book review

Shiver Review

Friday, July 25, 2014

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Right, so just finished this book right here: Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater. I'm sitting curled up with my blanket at almost 1AM still confused with how I feel about it. I gave it a 3/5 on Goodreads, because that's how much I was left lingering with questionable doubts and feelings. Let me start off by saying that I had high expectations for this book (like I mentioned in my Goodreads review). I mean it has a 3.80 rating and the majority of people I follow on Goodreads gave it 5 stars. So I'm thinking, "Ok, awesome. Werewolves + Paranormal= Right Up My Alley. But I didn't quite get that.

If you don't know what the book is about I'm going to copy and paste some of the short summary that I quickly wrote on Goodreads. Basically you have dual narrators, Sam and Grace. Sam is a werewolf who was bitten when he was ~7-years-old and since then can only switch back to his human self in the summer, as the hot temperature makes him more stable that way. During the rest of the year he's stuck in his wolf form, especially in winter, as the cold temperature makes the animal part of him more prominent. So, temperature regulates the transformation between being a human and wolf. Grace is just a regular 17-year-old who coincidentally was bit when she was very young as well by a pack of werewolves outside her house, but survives the event. She remembers Sam's yellow eyes ever since her near death encounter and for the next six years (up until she's 17) they have this weird romance thing going on, where she is constantly on the lookout and seemingly obsessed with "her" werewolf. Likewise, Sam lingers in the forest behind her house in his werewolf form looking after her all these years until one night when things begin to unfold and he finally approaches her in his human form.

*WARNING: Spoilers ahead, if you have not read the book do not read on!

book review

Ignite Me Review

Thursday, July 24, 2014

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Woah, what a whirlwind. I just finished the last book in Tahereh Mafi's Shatter Me trilogy (Ignite Me) and now I don't know what to do! It was nothing that I was expecting, honestly, but everything that I dreamed of for the final installment! It's sad to see this trilogy end but I'm so happy with how everything was written- I mean hello, I'm never not satisfied with Tahereh Mafi's writing- and how all the characters progressed- especially Juliette. So, with that being said I think this entire post for Ignite Me will be full of spoilers unfortunately. I just have too many feelings right now that I need to get off my chest and talk about. If you have not read the book, or any previous ones, then do not continue reading and just go to your nearest library or bookstore and get crackin' on this trilogy.

book review

Second Chance Summer Review

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11071466-second-chance-summer?ac=1

It may seem like all I've been reading is contemporary, but I promise it's not! I've actually gone through a contemporary-mystery (emphasis on the mystery), science-fiction and paranormal/supernatural books. I just haven't been up to instantly writing reviews on here like I was, but I will get better on that! I just couldn't go without writing a review on this book because I think everyone should go out and read it, be warned though that there will be crying and/or possibly tearing up (and when I say possibly, I mean most definitely). I saw this book on Goodreads and when I was at the library, I said "Why not?" I've been in the mood for contemporary and the title had summer involved, so it just seemed appropriate.

Although I had some sort of gist of what this was about beforehand it turned out to be completely different than what I thought. The main protagonist and narrator is Taylor, who's 17-years old. She's been going to the Poconos, and the Lake Phoenix area, every year since she was small considering her parents own a summer house there. From spending all summer at the pool, having slumber parties, or eating Skittles with her best friend Lucy, Taylor never thought anything was going to change. But the summer she's 12-years old, she meets Henry, whom she spends the days racing with, jumping in the lake and walking around the forest with. She makes a terrible mistake that summer, that she goes on to regret, never fully being able to forget the incidence from her mind- no matter how hard she tries. Ever since then Taylor never returned back to Lake Phoenix, but has spent every summer trying to stay busy and away from Lucy, Henry and the area she considered a second home. But when her family gets upsetting news about her father, they all decide to go back and try to spend the summer as it's always been before.

