Tag: Non-Spoiler

Fantasy, New Adult/Adult

House of Sky and Breath by Sarah J. Maas

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Pages: 805

Series: Crescent City #2

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Release Date: February 15, 2022

Genre(s): Fantasy

Format: Hardcover

*NOTE: If you have not read the first book in the Crescent City series (House of Earth and Blood), please stop reading here, as SPOILERS for that book lay ahead! A non-spoiler review of House of Earth and Blood can be found here*

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Goodreads Synopsis

“Bryce Quinlan and Hunt Athalar are trying to get back to normal―they may have saved Crescent City, but with so much upheaval in their lives lately, they mostly want a chance to relax. Slow down. Figure out what the future holds.

The Asteri have kept their word so far, leaving Bryce and Hunt alone. But with the rebels chipping away at the Asteri’s power, the threat the rulers pose is growing. As Bryce, Hunt, and their friends get pulled into the rebels’ plans, the choice becomes clear: stay silent while others are oppressed, or fight for what’s right. And they’ve never been very good at staying silent.

In this sexy, action-packed sequel to the #1 bestseller House of Earth and Blood, Sarah J. Maas weaves a captivating story of a world about to explode―and the people who will do anything to save it.”

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What Did I Think?

Let’s back this train up to the end of House of Earth and Blood for just a second just to recap. So basically, Bryce and Hunt have been searching everywhere for this magical horn that can open Lunation’s Gates to Hel, but come to find out, Danika had the horn ground down, mix it into ink, and had the dang thing tatooed into Bryce’s back – like WHAT? It was also revealed during Micah’s fit of rage and insane rant at the antiquities shop that he was the one that killed Danika and the Pack of Devils by exposing Danika to Synth, which made her totally lose her mind. Thoughout the book, Bryce has been seeking revenge for Danika’s killer and she finally gets it when she shoots Micah with a magical golden bullet. Around this same time, Hunt takes it upon himself to kill Sandriel after Hypaxia removes his slave marking that was keeping him from being able to unleash his full powers. After the Horn is activated by Micah using Synth, demons start come up through the Gates and try to kill the citizens of Lunation. Bryce brings out her kickbutt fighting skills and Hunt, Fury, Ruhn, and lots of others join the fray after they arrive back from the Summit. Bryce reveals that she has true Starborn powers (more than her brother’s) and uses them to close the Gate by taking the Drop on her own with the last bit of Danika’s essence as her Anchor. She does this just in time to save Hunt, who plummed (almost) to his death in order to save her from being killed by the Asteri. Bryce basically saves the whole city and the Asteri give her a gift for saving the city with a catch: Hunt is no longer a slave – he’s a free man – as long as he and Bryce lay low.

With that out of the way, let’s get into my thoughts on the overall direction House of Sky and Breath went in. I’ll be honest and say it took me a little while to understand what was going on plotwise, as we meet quite a few new characters early on and it was difficult to see how they all fit in. But, when I did, I found that I really enjoyed the direction the book was going, especially the parts that seemed to tie into some of the more integral parts of the first book, like Danika’s past/her roles outside of her relationship with Bryce. I’ve always viewed SJM books as character driven rather than plot driven, and I think that mold still applies to HOSAB. While I really enjoyed the plotline of this book, I found it to move pretty slowly at times – like to the point where I felt like the book could have been quite a bit shorter. BUT, I think some of those slower moments could be built off of in future books, so I’m excited about the potential for that to happen!

It’s no secret that I’ve been a huge shipper of Bryce and Hunt since the first book. I loved seeing them get to know each other better in HOSAB and enjoyed the fact that just like real life couples, Bryce and Hunt have very normal things they have to work through in addition to those associated with being high-profile individuals. My one complaint is that it seemed as though one person in this pairing was running the show in the relationship without taking into account the other person’s feelings. That just bugged me because Bryce and Hunt are supposed to be a team (and I loved that about them!), but it truly felt like that aspect of their relationship started to crumble. I’m hopeful that this will change in the future, but I think it’s going to take a lot of effort for them to rebuild that part of their relationship to the point where I’m convinced it’s genuine. Overall, thought, I am totally still rooting for them, even thought I got a little agitated with them in HOSAB.

For me, the supporting characters really stole the show by, like, a landslide! They were all so well developed and I loved that they each got their own moments in the spotlight. I’m still madly in love with Ruhn and Tharion, and Ithan and Baxian are well on their way to winning me over as well. My SJM book boyfriend list continues to grow and I’m 1000 percent okay with it 🤣 I also have to give a special shout out to the supporting gals – Hypaxia, Celestina, the Viper Queen, and Agent Daybright, in particular, give me LIFE!!! I’m really looking forward to seeing what’s coming next for all of these beautiful, fabulous, strong, and saucy men and women!

House of Sky and Breath was a great continuation of the Crescent City series. It was full of plot twists (some more obvious and some absolutely 🤯🤯🤯), superb character development, hysterical banter, and most of all, a whole lotta love. ❤️ I’m already counting down the days until we hear news about the next book, especially after that absolutely INSANE ending! Why does SJM always leave us hangin’ like that, y’all??? I secretly love it, though! 🤣❤️

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Will You Love It?

Fantasy, New Adult/Adult

Kingdom of the Cursed by Kerri Maniscalco

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Amazon.com: Kingdom of the Cursed (Kingdom of the Wicked Book 2) eBook : Maniscalco, Kerri: Kindle Store

Pages: 448

Series: Kingdom of the Wicked #2

Publisher: JIMMY Patterson

Release Date: October 5, 2021

Genre(s): Fantasy Romance

Format: Hardcover

*SPOILERS AHEAD! If you have not read the first book in this series, Kingdom of the Wicked, please stop reading immediately! Lots of spoilers for book #1 follow this warning, but no spoilers for Kingdom of the Cursed will be included in this review.*

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Goodreads Synopsis

“After selling her soul to become Queen of the Wicked, Emilia travels to the Seven Circles with the enigmatic Prince of Wrath, where she’s introduced to a seductive world of vice.

She vows to do whatever it takes to avenge her beloved sister, Vittoria… even if that means accepting the hand of the Prince of Pride, the king of demons.

The first rule in the court of the Wicked? Trust no one. With back-stabbing princes, luxurious palaces, mysterious party invitations, and conflicting clues about who really killed her twin, Emilia finds herself more alone than ever before. Can she even trust Wrath, her one-time ally in the mortal world… or is he keeping dangerous secrets about his true nature?

