{Re-Read Review} Defiance by C.J. Redwine

Defiance
by C.J. Redwine
Series: Defiance #1
Pages: 403
Release Date: August 28, 2012
by Balzer + Bray

Goodreads / Purchase

While the other girls in the walled city-state of Baalboden learn to sew and dance, Rachel Adams learns to track and hunt. While they bend like reeds to the will of their male Protectors, she uses hers for sparring practice.

When Rachel's father fails to return from a courier mission and is declared dead, the city's brutal Commander assigns Rachel a new Protector: her father's apprentice, Logan—the boy she declared her love to and who turned her down two years before. Left with nothing but fierce belief in her father's survival, Rachel decides to escape and find him herself.

As Rachel and Logan battle their way through the Wasteland, stalked by a monster that can't be killed and an army of assassins out for blood, they discover romance, heartbreak, and a truth that will incite a war decades in the making.

{Review} Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder

Poison Study
by Maria V. Snyder
Series: Study #1
Pages: 409
Release Date: March 1, 2007
by Mira

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Choose: A quick death…Or slow poison...

About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered an extraordinary reprieve. She'll eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace—and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia.

And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly's Dust—and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison.


As Yelena tries to escape her new dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and Yelena develops magical powers she can't control. Her life is threatened again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren't so clear...

{Review} Dawn Study by Maria V. Snyder

Dawn Study
by Maria V. Snyder
Series: Study #6
Pages: 480
Release Date: January 31, 2017
by Mira

Goodreads / Purchase

Despite the odds, Yelena and Valek have forged an irrevocable bond and a family that transcends borders. Now, when their two homelands stand on the brink of war, they must fight with magic and cunning to thwart an Ixian plot to invade Sitia.

Yelena seeks to break the hold of the insidious Theobroma that destroys a person's resistance to magical persuasion. But the Cartel is determined to keep influential citizens and Sitian diplomats in thrall and Yelena at bay. With every bounty hunter after her, Yelena is forced to make a dangerous deal.

With might and magic, Valek peels back the layers of betrayal surrounding the Commander. At its rotten core lies a powerful magician and his latest discovery. The fate of all rests upon two unlikely weapons. One may turn the tide. The other could spell the end of everything.

{Review} Night Study by Maria V. Snyder

Night Study
by Maria V. Snyder
Series: Study #5
Pages: 444
Release Date: January 26, 2016
by Mira

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Ever since being kidnapped from the Illiais Jungle as a child, Yelena Zaltana's life has been fraught with peril. But the recent loss of her Soulfinding abilities has endangered her more than ever before. As she desperately searches for a way to reclaim her magic, her enemies are closing in, and neither Ixia nor Sitia is safe for her anymore. Especially since the growing discord between the two countries and the possibility of a war threatens everything Yelena holds dear.  

Valek is determined to protect Yelena, but he's quickly running out of options. The Commander suspects that his loyalties are divided, and he's been keeping secrets from Valek…secrets that put him, Yelena and all their friends in terrible danger. As they uncover the various layers of the Commander's mysterious plans, they realize it's far more sinister than they could have ever imagined.

{Review} Shadow Study by Maria V. Snyder

Shadow Study
by Maria V. Snyder
Series: Study #4
Pages: 410
Release Date: February 4, 2015
by Mira

Goodreads / Purchase

Once, only her own life hung in the balance…

When Yelena was a poison taster, her life was simpler. But She'd survived to become a vital part of the balance of power between rival countries Ixia and Sitia. Now she uses her magic to keep the peace in both lands—and protect her relationship with Valek.

Suddenly, though, they are beset on all sides by those vying for power through politics and intrigue. Valek’s job and his life are in danger. As Yelena tries to uncover the scope of these plots, she faces a new challenge: her magic is blocked. She must keep that a secret—or her enemies will discover just how vulnerable she really is—while searching for who or what is responsible for neutralizing her powers.

