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)

MORTAL ENGINES by PHILIP REEVE (2004)

Title: Mortal Engines

Author: Philip Reeve

Series: The Hungry City Chronicles #1

Pages: 373

Published: Sep 1st 2004

Publisher: Harper Collins US UK

I read this book because I found myself in the unusual situation where my boyfriend recommended me a book and not the other way around. It also just so happens that Peter Jackson is coming out with the film adaptation next month so it felt like the perfect opportunity to read the book now so I can go see the film.

This book follows two 15-year-old people in a futuristic dystopia where cities and towns are constantly on the move, devouring each other and then reusing all their materials. It is a little bit weird, and new, something I have not read before. But it is an action filled book, which is beautifully written with very subtle but cleverly interwoven descriptions of this new world. Descriptions that makes the world what it is are mentioned in by-passing, so casually and low-key that one almost misses them. Reeve does not make a big deal about building up a world for the reader but rather places the reader in this world and lets them explore it for themselves. It's very relaxing and easy to read and get immersed this way.

Despite being written for the Young Adult audience, the reader is introduced to the grown up characters as well and their mind-set. This was very refreshing and one followed the stories from different points of views, but to a limited amount. There were not too many to follow and remember and enough to keep up with but still enough to understand the whole of the story - good and evil. We follow Tom (and through him the story of Hester and Anna Fang and Shrike), Katherine (including Bevis Pod and the historians) and Magnus Chrome (the rest of London and the politics). This creates dramatic irony in the sense that the reader always knows more than any of the characters but it creates suspense and anticipation. 

The book is not the most exciting in sense that it is not an action filled page turner. At least, not for me. But it is captivating and you somehow keep reading. Reeve's writing doesn't let you finish the book unfinished.

Seeing the film bringing this story to life will be incredibly exciting and to finally be able to see things that I may have struggled to picture while reading will be incredibly satisfying.

Plot Summary:

London is hunting!

The great Traction City lumbers after a small town eager to strip its prey of all assets and move on. In the not-so-distant future, mobile cities consume one another to survive, a practise known as Municipal Darwinism.

Tom, an apprentice in the Guild of Historians, saves his hero from a murder attempt by the mysterious Hester Shaw - only to find himself thrown from the city stranded with Hester in the Out Country. As they struggle to follow the city, the sinister plans of London's leader begins to unfold...

My Rating:

7/10
An enjoyable book definitely.

Other Books in this Series:

Mortal Engines (The Hungry City Chronicles #1)

Predators Gold (The Hungry City Chronicles #2)

Infernal Devices (The Hungry City Chronicles #3)

A Darkling Plane (The Hungry City Chronicles #4)

The Traction Codex (The Hungry City Chronicles)

Traction City (The Hungry City Chronicles novella)

Night Flights (The Hungry City Chronicles prequel)

The Illustrated World of Mortal Engines (The Hungry City Chronicles)

Other Books by Philip Reeve:

Fever Crumb (Fever Crumb #1)

A Web of Air (Fever Crumb #2)

Scriveners Moon (Fever Crumb #3)

Larklight (Larklight #1)

Starcrossed (Larklight #2)

Mothstorm (Larklight #3)

Railhead (Railhead #1)

Black Light Express (Railhead #2)

Station Zero (Railhead #3)

Oliver and the Seawigs (A Not-So-Impossible Tale #1)

Cakes in Space (A Not-So-Impossible Tale #2)

Pugs of the Frozen North (A Not-So-Impossible Tale #3)

Carnival in a Fix (A Not-So-Impossible Tale #4)

Jinks & O'Hare Funfair Repair (A Not-So-Impossible Tale #5) 

Pug-a-Doodle-Do! (A Not-So-Impossible Tale #6)

Roly-Poly Flying Pony: The Legend of Kevin (A Not-So-Impossible Tale #7)

Goblins (Goblins #

Goblins vs Dwarves (Goblins #2)

Goblin Quest (Goblins #3)

Night of the Living Veg (Buster Bayliss #1)

The Big Freeze (Buster Bayliss #2)

Day of the Hamster (Buster Bayliss #3)

Custardfinger! (Buster Bayliss #4)

Here Lies Arthur

Isaac Newton and His Apple

Horatio Nelson and His Victory

No Such Thing as Dragons

Doctor Who: The Roots of Evil

LEGENDARY by STEPHANIE GARBER (2017)

Title: Legendary

Author: Stephanie Garber
Series: Caraval #2
Pages: 451
Published: 2018
Publisher: Flatiron Books


If you've read my review of Caraval you will know that I was all over it. It was the best book I read last year and I could not get over it. I waited over a year for this sequel and I was more than excited.