Emilia will be tested in every way as she seeks a series of magical objects that will unlock the clues of her past and the answers she craves…

One sister.
Two sinful princes.
Infinite deception with a side of revenge… Welcome to Hell.“

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What Did I Think?

Holy cannoli, y’all! This book was SO GOOD, and my love for it really caught me off guard after I had such a neutral feeling about Kingdom of the Wicked. Also, I have never in my life experience a book that ended on a double cliffhanger, and even though I hate it now, I can’t wait to start the next book as soon as it comes out next year.

Let’s kick this thing off with a little recap of what happened during Kingdom of the Wicked. Emilia summons one of the Seven Deadly Sins “named” Wrath, and together, they work together (and bicker a lot in between) to discover the true culprit of Emilia’s sister, Vittoria’s murder. Even though Wrath and Emilia both have a lot of distrust and hate for one another due to their respective pasts/upbringings, the more time they spend together, the more they realize the other may just not be exactly as they prevously believed. The reader definitely gets smacked upside the head with the enemies-to-lovers vibe early on, and the SUPER slow burn romance continues to progress as the book goes on. Romance is anything but on Emilia’s mind when she realizes that the spell she cast to bind Wrath is actually one of betrothal, and while somewhat problematic at first, it does come in handy when disaster continues to strike on earth as demond escape through the gates of Hell to prowl the mortal world. At the end, Wrath and Emilia are on very unsteady ground when it comes to how they feel about one another. Emilia also learns that Antonio, one of the brothers of the monestary, is responsible for Vittoria’s death. Consumed with uncontrollable wrath and a thirst for vengence, Emilia signs a contract in her blood – literally signs her soul over to Pride – and we are left with her plotting the ways in which she can destroy those responsible for her sister’s death as the queen of Hell.

One of my favorite things about Kingdom of the Cursed is how there was so many drastic shifts in this series that managed to make everything about the first book that much more compelling in the second. The first of these shifts was the fact that Kingdom of the Cursed has moved firmly from young adult to new adult. While this is most drastically shown through the romantic elements, it is also shown through the mature thinking of Emilia and in the general shift in the tone in Maniscalco’s writing. Due to being a reader who loves YA but is in my 20s, I thought this shift was one of the main reasons why Kingdom of the Cursed grabbed my attention so quickly. The second major difference was in the story shifting from a plot based tale to one that is character driven. I felt so much more invested in the characters in Kingdom of the Cursed, and because there are so many parts of the plot that are complex, I found that it really helped me enjoy the series more by focusing in on the growth of the characters. I mention all of this because these new dierections Maniscalso is taking is what is going to not only ensure that I read the next book, but that I also run to the bookstore to grab it!

Speaking of Kingdom of the Cursed being character driven…. let’s talk about how Miss. Emilia di Carlo, the prospective queen of Hell who I didn’t wholly like in Kingdom of the Wicked. Man oh MAN did her character grow into her own in this book! Was she bloodthirsty, super pissed off a good portion of the time, and vengeful to the max like she was in Kingdom of the Cursed? Yes, yes she was, maybe even more so, but there was so much more to her character this time around! I think there is a lot to be said for the fact that our life experiences change us in more ways than we probably even realize, and the reader sees this come to life so clearly in Emilia’s thoughts and feelings about everything happening around her. I lived for the moments when she would stop and logically dissect the information she was given rather than just jump to conclusions. One of my favorite parts of her character development was the fact that Emilia began to no longer care about the expectations people set for her and instead made attempts to embrace her own thoughts/feelings and act on them. Given her character’s age and all the change (and risk-taking/scheming) that is often associated with late adolescence, I think Maniscalco did a remarkable job of showing this in Emilia’s character in a way that many readers can relate to. Overall, I’m so happy with how far Emilia’s character has come since the first book, and I can’t wait to see how much more she grows in the next book!

Honestly, my opinion (and endless love) for Wrath hasn’t really changed much since Kingdom of the Wicked. If anything, I love him more, even though he had his moments in this book when I wanted to punch him for being so cold. The juxtaposition of his title and who he is at heart is equally as compelling now as it was in Kingdom of the Cursed, but, as twisted as it sounds, it was kind of good to see him actually see his darker side show. I mean, come on. You can’t expect a price of Hell to be a saint, can you? I have a strange feeling that this next book will be like Kingdom of the Cursed was for Emilia – an opportunity for his character to become more in tune with his feelings. Who knows? Maybe we’ll even get a deeper dive into his past and see his real truth! No matter, though. I would literally read 12 more books if there were that many in the series just to learn more about Wrath and laugh at his dry sense of humor!

Other than the relatively minor things mentioned above, there is one MAJOR reason why I couldn’t give Kingdom of the Cursed five stars. In Chapter 17 of the book, there is some demonic influence happening that, quite honestly, I found extremely disturbing and some things that go down don’t appear to be completely consentual. I personally feel as though the chapter does not add anything more to the book other than some very negative shock value, and while I think I understand what the author was trying to get at by including it, I’m just not on board and wanted to provide its potential readers with a heads up that this is something they should prepare themselves for. This didn’t ruin the rest of the book for me, obviously, but it did make me take a step back for sure.

I know everyone dreads the second book slump when reading a book in a trilogy, but I can honestly say that you have absolutely nothing to fear when it comes to Kingdom of the Cursed. Maniscalco’s writing was hauntingly beautiful, and the shift from a young adult audience to that of a new adult crowd was seamless. If you are like me and are obsessed with books that have complex plots but are mainly character driven, I have no doubt you will fall madly in love with Maniscalco’s newest installment of the Kingdom of the Wicked series and be desperate to see what is in store next for Emila, Wrath, and all of the supporting demons, witches, and mortals the reader is introduced to.

Who Would I Recommend This Book To?

Let’s just keep this really simple: If you thought you loved Kingdom of the Wicked, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet so you best get you a copy of Kingdom of the Cursed ASAP, particularly if you are a reader who loves books that are YA/New Adult crossover titles!

Fantasy, New Adult/Adult

Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco

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Kingdom of the Wicked #1 (Hardcover) - Walmart.com

Pages: 372

Series: Kingdom of the Wicked #1

Publisher: JIMMY Patterson

Release Date: October 27, 2020

Genre(s): Fantasy with Romantic Elements

Format: Hardcover

Goodreads Synopsis

“Two sisters.