Yes, the days of tasting poisons were much simpler. And certainly not as dangerous…

{Review} All the Truth That's In Me by Julie Berry

All the Truth That's In Me
by Julie Berry
Pages: 274
Release Date: September 26, 2013
by Viking (an imprint of Penguin)

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Four years ago, Judith and her best friend disappeared from their small town of Roswell Station. Two years ago, only Judith returned, permanently mutilated, reviled and ignored by those who were once her friends and family. Unable to speak, Judith lives like a ghost in her own home, silently pouring out her thoughts to the boy who’s owned her heart as long as she can remember—even if he doesn’t know it—her childhood friend, Lucas. But when Roswell Station is attacked, long-buried secrets come to light, and Judith is forced to choose: continue to live in silence, or recover her voice, even if it means changing her world, and the lives around her, forever. This startlingly original novel will shock and disturb you; it will fill you with Judith’s passion and longing; and its mysteries will keep you feverishly turning the pages until the very last.

*REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS*

They are whited out so you can only read them if you highlight the text

 

This book is unlike anything I’ve ever read before.   It had such a unique writing style and story line.  It was dark, haunting, disturbing, gritty, yet beautiful.  You can tell, from the very first page, that this book is different.  The story is told in second person, and the timeline keeps switching, past, present, past, present.  It takes time for the history to unfold itself, but it never got boring.  I wasn’t at all confused about the time changes because past was when Judith could talk, and present was when she couldn’t. It’s very hard to describe this book and the story line.  It was certainly unique, but so much was going on, and there was never a boring part.  The staging was phenomenal and there was always something we didn’t know, always something that kept us reading.  The way the ending wrapped up the whole book was perfect, and it all made sense.  I loved how in the end it kept switching from past to present really fast so we saw things unfolding right before the big revelation. There were no plot holes, no mistakes.  And couldn’t believe that ending!

The unique pov, you would think, wouldn’t allow for much character growth.  But Judith is such an amazing character!  I really admire her because if I was in her situation, ridiculed by the whole town and shunned constantly, I wouldn’t be nearly as nice as she was.  The way Judith handled her situation and was always kind to those who were mean to her made me respect her.  I liked how, while she loved Lucas, she didn’t let it consume her and make her into a puppy with starcrossed eyes following her crush.  She was able to separate her love and her life.

Lucas, I must say, is a very appealing character.  Theirs is something so attractive about him and mysterious.  He seems like such a nice guy, very caring and gentle. [SPOILER:  I smiled so much at the end when (FINALLY) they got together! ]

The writing in this book was absolutely phenomenal and so impressive.  I have never seen an author pull off a novel like this, and I can’t recommend it enough!

5 stars

 



{Movie Review} The Fault In Our Stars

The Fault In Our Stars
Release Date: June 6, 2014
Director: Josh Boone
Starring: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort
Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 125 mins

Book / Trailer / IMDb

Hazel and Gus are two teenagers who share an acerbic wit, a disdain for the conventional, and a love that sweeps them on a journey. Their relationship is all the more miraculous given that Hazel's other constant companion is an oxygen tank, Gus jokes about his prosthetic leg, and they met and fell in love at a cancer support group.

 

I wrote this review 2 hours after seeing the movie

 

 

Non-Spoiler Review

My thoughts are like stars I can’t fathom into constellations.  I don’t know how to put into words what this movie made me feel and how amazing it is.  This is one of the best book-to-movie adaptations I have ever seen, maybe even the best (with Catching Fire a close second).  There were so many quotes from the book, which makes sense because the book is so full of beautiful and unique dialogue, and if you didn’t put that beautiful writing into the movie it wouldn’t feel right.  The dialogue was what made us love the characters so much in the book.  This movie made me cry tears of joy and tears of pain.  But pain demands to be felt.  I knew what to expect because I’ve read the book about 5 times now, but I was in no way prepared for the emotion of seeing my favorite characters come to life.  It was so painful.  The movie followed the book story line so closely and the few things they changed were so funny or amazing that it didn't even matter.  A fabulous movie!