I can't really say anything further than that because I'll be giving things away, but I can say that if you haven't read this book, you need to! It broke my heart, made me cry, made me laugh, made me hug my family a little bit tighter, and made me realize that expressing what you feel is always important. I had tears spilling down my cheeks and chin at 2AM as I was finishing the book, and I haven't had a good tear like that since I read The Fault In Our Stars by John Green. The book has friendship, romance and deals with very realistic familial situations. I absolutely loved it- it had good vocabulary, was well-paced, connected you with every character, and won't let you forget about this family. I've heard that Morgan Matson has written other amazing books, so I guess you consider myself hooked. I will be trying to pick up anything else she's written and I'm definitely buying Second Chance Summer for my bookshelf. Let me know if you've read this or anything else by Morgan Matson! Were there also tears involved?
-Alex 

book review

It's Not Summer Without You Review

Friday, July 18, 2014


I've been reading a couple more books but I haven't been updating my reviews on here. Sorry about that! Sometimes it's easier to just write down my quick thoughts on Goodreads. Following up with my last post, I picked up the second book in the The Summer I Turned Pretty trilogy by Jenny Han- It's Not Summer Without You. Like I mentioned before, these books are really easy to read and you get caught up in the characters lives quickly. So picking up the second book was like catching up with everyone in Cousins Beach again. I missed Jenny Han's writing and some of the simple, but emotion-packed sentences.

Again, we have the same crew- Belly, Conrad, Jeremiah, and Steven- except things are definitely different from the first book. Everyone is growing up and moving on, yet their little tight-knit family remains as a strong buffer against tough times, always bringing them back together. Steven isn't in this book as much, but I guess you could see that coming from the first novel. So, this is basically centered around Belly, Conrad and Jeremiah. Although, we get both Belly and Jeremiah narrating, we never get Conrad, which I would really appreciate because that guy stresses me out.

And talking about stress, Belly just frustrated me all throughout the book until the very end. Again, I'm not sure if it's the age or transitioning through your teens (probably) but I just wanted her to listen up and pay attention to some of the things others were telling her. They're right, sometimes it's not all about you. Her fangirl "relationship" with Conrad is basically how I would sum that situation up- fangirl, because Belly hasn't changed from the first book in that aspect. Conrad is still her first, "true" love. I'm just sitting there reading and thinking "Team Jeremiah!" I mean, I hate doing the whole "teams" thing but I enjoy his character so much more. Even Belly who is the main narrator, I can't stand too much at times.

Either way I like this contemporary trilogy because it's full of carelessness, and what summer is all about- change, maturing, growing, learning new things about yourself and others. Oh, and maybe some fun? Well, definitely sand, water and sunshine. Once you pick up one of these books it's hard to put down, and believe me you can finish one in a couple hours. Jenny Han has a way of wrapping up nostalgia in these perfect little sentences and bringing you back to your childhood. I gave this a 4/5 on Goodreads and I'm curious to see what the third book brings!
-Alex

book review

The Summer I Turned Pretty Review

Monday, July 14, 2014

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I was in the mood for a quick, and short contemporary read so when I saw this book lying in my library pile I instantly picked it up. And it was exactly what I needed. This won't be a long review because I feel as thought everything I want to say isn't really necessary. The book is really short and fast-paced, so you could read it in a couple hours easily.

The Summer I Turned Pretty is about 16 year-old Belly, or Isabel, who has spent every summer since she was little at Cousins Beach with her mother, older brother and her "second family"- Susannah, Conrad and Jeremiah. Growing up with boys pulling pranks and teasing you isn't easy, but Belly has survived all these years. And this year, with her sixteenth birthday, everyone starts noticing the change that comes with the passing of time. Belly is growing into herself and the boys are all starting to go in different directions. But Cousins Beach has always been the thing bringing them all together, but with things rapidly unwinding it might prove harder to keep everything together.

I really enjoyed this book, I picked it up in the afternoon and finished it within a couple hours. So, you won't have a hard time reading this. Trust me. I gave the book a 4/5 on Goodreads because I  was frustrated with Belly more often than once. But I think that has to do a lot more with the age and everything that being in your late teens comes with; like being immature, easily confused or frustrated, lashing out, and being really egotistical. I'm not bashing her character because we all go through these things when we're young, so I connected with her in that sense, as I went through that and my 15 year-old sister is too currently.

Also, as you read some of what you discover later on in the book is predictable but I didn't mind that at all because I think Jenny Han meant to do that. Not everything is supposed to be inconspicuous and as I said when you're that age a lot of the things that occur around you, are believed to be tied to you somehow when not everything is about you. I want to continue reading the rest of the series and see how everything ends up. I really grew attached to all the characters and it reminded me of how summers are supposed to be spent- carefree, salt water on your skin and smooth dark skin perpetuated by being at the beach all day. Summer always feels so short-lived and that's why they bring the best memories sometimes.
-Alex

book review

A Million Suns Review

Sunday, July 13, 2014

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Well, another day passed means another book read. I finished reading A Million Suns yesterday and like I said in my Goodreads review I was left with mixed feelings. I thought it was a really sequel to Across the Universe but all the build-up and character building was still missing something for me. I really enjoyed all the social and psychological aspects that life on board the Godspeed brought, because as I was reading I could envision the same situations arising and causing a disturbance. But, I thought a lot of the plot line was focused in on that, that sometimes I forgot our two main protagonists were the main focus of the book as well. In regards to Amy and Elder, there relationship was expanded upon but for two people that are on the cover and are seen as being intimate or "close" they spend a lot of time away from each other.

