revered for his brilliant works of art. Yes indeed.
]]> 4.31 2007 The Well of Ascension (Mistborn, #2)

author: Brandon Sanderson
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.31
book published: 2007
rating: 5
read at: 2015/03/01
date added: 2021/05/14
shelves: lds-authors, absolute-favorites, 2011-reads, best-characters, best-endings, brilliant-authors, favorite-romance, i-recommend-it, incredible, love-love-it, love-with-all-my-heart, made-me-cry, novels-that-inspire-me, purely-brilliant, swoon-worthy-male-love-interests, treasured-keeps, unbearable-cliffhangers, would-love-if-it-were-a-movie, played-with-my-emotions, outstanding-worldbuilding, heroes-i-respect-and-praise, 2015-reads, i-own-1-copies, i-own
review:
Warning: this review is long, and may contain spoilers of Mistborn. If you don’t read it, let me tell you the gist of my rambling praise. Read this book. Now. Or forever regret your decision. And now, for my stark love of this awesomely stupendous book.

This book is utterly brilliant. Brilliant says I! I bow down before Sanderson for his startling ingenious mind. I cower before him. I envy him, I admire him. He is my ultimate role model in how to write a novel that will stand out for its uniqueness and awesomeness, and rises eons beyond any other novel that attempts and fails what Sanderson has truly conquered. If there were gods in the world of literature he would be one. I honestly can’t even fathom someone having the kind of mind that can create such a complex world with every single tiny detail attended to and worked into the plot with preciseness and care, no stone left unturned. If you read this book and didn’t rate it a glowing five stars, you are obviously very delusional or very very stupid�� I’m just kidding. Really. I don’t expect everyone who reads this book to love it the way I do. ~~I’m really not kidding. I will hunt you down and force you to love with it with my awesome Allomantic power of Soothing!~~

At the end of Mistborn: The Final Empire, the tyrant Lord Ruler was slain. His reign ended, the years of planning of overthrowing him, overcoming and sometimes failing many obstacles finally paid off and the characters succeeded. The people were free. With this death, you might think the aftermath to be one of rejoicing and happiness and the building up of a new glorious kingdom of equality and joy. But in a downtrodden world which had seen 1000 years of distress and slavery under the rule of a god who showed no mercy, a world with no hope, how can a happy world be expected, be achieved? The ruler of implementing such misery is destroyed, but his world is not, his effect on the people, his legacy, it’s still there. They may have achieved the impossible in killing him, but the real work is only beginning. It would take a tremendous amount of effort and pain to undo what has been rooted into the world and people’s lives. And try they do. The characters fight with everything they have, rising above themselves to secure even a morsel of peace.

This book starts with Elend, now king of Luthadel, looking out over the wall surrounding the city as an army approaches. Soon, another army comes, and so begins the fight for Luthadel. This book is not so action packed as it is about political intrigue. If focuses on the armies, on how to defeat them, how to keep King Elend on the throne. And I was enthralled with it all, with the intellectualness of the characters, of their thoughts and decisions. But interplaying with this is of course Allomancy and mistborns. And then underlying that is an ancient old prophecy, that may, in the end, be their downfall. There were many unanswered questions in Mistborn upon realizing who the Lord Ruler really was, and what happened when the Hero of the Ages failed in acquiring the power of the Well of Ascension and using it to defeat the deepness resulting in the Final Empire with the Lord Ruler ruling. In this novel, the answers are explored in a beautiful, incredible unfolding, that leaves more questions, which undoubtedly are finally completely answered in the next installment and which I am desperate to know!

The Awesome World Building
What makes this novel stand out is its world building. It’s layered with perfection and so much depth. Sanderson has done more than just create a fantastical world, he’s built a whole history of a people and an empire, a society, a way that people live, where they have religion and legends and wars, and several different races of people and creatures. And he probably has much more that he planned out, that isn’t in the story, because it’s not necessary for the reader to know, but is necessary for the author to know to truly understand his world, and be able to weave a tale that makes sense and has no hitches in its telling. What’s sad in the literary world (*cough-ya authors-cough*) is that people don’t take care in plotting out their world. They have an idea and they run with it before they have a chance to sit down and find all the elements that is needed to mold their story into something worth reading and writing. Not so here. Sanderson didn’t just whip out this story once he had the idea. It took years. And, correct me if I’m wrong, I believe he actually had written two separate books, both containing some elements from what is now the Mistborn trilogy. Then he wove those two stories together and came up with this brilliance. That doesn’t just happen in a couple years. I appreciate his hard work. It certainly paid off.

The Amazing Characters
The world building may have cemented the books worthiness in the epic fantasy genre, but it was the characters that were the heart of the story, the force that drove it forward and commanded your full attention. Not a single character, main or minor, was two dimensional. Everyone had so much depth and emotion swirling inside them that they were tangible people. They were real, they breathed life into the pages, making this more than just a fun story to lose yourself in. We see everyone’s insecurities, their strengths, we feel their love and shame and unworthiness and pain. I cried. I cried when certain people died near the end, and feeling the other characters sadness. I was shocked, when the spy’s identity came out. (though that person ran through my head with all the other potential suspects I briefly thought of, I never really considered it would be that person). I was won over with Vin’s and Elend’s love. This novel toyed with my emotions, it broke my heart, made me smile, and made me so so anxious to know the outcome. It. blew. My. Mind.

Vin
I cannot fully express the love I have for Vin. She is my hero. She is the role model for females who wish to rise above their terrible pasts and become a strong, confident, kick-butt woman that people everywhere will look up to with respect and awe. She’s ridiculous. She has so much power, and she doesn’t shy away from doing the gritty work and killing people. But she has so many layers. Outside she’s viewed as this savior, the heir of the Survivor, THE mistborn. But to those who know her, they see the doubts and fears she has. And only to herself she sees who she thinks she really is that no one could understand. She thinks herself unworthy of Elend. How could he possibly love a killing machine like her? He with his stalwartness in believing the good of people, of being kind even to those who betray him or belittle him. And then there’s Vin, who kills people who so much as looks at Elend wrong. And this starts to eat at her. Who is she? Is she a weapon used at Elend’s disposal? Can she ever be her own person, not having to be called upon when danger arrives and be the one to defend everyone? But in the end, she realizes that her being the protector, the knife, isn’t from her being forced or expected, it’s because she needs to protect those she loves, because she wants to.

Elend
Elend. Oh Elend. He is my guy. He is sweet and caring, not foolhardy or rude. He has so much belief in himself and his people that they will do what is best, even if that means taking him from the throne. But that does not mean that he stops fighting, because he never does. He has become so much more than the book learned, disheveled young noblemen who had ideas for change, but never had a chance to implement them. I loved seeing his slow transformation into a man who is stronger, more sure of himself, one who stands true to his standards and will not let other people sway his beliefs, one who now takes command and demands people obey him (not in a tyrant way, but in the way that he is king, and when one is king, one must take charge and be firm and not let people tell you no if he ever hopes to build up a great, unified kingdom). And the next book only promises even greater things form him, and I can’t wait to see where Sanderson takes us in Elend’s journey of discovering who he is.

Sazed
And then there’s Sazed. Dear Sazed. My heart broke for you. For your tremendous pain and shattered hopes and beliefs. You who was the man of faith, who helped people find a reason to believe, to have hope after Kelsier who was the hope was gone. You fought bravely, you stayed true to your ideals, allowed yourself to love. And then everything you once knew to be true was crushed, crushed along with the one you loved. What will become of you? Pray, don’t let this utterly destroy you with no chance of redemption. Stay strong. Find your faith again. Please don't become a shell of the great man you were.

The End
Now let me tell you one thing that was absolutely win in this book. Most of the book is the build up for the inevitable battle over Luthadel. It’s a slow one, yes, but it doesn’t kill any of the intrigue or other action happening. But when the battle comes, it really comes. There is no downplaying it, or staying on the sidelines. Sanderson takes you straight into the heart of the battle, watching as men are slaughtered, as endeared characters die, as Sazed fights! That was so awesome, seeing him in that way! Sanderson doesn’t shy away from what happens in battle, even when the people you may care about have to die. And Vin was her usual ridiculously fantastic mistborn self. And then the end, THE END! Ah, my heart was nearly ripped out of my chest! (even though, of course that couldn’t actually happen, duhhh. Who’s still alive and kicking in the next book, hmm?) But still, seeing Elend and Vin’s pain and their ultimate decision for what they knew had to happen, no matter how much they didn’t want what would be the outcome broke my heart. Ah, but you see, it all worked out. Sort of. She may have unleashed something terrible, but they didn’t die!

Annnnd this review is too long. Why does that always happen with the books I furiously love? Alright, just some little other things I liked.

The Kandras. The spy, and the suspicion of who it could be, and who it actually was.

The Koloss. And Vin’s sudden brilliant realization in battle of what she can do to them.

TenSoon. So, he may be bad..ish. But he showed good inside him, didn’t he? He has the potential to turn his ways, and I really hope we see more of him. And I just loved his whole character even though we didn’t know who he really was.

Tindwyl, and hers and Sazed’s relationship.

Zane. Even though he’s so so bad.

The part when Elend is in the Koloss camp and kills a Koloss and his ridiculous explanation for doing it. That got me laughing.

Clubs. Spook. Breeze. Pretty much every character.

Ah heck, I LOVED EVERYTHING! AND I CAN’T PUT DOWN EVERYTHING I LOVED BECAUSE I WOULD BE QUOTING THE WHOLE DANG BOOK! Which obviously means that you have to read the book to fully understand my love and discover your own love for it. But seriously, this is one those books (series) that will stand the test of time, that will forever be loved, and Brandon Sanderson will always be revered for his brilliant works of art. Yes indeed.

]]> Mistborn (Mistborn, #1) 243272 The Mists rule the night.
The Lord Ruler owns the world.

Once, a hero arose to save the world. A young man with a mysterious heritage courageously challenged the darkness that strangled the land.

He failed.

For a thousand years since, the world has been a wasteland of ash and mist ruled by the immortal emperor known as the Lord Ruler. Every revolt has failed miserably.

Yet somehow, hope survives. Hope that dares to dream of ending the empire and even the Lord Ruler himself. A new kind of uprising is being planned, one built around the ultimate caper, one that depends on the cunning of a brilliant criminal mastermind and the determination of an unlikely heroine, a street urchin who must learn to master Allomancy, the power of a Mistborn.]]> 657 Brandon Sanderson 0765350386 Erica (storybookend) 5
There are some books that can have amazing characters that I love, and a not so great plot or world building, that I end up really liking, if not loving. Believable, endearing characters often make up for the lack of a well rounded plot or a concrete execution that impresses me. Sometimes I read a book that has a really intriguing plot, and is written well, but has flat characters, and I just can’t connect with the book. I may be impressed with the writing or world building, but if there aren’t characters that I can connect with, I feel no emotion while reading the book, and I end up indifferent when I finish it. Neither of these cases happened while I was reading Mistborn. Because Mistborn has it all. It has the brilliant plot and world building, astounding unveiling and execution of the plot, and characters who were real and well rounded, who showed emotion, and who I came to love.

Sanderson created a vivid world with a magic system that is intriguing and believable, and makes you feel like you’re right there, living among these people. I loved the idea of Mistborns, that they burn metal in their stomach to become super human. They’re able to move metal, or push off of them, throwing themselves into the air. They can alter people’s emotions, become inhumanly strong, and enhance their senses, so they’re able to hear people from far away. Our heroine, young Vin, finds out that she is a Mistborn, which is quite rare. Vin is such a strong woman. With a shady background of abuse and living on the streets as a runaway skaa (a slave), she is shy and distrustful of everyone. But through Kelsier and his help in training her in Allomancy, she becomes a strong woman, who slowly learns to trust people, and finds long lasting friendships in them.

I loved this one part with Kelsier and Vin.

“Yes,�� Kelsier said, “it’s probably best that you avoid Venture completely. Try to offend him or something. Give him a couple of those glares you do.��
Vin regarded him with a flat look.
“That’s the one!�� Kelsier said with a laugh. (pg. 235)

There’s Kelsier for you.

Kelsier, was probably my favorite character. He was strong, confidant, commanding, humorous, charming. I loved his personality, and presence that demanded people look right at him when he enters the room (which is usually late). He was always smiling, which was mostly to be more defiant of Lord Ruler, and I loved that. While I knew their age difference, I thought that Vin and Kelsier would form a romance. But the romance led somewhere that I wasn’t quite expecting, and I think I probably liked this way better. Partly because I love Elend, but partly because I loved the relationship that formed between Vin and Kelsier. He became like a big brother to her, or a father figure. Which meant so much to Vin because of her life living with her real brother, who abused her, physically and emotionally. But now, here is someone that Vin finally lets herself care for. That she trusts. I loved seeing Vin’s transformation, and her growing trust in people.

Kelsier was the savior of this world. He was the symbol of hope for the people who had given up. He exuded compassion and love for them, he let them know that he was valiantly striving to save them from the tyrant destroying their lives. Kelsier was incredible. He spent years planning the scheme that would take Lord Ruler’s reign down, and save the skaa, and dethrone the nobles. And it was with his ingenious mind that everything was able to come together in the end, making it possible for them to succeed. They failed at times, they doubted, but Kelsier always got back on his feet, and formed a new plan, or pushed people on. And while I’m here, let me just say something about Kelsier that is completely spoilery if you haven’t read the book. [spoilers removed]
This sentence Kelsier wrote could just about sum him up.

It was a fun job, wasn’t it?...remember that. Remember to smile. Now, move quickly. (pg. 585)

When I was first introduced to Elend Venture, I liked him immediately. But I didn’t really think that he would play a big part, besides being just an acquaintance Vin would sometimes meet at the balls. But then he showed up more, and I liked him more each time with his quick wit, love of reading, and all around charm and swoon inducing nature.

