Sometimes the right story finds you when you need it most. This was one of those times. As someone who is currently struggling with the idea of losingSometimes the right story finds you when you need it most. This was one of those times. As someone who is currently struggling with the idea of losing her father soon due to cancer, I related to how January felt about both of her parents. It’s hard loving someone with a metaphorical gun always being pointed to their head. Watching them deteriorate and trying to stay positive and spend as much time with them as you can just in case. Needless to say, I cried a lot. I hope it won’t happen, but I have a feeling that soon, I too will be 29 and looking for pieces of my own dad after he’s gone. I don’t want to say goodbye either, but I’ll live my happy for now to my fullest with him while I still can.
The rest of the story was great too, that part specifically just hit me really hard. ...more
**spoiler alert** It’s nice to see such a smart protagonist in a horror story for once. This is such a unique yet terrifying story that reflects so gr**spoiler alert** It’s nice to see such a smart protagonist in a horror story for once. This is such a unique yet terrifying story that reflects so greatly upon life and humanity. Such a creative story, well written, and masterfully concepted characters. Binged this whole story in a day. It makes you feel lots of emotions and sticks with you well past the last written word.
*****SPOILER****
The one thing I would’ve changed is that I wished Alice would’ve made the choice to end the cycle like Rob had. To end the road where she chooses to once the entity had revealed itself. To end this insanity and this endless loop of pain and suffering (because inevitably, her future self is making the choice to cause more people to play this game and lose their lives since she knows she is the only one who has ever made it this far and will continue to do so). I wish THIS Alice would’ve seen the entity’s loss of humanity in its selfish ascension into an ethereal being and broken the cycle for the sake of her companions and friends that had died along the way. Outside of that, this story was a great one. I enjoyed it a lot....more
This one had me invested. Lmaoooo. Funny how the first time I felt like the killer was obvious and got it right is also the first time a twist had comThis one had me invested. Lmaoooo. Funny how the first time I felt like the killer was obvious and got it right is also the first time a twist had come out of the blue and hit me so hard. It was cool seeing how everything came together in the end. I wish we could’ve seen a reunion between our two fan fav’s but I understand why the author ended it where she did. Very enjoyable.
Update: I listened to this book again with my partner on a road trip and just wanted to add. I giggled at how much focus she put on Pippa’s headphones, lmaoooo never caught it the first time around. ...more
I did not have high expectations for this, but it was such a cute, fast and fun read! It gave me an overall happy feeling and I loved seeing the relatI did not have high expectations for this, but it was such a cute, fast and fun read! It gave me an overall happy feeling and I loved seeing the relationship unfold. Super cute. ...more
Thank you "Netgalley" and the publishing house "Orbit" for this Arc in exchange for a fair review!
"Two Twisted Crowns" is the sequel to "The Shepherd Thank you "Netgalley" and the publishing house "Orbit" for this Arc in exchange for a fair review!
"Two Twisted Crowns" is the sequel to "The Shepherd King" duology. It takes place after the climactic end of the first book ("One Dark Window") and goes back and forth between multiple P.O.V. but focuses primarily on "The Nightmare" and "Prince Renelm's" journey. I loved the first book. The magic/world-building of this series is so unique and interesting. Having the mist, the infection, and a magical deck of cards that came at a price per use was what hooked me to read this series in the first place. But the interesting characters, complex riddles, and poetic prose were what had led me to continue reading the series and I'm so glad I did because this book has made this series one of my all-time favorites. The characters, the romantic plot lines from both stories, and the message of hope and perseverance even in the face of absolute peril struck me straight through the heart. I didn't think the first book could be beat, but this one absolutely obliterated the first one, which I think is a huge feat.
I won't spoil the ending but in the second half of the book I absorbed it all in one night and there were multiple times I was either on the verge of tears or crying. I loved how everything came full circle by the end and how the arcs of specific characters finished out. Especially "The Nightmare", he is officially one of my favorite characters ever. Learning about his past and what forced him to become the monster that he is had me feeling so many emotions. I loved how his story came to its conclusion, as well as everyone else's. I'm going to miss this world and its characters, but I can't wait to read what Rachel Gillig writes next! What an amazing debut!
P.S. Never forget. Be wary, be clever, be good. <3
Do I hate the miscommunication trope? Yes. Did Emily Henry somehow write a book where the characters main issues revolved around miscommunications? AlDo I hate the miscommunication trope? Yes. Did Emily Henry somehow write a book where the characters main issues revolved around miscommunications? Also, yes. Is Emily Henry so talented that she executed this trope in such a way that I ate this book up in an entire day? Yeah, she’s a really good author. Great job lol. ❤️...more
This story is a love letter to any S.A. survivor out there. I'll admit the beginning was rather slow, but by the end, I was in tears. I felt heard andThis story is a love letter to any S.A. survivor out there. I'll admit the beginning was rather slow, but by the end, I was in tears. I felt heard and seen. This must've been a hard story for Ava to write, but I'm glad she did. I felt myself relating to Angharad and Effy a lot. The constant fear of the meaning behind a simple touch and not being able to trust yourself. The victim blaming from others and yourself. Being disowned by your parents and sisters because they chose your abuser, their social status, and his money over you and your safety. Thinking it couldn't have been an assault since you were an adult, 18-year-old when it happened. Yet blaming you for making childish decisions when you were just a girl. It does feel a lot like drowning.
