Ever wonder what really happened during the last race between Luka and the real Adele Wolfe? Iron to Iron answers that question. Unfortunately it isn't a fully fledged novel, only about 100 pages, but any time with Luka Lowe is worth the read for me. 

It was a bit of a painful read, seeing as Luka isn't falling for Yael, he's falling for Adele. Still, definitely worth the read because it's set in this world with these characters! How could you not read every last word dedicated to them? 

I enjoyed this novella. It was adorable seeing Luka turn into this little puppy falling in love, and then horrible seeing him hurt. Seriously, it was leading up to the betrayal moment and I silently wished for it not to happen while also silently rooted for it to occur. Why these warring thoughts? Because if the betrayal never happened Luka would never have been hurt, and I never want to see my precious baby hurt, but if it had never happened, Luka also probably would have never fallen for Yael for a lot of reasons including the fact that Adele would have not won so Yael could never enter the race and also that Luka would still be in love with Adele, which would be inconvenient seeing as he absolutely must be in love with Yael. 

After reading this book, I just need more closure with Yael and Felix... and a Wolf by Wolf from Luka's POV. That's not too much to ask for, right? Haha. Ryan, if you're reading this, please, I need more Luka Lowe. Give me a Wolf by Wolf from Luka! I'll buy all the copies if necessary to pay you the adequate amount. Haha. Well, I'd give Iron to Iron 8/10 stars. It was a fun read, of course it wasn't as good as the actual books in the series, though. 

A story just as bloodthirsty and brutal, if not more so, than its predecessor. Full of action, violence, betrayal and subterfuge, Blood for Blood is an epic conclusion to the Wolf by Wolf duology. Relationships are broken, but some are mended. How do you act around the people who you bonded with as a different person? An interesting question, and one probably nobody knows how to answer-- seeing as none of us can shape shift into someone else. 

Blood for Blood has an interesting balance of plot v. character heaviness. It just seemed to tip very strongly in either direction during different parts of the book. The characters, especially Luka, grew so much during this book, and it was a privilege to watch his journey. And I'm not just saying that because I'm totally in love with Luka Lowe. Sure, I would love anything that had to do with him, but his character growth in this book made him even more of a dream-worthy character. 

Unlike Wolf by Wolf, Blood for Blood is told from three different perspectives. Can you guess whose? Yael, Felix and Luka's. While some books suffer when changing their POVs through a series, this actually enhanced the reading experience. It was fantastic being able to see into their thoughts-- especially their reactions to finding out Adele was not actually Adele. In fact, the book would have suffered without showing these characters because each character had their own individual journey mental & physical to overcome. (Don't read that as they're all separate during the book-- they're not!)

While the book was stellar-- the writing, characters and action superb, I found myself wishing for a few things that didn't occur. Firstly I wanted more touching/actual moments between our main duo. No, I don't mean romantic, just more talking and bonding, I guess, between them with her as Yael instead of Adele. Sure, there were a few, but my greedy heart expected and direly wished for more. Mostly with Felix-- I wanted a lot more closure between Felix and Yael than I got. It was mostly Felix that I was pondering about during the first book on how he and Yael would act together once he knew, and unfortunately I didn't get too many "touching" scenes between them to find out. What I mean when I say "actual" moments is that while the characters are together for a lot of the novel, you hardly see any actual interactions between them. You just see thoughts going through their head and then the events going on around them. 

I was sort of nervous going into this book because I thought the real Adele Valerie Wolfe was going to be a bigger player and... Well, I didn't want her to be because again, I'm selfish and want all the attention for my girl, Yael. Plus, from what I gathered in the first book, Adele was not someone i would like. She seemed kinda selfish, but maybe I just thought that because I was purposely against her due to the fact that I'm totally team Yael. 100%. 

But slight spoiler, we hardly even saw Adele at all during this book. How is it that she's such a looming, important presence but even after finishing the series I feel like I barely know her? (Yes, I have read Iron to Iron). While I was dreading her being a bigger character, I was somehow still disappointed when she stayed very much in the background. 

I would give Blood for Blood 9/10 stars, while it was still a fantastical novel, it didn't touch me quite as much as Wolf for Wolf. Don't get me wrong, Blood for Blood was great, but Wolf for Wolf was a phenomenal work of art. Seriously, I was left with a BIG book hangover after finishing this novel. The biggest one I've had in a long time-- it left a gap in my soul bigger and heavier than I could've thought was possible. This isn't a finale you want to miss out on-- nothing that happens is what you could expect. Unlike other novels where characters get unexpectedly lucky, everything that could go wrong did go wrong, and anything that you're hoping could go wrong, doesn't. Seriously, Blood for Blood is nothing like what you would expect. 

