Six of Crows + Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Barduo | BOOK REVIEW

SPOILER WARNING

SIX OF CROWS

* * * * *

I’ve read this book before but I enjoyed it so much more this time! I’ve read the Grisha trilogy now so it was so much easier to fall into this world and feel right at home. Six of Crows is a thousand times better than the Grisha trilogy but it’s worth reading the original series first. The set of characters in this book is amazing and I fell in love with the character dynamics, the ambitious plot and flurry of twists and turns.

Kaz and Inej are my faves. I’m sorry but they’re a total power couple and I’m obsessed. I love how smart and cunning this book is and the majority of that is down to Kaz. His schemes and plans are infatuating and it’s so much fun trying to figure out what he’s planning. Inej is also awesome in her own right. She’s badass and a true asset to the team but she also stands up for herself and doesn’t settle for less than she deserves.

Jesper and Wylan are my next favourites. Jesper is definitely the biggest comedic relief in this book but all the characters get their own style of humour. Jesper and Wylan’s reluctant friendship turned to subtle flirting and caring made my heart soar! I can’t wait to see more of them in the next book and see how their dynamic develops.

STORM AND FURY- Jennifer L. Armentrout Book Review

 

* * * * *
Jumping into a spin-off series comes with both excitement and apprehension.

I love The Dark Elements series. Layla is a kick-ass protagonist and Roth is arguably my favourite love interest that Jennifer L. Armentrout has even written. The trilogy has a perfect journey of ups and downs and ended on such a high note.

So, naturally, I get a little nervous about a spin-off.

Zayne was not my favourite at all in The Dark Elements. Frankly, I found him kind of boring. So, going into a new series, knowing he’s going to be the big love interest? It put me off a little. But Jennifer L. Armentrout as this amazing ability to write perfection and exceed all of my expectations. Storm and Fury gave Zayne a chance to revel in the spotlight and breathe away from the comparison of Roth always making him look like vanilla ice cream.

There was also the addition of Trinity, our new protagonist. Again with spin-offs, I tend to like the protagonist less because I have such a loyalty to the original. Say with The Covenant series and The Titan spin-offs… I would lay down my life for Alex but Josie? I couldn’t care less. And again with the Lux series compared to the Origin spin-off… Katy will forever be my BFF and I would just accept Evie.

So, I kind of figured it would be more of the same. I have a huge love for Layla but, in Storm and Fury, I’ve found that I love Trinity just as much. They’re equals in my mind.

JLA brought introduced such strong resolve and confidence in Trinity which I loved. She’s sassy, she’s powerful and she works so hard. What I also particularly lover is how Jen chose to give Trin the same progressive eye disease that Jen has herself. We got a real insight into how this affects Trinity’s life and yet it never defines her as a character- it didn’t overshadow everything else that was amazing about Trin and it wasn’t a major plot point. I love this kind of representation and strength in a character. I’m super excited to see how much further Trinity grows and comes into her powers.

The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo | BOOK REVIEW

SHADOW AND BONE 

* * *

I finally started this series and I really enjoyed this book. I think the world is unique and intricate and, while it took some focus and endless references back to the map and list of Grisha types, I got my head around the world.

I think Alina was a good protagonist. Is she going to be a favourite of mine? No. But she was fine. Mal, however, annoyed me at every opportunity. The entire time I was waiting for him to die off so… imagine my disappointment when they actually get together at the end of the book. Let’s hope the arrogant SOB is killed off some time soon.

Then we have the Darkling who… I actually quite liked. Sure, he’s evil and manipulative but he’s the most interesting and complex of all the characters. And the smartest. I can’t resist intellect and moral ambiguity. (It also helped that I was picturing him as Ben Barnes … that made it 100% easier to love him).

There was a cast of side characters and, honestly, they were all pretty forgettable except for Genya (who I loved). I don’t care that she works for the Darkling. Her friendship with Alina was pure and genuine and she was the most friendly and charismatic character in my opinion. (Evidently, I’m totally Team Darkling at this point).