“Elend Venture,�� she said, standing up. “There is something I’ve been meaning to tell you for some time.�� She paused, blinking away her tears. “You read too much. Especially in the presence of ladies.�� (pg. 643)

Oh yes, I do so love Elend.

And there’s so many other characters that I loved, that I can’t spend time talking about or this review would be way, way too long. But suffice it to say that even the minor characters were fleshed out and I cared for them. There was this one conversation, that was completely pointless, but utterly funny and confusing. When Kelsier and Spook start talking in Spook language, teasing Breeze, and then Dockson joined, dumbfounding Breeze. It was hilarious. And I still can't really understand Spook's strange talking.

Spook frowned. “Niceing the not on the playing without.��
“I have no idea what you just said, child, “Breeze said. “So I’m simply going to pretend it was coherent, then move on.��
Kelsier rolled his eyes. “Losing the stress on the nip,�� he said. “Notting without the needing of care.��

author: Brandon Sanderson
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.44
book published: 2006
rating: 5
read at: 2015/01/18
date added: 2021/05/14
shelves: lds-authors, 2011-reads, absolute-favorites, best-characters, best-endings, brilliant-authors, didnt-expect-to-love-so-much, favorite-romance, i-recommend-it, incredible, love-love-it, made-me-cry, made-me-laugh, novels-that-inspire-me, original-creative-premise, purely-brilliant, swoon-worthy-male-love-interests, treasured-keeps, would-love-if-it-were-a-movie, love-with-all-my-heart, outstanding-worldbuilding, heroes-i-respect-and-praise, 2015-reads, i-own-1-copies, i-own
review:
Mistborn was everything I was hoping it to be, and so much more. It is truly an utterly brilliant fantastical novel that stunned me with its intricate world building, vivacious characters, and creative plot executed with amazing talent that few authors possess. It is quite long, but this is so that Sanderson can explain in detail the art of Allomancy, Mistborns, the land Luthedel, the characters lives and pasts, and the rebellion and overthrowing of the Lord Ruler’s reign that they are planning. I didn’t mind at all the detail, and the perhaps slowness of the plot at times. The original, intriguing plot and characters that I came to dearly love made up for the length. I don’t know if I can say how much I love this book, or how brilliant Brandon Sanderson is, but I will do my best.

There are some books that can have amazing characters that I love, and a not so great plot or world building, that I end up really liking, if not loving. Believable, endearing characters often make up for the lack of a well rounded plot or a concrete execution that impresses me. Sometimes I read a book that has a really intriguing plot, and is written well, but has flat characters, and I just can’t connect with the book. I may be impressed with the writing or world building, but if there aren’t characters that I can connect with, I feel no emotion while reading the book, and I end up indifferent when I finish it. Neither of these cases happened while I was reading Mistborn. Because Mistborn has it all. It has the brilliant plot and world building, astounding unveiling and execution of the plot, and characters who were real and well rounded, who showed emotion, and who I came to love.

Sanderson created a vivid world with a magic system that is intriguing and believable, and makes you feel like you’re right there, living among these people. I loved the idea of Mistborns, that they burn metal in their stomach to become super human. They’re able to move metal, or push off of them, throwing themselves into the air. They can alter people’s emotions, become inhumanly strong, and enhance their senses, so they’re able to hear people from far away. Our heroine, young Vin, finds out that she is a Mistborn, which is quite rare. Vin is such a strong woman. With a shady background of abuse and living on the streets as a runaway skaa (a slave), she is shy and distrustful of everyone. But through Kelsier and his help in training her in Allomancy, she becomes a strong woman, who slowly learns to trust people, and finds long lasting friendships in them.

I loved this one part with Kelsier and Vin.

“Yes,�� Kelsier said, “it’s probably best that you avoid Venture completely. Try to offend him or something. Give him a couple of those glares you do.��
Vin regarded him with a flat look.
“That’s the one!�� Kelsier said with a laugh. (pg. 235)

It was a fun job, wasn’t it?...remember that. Remember to smile. Now, move quickly. (pg. 585)

“Elend Venture,�� she said, standing up. “There is something I’ve been meaning to tell you for some time.�� She paused, blinking away her tears. “You read too much. Especially in the presence of ladies.�� (pg. 643)

Spook frowned. “Niceing the not on the playing without.��
“I have no idea what you just said, child, “Breeze said. “So I’m simply going to pretend it was coherent, then move on.��
Kelsier rolled his eyes. “Losing the stress on the nip,�� he said. “Notting without the needing of care.��

You see? It's just so wierd.

Seriously, this man Sanderson can write. His writing, in itself, isn’t starkly beautiful with imagery, but it is deft, it portrays what Sanderson is trying to convey, and paints the land vividly in your mind. He creates these complex worlds with every little detail attended to. Yeah, maybe I’m a little jealous. I wish I could concoct a book even half as amazing as this one. My life would be complete. This book is brilliant, Sanderson is a genius. I loved it completely, and I highly recommend it. Enjoy.

Just some other little thoughts- Those Steel Inquisitors were creepy! Spikes stuck through their skulls, replacing their eyes, and pointing out the back of their heads...YIKES! I would never want to face one of those things. And the Pits of Hathsin is such a dark, depressing place. It gave me chills as I read about it, and the man crawling inside the dark cracks in the ground.

And one more thing. This would make an epic movie. It would be absolutely fantastic.
]]> <![CDATA[The Hidden Goddess (Veneficas Americana, #2)]]> 9515638 ��
Like it or not, Emily has fallen in love with Dreadnought Stanton, a New York Warlock as irresistible as he is insufferable. Newly engaged, she now must brave Dreadnought’s family and the magical elite of the nation’s wealthiest city. Not everyone is pleased with the impending nuptials, especially Emily’s future mother-in-law, a sociopathic socialite. But there are greater challenges confining couture, sinister Russian scientists, and a deathless Aztec goddess who dreams of plunging the world into apocalypse. With all they must confront, do Emily and Dreadnought have any hope of a happily-ever-after?]]> 374 M.K. Hobson 0553592661 Erica (storybookend) 5
This book is just so enchantingly real. The characters, the setting, the plot, the emotion portrayed as these characters go through these troubled times that fester and grow every day; everything is just fresh, ringing with a note of truth, overshadowed with tendrils of doubt and suspicion and anger. And Emily’s and Dreadnought’s relationship is not exempt. But what can you expect from a willfully strong witch and a stubbornly infuriating warlock? Certainly that’s a recipe for disaster. But, truly, they do mix well, exceedingly well, but there are always those bumps in the road, or trenches, or gaping abysses that halt, and possibly shatter people, their feelings for each other, their trust. Emily and Dreadnought have a beautiful, powerful love, its almost too good to be true. But in creeps doubt, and later, secrets unveil that tear them apart, and almost succeeding. But in the end, their love for each other triumphs.

I love Emily and Stanton together. They have a fun, trusting interaction, and some moments made my heart flutter, (mostly because of Dreadnought Stanton's charm and affection towards Emily). I wished there had been more of those moments, because I am a hopeless romantic at heart, and any swooning romance is perfect with me. But alas, that was not to be. This is not a romance book, yes, there’s romance, but there is so much to the story, so much magic and adventure and secrets and impending doom and a possible apocalypse that to focus more dominantly on the romance would make the plot seem not as important, or not so dangerous and intriguing. So I was perfectly fine with the story and plot. I’m all for a fantastic, magical adventure that doesn’t need true love to further the plot. I just wish there was more of Stanton, because he is in my top list of literary crushes.

The writing shines fantastically with wit and intellect and intrigue. Hobson just has this way of crafting words together to create a stunningly powerful picture in the reader’s mind, doused with the emotion shown clearly though the characters, accompanied with Emily‘s snarky attitude and stubborn persistence. There were some moments though, that didn’t shine so brilliant, that somehow lessened the enchantment some. Emily is a strong willed witch with a mind of her own, independent, fearless, who doesn’t care about fashion and formal gatherings. I can certainly understand her dressing more finely, as she is in Stanton’s high society circle as his fiancé with a fabricated background to make her sound more attractive. She’s told to act more demure and soft spoken at times, to play it up, or to make people agree with her. Sometimes she acted a little too demurely, and I wished to see more of her fire and passion. That isn’t to say that she didn’t show those qualities often, because she did. And the rest of the novel was just so brilliant that I’m not angered or disappointed at these slower moments.

And I’m thrilled that this isn’t the end of this world! Hobson has plans for future works to be a part of this series, but that focus on different people, one of which I know is [spoilers removed]. So while Emily and Stanton’s part may be over, hopefully there will be more visits to this magical world. Do yourself a favor and read The Native Star and The Hidden Goddess. They are incredible works of art that hopefully will WOW you and leave you breathless. Give them a whirl, dive deep into the enchantment and magic and history. I really hope you love them like I do.
]]> 3.72 2011 The Hidden Goddess (Veneficas Americana, #2)

The Hidden Goddess (Veneficas Americana, #2)

author: M.K. Hobson
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 3.72
book published: 2011
rating: 5
read at: 2011/05/02
date added: 2021/05/14
shelves: cover-love, 2011-reads, absolute-favorites, beautiful-writing, best-characters, best-endings, incredible, i-recommend-it, love-love-it, made-me-laugh, novels-that-inspire-me, purely-brilliant, swoon-worthy-male-love-interests, brilliant-authors, favorite-romance, enchanting-reads, i-own
review:
M. K. Hobson doesn’t fail to shine in this sequel to The Native Star. The Hidden Goddess was just as brilliant and intriguing and incredible. Hobson is a brilliant author. She skillfully weaves history with magic, suffusing brilliance into every intricately worded page. Once again I was astounded at the storytelling, and the research that must have gone into writing this piece of fiction set in New York in the 1870’s.

This book is just so enchantingly real. The characters, the setting, the plot, the emotion portrayed as these characters go through these troubled times that fester and grow every day; everything is just fresh, ringing with a note of truth, overshadowed with tendrils of doubt and suspicion and anger. And Emily’s and Dreadnought’s relationship is not exempt. But what can you expect from a willfully strong witch and a stubbornly infuriating warlock? Certainly that’s a recipe for disaster. But, truly, they do mix well, exceedingly well, but there are always those bumps in the road, or trenches, or gaping abysses that halt, and possibly shatter people, their feelings for each other, their trust. Emily and Dreadnought have a beautiful, powerful love, its almost too good to be true. But in creeps doubt, and later, secrets unveil that tear them apart, and almost succeeding. But in the end, their love for each other triumphs.

I love Emily and Stanton together. They have a fun, trusting interaction, and some moments made my heart flutter, (mostly because of Dreadnought Stanton's charm and affection towards Emily). I wished there had been more of those moments, because I am a hopeless romantic at heart, and any swooning romance is perfect with me. But alas, that was not to be. This is not a romance book, yes, there’s romance, but there is so much to the story, so much magic and adventure and secrets and impending doom and a possible apocalypse that to focus more dominantly on the romance would make the plot seem not as important, or not so dangerous and intriguing. So I was perfectly fine with the story and plot. I’m all for a fantastic, magical adventure that doesn’t need true love to further the plot. I just wish there was more of Stanton, because he is in my top list of literary crushes.

The writing shines fantastically with wit and intellect and intrigue. Hobson just has this way of crafting words together to create a stunningly powerful picture in the reader’s mind, doused with the emotion shown clearly though the characters, accompanied with Emily‘s snarky attitude and stubborn persistence. There were some moments though, that didn’t shine so brilliant, that somehow lessened the enchantment some. Emily is a strong willed witch with a mind of her own, independent, fearless, who doesn’t care about fashion and formal gatherings. I can certainly understand her dressing more finely, as she is in Stanton’s high society circle as his fiancé with a fabricated background to make her sound more attractive. She’s told to act more demure and soft spoken at times, to play it up, or to make people agree with her. Sometimes she acted a little too demurely, and I wished to see more of her fire and passion. That isn’t to say that she didn’t show those qualities often, because she did. And the rest of the novel was just so brilliant that I’m not angered or disappointed at these slower moments.

And I’m thrilled that this isn’t the end of this world! Hobson has plans for future works to be a part of this series, but that focus on different people, one of which I know is [spoilers removed]. So while Emily and Stanton’s part may be over, hopefully there will be more visits to this magical world. Do yourself a favor and read The Native Star and The Hidden Goddess. They are incredible works of art that hopefully will WOW you and leave you breathless. Give them a whirl, dive deep into the enchantment and magic and history. I really hope you love them like I do.

]]> <![CDATA[The Native Star (Veneficas Americana, #1)]]> 7236997
The year is 1876. In the small Sierra Nevada settlement of Lost Pine, the town witch, Emily Edwards, is being run out of business by an influx of mail-order patent magics. Attempting to solve her problem with a love spell, Emily only makes things worse. But before she can undo the damage, an enchanted artifact falls into her possession--and suddenly Emily must flee for her life, pursued by evil warlocks who want the object for themselves.

Dreadnought Stanton, a warlock from New York City whose personality is as pompous and abrasive as his name, has been exiled to Lost Pine for mysterious reasons. Now he finds himself involuntarily allied with Emily in a race against time--and across the United States by horse, train, and biomechanical flying machine--in quest of the great Professor Mirabilis, who alone can unlock the secret of the coveted artifact. But along the way, Emily and Stanton will be forced to contend with the most powerful and unpredictable magic of all--the magic of the human heart.]]> 387 M.K. Hobson 0553592653 Erica (storybookend) 5 The Native Star is a breathless, intriguing adventure that drew me in utterly with its magical allure, and historical appeal. It shone to me so brightly, shining brilliant radiance into my mind and soul, pulling me straight into this old western tale, suffused with old as time magic. Hobson expertly crafted a truly enlightening tale, weaving history and science and the old west with intrigue and magic and a dash of romance. I am truly astounded with how amazingly well this story was told and plotted! It was nothing short of ingenious. I can’t imagine the type of research and knowledge it would take to even think of such a story, but to mold it into the stunning brilliance of The Native star! It’s purely brilliant. I can’t seem to stop using that word, but that’s just what this book is. It radiates brilliance with every turn of the page, every new twist or peril, every light of truth and dawning love and burst of magic it exudes.

