I'm going to need some time to emotionally recover from this
Thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARC to review
Our Violent Ends is a beautiful I'm going to need some time to emotionally recover from this
Thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARC to review
Our Violent Ends is a beautiful conclusion to an emotionally devastating series. This book will stick with you long after you put it down. It is an atmospheric journey, with characters that will embed themselves into your heart, and relationships that will have you crying at 2 am (... totally not speaking from experience here).
The plot in this book is gripping and will have you on the edge of your seat. We all know Romeo and Juliet, but Our Violent Ends surpasses even Shakespeare. I had to put the book down several times just to breathe and prepare myself to keep reading. I also had to put the book down a few times in order to let the beautiful writing style sink in. There are some passages in this book that I would reread again and again because of how beautifully they were written, and how well they were crafted.
In the end, Our Violent Ends is the perfect sequel and has cemented this series as one of my all-time favorites.
Quick Stats: Overall: 5/5 Stars Characters: 5/5 Setting: 5/5 Writing: 5/5 Plot and Themes: 5/5 Awesomeness Factor: 5/5 Review in a Nutshell: I had some pretty high expectations for this book, but I never expected it to fly above all of them.
Release Date: 11/17/2020 Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books Page Count: 464 Premise:
These Violent Delights is a refreshing take on Romeo and Juliet, taking place in Shanghai, in 1926. It follows Roma Montagov and Juliette Cai, the heirs to two rival gangs, locked in a blood feud. But when their city is overrun by madness, they must work together to stop it.
- Writing & Setting -
The first thing that amazed me about this book was the writing style (this was only the first of many things). The writing in this book is beautiful, and includes so much depth in every line, without feeling extremely dense and too-flowery. It sets the tone for the book, creating a dark atmosphere with a bite.
Speaking of the atmosphere- the setting is absolutely astounding. I can’t imagine the amount of research that went into creating such a vibrant and grounded world. While there are some fantasy aspects, they are so well developed that it only made the world feel more real.
- Plot -
I will admit, it took me a minute to get fully into the book (maybe 50 pages or so), but once I was invested, I was obsessed. You would think an almost-500 page book might take some time to read, but I couldn’t put it down. There was always something interesting happening, and those last 100 pages??? Yeah, there was no chance I was stepping away from that.
One thing I really enjoyed about the plot of this book was all of the unique twists on the classic Romeo & Juliet plot. I loved how all of the original characters were adapted, and I especially loved how These Violent Delights differed from the original while still having great references to it.
- Characters - Hello, yes, I would like to form a Marshall Seo fan club.
Okay, but can we talk about some of these characters for a moment? Forget Roma and Juliette (we’ll get to them later)- but Marshall, Benedict, Kathleen, and Rosalind??? 1) I loved seeing all of the representations in this book 2) They’re just so well-developed and I love them all. Even when I may not like a character, their beliefs and motivations are incredibly realistic and interesting, so I love them anyway. … but also I do really like most of them.
Now, let's talk about Roma and Juliette. Roma is our Romeo, he seems cold and cunning but secretly cares so deeply about those he loves. Then there’s Juliette. She’s ruthless and violent and dedicated to her people. They are great protagonists, and I adore them so much.
But also let's talk about them as a couple, because this is a Romeo and Juliet retelling so that’s kinda important. One worry I get with Romeo and Juliet retellings is that it’ll rely on insta-love. But this book most certainly does not. Not only is the main relationship enemies-to-lovers, but childhood sweethearts-to-enemies-to-lovers, so we get a whole extra level of angst. If that isn’t enough to make you want to read it, I don’t know what is. I absolutely love them together and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book!
- Conclusion -
Pros- Amazing characters, beautiful writing, fascinating world, seriously everything about this book is amazing Cons- Can take a second to get into Overall- 5/5 stars. These Violent Delights is a book you cannot miss. This novel is astounding in every way and I can't recommend it enough.
Quick Stats: Overall: 4.5/5 Stars Characters: 4/5 Setting: 5/5 Writing: 4.5/5 Plot and Themes: 5/5 Awesomeness Factor: 5/5 Review in a Nutshell: The Raven and the Dove is full of loyalty, love, and betrayal. With a complex and fascinating world, this book will transport you into a classic tale of forbidden love and lies that just might tear your heart out. You’ve been warned.