 

Hands down, the best performance goes to Ansel Elgort.  His role in Divergent really doesn’t allow him to showcase his amazing acting skills.  He brought to life one of my favorite characters so well.  It was perfect casting, first off, but he acted the part perfectly.  It also doesn’t hurt that he is EXTREMELY attractive.  God damn, not only do I have a crush on his character, but I also have a crush on him!  He was so sweet and adorable and loving and sexy in this movie.  He did an outstanding job.

I’m not sure how I feel about Shailene Woodley as an actress and while I don’t think she did as well as Ansel with her character, I still think she did very well.  Shailene is the perfect Hazel, I just felt like Shailene’s performance wasn’t up to par with Ansel’s.  But that in no way takes away from the fact that Shailene did an awesome job with Hazel.

I have to talk a bit about the relationship between Hazel and Augustus and the chemistry between Shailene and Ansel.  Reading and seeing are two very, very different things.  I saw this romance.  It is even more beautiful on-screen then it is in the pages of the book (not that the book romance isn’t beautiful too.  The on-screen is a different kind of beautiful, if that makes sense).  The chemistry between Ansel and Shailene was perfect, and the love between the two characters they played was so heartfelt and beautiful.  I really have to applaud both actors on their performances.

I really want to mention Nat Wolf as Isaac.  Even though he wasn’t in the movie much, when he was, he was freaking hilarious.  First off, Nat Wolf is the PERFECT Isaac.  He has the look, the personality, everything.  I just really wish there had been more blind jokes from Augustus.  I loved the trophy smashing scene and the egging scene, and I think it’s so funny how Isaac is going crazy in the background and Hazel and Augustus are being all adorable together.  I love Isaac.

 

Spoiler Section (I'm not going to hide the words, just don't read this part if you don't want to)

 

 

I cried pretty early in the movie.  When there’s a flashback of Hazel as a 13 year old and she’s in pain and her mom leans over her and says “its okay to let go” I teared up…and after that there was no going back.

I love the scene where Hazel runs into Augustus at support group and then Augustus runs into that door – perfect touch.

Augustus’s driving!  It was a little different in than in the book (in the book he couldn’t feel pressure in his leg so he would stop/start really sharply) because his steering was bad, not his acceleration/deceleration.

The whole airplane ride was perfection.  Augustus was so adorable and nervous and scared and he takes out his cigarette but he can’t use it and Hazel just wants to be friends but Augustus doesn’t!  The feels!  And then Hazel jumps in and says “this is what it feels like to drive with you” and Augustus does this sarcastic laugh.  I loved that scene so much!!!

I cried happy tears when Augustus and Hazel were eating dinner in Amsterdam and Augustus was making his speech about how much he loves Hazel.  It was such a beautiful scene and I wish it had lasted longer so we could appreciate how beautiful their love was, but sadly it was rather short.

The egging scene, which was one of my favorite scenes in the book, was so hilarious.  I liked how Augustus’s speech to Monica’s mom was changed up. Also this quote:

Hazel: “Maybe we should come back when it’s dark.”

Augustus: “It’s always dark for Isaac.”

Isaac: “I MAY BE BLIND BUT I CAN STILL HEAR YOU!!”

The whole last 45 minutes of the movie, from the moment Augustus told Hazel he lit up like a Christmas tree, it was tears.  So many tears.

The gas station scene was so hard to watch.  He’s just sitting in his car crying and he’s hurting so bad and it sucks to see him like that.  He’s our beautiful Augustus.

The thing that really got me in the feels was the montage that was put in of Augustus when he was happy and smiling and at the same time he was talking in a voiceover at the end of the movie when Hazel is reading his note and it just makes losing him that much more painful.

There was also a song that played for about 10 seconds in the movie.  I don’t know what it’s called but I’ve heard it before.  The lyrics are: “if you love me, why’d you leave me?”  It’s been stuck in my head this whole time and I find myself singing it outloud and I feel like crying each time.  The lyrics hit so deep.

