EVERLESS by SARA HOLLAND (2018)

Title: Everless
Author: Sara Holland
Series: Everless #1
Pages: 362
Published: Jan 2nd 2018
Publisher: Harper Teen

This book was a classic YA fantasy with an original idea set in a different fantasy universe. It is exactly what my brain craves sometimes. Personally for me, it wasn't the most exciting YA fantasy I've read. It is a bit slow, if not unexciting at parts but it's an easy read and plenty happens.

The book is written in first person but I love the amount of characters. There are enough side characters of each social status to give an understanding of how Everless is ruled. Jules lives with the servants, where she has friends, she has her family and a friend from home, she has the Gerlings, that she knew as a girl and the Queen and her daughter whom she serves. It gives a very well understanding of Everless as a whole, and it's wonderful. What else is great is that Jules moves around these ranks quite frequently and therefore we understand the places and what's generally going on the story. It's great.

What's more, is that, since the book is written from Jules's point of view we always know what she's thinking and are therefore often reminded of her childhood, her memories, her dreams. The world of Sempera and Everless is built up to the reader through Jules's thoughts. And theses are not repetitive or annoying since she starts questioning a lot of things that are going on with time.

The time aspect of this book is very interesting. How blood and time are linked and how they are used and contained. It is a very interesting concept and I give Sara Holland all the credit for thinking through her story.

Unfortunately I just wished there was more. The cogs only really started moving towards the end. Jules's journey felt like it stood still for quite a while, and when things finally started clicking into place we were almost at the end of the book and it felt almost rushed and I didn't get enough time to process everything that had been revealed. 

A very nice YA fantasy, but not quite the epic. Although the story had loads of potential and the character is likeable I had small issues with pacing.

Plot Summary:

In the land of Sempera, the rich control everything - even time. Ever since the time of alchemy and sorcery, hours, days and years have been extracted from blood and bound to iron coins. The rich live for centuries, the poor bleed themselves dry. 

Jules and her father are behind on their rent and low on hours. To stop him from draining himself to clear their debts, Jules takes a job at Everless, the grand estate of the cruel Gerling family. 

There, Jules encounters danger and temptation in the guise of the Gerling heir, Roan, who is soon to be married. But the web of secrets at Everless stretches beyond her desire, and the truths she must uncover will change her life forever... and possibly the future of time itself. 

My Rating:

7/10

Enjoyable, but not quite as exciting as I expected.

Other Books in this Series:

Everless (Everless #1)

Evermore (Everless #2)

ESTRID by JOHANNE HILDEBRANDT (2015)

Title: Estrid

Author: Johanne Hildebrandt

Series: Sagan om Valhalla

Pages: 524

Published: Oct 21st 2015

Publisher: Forum
Language: Swedish


After having nicked the prequel to this book from my grandma's bookshelf she brought this new sequel with her on her visit to England. I read is straight after Sigrid. This book takes place 15 years later and although still following the love story between Sigrid and Svend, now includes the story of her daughter Estrid. Estrid is said to have been chosen by the dark Norse God Hel and hallucinates and coughs badly along with her sickness. She has only one friend, and guardian, Katla. Katla, one of my favourite characters, has an unknown nature however and while her ending in this book made me happy it also very much upset me. Estrid goes through an internal battle between Christianity and the Norse beliefs in the Gods of Asgård. Sigrid, however, still remains faithful to the Norse Gods and is convinced that she is chosen by Freya to do her bidding on earth.

Like the previous book, Sigrid, this book is based on true characters of the Viking Age and cleverly interweaves Norse mythology and a sense of magic. It is a perfect book if you are interested in Vikings, Scandinavian history, fantasy and mythology. Even if you would just like to try something new. It is gripping and includes several perspectives of the wars going on in Scandinavia. Would strongly recommend this book if you are a fan of the TV series Vikings. It is mostly classified as a book aimed at women, and I believe that my grandma found it more enjoyable than my grandpa. Great historical fantasy.