And I couldn’t stop smiling as I read. The interaction and banter between my two new favorite characters was amusing and smile inviting. Which leads me to Stanton. Dreadnought Stanton. Hmm. He surely is a puzzle. A jaggedly cut, oh so appealing puzzle. When first he stepped onto the page he executed the perfect portrayal of an indifferent, superior, arrogant Warlock that did what he wanted, when he wanted, and wasn’t afraid to say what he thought, though he did it a proper manner that showed his classic and intellectual mind and form. He managed to be a rogue, while still being a gentleman. He indeed is alike in manner of a certain classic literary figure that, ever since he was crafted into existence, has had all of us females swooning over. I am of course talking of Mr. Darcy. But while Darcy is proudly silent, Stanton is proudly insufferable. Darcy is standoffish, and Stanton is brash. But oh, is Stanton swoon worthy. Just like I can’t help swooning over Mr. Darcy and Mr. Rochester, despite their rudeness, I can’t help falling for Stanton. He has an endearing romantic side that is subtle, but passionate.

And Emily, she is one strong heroine. She never backed down, never let Stanton get the better of her. She fought with a fiery determination to save those people she cared about. But she still showed her soft feminine side, and slowly realized she was in love with the very man she found so unappealing from when she first met him. The love story was not a predominant part of the book. Rather it was a slowly evolving magic that stole quietly into their hearts, subtle even to the reader, showing itself in small doses, never taking the spotlight from the real plot. Their romance, nonetheless, reminded me of other couples in books I love. Once again, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice, and then Sydelle and Wayland North in Brightly Woven. Romances that start out rocky and bitter and full of spite, but then transforming ever so slowly into something truly beautiful and magical. Just as it is done in the Native Star.

Now the writing. It was utterly amazing. Hobson wove her words so carefully, yet powerfully into each sentence, which captivated me, and honestly, broadened my writer’s mind with the finesse of it. It was enchantingly real, intellectual, breathtakingly beautiful. That Hobson was able to weave such beautiful words together, and create such an astounding storyline and executing it perfectly, is just unbelievable. It is truly inspiring.

The Native Star is a true piece of art. This is the type of story that should be recognized and praised for the jewel it truly is. So many great novels are shoved aside to make room for the frilly, nonsensical novels that are put together with hardly any deep meaning to them, that don’t deserve the hype they get. The Native Star deserves that place. It deserves to be known and loved by many. To remind people what a truly stupendous novel can be.
]]> 3.55 2010 The Native Star (Veneficas Americana, #1)

The Native Star (Veneficas Americana, #1)

author: M.K. Hobson
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 3.55
book published: 2010
rating: 5
read at: 2011/02/08
date added: 2021/05/14
shelves: original-creative-premise, 2011-reads, absolute-favorites, beautiful-writing, best-characters, best-endings, brilliant-authors, cover-love, enchanting-reads, favorite-romance, made-me-laugh, purely-brilliant, novels-that-inspire-me, swoon-worthy-male-love-interests, treasured-keeps, incredible, love-with-all-my-heart, love-love-it, i-recommend-it, i-own
review:
The Native Star is a breathless, intriguing adventure that drew me in utterly with its magical allure, and historical appeal. It shone to me so brightly, shining brilliant radiance into my mind and soul, pulling me straight into this old western tale, suffused with old as time magic. Hobson expertly crafted a truly enlightening tale, weaving history and science and the old west with intrigue and magic and a dash of romance. I am truly astounded with how amazingly well this story was told and plotted! It was nothing short of ingenious. I can’t imagine the type of research and knowledge it would take to even think of such a story, but to mold it into the stunning brilliance of The Native star! It’s purely brilliant. I can’t seem to stop using that word, but that’s just what this book is. It radiates brilliance with every turn of the page, every new twist or peril, every light of truth and dawning love and burst of magic it exudes.

And I couldn’t stop smiling as I read. The interaction and banter between my two new favorite characters was amusing and smile inviting. Which leads me to Stanton. Dreadnought Stanton. Hmm. He surely is a puzzle. A jaggedly cut, oh so appealing puzzle. When first he stepped onto the page he executed the perfect portrayal of an indifferent, superior, arrogant Warlock that did what he wanted, when he wanted, and wasn’t afraid to say what he thought, though he did it a proper manner that showed his classic and intellectual mind and form. He managed to be a rogue, while still being a gentleman. He indeed is alike in manner of a certain classic literary figure that, ever since he was crafted into existence, has had all of us females swooning over. I am of course talking of Mr. Darcy. But while Darcy is proudly silent, Stanton is proudly insufferable. Darcy is standoffish, and Stanton is brash. But oh, is Stanton swoon worthy. Just like I can’t help swooning over Mr. Darcy and Mr. Rochester, despite their rudeness, I can’t help falling for Stanton. He has an endearing romantic side that is subtle, but passionate.

And Emily, she is one strong heroine. She never backed down, never let Stanton get the better of her. She fought with a fiery determination to save those people she cared about. But she still showed her soft feminine side, and slowly realized she was in love with the very man she found so unappealing from when she first met him. The love story was not a predominant part of the book. Rather it was a slowly evolving magic that stole quietly into their hearts, subtle even to the reader, showing itself in small doses, never taking the spotlight from the real plot. Their romance, nonetheless, reminded me of other couples in books I love. Once again, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice, and then Sydelle and Wayland North in Brightly Woven. Romances that start out rocky and bitter and full of spite, but then transforming ever so slowly into something truly beautiful and magical. Just as it is done in the Native Star.

Now the writing. It was utterly amazing. Hobson wove her words so carefully, yet powerfully into each sentence, which captivated me, and honestly, broadened my writer’s mind with the finesse of it. It was enchantingly real, intellectual, breathtakingly beautiful. That Hobson was able to weave such beautiful words together, and create such an astounding storyline and executing it perfectly, is just unbelievable. It is truly inspiring.

The Native Star is a true piece of art. This is the type of story that should be recognized and praised for the jewel it truly is. So many great novels are shoved aside to make room for the frilly, nonsensical novels that are put together with hardly any deep meaning to them, that don’t deserve the hype they get. The Native Star deserves that place. It deserves to be known and loved by many. To remind people what a truly stupendous novel can be.

]]> Heart's Blood 7938503 ��
Whistling Tor is a place of secrets, a mysterious, wooded hill housing the crumbling fortress belonging to Anluan—a chieftain whose name is spoken throughout the region in tones of revulsion and bitterness. A curse lies over Anluan’s family and his people, and the woods themselves hold a perilous force whose every whisper threatens doom.
��
Then the young scribe Caitrin appears in Anluan’s garden, admiring the rare plant known as heart’s blood . Retained to sort through entangled family documents, Caitrin brings about unexpected changes in the household, casting a hopeful light against the despairing shadows.
��
But even as Caitrin brings solace to Anluan, and the promise of something more between them, he remains in thrall to the darkness surrounding Whistling Tor. To free Anluan’s burdened soul, Caitrin must unravel the web of sorcery woven by his ancestors before it claims his life—and their love...]]> 404 Juliet Marillier 0451463269 Erica (storybookend) 5 Ahhh. *deep breath in and out, cue delighted, satisfied smile*

The best books are the ones that have me smiling with wonder and rapture when I read the last word on the last page, and I have to go back and read the last few paragraphs or pages. And Heart’s Blood was no exception. When I was finished, the story had me firmly wrapped inside its lyrical, fantastical allure, melting my heart to pure liquid with the endearing nature of the characters and the strength and complete love they showed when this part of their story was ending. I did not expect to love Heart’s Blood so much, but I did, oh so much. I was so ready to love it, I’d read about it, and read other people’s reviews, and it seemed like something I would love. And I’ll tell you, it was a beautiful, enchanting read, something that I wish had more recognition for the truly brilliant story it is. I am so glad that I read it. It was a wondrous journey, and I will treasure this amazing story that Juliet Marillier wove together.

Heart's Blood is a bit reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast. A woman stumbles upon a secluded man in his fortress/castle, who is disfigured in some way and is bound wretchedly in a curse. They eventually fall in love, despite the bitterness and rudeness of the man, and the curse is broken. But of course, this story is different, it’s very original and creative. The plot is actually quite fantastic. Marillier’s story created its own fantastical appeal and fairytale feel, which captivated me. I was also reminded of Jane Eyre. This story seemed to me like a blend of the two stories. Caitrin is a little like Jane Eyre herself. Both are kind, compassionate women, quiet in nature, but very strong and determined, speaking out loudly and fiery when needed, and not letting lost love beat them down until they are nothing, but never, NEVER, letting go of that love.

I absolutely adored the love story. Anluan is not a prince charming, he doesn’t pretend to be, and Caitrin never wishes him to be or loves him less because he isn’t. She loves him for his faults and imperfect body. She was never disgusted, she just loved him more. The love they shared was so endearing and was the instigator of my heart melting. I swooned quietly at it, at Anluan’s crooked smile and his unbalanced walk. And I loved Caitrin dearly for her love for him. I loved how her love for him was slowly brought on, and she was able to see past his depression and anger and disfigurements and love him for the man he truly is, the man that he stubbornly will not and cannot see. But as the story goes on, that man is slowly brought out. The true Anluan is found, made possible because of Caitrin, because of a new, almost frightening love he begins to feel toward her, and her unwavering determination and love for him.

But the love story isn’t everything. It just made the rest of the story possible. The plot was incredible, it was expertly told and executed. It was intriguing and enchanting. And the writing was beautiful, poetically strung onto the page with grace and pure skill. Marillier is an exceptional storyteller. She writes such emotion into her characters and story. The characters were the best part, I fell in love with so many of them, I even had tears in my eyes at the end, which only happens when I am so connected to the characters that I feel everything they feel, their sorrow, their pain, their love and joy.

I am just so in love with Heart’s Blood. Juliet Marillier, I do believe, is one of my new favorite authors. This will not be my only taste of her writing and achingly beautiful tales. And do mine eyes decieve me? Does that say Whistling Tor #1?! ((*cue me squealing and jumping with joy*)) Surely that means that Heart's Blood is just the beginning of this wondrous world? And, what’s this? She has some 12 other books I’ve yet to read? Mightn’t they hold the same enchantment and allure of Heart’s Blood that stole my heart? I think I may die of delight. Well, I shall read all her books, so I can delight again and again in the beauty of them. And that, my dear friends, is a promise I well intend to keep.
]]> 4.13 2009 Heart's Blood

author: Juliet Marillier
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.13
book published: 2009
rating: 5
read at: 2011/02/12
date added: 2021/05/14
shelves: cover-love, 2011-reads, absolute-favorites, original-creative-premise, beautiful-writing, best-characters, best-endings, brilliant-authors, didnt-expect-to-love-so-much, enchanting-reads, fairytale-reminiscent, favorite-romance, love-love-it, incredible, made-me-cry, purely-brilliant, novels-that-inspire-me, treasured-keeps, would-love-if-it-were-a-movie, love-with-all-my-heart, endearing-heroes, i-recommend-it, i-own
review:
Ahhh. *deep breath in and out, cue delighted, satisfied smile*

The best books are the ones that have me smiling with wonder and rapture when I read the last word on the last page, and I have to go back and read the last few paragraphs or pages. And Heart’s Blood was no exception. When I was finished, the story had me firmly wrapped inside its lyrical, fantastical allure, melting my heart to pure liquid with the endearing nature of the characters and the strength and complete love they showed when this part of their story was ending. I did not expect to love Heart’s Blood so much, but I did, oh so much. I was so ready to love it, I’d read about it, and read other people’s reviews, and it seemed like something I would love. And I’ll tell you, it was a beautiful, enchanting read, something that I wish had more recognition for the truly brilliant story it is. I am so glad that I read it. It was a wondrous journey, and I will treasure this amazing story that Juliet Marillier wove together.

Heart's Blood is a bit reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast. A woman stumbles upon a secluded man in his fortress/castle, who is disfigured in some way and is bound wretchedly in a curse. They eventually fall in love, despite the bitterness and rudeness of the man, and the curse is broken. But of course, this story is different, it’s very original and creative. The plot is actually quite fantastic. Marillier’s story created its own fantastical appeal and fairytale feel, which captivated me. I was also reminded of Jane Eyre. This story seemed to me like a blend of the two stories. Caitrin is a little like Jane Eyre herself. Both are kind, compassionate women, quiet in nature, but very strong and determined, speaking out loudly and fiery when needed, and not letting lost love beat them down until they are nothing, but never, NEVER, letting go of that love.

I absolutely adored the love story. Anluan is not a prince charming, he doesn’t pretend to be, and Caitrin never wishes him to be or loves him less because he isn’t. She loves him for his faults and imperfect body. She was never disgusted, she just loved him more. The love they shared was so endearing and was the instigator of my heart melting. I swooned quietly at it, at Anluan’s crooked smile and his unbalanced walk. And I loved Caitrin dearly for her love for him. I loved how her love for him was slowly brought on, and she was able to see past his depression and anger and disfigurements and love him for the man he truly is, the man that he stubbornly will not and cannot see. But as the story goes on, that man is slowly brought out. The true Anluan is found, made possible because of Caitrin, because of a new, almost frightening love he begins to feel toward her, and her unwavering determination and love for him.