The Raven and the Dove is a retelling of Tristan and Isolde, which is an amazing folk tale and honestly deserves way more retellings than it has. Thank God for Kaitlyn Davis, giving this story the recognition it deserves. This book takes place in a fantasy world, where there are those who live on floating islands above the mist covering their planet and those who live below. Princess Lyana Aethionus lives above, the Dove princess of the House of Peace. On the dawn of her courtship trials, she saves a Raven, who she believes to be the prince of the House of Whispers. Rafe is the bastard son of the dead Raven king. When his brother, Prince Xander, asks him to take his place in the courtship trials and bring back a mate for him deserving of their kingdom, he agrees. However, after an incident with a dragon, he is saved by a dove who has the same illegal magic as him. When the courtship trials begin, he must fight to prioritize his kingdom and his family over his heart. Meanwhile, below, a king is desperate to save his people, no matter what the cost.
“Everyone has secrets.”
- Plot -
I didn’t know how to properly summarize this book, because there is quite a bit going on here, and every bit of it is important. This book reads like a proper epic, with interwoven plots and various character’s motivations competing, but ultimately leading to an astounding climax. Be prepared- this ending might kill you. Or, at least, have you dying to get your hands on the sequel. I’ll admit, while I liked the beginning, it was slower and was heavily focused on character dynamics and relationships that didn’t quite captivate me as much as I would like. But boy does that change. The second the courtship trials ended, the plot was in motion and I was swept away. There's action, betrayal, forbidden romance, and fascinating revelations. I couldn’t put it down!
“This will not defeat you. It will not define you.” Cool that quote made cry so thanks for that
- Writing & Setting -
Can I talk about this world for a second? Because I’m in love. Seriously. Kaitlyn Davis has crafted a unique world that feels both complex yet understandable. There is a lot put into this world- from the seven different houses, all paired with a bird and their own different attributes, to the interesting magic system that I really want to learn more about- but the information never feels overwhelming. That said, it can feel a bit exposition-heavy in the beginning, but it's crucial to understanding the plot moving forward. The writing itself is great- it’s easy to jump into while also balancing the lightness of the romance aspects and the darkness of the more brutal fantasy aspects.
“Leave your worries to your waking hours, Kasiandra. They will always be there, waiting. Dreams, especially your dreams, are made for so much more.”
- Characters -
So, these characters took me a minute to warm up to but I’m glad to say that I would die for them. Two of them especially. Lyana is our main female protagonist, and she probably took me the longest to come around to. At the beginning of the book, I wasn’t really a fan. She’s a little naive at times, immature and kinda spoiled, but ultimately she’s strong, dedicated, and caring, which are all character traits I can get behind. She was written well, but in the beginning, her personality just wasn’t my favorite. However, she grew a lot in this book, and she ended up becoming a character I did enjoy, and I really look forward to where she goes in the next book. Rafe is our male protagonist, and he also took a second to warm up to, but not quite as long as Lyana. He was a pretty run of the mill love interest, but what I found really admirable was his loyalty to his brother and his people. It’s what made his character stand out to me, and something I think will make him stand out in line up with other male protagonists. By the end of the book, these two characters really cemented themselves as strong protagonists. As for their relationship- it’s definitely a little insta-lovey, but given what it’s a retelling of, it makes a lot of sense. And, while they start to fall for each other a little fast, there is some explanation as to why that makes is slightly more believable. And then there's Xander and Cassi. Oh my god, I loved them so much. Xander is Rafe's brother and he is too good for this world. I get why Rafe would do anything for him- I would too. I could go on for hours about how much I love him. He’s a bookworm, who wants to help his people and those he loves, and he is just Too Precious. Meanwhile, I wouldn’t call Cassi precious, but boy is her story great. She’s torn between worlds and lives and caught up in a love that definitely isn’t good for her. Her growth throughout this book is iconic, and while she doesn’t always make the best decisions, they’re so thoroughly grounded in her character that I can completely see why she makes them. I really can’t wait to see what happens with her in book two!!