It has been 3 months since the first book, but you still get a sense that they have seen and spent time with each other in learning more about leading the Godspeed but there's still an awkward tension around them. Even towards the end of the book, when their relationship changed a bit, I was left not fully convinced or satisfied. In addition to that, there were many things that were previously mentioned about the Godspeed and life on it that didn't add up for the ending. And the big secret that we discover in this second novel, kept getting pushed back further and further until I found myself just getting over all the minor issues in the storyline to finally see what the big deal is all about. And once I did get to that part, I was left in hmmmm'ing and still not fully convinced once again.

I'm not sure if I'm the only one with these small issues, or if I'm being too technical and judgmental. But hey, I'm juts being honest. I still enjoy this series a lot and I will be finishing the last book to see how everything ends off. I'm disappointed only because I thought I was going to enjoy it so much more and be on the edge of my seat as I read every page, but I wasn't all that much. All the science fiction involved was spot on and that is my favorite thing about this series- I completely get sucked in to the world that was built and can definitely imagine everything inside my head. I gave A Million Suns a 4/5 on Goodreads and I'll be anticipating what happens in the last book with Amy, Elder and the frozens.
-Alex

book survey

I Challenge Thee

Friday, July 11, 2014

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I decided to make a non-review post today because above is what I've been doing lately. And I'm not one bit ashamed because I've still been waking up, eating, showering...the essentials. I promise I've been normal and done the extra things outside of normal human functions but I've been super intent on getting to read as much as I can. I'm not sure if anyone else out there is a college student but it's so hard for me to leisurely read like this during any other time. Mostly because I don't have the convenience of going to various libraries like I do at home while I'm away from school, so having all these books at my grasp is like being on cloud nine for me. And there's nothing more than I cherish and appreciate than a library. Seriously. When people say they're bored or don't know what to do, I just look at them dumbfounded because there are worlds and story plots out there waiting for you to lose yourself in.

Alright, end rant. Back on subject. I just finished reading the first two books in the Under the Never Sky trilogy and although I usually do a review as soon as I finish a book, I think for this one I'm going to hold out till I finish the last one (Into the Still Blue is waiting on a library shelf for me). So, look out for that.

Also, I think I will be participating in the Booktube-A-Thon! I'm excited because I love challenges and I love reading- don't need to ask me more.

The Reading Challenges:
A book with pictures.
Start and finish a series.
A book with red on the cover.
A book someone else picks out for you.
A book from the genre you've read the least this year.
A book to movie adaptation
Read seven books.

I'm going to try really hard to keep up with the challenges and hopefully finish seven books! If you don't know or want more information, then you should click here to get redirected to the YouTube video that explains everything. Woo hoo, for Booktubers and the magic of YouTube! There are video challenges that go with it but I'm not sure if I will have time to film and upload. Hopefully by the end of this week I will have a rough idea of what books I'll be reading. Time for another library visit muhaha!

Let me know if you're planning on doing the Booktube-A-Thon and what you're planning on reading! And if we aren't friends on Goodreads yet, then add me here!
-Alex

book review

Across the Universe Review

Wednesday, July 09, 2014

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Maybe I wasn't quite ready to jump into Contemporary because with the novel I just finished, it was far from the last one I just read. But weirdly enough I'm really happy about this drastic change, because there is nothing more that I enjoy than aliens and science-fiction; and not just mildly, but some real knitty-gritty science that gets you asking questions and thinking about all the "what-ifs."

Right, so on to the story...I would describe this novel as a dystopian heavily intermingled with science-fiction. It's narrated and switches back and forth between two main protagonists- Amy and Elder. We learn that America teams up with a multinational alliance, the Financial Resource Exchange, for profit. Hopefully by sending a huge ship into another habitable planet, referred to as Centauri-Earth, a new population of people from Earth will be able to create new crops, send vaccines and ultimately inhabit a whole new life force. This is where 17-year old Amy comes in, along with her mother and father, they all decide to be cryogenically frozen aboard this ship (the Godspeed). Both her parents possess scholastic and military abilities that are to be essential on the new planet; her father a military leader and her mother an expert in gene splicing. Amy is what is referred to as "nonessential," she's not technically vital to the entire operation but was an exception to come on board because of her family. The last thing Amy remembers before going under the frozen concoction sprayed upon her is that all she has to wait is 301 years before they get to their destination and be reunited with her family.

