For Love And Honor by Jody Hedlund

Another old review I never posted. 🙈 But better late, than never!

This was one of the very first historical romances I ever read (before I even knew it was considered “historical romance” because at the time I was clueless about sub-genres). But anywho — I borrowed it at my local library on a whim. Glad I did too!

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— BLURB —

Lady Sabine is harboring a skin blemish, one, that if revealed, could cause her to be branded as a witch, put her life in danger, and damage her chances of making a good marriage. After all, what nobleman would want to marry a woman so flawed?

Sir Bennet is returning home to protect his family from an imminent attack by neighboring lords who seek repayment of debts. Without fortune or means to pay those debts, Sir Bennet realizes his only option is to make a marriage match with a wealthy noblewoman. As a man of honor, he loathes the idea of courting a woman for her money, but with time running out for his family’s safety, what other choice does he have?

As Lady Sabine and Sir Bennet are thrust together under dangerous circumstances, will they both be able to learn to trust each other enough to share their deepest secrets? Or will those secrets ultimately lead to their demise?

*** This is Book 3 in the An Uncertain Choice series (aka Noble Knights Series).

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— MY REVIEW —

As mentioned earlier, I borrowed this book from my local library on a whim liking how the blurb sounded. But I hadn’t realized at the time that this was part of a series… and the last book too (check the edit below)! What were the chances?!

(But note to self — Get onto Goodreads first and research before borrowing books!)

I’m usually not a fan of reading books out of order in a series, despite the fact that they can all be read as standalone. I’m obsessive compulsive that way, but I didn’t want it to go to waste before I had to return it so… I read it! 😄

Thank goodness each book in the series has different protagonists with completely separate story lines. The thing that connects each book is that the characters all know each other one way or another.

I feel like I’ve been reading YA fantasy fiction with so much detailed romance (that it should technically be in the NA category), so this was a nice, simple change of pace. This book was quoted as “clean” historical fiction and I absolutely agree. It has the cute, lovey-dovey, hallmark romance going for it that still makes you grin.

Sabine is a spunky, strong-willed protagonist who has her moments of teenage rebelliousness. But you gotta love her for it. Her lighthearted banter between her grandmother and especially with Sir Bennet is what made this story all the more enjoyable. Yes, they were stuck in the middle of a dangerous battle with secrets up in the air but boy, I couldn’t help but swoon during the scenes where Sabine and Bennet were together and wondering how the other truly feels about.

There’s a little bit of magic and curses wrapped around Sabine that’s affected her ability to trust and open herself up to new people. Things are not what they seem.

An overall nice, steady developing romance with just a little bit of suspense and secrecy thrown in that’ll keep you engaged. There’s a simple little world-building here, enough to keep you picturing castles, pretty dresses, chivalry, and with it — seedy minions! 😜

RATING: ♥♥♥½

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This was an enjoyable read! 👍 If you have a few hours to kill and looking for a quick read, I highly recommend this one! Ooh and the rest of the series too!

Side Note: After checking Goodreads, there’s apparently a fourth book; A Loyal Heart to be released sometime this year! I hope it does get released, I’m liking this series so far.

**EDIT: Since this is a super old review that I never got around to posting, my guess is the fourth book HAS been released. Although I can’t say for sure as I never did get around to finishing this series (and I hadn’t looked at on Goodreads since). 😅 But I still would recommend it though. It’s clean, adorably sweet, clean romance books. 

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Catch you guys in my next one. Happy reading! Xo

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo

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— BLURB —

Welcome to the world of the Grisha.

Kaz Brekker and his crew of deadly outcasts have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn’t think they’d survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they’re right back to fighting for their lives.

Double-crossed and badly weakened, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz’s cunning and test the team’s fragile loyalties.

A war will be waged on the city’s dark and twisting streets – a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of the Grisha world.

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— MY REVIEW —

I loved Six of Crows so the minute I finished it I went straight into Crooked Kingdom (which I highly recommend you do so you don’t torture yourself with a cliffhanger).

After Kaz and the crew survived the job at the Ice Court I was relieved! Everyone was alive and together and I was just one happy chappy.. but to find out the job was a scam?!?Ohh I knew Kaz would destroy Van Eck and anyone who was working with and I knew whatever his plan was it was going to be epic!

And I was right! Just like Six of Crows, Crooked Kingdom did not disappointed in the twists and turns and the unexpected.

