Review: Kingdom of the Wicked

 

Title- Kingdom of the Wicked

Author- Kerri Maniscalco

Pages- 372

Genre- Young Adult, Fantasy, Historical, Romance

Rating- 3/5

ISBN 13- 9781529350449

Review No.- 55

Synopsis-

Two sisters.

One brutal murder.

A quest for vengeance that will unleash Hell itself...

And an intoxicating romance.

Emilia and her twin sister Vittoria are strenghe - witched who live secretly among humans, avoiding notice and persecution. One night, Vittoria misses dinner service at the family's renowned Sicilian restaurant. Emilia soon finds the body of her beloved twin...desecrated beyond belief. Devastated, Emilia sets out to find her sister's killer and to seek vengeance at any cost- even if it means using dark magic that's been long forbidden.

Then Emilia meets Wrath, one of the Wicked princes of Hell she has been warned against in tales since she was a child. Wrath claims to be on Emilia's side, tasked by his master with solving the series of women's murders on the island. But when it comes to the Wicked, nothing is as it seems...

Review-

I have not read Jack the Ripper series or any other book by Kerri Maniscalco before and this book is my first. I had high expectations for this book since it is so hyped. Though I enjoyed the next book in the series (Kingdom of the Cursed), I was not a fan of Kingdom of the Wicked. 

Emilia and Vittoria are twin sisters but they are as different as twins can be. Vittoria is bold, outgoing and likes to experiment whereas Emilia is the innocent, prudent girl who loves cooking. They are secretly witches but they live as ordinary people, running a well-known sicilian restaurant. Everything goes on as usual, until one day, Emilia finds Vittoria murdered, her body mangled beyond recognition. Wrecked with grief and anger, she sets out to find Vittoria's murderer. Even if it means using dark magic or teaming up with one of the most dangerous princes of Hell. As she uncovers secrets of her sister and grandmother, she begins to doubt if her sister's murder is indeed what it seems to be or if it's just a play in a greater scheme.

I absolutely adore the 19th century Sicilian Palermo setting. The writing style was easy to understand.  The descriptions of food is just mouth watering. I loved the concept of Hell, its gates and princes of Hell (not literally though) being named after the seven deadly sins. The banters between Emilia and Wrath were hilarious. Wrath is the most well-mannered, gentleman-ish morally grey character I have ever read. The fact that Wrath, being a prince of hell- loves Cannoli, is cute as hell too. And the mere mulishness of Emilia, the I-may-want-to-kill-my-sister-at-times-but-I-would-definitely-kill-the-person-who-kills-her-even-if-I-have-to-make-a-deal-with-a-prince-of-Hell thing? LOVED IT! I would be pretty pissed off if someone even thinks about harming my sister (bet she'll read this and at least then treat me like the gold that I am). 

The biggest reason I gave this book 3 stars is because I was not able to get involved with the plot. It was like, I was aware of reading, instead of feeling like watching the events unfold (I don't know if I making sense now). Anyway, that made it harder to remember the course of the story. Everything beyond the basic information about hell and its princes felt like information dump and I was truly not able to remember them. By the time I finished the book, I had to skim through it all over again, because the ending just didn't make any sense. The pace was a bit inconsistent too. The ending was predictable but it also promises a good storyline in the next book. 

Overall, I feel that Kingdom of the Wicked is a good one-time read. Moreover, now that I have read the next book in the series, this series is totally worth it!

I thank Netgalley, Hodder & Stoughton and Jimmy Patterson Books for providing me with an advanced reader's copy. I requested for this book at both the publishers' netgalley page (just in case one of them rejects) but both of them approved my request. All opinions are my own.

Review: Tahira in Bloom

 

Title- Tahira in Bloom

Author- Farah Heron

Pages- 381

Publisher- Skyscape

Genre- Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Rating- 3.5/5

ISBN 13- 9780241476178

Review No.- 54

Synopsis- 

Life is full of surprises in a winning novel about a girl dreaming big during one unexpected small-town summer. 

When seventeen-year-old aspiring designer Tahira Janmohammad's coveted fashion internship falls through, her parents have a Plan B. Tahira will work in her aunt's boutique in the small town of Bakewell, the flower capital of Ontario. It's only for the summer, and she'll get the experience she needs for her college application. Plus her best friend is coming along. It won't be that bad.