Synopsis: 

There would be blood. Blood for blood. Blood to pay. An entire world of it.

For the resistance in the Third Reich, the war may be over, but the fight has just begun. Death camp survivor Yael, who has the power to skinshift, is on the run: the world has just seen her shoot and kill Hitler. But the truth of what happened is far more complicated, and its consequences are deadly. Yael and her unlikely comrades dive into enemy territory to try to turn the tide against Hitler’s army, and there is no alternative but to see their mission through to the end, whatever the cost.

But in the midst of the chaos, Yael’s past and future collide when she comes face to face with a ghost from her past, and a spark with a fellow rider begins to grow into something more. Dark secrets reveal dark truths and one question hangs over them all—how far can you go for the ones you love?

SPOILERS 

WHY DID LUKA HAVE TO DIE? Sure, it showed his tremendous character growth, willing to sacrifice himself versus betraying Yael in the first one, but NO! LUKA AND YAEL deserved so much more. They deserved a future! NOT LUKA GETTING SHOT GODDAMNIT. Wow. Luka's character growth was just beautiful throughout this book and wow. I love everything that happened with him minus the fact that he was killed. I especially loved seeing him see Yael and still be in love with her. Seeing the slight glimpses of the race through his mind made me squeal in delight I mean... 

"To Luka's (very small) credit, he hadn't meant to fall in love with Adele again. He'd plunged into the 1956 Axis Tour bent on a single thing-- revenge." 

"His plan was this: Watch Adele Wolf like a hawk. Pretend he still loved her. Gain her trust, her alliance, her heart, and cement it with a kiss (which happened to be laced with a soporific that would knock her out for hours and give him a sold lead, another victory)." 

"The more Luka watched, the more he realized there was a problem with his plan.... He couldn't pretend he still loved Adele Wolfe, because he did." 

AH. If you aren't screaming at these, where is your heart? 

"Only when they were even-- a heart for a heart, a victory for a victory-- could they be together." 

Just watching them in love is beautiful. It was perfect. And I just wish there was more. Watching Luka interact with Adele when he's no longer in love with her? Wow. That was just so satisfying. 

Now let's move on to the other beautiful boy. Felix, my sweet, loyal baby. Who isn't nearly as loyal anymore. Okay, yes, he's loyal to his family, but not to Yael! I could understand his plight, I really could, but did it make me feel that it was okay? No. Every moment I was hoping that he would be caught and be turned to the right side, but he never was, not until it was too late. 

Unfortunately we couldn't get too many touching scenes with Yael and Felix. You basically get that one scene with the chess pieces where she makes that promise to him, but otherwise they were in the same area, but never actually had a deep talk. I get that they don't really have time-- the world is at stake-- but I STILL NEED THOSE MOMENTS. I especially craved more closure between Felix and Yael at the end of the novel, after Yael finds out about his treachery. Sure, she takes him to his family, but do they talk? NO. I JUST NEED MORE CLOSURE, OKAY? It bugs me to think about that it's not resolved... 

Anyway, thanks for reading, 
​Anj


​

"Once upon a different time, there was a girl who lived in a kingdom of death. Wolves howled up her arm. A whole pack of them -- made of tattoo ink and pain, memory and loss. It was the only thing about her that ever stayed the same."

Dark and gritty, Wolf by Wolf is everything you could possibly want in a book and more. I read a lot. I read a lot of different books, and I've read a lot of great books... And this is by far one of the best books I've ever read. I'm not kidding when I say that Wolf by Wolf is everything you could imagine in a great book. It has all the elements you could possibly want-- a badass protagonist, thrilling plot and intriguing side characters.

Let me start this review by telling you a quick story. Meet the protagonist, me. When I came across this book, I was stunned by its rating on Goodreads. A 4.27/5 stars. For those of you unfamiliar with Goodreads, usually a 3.80 or above means a fairly promising book. Anything above a 4 means a fantastic book. And as high as .27? It has to be a phenomenal read. Therefore I had to add it to my TBR list. 