Elder is the other protagonist we meet, who is the same age as Amy but in a completely different situation. Unlike Amy, he is completely important to the entire populace on board the Godspeed, as he's next in line to take "rule" and lead the entire ship. That is, as soon as the Eldest, the current leader and highest "title" you can possess on the ship, passes on all his knowledge and information to Elder to be able to rule. But things aren't shaping up as Elder thought and he finds himself wanting more answers to hurry his process along. With Amy being accidentally unplugged from her frozen tank, things take a turn that no one expected and both begin to question everything around them.

I gave the book a 4.5/5 on Goodreads because I loved the entire worldbuilding and setup of the Godspeed and how everything worked on board. It kind of reminded me of the show called The 100 on the CW, not sure if anyone has seen it. It's the same gist except those on the Godspeed are not returning to Earth. Which brings me to some spoilers, so if you have not read the book then do NOT keep reading, but do make sure to check out the actual book because I promise you will not be dissapointed!

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Now, speaking of not returning to Earth, that's something I began to question as I was finishing. I know Amy mentioned in once how she imagined to New York to be completely different than the city she left behind, but how different? Is Earth still the same as our modern-day one, the one Amy left behind? Or is it more technologically advanced? And how has no one contacted the ship? Or why?

Before I figured everything out about the Plague I thought that was the reason why the ship and everyone on board had no reason with Earth because the disease had been so bad that perhaps it caused miscommunications with the home planet. But after discovering the truth, that part still didn't quite add up. I understand the riots and people uprising but wouldn't that be more of a reason to get in contact with those who brought them there (the FDX?) and tell them about their dilemma? If I'm wrong and missed something, don't hesitate to tell me!

About the whole Amy and Elder thing- I was expecting so much more emotion and feels but it didn't live up to it. I mean glancing at the book cover I thought something good is going to happen between these two, but it didn't; at least now what I was hoping for. I understand Elder's entire infatuation with Amy and her hair and Sol-Earth, but even after she was unfrozen they didn't seem to spend that much time together. If anything I thought that Harley was going to one up Elder on that situation and because closer with Amy, which kind of happened but not on that romance level. Even the towards the end when everything began to unravel fast, I saw more of that spark and instant attraction between Amy and Elder but it was already towards the finale that I just couldn't see a concrete relationship between the two. But I was SO happy when Elder told Amy the truth because I highly dislike when books end like that- with lies. It just complicates everything further and it becomes predictable; it collapses everything that was built upon in the first book so that the second book is somewhat of a letdown and about re-establishing trust all over again. You know the usual second book trauma. Yet, those missing wires from the pump in Elder's pocket still haunt me. I know something's going to happen with those!

I'm just saying I want more believability between Amy and Elder's relationship. Oh, and the whole C (I don't want to write this out incase anyone manages to skim through here and gets spoiled) with Elder and Eldest. Holy moly, complete plot twist for me. I did not see that coming, honestly! But thinking about it now, I should have...I want to read the second book in the series because I've read that a lot more questions are answered...and I want them! But we'll see if any of the libraries around me have it available. Did anyone else have the same questions as me or really enjoy the book as well?! Let me know!

-Alex

book review

Lola and the Boy Next Door Review

Tuesday, July 08, 2014

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I managed to grab this little book right here at the library and I'm so happy I did! I got to continue Anna and the French Kiss with Lola and the Boy Next Door, both books which left me hopeful for true love (woah) and giddy with new future adventures. But I have to say that I didn't love this as much as I did Anna and the French Kiss. So, I stuck with a 4/5 on Goodreads. Why you may ask?! Well, mostly because the storyline kept pausing too much. I found myself not fully immersed in Cricket and Lola as much as I was with St. Claire and Anna; when I read their story I was 100% invested, and when I finished I went through a little bit of a book breakup. But as I was finishing Lola and the Boy Next Door I closed it with a resolute end, I loved the last line and Lola's "big entrance," but it didn't leave me wanting more. On to what the book is about though:

