Grim Lovelies re-imagines modern day Paris as a world full of witches, goblins, and of course, magic. One such witch, Mada Vittora has defied the laws of nature by turning animals into her human servants; creations called “Beasties”. Though the Mada can be cruel, she dotes on her youngest servant, Anouk. Thus, when her mistress is brutally murdered, Anouk is shocked and distraught. Especially once she discovers that the death of her creator means that she will turn back into her animal form in three days, unless another witch re-casts the spell. Thus Anouk and her Beastie friends begin a race against the clock to save their human lives. Along the way, the group comes to learn that Mada Vittora has kept many secrets from them, and that they may be far more powerful than they realised.
I received this book a couple of months ago, but for some reason, I didn’t get around to reading it until quite recently. Perhaps it was because I don’t generally enjoy city settings (I prefer lush forest settings with lots of detailed nature descriptions), or maybe because the book’s cover looks quite dark and gloomy and didn’t particularly appeal to me. Once I finally begun Grim Lovelies though, I enjoyed it immediately. Here are some of my favourite things about the book:
Our heroine, Anouk, is a total sweetheart who sees the good in everyone. She starts out as a naive, and perhaps even meek, character, but through out the book she really comes into her own. Yet, while she grows in strength and confidence, she doesn’t lose her innate goodness.
The magical system / class hierarchy is really cool and unique. Basically, there are four different groups; Royals and witches (who are the strongest and are in control of the Paris magical society, known as the “Haute”), and the oppressed Goblins and Beasties. Reading about the different groups and their abilities was very interesting. I’m not sure how much Shepherd came up with herself, and how much was based on folklore, but it felt very creative. Plus, witches are pretty much my literary weakness. I’ll read just about anything if witches, good or evil, are involved.
There was some diversity, though not necessarily a lot. We see what may be the start of a m/m romance and there’s also a really great trans character. Anouk also recounts a cute fairytale in which a prince finds happiness by using magic to turn into a princess.
There wasn’t a lot I disliked about the book, but I will say that Anouk’s love interest, Beau, was boring AF. I know that most books have some sort of romance component, but I hare when the romance feels obligatory. Like the author threw in a love interest just to make the book appeal to a wider audience. Beau was a very two dimensional character and he had no real personality or motivation outside of his desire to protect Anouk. And his over-protectiveness to me, felt a lot more brotherly and condescending than romantic. Personally I’m hoping Anouk ditches vanilla Beau and ends up with the dashing, yet villainous, Prince Rennar. Hate to love romance storylines are admittedly quite cliche, but I much prefer them to a boring love interest.
Ultimately, this was a really fun book, and I’ll definitely read the sequel, but I can’t see it becoming a favourite.
“Your Majesty, I take life. I am not certain that my skills actually extend to preserving it.”
There are always those who are willing to pay for someone else’s death. Having grown up amongst the Family of Assassins, ELEN-AI knows well the prices people are willing to pay to see their enemies fall quickly, quietly, and discreetly. When she is asked to preserve life rather than take it, she is surprised. Upon hearing that her charge is the Queen’s only child GIDYON, who is secretly being groomed to succeed his mother, she is horrified. To ensure political stability, no man has ever sat on the throne of the Queendom of the Seven Lakes. Yet one does not easily refuse a Queen, and so reluctantly, Elen-ai accepts the contract.
Her fears only deepen upon meeting the sixteen-year-old Prince Gidyon, who treats her as no better than a petty murderer. However, following an attack on his life, Elen-ai is forced to admit that the danger of leaving this boy-prince alone may be even worse than leaving him to his own devices. Elen-ai reluctantly accompanies Gidyon across the country to identify those within the seven most powerful families who are responsible for the attempt on the Prince’s life.
Somewhere in their travels from the calm waters of Lake Tak to the looming cliffs above Lake Bertak, the two form an unlikely yet profound friendship, and Elen-ai begins to see that Gidyon has the makings of a great ruler within him. As they meet with the families of power, it becomes increasingly clear that secrets and power games run far deeper throughout the Queendom of the Seven Lakes than either of them ever suspected.
My review
Up until quite recently, I had never heard of Queendom of the Seven Lakes, or its’ author, A.B. Endacott. Luckily, I was introduced to book and author when one of the stores I represent (Spark + Sparrow) released a new candle based on the series (which can be found here). Once I learned that the main character of the series is a female assassin, I couldn’t resist giving it a read! Coincidentally, both of my favourite female characters, Aelin from Throne of Glass and Mia from Nevernight, are assassins, so I went into this book hoping to find a heroine just as full of sass and badassery as those I previously mentioned. Much to my surprise, the main character Elen – ai is just as lethal as Aelin or Mia, but she’s also much more quiet and introspective. Though Elen – ai is ferocious and strong, she’s deeply spiritual and feels most comfortable when alone. The young prince she is charged with protecting, however, is quite the opposite. He’s a curious and charismatic character who is generally quite playful. This made for a really interesting dynamic and I greatly enjoyed reading about the unlikely pairs’ developing friendship. Ultimately, Queendom of the Seven Lakes is a quick and well written read that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys tales of political intrigue!