The Rules of Enchantment by Wendy Tardieu | BOOK REVIEW

I was sent a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

★ ★ ★

I didn’t go into this book with overwhelming expectations, but I enjoyed it. The world is interesting and different to other fantasy novels which I really liked, and I thought the premise of the story was easy to follow and well-executed. A lot of world-building is thrown at you and, while some of it went over my head, it didn’t impact my reading experience as I focused more on the motivations of the characters.

I think Kyler and Leith were decent protagonists. They will never be my favourites, but they were entertaining to read. I do wish more time was spent nurturing and growing their relationship as it felt a bit out of nowhere. I wanted more scenes where they shared their vulnerabilities with each other and created a more genuine connection rather than just attraction, though I understand that’s a natural consequence of this genre.

A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by Jennifer L. Armentrout | BOOK REVIEW

* * * * *

I devoured this book. I love the characters, the world, the humour and the sexiness of this book. Jen has a brilliant way of crafting stories and I am absolutely obsessed. I’m already counting down the days until the next book.

Poppy continued to be a bad-ass inspiration. I loved the internal conflict she had throughout this book and her character development. She’s spent so many years being socialised to be the quiet, demure maiden and it was great to see her break out of that and grow her confidence. Her entire world-view has changed and I loved seeing her internal struggle to overcome her past and seize control of her own life.

Then we have Cas. I had mixed feelings of Cas by the end of From Blood and Ash but I am officially in love and 100% on board this ship. This book gave me the vulnerability I wanted from Cas, whilst also keeping the sexiness and the humour. I loved hearing about his past and seeing him confide in Poppy more and more.

Their relationship was brilliant to see develop, though at times, it felt like a long time coming. I liked that we learnt about Cas’ history with Shea. I also love that they’re heartmates! It made the marriage so much sweeter and I can’t wait for them to rule together forever (assuming we hopefully solve the Poppy-isn’t-immortal issue, that is). I’m also a little nervous because, in terms of the marriage imprint palm tattoo they have, it was mentioned that it fades when one of them dies and Poppy mentioned how sad a way that would be to find out your partner had died… sounds like horrifying foreshadowing to me…

From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout | BOOK REVIEW

 

* * * * *

I just finished a re-read of this masterpiece and I actually enjoyed it even more than the first time around! This book has super heavy and rich world-building and history that, during the first read, a lot of it went over my head and I kind of just cared about the romance. But, knowing what happens during the re-read, I let myself absorb more of the history and the world and things make a lot more sense now.

I want to start by talking about Poppy because… she’s absolutely awesome. I love how outspoken she is and that she’s not afraid to stand up for herself (and maybe get a little stab-happy…). I think Poppy is such a strong character- both physically and mentally- which is such a joy to read. She’s sassy, stubborn and empowering which is everything I love in a female character.

Hawke was the sexy love interest for this book and, while I do love him… I need a bit of redemption in the next book for me to be fully on board the ship. I love how funny and confident he is and I especially love how supportive he is of Poppy fighting- he doesn’t try to keep her away from the fight, he recognises how skilled she is and respects her need to protect herself. However… when the reveal dropped on us that he’s actually the Dark One, Casteel, it suddenly felt like I was reading a completely different character. I don’t mind that he’s flirtatious or cocky, but I hated how he seemed really unsympathetic to Poppy.

The Folk of the Air series by Holly Black | BOOK REVIEW

I have seen a huge amount of hype surrounding this series, especially on Bookstagram, and it sounded like exactly the sort of story that I would fall in love with. Fae. Fantasy. Arrogant but charming princes and an epic heroine. Sign me up. 

However, for me, this series fell short. It might've been because I had high expectations but I wasn't a fan. The characters weren't all that relatable or entertaining, though I do appreciate how complex they were. The romantic subplot was bizarre to me because it was the most toxic, unhealthy relationship and I couldn't even bring myself to ship them. The plot was intriguing and the plot twists and turns were probably the best part of this series but, overall, it wasn't my favourite. 