- Conclusion -
Pros- Cassi and Xander are amazing, absolutely stunning world Cons- It may take a minute to warm up to our two main protagonists (but don’t worry, you will!) Overall- 4.5/5 stars. The Raven and the Dove has me hooked. This book is a fantastic first installment in a series I can’t wait to read more of!
This is a part of the The Winter Duke blog tour! Thank you so much to the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All quotes This is a part of the The Winter Duke blog tour! Thank you so much to the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All quotes mentioned here are taken from the ARC and are subject to change.
Quick Stats: Overall: 4.5/5 Stars Characters: 5/5 Setting: 5/5 Writing: 5/5 Plot and Themes: 4/5 Awesomeness Factor: 4/5 Review in a Nutshell: The Winter Duke surprised me in so many ways. This book is heavy with court intrigue and betrayal, and will leave you feeling chilled yet thrilled.
“His eyes shone with something worse than hate: the fury of a powerful man hearing no.”
- Writing & Setting - Claire Eliza Bartlett’s writing style is the perfect mix of clear, creative, and clever. Her descriptions are immersive and enthralling, but never falling into the trap of being too poetic, giving a good sense of whats going on while adding to the atmosphere. This book was also way funnier than I expected. Don’t get me wrong- this isn’t a comedy- but I didn’t think the main character would be so entertaining while dealing with, basically, the worst week of her life. And the humor never feels out of place despite the darker atmosphere and tone of the book.
Speaking of atmosphere- I loved this setting. Bartlett crafted a very unique world and magic system that I haven’t seen anything like before. Kylma Above is such an interesting country, freezing and unwelcoming, with a ruthless line of succession and absolutely disgusting food. Kylma Below is even more interesting; a mysterious underwater world that allows no visitors besides the Duke Above, and trades in unstable magic pearls.
“Let them talk. Let them think me a despot. Grand dukes made grand tyrants.”
- Plot -
This book is definitely slower paced, focusing on politics, mystery, and characters. That said, there really is no dull moment. The cabinet meetings are tense, each conversation is high stakes, and when there is action, is it intense. Ekata is thoroughly challenged in this book, in all ways, and the entire time you are on the edge of your seat, dying to find out how she’s going to get out of this whole situation alive (and preferably with the country in one piece as well).
There’s also a side romance plot, but it’s definitely very much a side plot, and very slow-burn. But did I mention it’s f/f?!?! This book has a lot of casual LGBTQ+ representation, where it’s treated as completely normal (ie: the main f/f romance plot, Ekata’s brother seeming to be queer, unisex titles for royalty, and a non-binary character), and there are never any questions or comments about it. It just is, which is absolutely amazing.
“My siblings tried to murder one another. But not this night. Tonight we had a strict no-murder policy.”
- Characters -
Like I mentioned before, this book is very character-focused. Ekata has a lot to deal with in this book and watching her develop as she is forced to handle seemingly insurmountable problems was probably my favorite part. She deals with quite a few moral dilemmas as she is forced to decide who she wants to be as a leader, and what she is willing to do to survive. But everything isn’t miserable all the time for Ekata (just most of the time): she brings a lot of the humor in the book with her comments and quips, and her relationship with her wife is absolutely adorable.
Her wife, Inkar, is just adorable to begin with. She’s a warrior from a southern kingdom, a natural-born leader (unlike Ekata who is the definition of "awkward, but trying"), and not the biggest fan of the frigid Kylma Above. Outside of Ekata and Inkar, there is a very full cast of characters, all of whom whose loyalties are always in question, no matter how much you like (or dislike) them.
“Sometimes you must be brutal and unforgiving, even to people you once considered friends.”
- Conclusion -
Pros- Amazing setting, great characters, casual queer rep Cons- A little slow (it may take a minute to get fully invested, but I swear it’s worth it!) Overall- 4.5/5 stars. The Winter Duke is a breathtaking novel, full of intrigue and mystery, that will keep you up at night, desperate to see how it all turns out (trust me, I know).