And a little personal update from me . . .
Those who were paying attention may have noticed that at the end of my last post I mentioned that I was applying to go back to university next semester. Well, I got in! Since I’m studying fully online, I’m beginning my course this November. I’m excited, but also kind of terrified!
How was your August reading month? Mine was great! I read eight books (not included in my wrap up photo is Enmity by C.K. Robertson, which I read as an eBook) and I can honestly say I enjoyed them all. I gave a few five star ratings and I became obsessed with Tricia Levenseller’s Daughter of the Pirate King duology! I finished Daughter of the Siren Queen this morning, and I don’t even know if I can write a review for it. I loved the book so much that I feel if I were to sit down and attempt to review it, all I’d be able to write would be an endless string of heart-eyes emojis. In case you missed them, here are the reviews I wrote for all eight of my reads this month:
While I’m very happy with the number of books I read in August, I think I might need to add a bit more variety to my September line up. Of the eight books I read last month, all of them were written by women and seven are YA. To spice things up a bit this month, I’m hoping to read at least one book by a male author (though I must admit, I don’t have any on my TBR) and more of a mix of different age grades. As an adult, I’ve never read a middle grade book, maybe now might be a great time to give one a try! I’m also a little disappointed by how few review books I read this month – I was aiming to read one book that I was given for review for every one book I chose myself. Unfortunately, only two of the books I finished in August are review books. However, of my current three reads, two are books I was provided with in exchange for an honest review (The Girl Who Fell and Queendom of the Seven Lakes). Do you have any plans for your September TBR? While I have a rough idea of what I’d like to read, I don’t enjoy sticking to a strict TBR, I’m much more of a mood reader.
Other bookish news . . .
So in August, I was lucky enough to be chosen as an Instagram rep for the bookish jewellery store Belle Regalia! I’m a massive fan of Grace’s designs, so I’m very excited to be a rep for the store for the next few months. My rep code is LAURA10 an entitles users to 10% off store wide.
Another store I rep for, Spark and Sparrow, has vastly grown their range of bookish candles over the past few months. When I first became a rep for the store, it’s owner Madi had Harry Potter and ACOTAR scents available, but her products were generally more lifestyle based. Now she’s released quite a few more bookish candles, including some inspired by Nevernight, Throne of Glass, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, and The Mortal Instruments. My personal favourites from the new range are Mia Corvere and Pixie Dust. The latter smells like mint and marshmallows, which is just the most amazing combination!
I’m also currently holding a giveaway on my Instagram (@laurabookish); the prize is a copy of The Ruined Wife by Marin Montgomery.
Not so bookish news . . .
One of the biggest things to happen to me this month is that I decided to try and go back to university! The course I’ve applied for is called Professional Writing and Publishing, and I only applied a week or so ago, so I haven’t heard back from the university yet. As much as I’m really hoping that I get in, I’m also kind of terrified! It’s been over five years since I last studied full time, and I’m guessing getting back into things will be a big adjustment. It’s also been close to two years since I’ve worked a full time job. Since losing my library position I’ve been working as a casual customer service attendant, and while I like the free time it gives me, it’s an exhausting and mind numbing job, and if I don’t start working my way back to finding a meaningful career soon, I think I’ll go crazy.
Another exciting change is that my husband Christon got a new job! He hasn’t started yet, so I don’t know an awful lot about what he’ll be doing, but I know that the role involves providing IT support to people who are elderly or have disabilities. I think it’s something that he’ll find rewarding (and also something that he’ll be very good at it).
Anyway, if you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading all my little updates!
At age seventeen, pirate captain Alosa is certainly ambitious. Though she already has her own ship and crew, she dreams of one day ruling the seas as Pirate Queen. Thus when her father, the Pirate King, sends her on a dangerous mission to retrieve part of a legendary map from a rival ship, Alosa jumps at the opportunity to prove her worth. However, once she’s faked her own kidnapping and found herself on board the Nightfarer, her tasks proves to be harder than she expected, for handsome First Mate Riden will not give up on his suspicions that Alosa is up to something.
Do you ever get so caught up in the enjoyment of reading a good book that you completely stop paying attention to the more technical aspects of the author’s writing? Because that’s how I felt while I was reading Daughter of the Pirate King. I was just so entertained from start to finish that I barely noticed any of the flaws within the book. Consequently, this is going to be a pretty short review. All I really have to say about the book is that it stars a badass heroine who literally has her own girl gang of pirates. What more could you want? There’s sword fighting, a hint of mystery, and of course, a swoon worthy romance. Basically, Daughter of the Pirate King is a great big ball of fun and I can’t wait to read the sequel! If Daughter of the Siren Queen is as good as it’s predecessor then this series may just become my new favourite duology.