But she just can't deal with Rowan Johnston, the rude, totally obsessive garden-nerd next door with frayed cutoffs and terrible shoes. Not to mention his sharp jawline, smoldering eyes, and soft lips. So irritating. Rowan is also just the plant-boy Tahira need to help win the Bakewell flower-arranging contest- an event that carries clout in New York City, of all places. And with designers, of all people. Connections that she needs! 

No one is more surprised than Tahira to learn that floral design is almost as great as fashion design. And Rowan? Turns out he's more than ironic shirts and soil under fingernails. Tahira's about to find out what she's really made of- and made for. Because here in the middle of nowhere, Tahira is just beginning to bloom.

Review-

First of, the cover looks awesome and appropriate for the novel. I immediately fell in love with it and clicked the 'Request' button on NetGalley.

Tahira has her future all planned out, right from when she was seven years old. Get into an amazing fashion internship, keep designing for portfolio, increase social media influence and get in to the dream college in New York. But when a parakeet disrupts her perfect plan, she is left with no other choice but to go to Bakewell, where everything is flowery and gain fashion experience by working in her aunt's boutique. Not only did she have to deal with working at the simple boutique and living in a tiny house made of pine, but also the rude grumpy garden nerd next door. 

The writing style is simple, easy to understand and laugh-out-loud humorous at places. The setting of Bakewell, the flower capital of Ontario, is wonderfully described. The characters were diverse- both in terms of personality and representation. There's representation of South Asian Muslim, Black, Pansexual and Bi. I loved how toxic friends were identified and how the mc realized it. I also liked the lovely way in which passion for art is described!

The desi-parent thing- the parents being totally supportive of their kids' ambition was totally unrelatable for me. I am an Indian (if you don't know that already), and I totally know the real 'desi parenting'- no matter what your ambitions are or where your interests lie, you are expected to become a doctor or engineer. You are not supposed to choose even your parents' profession (if they are not a doctor or engineer). I wish Rowan was more of a normal looking guy than a drop-dead-gorgeous guy. I keep telling myself while reading fantasy that, may be, the laws of nature in that world doesn't work the same way. I seriously feel that YA books, at least Contemporary, should have representation of not-so-gorgeous, not-so-perfect people. I also sometimes felt that the main character was too self-centered and a bit judgy but her character development in the second half of the book does solve some of that.

Overall, Tahira in Bloom is a quick, satisfying read that shows that life does not always go on as planned and is full of surprises. I thank NetGalley and Skyscape for giving me this wonderful opportunity to read and review Tahira in Bloom. All opinions are my own.

Review: The Inheritance Games (The Inheritance Games #1)

 

 

Title- The Inheritance Games

Author- Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Series- The Inheritance Games

Succeeded by- The Hawthorn Legacy

Pages- 372

Publisher- Penguin

Genre- Young Adult, Contemporary, Mystery

Rating- 4/5

ISBN 13- 9780241476178

Review No.- 53

Synopsis- 

She came from nothing.

Avery has a plan: keep her head down, work hard for a better future. Then an eccentric billionaire dies, leaving her almost his entire fortune. And no one, least of all Avery, know why.

They had everything.

Now she must move into the mansion she's inherited. It's filled with secrets and codes, and the old man's surviving relatives - a family hell-bent on discovering why Avery got 'their' money.

Now there's only one rule: winner takes all.

Soon she is caught in a deadly game that everyone in this strange family is playing. But just how far will they go to keep their fortune?

An utterly addictive and twisty thriller, full of dark family secrets and deadly stakes. Perfect for fans of One of Us is Lying and Knives Out.

Review-

There was so much of a hype for this book when it released and I understood why only after completely reading this book. This book was sooo entertaining, intriguing and captivating that it immediately became my favorite YA Mystery of the year 2020! (even after all the flaws I have mentioned below). And the first cover (the green one) looks pretty good but I am not a fan of the second one though.

Avery Grambs is living in an old broken down car and plans on getting a scholarship to get out of her difficult life until philanthropist billionaire Tobias Hawthorne leaves his entire fortune to her. The catch is that Avery must live in the Hawthorne House for an entire year in order to receive the inheritance. And its not just the riddles, clues and secret passageways that would make living in the Hawthorne House hard for Avery, when she would be living with the real, disowned heirs of Tobias Hawthorne. Will she be able to survive? Will she be able to uncover the mystery of why Tobias Hawthorne chose her as the heiress?