Plot Summary:

In Estrid, the latest instalment in loved Saga about Valhalla, the love story between the Viking Age's most legendary queen and king: Sigrid Storråda and Svend Tveskägg, continues. Follow us to the Viking Age of the 900's when Scandinavia was born from legendary kings' battles, and Valhalla's gods still stand strong against the Christians. Two children can save the world from falling into war and chaos but the battle for their lives and souls are hard, and only with the forces' help can they survive.
- translated from Goodreads

My Rating:

8/10

Other Books in this Series:

Freja (Sagan om Valhalla #1)
Idun (Sagan om Valhalla #2)
Saga från Valhalla (Sagan om Valhalla #3)
Sigrid (Sagan om Valhalla #4)
Estrid (Sagan om Valhalla #5)

Book 1 to 3 work as a trilogy on their own and book 4-5 is there own series. However, it is referred to as a trilogy and I suspect there will be a 6th book.

SIGRID by JOHANNE HILDEBRANDT (2015)

Title: Sigrid (alt. The Unbroken Line of the Moon)

Author: Johanne Hildebrandt

Series: Sagan on Valhalla #4

Pages: 451

Published: Jun 17th 2015

Publisher: Månpocket
Language: Swedish


As I am always allowed to help myself from my grandparents bookshelf I found this one and naturally was allowed to take it with me home. Six months later I feel this incredible urge to read it. This book is written in Swedish, but it is available in English under the title The Unbroken Line of the Moon. Sigrid is about a young Viking girl who is chosen by the Norse Godess Freya to do the God's will on Earth (or Midgård as they call it). She gets visions and dreams to guide her along the way, but her duties as a Viking girl want to lead her down a different path. So battled between what her family wants and what the Gods want her to do she struggles to satisfy both.

This book is brilliant if you have a love for Vikings or if you feel like you'd like to try it. Hildebrandt weaves in some Norse mythology facts so that even if you don't know anything about the Norse Gods you don't struggle to keep up at all. She includes some supernatural moments that are so subtle it's believable and I didn't question any plot devices at all.

Sigrid Storråda (aka. Sigrid the Haughty) is a known queen in Norse sagas and the character is therefore based on a real woman. However, the sagas about Sigrid sometimes contradict themselves and this book is vaguely based on them. Sigrid was known for her extreme faith in the Norse Gods, Freya in particular. She refused to acknowledge the Christian Gods even when Christianity was starting to take over Scandinavia and the Nordics. The book mentions other well known vikings such as Harald Blåtand, Svend Tveskägg and more. If you watch the TV series Vikings I highly recommend this as it is a combination of history, fantasy and mythology.

Plot Summary:

In this grand saga of love, war and magic set in the tenth century, young Sigrid is destined to be the mother of the king of the Nordic lands that would become Sweden, Norway, Denmark and England.
A devout believer in the old Nordic gods, Sigrid is visited regularly in her dreams by the goddess Freya, who whispers to her of the future. Though Sigrid is beautiful, rich, arrogant and matchlessly clever her uncanny ability to foresee the future and manipulate the present guides her through dangerous politics as a bloody war between Vikigns and Christians rages on.
Sigrid father wants her to marry Erik, a local king, to secure the peace between Goths and Swedes, Thinking she is doing Freya's will she accepts the marriage offer, only to find that her destiny leis with Svend, a warrior who dreams of dethroning Harald Bluetooth, the legendary ruler of Denmark. Will Sigrid sacrifice her for the greatest Viking kingdom of all time, or will she follow her heart at the risk of loosing everything?
-Goodreads

My Rating:

8/10

Other Books in this Series:

Freja (Sagan om Valhalla #1)
Idun (Sagan om Valhalla #2)
Saga från Valhalla (Sagan om Valhalla #3)
Sigrid (Sagan om Valhalla #4)
Estrid (Sagan om Valhalla #5)

Book 1 to 3 work as a trilogy on their own and book 4-5 is there own series. However, it is referred to as a trilogy and I suspect there will be a 6th book.