If I thought I was on the edge of my seat reading Six of Crows, let’s just say I wasn’t even sitting down anymore for Crooked Kingdom. I was in panic-mode, anxious with sweaty palms reading this book. I was preparing myself for the worst. You guys know what. Death of a beloved character! Yup. It could happen at anytime and it certainly did here. I’m sad to say that I knew they wouldn’t all make it out alive but for one of them to die so suddenly by someone who wasn’t even one of the original bad guys in the book!?

⚠ WARNING WARNING WARNING ⚠

SPOILER ALERT!

I cried. No wait. I bawled my eyes out when Matthias was shot and he struggles himself back to Nina just so he could see her one last time! Like what?!?!? Why !?!?! 😭😭😭

Why would Leigh Bardugo kill off a character in the way? Why would she kill her readers along with him!? My heart sank. For Mathias and especially for Nina. I felt like I was there with her. Crying and begging for Mathias to stay alive.

What made me cry even more was when she accidently brought him back with her power except it wasn’t really him anymore it was more like his body being commanded by her. It was just one HUGE sad part of the book! 💔

Sure, it was almost the end but still..

And speaking of the end of the book. It’s been 4 days since I finished it and I’m still reeling from the lack of ending. In my opinion anyways. I felt it was unfinished. So many things lingered and left open.

1. Kaz and Inej were together – but not really. It wasn’t the result I was hoping for. It almost felt like the beginning of something between them rather than the big “fireworks” kiss that we’ve all been waiting for that should have after having gone through all of the things they went through. I don’t know. I just wished for more.
2. Nina’s exit out of the storyline felt cut off. Yeah her plans were to go back to Fjerda to bury Matias and try and help as much Fjerdan soldiers as she could but I figured at the very end we would at least hear from her. See if she made it. Something? Anything? But there wasn’t, so I felt like if Leigh wanted to she could keep going and write another book in the fabulous story. (Here’s to wishing again!)
3. Jesper: promising his father he would return to the farm once Wylan was settled back at his old home. But then they seem to be together too so how would that work? Was he just planning on visiting his dad or actually moving back? Because the way he said it to his dad it could be interpreted differently by each reader.
4. Another thing with Kaz and Inej. Kaz has plans to rule Ketterdam, starting with The Barrel. Inej has big plans to command her own ship and crew and free slaves but yet she asked Kaz to help her. Once again, how will that work? Will he stay at Ketterdam whilst she sails around and they’ll just write to each other? And then there’s the question of her parents. Kaz (that sweety!) had gotten Nikolai (that’s right, he made an appearance!) to help find her parents. Will Inej go back with them first?
5. The book ends with Pekka Rollins as the final chapter and point of view. This was the guy that Kaz wanted to destroy. I suppose when you look at it from a different perspective Kaz did finally destroy his life but the things he did to Kaz – that made him the way he is now you would think he would just kill Pekka in the end but he didn’t. It just makes you think, you know? Could Pekka return? Eventually?

There’s just so many unanswered questions and things left open. I want to know! It felt like an open ending which is worse than a cliffhanger because at least with cliffhangers there’s another book to read. Crooked Kingdom, as far as I know is IT! The book that was suppose to wrap the story up but I have more questions now than when the story initially began. Frustrating stuff right here! Haha. Or maybe I’m just overthinking everything. But these are questions that popped into my head the second I read the last page!

I love the bits of romance here and there whether between Nina and Mathias, Jesper and Wylan and yes of course between Kaz and Inej. I took whatever I could from those two but I was hungry for more. Lol!

There was the perfect amount of emotional heartfelt scenes, flashbacks and action that I was always hooked.

RATING: ♥♥♥♥½

This was such an easy read. Beautifully written story that draws you in instantly from start to finish. I’m still surprised how much I ended up loving these books considering The Grisha Trilogy was just average for me. If you haven’t fallen in love with each of the characters yet during Six of Crows then you would definitely be changing your mind after reading more about them in this one.

I wish I could give this one full rating like Six of Crows then it would really be a fist-pumping series. But all the questions rattling around in my head really took points of my rating. But I still think this is an unbelievable book. The entire duology has become one of my all time faves now. It’s caused me to have book hangover (not as massive as Maas’ books) but nevertheless I’m having withdrawals.

No Mourners. No Funerals.

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Happy reading, guys! Catch you in my next one! Xo

Six Of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

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— BLURB —

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can’t pull it off alone. . . .