But the love story isn’t everything. It just made the rest of the story possible. The plot was incredible, it was expertly told and executed. It was intriguing and enchanting. And the writing was beautiful, poetically strung onto the page with grace and pure skill. Marillier is an exceptional storyteller. She writes such emotion into her characters and story. The characters were the best part, I fell in love with so many of them, I even had tears in my eyes at the end, which only happens when I am so connected to the characters that I feel everything they feel, their sorrow, their pain, their love and joy.

I am just so in love with Heart’s Blood. Juliet Marillier, I do believe, is one of my new favorite authors. This will not be my only taste of her writing and achingly beautiful tales. And do mine eyes decieve me? Does that say Whistling Tor #1?! ((*cue me squealing and jumping with joy*)) Surely that means that Heart's Blood is just the beginning of this wondrous world? And, what’s this? She has some 12 other books I’ve yet to read? Mightn’t they hold the same enchantment and allure of Heart’s Blood that stole my heart? I think I may die of delight. Well, I shall read all her books, so I can delight again and again in the beauty of them. And that, my dear friends, is a promise I well intend to keep.

]]> <![CDATA[The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #5)]]> 4556058
While the Olympians struggle to contain the rampaging monster Typhon, Kronos begins his advance on New York City, where Mount Olympus stands virtually unguarded. Now it's up to Percy Jackson and an army of young demigods to stop the Lord of Time.

In this momentous final book in the New York Times best-selling series, the long-awaited prophecy surrounding Percy's sixteenth birthday unfolds. And as the battle for Western civilization rages on the streets of Manhattan, Percy faces a terrifying suspicion that he may be fighting against his own fate.]]> 381 Rick Riordan 1423101472 Erica (storybookend) 5 4.59 2009 The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #5)

The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #5)

author: Rick Riordan
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.59
book published: 2009
rating: 5
read at: 2010/02/27
date added: 2021/05/14
shelves: 2009-reads, 2010-reads, absolute-favorites, love-love-it, i-recommend-it, i-own
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #3)]]> 1581365 Librarian's Note: An alternate cover edition for same ISBN can be found here.

When Percy Jackson receives an urgent distress call from his friend Grover, he immediately prepares for battle. He knows he'll need his powerful demigod allies at his side; his trusty bronze sword, Riptide; and . . . a ride from his mom.

The demigods race to the rescue to find that Grover has made an important discovery: two new powerful half-bloods, whose parentage is unknown. But that's not all that awaits them. The Titan lord, Kronos, has set up a devious trap, and the young heroes have just fallen prey.

Hilarious and action-packed, this third adventure in the series finds Percy faced with his most dangerous challenge yet—the chilling prophecy of the Titan's curse.]]> 312 Rick Riordan Erica (storybookend) 5 4.25 2007 The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #3)

The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #3)

author: Rick Riordan
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.25
book published: 2007
rating: 5
read at: 2010/02/19
date added: 2021/05/14
shelves: 2009-reads, 2010-reads, absolute-favorites, love-love-it, i-recommend-it, i-own
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #2)]]> 28186
In this episode, The Sea of Monsters, Percy sets out to retrieve the Golden Fleece before his summer camp is destroyed, surpassing the first book's drama and setting the stage for more thrills to come.]]> 279 Rick Riordan 0786856866 Erica (storybookend) 5 4.25 2006 The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #2)

The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #2)

author: Rick Riordan
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.25
book published: 2006
rating: 5
read at: 2010/02/18
date added: 2021/05/14
shelves: 2009-reads, 2010-reads, absolute-favorites, love-love-it, i-recommend-it, movies, i-own
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #1)]]> 28187 Alternate cover for this ISBN can be found here

Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can't seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse - Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. When Percy's mom finds out, she knows it's time that he knew the truth about where he came from, and that he go to the one place he'll be safe. She sends Percy to Camp Half Blood, a summer camp for demigods (on Long Island), where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea. Soon a mystery unfolds and together with his friends—one a satyr and the other the demigod daughter of Athena - Percy sets out on a quest across the United States to reach the gates of the Underworld (located in a recording studio in Hollywood) and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods.]]> 377 Rick Riordan 0786838655 Erica (storybookend) 5 4.31 2005 The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #1)

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #1)

author: Rick Riordan
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.31
book published: 2005
rating: 5
read at: 2010/02/12
date added: 2021/05/14
shelves: movies, 2009-reads, 2010-reads, absolute-favorites, love-love-it, i-recommend-it, i-own
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Keys to the Demon Prison (Fablehaven, #5)]]> 7243142
In an effort to intercept the final artifacts, Kendra, Seth and the Knights of the Dawn race to strange and exotic preserves across the globe. The stakes have never been higher. The risks have never been more deadly.

In this explosive series finale, allegiances will be confirmed and secrets revealed as the forces of light and darkness collide in a desperate, climactic battle to control the keys to the demon prison.]]> 593 Brandon Mull 1606412388 Erica (storybookend) 5
Ah, where do I begin? I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK!!! It is my new favorite book of all times. My favorite series. I just couldn’t get enough of it! I couldn’t read it fast enough. Brandon is an amazing storyteller, and was able to captivate me from the very beginning of the series. Each book got better, escalating in thrill and adventure. The last book executed the finale perfectly. It was perfect, absolutely amazing. Brandon tied up every loose end. He wrote such superb battle scenes, and showed clearly what people are thinking. It didn’t leave me wanting in anything. I’m thrilled that it ended the way it did, with the demon prison and everything. There couldn’t have been any other way. There are not very many people who can create such a complex fantastical magical word that is so alluring and told with such finesse.

The characters were amazing. I love Bracken! The sweet, studly hero. He’s the kind of man that I want. Newel and Doren got funnier every minute. And Mendigo! I can’t believe how much I missed him until I finished the book. And I’m so glad that Raxtus was there, and see how his story ended. Even the Sphinx’s story ended good. Although partly the bad guy, he was able to receive some justice in the end. And there were a few pleasant surprises that just added to the perfectness of this book. Oh, and the astrids. I love the astrids! So cool.

I know Brandon said he doesn’t plan on continuing Fablehaven, but, gosh, I would love to read about Kendra and her new life that has so many bright opportunities unfolding in front of her, and to see how Seth fares in his life. Well, I guess we can’t have everything. Still, I can’t complain. I couldn’t ask for more in a book. Brilliant! Brandon said that this book would take us for a ride. Well, he didn’t disappoint. This was one heck of a rollercoaster!

Brandon writes so descriptively. Reading Keys to the Demon Prison, I was literally on the edge of my seat, bringing the book closer and closer to my face, trying to inhale everything in one breath, all of the vivid scenes that Brandon was portraying, the emotions that the characters were feeling. The pure majestic and thrill of the adventure kept my excitement on edge, making me eager to know the end! and not leaving me disappointed in any way. Keys to the Demon Prison was an absolutely brilliant end to an amazingly intricate, breathtaking series. I would recommend this series to every single person I see. And I will guard these treasured books as much as the centaurs guard the horn of Grunhold. I don’t know how I can contain my enthusiasm for what Brandon brings next; which he says is better?! Holy Frito-Lay Brandon! Bring it on!
]]> 4.45 2010 Keys to the Demon Prison (Fablehaven, #5)

Keys to the Demon Prison (Fablehaven, #5)

author: Brandon Mull
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.45
book published: 2010
rating: 5
read at: 2014/07/24
date added: 2021/05/14
shelves: 2010-reads, lds-authors, absolute-favorites, purely-brilliant, would-love-if-it-were-a-movie, love-love-it, best-endings, i-recommend-it, 2014-reads, i-own
review:
Can I give Fablehaven Keys to the Demon Prison ten stars? Shining with Kendra’s blinding countenance? Well, it certainly deserves it!

Ah, where do I begin? I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK!!! It is my new favorite book of all times. My favorite series. I just couldn’t get enough of it! I couldn’t read it fast enough. Brandon is an amazing storyteller, and was able to captivate me from the very beginning of the series. Each book got better, escalating in thrill and adventure. The last book executed the finale perfectly. It was perfect, absolutely amazing. Brandon tied up every loose end. He wrote such superb battle scenes, and showed clearly what people are thinking. It didn’t leave me wanting in anything. I’m thrilled that it ended the way it did, with the demon prison and everything. There couldn’t have been any other way. There are not very many people who can create such a complex fantastical magical word that is so alluring and told with such finesse.

The characters were amazing. I love Bracken! The sweet, studly hero. He’s the kind of man that I want. Newel and Doren got funnier every minute. And Mendigo! I can’t believe how much I missed him until I finished the book. And I’m so glad that Raxtus was there, and see how his story ended. Even the Sphinx’s story ended good. Although partly the bad guy, he was able to receive some justice in the end. And there were a few pleasant surprises that just added to the perfectness of this book. Oh, and the astrids. I love the astrids! So cool.

I know Brandon said he doesn’t plan on continuing Fablehaven, but, gosh, I would love to read about Kendra and her new life that has so many bright opportunities unfolding in front of her, and to see how Seth fares in his life. Well, I guess we can’t have everything. Still, I can’t complain. I couldn’t ask for more in a book. Brilliant! Brandon said that this book would take us for a ride. Well, he didn’t disappoint. This was one heck of a rollercoaster!

Brandon writes so descriptively. Reading Keys to the Demon Prison, I was literally on the edge of my seat, bringing the book closer and closer to my face, trying to inhale everything in one breath, all of the vivid scenes that Brandon was portraying, the emotions that the characters were feeling. The pure majestic and thrill of the adventure kept my excitement on edge, making me eager to know the end! and not leaving me disappointed in any way. Keys to the Demon Prison was an absolutely brilliant end to an amazingly intricate, breathtaking series. I would recommend this series to every single person I see. And I will guard these treasured books as much as the centaurs guard the horn of Grunhold. I don’t know how I can contain my enthusiasm for what Brandon brings next; which he says is better?! Holy Frito-Lay Brandon! Bring it on!

]]> <![CDATA[Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary (Fablehaven, #4)]]> 5217282
Two hidden artifacts have been found. Three more remain unrecovered. More preserves face destruction as the Society of the Evening Star relentlessly pursues new talismans. Reading in Patton’s Journal of Secrets, Kendra learns the location of the key to a vault housing one of the artifacts. In order to retrieve it, the Knights of the Dawn must enter a death trap �� a dragon sanctuary called Wyrmroost. The mission cannot proceed without stealing a sacred object zealously guarded by the centaurs. Anybody seen Seth?

The race is on to acquire all five of the artifact keys to the great demon prison. Will the Knights of the Dawn conquer Wyrmroost? Who can stop the Sphinx? Can Vanessa be trusted to help? What artifact will be found next?]]> 535 Brandon Mull 1606410423 Erica (storybookend) 5 4.38 2009 Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary (Fablehaven, #4)

Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary (Fablehaven, #4)

author: Brandon Mull
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.38
book published: 2009
rating: 5
read at: 2014/07/07
date added: 2021/05/14
shelves: lds-authors, 2009-reads, cover-love, 2010-reads, absolute-favorites, would-love-if-it-were-a-movie, love-love-it, i-recommend-it, 2014-reads, i-own
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Grip of the Shadow Plague (Fablehaven, #3)]]> 2146957
In dire need of help, the Sorensons question where to turn. The Sphinx has always given sound advice–but is he a traitor? Inside the Quiet Box, Vanessa might have information that could lead to a cure–but can she be trust?

Meanwhile, Kendra and members of the Knights of the Dawn must journey to a distant preserve and retrieve another hidden artifact. Will the Society of the Evening Star recover it first? Will the plague eclipse all light at Fablehaven? Find out in Fablehaven: Grip of the Shadow Plague.]]> 477 Brandon Mull 1590388984 Erica (storybookend) 5 4.30 2008 Grip of the Shadow Plague (Fablehaven, #3)

Grip of the Shadow Plague (Fablehaven, #3)

author: Brandon Mull
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.30
book published: 2008
rating: 5
read at: 2014/07/05
date added: 2021/05/14
shelves: lds-authors, 2009-reads, 2008-reads, 2010-reads, read-several-times, absolute-favorites, would-love-if-it-were-a-movie, love-love-it, i-recommend-it, 2014-reads, i-own
review:

]]> <![CDATA[Rise of the Evening Star (Fablehaven, #2)]]> 784911 456 Brandon Mull 1590387422 Erica (storybookend) 5 4.17 2007

Rise of the Evening Star (Fablehaven, #2)

author: Brandon Mull
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.17
book published: 2007
rating: 5
read at: 2014/07/03
date added: 2021/05/14
shelves: lds-authors, 2009-reads, 2008-reads, 2010-reads, read-several-times, absolute-favorites, would-love-if-it-were-a-movie, love-love-it, i-recommend-it, 2012-reads, 2014-reads, i-own
review:

]]> Fablehaven (Fablehaven, #1) 44652 Trespassers will be turned to stone

For centuries, mystical creatures of all description were gathered to a hidden refuge called Fablehaven to prevent their extinction. The sanctuary is one of the last strongholds of true magic. Enchanting? Absolutely. Exciting? You bet. Safe? Well, actually, quite the opposite . . .