Then I read the synopsis... And instantly lost my interest. See, the synopsis just felt really... dumb to me. It sounded like a very weird plot that I would not be into at all. I mean, come on motorcycle race to kill Hitler? How absurd does that plot line sound? (PLEASE DON'T STOP READING THE REVIEW! TRUST ME, IT'S A GREAT BOOK.) You may be feeling the same way I did then-- hesitant and ready to never think about this book again. Don't. Don't make that mistake. You don't wanna be missing out on this book. Then I skimmed my friends' reviews on Goodreads, and they were all 5 star and glowing... So I kept the book on my To Be Read list, but felt hesitant to ever pick the book up. 

Skip forward a couple weeks and I'm getting on a six hour flight to go on vacation in California. Before leaving for the airport I downloaded 3 books. Wolf by Wolf was one of them. That was my way of forcing myself to read it and see what all the hype was about. Still, Wolf by Wolf was the last of the three books-- that's how doubtful I was about it. 

It's extremely difficult to come out of a book with a positive reading experience when going in with negative expectations... Yet somehow I came out of this book in complete awe. I instantly got the next book, read that, cried because it was over, and then reread the series again. The point of this little anecdote is that while the plot synopsis might be a little... strange, don't worry about it. Push through and really try to enjoy the book. (Also side note, my friend thought it sounded dumb too, but I forced her to read the book and she loved it. So...) 

"She-wolf. An interesting choice."
"I didn't choose it," she told him. "It chose me." 

Here, I'm going to try and set up the story for you in a way that doesn't sound crazy-- but even if it does, I still really want to encourage you all to try it out. Alright, picture this-- a world where the Axis Powers won World War II. Kind of a scary thought, huh? Since the Axis won, that means their lovely leader, Adolf Hitler is still alive, leading the people of Germany-- only, it's not just Germany, it's an entire empire of conquered nations. 

"Not everything was gray ashfall, yellowing weeds, withered blue hands, crimson rivers of blood....There was still beauty in this world. And it was worth fighting for."

The Axis Powers valued strength in their youth-- so as victors of the world war, they host an annual motorcycle race across their territory-- 20,000 kilometers-- to show the strength of their people and find the most promising youth to be the next face of the empire. From that perspective, the motorcycle race makes sense. 

Last year, the race had its first female victor-- Adele Wolfe. When she attended her victor's ball, Hitler waltzed with her on live television. No one is able to get that close to Hitler, especially not on live television, so the resistance forms a plan to spark continent-wide rebellion. Kill Hitler on live TV where everyone can see it-- the only issue is that no one else has ever been able to get that close to him. Only Adele Wolfe can, and she can only do that if she wins this year's race and is offered another dance at the victor's ball. 

Now meet Yael. She's a Jewish girl who escaped her concentration camp with the help of a unique ability. While at the camp, she was tested on, and those tests caused her to be able to shapeshift-- or skin shift, as she calls it. Yael works for the rebellion, and now she has a very important mission. She has to kill Hitler, and she's the only person who can... as Adele Wolfe.

So Yael enters this years race disguised as last year's Victor. All she has to do is win, not so hard, right? Wrong. The race is full of sabotage along with all the natural difficulties of riding a motorcycle 20,000 kilometers throughout multiple continents. Plus, there's the issue of not being discovered, which didn't seem like it would be an issue until Felix, Adele Wolf's twin brother, enters the race. Not to mention Luke Lowe, another victor hellbent on wining again, who seems to have a tangled past with Adele-- one that Yael knows nothing about. So Yael must pretend to be Adele and try to figure out what Adele's relationship is with these two boys and learn how to act towards them...

There's my best shot at giving a synopsis and setting up the story without making the plot sound completely nuts. If that still didn't win you over, here, let's talk about elements of the book.

"Not alone. It was a cruel irony that this was the message she had been chosen to deliver. She, the loneliest of all. The girl without a people. Without a face. The girl who was no one. Who could be everyone."

Yael is quite literally the perfect protagonist. She's tough, but also vulnerable. She genuinely cares for everyone-- every life matters to her. She has a lust for vengeance, but is also understanding and empathetic.  She's a very easy protagonist to really root for and sympathize with. 

"She thought she was ready for this mission. Ready for anything. 
But not this. Not relationships. 
This wasn’t something she could fake."