A convict with a thirst for revenge

A sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager

A runaway with a privileged past

A spy known as the Wraith

A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums

A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes

Kaz’s crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don’t kill each other first.

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— MY REVIEW —

If you read my review on The Grisha Trilogy, you would know that I did not love at as much as the majority of readers did. But my friends insisted I read the trilogy first before I read Six of Crows to get a feel for the world and apparently some characters from those books were making cameos in this one so that’s what I did.

I’ll tell you now though. I don’t think it’s necessary for you to read the trilogy first before Six of Crows because it doesn’t affect the storyline or characters in any way. But in saying that, I started reading Six of Crows with a familiarity to the world already and how tough it is so..it’s up to you whether or not you want to start with The Grisha Trilogy first 🙂

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⚠ WARNING WARNING WARNING ⚠

•••

Now, onto my review.

This is probably the only place I can let out my opinions and rants in full so if you read ahead, be prepared for spoilers. Giving you a heads up now!

What can I say about Six of Crows? Well.. It was unbelievably phenomenal! There’s only a handful of books/ book series I can say are my total favourites and Six of Crows has been added to that list.

I knew everyone who ha read it raved on about it but I didn’t want that affecting me because before I read The Grisha Trilogy, everyone was telling me it was that good and that I was going to love it as well…and well I didn’t. So I went into Six of Crows with no expectations except that it was in the same fictional world and that the characters would be similar in a way?

But I have to say it completely blew the trilogy out of the water for me. The characters in Six of Crows were a bunch of misfits that just meshed well together. They are an ultimate crew. The differences in each character, their personalities and the way they interact with one another is what sold this book for me.

The book is written in a point of view format. So each chapter is a character from their point of view. At first I thought it might be a little difficult to follow as there are six main characters here and all with a story to tell but it was very well written. It was easy to follow and it just flowed. I couldn’t read it fast enough and I couldn’t put it down.

You get to know each character, their past and how they came to be where they are now. I fell in love with all the characters. They’re the characters that have gone through the worst of the worst and are trying to get out it.

You have Kaz Brekker. The leader of this crew. The guy who has a plan within plan within a plan and so forth. He is the most complicated guy from them all (and quite possibly from any fictional character I’ve encountered). He’s the most intriguing. He doesn’t open up and when he does it almost seems like it was by accident. That alone kept me turning pages. He’s unemotional, very calculating and gives off that vibe of “this is all business” but the deeper you read the more you realise everything is not what it seems with the guy and you get hooked. I don’t know anyone who’s read this book and did not come away from it not falling in love with him. I know I did!! (Inej is one lucky chick!)

There’s Inej (Aka Spider. Aka The Wraith). Quite possibly my favourite from them all if I had to choose 😉 She, I can’t help feel for the most. I know they’ve all gone through hell but if I went through what Inej had I would have been dead long ago. She has a strength in her that I gravitated towards from the get go. The thing she has going with Kaz doesn’t hurt the book either. Lol. I only wished there was more of it! Leigh Bardugo really knows how to torture her readers with little crumbs of romance. Haha.. oh sigh.

Then there’s Nina. Who I would say is the closest connection you would have to The Grisha Trilogy because she is a Grisha (or was training to become one) who is just trying to get back to her life but can’t until the mess she got herself into gets fixed. I love Nina. She’s spunky, funny, kicks ass, loves food. She’s very relatable. She’s so sassy. I loved reading her point of view. I love her backstory and the reason as to why she’s with Kaz and the crew.

Mathias. Oh man this guy. This guy is pure soldier. Until you get to read more of him. He may just be the tough yet sweet guy you’d be looking for in this book. The struggle he goes through with what’s right and wrong puts you on edge. I found myself literally talking to “him” whilst I was reading it. I was like “dude, c’mon!” Do you guys argue with fictional characters too? 😜

Jesper is the Sharpshooter and a hoot! He cracks me up with his flirty ways and untimely jokes and comments. I’m giggling just thinking about him now. He’s definitely the comedic relief in certain parts of the story where things are getting a little heated or problematic. He’s just a one of those guys who could cheer you up and he does. His friendship with Inej throughout this book had me smiling,his brotherly-like relationship with Kaz had my heart and his budding relationship with Wylan was one I did not see coming until later but I’m rooting for them!