Kendra and her brother, Seth, have no idea their grandfather is the current caretaker of Fablehaven. Inside the gated woods, ancient laws keep order among greedy trolls, mischievous satyrs, plotting witches, spiteful imps, and jealous fairies. However, when the rules get broken, powerful forces of evil are unleashed, forcing Kendra and Seth to face the greatest challenge of their lives, to save their family, Fablehaven, and perhaps even the world.]]> 351 Brandon Mull 1590385810 Erica (storybookend) 5 4.13 2006 Fablehaven (Fablehaven, #1)

author: Brandon Mull
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.13
book published: 2006
rating: 5
read at: 2014/07/01
date added: 2021/05/14
shelves: lds-authors, 2009-reads, 2008-reads, 2007-reads, read-several-times, 2010-reads, absolute-favorites, would-love-if-it-were-a-movie, love-love-it, i-recommend-it, 2012-reads, 2014-reads, i-own
review:

]]> Inkheart (Inkworld, #1) 71366
One night, when Meggie was a small child, Mortimer was reading aloud from a book named Inkheart when an evil villain named Capricorn, his aide Basta, and a fire-eater named Dustfinger escape from the book and into their living room. At the same time, Mo's wife Resa gets trapped within the book.

Twelve years later, Capricorn is on a hunt to find and destroy all copies of Inkheart and use Mo's abilities to gain more power for himself in the real world. Meggie discovers her father's secret and, along with the help of Dustfinger and Meggie's eccentric aunt Elinor, fights to free her father and destroy Capricorn.]]> 534 Cornelia Funke 0439852706 Erica (storybookend) 5 3.89 2003 Inkheart (Inkworld, #1)

author: Cornelia Funke
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 3.89
book published: 2003
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 2021/05/14
shelves: movies, 2008-reads, 2007-reads, 2006-reads, 2005-reads, cover-love, read-several-times, absolute-favorites, love-love-it, translated-into-english, i-own
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Iron Knight (The Iron Fey, #4)]]> 9659607 My name - my True Name - is Ashallayn�� darkmyr Tallyn. I am the last remaining son of Mab, Queen of the Unseelie Court. And I am dead to her. My fall began, as many stories do, with a girl��

To cold faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought.

Then Meghan Chase - a half human, half fey slip of a girl - smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive.

With the unwelcome company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end - a quest to find a way to honor his vow to stand by Meghan's side.

To survive in the Iron Realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. And along the way Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

]]> 400 Julie Kagawa 0373210361 Erica (storybookend) 5 4.18 2011 The Iron Knight (The Iron Fey, #4)

author: Julie Kagawa
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2011
rating: 5
read at: 2011/10/29
date added: 2021/05/14
shelves: fairies, cover-love, 2011-reads, absolute-favorites, best-characters, best-endings, favorite-romance, i-recommend-it, incredible, love-love-it, made-me-cry, made-me-laugh, swoon-worthy-male-love-interests, would-love-if-it-were-a-movie, love-with-all-my-heart, novels-that-inspire-me, treasured-keeps, i-own-1-copies, i-own
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Iron King (The Iron Fey, #1)]]> 6644117 Meghan Chase has a secret destiny; one she could never have imagined.

Something has always felt slightly off in Meghan's life, ever since her father disappeared before her eyes when she was six. She has never quite fit in at school or at home.

When a dark stranger begins watching her from afar, and her prankster best friend becomes strangely protective of her, Meghan senses that everything she's known is about to change.

But she could never have guessed the truth - that she is the daughter of a mythical faery king and is a pawn in a deadly war. Now Meghan will learn just how far she'll go to save someone she cares about, to stop a mysterious evil, no faery creature dare face; and to find love with a young prince who might rather see her dead than let her touch his icy heart.]]> 363 Julie Kagawa 0373210086 Erica (storybookend) 5
I loved Puck and his mischievousness (I also think he's in love with Meghan, ah, so sad); Grim was funny with his air of cat boredom throughout the book; and Ash, mmm, Ash. He was cold and intriguing, but his love for Meghan was sincere. And I really liked Meghan, despite her always shrieking at everything. She was determined to rescue her brother (half brother) no matter the costs; and in the process she found her true destiny, and a forbidden love. It was a beautiful love story, and a trying adventure for the characters. I absolutely loved it! I can’t wait for the Iron Daughter!

]]> 3.88 2010 The Iron King (The Iron Fey, #1)

author: Julie Kagawa
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 3.88
book published: 2010
rating: 5
read at: 2011/01/21
date added: 2021/05/14
shelves: fairies, cover-love, 2010-reads, swoon-worthy-male-love-interests, love-love-it, 2011-reads, would-love-if-it-were-a-movie, best-characters, i-recommend-it, absolute-favorites, i-own, i-own-1-copies
review:
The Iron King was amazing! Simply brilliant. I got caught up in the pure thrill of it. The characters were written to perfection. I felt their sorrow and love as they went through their journey. The way Julie was able to bring vivid images to mind with her intricate writing was incredible. The book reminded me of Labyrinth, with David Bowie, what with the girl traveling through a world unknown trying to save her little brother, and the creatures-gremlins and pack rats and what not-and then the end with the Iron King and Meghan. It also reminded me a little of Alice in Wonderland, but they do mention it in the book. The beginning was a little creepy, but it got me hooked.

I loved Puck and his mischievousness (I also think he's in love with Meghan, ah, so sad); Grim was funny with his air of cat boredom throughout the book; and Ash, mmm, Ash. He was cold and intriguing, but his love for Meghan was sincere. And I really liked Meghan, despite her always shrieking at everything. She was determined to rescue her brother (half brother) no matter the costs; and in the process she found her true destiny, and a forbidden love. It was a beautiful love story, and a trying adventure for the characters. I absolutely loved it! I can’t wait for the Iron Daughter!

]]> <![CDATA[The Iron Daughter (The Iron Fey, #2)]]> 7747064
Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.]]> 359 Julie Kagawa 0373210132 Erica (storybookend) 5
The Iron Daughter was such an emotional, thrilling read. It was so beautiful and achingly perfect. I loved every single thing about it. I couldn't put it down, so riveted and captivated was I with the story. This book is perfect, one that I will treasure and continually go back to relive the beautifulness of it. Thank you Julie, for such a remarkable story. ]]> 4.08 2010 The Iron Daughter (The Iron Fey, #2)

author: Julie Kagawa
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.08
book published: 2010
rating: 5
read at: 2011/01/24
date added: 2021/05/14
shelves: fairies, cover-love, swoon-worthy-male-love-interests, 2010-reads, love-love-it, 2011-reads, best-endings, would-love-if-it-were-a-movie, best-characters, i-recommend-it, absolute-favorites, i-own, i-own-1-copies
review:
The Iron Daughters is so incredibly amazing. So much better than I was expecting, and I was expecting nothing less than amazing, just like the Iron King. The writing was beauitful. It flowed along easily, with beautiful descriptions, pulling me willingly into the world of the fey. The characters were perfect. I really liked Meghan in this book. She's so strong, and knows what she wants. I really liked her voice in the story. I loved Puck, with his sense of humor and unrelenting love for Meghan. And Grim, with his usual air of cat boredom. He makes me smile :) And Ironhorse, I ended up loving him, and his deep, booming voice in all capital letters. And then Ash. Oh, Ash. So perfect and cold, and swoon worthy, and so completely in love with Meghan. The love triangle that Julie did was incredible. I was so torn. I knew Meghan had to be with Ash, but I love Puck, and I didn't want to see him hurt. The love between Ash and Meghan was sometimes so heartbreaking, and then so perfect and romantic. I loved it.

The Iron Daughter was such an emotional, thrilling read. It was so beautiful and achingly perfect. I loved every single thing about it. I couldn't put it down, so riveted and captivated was I with the story. This book is perfect, one that I will treasure and continually go back to relive the beautifulness of it. Thank you Julie, for such a remarkable story.
]]> <![CDATA[The Iron Queen (The Iron Fey, #3)]]> 8685612
I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive it.

This time, there will be no turning back.

]]> 384 Julie Kagawa 0373210183 Erica (storybookend) 5 Oh Julie Kagawa, once again you manage to stun me with the absolute brilliance of your story. Your breathtaking, adrenaline rushing, swooning heartbreaking story. The Iron King and The Iron Daughter are amazing, but The Iron Queen blew me away. It was epic, a truly enlightening, action filled, intriguing novel, based upon fey stories of old, but built with the majestic world you created, one full of pain, longing, laughter, joy, anger. And nothing could have prepared me for the ending. The ENDING! So unexpected and heartbreaking, but so perfect! It showed Meghan’s changed character, from the shy, unsure human girl way back from the beginning, to this strong, determined faery who is willing to give up everything she worked so hard to keep, to save everyone and everything she loves. And in the end it was worth it. Meghan rose above the trials and pain and possible defeat, enduring to the very end and claiming what is rightfully hers.

The Iron Queen is full of darkness and foreboding danger, created with sharpness of war and danger, but it is infused with light, with tendrils of hope, love, humor. That is what makes this story alive, the balance between light and dark. But it’s the characters that make this happen. An action packed, incredible storyline with dull, unintriguing characters means nothing to the reader. Real, complex characters with stark emotion are needed to make the story pulse with life, to draw the reader in and love it.

Puck was brilliant. His usual playful, sarcastic, mocking goodfellow self. Every time he materialized onto the page, he did or said something that made me laugh. Even though I know Ash and Meghan belong together, I feel sorry for Puck, though he doesn’t let lost love crush him, making him a whisper of his former jokester self. And Grim. I love him! He is the perfect portrayal of an indifferent, bored, proud, playful cat. He may be a cait sith, but he is, afterall, just a cat. And I loved getting to see Meghan’s father come slowly back into her life. Though he wasn’t a prominent character with a lot of depth, I grew to care about him, and only because of Meghan, for her love for him and never giving up.

Then there’s Ash. Oh, he made me swoon in this book. He becomes more laidback and tender, showing his true self that has been hiding underneath his icy heart that only the love of Meghan could melt. But he never veers from his natural warrior instinct. He protects Meghan with his life, her literal faery knight in shining armor. But what I loved most was his respect for Meghan, his developing trust to let her decide what was best for her, and to believe in her. He let her fight for herself. It’s the strength of their love that allows this, that lets them trust each other and understand what they have to do, though that won’t stop them from striving to save each other.

The battle scenes were incredible. They kept my nerves on edge, my adrenaline swirling. It was executed amazingly well. I could just picture it happening in movie-form. And the end battle would be amazing to watch. Kagawa wasn’t afraid to get to the heart of the battle, the horror and rage and desperation of it, and she didn’t keep Meghan out. Meghan was in the very thick of it, fighting with all her energy, all her fury and determination and burning love to save Nevernever and those she loves.

I just can’t believe the way it ended. How in the world am I going to wait for The Iron Knight?! I didn't want this book to end. It’s the mark of an amazing author who can make their readers connect with their characters, and yearn for more. The Iron Queen was amazing, and I am breathless for Ash’s story, and to see everything get resolved, and have Ash and Meghan together forever at last.]]> 4.19 2011 The Iron Queen (The Iron Fey, #3)

author: Julie Kagawa
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.19
book published: 2011
rating: 5
read at: 2011/01/31
date added: 2021/05/14
shelves: fairies, cover-love, 2011-reads, best-endings, love-love-it, made-me-cry, made-me-laugh, would-love-if-it-were-a-movie, unbearable-cliffhangers, swoon-worthy-male-love-interests, incredible, best-characters, heartbreaking-endings, i-recommend-it, absolute-favorites, i-own-1-copies, i-own
review:
Wow.
Oh Julie Kagawa, once again you manage to stun me with the absolute brilliance of your story. Your breathtaking, adrenaline rushing, swooning heartbreaking story. The Iron King and The Iron Daughter are amazing, but The Iron Queen blew me away. It was epic, a truly enlightening, action filled, intriguing novel, based upon fey stories of old, but built with the majestic world you created, one full of pain, longing, laughter, joy, anger. And nothing could have prepared me for the ending. The ENDING! So unexpected and heartbreaking, but so perfect! It showed Meghan’s changed character, from the shy, unsure human girl way back from the beginning, to this strong, determined faery who is willing to give up everything she worked so hard to keep, to save everyone and everything she loves. And in the end it was worth it. Meghan rose above the trials and pain and possible defeat, enduring to the very end and claiming what is rightfully hers.

The Iron Queen is full of darkness and foreboding danger, created with sharpness of war and danger, but it is infused with light, with tendrils of hope, love, humor. That is what makes this story alive, the balance between light and dark. But it’s the characters that make this happen. An action packed, incredible storyline with dull, unintriguing characters means nothing to the reader. Real, complex characters with stark emotion are needed to make the story pulse with life, to draw the reader in and love it.

Puck was brilliant. His usual playful, sarcastic, mocking goodfellow self. Every time he materialized onto the page, he did or said something that made me laugh. Even though I know Ash and Meghan belong together, I feel sorry for Puck, though he doesn’t let lost love crush him, making him a whisper of his former jokester self. And Grim. I love him! He is the perfect portrayal of an indifferent, bored, proud, playful cat. He may be a cait sith, but he is, afterall, just a cat. And I loved getting to see Meghan’s father come slowly back into her life. Though he wasn’t a prominent character with a lot of depth, I grew to care about him, and only because of Meghan, for her love for him and never giving up.

Then there’s Ash. Oh, he made me swoon in this book. He becomes more laidback and tender, showing his true self that has been hiding underneath his icy heart that only the love of Meghan could melt. But he never veers from his natural warrior instinct. He protects Meghan with his life, her literal faery knight in shining armor. But what I loved most was his respect for Meghan, his developing trust to let her decide what was best for her, and to believe in her. He let her fight for herself. It’s the strength of their love that allows this, that lets them trust each other and understand what they have to do, though that won’t stop them from striving to save each other.

The battle scenes were incredible. They kept my nerves on edge, my adrenaline swirling. It was executed amazingly well. I could just picture it happening in movie-form. And the end battle would be amazing to watch. Kagawa wasn’t afraid to get to the heart of the battle, the horror and rage and desperation of it, and she didn’t keep Meghan out. Meghan was in the very thick of it, fighting with all her energy, all her fury and determination and burning love to save Nevernever and those she loves.