The only negative for me is that I still have a lot of questions regarding Alosa’s parentage… I won’t detail them here as I’d like to avoid spoilers, but I’m hoping the next book provides some answers.
“We are women. And women are warriors, after all.”
Gaia is the youngest and most beautiful of The Sea King’s six mermaid daughters. Though she is only fifteen, Gaia’s flawless face and her talent for singing have attracted not only the envy of her sisters, but also the attentions of Zale; the kingdom’s most admired warrior. Despite his status, Gaia is repulsed by Zale due to his advanced age and controlling nature. However, the Sea King’s word is law, thus Gai cannot ignore his command that she must marry Zale once she reaches the age of sixteen.
Gaia’s daydreams of freedom from her oppressive father lead her to wander far from her home, and progressively closer to the human world. On one such outing, Gaia glimpses a handsome human man named Oliver celebrating his twenty – first birthday upon a ship. Tragedy strikes when a group of Rusalka’s attack the boat, intending to kill all on-board. Unable to bear the sight of the beautiful man’s death, Gaia decides to save Oliver – rescuing him from the wreckage and seeing him safely to the shore.
Weeks later, Gaia cannot get the thought of Oliver out of her head. Yet, with her sixteenth birthday and impending nuptials approaching, Gaia knows that the time for fantasising is through; she must take action. Thus, spurred on by her jealous sister, Cosima, Gaia makes a bargain with her father’s enemy, The Sea Witch. Gaia is given legs so that she may walk on land, but in exchange, The Sea Witch takes her voice. Yet, Gaia stands to lose far more than just her voice, for if she cannot make Oliver fall in love with her by the next full moon, she will die.
Despite the fact that I absolutely adored both of Louise O’Neill’s previous YA works (Only Ever Yours and Asking for It), I went into The Surface Breaks with low expectations. Thanks in part to it’s beautiful cover, and press releases describing the book as a “feminist retelling” of Hans Christian Andresen’s The Little Mermaid, The Surface Breaks has been surrounded by a lot of hype and discussion. Unfortunately, most of the reviews of the book that I’ve come across have been fairly negative. Some have even been scathing and highly critical of O’Neill’s feminism. Thus, when I begun the book, I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it. I know it’s not good to be so influenced by other’s opinions, but some of the reviews I read were written by people I generally share common opinions with, so I was more inclined to take them into consideration. Now, having finished the book, I’m pleased to say that I completely disagree with every negative review I came across. This book is amazing. Yes, the first 90% or so of the book is heartbreaking and devastating, but it’s ending made up for that by being both empowering and illuminating. Once again, Louise O’Neill has cast her searing gaze upon the world and delivered a novel that shows us not only how ridiculous, but also how severely destructive patriarchal society can be.
It seems to me that The Surface Breaks has been widely misunderstood by it’s audience. I feel like when readers heard the term “feminist retelling” they expected something more along the lines of Girls Made of Snow and Glass. Basically, they wanted a kick ass heroine who embodied the values of feminism and found strength through sisterhood. And we do see some of that in The Surface Breaks, but not till very late in the book. At the beginning of The Surface Breaks, Gaia is most definitely not a feminist. If anything, she’s quite the opposite. She’s a deeply naive character who has spent all her fifteen years being brainwashed by her father’s misogynistic beliefs. Gaia has been told her entire life that her only value is her appearance and that her highest duty is to attract and please men. The women and men around her adhere to this doctrine completely; thus, when Gaia meets Ceto (The Sea Witch), she is shocked. Ceto is a woman who openly flouts her disdain for The Sea King and his patriarchal ways, and she’s probably the only character in the book to actually display feminist values. Where Gaia is ignorant and completely without agency, Ceto is powerful and wise. In Disney’s version of the Little Mermaid, The Sea Witch is a villain, but here she’s more of a mentor. It is Ceto who first teaches Gaia to question the word of The Sea King and when she strikes her bargain with Gaia, she sets Gaia on a path that will ultimately lead Gaia to find her voice and power.
Even the term “retelling” is a little misleading in relation to The Surface Breaks. Fairytale retellings have been quite popular over the past few years, with books like Marissa Meyer’s Cinder taking classic stories and giving them a modern update. For the most part, these popular retellings have been fun, light hearted romps that feature a whole lot less sexism than the original stories do. Characters who were once damsels in distress have evolved into heroines with complex personalities and are now just as capable as their male counterparts. The Surface Breaks doesn’t fit in with those kind of retellings. If anything, I would describe it as more of a criticism of the original The Little Mermaid, for O’Neill keeps her plot very similar to Andersen’s, but points out and exacerbates the many instances of sexism in the base text. One of the most horrible elements of both the original story and O’Neill’s version is that once the mermaid has transformed into a human, she will experience excruciating pain with every step she takes. Her feet will bleed, and it will constantly feel like knives are stabbing into them. Disney’s 1989 version of The Little Mermaid completely skips over this part, turning what is quite a dark tale into a light and fluffy romance. In contrast, there is literally no romance in The Surface Breaks. Yes, Gaia believes herself to be in love with Oliver, but as wise Ceta points out, Gaia doesn’t even know the guy. She just assumes that he’s got to be better than Zale. Oliver isn’t a love interest, he’s a tool for Gaia to use to escape the oppressive, patriarchal world of Zale and The Sea King. Unfortunately, Gaia soon realises she has pinned her hopes on the wrong man; she has escaped from one patriarchal society straight into another. Ultimately, the only love we see in this book is the love that Gaia feels for her sisters, her mothers, and her friend Daisy.