I loved the short-chapter writing style. It made the plot fast-paced but at the same time, easy to follow. Since the entire story is narrated by Avery's point of view, the suspense was great. The riddles and puzzles set up by Tobias Hawthorne were very interesting and entertaining. And I just loved the side characters soooo much!- Libby (the kindest, sweetest person ever), Nash, Xander (the cinnamon roll mad scientist, like Christopher Lightwood), and Max (Best Friend Forever).

I did not quite like the main characters though. Avery's story was a bit too cliche for me- the poor orphaned girl becomes a billionaire because some old, rich man thought it would be fun and exciting to do so? Not my taste. The other two other Hawthorne brothers are just broody. Even though we get a reason for that in the second half of the book, I didn't end up liking them. And the love triangle just annoyed the hell out of me. This opinion may be a little biased because another love triangle from another book is literally killing me (looking at you, The Last Hours). Another personally annoying factor was that there are soooo many questions which remained unanswered at the end of the book. That actually how a mystery series should be but it ended up frustrating me no less.

Overall, I do recommend the book. I am writing this review after reading the second book and I really loved it! It totally worth it to read The Inheritance Games series. I recommend it to fans of YA mystery. 

Review: Legendborn (Legendborn #1)

 

Title- Legendborn

Author- Tracy Deonn

Series- Legendborn

Pages- 501

Publisher- Simon & Schuster/Mc Elderry

Genre- Contemporary, YA Fantasy, Own Voices, Diversity

Rating- 5/5

ISBN- 9781534441606

Review No.- 49

Synopsis-

After her mother dies in an accident, sixteen-year-old Bree Matthews wants nothing to do with her family memories or childhood home. A residential program for bright high schoolers at UNC-Chapel Hill seems like the perfect escape-until Bree witnesses a magical attack her very first night on campus.

A flying demon feeding on human energies.

A secret society of so called "Legendborn" students that hunt the creatures down.

And a mysterious teenage mage who calls himself a "Merlin" and who attempts-and fails-to wipe Bree's memory of everything she saw.

The mage's failure unlocks Bree's own unique magic and a buried memory with a hidden connection: the night her mother died, another Merlin was at the hospital. Now that Bree knows there's more to her mother's death than what's on the police report, she'll do whatever it takes to find out the truth, even if that means infiltrating the Legendborn ad one of their initiates.

She recruits Nick, a self-exiled Legendborn with his own grudge against the group, and their reluctant partnership pulls them deeper into the society's secrets-and closer to each other. But when the Legendborn reveal themselves as the descendants of King Arthur's knights and explain that a magical war is coming, Bree has to decide how far she'll go for the truth and whether she should use her magic to take the society down-or join the fight.

Review- 

I immediately picked the book up as soon as it was released because of its gorgeous cover. I did not expect the story inside to be even more mind-blowingly powerful and I finally saw what the hype for this book was all about. This is one of those books that I had been desperately recommend all my bookworm friend to read (if you're reading this review and haven't read Legendborn yet, then quit reading more reviews and just get the bloody damn book!!!). And the fact that the release date for the sequel was not announced when I finished reading this book, was just killing me. 

In Legendborn, we follow Briana (Bree) Matthews, a Black American girl, who gets accepted into the Early College Program at UNC Chapel hill, the college of her dreams, as she struggles to cope wirh her mother's tragic loss. But whe she stumbles upon a demon attack on the first day of college, Bree is sucked into the world of demons, arthurian legends and the Legendborn, which makes her question if her mother's death is all that it seems to be...

The writing style is wonderful- easy to understand yet so full of power. All the themes in the book like racism, black american history, arthurian legends, hereditary power and ancestral magic were well blend and given justice to. The characters were diverse and amazing. This book has so much of representation both in terms of race and in terms of sexuality. I especially loved Alice and her hilarious banters with Bree. I like Nick x Bree ship and I really want them to be the endgame but it's like I know somewhere in my heart that that wouldn't be the case (Sel x Bree). And Sel's giving me "Will Herondale" vibes, so maybe we will get to know about and love him more in the next two books. And GODS...the twist at the end was so unexpected! I totally did not see that coming.

Overall, I LOVED this book. It is my favorite book of 2021 (last year's favorite was The Ten Thousand Doors of January). As I said before I strongly recommend this book to everybody- readers, friends and enemies. Just give it a read and you won't regret it!

Cover and Peek of Sequel: Bloodmarked | Goodreads

Review: All About Romantic Love

 

Title- All About Romantic Love

Author- Dr. Govind Sharma IAS(Retd.)