Lola and the Boy Next Door takes place in San Francisco, CA where Lola lives with her two dads, her mother a junkie/alcoholic has been in and out of her life since she was adopted from a very young age. Norah, as she refers to her wasn't able to take care of her and provide her the affection and time a mother should, so Norah's brother (Lola's uncle) took her in along with his husband. Lola is vivacious and full of energy, she wears these elaborate and glittery costumes with colorful wigs that make up her personality and character. The book begins with her and her family having Sunday brunch with her much older (22) boyfriend, Max, who is in a rock band and supposed to be off-limits, as Lola is only 18 years old. With the tattoos and the nonchalant attitude, Lola's parents aren't too thrilled about the whole arrangement thus they take a very involved and strict approach on her relationship with Max- requiring hourly phone check-ins and mandatory Sunday brunch to keep them in line. But when Lola's next door neighbors move back in after two years, Cricket and Calliope, her feelings are called into question and emotions resurface that she thought she had buried for the boy next door. And the rest is up to you to read!

Like I said, this story didn't exactly tug at my heart strings as fondly as Anna and the French Kiss did. Mostly because although there were very interesting and complex topics brought into light in this novel, a lot of Lola and Cricket's actions made me annoyed. I thought the plot kinda stopped and started a bit too much and stalled when I knew what was coming. Instead of keeping a momentum for me, the novel took it away at times when I needed it to keep going so I could fall more in love with the characters. And I noticed the spin that Stephanie Perkins did on this- she took what she had in the first book and did the opposite with Lola. If you've read this then maybe you can put this together...! I can't wait for the third companion, Isla and the Happily Ever After, to come out in August. If it's anything like the first two books, I know I will fall madly in love with it- hopefully just as much as the first, eek don't kill me! If you've read any of Stephanie Perkins books and fell for her characters, let me know and we can fangirl over them :)
-Alex

book review

The Archived Review

Monday, July 07, 2014

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I told you I was back and I'm back with a vengeance to read more than I have ever read before. Well, I mean as much as I can because I don't want to get a book hangover and become stalled. I have finished another amazing novel, The Archived by Victoria Schwab, and if you have been hesitant about picking this up or haven't yet, I highly recommend you do!

If you haven't noticed by now, I'm a huge fantasy/supernatural junkie. I love books that transport me to other worlds, ones that somehow overlap with the one we live in or ones that are completely new on their own. The Archived does the first- it reminds me of a Venn Diagram, where on one side you have our "normal" day-to-day kind of world and on the other you have the realm of the Archive. In the middle there are the commonalities between the two, death, and whatever may come with that. Schwab takes a really distinct concept on the afterlife and how it functions; basically there is a realm (^ The Archive) and in it the dead are "categorized" in a sort-of intricate, and vast library. Those who have passed are referred to as Histories and are seen more as a file representation of someone; I thought of it as a file cabinet that you open and see the tabs sticking out, with each one being a person and having a name. Every person that dies, to put it bluntly, passes on to this "filing system" where their entire life existence is kept (their memories) and a ghostly persona that looks as thought they exist within this other body, but in reality is nothing to what the person was like when they were flesh and bone.

This is where the main female protagonist comes in, Mackenzie Bishop, who we found out is a Keeper. She is among the rare and secretive guardians of the Archive who return the Histories if they are disturbed and "jump" out of their files. She holds the power and ability to return them back to that state of rest and keep them from causing trouble in that realm and the Outer world, meaning our ordinary life. Having been taught from a young age by her grandfather, Mackenzie is highly trained when it comes to Histories. Not only that but she's extremely passionate and dedicated to this life mission that has not only been entrusted to her, but chosen by her, going to whatever costs to keep her secret from her family and friends but also protecting her world and the Archive from Histories gone astray.

Now, I had no idea what I was really getting myself into (once again) when I started this book. I actually had a bit of a difficult time in the beginning because there is a shift between the present and the past, the past still being narrated by Mackenzie but tied in dialogue with her grandfather. Also, there is a lot that Schwab wants you to understand before you really get into the book- or at least that's what I picked up on. You really get a vast amount of details on the other magical world that exists full of eerie ghostly creatures looking for comfort and peace. There is a delicate system that Schwab creates in the Archive and you really need to get a sense of what that is and how it connects with Mackenzie to get a good feel for everything. So, although it was a bit tedious for me in the beginning I'm glad I got through it!