In this sense, The Surface Breaks does the exact opposite of what Disney and a lot of recent retellings do. Instead of glossing over the more unsavoury elements of the story, or reworking them to reflect modern values, O’Neill brings the darkest parts of The Little Mermaid to the front and centre of her narrative. O’Neill does not write to entertain her audience or make them smile; she writes to make us think and question mainstream values. Through The Surface Breaks, O’Neill asks; how can we, as a society, take a tale in which a young woman is willing to experience agonising pain and give up her greatest asset (her voice) in order to win the approval of a man, and turn it into something romantic? Because there’s nothing romantic about that; it’s just tragic and messed up. The Surface Breaks also raises wider questions about the pain women endure for beauty, and in order to adhere to patriarchal standards (“Every maid in court has been told that we must maintain a certain weight for the aesthetic preference of the Sea King and his mer-men.”) In this sense, The Surface Breaks reminds me a lot more of feminist non fiction works like The Beauty Myth or Female Chauvinist Pigs than popular fairytale retellings like The Lunar Chronicles.
As I’ve said before, I’m a Louise O’Neill fangirl. I adore her feminism, her writing style, and her unflinching honesty. And yes, I admit that I also admire her beauty, her wonderful sense of style, and her mastery of the winged eyeliner look. I wouldn’t necessarily say that she’s one of my role models, but she’s definitely a woman I admire. However, I certainly acknowledge that O’Neill’s books aren’t easy to read. They’re dark, gritty, and they hardly ever have happy endings. The Surface Breaks is supposed to make you angry and get you thinking about all the ways the patriarchy continues to influence our lives. If you want a light, happy story, or even likeable characters, O’Neill’s books probably aren’t for you. However, if you’re up for an allegorical critique of the patriarchy through the retelling of a classic story, then I’d definitely recommend checking out The Surface Breaks. Ultimately, this book is about a young woman who overcomes oppression to learn her true worth, and the value of standing up for herself, and for me, that makes for a worthwhile story. Though I definitely don’t think this book will appeal to everyone, I absolutely loved it.
A boy desperate for refuge. A girl unknowingly tied into a revolution. Their paths are set to collide with critical consequences.
When Kai finds himself fearing for his life, the only logical reaction is to run. But in a world where escaping south of the river is next to impossible, is it worth the risk?
South of the river, a rebellion is growing against a dictatorship led by The Azgad and their desire to rid the world of magical entities. Enmity between the two opposing groups is growing with dangerous promise.
Meanwhile, Maia wakes up to find herself abducted, with no idea that a prophecy is beginning to self-fulfil and that a refugee from the North may be the key to her survival.
Wow, what a fun little book! At only 270 pages, Enmity is definitely a quick read, and it was full to the brim of beautiful imagery and fun characters. My absolute favourite thing about this book though, is it’s setting. After main character Maia escapes The Azgad, she finds refuge within a camp of dissidents. The camp is set in a forest and to avoid detection, it’s inhabitants live in tree houses, and the way the homes are described is just stunning – think gorgeous foliage, lots of fairy lights and hammocks. Since reading Enmity, I haven’t been able to stop daydreaming about running way to live in a tree house! Or at least going on a holiday to one. This is the kind of imagery the book conjured up for me . . .
Another thing I love about Enmity is it’s main characters Kai and Maia (plus her sidekick, Pyros). Kai is such a sweetheart, and I really enjoy how he’s portrayed as more of an intellectual than a fighter; he’s a nice change from the serious, brooding male leads you usually find in fantasy. And Maia was just plain fun. Despite the fact that she’s in mortal danger for a fair chunk of the book, she maintains a positive attitude and is constantly giggling. She’s also quick to get into combat training and by the end of the book she’s well on her way to becoming a badass heroine. She even has her own magical pet to help focus her powers – a half phoenix, half dragon named Pyros.
There wasn’t much that I didn’t enjoy about Enmity, though I do wish we learned a bit more about Than and the Azgad. It’s clear they’re a violent and evil group, but I would have liked to read more about their philosophy and origins. Ultimately though, Enmity was a great read and I can’t wait for the sequel!
Almost Love is a book about obsession and infatuation. Despite the title, it’s certainly no love story.