And it was magical. It was amazing that we got to follow Donatella this time, although I must say I really did miss Scarlet. I almost got the feeling that I knew Scarlet better than Donatella did and I almost fell like I missed the person who introduced me to the world of Caraval. I tend to like the first book in a series the most and this was the case with Caraval as well. It's like the beginning of a love affair where everything is new and you get to know everything for the first time. It's butterflies in your stomach, the feeling that you don't know what's around the corner and the excitement of new characters and a new world. Although this Caraval was different in many ways it didn't have the first impression of excitement. 
The plot was very exciting though. So many new characters were introduced and the story was really brought out from Caraval and into the real world, involving the Fates and the girls' mother. There is so much new to learn about Legend and the world where Caraval is set.

So as much as I enjoyed this book, because it really did think it was a good sequel, it didn't quite measure up to Caraval. That book is simply unbeatable. I'd still encourage people to read Legendary and keep following the story because it truly is unbelievable and I cannot wait for the Finale!


Plot Summary:

A heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win.
After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister, Scarlett, from a disastrous arranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver: Caraval Master Legend’s true name.

The only chance of uncovering Legend’s identity is to win Caraval, so Tella throws herself into the legendary competition once more—and into the path of the murderous heir to the throne, a doomed love story, and a web of secrets…including her sister's. Caraval has always demanded bravery, cunning, and sacrifice, but now the game is asking for more. If Tella can’t fulfill her bargain and deliver Legend’s name, she’ll lose everything she cares about—maybe even her life. But if she wins, Legend and Caraval will be destroyed forever...
Welcome, welcome to Caraval . . . the games have only just begun.

My Rating:

8/10

Other Books in the Series:

Caraval (Caraval #1)
Legendary (Caraval #2)
Finale (Caraval #3)

TOWER OF DAWN by SARAH J. MAAS (2017)

Title: Tower of Dawn
Author: Sarah J. Maas

Series: Throne of Glass #6
Pages: 660
Published: Sep 5th 2017
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children

I do not know why it took me a year from its publication for me to read this book. It was two years ago I read a Throne of Glass book. Which I almost feel ashamed to admit. On the other hand my mind will be fresh when I finally get my hands on final instalment Kingdom of Ash which came out yesterday.

I think the real reason I put this book off was because I knew that it wasn't going to follow the main characters but focus on Chaol and Nesryn. Chaol, I was looking forward to since I truly missed him in the last book, but Nesryn I wasn't so keen on and I suppose it put me off. Big mistake, I don't know why I ever doubted that Sarah J. Maas would allow a book to be less amazing because of the lack of favourite characters. This book smashed it!

Not only was it exciting to follow Chaol's story again but there was a new country and new politics to follow. And introductions to a whole new family, court and culture. This book did certainly not go to waste. If anything it really gave the characters the time the deserved. It also introduced a new character which adds a new spin to the plot: Yrene. Yrene is mentioned in the prequel book The Assassin's Blade and is now given her time to shine and she is such a good addition. She is fun, relatable and a very strong character who brings a lot to the table, but emotional

ly and as a plot devise. Her instalment in the story will hopefully make for a very interesting finale and I am pumped to see the role she will play in the next book.

With other words, don't let the lack of Aelin in this book or the change in book cover put you off. The danger, excitement and steamy love scenes are still there and Sarah J. Maas, as usual, does not disappoint.

Plot Summary:

A glorious empire.
A desperate quest.
An ancient secret.
Chaol Westfall and Nesryn Faliq have arrived in the shining city of Antica to forge an alliance with the Khagan of the Southern Continent, who's vast armies are Erilea's last hope. But they have also come to Antica for another purpose: to seek healing at the legendary Torre Cesme for the wounds that Chaol received in Rifthold.
After enduring unspeakable horrors as a child, Yrene Towers has no desire to help a young Lord from Adarlan, let alone heal him. Yet she has sworn an oath to assist those in need - and will honour it. But Lord Westfall carries darkness from his own past, and Yrene soon comes to realise that it could engulf them both.
And deep in the shadows of distant mountains, where warriors soar on mighty ruks, long-awaited answers slumber. Answers that might offer their world a chance at survival - or doom them all.