It's interesting that in the Acknowledgments Schwab mentions Neil Gaiman and thanking him because I completely saw some sort of resemblance between The Archived and The Ocean at the End of the Lane, or I guess more so in their writing styles and the supernatural worlds they create. As I finished reading the novel I kept asking myself questions about life, death and that childhood innocence that we all somehow lose or try to grasp on to as we grow up. I also appreciated that Mackenzie's character was not only physically strong and could hold her own, but that she had a sense of sadness and grief to her; something that is so real and concurring in many people's lives. It made me think that sadness is not really something to work through, but sometimes something that you carry with and gradually release over time, until the weight is not as strong and the pull not as tight.

Hopefully I can start the second novel soon, but I might have to hold off on it for a bit because I'm in the mood for a lighter read, perhaps contemporary? I really hope there's more of Wes and Mackenzie in the second novel though, for those of you have read it ;) Happy reading!
-Alex

book review

Throne of Glass Review

Sunday, July 06, 2014

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Feels like it's been a while since I last wrote on here, but I have been reading, it's just I've been starting and stopping certain books. So, I can't discuss them if I don't finish them! I've been busy packing my things since I'm in the middle of a move, but I'm on a mini-break once again and finally finished one amazing book- Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas.

I actually learned about this novel through Goodreads and a Booktuber and when I saw it at the library I picked it up. Which thinking back now, I should have picked up the second novel while I was at it. I started this book yesterday and stayed up till 2AM reading, until just now when I put it down...and I loved it! It had everything I was looking for to get right back into reading, which was lots of fantasy, adventure, action, and a whole lot of witty remarks from the lead female character.

Now, if you don't know but want to know what Throne of Glass is about then keep on reading. The main character, Celaena Sardothien, is a skillful and dangerous assassin, referred to as "Adarlan's Assassin;" many know of her but what they don't know is that she's only an 18-year old girl trained from a very young age to kill. The story begins with her in a sort of slave camp in a region called, Endovier, where she's worked in the salt mines for a year now, broken down day by day through whippings and grueling work. One day instead of being whisked away to the mines she's taken by the Captain of the Guard, Chaol, to see the Crown Prince where he gives her a proposition- participate in a competition to be his father's (King Adarlan) champion where she will earn her freedom after four years of servitude or continue being enslaved in Endovier. The only catch being that she will have to compete with 22 other assassins and trained soldiers, undergoing "tests" until the final two are left to fight for the coveted prize of "champion." Jumping at the chance to secure her freedom, Celaena takes Prince Dorian's offer and travels to the castle, one made entirely of glass, where her trial will soon begin.

The world that Maas creates is full of details and life, so readers truly get a sense of what life at the castle is like and how it's laid out. You learn early on that magic has been completely exiled by King Adarlan and that he has personally defeated all other royalty and governing territories around him to claim whatever area he can as belonging to him and his family only. Magic and sorcery existed when the world of Erilea first came to be, dominated by fairies called Fae, but since King Adarlan came to rule all magical creatures and sources of power have fled into the woods or disappeared. With the king's reigning over most of Erilea, books, museums, priestesses, and basically anyone or anything relating to magic has been killed, destroyed or imprisoned in slave camps to wipe out any possible source or outlet to this mysticism.

Celaena soon learns that the competition she agrees to isn't going to be as easy as she initially thought, especially since other competitors mysteriously begin showing up dead in horrible ways throughout the castle days before a test is given out. As you continue reading you learn more about Celaena's upbringing into her "career" as an assassin, her treatment in the slave camp and potential magic lurking in the castle walls. I loved that I really became so immersed in Erilea and Celaena's character; Maas gives readers extensive story lines and background information (but not too much!) to go with the story and really grasp what this world is all about. I got a little lost sometimes in the beginning history with the Fae and the first queen and king of Erilea but after a while you get the gist of it all.

I won't be writing any spoilers or going too much into detail as I really thought it was a great read. The plot was simple and to the point, but you really fell for the characters, especially Celaena. I would describe this as a hyrbid of Hunger Games and Game of Thrones, sounds weird, but I saw the connections in my head as I was reading. I'm planning on going to the library tomorrow to get my hands on the second book (don't worry I won't finish this series quickly, as it's part of a 6 book series). If you're in the mood for some great fantasy I would recommend this! 

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*I also came across Sarah J. Maas' website that her publisher will be holding a Throne of Glass readalong this summer from July 14-August 11. So if you're thinking about getting into this series, then now's the time! I've already started the first book so I'm on to Crown of Midnight next. If you've read any of the books or want to begin, let me know! I gave Throne of Glass a 4.5/5 on Goodreads.

-Alex

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