We first meet Sarah, a frustrated artist in her late twenties, when she’s living with her boyfriend Oisin. Though the pair were once madly in love, Sarah has become disillusioned with Oison, constantly picking fights with him. And worst of all, Sarah can’t stop thinking about Matthew, a man from her past. Three years ago, Sarah and Matthew (who is twenty years her senior) had a torrid and toxic love affair that left her broken and vulnerable.
Can her relationship with Oisin heal the wounds Matthew left behind, or will Sarah be unable to let go of the past?
I went into this book with insanely high expectations. I absolutely adored O’Neill’s YA books, Only Ever Yours and Asking For It. Both were five star reads for me, and turned me into a huge fan of O’Neill (and of course, her feminist agenda). Given that Almost Love (O’Neill’s first book written for adults) features a narrator very close to my own age, I actually expected to love it even more than her earlier works, which had a much younger target audience. Unfortunately . . . I don’t think I quite “got” this book. Yes, it was brilliantly written and just as raw and insightful as her earlier books, but for some reason, Almost Love didn’t resonate with me like O’Neill’s first two books did. When I finished reading it, I actually felt a bit confused. I wasn’t quite sure what I was supposed to take away from the book, or what the point of it was. So I watched a few interviews where O’Neill discussed the book, and I do think I now have a better understanding of Almost Love, but ultimately, I liked the book, but didn’t love it.
However, I do still think that O’Neill is amazing, and I absolutely adore the way that all her works are infused with her feminist perspective. All of her books that I’ve read (which is all of them except The Surface Breaks) discuss issues of equality and sexual politics, and because of this I feel that O’Neill is a very important figure in contemporary literature. Her depictions of the power dynamics between men and women are raw, unflinching and heart breakingly honest. O’Neill is not afraid to shine a light on the darker aspects of male / female relationships, and the result is far from pretty. Her books will make you angry. They should make you angry. O’Neill’s works aren’t just stories; they’re a impassioned cries for women to take up arms and destroy the patriarchy that has done them no favours. At least, that’s how I felt about O’Neill’s first two books. Her criticism of the patriarchy is very much still present in Almost Love, but when I finished the book, I felt more sad than empowered.
Almost Love tackles sexual politics in a very literal way, as learn the dark details of Sarah and Matthew’s relationship. From the beginning, Sarah is infatuated with Matthew, becoming increasingly obsessed with him. Matthew, however, is fairly indifferent to Sarah. He texts her when he feels like it and meets up with her when he wants sex, but ignores her with a casual sense of cruelty for the rest of the time. Yet, the more disinterested Matthew is, the more Sarah craves his approval. In Sarah’s desperation to win Matthew’s love, she’s willing to destroy friendships, put her career in jeopardy and ignore her father (ironically, Sarah treats her father similarly to how Matthew treats her – ignoring him most of the time and contacting him only when it suits her). Matthew suffers no ill consequences from their relationship. He gives up nothing, loses nothing; whilst Sarah brings her whole world crashing down because of the intensity of her feelings for him. Their sex life mirrors this lack of equality; Sarah buys lingerie to impress Matthew, performs acts she finds degrading, and fakes all of her orgasms. Meanwhile, Matthew treats Sarah like a prostitute, using her body for his own gratification and giving her no satisfaction of her own.
Ultimately, I don’t think Almost Love is an enjoyable book, but I do think that it’s an important book. Honestly, I wish I’d read it when I was in my early 20’s. As a married woman in a happy and loving relationship, I couldn’t always relate to Sarah’s situation. However, I’ve certainly come across plenty of Matthew’s in my time and I believe I would have found this book invaluable when I was single. And while I admit to being a bit confused about what the book’s message really was, what I got from it was this: far too many women devalue their own sexual pleasure, feeling that it is their responsibility to please, not to be pleased. And in relationships, many women continue this trend of giving too much of themselves; losing sight of who they are and what they want in order to make the men in their lives happy. These are sad issues, and ones that are well worth discussing. If you’ve read this book, please let me know what you thought of it! Like I said, as much as I love O’Neill, I don’t feel like I’ve 100% made up my mind about how I feel about Almost Love, so I’d be curious to hear more opinions on the book.
Hopeless romantic Isla has had a crush on introspective cartoonist Josh since their first year at the School of America in Paris. And after a chance encounter in Manhattan over the summer, romance might be closer than Isla imagined. But as they begin their senior year back in France, Isla and Josh are forced to confront the challenges every young couple must face, including family drama, uncertainty about their college futures, and the very real possibility of being apart.
Featuring cameos from fan-favorites Anna, Étienne, Lola, and Cricket, this sweet and sexy story of true love—set against the stunning backdrops of New York City, Paris, and Barcelona—is a swoonworthy conclusion to Stephanie Perkins’s beloved series.