My Rating:

8/10
Only because of the lack of certain characters.

Other Books in the Series:

The Assassin's Blade (Throne of Glass Prequel)
Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass #1)
Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2)
Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3)
Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass #4)
Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass #5)
Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass #6)
Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass #7)

Other Books by Sarah J. Maas:

A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses #1)
A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses #2)
A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses #3)
A Court of Frost and Starlight (Court of Thorns and Roses novella)

If you liked DIVERGENT...

Divergent was published in 2011 and got its film adaptation in 2014. There's no doubt that this book and its trilogy was amazing. I loved it as many other people. But despite its awesomeness  

Throne of Glass was published in 2012 and has not seen the screen but the series is not yet finished and if you had any interest in Divergent you should totally check out the Throne of Glass series.

Divergent features a group of young people who have to go through different tasks or auditions if you please. If they do not pass, they are thrown out. Although Throne of Glass is not a dystopian book, but a high fantasy, the book is focused on a competition to become the King's personal assassin. If they do not pass, or come last they are thrown out. This book is like a high fantasy version of Divergent, in relation to the layout and what drives the story forward, the competition.

However that's where the likeness stops. The Throne of Glass series has a bigger story. The Series has seven books with a much greater plot and subplots. 

If you are a fan of Divergent, or even The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and want to explore a new genre I suggest you check out Throne of Glass. It will gently introduce you to high fantasy with a theme that you feel comfortable with. 

For my review of Divergent you can check that out here. And if you want to find out more about Throne of Glass, head over here.

If you liked THE HANDMAIDS TALE...

If you haven't watched MGM Television's TV series adaptation of The Handmaids Tale I suggest you head over and do that on Sky Atlantic. If you have watched it I suggest you sit down and read the book. If you've read the book I suggest you sit down and read The Jewel by Amy Ewings.

If you've read The Handmaid's Tale you'll know that the handmaids are used to reproduce babies for the people of the higher social standards that are unable to have children. This is because they are fertile and their 'gift from God' needs to be used for the greater good. It's set in a dystopian world with a strange new social system. The Jewel is actually quite similar. In fact is features the same themes. In a dystopian city called The Lone City, where the people living in the centre of the  circular city are the aristocracy young girls are used to produce babies for these people. But don't worry. This book is not a copy and it featuresThe Jewel is a Young Adult version of The Handmaid's Tale with new elements of magic, fantasy, royalty, romance and social intrigue. And best of all, it's a trilogy. There is a greater story behind all of this.

There are also many more exciting factors. The girls have magical abilities, this is why they've been chosen to reproduce. And they are not simply chased down by the new government, they are taken from their families at a young age and then, when ready, auctioned to the higher society members.

For my review of the The Jewel by Amy Ewing click here. For the review of The Handmaid's Tale click here. 

If you liked THE INVASION OF THE TEARLING...

Yep, I'm not mentioning The Queen of the Tearling but the second instalment in the Tearling because this is where a theme is introduced which is very to similar to... The Handmaid's Tale.

Spoilers ahead. If you've read The Invasion of the Tearling you know of the references to Lily and the time before the Crossing. These flashbacks fit into quite a dystopian theme. Personally I found it hard to get accustomed to this at first but very much enjoyed it further into the book. If you were a fan of this dystopian element to the book then I suggest you take a look at The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood that includes flashbacks to a time before the dystopian current setting of the book and the crossover to between the past and the present. 

I personally listened to audiobooks of both of these books and highly recommend the audiobook versions from Audible. If you are interested in my full review of The Invasion of the Tearling by Erika Johansen you can read it here. A review of The Handmaids Tale is coming soon.

DIVERGENT by VERONICA ROTH (2012)

Title: Divergent
Author: Veronica Roth

Series: Divergent #1

Pages: 487

Published: Feb 28th 2012

Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books

I was at my friends house on a sleepover when I wanted to read something. We were three other people on a sleep over at her place and she and I decided to have a read. I always enjoy looking at her bookshelf. It's cramped. Having forgotten my book at home, I picked up Divergent and got to bring it home to finish it.

After that I borrowed the second book at the library and the third book I got to read on a friend's Kobo account because the library didn't have it available.