Now let's talk about the two main side characters that I've fallen madly in love with. Luka Lowe and Felix Wolfe. Two vastly different boys that both provide the same problem for Yael. She doesn't know them, and she doesn't know wheat's between them and Adele. Luka is another victor of the race, and a cocky bastard to top that off. (AKA perfectly my type) His lighthearted banter with Yael is one of my favorite things. He has so many layers, and it was so much fun trying to uncover the true Luka Lowe as the book continued on. Felix is the exact opposite of Luka. While it seems that Luka may or may not be out to get Adele/Yael, Felix is there to protect her. He's strong and loyal to a fault. He'll do anything and everything for his twin, and AH. I just loved him for that.

I'll admit, the plot had a pretty slow start. It took a while to get into the story, but once you get in, it's impossible to pull yourself out of the riveting world of subterfuge, lies and betrayal. The race's storyline was absolutely enthralling, it had my heart racing at all the intense moments and me squealing in excitement basically all the time. The story flashes between present and past, Yael in the race, the past-- her time in the concentration camp and then teaming up with the rebels. I mean, I think this might be an obvious comment but I preferred the present story (most books with dual stories are like that). While, yes, I did come to appreciate the flashbacks (you need them, to see where Yael is coming from. They are definitely necessary plot points), the first few just seemed to break up the momentum. (This was when I was still hesitant about the book.) As I got into the flow of things, the flashbacks seemed more well placed, and more interesting. 

The race is no ordinary race. Because of the length of the journey, the race isn't solely dependent on speed. In fact, speed is a bit of an afterthought. If you're going to win the Axis Tour, you have to concentrate on survival and pay attention to your competitors. Close attention. There is plenty of sabotage that occurs along the roads, and if you're even going to think about making the 20,000 kilometers, you're going to need allies to watch your back. But who can you trust when everyone is in it to win? I loved this aspect of the plot, it was a truly exhilarating adventure-- especially with all the tricks and twists the occurred along the way to Tokyo. 

While the race itself is a draw, so are the characters and their relationships. It's so intriguing to watch Yael interact with these two boys, see her attempt to uncover who Adele is, even when she doesn't know who she herself is. The relationships are so complex, and so beautifully written... Seriously, I don't even know the words to describe how much I love everything about these characters and their stories. 

Graudin has written a masterpiece. It's highly unusual that I give a new book this rating, and even more unusual that I am giving this to a book that I was convinced I would dislike but 9.5/10 stars. If everything I've said already hasn't convinced you to read Wolf by Wolf, I just have to say 9.5/10. That's how amazing this story is. Sure, it has a slow start, but the novel catches up and overtakes its beginning. If you're not convinced yet, I don't have anything more to say other than READ IT. 

Synopsis: 

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.

SPOILERS 

I don't have much spoilery talk to say. I've basically said all my opinions above. If any of you want to actually talk about the details of the book, though, I'd be totally down. I fell in love with this book and need as many people as possible to talk to about it. The moment that rings out in my mind now that I've reread it multiple times that makes me squeal with delight is at the beginning of the race when Luka is doing the pincer movement and saying "Let's have fun, Fraulein!" and AH. Emotions. I love that. 

Anyway, thanks for reading, 
Anj

“Sometimes I miss this. You. Me. Secrets. Stars.” His words curled out with the smoke—wisps of burning air that actually looked pretty. “I thought I was invincible. Before you.”