Pages -110

Publisher -Notion Press

Genre - Non-fiction, Psychology, Self-help, Family and Relationships

Rating -5/5

Review no. -54

Synopsis -

Based on what has been said by the greatest psychologists of our time, this book tells the reader what is the concept of romantic love and how to be in a relationship without getting hurt. It is about how to further strengthen a healthy relationship and how to get out of a toxic relationship. The choice that life offers is whether one wants ten superficial, meaningless relationship. The choice that life offers is whether one wants ten superficial, meaningless relationships, or one great relationship that lasts a lifetime. 

Review -

All About Romantic Love is yet another amazing book by Dr. Govind Sharma sir. I had previously read two other books by the same author, both were works of fiction that I had loved. But this book is very different from those and I liked it even more.

All About Romantic Love revolves around the psychology around love and relationship. Love is the most sublime emotion but it can also prove to be destructive at some places. The books enlightens the reader on many important but not talked about themes like the components of romantic love, how to differentiate between healthy and toxic relationship, how to strengthen the relationship and attain the stage of consummate love etc. 

The first two chapters discusses the psychological and scientific aspects of romantic love, Freudian theory of love, the chemical theory of love, Solomon's opponent process theory etc. The next four chapters are case studies, that is, short stories that show us what goes wrong in a relationship in a comprehensive view. The characters are realistic and all the case studies are based on real life situations. The last chapter 'Towards Consummate Love' deals with how to attain the stage of consummate love and remain there with references to various couples in books, movies and real-life. The language used is simple and easy to understand through the book. 

Overall, All About Romantic Love is a short yet very insightful book! The author must have surely done lots of research for this book. I had already said in the review of 'The Shaadi Story' that I generally have a though time with non-fiction. But I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I highly recommend this book to everyone because the matters discussed in this book are things that everyone should be aware of. 

I sincerely thank Govind Sharma sir for giving me this wonderful opportunity to read and review yet another work of mastery. All opinions in this review are my own.

Click here to buy the book from Amazon

Click here to buy the book from Notionpress

Click here to view the book on Goodreads

Previous reviews for other books by the author-

Madhuleena | State vs. Amrit Kumar

Review: The Queen Will Betray You (Kingdoms of Sand & Sky #2)

 

Title- The Queen Will Betray You

Author- Sarah Henning

Series- The Kingdoms of Sand & Sky

Preceded by- The Princess Will Save You

Pages- 352

Publisher- Tor Teen

Genre- Young Adult, High Fantasy

Rating- 5/5

ISBN 13- 9781250237460

Review No.- 52

Synopsis-

KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE CROWN...

After a thousand years of political stability, the realm of The Sand and Sky is up for grabs. Four kingdoms, four rulers vying for the ultimate prize, sovereignty over the entire continent: A ruthless old king spinning webs, whose schemes encompass generations. A widowed queen whose only credo is all kings die. A runaway queen whose unexpected return upends everyone's plans. And a prince-in-waiting determined to wait no more. 

Standing against them are a dispossessed princess and her stable boy love with a surprising claim of his own. Their only hope in the face of unspeakable betrayals, enemies hidden in the shadows, and insurmountable odds is the power of true love...

Review-

I thought the cover couldn't get any better than the first book, but BAMM!!! This book's cover is even more gorgeous. I-could-just-stare-at-it-all-day, drop-dead, breathtaking gorgeous. Charlie Bowater has done an amazing job (AGAIN!!!) and I just can't wait for the next book's cover! In fact, it's kinda killing me that Tor Teen has not revealed the next book's cover yet. 

The story takes on just shortly after the end of the first book where Luca and Amarande barely manage to escape from Pyrenee. Luca and Amarande part ways to build a world were they can live together in peace. Amarande journeys back to Ardenia to reclaim her throne, her title and ask for help to rally against Pyrenee . Luca heads back to Torrent to help the rebels spark a rebellion which will help him reclaim his rightful throne and fulfill his destiny. But things do not seem to be so simple when the Runaway Queen returns with a heir to the throne in toe and Dowager Queen schemes to take over the realm. Will Ama and Luca succeed? Or is the future of the Kingdoms of Sand & Sky doomed for once and for all?

