Ten Thousand Skies Above You & Their Fractured Light | Mini-reviews

Title: Ten Thousand Skies Above You (Firebird #2)
Author: Claudia Gray
Published: November 3rd 2015 by HarperTeen

Goodreads summary: Ever since she used the Firebird, her parents' invention, to cross into alternate dimensions, Marguerite has caught the attention of enemies who will do anything to force her into helping them dominate the multiverse—even hurting the people she loves. She resists until her boyfriend, Paul, is attacked and his consciousness scattered across multiple dimensions.

Marguerite has no choice but to search for each splinter of Paul’s soul. The hunt sends her racing through a war-torn San Francisco, the criminal underworld of New York City, and a glittering Paris where another Marguerite hides a shocking secret. Each world brings Marguerite one step closer to rescuing Paul. But with each trial she faces, she begins to question the destiny she thought they shared.

The second book in the Firebird trilogy, Ten Thousand Skies Above You features Claudia Gray’s lush, romantic language and smart, exciting action, and will have readers clamoring for the next book.

REVIEW

Discovering new dimensions was as interesting as the first time around and the plot was original, because it revealed something else about the Firebirds. The novelty of discovering dimensions has faded a bit though, especially when Marguerite went to dimensions she discovered before. However Marguerite pissed me off because when a Paul from another dimension did something bad, she doubted she could love her Paul. I understand that some Paul's decisions she couldn't agree with in some dimensions, but it didn't mean it was her Paul. She has a lot of trouble keeping up with identities, she already had this problemn because of Lieutenant Paul Markov in the Russia-verse, but it was worse this time around. The different Paul weren't the same and she also acted like that around Theo, because of what happenned in the first book. She doubted of her relationship with Paul because in some universes they weren't in love. Really? Ugh. She was like: um but if I don't love him in this universe, it's because we haven't met yet, right? Well no. She believed in the fate theory a little too much I believe? However I loved that we learn how Triad was created and everything, I didn't expect it at all. And the ending OMG. This story took such a turn, I can't wait for the next one to be released.

Title: Their Fractured Light (Unbound #3)

Author: Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner

Published: December 1st 2015 by Disney-Hyperion

Goodreads summary: A year ago, Flynn Cormac and Jubilee Chase made the now infamous Avon Broadcast, calling on the galaxy to witness for their planet, and protect them from destruction. Some say Flynn’s a madman, others whisper about conspiracies. Nobody knows the truth. A year before that, Tarver Merendsen and Lilac LaRoux were rescued from a terrible shipwreck—now, they live a public life in front of the cameras, and a secret life away from the world’s gaze.

Now, in the center of the universe on the planet of Corinth, all four are about to collide with two new players, who will bring the fight against LaRoux Industries to a head. Gideon Marchant is an eighteen-year-old computer hacker—a whiz kid and an urban warrior. He’ll climb, abseil and worm his way past the best security measures to pull off onsite hacks that others don’t dare touch.

Sofia Quinn has a killer smile, and by the time you’re done noticing it, she’s got you offering up your wallet, your car, and anything else she desires. She holds LaRoux Industries responsible for the mysterious death of her father and is out for revenge at any cost.

When a LaRoux Industries security breach interrupts Gideon and Sofia’s separate attempts to infiltrate their headquarters, they’re forced to work together to escape. Each of them has their own reason for wanting to take down LaRoux Industries, and neither trusts the other. But working together might be the best chance they have to expose the secrets LRI is so desperate to hide.

REVIEW

It actually took me a week to finish this, because it was the last week of school *sigh*

I really enjoyed getting introduced to Gideon and Sofia, because they were both grey characters and I love that! They were both plotting to take down LaRoux but had a HARD time trusting each other because obviously they sometimes betrayed the other one. Like at the beginning when they met, it was so funny. Iloooooved their dynamics together and I shipped them so hard! But, I had a hard time reading the first 40% of the novel... I was kinda bored, idk. The other reason I was so confused/bored was that I didn't remember much of the first two books (only the big lines) so I didn't understand anything... I should have read a recap.... But then big step in their relationship/betrayal and I was hooked again!