Set in a world where the rich are absurdly rich and the poor are living in absolute shambles, Pacifica follows Ross and Marin, two people who were born on opposite sides of the spectrum. Ross is the son of the most powerful man in the world and has lived a life of luxury, while Marin was quite literally born in a land of trash and is now living in the poorest of the poor districts. 
Pacifica is an action filled novel-- but that's not the thing that really sets it apart and pulls the reader into the dystopian world of Pacifica. What really sets this book apart and lifts it up and beyond is its characters. 
Ross, the boy prince with the heart of gold. He's made up of good intentions and always unconsciously just sees the best in people. He's literally such a sweetheart and while the sweethearts aren't usually the ones who steal my heart in books, Ross really won me over. He's trusting, good natured and possesses an unseen disability-- one that he has never told anyone about because he's the president's son. He has to be perfect. And wow, his imperfections really just made him more perfect and more realistic in my eyes. 
Then there's Marin. The girl from the slums and a pirate at that. Her father raised her to be cruel, to be cunning-- and that's all really anyone ever sees of her, if they even bother to look past the poor clothes and the grime. She's such fun protagonist, really all you could ever want in one-- clever and self-made, having worked for what she has and what she is. 
And a third character that is hardly seen in the book, but whose presence is highly important, is Adam, Ross's best friend and son of the vice president. But there's more to him than what meets the... well, not eye, the outwardly description. See, Adam and his family is from the slums, and he's never really fit in with any of the people in Ross's circle. The gap between the rich and the poor is gargantuan, and the disdain the aristocrats feel towards those from the slums is colossal. The only one to have ever accepted Adam is Ross. Their friendship is what drives the book-- after all, if Adam had never been taken, Ross would've never gone on a fantastical journey with Marin to find him. 
The relationship between the characters is phenomenal. Adam and Ross's friendship is the epitome of what everyone wishes their friendships could be. Ross quite literally is willing to go to the ends of the Earth to find Adam and bring him back to safety. While this relationship is already established before the book begins, as you progress through the book, you get to see and understand more of their friendship-- which makes you able to love it even more. 
Then there's Marin and Ross's relationship. This is one that doesn't exist before the start of this book and you really get to watch it build and become something beautiful throughout the book. I quite literally fell in love with them and their reactions with each other. Sure, the romance takes a back burner to the plot, but it is still there, and wow, the tension is real. 
Of course, though the characters and their relationships are what elevates the book to become something truly remarkable, the plot is also quite action-filled and thrilling. It was exciting and fun and AH. This book is truly everything you could hope to find. It may have a tweed bit of a slow start, but once you get into it, you're in and it's three AM. 
8/10 stars, this book was truly a work of art. Wow, I can't even express in words how taken I was by this story and these characters. I'm pretty sure that a reread is on the horizon quite soon, because I'm ready to be taken back into this world. It's unusual to read a standalone novel and get this attached, but here I am, still quite enraptured with the novel. Yes, you heard me-- it's a standalone. I actually didn't realize this when going into it, I assumed it would be a series like basically any other action book you'd pick up in the store... But it's not, which is amazing because it was able to create and wrap up an enthralling story in a satisfying manner-- but it's also a little disappointing, because I could use more books with these characters. At least I can be comforted in knowing that they're probably happy-- a new book would mean new troubles. Anyway, I hope you all give this book an opportunity and then proceed to enjoy it as much as I did/do. 
Synopsis: 
​
Marin is corsario royalty, a pirate like her father and his father before him. Sailing the ocean to chase adventure is in her blood. But these days no one cares that the island town her people call home is named after her grandfather. They have a new leader, one who promises an end to their hunger – and one who thinks that girls are meant for the kitchen or the brothel. Marin knows she's meant for more than that, and with the sudden influx of weapons on the island, and rumors of a pending deal with the enemy oil nation in her wake, she knows a big score to gain the council's favor is the only way to save her people, and herself.

Ross lives a life of privilege. As the president's son he wants for nothing, but he longs for a life of adventure. On a dare, he convinces his best friend Adam to sneak out to the Docks, the site of local race riots between the poor Shorlings and the upper class. But when Adam is arrested along with the other Shorlings, and not even the president is willing to find him, Ross finds himself taking matters into his own hands. He journeys back into the Docks, ready to make deals with anyone, even a beautiful pirate, if it means Adam's safe return.

When Marin and Ross meet in dangerous Shoreling territory he sees a way to get his friend back and she sees her ticket home. The ransom a president’s son would command could feed her people for years and restore her family’s legacy. But somewhere in the middle of the ocean, Marin must decide if her heart can handle handing over the only person who has ever seen her as more than a pirate.