I just can’t believe the way it ended. How in the world am I going to wait for The Iron Knight?! I didn't want this book to end. It’s the mark of an amazing author who can make their readers connect with their characters, and yearn for more. The Iron Queen was amazing, and I am breathless for Ash’s story, and to see everything get resolved, and have Ash and Meghan together forever at last.
]]> Pride & Prejudice 21433253 Pride & Prejudice is delightfully transformed in this bold new manga adaptation. All of the joy, heartache, and romance of Jane Austen's original, perfectly illuminated by the sumptuous art of manga-ka Po Tse, and faithfully adapted by Stacy E. King.]]> 377 Stacy King 1927925185 Erica (storybookend) 5
There were times when I laughed out loud at the antics of the characters, and at some of the drawings that told so much more than words could ever say. Especially when it involved Mr. Darcy, since in the original novel we never really get into his head.

First, Mr. Colllins. Oh dear, he’s always just made me cringe with his awkwardness and weirdness. But in this manga, ha! When he asked Elizabeth to marry him and she said “no�� which he found “fashionable,�� he kept popping up all over the place, asking her to marry him. One picture had his head sticking out of a pot and Elizabeth spewing tea. So funny! Oh my gosh.

Then when Elizabeth visits Pemberley and she remembers that Mr. Darcy owns it, there’s a picture of Darcy looking like a king: wearing a cloak, holding a scepter, head held high. Basically the opposite of his quiet, don’t-look-at-me character. Bahaha! There were also little modern things like the words “ha ha�� and “awkward�� in certain pictures. Very much not a Jane Austen thing.

The drawings added so much emotion. And most of the time they were just subtle things, like Darcy reaching for Elizabeth then retracting his hand, and Darcy rubbing the back of his head when talking to Elizabeth about something that made him nervous. The emotion and characters�� inner feelings were done so beautifully.

Ah, I just love this book so much! It’s the most fantastic thing. It’s perfect. Now, to get my hands on Manga Classics: Jane Eyre, which is sure to be just as delightful.
]]> 4.16 2014 Pride & Prejudice

author: Stacy King
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.16
book published: 2014
rating: 5
read at: 2016/09/30
date added: 2021/05/14
shelves: 2016-reads, absolute-favorites, best-characters, best-endings, favorite-romance, i-recommend-it, incredible, love-love-it, made-me-laugh, pride-and-prejudice-retellings, smile-inducing, would-love-if-it-were-a-movie, 2020-reads, i-own
review:
This book made me so happy. I didn’t even know it existed before a few days ago. I started reading it today, and three hours later, I finished it. It’s just so fantastic! It has all the charm and wit and elegance of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, but then it has humor and a slightly modern feel at times, made possible through the manga drawings. Which, by the way, were extremely well drawn.

There were times when I laughed out loud at the antics of the characters, and at some of the drawings that told so much more than words could ever say. Especially when it involved Mr. Darcy, since in the original novel we never really get into his head.

First, Mr. Colllins. Oh dear, he’s always just made me cringe with his awkwardness and weirdness. But in this manga, ha! When he asked Elizabeth to marry him and she said “no�� which he found “fashionable,�� he kept popping up all over the place, asking her to marry him. One picture had his head sticking out of a pot and Elizabeth spewing tea. So funny! Oh my gosh.

Then when Elizabeth visits Pemberley and she remembers that Mr. Darcy owns it, there’s a picture of Darcy looking like a king: wearing a cloak, holding a scepter, head held high. Basically the opposite of his quiet, don’t-look-at-me character. Bahaha! There were also little modern things like the words “ha ha�� and “awkward�� in certain pictures. Very much not a Jane Austen thing.

The drawings added so much emotion. And most of the time they were just subtle things, like Darcy reaching for Elizabeth then retracting his hand, and Darcy rubbing the back of his head when talking to Elizabeth about something that made him nervous. The emotion and characters�� inner feelings were done so beautifully.

Ah, I just love this book so much! It’s the most fantastic thing. It’s perfect. Now, to get my hands on Manga Classics: Jane Eyre, which is sure to be just as delightful.

]]> The Thirteenth Tale 40440
The enigmatic Winter has spent six decades creating various outlandish life histories for herself -- all of them inventions that have brought her fame and fortune but have kept her violent and tragic past a secret. Now old and ailing, she at last wants to tell the truth about her extraordinary life. She summons biographer Margaret Lea, a young woman for whom the secret of her own birth, hidden by those who loved her most, remains an ever-present pain. Struck by a curious parallel between Miss Winter's story and her own, Margaret takes on the commission.

As Vida disinters the life she meant to bury for good, Margaret is mesmerized. It is a tale of gothic strangeness featuring the Angelfield family, including the beautiful and willful Isabelle, the feral twins Adeline and Emmeline, a ghost, a governess, a topiary garden and a devastating fire.

Margaret succumbs to the power of Vida's storytelling but remains suspicious of the author's sincerity. She demands the truth from Vida, and together they confront the ghosts that have haunted them while becoming, finally, transformed by the truth themselves.

The Thirteenth Tale is a love letter to reading, a book for the feral reader in all of us, a return to that rich vein of storytelling that our parents loved and that we loved as children. Diane Setterfield will keep you guessing, make you wonder, move you to tears and laughter and, in the end, deposit you breathless yet satisfied back upon the shore of your everyday life.]]> 406 Diane Setterfield 0743298020 Erica (storybookend) 5 The Thirteenth Tale for a very long time. I was not interested enough, I suppose. I had other pressing books I had to read. So here this book has sat, untouched, unloved, just fading away on my bookshelf, with my not knowing the subtle treasures held within. I came to a small lull in between reading books, so I decided to read this. And oh, am I glad I finally pulled it out, finally turned the first page, and not even knowing what to expect. Not this, I can tell you. Not this incredible tale.

Let me start with the writing. It was, honestly, in my mind, stellar. Beautifully crafted into a breathless, intricate tale, that in the end (or should I say the beginning at the end?) stunned me with the newfound realizations. When all the pieces of the puzzle were all found and put together, displaying a strange, intriguing, eye widening picture, that you would not, could not, understand if you hadn’t watched as the pieces slowly came together.

The Thirteenth Tale is the story of a girl, Margaret, who is lost in the fantastic world of books. She receives a letter from a very well known and loved, acclaimed author, Vida Winter, whose life is a secret to all. As Miss Winter’s life is nearing its end, she decides to finally tell her sorrowful tale. Margaret is chosen to biography Miss Winter’s life. And thus begins the tale of Vida Winter. All of her secrets she reveals to Margaret, every last little, intimate, gritty detail. Who she really is, what is her real name, what is her background, who is her family. As Margaret learns about Vida, her own story comes together, and she finds peace at the end.

Vida Winter’s story was interesting to say the least. And the way
Diane executed the storytelling was incredible. Her story was a luscious burning light, flickering in the foreboding darkness, that quietly pulled me in. it is a slow read, very descriptive, not dialogue driven. It is not a book for everyone, but there are some readers, like me, who will connect with and love it. I felt the dark enchantment of it, was intrigued with the strangeness of Vida’s life, became amazed at the unfolding of the plot. Near the end, there was a strange, shocking twist that made my eyes widen, and the final picture came clearly into view.

This was a beautiful, slowly evolving story of the sad mess of someone’s unfortunate life, that still had some moments of light. It’s a delicate, sometimes disturbing, cautious tale. I encourage everyone who picks up this book, push on to the end, when all the loose ends are tied up, and you know the whole story. You may just be surprised with it, with how it ends, with how the storytelling managed to captivate you. Again, I will say that this book isn’t for everyone, and it may take you a while to get into it, if you ever do. As for me, I came to love it, and truly appreciate this incredible tale Diane has crafted.
]]> 3.96 2006 The Thirteenth Tale

author: Diane Setterfield
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 3.96
book published: 2006
rating: 5
read at: 2011/03/06
date added: 2021/03/28
shelves: 2011-reads, beautiful-writing, love-love-it, incredible, pleasantly-surprised, didnt-expect-to-love-so-much, novels-that-inspire-me, absolute-favorites, best-characters, i-own
review:
I have a confession to make. I held off on reading The Thirteenth Tale for a very long time. I was not interested enough, I suppose. I had other pressing books I had to read. So here this book has sat, untouched, unloved, just fading away on my bookshelf, with my not knowing the subtle treasures held within. I came to a small lull in between reading books, so I decided to read this. And oh, am I glad I finally pulled it out, finally turned the first page, and not even knowing what to expect. Not this, I can tell you. Not this incredible tale.

Let me start with the writing. It was, honestly, in my mind, stellar. Beautifully crafted into a breathless, intricate tale, that in the end (or should I say the beginning at the end?) stunned me with the newfound realizations. When all the pieces of the puzzle were all found and put together, displaying a strange, intriguing, eye widening picture, that you would not, could not, understand if you hadn’t watched as the pieces slowly came together.

The Thirteenth Tale is the story of a girl, Margaret, who is lost in the fantastic world of books. She receives a letter from a very well known and loved, acclaimed author, Vida Winter, whose life is a secret to all. As Miss Winter’s life is nearing its end, she decides to finally tell her sorrowful tale. Margaret is chosen to biography Miss Winter’s life. And thus begins the tale of Vida Winter. All of her secrets she reveals to Margaret, every last little, intimate, gritty detail. Who she really is, what is her real name, what is her background, who is her family. As Margaret learns about Vida, her own story comes together, and she finds peace at the end.

Vida Winter’s story was interesting to say the least. And the way
Diane executed the storytelling was incredible. Her story was a luscious burning light, flickering in the foreboding darkness, that quietly pulled me in. it is a slow read, very descriptive, not dialogue driven. It is not a book for everyone, but there are some readers, like me, who will connect with and love it. I felt the dark enchantment of it, was intrigued with the strangeness of Vida’s life, became amazed at the unfolding of the plot. Near the end, there was a strange, shocking twist that made my eyes widen, and the final picture came clearly into view.

This was a beautiful, slowly evolving story of the sad mess of someone’s unfortunate life, that still had some moments of light. It’s a delicate, sometimes disturbing, cautious tale. I encourage everyone who picks up this book, push on to the end, when all the loose ends are tied up, and you know the whole story. You may just be surprised with it, with how it ends, with how the storytelling managed to captivate you. Again, I will say that this book isn’t for everyone, and it may take you a while to get into it, if you ever do. As for me, I came to love it, and truly appreciate this incredible tale Diane has crafted.

]]> <![CDATA[The Son of Neptune (The Heroes of Olympus, #2)]]> 9520360 PERCY IS CONFUSED. When he awoke from his long sleep, he didn't know much more than his name. His brain fuzz is lingering, even after the wolf Lupa told him he is a demigod and trained him to fight with the pen/sword in his pocket. Somehow Percy manages to make it to a camp for half-bloods, despite the fact that he has to keep killing monsters along the way. But the camp doesn't ring any bells with him. The only thing he can recall from his past is another name: Annabeth.

HAZEL IS SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD. When she lived before, she didn't do a very good job of it. Sure, she was an obedient daughter, even when her mother was possessed by greed. But that was the problem—when the Voice took over her mother and commanded Hazel to use her "gift" for an evil purpose, Hazel couldn't say no. Now because of her mistake, the future of the world is at risk. Hazel wishes she could ride away from it all on the stallion that appears in her dreams.

FRANK IS A KLUTZ. His grandmother says he is descended from heroes and can be anything he wants to be, but he doesn't see it. He doesn't even know who his father is. He keeps hoping Apollo will claim him, because the only thing he is good at is archery—although not good enough to win camp war games. His bulky physique makes him feel like an ox, especially in front of Hazel, his closest friend at camp. He trusts her completely—enough to share the secret he holds close to his heart.

Beginning at the "other" camp for half-bloods and extending as far as the land beyond the gods, this breathtaking second installment of the Heroes of Olympus series introduces new demigods, revives fearsome monsters, and features other remarkable creatures, all destined to play a part in the Prophesy of Seven.]]> 521 Rick Riordan 1423140591 Erica (storybookend) 5 4.41 2011 The Son of Neptune (The Heroes of Olympus, #2)

The Son of Neptune (The Heroes of Olympus, #2)

author: Rick Riordan
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.41
book published: 2011
rating: 5
read at: 2014/11/23
date added: 2021/03/28
shelves: cover-love, 2011-reads, absolute-favorites, best-characters, love-love-it, made-me-laugh, unbearable-cliffhangers, incredible, 2014-reads, i-own
review:

]]> <![CDATA[The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus, #1)]]> 7736182 JASON HAS A PROBLEM. He doesn’t remember anything before waking up in a bus full of kids on a field trip. Apparently he has a girlfriend named Piper, and his best friend is a guy named Leo. They’re all students at the Wilderness School, a boarding school for “bad kids," as Leo puts it. What did Jason do to end up here? And where is here, exactly? Jason doesn't know anything—except that everything seems very wrong.

PIPER HAS A SECRET. Her father has been missing for three days, ever since she had that terrifying nightmare about his being in trouble. Piper doesn’t understand her dream, or why her boyfriend suddenly doesn’t recognize her. When a freak storm hits during the school trip, unleashing strange creatures and whisking her, Jason, and Leo away to someplace called Camp Half-Blood, she has a feeling she’s going to find out, whether she wants to or not.

LEO HAS A WAY WITH TOOLS. When he sees his cabin at Camp Half-Blood, filled with power tools and machine parts, he feels right at home. But there’s weird stuff, too—like the curse everyone keeps talking about, and some camper who's gone missing. Weirdest of all, his bunkmates insist that each of them—including Leo—is related to a god. Does this have anything to do with Jason's amnesia, or the fact that Leo keeps seeing ghosts?