Wylan is the kid in the group. Well they’re all pretty young in age but I see him as the baby of the group. Just because he seems like the naive, innocent, lost one from the crew. You almost think he’s a bit useless at the beginning (especially since he doesn’t know how to fight) but doesn’t mean he is. He is a Brainiac. I would keep an eye on him. He may just be the slyest of them all. 😉

I was surprised to read that the characters were only 16-18 years old which isn’t young (considering it’s a YA book) but when you read it you would never have guessed. I pictured them more to be in their early 20’s at the most but it doesn’t affect the experience one bit once you get your head around it.

The storyline is clever. So many twists and turns. I felt like I couldn’t pinpoint where the story was heading at all. Nothing was predictable. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.

RATING: ♥♥♥♥♥/5

I wish it was longer than a Duology. This is a YA Fantasy fiction reader’s dream book!! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND SIX OF CROWS!! I will shove people into bookstores, get them to buy it online, whatever! This is a must read! Full rating and more from me!!

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Happy reading, guys! Catch you in my next one! Xo

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

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— BLURB —

Cinder returns in the second thrilling installment of the New York Times-bestselling Lunar Chronicles.

She’s trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive. Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother and the grave danger she has lived in her whole life.

When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she has no choice but to trust him, though he clearly has a few dark secrets of his own. As Scarlet and Wolf work to unravel one mystery, they find another when they cross paths with Cinder. Together, they must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen who will do anything to make Prince Kai her husband, her king, her prisoner.

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— MY REVIEW —

⚠ WARNING WARNING WARNING ⚠

Spoilers ahead. Read at own risk!

LOVED IT! I think I read this book at the perfect time. I was on the verge of another mini reading slump and when I started Scarlet (not even 1 chapter in) I knew the slump wasn’t going to hit me. I love Scarlet as much as I loved Cinder. Although their stories are different, they both had the same feel that made me fall in love with both character’s stories.

Another reason I love both books is because Cinder has Kai… and Scarlet has Wolf! Eeeeeeep! 😄😄

I knew after reading Cinder that it wasn’t going to be the typical Cinderella story that we all know of. So I was going into Scarlet knowing that it wouldn’t be typical either, which I’m kind of glad because when Wolf first comes into the scene, I just knew… I had a strong gut feeling that he wasn’t the “big bad wolf” that little red riding hood would have been afraid of. Don’t get me wrong… he’s still a bad boy but the good kind of bad, if you get what I mean… 😉😉

I don’t know how Marissa Meyer was able to take our childhood fairy tales and retell it in a way that still has the core storyline but also make it into something new and different. It’s quickly become one of my fave fantasy series ever!

I got to be honest though, Little Red Riding Hood wasn’t my fave tale growing up. But Scarlet totally changed that…especially since this one has a hunky, somewhat dangerous Wolf in it! *drools* 🤤

Since I’m drooling already, let’s move on from one hunk to another. Carswell Thorne. He made me crack up from the moment he opened his mouth. I love a guy that can make me laugh and with Thorne around, there was no shortage of it! LOL! I love that he was cheeky and a bit vain but it all adds to his charm, I say! 😉 It’s clear when you’re reading this book that the main characters are Scarlet and Wolf but with Cinder (and Kai) still included, you can see that Cinder’s story from the first book ties in well with what’s happening now. I love that the brooding war with Queen Levana is what ties all the characters and their stories together. It was very well written!

I will say this though, I did find Scarlet at times to be bit irritating. Her focus was always on finding her grandma. Yeah, yeah I get that that’s her only family and I wouldn’t want anyone hurting anyone from my family either but I wish she wouldn’t act like she doesn’t care about anything or anyone else besides her grandma. I hate that Scarlet doesn’t even think about the consequences until it’s too late and by then you’re already yelling at the page saying “I knew it!” Lol.

Scarlet (in my opinion) yelled a lot throughout the book. She did a lot of overreacting and finger pointing and blaming of others. Which in some parts was justified but in others it was just too damn rude and I’m just going to say it… I would’ve punched her for it! #sorrynotsorry

I think Scarlet needs to realize there’s a bigger picture than just saving her grandma no matter what. I wanted to shake her and tell her to shut up for a second and listen lol. Did anyone else feel that way too? (Or was it just me? Haha)

But other than that, I love her with Wolf. I think they are perfect for each other. I love Wolf’s (for lack of a better word) ignorance.. Of course he’s from Luna and is unfamiliar with human-related things but I think that’s why I liked him as a character. It makes him all the more cuter because he’s different and doesn’t know any better.