It’s funny, in my recent review of Lola and the Boy Next Door, my only complaint was that I felt the book was a little too similar to it’s predecessor, Anna and the French Kiss. Thus I was presently surprised to find that Isla and the Happily Ever After was a very different book to the first two instalments of the series. While the main drama in the first two books came from love triangles and the anticipation of the two main characters getting together, Isla and the Happily Ever After had a slightly more mature plot. Isla and Josh actually begin dating fairly early in the book, thus most of the conflict stems from them trying to maintain and develop a relationship. And the biggest threat to their relationship isn’t external; it’s Isla’s own insecurities and low self esteem. Because of Isla’s mind set, this book is a bit darker than the first two novels. Both Anna and Lola were quite happy-go-lucky narrators, and this helped to gives the books a cheerful and happy vibe. In contrast, Isla is a lot more thoughtful and introspective, thus we have a quieter and less “cutesy” sort of book.
I get the impression that a lot of people who read this series felt quite let down by Isla and the Happily Ever After, and I can understand why. The book doesn’t have the same sense of fun and light tone as the first two, nor does it have as much of a clearly defined plot. However, I enjoyed this book just as much as Anna and the French Kiss, and Lola and the Boy Next Door, in part because I found it much more realistic. For starters, do love triangles actually happen in real life? I can honestly say I’ve never been in St. Clair or Lola’s position (being in a relationship with one person and then falling in love with someone else.) Isla and Josh’s story doesn’t have any of the love triangle drama from the first two books, it’s more about them finding a way to be together in spite of an uncertain future, and learning to trust and love one another. I feel that anyone who’s ever been in a relationship has probably experienced some of what Isla and Josh go through. Personally, I related a lot to Isla’s experience of first love. Like Isla, I am plagued by frequent self doubt and insecurity, and it’s a huge challenge for me to try and silence these negative thoughts and allow myself to enjoy being in a romantic relationship.
Consequently, I found Isla (and also Josh) to be more realistic characters than those found in the first two books. While the male leads (St. Clair and Cricket) from Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door were almost too perfect to be real, Josh is a deeply flawed character. He’s moody, reckless, and there are maybe three different points in the book where his poor decision making has a negative consequence on his relationship with Isla. There is literally a scene in which Josh shows Isla a full page nude portrait he drew of his ex-girlfriend . . . what was he thinking?! Ultimately, idiotic moves like this made Josh a more well rounded character. While Cricket is pretty much flawless, and doesn’t seem to any hobbies other than mooning over Lola, Josh is significantly more complex and we learn a lot more about him than we did St. Clair or Cricket. Unlikethe love interests from the first two books, Josh actually has a life outside of his girlfriend, and hopes and ambitions of his own. Isla also felt more realistic than Anna or Lola to me, but this is probably because I related to her shyness and insecurity so much.
Overall, I enjoyed Isla and the Happily Ever After as much as I did the first two books, but my experience of reading it felt very different. Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door are cute, fluffy pieces of mindless fun, and reading them brought a smile to my face. In contrast, being inside Isla’s head can be hard at times, and experiencing her insecurity definitely isn’t a pleasant feeling. However, I feel Isla and the Happily Ever After will have much more of a lasting impact on me than the first two books, and it certainly gave me a lot to think about. After seeing first hand how doubt and worry made Isla’s life significantly worse, whereas taking risks and fighting for what she wanted generally made her life better, I’ve been reevaluating my own priorities, and realising that like Isla, I need a be a bit more brave. I feel a lot of readers who experience shyness, insecurity and even social anxiety will be able to relate to Isla and hopefully learn from her. I don’t think Isla and the Happily Ever After is as easy to enjoy as it’s predecessors, but I do feel that those who are able to relate to Isla will get a lot out this book.
Create the most perfect Marie Antoinette costume to wear to her winter formal.
Convince her dads that her older, punk rocker boyfriend Max, really isn’t all that bad.
Never see the Bell twins again.
When Calliope and Cricket Bell return to her neighbourhood, Lola doesn’t know what to do. Should she avoid them? Try and be friendly? And what does the return of Cricket, her childhood crush, mean for her relationship with Max?!
Stephanie Perkins’ books are the epitome of cuteness. Like if this series were an animal, it would be a fluffy white kitten with a pink ribbon around it’s neck. And when it meowed, even the most cold hearted and jaded reader would grin and say “awwww”. If you’re not into kittens, rainbows and glitter, Perkins may not be for you. However, if like me, you have a weakness for all things cute and sweet, Lola and the Boy Next Door is a must read. It’s a YA romance featuring great characters, and writing that perfectly captures the feeling of being in love for the first time.
My only real complaint about this book is that the plot felt a little too similar to it’s predecessor, Anna and the French Kiss. Both books rely heavily on their love triangle element for drama, and I felt that the first book had a slightly better version of this story line. What most sets the two books apart is their characters, in particular, their narrators. While Anna is your typical “girl next door” type character, Lola is quirky and dramatic. Lola treats every day as if it were an elaborate costume party, talks to the moon when she feels in need of guidance, and scorns the opinions of her peers. Ultimately, I found Lola a bit more interesting than Anna, though both characters are quite likeable. Their love interests also vary quite dramatically. While St. Clair from the first book is charming and confident, Cricket is more of a loner, preferring to tinker with his inventions than socialise.