Join new and old friends from Camp Half-Blood in this thrilling first book in The Heroes of Olympus series. Best-selling author Rick Riordan has pumped up the action, humor, suspense, and mystery in an epic adventure that will leave readers panting for the next installment.]]> 576 Rick Riordan 142311339X Erica (storybookend) 5 4.28 2010 The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus, #1)

The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus, #1)

author: Rick Riordan
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.28
book published: 2010
rating: 5
read at: 2014/11/08
date added: 2021/03/28
shelves: coolio-covers, 2010-reads, absolute-favorites, unbearable-cliffhangers, best-endings, incredible, i-recommend-it, love-love-it, 2014-reads, i-own
review:
Incredibly, epically, hilariously amazing! And the ending?! When does The Son of Neptune come out? I cannot wait!!
]]> Pandemonium (Delirium, #2) 9593911 Zrozpaczona przystępuje do ruchu oporu, by walczyć o wolność i [miłość]. Na jej drodze staje tajemniczy Julian.

Czy można pokochać największego wroga?]]> 375 Lauren Oliver 006197806X Erica (storybookend) 5 Pandemonium, how I love thee. How I adore thee, and crave thee, and wish there was more of your story. You certainly had a challenge living up to your predecessor, the beautiful, wonderful Delirium. Delirium, which captured my heart. And while there was no real fear that you would betray me, I still worried that Oliver could pen another novel such as Delirium. There was a possibility you could have been part of the dreaded middle-book-syndrome, where you were only brought to life to fill space and leave the rest of the action for the final book. But I never should have feared. You proved that Oliver can do no wrong. You were an essential part of Lena’s story. You had a plot, and a reason, you shone with magic and beauty and excitement. You took me on a wonderful journey that spoke of loss, and challenges, and trying to overcome the loss, and fighting the challenges to prove the worth of people, and self-discovery, and love. Always love. Because that is the heart of you story. That is what drives your story forward and gives it life. Without it, well, your story would have no point. The way you express love, and the fear and pain that can come from love, but also the beauty and pure joy it can bring, was perfect. So I thank you, for showing me that love will always prevail, and that when you have love, anything is possible.

Lena is such a wonderful heroine. Yes, she is weak in physical strength, and she can be timid and unsure of things, but that is what makes her so real. She has faults, but she is fighting to overcome them! And through Delirium and Pandemonium, you can see the trying journey that is bringing her to the place she is at the end of Pandemonium, and the person that she is trying to find in herself. She’s trying to cast off the old Lena. That Lena is in the past, and a mantra of the Invalids is to forget the past, and look to the future. The layout of Pandemonium was quite intriguing, and may I say very well executed. It is told in Lena’s viewpoint and goes back and forth from the ‘before��, (the point she and Alex were separated and her journey in becoming an Invalid and starting a new live), and the ‘now��, (which is the time after Lena has settled into her roll of being an Invalid and is now a member of fighting for its cause). The way Oliver wrote this was spellbinding. She effortlessly slipped from one point of time to the other without a hitch, and managed to connect the two times, in this way giving you a greater understanding of who Lena has become and how she got there.

The beginning of Pandemonium shocked me. Seriously. Major shocker. Because SPOILER! [spoilers removed] So this ‘spoiler�� happened, and my heart broke. It was crushed and I thought all was over. What could possibly happen now? But Pandemonium showed me there could be so much more. That this was certainly not the end. It was just the beginning. And slowly, ever slowly, as I journeyed with Lena and her dealing with this, my heart started to mend, as hers was slowly mending. As she learned more about love- that love will always live on, and that love can be found in other places- she starts to discover more about herself, and to accept love as it comes, because you never know how long you’ll have it.

So the romance. Ah, the romance. I can’t say anything lest I give something away! All I can say is that Alex, he is my love in these books. He’s my hero, and I wish�� Well, I wish that something will happen with someone because, I just love Alex! Oliver, do you see what you’re doing to me? You’re playing these tricks on me, and messing with my mind and heart, and you, like certain evil authors *cough*houck*cough* slam us poor unfortunate readers with literally heart stopping endings that just get me, so, twisted with anxiety! Torture I tell you.

Alright, enough of my bemoaning. Onto my praise.

I don’t know what more I can say about this book. I just love it so much. It met all of my expectations I had after finishing Delirium and didn’t leave me wanting in anything. (well, you know, besides wanting MORE ASAP) Fans of Delirium I dare say will love Pandemonium. If Delirium wasn’t quite your thing, then most likely neither is this. But you’ll never know unless you try! You could very well end up loving it, or at least liking it. As for me, these books are treasures. For some reason, my heart latched onto this series, and Oliver’s words and stories have taken root inside me, like they’re a part of me. Once in a while, a certain book will do this to you, and maybe you can’t quite explain it, and all you know is that that book has become a part of your life, and you wonder what you ever did without it.

So, Oliver. Once again my expectations are high, but if what I feel about you is true, then I know Requiem will steal my heart, yet again, and you will have secured a position on my absolute favorite authors list. I await ever anxiously the release of the conclusion of this wondrous series.
]]> 4.03 2012 Pandemonium (Delirium, #2)

author: Lauren Oliver
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.03
book published: 2012
rating: 5
read at: 2012/04/15
date added: 2021/03/28
shelves: 2012-reads, absolute-favorites, beautiful-writing, best-characters, best-endings, i-recommend-it, incredible, love-love-it, love-with-all-my-heart, novels-that-inspire-me, unbearable-cliffhangers, i-own
review:
Oh Pandemonium, how I love thee. How I adore thee, and crave thee, and wish there was more of your story. You certainly had a challenge living up to your predecessor, the beautiful, wonderful Delirium. Delirium, which captured my heart. And while there was no real fear that you would betray me, I still worried that Oliver could pen another novel such as Delirium. There was a possibility you could have been part of the dreaded middle-book-syndrome, where you were only brought to life to fill space and leave the rest of the action for the final book. But I never should have feared. You proved that Oliver can do no wrong. You were an essential part of Lena’s story. You had a plot, and a reason, you shone with magic and beauty and excitement. You took me on a wonderful journey that spoke of loss, and challenges, and trying to overcome the loss, and fighting the challenges to prove the worth of people, and self-discovery, and love. Always love. Because that is the heart of you story. That is what drives your story forward and gives it life. Without it, well, your story would have no point. The way you express love, and the fear and pain that can come from love, but also the beauty and pure joy it can bring, was perfect. So I thank you, for showing me that love will always prevail, and that when you have love, anything is possible.

Lena is such a wonderful heroine. Yes, she is weak in physical strength, and she can be timid and unsure of things, but that is what makes her so real. She has faults, but she is fighting to overcome them! And through Delirium and Pandemonium, you can see the trying journey that is bringing her to the place she is at the end of Pandemonium, and the person that she is trying to find in herself. She’s trying to cast off the old Lena. That Lena is in the past, and a mantra of the Invalids is to forget the past, and look to the future. The layout of Pandemonium was quite intriguing, and may I say very well executed. It is told in Lena’s viewpoint and goes back and forth from the ‘before��, (the point she and Alex were separated and her journey in becoming an Invalid and starting a new live), and the ‘now��, (which is the time after Lena has settled into her roll of being an Invalid and is now a member of fighting for its cause). The way Oliver wrote this was spellbinding. She effortlessly slipped from one point of time to the other without a hitch, and managed to connect the two times, in this way giving you a greater understanding of who Lena has become and how she got there.

The beginning of Pandemonium shocked me. Seriously. Major shocker. Because SPOILER! [spoilers removed] So this ‘spoiler�� happened, and my heart broke. It was crushed and I thought all was over. What could possibly happen now? But Pandemonium showed me there could be so much more. That this was certainly not the end. It was just the beginning. And slowly, ever slowly, as I journeyed with Lena and her dealing with this, my heart started to mend, as hers was slowly mending. As she learned more about love- that love will always live on, and that love can be found in other places- she starts to discover more about herself, and to accept love as it comes, because you never know how long you’ll have it.

So the romance. Ah, the romance. I can’t say anything lest I give something away! All I can say is that Alex, he is my love in these books. He’s my hero, and I wish�� Well, I wish that something will happen with someone because, I just love Alex! Oliver, do you see what you’re doing to me? You’re playing these tricks on me, and messing with my mind and heart, and you, like certain evil authors *cough*houck*cough* slam us poor unfortunate readers with literally heart stopping endings that just get me, so, twisted with anxiety! Torture I tell you.

Alright, enough of my bemoaning. Onto my praise.

I don’t know what more I can say about this book. I just love it so much. It met all of my expectations I had after finishing Delirium and didn’t leave me wanting in anything. (well, you know, besides wanting MORE ASAP) Fans of Delirium I dare say will love Pandemonium. If Delirium wasn’t quite your thing, then most likely neither is this. But you’ll never know unless you try! You could very well end up loving it, or at least liking it. As for me, these books are treasures. For some reason, my heart latched onto this series, and Oliver’s words and stories have taken root inside me, like they’re a part of me. Once in a while, a certain book will do this to you, and maybe you can’t quite explain it, and all you know is that that book has become a part of your life, and you wonder what you ever did without it.

So, Oliver. Once again my expectations are high, but if what I feel about you is true, then I know Requiem will steal my heart, yet again, and you will have secured a position on my absolute favorite authors list. I await ever anxiously the release of the conclusion of this wondrous series.

]]> You Have a Match 53138158 A new love, a secret sister, and a summer she'll never forget.

When Abby signs up for a DNA service, it’s mainly to give her friend and secret love interest, Leo, a nudge. After all, she knows who she is already: Avid photographer. Injury-prone tree climber. Best friend to Leo and Connie �� although ever since the B.E.I. (Big Embarrassing Incident) with Leo, things have been awkward on that front.

But she didn’t know she’s a younger sister.

When the DNA service reveals Abby has a secret sister, shimmery-haired Instagram star Savannah Tully, it’s hard to believe they’re from the same planet, never mind the same parents—especially considering Savannah, queen of green smoothies, is only a year and a half older than Abby herself.

The logical course of action? Meet up at summer camp (obviously) and figure out why Abby’s parents gave Savvy up for adoption. But there are complications: Savvy is a rigid rule-follower and total narc. Leo is the camp’s co-chef, putting Abby's growing feelings for him on blast. And her parents have a secret that threatens to unravel everything.

But part of life is showing up, leaning in, and learning to fit all your awkward pieces together. Because sometimes, the hardest things can also be the best ones.]]> 320 Emma Lord 1250237300 Erica (storybookend) 5 3.55 2021 You Have a Match

author: Emma Lord
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 3.55
book published: 2021
rating: 5
read at: 2021/01/15
date added: 2021/03/28
shelves: contemporary, warning-f-bombs, 2020-reads, arc, best-characters, best-endings, cute-covers, didnt-expect-to-love-so-much, i-recommend-it, love-love-it, love-with-all-my-heart, made-me-cry, made-me-laugh, meaningful-heartfelt-books, played-with-my-emotions, smile-inducing, treasured-keeps, would-love-if-it-were-a-movie, netgalley, absolute-favorites, beautiful-writing, novels-that-inspire-me, 2021-reads, i-own
review:

]]> Tempest Rising (Tempest, #1) 9583227 On land...

Tempest Maguire loves her California coastline home. Surfing the killer waves. Taking care of her brothers and dad. Loving her longtime boyfriend, Mark. But the weight of her secret is pulling her under, toward the ocean's ever-growing call.

Among the waves...

Tempest's secret? She is half mermaid, a legacy left by her absent mother, who returned to the ocean many years ago. And now Tempest has her own choice to make. Complicating matters is Kona, an enigmatic newcomer whose otherworldly abilities hint at a shared passion and common secrets.

Beyond the sea...

But there is more at stake besides Tempest's heart and her identity - her life may be in danger too. Because the waters hide a mysterious and dark secret world of their own, one full of sweeping romance and thrilling adventure - but one where nobody, least of all Tempest, is safe.]]> 341 Tracy Deebs 0802722318 Erica (storybookend) 5
I loved all the characters. I loved Tempest’s Dad, and her little brothers, and Mark, her handsome beach blond surfer boyfriend. The relationship between Tempest and her father was beautiful and strong. And Tempest was one strong girl. A half mermaid, abandoned by her mermaid mother years ago, who has to choose whether to be human or mermaid. She wants to be human, being a mermaid does not appeal to her in any shape or form, but when she is soon faced with danger, she is forced to reconsider what she truly wants.

And then there’s Kona, whew, Kona! Let me tell you, he is one hot, hunky, tall dark and handsome, uh, not merman, but he is something, something that you’ll find out when you read the novel, that was really quite interesting. And I just love Kona, he made it into my top list of swoon worthy book crushes. The romance between him and Tempest was so perfect and butterfly inducing. I need more! I feel like I’m drowning in anticipation of what comes next in their story, and the need to watch their romance develop further into something truly stalwart and beautiful and unbreakable.

As of now, I don‘t see any mention of a sequel, but it was planned as a trilogy, I think, (I hope) but I guess getting a sequel out depends on how well Tempest Rising sells. But can I just say that I NEED A SEQUEL!! Very badly, I loved this world Deebs created too much to just have it end this way, I want to see more of Kona and Tempest, and more of mermaids and the fantastic world under the sea . Then there’s the sea witch that they have to defeat, and a mermaid clan her mother lived in, that needs her help. So please please PLEASE write a sequel!