I'm so happy the whole gang was back, the story was much interesting when they were there I think? Even if I loved Sofia and Gideon but... Sometimes I wondered what the beginning of the story had to do with the bigger picture? But after that it was so great, action-packed, plot twists and revelations and much plotting (which I love).

I really enjoyed the resolution of the story and how we didn't only got Sofia and Gideon's POV. It was weird and very mysterious but I liked it, in the end. I'm pleased with the ending.

Still I had a problem while reading but it's probably just me: at the beginning of each chapter, the name of the character wasn't written, so I was confused all the time, because I didn't always remember where I left off. But when I was looking at the index it had the name of the characters and the chapters numbers, so maybe my ereader just messed up.

Anyway, this trilogy is a total must read! 

Have you read any of these books/series? What did you think of them?

Most Anticipated Releases for the First Half of 2016 | Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature created by The Broke and the Bookish. This week's topic is about our most anticipated releases for the first half of 2016. I decided not to include Debut Novels, since a few weeks ago, a topic was dedicated to that. You can still go back and (re)read my post on this topic.

1. Passenger by Alexandra Bracken (out January 5th)

I loved Bracken's Darkest Minds trilogy, I read it around this time last year, it's one of my favourite dystopia ever. This book is about time traveling, a new trend in YA for the coming year. Also, it involves a ship so I'll read any books involving that. The book trailer is also fantabulous, except it promises a lot of pain ("It's okay, someday, I'm gonna be with you"). 

2. Truthwitch by Susan Dennard (out January 5th)

I devoured the author Something Strange and Deadly's trilogy in October, because I was anticipating this book and I wondered what the author had in store. Oh my, I wasn't disappointed! Truthwitch is a high fantasy involving two best friends, one of them is a Truthwitch, which means she can tell truth from lies. Because of that, everyone wants to get their hands on her, so she has to fight for her life, helped by her friend, a prince, but also hunted by a Bloodwitch. It also has a trailer.

3. The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman (out January 26th)

This book sounds amazing! It sets in the Regency (early 19th century in England) and it involves demons, OMG. I think I've talked about this book a lot, but I'm sooooo excited. The summary is a little reminiscent of The Infernal Devices, which makes me so much more excited! It's by an Australian author, so I think it has already been published in Australia?

4. The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine (out February 16th)

The cover is the coolest, tbh. This is a retelling of Snow White and it sounds dark and magical. I haven't read anything by this author, but I'm so excited! Basically I think almost all of the books I've put on this list are high fantasy, but so many are released next year and I'm dying to read them all!

5. A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab (out February 23rd)

Have I read the synopsis for this one? Nope, because it's A Darker Shade of Magic's sequel, so of course it will be awesome! The concept of this book is amazing, since there are four different London and the main character can travel to all of them (well, except for Black London, but that's another story). The cover features Lila, who wants to be a pirate so yes, of course I want it!

6. Flamecaster by Cinda Williams Chima (out April 19th)

This book is a spin-off series set a generation after the Seven Realms series. My boyfriend made me read this series last year and I loved it, okay? All the love to these books, if you haven't read them yet, do it please: here is the synopsis of the first one. I'm really excited about this one, it features new characters and expands the world so yaaaaay!

7. Ruined by Amy Tintera (out May 3rd)

This sounds amazing! It's about a girl whom kingdom was destroyed. To get revenge on the people who did it, she infiltrates the royal family of another kingdom by marrying the heir to the throne. She also means to find her sister and REVENGE REVENGE REVENGE. Okay, I want it.

8. Warrior Witch by Danielle L. Jensen (out May 3rd)

The Malediction's Trilogy is a little like my baby, because I feel like it's underrated and I need more people to read it, so every time I mention it, it's like I'm throwing *kindly* the books in your faces. It's about a girl who wants to be a singer and will be moving with her mother in the city to accomplish her dream but... She is sold to trolls and is forced to marry one of them. The trolls has been stuck under the mountain for five hundred years and they believe she's the key to breaking this curse. Hidden Huntress, the second book, finished on a cliff-hanger and Warrior Witch will be the last book in the trilogy. I'm so excited to see how the characters will try to resolve what happened, because it was wow. 