Ultimately, I’m absolutely loving this series so far. It’s just so much fun, and the books genuinely bring a smile to my face. I can’t wait to start reading Isla and the Happily Ever After.
Bright We Burn is the thrilling conclusion to Kiersten White’s gloriously violent and beautifully written The Conqueror’s Saga. This series offers an alternative history of The Ottoman Empire and focuses on the lives of Vlad Tepes, Radu cel Frumos, and Mehmed II. Only Vlad is a teenage girl named Lada and the three are locked in an a life long love triangle which sees their personal feelings played out on battlefields.
For me, the entire of The Conqueror’s Saga has been extremely close to flawless. This is largely because of White’s ability to write such amazing characters. Lada Dracul is without doubt the most aggressive, ruthless and ambitious character I’ve ever read about. She’s a bit like Arya Stark in her bloodthirstiness and defiance of traditional gender roles, but her goals are far more than simple vengeance. Lada will stop at nothing to win the Wallachian throne and free her nation from Ottoman rule. She may also be a little insane, as evidenced in a brutal scene in which Lada has the bodies of 20,000 Ottomans impaled alongside the road into her capital as a “greeting” to Mehmed. Though Lada commits many heinous atrocities, she remains a character we can like, empathise with, and perhaps even admire, thanks to White’s brilliant writing. White shows us enough of Lada’s inner doubts and weaknesses to create a softer side of this brutal character. Though readers may not agree with Lada’s methods, they will certainly be impressed with Lada’s tenacity, cleverness, and ability to create change through sheer force of will. Personally, I’m also grateful to White for writing a female character who has no interest in having children. This is something we still don’t see a lot of in literature and I’m thoroughly sick of reading narratives in which women are only able to find satisfaction in life through starting a family.
Lada’s brother Radu is her polar opposite. Where Lada is reckless and brash, Radu is kind and thoughtful. If I were to compare him to another YA character, it would be Peeta Mellark from The Hunger Games. Like Peeta, Radu is naturally more of a lover than a fighter. In a world where violence is the norm and physical strength is the greatest asset a person can have, both characters rely on their charm, likeability and handsome faces to survive. Both are born diplomats who are far more gentle than many of the male characters that they’re surrounded by. What sets Radu apart from other “nice guy” type characters though is the contradiction at the core of his personality. Radu is a devout Muslim who cherishes his faith dearly (unlike Lada, who sees religion as a only a tool to gain allies), though he is also attracted to other men. Radu has spent his entire life longing for love, yet he spends much time grappling with his sexuality and debating whether his religion allows for same sex relationships. Perhaps Radu and Lada’s only common trait is their ambition and determination. However, while Lada’s ambition is to rule Wallachia, Radu’s is simply to be loved. Radu is a character who cannot stand being disliked, he needs approval from all those around him, particularly Mehmed, who Radu has been in love with since childhood. Radu’s utter devotion to Mehmed and his learning for the latter’s love is one of the saddest elements of this story, and it brings a lot of emotional depth to the book.
Though White’s characters are undoubtedly what I love most about the series, it’s got plenty more to offer. The writing is brilliant, as is the world building. There’s plenty of action and adventure, and if you’re looking for a badass heroine, you won’t find one more fierce than Lada. Though some have been critical of the lack of historical accuracy through out the series, I feel that as long as you keep in mind that The Conqueror’s Saga is an alternative, rather than literal history, this doesn’t distract from the story. Ultimately, I utterly adored this series and I’m sad to see it end.
Every millennium, one age ends and another age dawns…and whoever holds the Scroll of a Thousand Prayers holds the power to call the great Kami Dragon from the sea and ask for any one wish. The time is near…and the missing pieces of the scroll will be sought throughout the land of Iwagoto. The holder of the first piece is a humble, unknown peasant girl with a dangerous secret.
Demons have burned the temple Yumeko was raised in to the ground, killing everyone within, including the master who trained her to both use and hide her kitsune shapeshifting powers. Yumeko escapes with the temple’s greatest treasure – one part of the ancient scroll. Fate thrusts her into the path of a mysterious samurai, Kage Tatsumi of the Shadow Clan. Yumeko knows he seeks what she has…and is under orders to kill anything and anyone who stands between him and the scroll.
Samurais, blood magic, and a powerful dragon who grants wishes?! What’s not to love about Shadow of the Fox? I was excited from the moment I heard the premise of this book. By the time I started actually reading, I was instantly addicted. The world of Shadow of the Fox (based on Feudal Japan) is one I found easy to immerse myself in. Kagawa has drawn on elements of Japanese folklore and infused them with her own imaginative storytelling. Though the book is certainly unique, at times it reminded me of an anime series (something with action and adventure, like Dragon Ball Z, but with a cutesy Fruits Basket element thrown it). She’s created a detailed and elegant fantasy world, and I’m desperate to learn more about it. I can’t wait until the Shaow of the Fox is officially released and fans begin to create art based on Kagawa’s creatures and characters. There’s a very visual, sensory quality to Kagawa’s writing that I think will inspire readers and fuel their imaginations.