Oh before I wrap up this already long review up, who else thought that Wolf wasn’t going to make it out? Who thought he was going to be left behind whilst the rest fly off? For a second there I thought so. I was ready to cry out it anger and slam the book shut 😛 Let’s just say it was a close call.

But I do like how the book concluded. Yeah sure, a lot of things finally came out in the end and more problems have popped up because of it but the way it ended makes me excited to read the next book. 😊

RATING: ♥♥♥♥/5

Highly recommend read! I found this book to be an easy read just like Cinder. The pace was great and had a nice flow from Scarlet story to Cinder’s and then back again – I never had a dull moment reading this book.

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Hope you’re all well. Happy reading, and as always, catch you in my next one! Xo

A Court Of Thorns And Roses by Sarah J. Maas

I’m a little late with posting this review. But with the horribleness that is April. I’m glad I’m finally able to start getting my mind off things and it’s all thanks to this gorgeous book!

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—  BLURB —

Feyre’s survival rests upon her ability to hunt and kill – the forest where she lives is a cold, bleak place in the long winter months. So when she spots a deer in the forest being pursued by a wolf, she cannot resist fighting it for the flesh. But to do so, she must kill the predator and killing something so precious comes at a price …

Dragged to a magical kingdom for the murder of a faerie, Feyre discovers that her captor, his face obscured by a jewelled mask, is hiding far more than his piercing green eyes would suggest. Feyre’s presence at the court is closely guarded, and as she begins to learn why, her feelings for him turn from hostility to passion and the faerie lands become an even more dangerous place. Feyre must fight to break an ancient curse, or she will lose him forever.

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— MY REVIEW —

OH. MY. GOLLYYYYYYYY! This is my favourite new fantasy fiction novel! I was hooked from beginning to end. I couldn’t put the book down. Sarah J. Maas has outdone herself. I seriously think this is better than Throne of Glass (not necessarily the whole series because it’s too early to tell but I definitely preferred the storyline over Throne of Glass). It’s bomb-diggity! I love love love it! I can only say good things about it.

If you haven’t read it, do it! Do it now! Don’t wait any longer because A Court Of Mist and Fury will be out in days! DAYS!! I know I can’t wait to get my hands on my copy.

⚠ WARNING WARNING WARNING ⚠

*SPOILER AHEAD*

READ AT OWN RISK!

3

2

1

↓

Okay…

Let’s start off with Feyre. She may just knock off Celaena from Throne of Glass as my new favourite female kickass protagonist. 😉 I love how she’s mortal but yet she can stand on her own two feet against the Fae. She’s a survivor, she’s tough but you also see the girl in her. The thoughts she shares about Tamlin or her family and her fears. She’s just a very relatable character.

Now let’s just discuss Tamlin (aka “Hottie McHigh Fae”). I love how much he tries with Feyre. Right from the beginning when she gets to Spring Court..and I love how she just brushes him off. Such sass! LOL. 😜 But seriously now… the sexual tension between those two was practically leaping off the pages the more in delve deeper into the book.

I don’t usually picture the whole character when reading, just certain features the author has shared like the colour of their hair, their built, etc… so when Feyre mentions Tamlin’s gorgeous green eyes, for some reason that’s all I picture now when he’s talking. Is that weird?

Anyways, back to my review. I’m also loving Lucien. I think he is just the perfect friend. He’s a smartass but in a funny, joking way. Every time he’s in a scene, I always look forward to what he’s about to say or what his reaction is. And although it’s obvious there’s nothing between Feyre and him besides friendship, I like that fact that they have become close (considering how Feyre wasn’t a fan of their kind to begin with).

The overall storyline grabs you and sucks you into their world. You really get to see the difference between the Mortal land to the Faes; the way each side lives because of Feyre. The characters (different types of fae) that Sarah J Maas includes in this book are so intriguing, that I would be exactly like Feyre in wanting to know more about them. I found this book to be an easy read. The pace wasn’t slow at all. I never found any bits to be too boring or dragging on.