One brutal murder.

A quest for vengeance that will unleash Hell itself…

And an intoxicating romance.

Emilia and her twin sister Vittoria are streghe – witches who live secretly among humans, avoiding notice and persecution. One night, Vittoria misses dinner service at the family’s renowned Sicilian restaurant. Emilia soon finds the body of her beloved twin…desecrated beyond belief. Devastated, Emilia sets out to find her sister’s killer and to seek vengeance at any cost-even if it means using dark magic that’s been long forbidden.

Then Emilia meets Wrath, one of the Wicked-princes of Hell she has been warned against in tales since she was a child. Wrath claims to be on Emilia’s side, tasked by his master with solving the series of women’s murders on the island. But when it comes to the Wicked, nothing is as it seems…”

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What Did I Think?

I was on the hunt for a spooky book to read this fall, and boy oh boy did Kingdom of the Wicked deliver… in that regard, anyway! I went into reading this book knowing that there was a crap ton of talk about it, most of which were overwhelmingly positive reviews and people completely falling in love with it. I really really wanted to love everything about Kingdom of the Wicked, but I ended up feeling both overwhelmed and underwhelmed about it, which I was no expecting at all. If you’re in the mood for a review filled with unpopular opinions, keep on reading for the tea, y’all!

Let’s start with the plotline, pacing, overall concept, and worldbuilding, shall we? After reading the synopsis, I was completely OBSESSED with getting my hands on Kingdom of the Wicked. I don’t typically go for books that are about uncovering the mysteries surrounding a murder, but I am 100 percent on board for anything witch, magic, and Seven Deadly Sins related, so the general concept of the book totally did (and still does!) make me want to fangirl all over again! I enjoyed the Italian setting and the fact that a good portion of the book focused on religious sites and in the di Carlo’s family-owned restaurant, Sea & Vine. I am a total sucker for fantasy novels that take place in actual (or close to actual) locations, and it was so much fun to just sit back and absorb the culture/atmosphere of Italy for the first few chapters of the book. However, I personally felt like there was too much lead up to the action as a result of so many descriptions, which made the plot drag on for a long time – like for the first 180 pages, unfortunately. This is kind of where my being both overwhelmed and underwhelmed stems from, as the beginning was underwhelming but the end was SO GOOD it was overwhelming and made me want to keep reading the series.

Emilia di Carlo was one of those characters that I couldn’t help but love and hate at the same time. One of my favorite things about her character is the love she has for her family and her willingness to literally go to the ends of the earth to keep them out of harm’s way. I always felt warmth spark in my chest when reading the dialogue between her and her sister, mother, and grandmother, as I could feel their love for one another radiate right off the page. After Vittoria’s murder, I could completely understand Emilia’s bitterness as she battled through her grief, and I really appreciated that her emotion didn’t just get swept under the rug after a couple of chapter. This made Emilia’s character relatable and more authentic, even when her lack of ambition and sometimes, her inability to move forward became frustrating at times as I was reading. Though I can’t say that Emilia is my favorite female lead of all time, I’m looking forward to seeing how she harnesses her grief and, more generally, how her character is shaped by what she has been through in Kingdom of the Wicked. She is one of those characters that you just know will evolve so much as a series goes on, so I can’t wait to see her progression in the books to come.

You all know I’ve gotta yap about my new book boyfriend, Wrath, don’t you? I saw this shirt once that said “morally gray all the way” on it, and after reflecting on some of my most recent fictional BF picks, I realized that I have a major thing for princes of Hell…. who, obviously, are all morally gray to the max….. eeeepppp! Wrath was no exception to this trend, and might just take the cake for the most loveable prince of Hell I’ve ever read about. Maniscalco did an amazing job of juxtaposing who people perceive Wrath to be with moments where he appears more human than his mortal counterparts. Like who would have thought a demon could actually be GOOD? I’ll be honest with you all: my complete love and adoration for Wrath’s character is one of the main reason I plan on finish this series, as twisty as it sounds. Even though I don’t think we’ll see Wrath develop too much in the next two books, I’m interested in seeing how his interactions with Emilia and relationships he forms play out! I’m also super excited to see more of him in Kingdom of the Cursed, as I didn’t think he was around enough in Kingdom of the Wicked.

Kingdom of the Wicked is the perfect series to start if you’re looking for a dark fantasy to put you in the fall/Halloween spirit. The fantasical element of sorcery and spooky murder mystery elements taking place in a place that feels so real to readers was both chilling and compelling – the reader was left wanting to know more, whether it be about their favorite character or what will go down plotwise in the next book. Though there were occasional plot inconsistencies and the fact that the pacing felt off-kilter at first, I’m really looking forward to diving into Kingdom of the Cursed, especially after we were left with such a cliffhanger!!!!

Who Would I Recommend This Book To?

If you are in the mood to read a darkly spooky fantasy with all kinds of morally gray characters that straddles the young adult and new adult line in content (the tiniest sprinkle of a slow burn, enemies-to-lovers romance with a lot of violence and bloodshed, oh my!), Kingdom of the Wicked might be for you!

I would also highly recommend fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout’s From Blood and Ash series, Holly Black’s Folk of the Air series, and Brigid Kemmerer’s A Curse So Dark and Lonely series give Kingdom of the Wicked a read.

Fantasy, Young Adult

The Shadows Between Us by Tricia Levenseller

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Amazon.com: The Shadows Between Us (9781250189967): Levenseller, Tricia: Books

Pages: 326

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

Release Date: February 25, 2020

Genre(s): Fantasy

Format: Hardcover

Goodreads Synopsis

“Alessandra is tired of being overlooked, but she has a plan to gain power:

1) Woo the Shadow King.
2) Marry him.
3) Kill him and take his kingdom for herself.

No one knows the extent of the freshly crowned Shadow King’s power. Some say he can command the shadows that swirl around him to do his bidding. Others say they speak to him, whispering the thoughts of his enemies. Regardless, Alessandra knows what she deserves, and she’s going to do everything within her power to get it.

But Alessandra’s not the only one trying to kill the king. As attempts on his life are made, she finds herself trying to keep him alive long enough for him to make her his queen—all while struggling not to lose her heart. After all, who better for a Shadow King than a cunning, villainous queen?”