PERCY JACKSON AND THE LAST OLYMPIAN by RICK RIORDAN (2009)

Title: The Last Olympian

Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians #3

Pages: 361

Published: May 5th 2009

Publisher: Hyperion Books

This was an epic ending to the Percy Jackson books. Towards the end I started wondering when the real battle was going to happen and then I realised it had been going on for basically the whole book. All the questions where finally answered and it was a very satisfying ending to such a lovely series. You've got to admire these kids for their bravery, even as some of their parents don't seem to care. Although we mainly followed Percy and his close friends in the other books all of Camp Half Blood got involved in this book as a united force which made it much more fun to read.


Plot Summary:

Most People gets presents on their sixteenth birthday. I get a prophecy that could save or destroy the world.
It happens when you're the son of Poseidon, god of the sea. According to an ancient prophecy, I turn sixteen and the fate of the entire world is on me. But no pressure.
Now Kronos, Lord of the Titans, is beginning his attack on New York City. And the dreaded monster Typhon is also heading our way. So it's me and forty of my demigod friends versus untold evil . . .Other Books in Percy Jackson and the Olympians:

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1)
The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #2)
The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #3)
The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #4)
The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #5)

The Sword of Hades (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Singer of Apollo (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Stolen Chariot (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Demigod Files (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jackson's Greek Gods (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jacksona and the Bronze Dragon (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)

Other Books by Rick Riordan:

The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus #1)
The Son of Neptune (The Heroes of Olympus #2)
The Mark of Athena (The Heroes of Olympus #3)
The House of Hades (The Heroes of Olympus #4)
The Blood of Olympus (The Heroes of Olympus #5)
The Demigod Diaries (The Heroes of Olympus companion book)
The Red Pyramid (The Kane Chronicles #1)
The Throne of Fire (The Kane Chronicles #2)
The Serpent's Shadow (The Kane Chronicles #3)
The Kane Chronicle's Survival Guide (The Kane Chronicles companion book)
The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #1)
The Hammer of Thor (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #2)
The Ship of the Dead (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #3)
For Magnus Chase: Hotel Valhalla, Guide to the Norse Worlds (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard companion book)
The Hidden Oracle (The Trials of Apollo #1)
The Dark Prophecy (The Trials of Apollo #2)
The Burning Maze (The Trials of Apollo #3)
The Son of Sobek (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #1)
The Staff of Serapis (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #2)
The Crown of Ptolemy (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #3)

My Rating:

7/10

PERCY JACKSON AND THE BATTLE OF THE LABYRINTH by RICK RIORDAN (2008)

Title: Percy Jackson and the Battle of the Labyrinth

Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians #4

Pages: 361

Published: May 6th 2008

Publisher: Hyperion Books


As the fourth book of the series this was a seriously good story. Rick Riordan does not fail in making Greek gods and demigods into fun and charismatic characters. The relationship between Percy and Annabeth is only getting better and both of their characters are really developing, like Annabeth and her architect dreams.

The labyrinth allowed for such grey ideas and storytelling. With the different chambers and corridors and time difference. There was no limit to imagination. I can't wait for the final book.

Plot Summary:

Honestly, blowing up another school was the last thing I wanted to do. As the son of a Greek god, I've had my share of near-death disaster - and now my arch enemy Luke wants to invade our camp via an ancient Labyrinth.If he succeeds, thousands of bloodthirsty monsters will attack. So it's goodbye sunshine, hello darkness as four of us descend into the terrifying underground and beyond...

My Rating:

8/10

Other Books in Percy Jackson and the Olympians:


The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1)
The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #2)
The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #3)
The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #4)
The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #5)
The Sword of Hades (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Singer of Apollo (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Stolen Chariot (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Demigod Files (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jackson's Greek Gods (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jacksona and the Bronze Dragon (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)

Other Books by Rick Riordan:

The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus #1)
The Son of Neptune (The Heroes of Olympus #2)
The Mark of Athena (The Heroes of Olympus #3)
The House of Hades (The Heroes of Olympus #4)
The Blood of Olympus (The Heroes of Olympus #5)
The Demigod Diaries (The Heroes of Olympus companion book)
The Red Pyramid (The Kane Chronicles #1)
The Throne of Fire (The Kane Chronicles #2)
The Serpent's Shadow (The Kane Chronicles #3)
The Kane Chronicle's Survival Guide (The Kane Chronicles companion book)
The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #1)
The Hammer of Thor (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #2)
The Ship of the Dead (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #3)
For Magnus Chase: Hotel Valhalla, Guide to the Norse Worlds (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard companion book)
The Hidden Oracle (The Trials of Apollo #1)
The Dark Prophecy (The Trials of Apollo #2)
The Burning Maze (The Trials of Apollo #3)
The Son of Sobek (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #1)
The Staff of Serapis (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #2)
The Crown of Ptolemy (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #3)