9. The King Slayer by Virginia Boecker (out June 14th)

I read the first book, The Witch Hunter, two weeks ago, and I'm obsessed. It's set in an alternative England in the 16th century, at the time of the witch hunts. The main character, Elizabeth, is a witch hunter, but after she is found with medicinal herbs, she is arrested for witchcraft. She is saved by the wizards themselves and she has to make a choice: which side is she on? Seriously, it was one of the best books I read all year (even if it wasn't perfect) and I'm so excited to read the next one!

10. And I Darken by Kiersten White (out June 28th)

This book is a high fantasy set in the Ottoman's Empire, OMG what? I've never read anything like that! The main character, Lada, and her brother are abandonned by their father and raised in the Ottoman's courts. Of course, she's planning revenge and to go back to her kingdom, but she realizes the sultan's son is different.

To be honest, I'm excited for so many books, I can make a list for all of them, because so far, I've added 74 books published in 2016 to my TBR... And most of them are released in the first half of 2016, so the list is far from over. I mostly talked about beginning of new series, because I'm so excited to discover new worlds!

Which books are you excited for (first half of 2016)?

2015 End of Year Book Survey

I've seen this post around the blogosphere and I loved the idea, so I decided to participate. The 2015 End of the Year Book Survey is hosted by Jamie @ The Perpetual Page-Turner. 

Number Of Books You Read: 222 books read (on December 27th 2015, I'm in awe with myseld)

Number of Re-Reads: 2... It's pretty bad, I'll do better next year.

Genre You Read The Most From: Fantasy of course!

Best Book You Read In 2015?

Fantasy: A Darker Shade of Magic by Victoria Schwab

Dystopia: Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine

Contemporary: The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith

Sci-Fi: Winter by Marissa Meyer

Historical fiction: Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman

Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas. There is SO MUCH hype around this series now, it's too much. I was so unhappy about the 'character development' and the romance *sigh* The plot was still amazing though.

 Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read? 

 

Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins. I went into it with zero expectations or reading the synopsis, and it had a really cool idea. Because of the cover, I thought it would be historical fiction, but absolutely not, it's an urban fantasy involving paladins and wizards.

Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read?

The Young Elites by Marie Lu. My boyfriend read it in French and now he's into The Rose Society in English *evil laughter*.

Best series you started in 2015? Best Sequel of 2015? Best Series Ender of 2015?

Starter: Talon by Julie Kagawa

Sequel: The Rose Society by Marie Lu

Ender: Winter by Marissa Meyer

 Favorite new author you discovered in 2015?

Morgan Rhodes, Susan Dennard, Julie Kagawa

Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?

Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennard, because I didn't want to read books about zombies.

Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir because there were cliffhangers at the end of each chapters.

Book You Read In 2015 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Favorite cover of a book you read in 2015? 

Uprooted by Naomi Novik (the Uk edition) because it really feels like a fairytale and it's so shiny.

Most memorable character of 2015?

Kestrel from The Winner's Trilogy because she's a badass character because of her mind, not her combat skills. 

Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2015?

The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand

Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2015 to finally read? 

The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson. Mistborn is an amazing series and I'd recommend it for everyone! Sanderson is definitely the master of high fantasy.

Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2015?

“Everything's a risk. Not doing anything is a risk. It's up to you.”  (Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon)

Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2015?

Shortest: Pale Kings and Princes by Cassandra Clare (40 pages)
Longest: Winter by Marissa Meyer (824 pages)

Book That Shocked You The Most

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard. No matter how unhappy I was about every similarities with other books, I didn't see the plot twist coming and I'm excited about Glass Sword. 

OTP OF THE YEAR (you will go down with this ship!)

Simon & Baz from Carry On by Rainbow Rowell. ALL. THE. FEELS. 

Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year

Eleanor Fitt & Jie Chen from the Something Strange and Deadly Trilogy.

Favorite Book You Read in 2015 From An Author You’ve Read Previously

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo.

Best Book You Read In 2015 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski. I don't know why, but I felt like I'd be pretty meh about this book, but I totally wasn't, it was AMAZING.

Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2015?

Bishop Lattimer from The Book of Ivy by Amy Engel.

Best 2015 debut you read?

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir. Another hyped one, but it's worth it ;)

Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab. I loved the idea of the four different London and everything!

Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?

Any Tales of Shadowhunter Academy novellas.

Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2015?

Like usual, SO MANY. Winter by Marissa Meyer, The Geography of You and Me by Jennifer E. Smith, Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover, Strange and Ever After by Susan Dennard, Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon.

Hidden Gem Of The Year?

Rook by Sharon Cameron

Book That Crushed Your Soul?

Second Chance Summer by Morgan Matson. It was a really sad book, but it was still beautiful.

Most Unique Book You Read In 2015?

The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton

Book That Made You The Most Mad (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?

The Wicked Will Rise by Danielle Paige. NOTHING happened. I just lost my time reading this.

New favorite book blog you discovered in 2015?

Twirling Pages, it's such a BEAUTIFUL blog!

Favorite review that you wrote in 2015?

My Dorothy Must Die's review. I had mixed feelings about this one, but I had so much fun writing it!

Best discussion/non-review post you had on your blog?

I loved writing about Leigh Bardugo's event in Rotterdam!

Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?

I live in France, so book events with American and English authors is not really possible. But I went in the Netherlands for Leigh Bardugo's Magic and Mayhem Tour, it was so amazing! I met some great people there and I was finally able to fangirl over books in real life.

Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2015? 

Starting to blog in June. It's been so amazing, and I'm happy to still do it six months after that. Being able to share my love for books with everyone is amazing.

Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year? 

Being an international blogger, I'd say. Because of that, I don't have book events I wish to attend to or ARCs. French readers aren't really the target, since everything is translated.

Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog?   

My Top Ten High Fantasy Books I've read this year! I'm really happy about it, because it's my favourite genre, haha.

Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?   

Writing multiple series in the same world? It was one of my first discussion posts.

Best bookish discover (book related sites, book stores, etc.)? 

I'm let to the party but... Redbubble! It had beautiful designs overall, about movies, series, books. I got a lot of my Christmas presents from there.

Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?

I only had my GR challenge to get to. At first, I wanted to read 100 books but... I was a little too good so I aimed for 200 books in June and I actually did it! But I totally burned myself out...

One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2015 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2016?

Frozen Tides by Morgan Rhodes. I'm so excited about this one, I'll have it for my birthday.

Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2016 (non-debut)?

The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine, Ruined by Amy Tintera, And I Darken by Kiersten White.

2016 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?

Into the Dim by Janet B. Taylor, Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton, The Girl from Everywhere by Heidi Heilig.

Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2016?

A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab, The Mirror King by Jodi Meadows, A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2016?

To be able to go to another book event!

How was YOUR year? What was the best book you read? Your best blogging experience?

An hilarious and original take on the Chosen One | Carry On

Title: Carry On

Author: Rainbow Rowell

Published: October 6th 2015 by St. Martin's Griffin

Goodreads summary: Simon Snow just wants to relax and savor his last year at the Watford School of Magicks, but no one will let him. His girlfriend broke up with him, his best friend is a pest, and his mentor keeps trying to hide him away in the mountains where maybe he'll be safe. Simon can't even enjoy the fact that his roommate and longtime nemesis is missing, because he can't stop worrying about the evil git. Plus, there are ghosts. And vampires. And actual evil things trying to shut Simon down. When you're the most powerful magician the world has ever known, you never get to relax and savor anything.

Carry On is a ghost story, a love story, a mystery and a melodrama. It has just as much kissing and talking as you'd expect from a Rainbow Rowell story -- but far, far more monsters.

REVIEW

For your information, I finished this book November 4^th and I’m writing my review November 22^nd and… I didn’t take notes while reading the book so I might not be as precise as I wanted to be… Sometimes I regret decisions my past-self took but well that’s a challenge!