 

It took me about an hour before I stopped crying fully.  There were some sporadic tears, but I finally got it under control.  In the theater I went to there were only about 10-15 other people.  There were so many sniffles haha.  I’m thinking it is the best book-to-movie adaptation I’ve ever seen.  Ansel’s acting was superb and the story line followed the book perfectly – and Ansel’s hot!  What more could you ask for? (Well, maybe for Augustus not to die)

 

 

5 stars

 

 



{Review} Taste of Darkness by Maria V. Snyder

Taste of Darkness
by Maria V. Snyder
Series: Healer #3
Pages: 458
Release Date: December 31, 2014
by Mira (an imprint of Harlequin)

Goodreads / Purchase

She's fought death and won. But how can she fight her fears?

Avry knows hardship and trouble. She fought the plague and survived. She took on King Tohon and defeated him. But now her heart-mate, Kerrick, is missing, and Avry fears he's gone forever.

But there's a more immediate threat: The Skeleton King plots to claim the Fifteen Realms for his own. With armies in disarray and the dead not staying down, Avry's healing powers are needed now more than ever.

Torn between love and loyalty, Avry must choose her path carefully. For the future of her world depends on her decision.

*REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS*

They are whited out so you can only read them if you highlight the text

 

 

What am I supposed to do with my life now that this beautiful series has ended?!

After the ending of the second book so much was set up to happen in this book and the first thing I wanted to happen [SPOILER: was getting Kerrick back.  ] It certainly didn’t happen as fast as or how I wanted it to.  I had to wait 50 agonizing pages before I knew [[SPOILER: he was okay.  And then he’s trapped in the forest. ] It killed me.

First off, this book was originally titled Taste of Death and I much prefer that title to this one, Taste of Darkness.  The latter sounds cheesier, while the first sounds intense and scary.  But I digress.

It took me a bit to get into this book.  To me the writing seemed kind of choppy and disconnected in the first 50 pages. Maybe Snyder just got into a groove later on or I got used to her writing style because the book, after that, was beautifully written.  In her books a lot of time passes so she changes a lot from present to weeks later.  Maybe that’s what threw me off a bit.  I’ve said it so many times but I’ll say it again – Maria V. Snyder is a genius when it comes to storytelling.  The story line is so fast-paced and thrilling and the staging is phenomenal.  Every single detail and every single escape makes perfect sense and isn’t too easy.  There is a lot of complicated theories in this series, like the Death and Peace Lily’s and what each one does to you.  [SPOILER: The cure for the plague ] was a great idea and I loved how we, as the reader, figured it out along with Avry. It was impressive to see Synder manipulate all the things she has developed over the course of this series to make solutions to all the problems.

There is never a dull moment, one mission after another.  The two POVs worked great in this book.  Usually I don’t like dual POVs but for this it worked perfectly because Avry and Kerrick were separated so often and we learned much more information.  I loved how funny the book was.  There were so many twists (not like in Scent of Magic though.  Those killed me) that had me gasping [SPOILER: (BELEN!).  ] And the cliffhanger at the end of every single chapters makes it impossible to put the book down.  One part of your mind is screaming “You have a ton of homework and a history midterm this week, stop reading” but the other part is yelling “OMG I must know what happens next this book is killing me” and the second always part wins out.

If I had one complaint, it’s that the ending seemed a bit rushed. I was kind of expecting something a bit more dramatic and encompassing. The last fight scene was over a bit too quickly, in my opinion.  I guess since there had been so many other drawn-out, difficult battles in the rest of the book Snyder just wanted to make this an easy one, but for the ending I was expecting something a bit more climactic.  Don’t get me wrong, it closed the book perfectly and covered any plot holes, but I was just kind of hoping for a more epic battle.  What I thought wasn’t done as well as it could have been was when [SPOILER: Avry woke back up after Kerrick killed Tohon and broke the bond between him and Avry.  I was kind of confused when she woke up where they were and what was going on ] and I kind of wished that was portrayed a bit better.  But other than that, this book was phenomenal!