I loved this book even more than the first one. It answers so many questions that I had while reading the previous book. This book offers a much more wider perspective of the Kingdoms of Sand and Sky. There are more action, political scheming, plot twists and badass characters in this book. Even though I felt a lack of realtionship development in the previous book, I absolutely adored Luca and Amarande (in spite of the cheesy dialogues) in this one. The character development was great too. Luca transforms into a leader. Ama goes through a lot in this book too. And  I honestly did not think the I would come to forgive Taillefer, let alone like him, for what he did to Luca. But the redemption was just unbelievable. The side characters were great too.

I highly recommend this book for all High Fantasy fans. I thank NetGalley and TorTeen for giving me this oppurtunity to read one of my most anticipated book of the year almost two months before its release date. And, of course, I thank Sarah Hennings for writing such a wonderful book. I am sooo looking forward to read the next book, but 2022 seems to be a long time away!

Review: Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices #3)

 

Title- Clockwork Princess

Author- Cassandra Clare

Series- The Infernal Devices (Shadowhunter Chronicles)

Preceded by- Clockwork Prince

Pages- 567

Publisher- Walker Books

Genre- Young Adult, Historical, Fantasy

Rating- 5/5

ISBN 13- 9781406321340

Review No.- 51

Synopsis-

Danger and betrayal, love and loss, secrets and enchantment are woven together in the breathtaking finale to the #1 New York Times bestselling Infernal Devices Trilogy, prequel to the internationally bestselling Mortal Instruments series.

THE INFERNAL DEVICES WILL NEVER STOP COMING

A net of shadows begins to tighten around the Shadowhunters of the London Institute. Mortmain plans to use his Infernal Devices, an army of pitiless automatons, to destroy the Shadowhunters. He needs only one last item to complete his plan: he needs Tessa Gray.

Charlotte Branwell, head of the London Institute, is desperate to find Mortmain before he strikes. But when Mortmain abducts Tessa, the boys who lay equal claim to her heart, Jem and Will, will do anything to save her. For though Tessa and Jem are now engaged, Will is as much in love with her as ever.

As those who love Tessa rally to rescue her from Mortmain's clutches, Tessa realizes that the only person who can save her is herself. But can a single girl, even one who can command the power of angels, face down an entire army?

Danger and betrayal, secrets and enchantment, and the tangled threads of love and loss intertwine as the Shadowhunters are pushed to the very brink of destruction in the breathtaking conclusion to the Infernal Devices trilogy.

Review-

Its been eight months since I last read this book and finished the entire trilogy, but I still remember exactly how I felt. At first, I felt broken. Then, I felt sooooo overwhelmed with so many emotions. This book made me cry a river, grin like an idiot, laugh like a lunatic. In short, it blew my mind and I felt absolutely content and satisfied!

The story begins just months after the end of the last book. After the attack and findings in the last book, the shadowhunters of London are desperate now more than ever to find Mortmain and destroy the army of infernal devices for once and for all before Mortmain strikes. Especially, since Tessa seems to be at the core of his evil schemes. Will the trio sort out their feelings for each other? Will they be able to defeat the Infernal Devices?

The book had me hooked right from the first page. In comparison with the last two books, this book has so much more. More action, more romance, more heartbreak, more beautiful and more complex. I loved how almost every side character had an important roles and helped the story progress. The character development and dynamics were great. I absolutely adored all the pairings but herongraystairs is my heart! The story gained pace toward the second half of the book. The ending was just sooooo perfect and the epilogue was happy but heartbreaking still. My herongraystairs soul finally attained peace!

Overall, I highly recommend this book to all fantasy and/or history fans like me. I still regret and am hitting myself inside my head why I had not read this trilogy ages before. I strongly believe that I will always remember The Infernal Devices trilogy.

Review of Book #1 Clockwork Angel

Review of Book #2 Clockwork Prince

Review: Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices #2)

 

Title- Clockwork Prince

Author- Cassandra Clare 

Series- The Infernal Devices (Shadowhunter Chronicles)

Preceded by- Clockwork Angel

Pages- 498

Publisher- Walker Books

Genre- Young Adult, Historical Fantasy

Rating- 4/5

ISBN 13- 9781416975885

Review No.- 50

Synopsis-

In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street - and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends. 

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she has imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move- and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, but her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will- the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

Review-

I was so obsessed with Shadowhunter Chronicles just on finishing the SECOND BOOK!!! Thank god this series was completed long before I stumbled upon it, otherwise I would have died from the anticipation! On completing this book, I was soooo not able to stop myself from grabbing 'The Clockwork Princess' from my bookshelf, even though it was 10pm already :)

Tessa Gray has finally found her home among the shadowhunters. But when the clave plot to replace Benedict Lightwood as the Head of the London Institute and Tessa's safety is threatened, the shadownhunters of the London Institute have no other option than to find The Magister within two weeks or leave the institute to jeopardy for once and for all. As tensions rise in the institute, they discover that Tessa's parentage is darker than anyone ever imagined and that the Magister seeks vengeance for a long-ago tragedy.