When I first heard about this book, I didn’t know if I would read it or no. I enjoyed Fangirl but that was all, I think it was a 3 stars for me, you know? I wasn’t sure I cared enough about the fanfiction parts of the book to read another book based on that fanfiction. And then, the book came out, and people raved about it. Because of that, I gave this book a try and I don’t regret it at all.

(Behold while I jump in the lake of my emotions)

Like many readers, a part of me was scared it would be a shallow copy of Harry Potter, but it’s not. Yes, at first I kept comparing everyone to Harry Potter characters, but then I got to know the characters and they really existed in my head. Like in her previous books, Rainbow Rowell wrote realistic characters that I loved reading about, because they weren’t perfect. Simon Snow is the perfect example of that, because he is THE CHOSEN ONE, but he can’t control his magic and makes mistakes all the time. Because of that, it was easier to read about him. My favourite character must have been Penelope who was so strong and independent. I liked Baz but I won’t fangirl like a… fangirl? (Such a poor choice of words, Lucie). However, I have to say I’m not satisfied about Agatha. She seemed to be the character doomed to make mistakes all along and that you had to hate her. I found she didn’t have a real chance to be in the book.

I really enjoyed the world building and the magic system in this book, for example the fact that they could create spells. It was SO cool. I know some people felt confused at the beginning, because the world is thrown at us like we had read the previous books in the series (when they don’t exist). To be honest, I was a little confused and I think I would appreciate this book more if I reread it someday. But Rainbow Rowell intended to make this book as if it was the conclusion to an epic series, so I understand why she did it that way. Moreover, I think if I had knew the world beforehand, I would have guessed the plot twists, so it wouldn’t have been as fun.

I felt the first part of the book dragged a little bit, because it just felt like Simon was moping because Baz wasn’t there. It was clearly to show there would be a romance between them and it was kind of irritating, because I found Simon to be more worried about him than his potential plans, when he has been is nemesis for seven years. It was awkward, in my opinion. It made me feel like the story resolved a lot around Baz… But it also reminded me how Harry was obsessed with Drago in The Half-Blood Prince. However, the romance between Simon and Baz was SO CUTE AND ADORABLE I just want to hug them. Just like in her previous books, Rainbow made my heart warmer because of the romance.

Still, the plot of this book was amazing. It was about eliminating the villain in this world, but also a quest to the truth for some characters’ past. It was full of mystery, action, plot twists and I really liked that aspect. The ending was unusual but I really liked it because of that, even if a part of it is kind of weird, you’ll understand what I’m talking about if you read it.

Final Thoughts:

This book was hilarious and so much more than a parody of Harry Potter. The characters were realistic and I was able to relate to them. The romance was swoony-worthy, like with Rainbow's other books, you'll love it. It was her first fantasy book and I think she did it well, the plot was truly amazing. GO READ IT.

Have you read this book? What did you think of it? Did you ship Simon/Baz to the moon and back? Did you think Agatha didn't have a chance to shine in this book? 

The Joy of Christmas | Book Tag

It's Christmas! Merry Christmas everyone!

I hope you all have an amazing day  full of happiness with your loved ones!

To celebrate Christmas, I decided to do a book tag, which was created by Samantha @ Novels and Nonsense. She tagged everyone and I am everyone, right? Let's do this!

1) Anticipation: The Christmas excitement is real, what book release(s) are you most anticipating?

I actually have a post coming on that subject Tuesday, so yeah... To name those from January: Passenger by Alexandra Bracken, Truthwitch by Susan Dennard, The Impostor Queen by Sarah Fine, The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman... So many great books are coming out next year, it's so exciting.

2) Christmas Songs & Carols: What book or author can you not help but sing it's praises?

Victoria Schwab. I've read all the YA and adult books she wrote so far, and loved them all. I read The Archived last year and loved it, it was such a great premise, I'm really excited for the next one! Vicious was so unique, but I don't know what to think about the upcoming sequel (even if I'm sure it'll be great). And finally, A Darker Shade of Magic... I'm sure it's my favourite by her. This author has such interesting ideas and it makes me looking forward to each of her books. I'm really excited about This Savage Song!

3) Gingerbread Houses: What book or series has wonderful world building?