What Did I Think?

The social season of Bridgerton meets the wickedly fierce characters of Throne of Glass in Tricia Levenseller’s The Shadows Between Us, and I am HERE for it!

My first Tricia Levenseller book was Daughter of the Pirate King, and while it was enjoyable, I could totally see how far the author’s writing has come since its publication. I was hooked on The Shadows Between Us after reading the very first chapter, and that feeling continued for a long time after I finished it. The overall concept of the book was wholly centered on enemies-to-lovers (err… kind of a twisty friends-to-lovers vibe too!), and while I usually don’t love that trope, it was perfectly suited in this context and very well executed. I quickly fell in love with the royal court atmosphere that was full of political intrigue, and I found the romantic elements to be perfectly woven into the fast-paced plotline. I don’t think there is one negative thing I can say about the overall concept and plot construction – it was dark, captivating, and purely MAGICAL!

I haven’t come across many books in which the protagonist is established as a “villain” from the very first page, but I LOVED Alessandra’s character. YA fantasy novels often give lead characters like Alessandra tragic backgrounds that explain where their evil side comes from, and it was so refreshing to have that not be the case in The Shadows Between Us. Alessandra was just 100 percent her authentically wicked self from the start, and while she did face some hardships in her life, she was never apologetic about the darker side of her personality. She’s never afraid of what other people with think when it comes to her ambition and intellect, and her fierce advocacy for women having the same opportunities as the men had me thinking “yass girl, you tell’em!” on numerous occasions. By book’s end, Alessandra was still so authentically her but had some major development when it comes to her feelings about romance, and while I normally would have liked to have seen a character grow leaps and bounds, seeing her remain true to herself was so much more powerful in this case. I seriously would give this book 5 stars just because Alessandra was that awesome, but there is plenty of more awesome to talk about yet to come!

Moving right along to our good ol’ friend, the Shadow King. I can honestly say that he really wasn’t anything I would consider overly special, but I still couldn’t help but love him. Like Alessandra, the Shadow King certainly had his dark side, but I appreciated the fact that he seemed so human, even with so much responsibility (and like five million literal shadows) on his shoulders. His humor was contagious, and I found myself smiling right along with him and rooting for him when times got tough. I think his calmer personality balanced out Alessandra’s wildness in the best of ways, and I was shipping them both from the moment they met at the ball!

The Shadows Between Us went above and beyond my expectations for a standalone fantasy novel. The plotline moved quickly, there were twists and turns galore, and the breadcrumbs of romance sprinkled in were honestly to die for! I seriously cannot rave enough about this book, and The Shadows Between Us will certainly go down as one of my favorite fantasy reads to date!

Who Would I Recommend This Book To?

If you’re on the hunt for a wickedly addictive fantasy standalone full of political intrigue amidst a court full of people who may not be as they seem, I highly recommend you give this book a read!

Fans of Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer L. Armentrout, Alexandra Christo, and Holly Black will also fall head over heels in love with this magnificent read by Tricia Levenseller.

Fantasy, New Adult/Adult

The Crown of Gilded Bones by Jennifer L. Armentrout

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The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood And Ash Series): Armentrout, Jennifer L.: 9781952457258: Amazon.com: Books

Pages: 645

Series: Blood and Ash #3

Publisher: Blue Box Press

Release Date: April 20, 2021

Genre(s): Fantasy

Format: Paperback

*NOTE: If you have not read the first two books in the Blood and Ash series (FB&A and AKOFAF) please stop reading this review NOW! Spoilers for this book follow, but feel free to check out my non-spoiler reviews of FB&A and AKOFAF :)*

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Goodreads Synopsis

“She’s been the victim and the survivor…

Poppy never dreamed she would find the love she’s found with Prince Casteel. She wants to revel in her happiness but first they must free his brother and find hers. It’s a dangerous mission and one with far-reaching consequences neither dreamed of. Because Poppy is the Chosen, the Blessed. The true ruler of Atlantia. She carries the blood of the King of Gods within her. By right the crown and the kingdom are hers.

The enemy and the warrior…

Poppy has only ever wanted to control her own life, not the lives of others, but now she must choose to either forsake her birthright or seize the gilded crown and become the Queen of Flesh and Fire. But as the kingdoms’ dark sins and blood-drenched secrets finally unravel, a long-forgotten power rises to pose a genuine threat. And they will stop at nothing to ensure that the crown never sits upon Poppy’s head.

A lover and heartmate…

But the greatest threat to them and to Atlantia is what awaits in the far west, where the Queen of Blood and Ash has her own plans, ones she has waited hundreds of years to carry out. Poppy and Casteel must consider the impossible—travel to the Lands of the Gods and wake the King himself. And as shocking secrets and the harshest betrayals come to light, and enemies emerge to threaten everything Poppy and Casteel have fought for, they will discover just how far they are willing to go for their people—and each other.

And now she will become Queen…“

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What Did I Think?

Before I jump into my (likely unpopular!) opinions of The Crown of Gilded Bones, let’s recap where things left off in A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire. Poppy and Casteel had A LOT to work through since he basically kidnapped her to use as ransom against the Queen of Solis in From Blood and Ash. Understandably, there’s a ton of conversations in which Casteel, Kieran, and everyone else has to convince Poppy that the Atlantians aren’t the enemy and that they really are (mostly) peaceful people, but it takes awhile for Poppy to come around. There is also lots of chatter about the impending marriage of Casteel and Poppy, which clearly she was not down for since Casteel whisked her away from Masadonia. However, as the novel progresses and more evidence of the horrors of Solis are exposed, Poppy’s hatred of Casteel starts to dwindle and she realizes that even though his approach to wooing her wasn’t ideal, she really does love him. Eventually the two marry (right before a straight up battle goes down in Spessa’s End… YIKES!), and she and Casteel travel the rest of the way to Atlantia to meet up with Casteel’s parents. Long story short, everything goes to heck in a handbasket, as Poppy is attacked and it is revealed that she is the true queen of Atlantia by bloodright. Then BOOM! We had to wait for the next book on that wild cliffhanger.

As I mentioned in my reviews for the other two books in this series, I thoroughly enjoy the way Armentrout has crafted this universe. I won’t lie to you all: There are still times that it is so complex that my head spins a little and I forget things, but I think she and her editors knew this would happen, as there are often clarifications added into those points to jog the reader’s memory. However, in terms of plot, I felt like the storyline drug on for too long at some points and that not enough details were included in others. The plot still flowed nicely from point to point, but the inconsistent pacing was jarring sometimes as I was reading and messed with my ability to fully absorb what was happening at times.