But this review is not all sunshine and rainbows. Let’s talk about that b*tch of a Fae Queen herself: Amarantha! I’d like to smack her face! I probably won’t get a chance being mortal and all but still… all the more reason why I like Feyre. She’s mortal but she’s tough and determined and doesn’t need magic or power to stand up against her. I’m so glad Amarantha was splattered in the end! But I can’t help feeling it may not be the end. I mean if she’s really gone, then I don’t doubt the next threat to Feyre, Tamlin and the world of Fae would be worst. As you many know, this is only book one of the trilogy. 😉

Before I end this little rant of a review. I have to mention another character who crept up into my heart and made himself comfy. I’m talking about Rhysand. 😲

I knew there was something about him since that first encounter. My oh my, the way Feyre described him, sounded mm mm mm *drools* Who doesn’t love a bad boy?  Who may or may not have some good in him!?? I love Tamlin with Feyre… but I don’t know… I kind of want to see if there are any developments in the coming books between Rhysand and Feyre. Am I the only one? Please tell me I’m not the only one who’s curious! 😜

Before I wrap this super long review up. I just want to say, although I’m giving this book full ratings, I have to mention I was a little unsure of Feyre turning into a High Fae. I get that they did it to save her life but I kind of wanted her to stay mortal for a little longer. I kind of expected her to turn into one of them eventually but I didn’t think it would come to that so quickly into the story. But my opinion on this doesn’t change how I feel about this book. I still LOVE IT!! and highly, highly recommend it! 😁😁

RATING: ♥♥♥♥♥/5

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Read my review for the next book in the series!

📘 A Court Of Mist And Fury by Sarah J. Maas

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Hope you’re all well. Happy reading and as always, catch you in my next one! Xo

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

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— BLURB —

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless Lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . . Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg.

She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

•••

— MY REVIEW —

First book in The Lunar Chronicles series by Marissa Meyer. Cinder is a retelling of the classic fairytale, Cinderella. But don’t be fooled… this book is not like the Disney version.

Linh Mei (aka Cinder) is gutsy and doesn’t take shit from anyone. Yeah sure she has to deal with her stepmother guardian Adri and annoying stepsister Pearl on a day to day basis, having to deal with their rudeness, demands, repairs and everything in between all because she’s still underage and by law Adri is in “charge” of her. But that doesn’t stop her from planning ways to escape and to ensure she’ll never be found. I love how she talks back to them when she needs to stick up for herself or for her friends. Having the younger stepsister be close to Cinder is a nice change from the original story of “two” evil stepsisters.

I also love the fact that the setting is set in Asia. Although Cinder is also known as Linh Mei, I don’t actually think she is of Asian descent but Prince Kai might be. It’s refreshing to read stories based in Asia because I don’t see it enough. Stories I’ve read are usually set somewhere in America or Europe (if not in new a world).

Cinderella is my all time favourite fairytale (besides The Little Mermaid) so I had high hopes for this book. I was not disappointed. I love the fact that Cinder is no damsel in distress. If anything she’s the knight in shining armor (well part of her anyways like her arm and leg) hehe. 😜

After reading a few chapters I did have thoughts as to where the story would lead to and with no surprises by the end of the book I was correct. So yeah, I did find some predictability in the story but it doesn’t ruin it in any way. If you end up reading this book or have already read it and thought the same thing as me, I’m sure you would still have read it til the end to see if you were right. True?

I also have a minor problem with books ending in cliffhangers. Yes, I know this one is part of a series but I would have liked the ending to feel more wrapped up for this particular part of the story before reading the next one. It felt like watching a scene from a show on tv that had been abruptly cut off for a commercial before the scene could even end properly. If that makes sense? [Tip]: Unlike myself, make sure if you start this book that you already have the next at hand so you can read what happens next asap! (Im)patiently waiting for book 2 to be delivered! Grrrr!!

But besides nitpicking at these teeny tiny issues, I loved the book and cannot wait to read the next installment. I hear it just gets better and better. So with the four stars I’m giving Cinder, I guess the rest will be full ratings #hopeful

Ooohh! I almost forgot about Prince Kai. What can I say? He’s sweet, dreamy, caring… all the characteristics of a perfect (fictional) man! 😜

I love the effect he has on Cinder. It’s cute and I couldn’t help but let out a cheesy grin at the part where he asks her to go to the ball hehehe… 😄😄😄

If anything, I’d read the book just for the Cinder/ Kai interactions! 😉

RATING: ♥♥♥♥/5

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📚 Read my review for the next book in the series!

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

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Happy reading, guys! Catch you in my next one! Xo