Of course, I have to mention a high fantasy book, because it is the best. The Mistborn Trilogy by Brandon Sanderson had an amazing world-building, I felt like I knew the culture of the characters, I could have lived here without making mistakes or looking weird, haha.

4) A Christmas Carol: Favorite classic or one that you want to read

I feel like I always say the same one at this question *sigh* So we'll go with one I want to read! I'd love to read A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, because it's Christmas and I've seen the Mickey movie so many times! I love this story and I'd like to see it into words.

5) Christmas Sweets: What book would you love to receive for Christmas

Let's go see my Amazon wishlist! Well, most of the books aren't released yet, But for the released ones, I'd love to receive:

- Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

- Exquisite Captive by Heather Demetrios

- Frozen Tides by Morgan Rhodes

6) Candles in the Window: What book gives you that warm fuzzy feeling

Harry Potter obviously! Just thinking of this book makes me full of love, because childhood memories.

7) Christmas Trees & Decorations: What are some of your favorite book covers?

8) Christmas Joy: What are some of your favorite things about Christmas And/Or some of your favorite Christmas memories?

Making the Christmas tree is my favourite thing ever! With my family, we used to do it the first Wednesday of December, but since I'm in Paris during the week, we did it the first Saturday of the month this year! Since I'm the elder, it's my role to put the star in the tree (and I'm contesting loudly if someone tries to do it!). Opening/Giving presents is also great of course!

For the memories, when I was three or four, I was with my cousins and we had to go upstairs to put our pajamas on. When we get back, there were Santa Claus' footsprints everywhere, with candy along the way, and it led to our presents! I want to do that for my children in the future.

What about you? What do you love about Christmas? What were your best memories? What are you doing for Christmas this year?

The Impostor Queen | Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly feature hosted by Jill from Breaking the Spine where we discuss the upcoming releases that we are most excited for.

Title: The Impostor Queen (Untitled #1)

Autor: Sarah Fine

Published: January 5th 2016 by Margaret K. McElderry Books

Goodreads summary: Sixteen-year-old Elli was a small child when the Elders of Kupari chose her to succeed the Valtia, the queen who wields infinitely powerful ice and fire magic. Since then, Elli has lived in the temple, surrounded by luxury and tutored by magical priests, as she prepares for the day when the Valtia perishes and the magic finds a new home in her. Elli is destined to be the most powerful Valtia to ever rule.

But when the queen dies defending the kingdom from invading warriors, the magic doesn’t enter Elli. It’s nowhere to be found.

Disgraced, Elli flees to the outlands, the home of banished criminals—some who would love to see the temple burn with all its priests inside. As she finds her footing in this new world, Elli uncovers devastating new information about the Kupari magic, those who wield it, and the prophecy that foretold her destiny. Torn between the love she has for her people and her growing loyalty to the banished, Elli struggles to understand the true role she was meant to play. But as war looms, she must align with the right side—before the kingdom and its magic are completely destroyed.

MY THOUGHTS

I haven't read Sarah's other books yet but this one seems like a great place to start. It's a high fantasy so basically I have to read it. It sounds really interesting, because it deals with a temple and prophecy and magic. And the main character was supposed to be queen but won't be. I read some great reviews on this one (but not enough, sadly), and I think there one character is homosexual or bisexual (I'm sorry I can't remember), it's great we're getting more diversity in that genre!

Are you excited about this book? Which books are you waiting for this Wednesday?

A rich high fantasy that made me discover my new OTP | Air Awakens

Title: Air Awakens (Air Awakens #1)

Author: Elise Kova

Published: August 27th 2015 by Silver Wing Press

Goodreads summary: A library apprentice, a sorcerer prince, and an unbreakable magic bond...

The Solaris Empire is one conquest away from uniting the continent, and the rare elemental magic sleeping in seventeen-year-old library apprentice Vhalla Yarl could shift the tides of war.

Vhalla has always been taught to fear the Tower of Sorcerers, a mysterious magic society, and had been happy in her quiet world of books. But after she unknowingly saves the life of the most powerful sorcerers of them all-the Crown Prince Aldrik-she finds herself enticed into his world. Now she must decide her future: Embrace her sorcery and leave the life she's known, or eradicate her mafic and remain as she's always been. And with powerful forces lurking in the shadows, Vhalla's indecision could cost her more that she ever imagined.