Since From Blood and Ash, Poppy has come a long way in terms of character development. This was particularly evident in the leap from From Blood and Ash to A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire, with less development occuring in The Crown of Gilded Bones. This totally makes sense in a way because Poppy has so much coping to do in the first two books that probably things that were happening around her didn’t shock her a ton in the third book except for some more traumatic experiences that went down (no spoilers, I swear!). I will say that I was pleased to see that she does become more comfortable in her own skin and isn’t afraid to speak up as much in TCOGB, and I was always so excited to see her put her foot down and basically command any room she was in. Through everything, I was so pleased to see that Poppy is still super kickbutt at fighting and being all stabby, and I hope this trait continues to be a part of who she is in the books to come because it is my absolute favorite thing about her. I can’t really talk about the ending because *spoilers*, but I will say that that was my absolute favorite Poppy moment to date and I hope the fire we see in her then will stick with her in the next book!

Oh, Casteel. Okay, so like I said, this review is going to have some unpopular opinions in it, and this could be one of the big ones for those of you who are fictionally married to this guy. I’ll start with the positives here: He’s super smokin’, has some really dope combat skills (just like Poppy those his methods of murder are somewhat unconventional), he does everything he can to protect those he loves, and when he takes a notion to joke around, he’s super witty and funny. However, I really had an issue with Casteel in The Crown of Gilded Bones. It has been established that Casteel loves the people of Atlantia, but that didn’t really shown through since he was more concerned about Poppy 99% of the time. Yes, he should care about her, but sometimes I felt like it was at the expense of others which just doesn’t line up with how devoted he was said to be to his people. Additionally, he was selfless to the point of no return. I love a good character that is willing to do anything for those they love, but some of his actions just seemed unnecessarily heroic to me. I know some of you want to punch me and that’s fine (unless you actually try to… then please refrain!), but something about Casteel just wasn’t it for me in this book. I have faith that the next book may change my mind about him, but alas it is too soon to tell!

A huge plus for me was getting to reacquaint myself with all of the amazing supporting characters in this series. Kieran has my freaking soul, and dare I say this… I like him so much more than I do Poppy and Casteel at this point. I’m not even sure why that is but I can’t help but smile every time his name popped up or he cracked some joke at the most inappropriate of times. Delano, Naill, Vonetta, and Emil just keep getting better and better, and it was so good to see more dialogue pop up with these guys in it in TCOGB. I’m super excited to see more of these guys in the next installment, and I hope they have even more opportunities to showcase their personalities then becuase I literally live for them!

And here I go, beign the bearer of bad news. Unfortunately, there were some additional aspects of this book that just didn’t jive for me. The first is that the partnership aspect of the romance is starting to fizzle for me a bit. For some reason, it just felt like Poppy wasn’t as invested in being a support system for Casteel when he is firmly invested in providing emotional support to her. This one-sidedness really got on my nerves, and I really hope this gets turned around in the next book because I really want to love this couple. Speaking of romance… Each book in this series has been someone scandalous in one way or another, but I felt like TCOGB took this to an extreme that, for me, disrupted the plot in not great ways. I totally understand that one of the big things about Poppy’s character is the fact that she has been forced to not have physical connections to other people, but it just seemed like certain types of moments were overused in this book.

As a whole, I really enjoyed The Crown of Gilded Bones. The worldbuilding was exceptional, the supporting characters were so much fun to get reacquainted with, and, per Jennifer’s style, the plot twists just kept on coming. While I can’t say this book didn’t have some (what I would consider) flaws, the overall reading experience was enjoyable, and I am eager to get my hands on the next installment, The War of Two Queens, in March of 2022. Thank goodness I have A Shadown in the Ember, a spin-off novel, releasing in just a few months to tide me over until next year!

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Who Would I Recommend This Book To?

*NOTE: This book is definitely only for mature readers (the romance is STEAMY and there is also quite a bit of graphic violence/murder). I would not recommend this book to readers under the age of 18.*

If you enjoyed the first two books in the Blood and Ash series, you will definitely want to continue the series with The Crown of Gilded Bones!

Contemporary Romance, Young Adult

Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon

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Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon: 9781524718961 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

Pages: 304

Publisher: Penguin (Delacorte Press)

Release Date: June 3, 2021

Genre(s): Contemporary Romnace

Format: Hardcover

Goodreads Synopsis

“In this romantic page-turner from the author of Everything, Everything and The Sun is Also a Star, Evie has the power to see other people’s romantic fates–what will happen when she finally sees her own?

Evie Thomas doesn’t believe in love anymore. Especially after the strangest thing occurs one otherwise ordinary afternoon: She witnesses a couple kiss and is overcome with a vision of how their romance began . . . and how it will end. After all, even the greatest love stories end with a broken heart, eventually.

As Evie tries to understand why this is happening, she finds herself at La Brea Dance Studio, learning to waltz, fox-trot, and tango with a boy named X. X is everything that Evie is not: adventurous, passionate, daring. His philosophy is to say yes to everything–including entering a ballroom dance competition with a girl he’s only just met.

Falling for X is definitely not what Evie had in mind. If her visions of heartbreak have taught her anything, it’s that no one escapes love unscathed. But as she and X dance around and toward each other, Evie is forced to question all she thought she knew about life and love. In the end, is love worth the risk?”

What Did I Think?

Don’t be fooled by the vibrant cover that gives off all kinds of happy vibes. Instructions for Dancing will tear your heart into tiny little pieces, glue it back together, and repeat this cycle a million times over before its end!

I picked up Instructions for Dancing because I was super intrigued by the whole “romantic psychic” part of the story, as well as the fact that I’m kind of obsessed with ballroom dancing (even though I’ve only taken one lesson in my entire life!). Usually it takes me a few chapters to become hooked on a story, but within the first two pages, I was completely entranced by Yoon’s writing. The whole book was written in a pretty casual voice, but then there would be moments when I would be totally caught off guard when a beautifully poetic line would pop up that made me stop and think a little harder about what the story was trying to convey. Between the super interesting overall concept, stunning writing, and this book was an absolutely gem from the get-go!