Shadow of the Fox features three main characters, and I adore them all. Our heroine is half human / half kitsune Yumeko. She’s an innocent and playful character, and her naivety leads to many humorous moments. Tatsumi, Yumeko’s reluctant protector is the character I like least of the main trio, but that’s mainly because we don’t get to know him as well as the other two. He’s a brooding and mysterious sort; your typical tough guy. We do see glimpses of his softer side when he’s alone with Yumeko though, and for me, their sweet friendship is one of the highlights of novel. I wouldn’t say their relationship is necessarily romantic, but there are plenty of cute moments that have me shipping the pair! A disgraced samurai named Okame rounds out our group of main characters. He’s an adventure seeking rogue who joins Yumeko and Tatsumi after being charmed by Yumeko’s kindness. Though it’s hinted that Okame may have a dark past, his carefree attitude and sense of humour bring a lot of fun to the story. Ultimately, the three make up quite the lovable little band of misfits.
Overall, I absolutely adore Shadow of the Fox! It’s sweet, funny and vividly imaginative. Something about the magical folklore mixed with Kagawa’s gorgeous writing just really works for me, and I can’t wait for the series to continue.
Thank you to HarperCollins for providing me with an advanced readers copy of Shadow and the Fox in exchange for an honest review!
A sweeping family saga of long lost love, for readers of Fiona McIntosh and Mary-Anne O’Connor.
From Pearl Harbor to the shores of Sydney, a secret that spans generations could unite a family – or destroy it.
Honolulu, Hawaii 1941
On the evening of her sixteenth birthday party, Catherine McGarrie wants nothing more than for the night to be over, even though the opulence of the ballroom befits the daughter of a US Navy Rear Admiral. Then she meets Charlie, a navy officer from the other side of the tracks, a man her parents would never approve of.
As rumours of war threaten their tropical paradise, Catherine and Charlie fall in love. But the bombing of Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941 changes their lives forever.
Seventy–five years later, addled by age and painkillers, Catherine tells her granddaughter Kit her story and reveals the tale of a long–lost treasure. Can Kit uncover the secret and reunite her family? Or will the truth tear them apart?
Going into this book, I was quite sceptical. Family saga isn’t a genre that I was particularly familiar with, and The Lost Pearl seemed quite different to what I’d usually read. Thus, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself enjoying many aspects of the book, and though I don’t often find myself attracted to historical reads, I do love a good romance, and The Lost Pearl features multiple romantic story lines. The primary focus is on the relationship between Catherine and Charlie, but we also get a glimpse of a few other love stories, such as Catherine’s older brother Eddie’s courtship with her friend Penny, and in the present day timeline, we see Kit moving on from heartbreak when a mysterious stranger named Adam enters her life. Thus I would definitely recommend this book to romance lovers! The Lost Pearl has cute couples galore and it’s also interesting to note the differences between the present day romances and those set in the 1940’s. While characters such as Catherine, Eddie and Charlie are very concerned with class, status, and the issue of premarital sex, Kit faces none of these problems in 2016, and has much more freedom in her love life.
The historical setting was another aspect of the book I found immensely enjoyable. Madden paints a vivid picture of life in Honolulu in the days leading up to America’s entry into World War 2. Going into this book, I felt I did know at least the basics about the war and how it impacted Australia, but the effect of the Pearl Harbour attack on the people of Hawaii wasn’t something I’d read much about before, thus I was excited to learn more. In The Lost Pearl, we feel the intense anxiety of the adult characters, who know that war is inevitable. We also see how this nervousness trickles down to younger characters such as Penny and Catherine, leading them to make impulsive decisions. Madden also does a great job depicting 1940’s culture and attitudes, as well as creating beautiful imagery of Hawaii.
My only criticism of The Lost Pearl is that the characters and setting of the 1940’s story line felt much more real and fully formed than those of the present day. Catherine, her parents, Penny, Charlie, and even his rival Walter all seemed much more well rounded than Kit or her family. At no point in the book did I feel like I really knew a lot about Kit, except that she was close to her grandmother and that she was recovering from heartbreak. As such, I didn’t quite understand why uncovering her grandmother’s past was so important to her. In her quest to discover the titular “lost pearl”, Kit is willing to put her whole life on hold and travel to Hawaii, which seemed quite drastic. Though I liked Kit, I wish I had learned more about her and her motivations.
Ultimately though, The Lost Pearl was an enjoyable read that I would recommend to those who love The Notebook, stories of epic romances, and 1940’s settings. Thank you to Harlequin Books for providing me with a review copy!
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