Can we just take a second to appreciate how amazing this cast is?  You have Avry who is so freaking strong and selfless and brave.  She will sacrifice herself in a heartbeat for anyone, and I loved seeing her break the rules.  Kerrick – my beautiful weed boy – I felt for him in this book.  He wasn’t my sexy, confident, active Kerrick.  He was a trapped, tired, and gaunt Kerrick, and I miss the old Kerrick so much.  Then you have Belen who *bear hug* I love and [SPOILER: I’m so glad he’s back. ]  And the monkeys make everything so entertaining.  Loren and Quain are seriously like little kids only they can kill you and it’s so funny to see them banter.  I felt like Flea grew a lot in this book because he [SPOILER: has his magic and doesn’t want it but eventually learns to use it. ] I really liked him.  On the other hand, Ryne really annoyed me. [SPOILER: I hated how he would lie to Avry and use her as bait.  ] How about no?

Also, that whole Skeleton King thing is one of the creepiest, most disturbing things I’ve ever read.  I was cringing the whole time I read [SPOILER: that cannibal part and when he was biting Avry. ] That. Is. Sick.

I’m so sad to see this beautiful series with all its wonderful characters go.  But I can assure you I will be re-reading these books again and again.

 

 

5 stars

 

 

Other Books by Maria V. Snyder

Study                                    Healer                                             Glass                     Insiders

Poison Study                 Touch of Power - Review           Storm Glass              Inside Out - Review

Magic Study - Review     Scent of Magic - Review             Sea Glass                  Outside In

 

Fire Study - Review                                                            Spy Glass



{Review} City of Heavenly Fire by Cassandra Clare

City of Heavenly Fire
by Cassandra Clare
Series: The Mortal Instruments #6
Pages: 725
Release Date: May 27, 2014
by Margaret K. McElderry

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In this dazzling and long-awaited conclusion to the acclaimed Mortal Instruments series, Clary and her friends fight the greatest evil they have ever faced: Clary's own brother.

Sebastian Morgenstern is on the move, systematically turning Shadowhunter against Shadowhunter. Bearing the Infernal Cup, he transforms Shadowhunters into creatures out of nightmare, tearing apart families and lovers as the ranks of his Endarkened army swell.

The embattled Shadowhunters withdraw to Idris - but not even the famed demon towers of Alicante can keep Sebastian at bay. And with the Nephilim trapped in Idris, who will guard the world against demons?

When one of the greatest betrayals the Nephilim have ever known is revealed, Clary, Jace, Isabelle, Simon, and Alec must flee - even if their journey takes them deep into the demon realms, where no Shadowhunter has set foot before, and from which no human being has ever returned...

Love will be sacrificed and lives lost in the terrible battle for the fate of the word in the thrilling final installment of the classic urban fantasy series The Mortal Instruments!

*REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS*

They are whited out so you can only read them if you highlight the text

*Also contains an Allegiant spoiler (will be marked)*

 

I don’t know how to put into words my feelings right now.  I finished this beautiful book at 1:30 in the morning with tears streaming down my face.  What an amazing conclusion to an amazing series.

I will admit, I was not a fan of the first book in this series…or the fourth book.  But I’ve got to say, Cassandra Clare sure knows how to write.  I honestly can’t wrap my head around how on earth she thought up all these plot twists and the world and all the history.  She literally created a whole world in the space of 6 books, complete with a full history and so many twists.  This book was a perfect conclusion.  Most of the time when I’m reading a Cassandra Clare book I tear through it and don’t take the time to read every single sentence, where she does most of the descriptions.  I know it’s bad, I know I don’t get the full experience of the book.  But in COHF I took my time, I read every sentence…and man is her writing beautiful.  It flows perfectly and her description scenes are so beautiful and flawless.  Also, her imagination when it comes to the story line and solutions to the problems that the characters face is really impressive.  I loved the twists and turns in this book and the thrilling adventure that we all went on.  The story line was a perfect mixture of fast-paced action and beautiful scenes all mixed into one.  It was perfect.