I always love when the protagonist is a fellow book lover, so reading Instructions for Dancing from Evie’s perspective made this tale that much sweeter, even though she could also be considered an anti-book lover when we first meet her. Evie’s been through the wringer over the past year, and I think anyone who has ever been through what she has would totally understand why she is so against falling in love. Though her character continued to evolve as she figured out how much she wanted to risk herself, I appreciated the fact that her dry sense of humor and love that she has for her friends and family never left her, even when she didn’t realize it. Overall, I thought Evie’s character was very well developed and I found that I could relate to her more than I originally thought I’d be able to, which was a total plus!

I was absolutely obsessed with X, his whole family, and Fifi the dance instructor. They brought so much life and light to a story that has so much heartbreak thrown into it. They always kept is realer that real, and I think that was exactly what Evie needed in her life. Seeing some of these characters’ lives play out in Evie’s visions were some of my favorite moments of the entire book, even when we got glimpses well into the future that my heart was often not prepared for. You seriously can’t help falling in love with the whole dance crew, so don’t even try to resist it – it will be to no avail!

Instructions for Dancing was the book I never knew I needed to read. I thought it was going to be a standard, fluffy contemporary, but it was so much more than that. Yoon’s writing was absolutely captivating, and through it I think all readers will learn so much about what is most important in life.

Who Would I Recommend This Book To?

I’d highly recommend Instructions for Dancing for anyone looking for an unconventional contemporary read with both heartbreaking and heartwarming moments that you may not even see coming. If you’ve read any of Nicola Yoon’s previous books and thought those hit you in the feels, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet!

I’d also recommend this book to fans of Sarah Dessen, Mary H.K. Choi, and John Green.

Fantasy, Young Adult

Fable by Adrienne Young

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Amazon.com: Fable: A Novel (Fable, 1) (9781250254368): Young, Adrienne: Books

Pages: 357

Publisher: Wednesday Books

Release Date: September 1, 2020

Genre(s): Fantasy

Format: Hardcover

Goodreads Synopsis

“For seventeen-year-old Fable, the daughter of the most powerful trader in the Narrows, the sea is the only home she has ever known. It’s been four years since the night she watched her mother drown during an unforgiving storm. The next day her father abandoned her on a legendary island filled with thieves and little food. To survive she must keep to herself, learn to trust no one, and rely on the unique skills her mother taught her. The only thing that keeps her going is the goal of getting off the island, finding her father, and demanding her rightful place beside him and his crew. To do so Fable enlists the help of a young trader named West to get her off the island and across the Narrows to her father.

But her father’s rivalries and the dangers of his trading enterprise have only multiplied since she last saw him, and Fable soon finds that West isn’t who he seems. Together, they will have to survive more than the treacherous storms that haunt the Narrows if they’re going to stay alive.

Welcome to a world made dangerous by the sea and by those who wish to profit from it. Where a young girl must find her place and her family while trying to survive in a world built for men. Fable takes you on a spectacular journey filled with romance, intrigue, and adventure.“

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What Did I Think?

Just want to start by saying I FREAKING LOVED THIS BOOK! I know that I am only giving it four stars (will explain later!), but Fable was seriously like no other book I have ever read. Somebody ship me off to the Narrows, would ya?

The overall concept of Fable had me hooked almost instantly. The world in which the story takes place was immediately established as cutthroat yet whimsical (yes, apparently it is possible to be both!). I quickly fell in love with the vivid detail Young used to describe each individual location the characters traveled to, as well as the way in which we were able to see how the various characters viewed the places they traveled to through her strong use of dialogue. It took me a couple of chapters to get hooked on the story, but that didn’t bother me too much since there was a lot about its setting that needed to be expained early on. The plotline moved at a brisk pace while still making sure that each of the plot points meshed together in a logical way. I seriously have nothing I can complain about when it comes to the concept and plotline of this book – it is AMAZEBALLS!

I have such mad respect for the protagonist, Fable. She was left to her own devices on a brutal island as a young girl, and really took the challeneges she faced in stride rather than cowering to the HUGE amounts of fear she must have felt while being on Jeval. I was so intrigued by Fable’s work as a dredger and totally found myself GEEKING each time she went diving because I love things that sparkle almost as much as the gem merchants in this series! I appreciated Fable’s tenacity, willingness to take risks to benefit the greater good of those around her, and that even though she has had a hard life so far, she managed to continue to be compassionate towards others who (questionably) don’t deserve it. Fable’s character developed slowly in this book, and I look foward to seeing how much farther she comes in Namesake.

Even though I doubt I would make it long at sea for the stints of time the Marigold’s crew manages to, I kind of wish I got to be an honorary member of their crew! West, Paj, Auster, Hamish, and Willa were such a tight-knit group that they were more like family than just a ship crew. I really enjoyed reading about each of these characters’ individual lives and how those experiences led each of them to the Marigold. Young provided so much background on each of these characters that is was almost like they were all protagonists in the story. I loved watching each of their personalities shine through just as much as Fable’s did, and I can’t wait to see more of the whole crew in the next book!

There is only one big thing that is preventing me from giving this book a full five stars: The main romance. Don’t get me wrong. I love a good slow burn as much as the next person, but the way this one is established comes across as a little unnatural. I’m hoping that this aspect of the storyline grows on me in the second book because I really want to love it, but can’t quite yet.

Fable was seriously so much more than I expected in all the right ways. The worldbuilding was absolutely breathtaking, the plot progression was smooth as butter, and I finished the book wishing I got to be a part of the Marigold’s crew myself, even though they did manage to get themselves in quite a bit of trouble! Fable was my very first Adrienne Young book and it totally solidified the fact that she will now be an auto-buy author of mine from here out. Now onto reading Namesake!

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Who Would I Recommend This Book To?

If you’re all about nautical-themed fantasy novels, such as Daughter of the Pirate King or Passenger, I highly recommend you give Fable a read.

I would also strongly encourage anyone looking for a book with an enemies-to-lovers trope and who wants to be swept away on a whirlwind of an adventure filled to the brim with plot twists to definitely check this book out!

Fantasy, New Adult/Adult

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

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Pages: 705

Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses #3

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Release Date: May 2, 2017

Genre(s): Fantasy

Format: Hardcover

***NOTE: If you have not read the first two books in the ACOTAR series, A Court of Thorns and Roses and A Court of Mist and Fury, please stop reading this review! You will be spoiled and this series is so good that you totally don’t want that!***

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Goodreads Synopsis

“FEYRE WILL BRING VENGEANCE.