The atmosphere and writing were just as wonderful as the first book. Character development was great too. Tessa learns to fight instead of just being protected by everybody, Sophie has a bigger, badass role in this book and Henry and Charlotte's quarrel was really sweet too. I also loved the fact that the author didn't just make Will to be a protagonist overflowing with bad-boy vibes and sarcasm, but also gave him a heart-wrenching reason to be so. And, speaking of Will, I honestly did not expect this much humor. His dialogues made me laugh really hard and I am so proud of the fact that I by hearted the demon-pox song.

To be honest, I did feel a bit disappointed with the first half of the book. I expected more action and progress in the story but it was so filled with melodrama. The love triangle was a bit tedious and annoying. I became a herongraystairs shipper in the next book, but not in this one. I felt that Jem deserved more than someone who actually loves his best friend more (or maybe I am just overprotective of Jem...)  But the emotional turmoil towards the end was worth it.

Overall, I highly recommend this book. Even though I gave this book 4/5, this series as a whole was a 5 star read and is still one of my most favorite series ever.

Review of Book #1 Clockwork Angel

Review of Book #3 Clockwork Princess

Review: Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1)

 

Title- Clockwork Angel

Author- Cassandra Clare

Series- The Infernal Devices (Shadowhunter Chronicles)

Pages- 479

Followed by- Clockwork Prince

Publisher- Walker Books

Genre- Young Adult, Historical Fantasy, Steampunk

Rating- 4.5/5

ISBN 13- 9781416975861

Review No.-49

Synopsis- 

In a time when Shadowhunters are barely winning the fight against the forces of darkness, one battle will change the course of history forever. Welcome to the Infernal Devices trilogy, a stunning and dangerous prequel to the New York Times bestselling Mortal Instruments series.

The year is 1878. Tessa Gary descends into London's dark supernatural underworld in search of her missing brother. She soon discovers that her only allies are the demon-slaying Shadowhunters-including Will and Jem, the mysterious boys she is attracted to. Soon they find themselves up against the Pandemonium Club, a secret organization of vampires, demons, warlocks, and humans. Equipped with a magical army of unstoppable clockwork creatures, the Club is out to rule the British Empire, and only Tessa and her allies can stop them... 

Review-

I was initially reluctant to start this series because, I have heard so much about this series and Cassandra Clare is so hyped (now I know why). I finally decided to give it a try after my friend recommended for what I believe was the millionth time (she would have thrown the book on my face if it wasn't for the lockdown). Now I don't know how to thank her enough because this series seriously blew my mind and is one of my all-time favorites.

The story is set in 1878, London. Tessa Gray arrives at London from New York to live with her brother Nathaniel. As soon as she sets her foot on the docks of Southampton, she gets abducted by the Dark Sisters. The Dark Sisters keep her locked up in the Dark House and torture her to unravel her ability to shape-shift (which Tessa never knew she had in the first place), all to please someone they refer to as the 'Magister'. And when Will Herondale, a young, arrogant shadowhunter, stumbles upon the Dark House and recues Tessa, she is drawn into the supernatural underworld of London.

The writing is easy to understand but at the same time immersive. The world-building is great, giving just the right vibes for Victorian London. I started the Shadowhunter Chronicles directly with this book instead of reading TMI first but I still had no trouble understanding the shadowhunter universe. The plot twist was good. The characters were good too: Tessa is a sensible but lost girl with some hidden fire, Will is painstakingly arrogant (we get to know the reason in the later books) to everyone except Jem  and Jem..... Ohmigod! I LOVE Jem sooo much! He is an ANGEL in disguise!!! (not literally, just metaphorically). And his story is soooo depressing....(break for shedding tears)....

Overall, this book is just the right blend of angsty drama, adventure and humor. I highly recommend this book. The last time I felt this good about a series was when I read Harry Potter (and that is the series which made me love reading more than my other hobbies). So that's definitely something. 