It's been almost ten years since my initial S.A. by who I viewed to be a parental figure and seven since I was made homeless because of it. I've gone through a lot of healing (therapy) and have made a good life for myself since. I rebuilt the architecture of my home/world and found my family through that of my friends, much like the main character did by the end. The number one feeling most survivors ache from is the feeling of having to remain silent and alone.
To be loved is to be seen. To be known. Don't be afraid to tell your truth to others <3. If the perpetrator never did anything wrong, then they wouldn't be afraid of you talking about what they did. And if you chose not to voice what happened to you, because it is too much to bear, then know that it is not your fault if they continue to do things to others. That blame will always be put upon the person that did what they did, not you.
Some of the quotes I enjoyed...
"I was a woman when it was convenient to blame me, and a girl when they wanted to use me."
“I wish I had fought.” Effy surprised herself by saying it. The words had leaped out of her throat, unbidden. “I know I beat him in the end, but for so many years, all I could do was run and hide. I just sat there and let the water pour in around me. I didn’t know that I could fight back. I didn’t know how to do anything but wait to drown.”
“Oh no, Effy. That’s not what I meant at all. You don’t have to take up a sword. Survival is bravery, too.”
Thanks again Ava, for showing us more lighthouses in this world. The harbor is safe, and I feel seen <3
I love Thorne and Cress. Kai too lmao. My heart hurt for other characters too. This one was longer, but I enjoyed the connections it made to its fairyI love Thorne and Cress. Kai too lmao. My heart hurt for other characters too. This one was longer, but I enjoyed the connections it made to its fairytale. The twists hit hard on this one too. I didn’t see some of them coming. Loved this entry....more
4.5 Stars. The magic in this book is sooooo cool! Characters were fun but I really loved the Nightmare. Elspeth and Raven were really cool too. The go4.5 Stars. The magic in this book is sooooo cool! Characters were fun but I really loved the Nightmare. Elspeth and Raven were really cool too. The gothic feel of the book was interesting as well! Excited to read the sequel. ...more
This one personally wounded me, but I enjoyed the ride the whole way through and the end has stuck with me for a few hours now even after finishing thThis one personally wounded me, but I enjoyed the ride the whole way through and the end has stuck with me for a few hours now even after finishing the last word. What a fantastic duology....more
The first time I’ve read a love triangle where I’m genuinely rooting for both guys and honestly have no clue who the endga**spoiler alert** *SPOILERS*
The first time I’ve read a love triangle where I’m genuinely rooting for both guys and honestly have no clue who the endgame is going to be lmao.
Cyrus has won my heart though. Love Kamran still, but my allegiance is leaning towards Cyrus XD. Honestly have no idea where the story is going to go next.
I really enjoyed this story more than book one. Every time a chapter ended I didn’t want to go back to the other story line, I wanted to continue lmaoooo. I enjoyed the side characters a lot more in Kamran’s side of the story too.
Also Cyrus breaks my heart. I want him to be happy in the end with Alizeah and I want Kamran to find a peaceful way to regain his throne with Hazan. Gah lol. Annnddd now I must wait for book 3 lol....more
Call me a masochist though because I loved every second of this book lmaooo. Big sigh that the sequel isn’t coming out until 2024. I’m a little Ouch.
Call me a masochist though because I loved every second of this book lmaooo. Big sigh that the sequel isn’t coming out until 2024. I’m a little saddened by the ending. Kind of saw it coming, but parts of it was still a surprise. Excited to see how the story continues....more
I can honestly say that this is one of my favorite (if not my favorite) book series now. And this book, is the best book of the series. I couldn’t putI can honestly say that this is one of my favorite (if not my favorite) book series now. And this book, is the best book of the series. I couldn’t put it down. So many amazing twist and it made me fall in love with the characters harder than ever before (which is saying something because I had already loved them after the last book).
This story has everything I ever wanted in a book. A good (non-abusive and healthy) love interest. Amazing platonic relationships. Adventure, a quest, love and war. But most of all, a found family. Found family is my favorite trope, so having that be it’s main focus really just, gahh I loved this series to death.
P.s. have a box of tissues ready. Ending made me cry like a baby. Hell, lmao, the acknowledgments made me cry too....more
4.5 stars. This book was wayyy better than the first. Better pacing, more investment into the characters and the mainPRINCE CALDON IS MY BOIIIIII!!!!
4.5 stars. This book was wayyy better than the first. Better pacing, more investment into the characters and the main characters’ dilemma was really interesting.
Reason for deduction of .5 star? By the third act there was so many twist. Some great! Some started to feel like too much, possibly even a bit Deus Ex Machina at times. That wasn’t my biggest issue though. My biggest issue was with Kiva. After a string of so many events and warnings she does things that feel gullible, albeit stupid even at times. I get that some things need to happen in order for the plot to continue the way it does. But it comes at the price of compromising the character a bit. In the first book Kiva is smart, reluctant to trust, and a survivor. In this one, it’s like the author somehow forgot about that. Still love the character, but expect to be frustrated with her at times in this one.
That being said, the final act makes up for it entirely. This book also ends on a cliffhanger that will make you absolutely feral for the third book, so be prepared for that. Also have I mentioned how much I love Caldon?
Jaren and Tipp also deserve the best boiizzz award as always too. They must be protected at all cost. ❤️❤️❤️...more