She has left the Night Court – and her High Lord – and is playing a deadly game of deceit. In the Spring Court, Tamlin is making deals with the invading king threatening to bring Prythian to its knees, and Feyre is determined to uncover his plans. But to do so she must weave a web of lies, and one slip may spell doom not only for Feyre, but for her world as well.

As mighty armies grapple for power, Feyre must decide who to trust amongst the dazzling and lethal High Lords – and hunt for allies in unexpected places.

BUT WHILE WAR RAGES, IT IS HER HEART THAT WILL FACE THE GREATEST BATTLE.

THE THRILLING THIRD BOOK IN #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING FANTASY SERIES FROM SARAH J. MAAS.”

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What Did I Think?

My oh my. A Court of Wings and Ruin sure does take its readers on one wild ride. I HATE rollercoasters, but this is one that I never wanted to get off of!

Before we jump into my review of this book, let’s do a quick recap of what went down in A Court of Mist and Fury. The book kicks off with Feyre and Tamlin returning back to the Spring Court following their time under the mountain. Understandably, Feyre has undergone a lot of trauma and is having issues coping with it, while Tamlin basically ignores the fact that the person he supposedly loves is wasting away right before his eyes. Tamlin and Feyre’s wedding day finally arrives, and just as Feyre is about to sprint down the aisle AWAY from her hubby-to-be, Rhysand, the High Lord of the Night Court, saves the day by whisking Feyre away to the Night Court to hold up her end of the deal they brokered while Under the Mountain. Though skeptical at first, Feyre starts to enjoy the company of Rhys and his Inner Circle, and quickly learns that Tamlin hasn’t been very forthcoming with her about many *very important* things. The closer Feyre grows to her companions in the Night Court, the more she loathes returning to Tamlin and the Spring Court, especially after the High Lord of Spring traps her in his manor. Luckily, Mor arrives to rescue her and Feyre opts to reside in Velaris on a more permanent basis. Hybern has begun his hunt for the Cauldron, and the members of the Night Court are determined to not let him succeed in his mission. Unfortunately, things don’t go as planned after good ol’ pain in the butt Tamlin sells Feyre, Rhys, and crew out, and Elain and Nesta are Made into High Fae with the Cauldron. And oh, yeah. Did I mention that Rhys and Feyre are MATES? Well, the mating bond sure does come in handy when Feyre pretends to want to return home to the Spring Court with Tamlin out of her “love” for him, when really she’s going to spy on him for Rhys and the Inner Circle as the newly appointed High Lady of the Night Court. I could talk about that ending FOREVER because it was so good, but instead, I think I’ll just move right on in to my review of A Court of Wings and Ruin!

I really enjoyed watching Feyre’s character evolve in the first two books in this series, and that trend definitely continues in A Court of Wings and Ruin. In ACOTAR and ACOMAF, Feyre spends a lot of time overcoming the traumas she has experienced in life, but this shifts a little bit in ACOWAR. I was captivated during the moments when Feyre would just be totally content with simply living, and seeing her actually enjoy her life at times was honestly so awesome because those moments had been very rare up until this point. I also loved that Feyre was just as fierce and strong-willed as she was in the first two books, and that she used that fire within her self to serve the people of Velaris (and beyond!) over and over again. It would have been so much simpler for her to just turn a blind eye to their needs, and I honestly found her generosity to be one of my favorite characteristics about her. Overall, I still love Feyre (even though I will admit that I did get a little annoyed with her at times as I was reading this book!) and I’m excited to see where else she’ll go in the next book.

Though I’m convinced he was already stealing my heart in the other two books, Rhysand has officially been deemed the love of my life by the end of A Court of Wings and Ruin. I loved that even though this book was really serious at times, Rhys maintained his swagger, playful attitude, and kick butt magical/Illyrian vibes I loved so much in the first two books. However, there was also a major shift in his character that I really appreciated – the fact that was willing to finally let himself feel true joy without being bogged down with haunting memories of his past. The mix of exposing his vulnerabilities and soaking in the happiness those around him bring him was beautifully balanced. As usual, I need more of the High Lord of the Night Court in my life. Thank the Cauldron there are more books in the series!

One of the most exciting parts of A Court of Wings and Ruin for me was all of the supporting characters getting more page time. Mor, Cassian, Az, and Amren literally give me LIFE, you guys! I found myself always slowing down my reading pace when everyone was together because I didn’t want to see them all go their separate ways again. Dare I say it, but I think this is one of those rare times when I like the supporting characters equally as much (if not more!) than the main protagonists! Nesta, Elain, and Lucian are also starting to grow on me after giving this book a read. I wasn’t sold on them to begin with, but as more of their personalities come through on the page, the more I am rooting for them to find their happy endings. Each and every one of these characters and their stories were so well developed, and I am so excited to see more of them as the series continues!

While it wasn’t my favorite book in the ACOTAR series so far, that honestly isn’t saying much because I was completely entranced from beginning to end by A Court of Wings and Ruin. The smoldering romance, endless action, witty humor, ALL the drama… ughh! It was all there and flowed so nicely together in a well laid out plotline. If I had to pick a highlight, it would have to be seeing how far each of the characters have come and seeing the supporting characters’ stories be filled in more substantially. Just like the other books in the series, A Court of Wings and Ruin will draw you in from the very first page, and you won’t ever want it to come to an end.

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Who Would I Recommend This Book To?

*** This book contains some mature elements (romance and violence) that may not be suitable for younger readers. I would only recommend this to readers ages 17+***

If you’ve read the first two books in the ACOTAR series and fallen in love with (almost) everything about them like I have, I highly recommend continuing the series with A Court of Wings and Ruin!

Contemporary Romance, Young Adult

Chasing Lucky by Jenn Bennett

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Amazon.com: Chasing Lucky (9781534425170): Bennett, Jenn: Books

Pages: 406

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Release Date: November 10, 2020

Genre(s): Contemporary Romnace

Format: Paperback

Goodreads Synopsis

“Budding photographer Josie Saint-Martin has spent half her life with her single mother, moving from city to city. When they return to her historical New England hometown years later to run the family bookstore, Josie knows it’s not forever. Her dreams are on the opposite coast, and she has a plan to get there.