Review of Book #2 Clockwork Prince

Review of Book #3 Clockwork Princess

Review: Crave (Crave #1)

 

Name -Crave

Author -Tracy Wolff

Series -Crave

Pages -592

Publisher -Entangled Teen

Genre -YA Fantasy

Rating -4/5

ISBN -9781529355550

Review No.- 48

Synopsis -

There is nothing normal about Katmere Academy, or the students in it. Her uncle's exclusive and secretive boarding school is the last place Grace wants to be, but after the tragic deaths of both her parents, she is left with no choice.

Soon she realises she's entered a world like nothing she has ever known. Shapeshifters, witches and vampires roam the halls, existing in uneasy cooperation. As the lone mortal, the only thing Grace is sure of is that she doesn't belong.

Then she meets Jaxon Vega, a vampire with deadly secrets who hasn't felt anything for a hundred years. Something in him calls to Grace - something that could spell her death.

Because Jaxon walled himself off for a reason. And as Grace is drawn further under his spell, she begins to wonder: did she come to Katmere by accident, or was she brought here . . . as bait?

Review -

To be honest, 'Crave' is yet another book that I requested on NetGalley only because of that awesome cover (apparently, don't judge a book by its cover is too hard for me to follow). I expected it to be like Twilight, but I certainly did not expect to enjoy reading it this much.

We follow the story of Grace Foster, who recently lost both her parents in a car accident. She moves to an elite boarding school in Alaska- Katmere Academy which is run by her uncle Finn. As she struggles to set into her new life and new school, she finds out that nothing at Katmere Academy is normal. To start with, her schoolmates are all paranormal creatures. 

The characters are realistic and relatable (except for the fact that they are all supernaturals)- Grace is a not-so-perfect teenager trying to cope up with loss, Macy is the best cousin one could ever have, Flint is the guy who makes people swoon using his all-too-charming smiles and Jaxon is the mysterious, big, bad, broody popular guy. The writing is simple and easy to follow. I loved the dad jokes that Jaxon and Grace texted each other and the way how 'Legacies' and 'Twilight' are incorporated into the story. And the title of each chapter was hilarious (reminds me of Percy Jackson). The plot twist was wonderful, breathtaking and I totally did not see that coming. And the cliffhanger really makes you feel like you are hanging from a cliff!

The thing I did not like about 'Crave' is that it has lots of cliches. The bad boy cliche of Jaxon, the instalove cliche between Grace and Jaxon, the-damsel-in-distress-who-needs-to-be-protected cliche to name a few. Also I was annoyed by Jaxon sometimes. I was also annoyed by the fact that everyone kept hinting towards a big danger. And I certainly did not like the three chapters of Jaxon's perspective.

Overall, the book is good, nothing extraordinary, but it is thoroughly enjoyable (It is my guilty pleasure now) and that is exactly why I rated this novel 4 out of 5. I recommend it to fans of Twilight, Vampire diaries, Legacies, Vampire Academy and all the vampire books and shows in existence. 

I thank NetGalley and Entangled Teen (Hodder & Stoughton)  for providing an e-arc of this book. All opinions are my own.

Review: The Once and Future Witches

 

Name -The Once and Future Witched

Author -Alix E. Harrow

Pages -525

Publisher -Orbit Books

Genre -Historical Fantasy, Feminism

Rating -4/5

ISBN -0356512479

Review no. -47

Synopsis -

In 1893, there's no such thing as witches. There used to be, in the wild, dark days before the burnings began, but now witching nothing but tidy charms and nursery rhymes. If the modern woman wants any measure of power, she must find it at the ballot box.

But when the Eastwood sisters -James Juniper, Agnes Amaranth, and Beatrice Belladonna -join the suffragists of New Salem, they begin to pursue the forgotten words and ways that might turn the women's movement into the witch's movement. Stalked by shadows and sickness, hunted by forces who will not suffer a witch to vote -and perhaps not even to live- the sisters will need to delve into the oldest magics, draw new alliances, and heal the bond between them if they want to survive. 

There's no such thing as witches. But there will be.

Review -

I had great expectations for this novel, as 'The Ten Thousand Doors of January' is one of my all time favorites. But this book was completely different from the previous book, so I would suggest that you read this book with an open mind. The cover is just soooo stunning (just like the previous book by the author) and sets the tone for the story. 

'The Once and Future Witches' is an empowering story following the three Eastwood sisters -Juniper, Agnes, and Beatrice as they struggle for reclaiming not only women's rights but also witches' rights. The Eastwood sisters had separated a long time ago due to some misunderstandings. They are brought together by fate to reclaim magic feared by the people and to win the struggle against misogynic forces.