PERCY JACKSON AND THE LIGHTNING THIEF by RICK RIORDAN (2005)

Title: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief

Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1

Pages: 377

Published: May 4th 2005

Publisher: Hyperion Books


As I have promised in my TBR Announcement for Percy Jackson and the Olympians my goal was to read the series this summer and as I didn't know how to start of my June reading I thought it best to start with Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief to get going.

It was a good choice. This book was highly enjoyable and I see why people truly enjoy this series. I wish I had read them when I was younger because although it is suitable for the nineteen-year-old I am, it is initially written for 9-14 year olds and maybe I would have enjoyed it even more back then. But no point mourning the lack of Percy Jackson in my childhood. This book was so great. It's funny, exciting and entertaining.I love how every day objects are turned magical
and that everything is not over the top supernatural. It's as simple as a magic cap or winged shoes. Makes everything funnier and a little more realistic. Although there is plenty of fighting in Percy Jackson its all written for a younger audience and everything is described with excitement and action. It's not graphic in the way that it's not PG, but it is described well and everything is played out in my head perfectly.

I have heard that people find that a lot of the story is lost if you do not know Greek Mythology. Let me tell you something about my knowledge about Greek Mythology. I know the names Zeus, Poseidon, Hades and Aphrodite. And, that's about it. I never got the opportunity to study the Greek gods in school and haven't read any books about them. I am clueless. But Riordan so cleverly interweaves little facts here and there for the reader to understand the story. Very simplified and interesting. You don't have to know anything of Greek Mythology because Percy will tell you about everything that is relevant. It's brilliant.

So this book was great. I think I may have enjoyed it even more if I'd been younger and I'm so happy I'm reading them now rather than letting them collect dust on my bookshelf. Highly recommend.Plot Summary:

Look, I didn't want to be a half-blood. I never asked to be the son of a greek god.

I was just a normal kid, going to school, playing basketball, skateboarding. The usual. Until I accidentally vaporized my maths teacher. Now I spend my time battling monsters and generally trying to stay alive.
This is the one where Zeus, God of the Sky, thinks I've stolen his lightning bolt - and making Zeus angry is a very bad idea.


My Rating:
8/10

Other Books in Percy Jackson and the Olympians:

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1)
The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #2)
The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #3)
The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #4)
The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #5)
The Sword of Hades (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Singer of Apollo (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Stolen Chariot (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)
The Demigod Files (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jackson's Greek Gods (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes (Percy Jackson and the Olympians companion book)
Percy Jacksona and the Bronze Dragon (Percy Jackson and the Olympians novella)

Other Books by Rick Riordan:

The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus #1)
The Son of Neptune (The Heroes of Olympus #2)
The Mark of Athena (The Heroes of Olympus #3)
The House of Hades (The Heroes of Olympus #4)
The Blood of Olympus (The Heroes of Olympus #5)
The Demigod Diaries (The Heroes of Olympus companion book)
The Red Pyramid (The Kane Chronicles #1)
The Throne of Fire (The Kane Chronicles #2)
The Serpent's Shadow (The Kane Chronicles #3)
The Kane Chronicle's Survival Guide (The Kane Chronicles companion book)
The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #1)
The Hammer of Thor (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #2)
The Ship of the Dead (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #3)
For Magnus Chase: Hotel Valhalla, Guide to the Norse Worlds (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard companion book)
The Hidden Oracle (The Trials of Apollo #1)
The Dark Prophecy (The Trials of Apollo #2)
The Burning Maze (The Trials of Apollo #3)
The Son of Sobek (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #1)
The Staff of Serapis (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #2)
The Crown of Ptolemy (Percy Jackson and Kane Chronicles Crossover #3)