What she doesn’t plan for is a run-in with the town bad boy, Lucky Karras. Outsider, rebel…and her former childhood best friend. Lucky makes it clear he wants nothing to do with the newly returned Josie. But everything changes after a disastrous pool party, and a poorly executed act of revenge lands Josie in some big-time trouble—with Lucky unexpectedly taking the blame.

Determined to understand why Lucky was so quick to cover for her, Josie discovers that both of them have changed, and that the good boy she once knew now has a dark sense of humor and a smile that makes her heart race. And maybe, just maybe, he’s not quite the brooding bad boy everyone thinks he is…”

What Did I Think?

For those of you who have been following my blog and/or bookstagram for awhile now, you all know all about how much of an auto-buy author Jenn Bennett has become for me. As soon as I saw that Chasing Lucky was releasing, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on another one of her contemporary romances. Let me be the first to say that I REALLY wanted to love this book, but it unfortunately fell flat.

Let’s start with the overall concept and plotline. When I first read the synopsis, I was so excited to jump into a book that I thought was going to be friends-to-lovers and had a strong grounding in the workings of family dynamic. However, my expectations from the summary on the back did not align with the content of the actual book as I was reading, so that was where my confusion (and frustration!) kind of started. However, there were some elements that I really enjoyed, such as appearances from Bean the Magic Pup and the sense of adventure I felt while reading. I also found the pacing of the plot to be spot on throughout the book and appreciated the fact that for the most part, each plot point smoothly transitioned into the next. There were also some elements of the book that I have found to be very distracting in a bad way, specifically those regarding the past of the protagonist’s mother and how some of that comes rushing back to the forefront of the story every five minutes. Overall, I found to be the overall concept to be rather mehh, but the pacing of said plot to be right on the money.

The female lead, Josie, was really something else and not at all what I was expecting in some really great ways. I loved how she was immediately established as such a passionate photographer. I’ve never been a great one myself, so seeing the world throgh her creative lens was so much fun. I also think that her naivite that shone through her character as the novel progressed was very fitting for her age, even when at some points I wanted to shake her a bit. Seeing her character mature over the course of the novel was also great – love some good character development, particularly in younger protagonists! While not my favorite main character of all time, I did think Josie’s characterization made sense in the contect of the novel’s plot.

Lucky was a tough pass for me. I appreciated his dry sense of humor and love of animals, but I wasn’t a huge fan of how selfless he was. While this may seem like a great trait to have, I felt like he was just using it to get what he wanted and make other people feel bad about their actions. As I was reading, I enjoyed his banter and adventurous nature, but when I had some time to sit and think, there were just some things that rubbed me the wrong way and made me not love him as much as I thought I did in the moment. My goal whenever I am reading a book with a male love interest is to fall in love with the character myself, and I felt far from that about Lucky, unfortunately.

Overall, I though Chasing Lucky was a cute and sweet summertime contemporary read. The setting was so unique and quirky, and I thoroughly enjoyed all the moving parts that somehow all ended up working together. Even though I think this book was far from Bennett’s best, it was a quick and fluffy read that did manage to bring an occasional smile to my face.

Who Would I Recommend This Book To?

Fans of Talia Hibbert, Sarah Dessen, and Samantha Young would likely fall in love with Jenn Bennett’s Chasing Lucky. And, if you’re already a die-hard Jenn Bennett fan (like me!), grab a copy of this bad boy!

Series Reviews, Young Adult

Series Review: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

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Individual Book Ratings

  • The Assassin’s Blade: 5/5 stars
  • Throne of Glass: 5/5 stars
  • Crown of Midnight: 4/5 stars
  • Heir of Fire: 5/5 stars
  • Queen of Shadows: 5/5 stars
  • Empire of Storms: 5/5 stars
  • Tower of Dawn: 5/5 stars
  • Kingdom of Ash: 5/5 stars

What Did I Think?

As you all can clearly see, I am completely obsessed with the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas! Trust me when I say this series was completely worth the hype – so much so that me, a person who rarely re-reads books, has read this series at least twice, if not three times now in its entirety!

Let’s talk about all the worldbuilding that had to go into this series to make it as great as it truly is, shall we? One of the things I loved so much about the Throne of Glass series is that the reader is constantly being taken to various fantastical locations – each of which Maas spends lots of time detailing for us so we, as readers, can imagine exactly what these places look like in our minds. I greatly appreciated that so much time was devoted to these descriptions, and I don’t think I ever found myself tiring of them.

If you don’t appreciate anything else in this series, you should at least give props to Sarah for her ability to create such complex, multidimensional characters that eventually steal your heart, regardless of how much you resist it at first. Hardly any characters truly were exactly who they were on the surface – they had so much more to give than what the readers first see from them. These characters continue to shed layer after layer of themselves as they moved through the series, and seeing this process makes our “indestructible” walls around our hearts melt a little at a time as we begin to understand, sympathize, and relate to these fictional beings that feel oh so real.   

I wholeheartedly believe that Throne of Glass is one of those series that will go down in history as a true masterpiece of young adult fantasy novels. Oh yeah. I mean right up there with Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and the Shadowhunters Chronicles – it’s seriously THAT GOOD.

Is This Series For You?

If you’re a sucker for a mature fantasy novel that is so intricate and action-packed that it takes a whole lotta brain power to roll through, Throne of Glass is definitely up your alley!

Calling all the magical Fae-lovers of the world: READ. THIS. SERIES. I am convinced Sarah J. Maas is the QUEEN of Fae writers, so you definitely do not want to miss out on her books if this is your cup of tea!  

Finally, anyone who loves kick-butt female (and male!) leads, characters that you want to hate but fall in love with instead, and books that have the capability of emotionally destroying you a million times over, Throne of Glass was written just for you, my friends!   

Words of Advice?

Do NOT let the size of this series intimidate you, you guys! I know it consists of eight 400+ page books, but it’s so addictive that each book really does fly by. In fact, if you’re anything like me, you will be wishing there were more books in the series when all is said and done!

I would also highly recommend that you start the series by reading The Assassin’s Blade before you jump into Throne of Glass. By doing this, you will have some additional details about Celaena and those she encounters in her travels prior to her enslavement in Endovier, which is where the first official book in the series picks up.  

Lastly, JUST READ IT, YOU GUYS! I promise you won’t regret it one bit! 😊