REVIEW

This book was a complete surprise to me, because honestly, I don't know a lot of people who read it. I just checked, no one among my Goodreads friends has read it yet (maybe one?). But I’m throwing this book in everyone face, because it’s easily one of my favourite reads of the year.

I was hooked from the beginning of this book, because it started when library apprentices had to look for a cure to save the crown prince’s life. It threw me into the world right away and I got used to the characters’ names really fast, even though it felt foreign to me. Vhalla, our main character, works in a library and loves to be surrounded by books, like many of us dream of, so it was easy to relate to her.

Soon enough, she discovers she has magic within her, but doesn’t want to join the sorcerers, because she doesn’t trust them, like most people in this world. I found her reaction to be totally realistic, because it was a foreign world to her. However, she starts to learn about magic through books (of course) and a mysterious correspondence. The Tower – where the sorcerers live – was a compelling place and I loved discovering all about it, even if it wasn’t an easy part for Vhalla, considering her Awakening (ha-ha). I loved that we got a lot of the world building through the studies of books, because it had been the main character’s whole life, it didn’t feel like info dump. I think one of my favourite ways to learn about a world is through books, classes, etc. in the characters life (I felt that way too toward The Stars Never Rise by Rachel Vincent), even if it felt a little info-dump.

I really enjoyed Vhalla’s relationship with prince Aldrik, I’m pretty sure it was my favourite aspect of the book. Vhalla has a hard time trusting him because she pushed her too far at the beginning of the book, and I could totally understand her. As he said to her many times, he is not a good man, and it’s so true. He’s a sarcastic character who tries to push everyone away, because he wants to be safe. Their romance is a slow-burn and it’s been a long time since I shipped characters this hard. I hoped many times something would happen but, but… I need to read Fire Falling because I want them together so badly. I think Vhalla and Aldrik are my new OTP, I have no regrets.

But I just wanted prince Baldair to go away because seriously, Vhalla and Aldrik belong together.

Vhalla’s friends reacted really realistically when they learned about her powers. They weren’t like “OMG Vhalla you’re amazing let’s do magic together”. NO. They were afraid of her and wanted her to go back to normal, so they could go back to their lives. This magic was a hard thing to accept; because they had no idea Vhalla was a sorcerer. But really, it was the Master of the Library who was really interesting. He had a full backstory I didn’t expect and so I’m sure Vhalla will need him at some point.

This book focused a lot on Vhalla learning about magic, it’s something I really enjoyed and it could be done because it’s a five books series. It also focused on court politics, nobility, parties, well everything that makes a good fantasy book. Some characters were so evil, I loathed them so much, but I don’t think they will be seen in the next book?

But the romance wasn’t the most important part of the book. This is a high fantasy where the emperor wants to control the whole continent, and he’s one step away from doing it. Even if we didn’t see it that much in this first book, it is a world at war, but we couldn’t really understand the stakes of it until the last part of the book and really I hadn’t see that coming. To be honest, I was in class when I got to the most action-picked and revelations-driven part of the book and I couldn’t stop reading. The book made me turn pages until the very end, because it was full of suspense, and Vhalla was an unreliable narrator so I wanted to know what had happened. The last pages of this book put me to the edge of my seat and I was so surprised with what happened!

I can’t wait to read the next one, because it will be pretty different of this first instalment, it will probably be more brutal but I don’t care. Why did I make a TBR for this month? Fire Falling isn’t part of my TBR but I want to read it now, but if I do… I’ll have to wait until February to know what happened in the third book.

Final Thoughts:

This is apparently a debut but it didn't feel like it at all. Elise Kova definitely knows how to write. She created a rich world full of magic, with a lot of history and culture, I'm looking forward to see more of it in the next book. Even if the book focused more on Vhalla's development and her learning to do magic, and lot happened in this book. It ended on quite a cliffhanger that makes be eager to pick the sequel, but I think I should wait a little... Or the wait will be too long for the next three books.