To be honest, [SPOILER (allegiant): I was expecting a lot more heartbreak and dead characters.  After Allegiant, I don’t trust authors.   But, I shouldn’t have worried.  Thank goodness Cassandra Clare has a heart. ] I feel like there was a lot of character development, even in this last book.  We got to see a different side of Alec and Magnus.  I also really liked the improvement of Clary’s character, because honestly, in the other books she really annoyed me.  But in this book she was such a strong, brave character, and I loved her.

Jace has changed so much over the course of this series, from snarky boy to intelligent man – still with a bit of snark.  I loved his journey and how he matured.  It’s obvious how much he loves Clary, and they’re so perfect together.

Alec really grew on me in this book.  Before he was kind of a so-so character but in this book him and Magnus were kind of showcased and I really liked that.

Simon…oh my gosh.  Simon.  I will admit, I wasn’t a huge fan of Simon’s character in the beginning of this series…and also in the fourth book [SPOILER: (*cough* player *cough*) ] but in this book he really grew on me and showed his character.  And that ending.   I was crying so freaking hard. [SPOILER: I couldn’t believe when Simon offered to sacrifice so everyone could leave the demon realm and it really showed his character and how selfless he was and how much he loved everyone.  I cried so hard afterwards when Clary went up to him at his school and he didn’t recognize her.  And then Magnus went and visited him and he said he knew something was different and THEN HE CAME TO THE WEDDING AND HE REMEMBERED AND GOSH I WAS CRYING SO HARD.  So I guess I lied, I secretly really loved Simon.  I just kept thinking of all he had been through and how many times he had sacrificed something to save everyone else and it just killed me that he wouldn’t remember anything.  But it ended fine, he remembered, and I was SO HAPPY! ]

Now I have to talk about Sebastian.  First off, he is the creepiest villain I think I’ve ever read.  His scenes of dialogue were bone-chilling and terrifying.  [SPOILER: Honestly, I didn’t see that whole tear-jerker scene with him becoming Jonathan coming.  That completely destroyed me.  I felt so bad for Jonathan/Sebastian.  He really didn’t have any choice, he was made into something horrible as a helpless baby, in the womb, and he was thrust into evil.  That scene where he became Jonathan and was so sad and apologetic killed me – and him too because he died haha. And I really didn't expect him to die because I thought that would be too predictable.  But the way he died was so sad, and I think it was a good decision to have his character be killed. ]

Somehow, I don’t know how, but somehow Cassandra Clare made that amazing ending work.  Just when you think there’s no possible way for this all to work, it works. [SPOILER: I loved the way Clary and Jace tricked Sebastian. ]

Also, I have to talk about Chapter 14. [SPOILER: It was such a sad chapter.  It was so painful to see all the characters with their secret desires and then it was ripped away and it was so sad.  Clary's dream got me the most because it showed a happy world where her and Jace were getting married and Jonathan was normal and it was so sad!!!  And Alec's got to me too, because all he wants is for his father to praise him, and I feel really bad for Alec and how he's always in the background, never really getting much credit.  That scene made me appreciate him even more. ]

ALSO!  [SPOILER: Clace sex scene!  YES!!!!  I’m not a pervert, but I think we all can agree that the Fourtris maybe-sex-scene in Allegiant was extremely disappointing, but this scene was AMAZING!!!  It was so beautiful and touching and well described.  Not in the pervert “well-described” way, but in the “this scene was written so beautifully and you could feel the love” way. ]

I can’t believe this series has ended.  Next thing we’ll be hearing is there will be ANOTHER 3 books added to this series.  But the world that Cassandra Clare has created, and the characters she has created and developed are so well-loved and extraordinary…truly this series is a masterpiece, and I can’t think of a better way to end it off.  Even though there were some sad things, this series ended with hope, and I think that is a beautiful way to end it.