Imagine a dystopian future where, after twenty years of living in chaos, the world is finally coming into order. Who has risen up to bring order back into society? Superheroes, of course. 
Renegades follows two protagonists leading very opposite lives. One was raised among the superheroes, and believes there is no greater cause. The other was raised to hate superheroes and everything they stand for. 
Nova Artino despises the Renegades, which is what the superheroes have taken to call themselves. She is the youngest member of a fallen rebel group called the Anarchists. The Anarchists stand for freedom, freedom for the prodigies-- people with powers-- but they are, for the most part, seen as the cause that threw the world into turmoil for twenty whole years. The Anarchists are the villains of the story... or so the people think. Not only does she hate the Renegades for her cause, but she also has her own personal reasons to detest them. 
Meanwhile, Adrian Everhart was brought up with two of the most famous superheroes as his parents. He believes in the system with all his heart, and has always looked down upon the villains.  Still, Adrian is on a mission, and the only person who can help him solve this mission is a super villain named Nightmare. The issue is, he has no idea how to find her... but she may be closer than he thinks. 
Something I really enjoyed about the book was simply the diversity and uniqueness of the superpowers, especially for our main characters. Nova (Nightmare) has the power of being able to put other people to sleep & also to not need to sleep at all. Adrian (Sketch) has the superpower of bringing any drawing to life. Then you have both of their "teams." On Nova's team, there's a character with the ability to make explosives out of the gases in their air, and another who can control any type of bee and wasp. Adrian's team has a girl who can turn into monarch butterflies and a girl whose blood, when cut, turns into weapons. I mean, those are pretty uncommon powers that you don't see very often, eh? 
I also love the trope of two main characters being on opposite sides-- like a relationship (friendship or romantic) that is complicated by them being low-key each other's enemies. Sorry, bad wording but you get the point-- think of Magneto and Professor X. I also love the trope of the wolf in sheep's clothing, disguise but falling for their own con a little. This book has all of that. It's so much fun to watch this sort of relationship get set up over the course of the novel-- and I look forward to seeing it to a more extreme in upcoming books. 
Renegades is fun and well written-- just as you'd expect from the author of the Lunar Chronicles. (Ah THOSE ARE GOOD BOOKS!) and exciting. The plot and characters are interesting, and I really look forward to seeing where these characters and their relationships are going-- especially after the ending of the book. While the ultimate TWIST was something I suspected, there were quite a few cliches I was expecting to happen that just didn't. 
Nova had to be my favorite character-- she's a badass, and also not a good guy. She's more complicated than someone just doing things to be good, she has her own reasons and motivations. She can be selfish. I love that about her. I also love her relationship with the Anarchists. While the rest of the world views them as villains, they're her family. The people that raised her, and that makes their relationship and the way I view them all the more interesting. And while I think superheroes would be awesome, I also agree with the point she's trying to make throughout the book that powers don't make heroes, and that people need to step up and be a hero when needed-- even without powers to assist them. 
Also just a little side note-- the front of the book has a cast of characters, introducing each character with their allegiances and powers, which really helps to sort out who is who and what they can do-- it was something I was flipping back to frequently during the beginning of my read through. 
I would give Renegades 7/10 stars, it was a really well written and fun novel. I would highly recommend to anyone who appreciates superhero stories. While there are parts that move a bit slowly, the characters and plot make up for it. 

Synopsis: 

Secret Identities. Extraordinary Powers. She wants vengeance. He wants justice.

The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigies — humans with extraordinary abilities — who emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned. As champions of justice, they remain a symbol of hope and courage to everyone... except the villains they once overthrew.

Nova has a reason to hate the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. As she gets closer to her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justice — and in Nova. But Nova's allegiance is to a villain who has the power to end them both.


SPOILERS
Let me just say I was really disappointed in Ingrid, not the writing of Ingrid but the character's choices. Like, I really enjoyed seeing Nova with all these "totally evil" characters who were really just people fighting for something they believed in-- and they really did act like a family together, which I thought was very sweet. The way the Anarchists were connected was probably one of my favorite if not my favorite relationship of the book. They were like a family, a very dysfunctional family. And they weren't these badass bad guys, either. Queen Bee was kinda crazy, in a lovable way-- but not what you'd expect from one of the most feared beings in the world. 
Ingrid really seemed like the most down to earth Anarchist and I was hoping to get a good relationship out of her and Nova, but she turned out to be super evil and back-stabby so... Yeah, no, I'm disappointed in you, Ingrid. 
The big twist at the end-- that Alec was alive wasn't too much of a surprise from me. There was some very good subtle hinting towards it, and well, I was really secretly hoping in the pit of my stomach that he would be alive. I enjoyed the brief sightings we saw between Alec and Nova, and am looking forward to seeing more. 
Anyway, that's really all I have to say other than I'm really looking forward to reading he next one! 
​-Anj