-spoiler warning-

THE CRUEL PRINCE

I have mixed feelings. I didn’t hate this book, but I didn’t love love it. There’s so much hype around this series so maybe my expectations were too high. Don’t get me wrong, I like this book, but it didn’t blow me away.

When it came to the plot, I really enjoyed it. The premise was interesting, the world intricate and I love how unpredictable it was. It was full of fun twists and gasp-worthy moments which was great. The climax was amazing, and I was gripped through the whole section of Balekin killing Dain and the rest of his siblings. I also thought the ending of Jude making Cardan High King and scheming for him to be under her control was awesome.

I think what generally didn’t make me give a higher rating was that I didn’t actually love any of the characters. Jude was okay and I thought her almost corrupt motivations for power was interesting but there was nothing about her that made me love her.

The Savior's Sister by Jenna Moreci | ARC BOOK REVIEW

* * * * *

Non-spoiler

I received an arc copy of this book from Jenna Moreci in exchange for an honest review. 

This book had me gripped from the very first page and, despite my love of The Savior's Champion, I preferred reading Leila's perspective (sorry, Tobias). As much as I love the action and bloodshed of Tobias' story, I can't help but love the political scheming, manipulation and clever manoeuvres that were weaved through Leila's story- it was like a game of chess whereas Tobias' side is more Hunger Games vibes. 

Plus, Leila is such an empowering character- she's intelligent, independent and also has a penchant for swift bloodshed which I absolutely loved. 

The side characters also captivated me- particularly Delphi and Pippa. Delphi was such a fierce and headstrong character in her own right and I also adored how comfortable and unapologetic she was of her sexuality. And Pippa... she's a sweetheart. She's that character that I wanted to roll up in a bubble-wrap and keep safe forever. Leila's relationship with her sisters (barring Cosima) was so lovely because this is how women should treat each other! We stan supportive and uplifting female friendships!

The Umbrella Academy Season 1 | REVIEW

* * * * *

I am officially obsessed with this show. It's nothing like I ever expected and I can't get enough. It's quirky and fun but mysterious and clever. It’s odd and wacky but addictive and fascinating.

This season was full of twists and turns, impeccable humour as well. 

The characters are truly what hold this show together and make it great. The show is full of weird and wonderful elements- time travel, magical powers, a chimpanzee, a robot mother- but the down-to-earth and complex characters are truly what make all of the other stuff believable.

We had such a broad range of characters and, what I loved most, was that they were all flawed! They all had complex drives and nuanced personalities. They all had troubled backgrounds, different experiences and fascinating motivations. We slowly unravelled their characters and what makes them tick throughout the span of the show.  

-spoiler warning-

I have no idea where to start. This season was packed full of so many plot threads and characters, it was almost too much for my brain to take.

Logically, I’ll start with Number One.

Atypical Season 1 || TV Review

* * * * *
At the moment, when flicking through Netflix, I find myself drawn to the light-hearted sitcoms and comedy series. I binge watched nine series of How I Met Your Mother last year and my January of 2020 was racing through two seasons of Sex Education. When life is heavy, or busy, or stressful, I don't want to jump into a complex, hard-to-follow and emotionally harrowing thriller or drama- I want the fuzzy comedies that will make my heart warm and give me all the feels.
Atypical 100% achieved this.
I was so pleasantly impressed with this show. It had humour, it had heart and it had a certain charm that makes it so easy to fall into and binge. While the storyline itself revolves around Sam, a teenager on the autistic spectrum trying to navigate love and dating, it also delves deep into the lives and relationships of those around him. I found myself instantly invested with all the characters and their growth throughout the series.
I'd definitely recommend Atypical for people who want a heart-warming and funny watch but also like a bit of drama and 'gasp' moments and reveals.
Obviously, the show explores a lot into the sensitive subject of autism and how it can affect an individual as well as the lives of their family, but I thought this show handled the topic really well and I found it eye-opening and insightful.

spoilers ahead | spoilers ahead | spoilers ahead | spoilers ahead | spoilers ahead | spoilers ahead