 

 

 

5 stars

 

 

Other Books by Cassandra Clare

The Mortal Instruments                                                        The Infernal Devices

   City of Bones - Review                                                                 Clockwork Angel

   City of Ashes - Review                                                                 Clockwork Prince

   City of Glass - Review                                                                 Clockwork Princess

   City of Fallen Angels - Review

   City of Lost Souls - Review

{Review} Last Sacrifice by Richelle Mead

Last Sacrifice
by Richelle Mead
Series: Vampire Academy #6
Pages: 594
Release Date: December 7, 2010
by Razorbill (an imprint of Penguin)

Goodreads / Purchase

They come first.
My vision was growing dimmer, the blackness and ghosts closing in. I swore it was like I could hear Robert whispering in my ear: The world of the dead won't give you up a second time. Just before the light completely vanished, I saw Dimitri's face join Lissa's. I wanted to smile. I decided then that if the two people I loved most were safe, I could leave this world.

The dead could finally have me.


Rose Hathaway has always played by her own rules.
She broke the law when she ran away from St. Vladimir's Academy with her best friend and last surviving Dragomir princess, Lissa. She broke the law when she fell in love with her gorgeous, off-limits instructor, Dimitri. And she dared to defy Queen Tatiana, leader of the Moroi world, risking her life and reputation to protect generations of dhampir guardians to come.

Now the law has finally caught up with Rose - for a crime she didn't even commit. She's in prison for the highest offense imaginable: the assassination of a monarch. She'll need help from both Dimitri and Adrian to find the one living person who can stall her execution and force the Moroi elite to acknowledge a shocking new candidate for the royal throne: Vasilisa Dragomir.

But the clock on Rose's life is running out. Rose knows in her heart the world of the dead wants her back...and this time she is truly out of second chances. The big question is, when your whole life is about saving others, who will save you?

One of the most epic series ever has come to a close.  What am I going to do with my life?  So many emotions, so many feels, so many laughs and tears.  I’m so glad I read this series.

This book was a perfect finish to a perfect series.  It had action, a complex story, twists, turns, and explanations.  It was everything you could ask for in a last book.  I can’t even begin to describe how epic, painful, and beautiful this book was.  There was non-stop action, non-stop humor, non-stop feels.  The beginning was so exciting and from then on it just blasted off into a fast-paced, thrilling ride.  The writing was so good and the story was so good and the romance was so good.

Can we just talk about the two really big twists in this book?  [SPOILER: Jill being Lissa’s sister and Tasha being Tatiana’s killer.  What. The. F**k.  I couldn’t believe it.  First, Jill.  That caught me completely by surprise.  But the big thing that just completely blindsided me was Tasha.  When Mead started hinting at how Rose knew the murderer I started going through all the characters that were women. I counted out Lissa immediately, but I kind of thought Rose’ mom did it (but I only thought that for like 5 second).  Then I thought Mia might have done it.  But when it was revealed that Tasha did I was like “WTF!” ]  What an amazing twist.

But it all made sense.  Everything was staged so well and the mystery was unraveled in a completely believable way.  The ending summed up everything…except for one thing.  [SPOILER: Rose’s death.  To me it wasn’t ever really explained.  From what I can gather, Rose just brought herself back…what?  That’s it?  No explanation?  Just “you were hurt badly but sometimes people can heal themselves”.  No.  Not when you’re shot at least twice in the chest. ] That was the only big thing that I felt needed more of an explanation.

Rose is by far one of my favorite heroines.  It’s really hard to describe her…but I think the best word is difficult.  She is so freaking difficult and she never listens and she’s stubborn and sassy and kick-ass and she’s amazing. I absolutely freaking love her.  The amount that she has sacrificed and done in her short lifetime is amazing, and I have great respect for her.

I feel like I have to mention Lissa.  For me, Lissa is ok.  I don't particularly like her.  She comes off as selfish and entitled sometimes and annoying. I don't really know what Rose sees in her to be so devoted to her.  But sometimes Lissa has her moments of goodness so I guess that's it.  But she's not my favorite.

I definitely need to mention Adrian.  Even though I am one hundred million trillion percent team Dimitri, Adrian is still a really great guy. I feel bad for him, but I love Dimitri more than I feel bad.  Adrian really loved Rose, but they just weren’t meant to be together.