Once again Emma Mills proves her outstanding ability to write an absolutely adorable romance and story in her novel This Adventure Ends. Mills previously displayed her prowess in her debut novel, First & Then, which was an equally adorable and quirky adventure that I highly recommend if you're in the mood for a cutesy romance. 
Like First & Then, This Adventure Ends isn't solely a romance book. While First & Then concentrated on the idea of family, This Adventure Ends expands its boundaries out to friendships as well. And boy, do I love the relationships in all of Mills' novels. She sets them up in such a compelling and realistic way that it's impossible not to get attached to the relationships, both romantic and platonic. 
While there was a romantic undertone to this novel, it was a undertone. There, but definitely not the most important highlight of the novel. The most important being the friendships made throughout the book. It was very enjoyable watching Sloane, the book's slightly lonerish protagonist, make friends and then watching those relationships build. 
The characters are so genuine and real that it feels almost as if they might step out of the book at any moment. The entire novel, actually, felt very realistic, while also being entirely too cute and adorable to handle-- it's definitely not stereotypical. 
Sloane isn't your typical loaner, at least, she's not the image that pops into my head when the word "loaner" is mentioned. What I mean when I say that Sloane is a bit of a loaner is that she's never really had any close friends. She had friends, but none of them close enough to even make her want to stay in her hometown (city?) of New York when her parents wanted to move right before her senior year. Sloane is funny in a sarcastic, deadpan manner that I appreciate. While she's not exactly the expert on relationships, it's fun to watch her stumble through actually forming real bonds of friendship in her new town. 
Meet Vera and Gabe, two twins who couldn't be more different. Vera is a vivacious, effervescent girl who everyone can't help but love. Meanwhile, the book at first describes Gabe as being "serious." Something that made me a bit nervous because I don't like a very serious guy. Luckily, it wasn't the sort of serious that I was thinking. It actually makes whenever Gabe actually does crack a joke or laugh all the more rewarding. He's a bit socially awkward, which I love. While I love a confidant guy, I also love my socially awkward boys. Really, I guess it's not all that hard to impress me when it comes to book boys, haha. I love these twins, because of their relationships with Sloane as well as their presence throughout the book. Like I said before, the characters are very well fleshed out, and they feel so real... It's hard not to fall in love with any and all of them. 
I'll be completely honest with you, I've had this book sitting on my shelf for longer than I'd like to admit. I actually had it the day it came out (thanks, Amazon prime pre-orders), but did I read it? No. Why? Because well, I didn't really feel compelled to do so. I was worried Mills' magic from First & Then would be lacking in this novel, and also the idea of hunting down a portrait just didn't hook me. Sometimes I just really hate myself, and this is one of those times. Similar to me avoiding reading Better Off Friends, it was really just a dumb mistake. I could've experienced the joy and happiness This Adventure Ends had to share years ago! But I waited until now because... Because I just didn't feel like reading it. Ugh. Why, Anji? Why? I will not make that mistake again and have already bought Mills' most recent release and plan to read it ASAP. 
Anyway, getting off track, I'm giving this book 8/10 stars because I absolutely loved it. It had me cringing at the embarrassing moments, laughing at the funny ones and grinning like a maniac most of the time I was having the pleasure of reading it. (Also side comment-- can we just appreciate how cute and aesthetically pleasing all of the covers for Mills' novels are??) I highly recommend this one, and hope you all enjoying reading it as much as I did! 

Synopsis: 

Sloane isn't expecting to fall in with a group of friends when she moves from New York to Florida—especially not a group of friends so intense, so in love, so all-consuming. Yet that's exactly what happens.

Sloane becomes closest to Vera, a social-media star who lights up any room, and Gabe, Vera's twin brother and the most serious person Sloane's ever met. When a beloved painting by the twins' late mother goes missing, Sloane takes on the responsibility of tracking it down, a journey that takes her across state lines—and ever deeper into the twins' lives.

Filled with intense and important friendships, a wonderful warts-and-all family, shiveringly good romantic developments, and sharp, witty dialogue, this story is about finding the people you never knew you needed.

SPOILERS BELOW

I love how realistic the ending is. While you would want them to get their painting back... Most of the time, that wouldn't happen. That would've been the "fairytale" ending, and, given how realistic the rest of the novel is, that wouldn't seem right. Also, the painting isn't the point! It's the motivation for finding the painting. 
I also would like to comment on OH MY GOD. Gabe and Sloane. Love their relationship and the slow burn of it. I mean, I knew he was asking her out, but clearly Sloane didn't catch on the first time. And the tucking in part? I was dying from the cuteness there. 

You've played the game once, now it's time to enter again. You must remember that everything in Caraval isn't real. It's just a game... isn't it? 

"This was why love was so dangerous. Love turned the world into a garden, so beguiling it was easy to forget that rose petals were as ephemeral as feelings, eventually they would wilt and die, leaving nothing but thorns."