This book was magical, and dark, but oh so beautiful and incredible, with a fantastical plot and stark emotions and real characters that I loved and could understand. It was breathtaking and incredibly engaging, I couldn’t read fast enough, it caught me up in its tempestuous waves, pulling deep down under the ocean where Tempest discovers a whole world she could have never dreamed of. I'm just so completely in love with this book. Thank you Tracy Deebs, for writing an incredible story! :D]]> 3.89 2011 Tempest Rising (Tempest, #1)

author: Tracy Deebs
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 3.89
book published: 2011
rating: 5
read at: 2011/05/19
date added: 2021/03/28
shelves: mermaid-siren-selkie, 2011-reads, absolute-favorites, best-characters, best-endings, didnt-expect-to-love-so-much, enchanting-reads, heartbreaking-endings, incredible, i-recommend-it, love-love-it, love-with-all-my-heart, made-me-cry, made-me-laugh, novels-that-inspire-me, swoon-worthy-male-love-interests, treasured-keeps, would-love-if-it-were-a-movie, favorite-romance, i-own
review:
I have found the perfect mermaid book for me. Tempest Rising is the most incredible mermaid book I’ve read to date. There are a few upcoming mermaid books that I’m anxiously waiting for, that I’m sure I’ll love, hopefully as much as this book, but so far, Tempest Rising tops every mermaid book I’ve read. It was just amazingly perfect, it had everything I could have asked for in a mermaid book. Mythical water creatures, magic, adventure, excitement, romance, surfing. I was extremely excited to read this book (as I love anything mermaid), but I was in for an unexpected roller coaster ride with this breathless, exciting, swooning inducing adventure, that, I have to admit, made me shed a couple tears in some parts.

I loved all the characters. I loved Tempest’s Dad, and her little brothers, and Mark, her handsome beach blond surfer boyfriend. The relationship between Tempest and her father was beautiful and strong. And Tempest was one strong girl. A half mermaid, abandoned by her mermaid mother years ago, who has to choose whether to be human or mermaid. She wants to be human, being a mermaid does not appeal to her in any shape or form, but when she is soon faced with danger, she is forced to reconsider what she truly wants.

And then there’s Kona, whew, Kona! Let me tell you, he is one hot, hunky, tall dark and handsome, uh, not merman, but he is something, something that you’ll find out when you read the novel, that was really quite interesting. And I just love Kona, he made it into my top list of swoon worthy book crushes. The romance between him and Tempest was so perfect and butterfly inducing. I need more! I feel like I’m drowning in anticipation of what comes next in their story, and the need to watch their romance develop further into something truly stalwart and beautiful and unbreakable.

As of now, I don‘t see any mention of a sequel, but it was planned as a trilogy, I think, (I hope) but I guess getting a sequel out depends on how well Tempest Rising sells. But can I just say that I NEED A SEQUEL!! Very badly, I loved this world Deebs created too much to just have it end this way, I want to see more of Kona and Tempest, and more of mermaids and the fantastic world under the sea . Then there’s the sea witch that they have to defeat, and a mermaid clan her mother lived in, that needs her help. So please please PLEASE write a sequel!

This book was magical, and dark, but oh so beautiful and incredible, with a fantastical plot and stark emotions and real characters that I loved and could understand. It was breathtaking and incredibly engaging, I couldn’t read fast enough, it caught me up in its tempestuous waves, pulling deep down under the ocean where Tempest discovers a whole world she could have never dreamed of. I'm just so completely in love with this book. Thank you Tracy Deebs, for writing an incredible story! :D
]]> Brightly Woven 6580510 The day the rains came was like any other, blistering air coating the canyon in a heavy stillness....

Just as the rains come after ten long, dry years, a young wizard, Wayland North, appears, to whisk Sydelle Mirabil away from her desert village. North needs an assistant, and Sydelle is eager to see the country - and to join him on his quest to stop the war that surely will destroy her home. But North has secrets - about himself, about why he chose Sydelle, about his real reasons for the journey. What does he want from her? And why does North's sworn enemy seem fascinated by Sydelle himself?

Through a journey that spans a country, magic and hard-won romance are woven together with precision and brilliant design by a first-time novelist.]]> 357 Alexandra Bracken 160684038X Erica (storybookend) 5
The characters were written to perfection. Sydelle was amazing. I loved her fiery disposition, yet her quiet, gentle care and love she gave to others (and I love her name, and that North made his own nickname for her :). I loved North, might even have a little crush on him *sheepish grin* (second time reading, make that a MAJOR big crush on him:). I loved his sarcastic humor, and just his whole personality, (roguishly he may be sometimes).Their love was perfect. It didn’t need kissing to spur it on, (although that’s not always a bad way to go). Even after everything they went through, their love still persisted, which is a sure sign of true love.

The writing was impeccable, and the dialogue was perfect. The story was so colorful, weaving around me. I was captivated from the brilliance of the words and story. The story was so creative, and thought out perfectly. It was astounding.

Brightly Woven is one of my new favorite books of all time. It was one of the most amazing books I’ve ever read. And one thing that I really liked, was that there was no profanity or sexual stuff or vulgarity in it-a real rare find in a book nowadays. Having a book without that kind of stuff shows that a story can be truly great, and that it can captivate readers without the need to use sex or anything like that. A great talent if you ask me, but not a hard one to do. I don’t know Alexandra, or if this was her intention, but thank you for a clean, beautiful love story. We need more of those in the world. I’m so excited to read what she has next.

And can I just say how beautiful the cover is? And the title, I love it. Yeesh, the spine alone is enough to reel me in. Looks pretty good on my bookshelf. *little uncontrollable giggle.* And I need to say that this book NEEDS a sequel. There's so much more to the story, and I don't want to leave this world and the characters Alexandra created, I love it too much.]]> 3.81 2010 Brightly Woven

author: Alexandra Bracken
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 3.81
book published: 2010
rating: 5
read at: 2020/12/23
date added: 2021/03/28
shelves: cover-love, 2010-reads, absolute-favorites, swoon-worthy-male-love-interests, beautiful-writing, favorite-romance, would-love-if-it-were-a-movie, 2011-reads, love-the-title, made-me-laugh, needs-a-sequel, love-love-it, best-endings, best-characters, i-recommend-it, 2020-reads, i-own
review:
I can hardly contain my excitement over this book! It was amazing! Purely brilliant. Alexandra created a fantastical magical world full of mystery and intrigue that tugged at me, pulling me into the story and refusing to let go. Alexandra wrote beautifully. The words were-how else can I describe it?- woven intricately together to conjure up such vivid scenes and pictures.

The characters were written to perfection. Sydelle was amazing. I loved her fiery disposition, yet her quiet, gentle care and love she gave to others (and I love her name, and that North made his own nickname for her :). I loved North, might even have a little crush on him *sheepish grin* (second time reading, make that a MAJOR big crush on him:). I loved his sarcastic humor, and just his whole personality, (roguishly he may be sometimes).Their love was perfect. It didn’t need kissing to spur it on, (although that’s not always a bad way to go). Even after everything they went through, their love still persisted, which is a sure sign of true love.

The writing was impeccable, and the dialogue was perfect. The story was so colorful, weaving around me. I was captivated from the brilliance of the words and story. The story was so creative, and thought out perfectly. It was astounding.

Brightly Woven is one of my new favorite books of all time. It was one of the most amazing books I’ve ever read. And one thing that I really liked, was that there was no profanity or sexual stuff or vulgarity in it-a real rare find in a book nowadays. Having a book without that kind of stuff shows that a story can be truly great, and that it can captivate readers without the need to use sex or anything like that. A great talent if you ask me, but not a hard one to do. I don’t know Alexandra, or if this was her intention, but thank you for a clean, beautiful love story. We need more of those in the world. I’m so excited to read what she has next.

And can I just say how beautiful the cover is? And the title, I love it. Yeesh, the spine alone is enough to reel me in. Looks pretty good on my bookshelf. *little uncontrollable giggle.* And I need to say that this book NEEDS a sequel. There's so much more to the story, and I don't want to leave this world and the characters Alexandra created, I love it too much.
]]> <![CDATA[Sorcery of Thorns (Sorcery of Thorns, #1)]]> 42201395
Then an act of sabotage releases the library’s most dangerous grimoire. Elisabeth’s desperate intervention implicates her in the crime, and she is torn from her home to face justice in the capital. With no one to turn to but her sworn enemy, the sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn, and his mysterious demonic servant, she finds herself entangled in a centuries-old conspiracy. Not only could the Great Libraries go up in flames, but the world along with them.

As her alliance with Nathaniel grows stronger, Elisabeth starts to question everything she’s been taught—about sorcerers, about the libraries she loves, even about herself. For Elisabeth has a power she has never guessed, and a future she could never have imagined.]]> 456 Margaret Rogerson 1481497618 Erica (storybookend) 5
I had high expectations for this book, having just finished Margaret Rogerson’s first novel, An Enchantment of Ravens, and loving that one. So I was ready to fall in love again with her newest novel. And I did. I loved every second I was immersed in this world where books turn into grimoires and are guarded in libraries by wardens armed with swords.

Sorcery of Thorns crackles with sorcery, pricks your emotions with its Thorns, enchants with eerily quiet beauty, hums with otherworldly creatures. It hit me in all the right places to make me love it. Think Harry Potter meets Pagemaster (anyone seen Pagemaster? It’s fantastic ;) That’s just what I kept thinking. Seriously, if you’re a Harry Potter fan, I’m 99.99% sure you will love this book!

I loved all the characters. Elisabeth was a kindred spirit, loving all things books and libraries. She was fierce and determined to set things right, even if it means sacrificing something (or someone) she loves. And Nathaniel Thorn, he was dark and dreamy. He and Elisabeth complemented each other, even though he continually tried to push her away. And Silas. Dear Silas. Destructive, demonic, overly clean Silas. Nathanial and Elisabeth know from the beginning what he is, the reader knows what he is. Silas doesn’t try to hide what he’s done, what he will do. But, despite his evil nature, everyone who truly knows him can’t help but love him. They see something there that he doesn’t see himself.

This book had no problems becoming one of my favorite books. And it has gargoyles! Score!

Margaret Rogerson, what are you concocting up next? I already know I’m going to love it 😍😂]]> 4.03 2019 Sorcery of Thorns (Sorcery of Thorns, #1)

Sorcery of Thorns (Sorcery of Thorns, #1)

author: Margaret Rogerson
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.03
book published: 2019
rating: 5
read at: 2019/06/23
date added: 2019/07/06
shelves: 2019-reads, absolute-favorites, best-characters, best-endings, cover-love, i-recommend-it, incredible, love-love-it, made-me-laugh, novels-that-inspire-me, swoon-worthy-male-love-interests, would-love-if-it-were-a-movie
review:
Sorcery of Thorns promised a story full of enchantment and danger, and it did not disappoint. The book sucked me in right from the beginning, and it’s a good thing it’s just a normal, dead book, and not a grimoire, or I would be dust.

I had high expectations for this book, having just finished Margaret Rogerson’s first novel, An Enchantment of Ravens, and loving that one. So I was ready to fall in love again with her newest novel. And I did. I loved every second I was immersed in this world where books turn into grimoires and are guarded in libraries by wardens armed with swords.

Sorcery of Thorns crackles with sorcery, pricks your emotions with its Thorns, enchants with eerily quiet beauty, hums with otherworldly creatures. It hit me in all the right places to make me love it. Think Harry Potter meets Pagemaster (anyone seen Pagemaster? It’s fantastic ;) That’s just what I kept thinking. Seriously, if you’re a Harry Potter fan, I’m 99.99% sure you will love this book!

I loved all the characters. Elisabeth was a kindred spirit, loving all things books and libraries. She was fierce and determined to set things right, even if it means sacrificing something (or someone) she loves. And Nathaniel Thorn, he was dark and dreamy. He and Elisabeth complemented each other, even though he continually tried to push her away. And Silas. Dear Silas. Destructive, demonic, overly clean Silas. Nathanial and Elisabeth know from the beginning what he is, the reader knows what he is. Silas doesn’t try to hide what he’s done, what he will do. But, despite his evil nature, everyone who truly knows him can’t help but love him. They see something there that he doesn’t see himself.

This book had no problems becoming one of my favorite books. And it has gargoyles! Score!

Margaret Rogerson, what are you concocting up next? I already know I’m going to love it 😍😂
]]> Elantris (Elantris, #1) 68427
Arelon's new capital, Kae, crouches in the shadow of Elantris. Princess Sarene of Teod arrives for a marriage of state with Crown Prince Raoden, hoping—based on their correspondence—to also find love. She finds instead that Raoden has died and she is considered his widow. Both Teod and Arelon are under threat as the last remaining holdouts against the imperial ambitions of the ruthless religious fanatics of Fjordell. So Sarene decides to use her new status to counter the machinations of Hrathen, a Fjordell high priest who has come to Kae to convert Arelon and claim it for his emperor and his god.

But neither Sarene nor Hrathen suspect the truth about Prince Raoden. Stricken by the same curse that ruined Elantris, Raoden was secretly exiled by his father to the dark city. His struggle to help the wretches trapped there begins a series of events that will bring hope to Arelon, and perhaps reveal the secret of Elantris itself.

A rare epic fantasy that doesn't recycle the classics and that is a complete and satisfying story in one volume, Elantris is fleet and fun, full of surprises and characters to care about. It's also the wonderful debut of a welcome new star in the constellation of fantasy.]]> 638 Brandon Sanderson 0765350378 Erica (storybookend) 5 4.16 2005 Elantris (Elantris, #1)

author: Brandon Sanderson
name: Erica (storybookend)
average rating: 4.16
book published: 2005
rating: 5
read at: 2012/01/15
date added: 2012/01/15
shelves: lds-authors, 2012-reads, incredible, i-recommend-it, outstanding-worldbuilding, brilliant-authors, heroes-i-respect-and-praise, treasured-keeps, absolute-favorites, best-characters, epic-fantasy, love-love-it, novels-that-inspire-me, original-creative-premise
review:

]]>