I love Tris' first person narrative (if you think about it The Hunger Games are written by a female first person narrator). It is very personal and her description of the events are crystal clear. The characters are very well developed and carefully picked out for a reason.

The idea that society would be divided into sections scares me and that other people would use one another like that. Not just manipulate them or brainwash them, but skipping that step and only injecting them with serum just to force them without even telling them, without warning. It scares me a lot. Just absolutely terrifying. Because they turned on each other. The fact that Tris had to go to the point and kill her friend, hurting other friends in turn - for not having another choice.

Plot Summary:

She turns to face the future in a world that's falling appart.
Three Flying Birds... One for each member of the family I left behind.
Sixteen-year-old Tris is forced to make a terrible choice. In a decided society where everyone must conform, Tris does not fit.
So she ventures out alone, determined to discover where she truly belongs. Shocked by her brutal new life, Tris can trust no one. And yet she is drawn to a boy who seems to booth threaten and protect her.
The hardest choice lies ahead.

Favourite Quote: 

Be brave.

My Rating:

10/10
I was hooked from the first page.

Other Books in This Series:

Divergent (Divergent #1)
Insurgent (Divergent #2)
Allegiant (Divergent #3)
Four (Divergent novella)
Free Four (Divergent novella)
The Transfer (Divergent novella)
The Initiate (Divergent novella)
The World of Divergent (Divergent novella)

Other Books by Veronica Roth:

Carve the Mark (Carve the Mark #1)
The Fates Divide (Carve the Mark #2)

A COURT OF THORNS AND ROSES by SARAH J. MAAS (2015)

Title: A Court of Thorns and Roses

Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses #1
Pages: 416
Published: May 5th 2015
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children

I have been meaning to read this for quite some time and having read the Throne of Glass series I knew this was going to be an amazing reading experience, not to mention all the talk and art there is on social media. So without hesitating I bought all three books in the series and started reading A Court of Thorns and Roses over Easter.

And God, was it good? My first was: why does this get more attention than Throne of Glass? It's just as good, but it's not incredibly 'better'. I'm a huge Throne of Glass fan by the way, and I'm not too keen in pushing it off my favourite ten books of all time any time soon, you see. This does not in any way mean that this was worse. Don't get me wrong, it was phenomenal!

Feyre is an awesome female lead. I can't help but deeply dislike her family, but she is genuinely good. Badass, responsible, selfless, were just a few of her qualities. Hurt, anger, happiness, all the feelings were there and she was truly an empowering character to read about.

Personally, however, I wasn't a fan of Tamlin. I don't know if I was meant to like him or possibly dislike him, but he just didn't agree with me. He and Feyre didn't click. In fact I was a much bigger fan of Lucien. He played the true friend, torn between his loyalty to Tamlin and his building friendship with Feyre. He was the stereotypical annoying best friend that eventually grew on you. who's sarcasm added to banter in conversation and spiced up the plot.

Rhysand on the other hand I couldn't get enough of and he was not mentioned nearly enough. I can't wait to hear more about him in the next book.

The next book, which I can get to reading as soon as I finish reading a book about brains that Dad is forcing me to read (it's surprisingly good), I hope will bring us out of the Spring Court and allow Feyre explore more of Prythian and be more involved with the greater politics.

Plot Summary:

Feyre is a huntress.

She thinks nothing of slaughtering a wolf to capture its prey. But, like all mortals, she fears what lingers mercilessly beyond the forest. And she will learn that taking the life of a magical creature comes at a high price...

Imprisoned in an enchanted court in her enemy's kingdom, Feyre is free to roam but forbidden to escape. Her captor's body bears the scars of fighting, and his face is always masked - but his piercing stare draws her closer. As Feyre's feelings from Tamlin begin to burn through every warning she'd been told about his kind, an ancient, wicked shadow grows.

Feyre must find a way to break a spell, or loose her heart forever.

My Rating:

9/10

Other Books in this Series:

A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses #1)

A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses #2)

A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses #3)

A Court of Frost and Starlight (A Court of Thorns and Roses novella)

Other Books by Sarah J. Maas:

The Assassin's Blade (Throne of Glass Prequel)

Throne of Glass (Throne of Glass #1)

Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2)

Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3)

Queen of Shadows Throne of Glass #4)

Empire of Storms (Throne of Glass #5)

Tower of Dawn (Throne of Glass #6)
Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass #7)