The writing was amazing, as if the words were woven together with threads of magic and emotions. Each chapter began with a spell (slightly warped and darkened versions of well known nursery rhymes). I loved  the way short, twisted versions of fairytales were included. The setting of New Salem, 1890's was mystical, eerie, dark and gives off just the right vibes for the story. The character development was great too. Each of the Eastwood sisters were unique and as different as people could be. Even the side characters were of great significance. I also loved the relationship building between the Eastwood sisters. I too have an elder sister, and although I love her, she drives me crazy, so I found their relationship very relatable. 

The only flaw that I felt was that the pace was slow, and at times dead slow. The author may have done this to let the readers take in events, but it did not sit well with me. Towards the seconds part of the novel, the story turned more interesting, so after that point, the story and pace were complementing each other. And the ending was EPIC and was worth it! 

I highly recommend this novel to everyone, especially for people who love fantasy or historical fiction and those who are looking for a powerful feministic read, to make you feel inspired and empowered.

I thank NetGalley and Orbit Books for giving me this wonderful opportunity to read and review this unforgettable novel. I also thank Alix E. Harrow for again writing such a beautiful, promising story to the world! 

Review: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

Name -The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

Author -V. E. Schwab

Pages -560

Publisher -Titan Books

Genre -Fantasy, Historical, Contemporary, Romance

Rating -4.5/5

ISBN -0765387565

Review no. -46

Synopsis-

When Addie La Rue makes a pact with the devil, she trades her soul for immortality. But there's always a price - the devil takes away her place in the world, cursing her to be forgotten by everyone.

Addie flees her tiny home town in 18th-Century France, beginning a journey that takes her across the world, learning to live a life where no one remembers her and everything she owns is lost and broken. Existing only as a muse for artists throughout history, she learns to fall in love anew every single day.

Her only companion on this journey is her dark devil with hypnotic green eyes, who visits her each year on the anniversary of their deal. Alone in the world, Addie has no choice but to confront him, to understand him, maybe to beat him.

Until one day, in a second hand bookshop in Manhattan, Addie meets someone who remembers her. Suddenly thrust back into a real, normal life, Addie realises she can't escape her fate forever.

Review -

This is the first V. E. Schwab book that I have ever read and honestly, it just blew me away! This book has a very unique, heart-breaking, unforgettable storyline. The writing is poetic, thought provoking and brilliant. I had to take a really long break after reading this because this book gave me a hangover kind of feeling and I was at a loss of words for describing this masterpiece (and also because I had exams upcoming as well).

The story is about a French countryside girl named Addie LaRue, who makes a deal with the devil to escape from her forced wedding. The devil grants her freedom and immortality but also gives her a curse. A curse to be forgotten by everybody the moment she is out of their eyesight. But after about 300 years of search , she finally meets Henry, an unremarkable boy working in a small second-hand bookstore, who remembers her. How and why he remembers her forms the later part of the story.

The starting part of the book was slow and a bit boring. But the story gains pace as we move on. The story takes places over two timelines: the past and the present. The past shows how and why Addie made a deal with the devil and how her relationship with him evolved over the past 300 years. The present timeline is about her encounter with Henry and his background story. I did like Henry but I still felt as if Henry and Addie's relationship was a bit forced (while I absolutely loved Addie and Luc's relationship). I wish there was more of development of their relationship.

The narration made me hooked on the characters (except the starting part). Some parts were so heartbreaking and I was able to feel strongly for the characters as they were very relatable (except Addie's immortality). The story conveys the power of art and the importance of mental health. And the ending just left me so mesmerized that I immediately gave this book five stars. Even though, there are some flaws as I had mentioned above, I was able to look past them at the masterpiece of a story (and it was totally worth it). In fact, I was able to identify the flaws only after scratching my head for almost a week (due to which I changed my rating to four).

Overall, I highly recommend this unforgettable, memorable novel. 

Thank you all!!!

It's been really long since I last posted a review, on my Blog or Goodreads. This was because I was preparing for my exams. Even though I did not post reviews, I was not able to stop myself from reading books. So, there are lots of books that I have read and need to review. Now that my exams have ended, I will continue reviewing books. I apologize for just vanishing for the past six months and I sincerely thank those who have been visiting my blog all these days and have been following me. I also thank feedspot for ignoring my terrible punctuality and giving my blog 78th rank in the Top 100 Book Review Blogs list!