There are a lot of directions I could've taken this prompt. What kind of sad is it talking about? The kind where you were excited and then disappointed? Or the kind that leaves an ache in your chest long after you've closed the back cover? I've decided to go with the latter, as the former doesn't exactly seem like something I would really necessarily want to talk in excess detail about! Again, there are a lot of books that do that-- all well-written stories should sit with you longer than just the duration of the read. Here are two that have stuck with me.
 House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas Sarah J. Maas has appeared again in this challenge... shocking. This is one of my more recent reads and the ache and pain from reading it still feels quite fresh. The whole premise that inspired Sarah to write this novel is a friendship strong enough that not even death can sever it... And let me tell you, the friendship she crafted in this novel is beautiful. And because of that, it's so utterly heartbreaking. After finishing the read, I just remember sitting there, and feeling this pressing ache in my chest as I thought about all of it. There are plenty of other things in this novel to applaud other than the one friendship at its core-- other relationships, the characters, the plot, the depiction of grief... everything about this novel is magnificent. I would highly recommend. Synopsis: Bound by blood. Tempted by desire. Unleashed by destiny. Bryce Quinlan had the perfect life—working hard all day and partying all night—until a demon murdered her closest friends, leaving her bereft, wounded, and alone. When the accused is behind bars but the crimes start up again, Bryce finds herself at the heart of the investigation. She’ll do whatever it takes to avenge their deaths. Hunt Athalar is a notorious Fallen angel, now enslaved to the Archangels he once attempted to overthrow. His brutal skills and incredible strength have been set to one purpose—to assassinate his boss’s enemies, no questions asked. But with a demon wreaking havoc in the city, he’s offered an irresistible deal: help Bryce find the murderer, and his freedom will be within reach. As Bryce and Hunt dig deep into Crescent City’s underbelly, they discover a dark power that threatens everything and everyone they hold dear, and they find, in each other, a blazing passion—one that could set them both free, if they’d only let it. With unforgettable characters, sizzling romance, and page-turning suspense, this richly inventive new fantasy series by #1 New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas delves into the heartache of loss, the price of freedom—and the power of love. |  Blood for Blood by Ryan Graudin This is another novel that left quite a gaping hole in my chest once I completed it. Unlike House of Earth and Blood, Blood for Blood is not the beginning of a series, but rather the conclusion of one. Blood for Blood is the second book in Ryan Graudin's Wolf by Wolf duology. I fell utterly in love with the series a couple summers back, and trust me when I say that finishing this book absolutely broke me. If you've read it, you know why. If you haven't, well, the only way to find out is to check out the series. Trust me, it's not something you'll regret. Though the premise of the series may sound a little ridiculous, you'll just have to trust me again when I say, it's not. It'll all make sense when you read it. The world, the characters, the characters, oh, did I mention the characters? I love this series. Synopsis for Wolf by Wolf (Book 1): Her story begins on a train. The year is 1956, and the Axis powers of the Third Reich and Imperial Japan rule. To commemorate their Great Victory, Hitler and Emperor Hirohito host the Axis Tour: an annual motorcycle race across their conjoined continents. The victor is awarded an audience with the highly reclusive Adolf Hitler at the Victor’s Ball in Tokyo. Yael, a former death camp prisoner, has witnessed too much suffering, and the five wolves tattooed on her arm are a constant reminder of the loved ones she lost. The resistance has given Yael one goal: Win the race and kill Hitler. A survivor of painful human experimentation, Yael has the power to skinshift and must complete her mission by impersonating last year’s only female racer, Adele Wolfe. This deception becomes more difficult when Felix, Adele twin’s brother, and Luka, her former love interest, enter the race and watch Yael’s every move. But as Yael grows closer to the other competitors, can she bring herself to be as ruthless as she needs to be to avoid discovery and complete her mission? From the author of The Walled City comes a fast-paced and innovative novel that will leave you breathless. |
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