This show had me feeling all the feels. I was gasping, laughing out loud and feeling a lot of love for all the characters (...minus Elsa). They're such a diverse and interesting group of people and it was easy to get invested in their lives and all the trials and tribulations they go through.
My favourite plot thread of the entire series had to be Sam's relationship with his dad, Doug. From the beginning, it's clear that Doug doesn't feel that much of a connection with Sam. They don't share any common interests and Sam's dad feels like all his efforts to bridge that gap between them in the past have been thrown back in his face. So, throughout this season, it was so heart-warming to see Sam start to confide in his dad and to see Doug grow more comfortable around talking to Sam. They grew a lovely bond and Sam has developed the ability to trust and rely on his dad which was a pleasure to watch. Their relationship growth and development was definitely the best part of this show. It filled me with warmth and I had a huge smile during every interaction of theirs.

My second favourite element of this series was Casey. From the moment she punched that popular girl in school... I fell in love. She's just a great female character. She has ambition, she has fight, she has motivation and she has complex emotions! The way she engages with people, interacts and expresses her feelings is so interesting and nuanced.

Forever Fictional's Fourth Birthday!!!

Another year has passed and Forever Fictional is now four years old- my baby blog is getting well through it's toddler years!
Like always, I wanted to look back over the year and mention my favourite moments and posts! It's also a nice time to thank everyone who follows, likes and comments on my blog. I appreciate everyone's support and love so much and I'm super grateful for the bookish friends I've met online.

Favourite Posts: (linked)

Favourite TV Females
I wrote this post at the very beginning of the year and I still love it. It details my four favourite females in TV shows and... my choices have not changed in the slightest. I'm all about feminism and female empowerment so this post was really cool and fun for me to write.

Escapril 2019
I participated in 'escapril' last year- an instagram challenge where you write and post a poem every single day based on a prompt. I created an instagram account specifically for this because I'd never had one before and I really loved doing this. Sure, some of my poems were downright crappy but it's good practice of sharing your work.

Top 10 Books of the Decade!!!

As well as my favourite books of 2019, I also wanted to list my top ten books of the decade! These aren't necessarily my favourites because they're amazing books but because they mean a lot to me for different reasons and I have memories and experiences attached to them.

1. Jacqueline Wilson Books
I read Jacqueline Wilson books at the beginning of this decade when I was about nine years old and they were the first real kind of books I read and really enjoyed. Particularly, Hetty Feather was one of my favourite books and My Sister Jodie is the first book that ever made me cry. While I haven't read these books since the very beginning of the 2010s, I hold a lot of fondness for them as they were a stepping stone to my love of reading.

2. Judy Blume Books
Similar to Jacqueline Wilson, I read Judy Blume books at the beginning of the decade, probably when I was around ten. My favourites were Are You There God, It's Me Margaret and Forever. I particularly remember reading Forever and feeling so oddly grown up because it had the barest of sex scenes in it and I'd never read anything like it before. Ten-year-old me felt so mature. These books were the bridge between kids books and YA for me which will always hold a significance to me.

Favourite Books of 2019

It's that time of year again! 2019 is over and I get to list out my favourite reads of the year! Like always, the following books may not necessarily have been released in 2019, but have just been books that I read for the first time this year.
Let's start with some honourable mentions that didn't quite make the cut...

HONOURABLE MENTIONS

If There's No Tomorrow- Jennifer L. Armentrout 
* * * * 
It kind of pains me to have a JLA book in the honourable mentions because hers are usually all my faves (as evident in the three of her books in my faves this year) but this one just fell a tiny bit short. Obviously, I loved it (it would be sacrilegious not to) but it wasn't as all-consuming as her other books are. I loved the story and characters but, just from the nature of the story, it was a bit of a downer. It dealt with some difficult subjects and, while that's amazing to read, it dampens the obsessive love for the story sometimes.


A Very Large Expanse of Sea- Tahereh Mafi
* * * *
This book would totally be in my list of favourites if it wasn't for that ending! The end of this book disappointed me and it let the book down a little. I think this story is so amazing and would make a perfect movie but... the ending just dulled the love for me.