Dimitri and Rose – Romitri – however, were destined to be together.  They just had to be.  After all they went through, after all the little arguments and flirting and training sessions and sneaking around…they just had to be together.  It was so painful reading this book and [SPOILER: seeing Dimitri just refuse to admit he loves Rose.  This whole book was leading so perfectly up to the best possible scene where Dimitri finally allows himself to love Rose and it was everything I had hoped for. ] Dimitri is the sexiest, nicest, strongest love interest I have ever read.  Rose, move out of my way, he’s mine!

I’m so sad to see this amazing series come to an end.  This world was so well-developed and I don’t want to leave.  The story and characters have come so far and done so much and this series will forever sit on my shelf and be re-read many, many times.  I have been through so many emotions reading this series, pain over Romitri, laughing, crying, loving, hating…this series is amazing.

 

5 stars

 

 

Richelle Mead's other YA books:

 

Vampire Academy series (6 books)

 

Vampire Academy - Frostbite - Shadow Kiss - Blood Promise - Spirit Bound

 

Bloodlines series (5 and counting books)







{Review} Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead

Spirit Bound
by Richelle Mead
Series:
Pages:
Release Date:by Razorbill (an imprint of Penguin)

Goodreads / Purchase

Dimitri gave Rose the ultimate choice. But she chose wrong...

After a long and heartbreaking journey to Dimitri's birthplace in Siberia, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir's-and to her best friend, Lissa. It is nearly graduation, and the girls can't wait for their real lives beyond the Academy's iron gates to begin. But Rose's heart still aches for Dimitri, and she knows he's out there, somewhere.

She failed to kill him when she had the chance. And now her worst fears are about to come true. Dimitri has tasted her blood, and now he is hunting her. And this time he won't rest until Rose joins him... forever.

This series is killing me.  Each book somehow manages to one-up the previous book and twist and turn the series so much.  It’s killing me!

This book was so full of feels, I was an emotional wreck the whole time. [SPOILER:  I honestly wasn’t expecting Dimitri to be turned back until the last book, so I was totally not prepared for him to come back. ] The story keeps on building on itself, and the twist [SPOILER: with Lissa being able to bring back Strigoi ] was amazing.  The action in this book is so good and breathtaking, and the story doesn’t let you go for a second.  When one thing ends, another begins.  Now yes I realize that these books are by no means the best written, but as far as enjoyment goes, they are number one. I am so invested in this series, it’s not even funny.  The world that Mead has managed to create is so complex and interesting, and her story is so complicated and exciting, that you can completely overlook any minor flaws in the writing.  Her writing is by no means bad!  Just not the best haha.

Honestly, it was really painful to see Dimtri in the state he’s in.  He is damaged and feels guilty [SPOILER: from being a Strigoi, and he’s pushing away Rose. ] He is so vulnerable, but still the same sexy confident Dimitri, and I miss him as much as Rose does. He is really affected by [SPOILER: what he did as Strigoi ] and we get to see a much more vulnerable, depressed side to the “Russian God”.

Rose – where do I even begin with her?  She has got to be the most crazy, funny, and entertaining main character I have ever read.  She is so impulsive and annoying (in a good way.  If that makes any sense) and smart-ass, and she never thinks before she talks and she’s so reckless and I absolutely love her.  She is one of my favorite female heroines ever.

I feel like I HAVE to talk about Adrian.  Now, I am TOTALLY Team Dimitri, but Adrian is such a nice, sweet guy.  Even though I don’t ship him and Rose, he really does love her and would do anything for her…I just don’t think he’s going to end up with her.

Also, Richelle Mead, I DO NOT appreciate you ending each book with a cliffhanger.  It’s like I’m spirit user and whenever you write a cliffhanger I lose my mind a bit, just like I would if used my spirit powers.

 5 stars

 





Richelle Mead's other YA books:

 

Vampire Academy series (6 books)

Bloodlines series (5 and counting books)