Legendary is book 2 in the wonderful and mystical Caraval trilogy by Stephanie Garber. The series follows a pair of sisters, Scarlett and Donatella Dragna. Scarlett constantly lives in fear, fear of her father and fear for her sister. She's the protector, always playing it safe in order to keep her and her sister alive. Donatella  is vibrant, and very much so wants to live her life to the fullest. In other words, not to live in fear. Caraval, the first book, follows Scarlett as she plays a game, and not just any game, Caraval. Caraval is where everything feels real, but you can't trust your senses, because it's possible nothing is real. The game is a series of clues, leading to an end goal, and the winner is granted one wish from the Caraval's magical creator, Legend, a man who is never seen, but who everyone has heard of. The issue is the game feels real, you don't know who is an actor, planted to create a more interested game, or another player. Scarlett doesn't intend to play Caraval... but when her sister is taken and the only way she can get her back is to win, she must join in. The first book was amazing, and I highly recommend it. If you have yet to read Caraval, feel free to go check out my review of it-- and don't read any further here! You're about to be spoiled on the first book. Stop reading now if you have yet to read the first book. 
While Caraval was told from Scarlett's point of view, Legendary is told from Donatello's, or "Tella's." If I'm being completely honest, I bought the book but didn't immediately pick it up. I wasn't all that excited to read it-- I remembered how much I enjoyed Caraval, but I also remembered that I wasn't the biggest fan of Tella. The end of Caraval actually felt like a good ending, too, so I wasn't even hooked enough to feel a need to read this book. 
Boy, was I wrong.
While Caraval was good, Legendary was spectacular. It managed to retain all the mystery and intrigue of the first book, while adding in higher stakes and all together a more enthralling plot. Perhaps part of what made Legendary so, well, legendary was that I was already attached to (some) of the characters and their fates, and I also already knew the world, and therefore did not need to be introduced to it. 
Of course, I didn't actually remember the details of the first book, since it had been a year since I'd last read it, but I did remember the general feel of the book. Let me just tell you, this book was so good, that I just had to go and read the first book again, just to remember what happened, and pick up on the hints that I'd missed from what I know now. AND IT WAS SO WORTH IT!!! AHH. Sorry, I'm just freaking out, I'm still in shock and am amazed at just how astoundingly perfect this book was. I may not have been a fan of Tella before, but now I definitely love her. 

"She was bold. She was brave. She was cunning. And she was going to come out of this triumphant-- no matter the cost." 


Caraval also was not the end of Scarlett or Julian's story, either. Their story continues on in this one, with them being not as involved in the plot as the first, but still having some stuff going on. In fact, I found myself missing Scarlett a bit whilst reading this book, and wishing we did get to see into her head, just to see her thoughts on some occurrences in the story. 
Legendary just constantly keeps you guessing. On what's real, what's happening, who's what, what's going on, what is real, what is fake, what is ANYTHING. Yeah, you might think you have a leg up, a more solid footing after reading the first book. You're familiar with Caraval, after all, so shouldn't you have an easier time figuring things out? NO. You're guessing, and then you're second guessing, and then you're third guessing every single thing. There's just occurrences in the game you need to figure out, trying to find out peoples' motives and whatnot, and then there's the big question you'd been wondering since book one: Who the **** (you can fill in any word you'd like there) is Legend? At times you may be thinking AHA so he's Legend. And then it's like nope, he's Legend. Nope he's Legend. And then you just start questioning your own existence because why not. 
It's still a game, still a complicated puzzle to figure out, but this time the stakes are so much higher. Because the game... some of the game is real. Here you're introduced to lore. The Fates are magical beings who once ruled the world like tyrants... and now it seems they may be back. 
I find it amazing that this is Stephanie Garber's first series, because the writing is impeccable, the story is flawless, the characters are well rounded, and the plot is engrossing. It's a perfectly crafted world. Legendary didn't even fall down the hole of a being a letdown after a first spectacular book. It exceeded the first book's standards. I would give Legendary 9/10 stars and highly recommend it to anyone and everyone. If you chose not to immediately pick this book up with similar reservations as me, ignore them! Pick it up now! You won't regret it. This series earned a place on my fvaroties shelf, and I'm am throughly pumped for the next book-- what do you mean I HAVE TO WAIT ALMOST ANOTHER YEAR?!!!! Ugh. Talk about torture here. 
Anyway, here's the synopsis: 

A heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win.

After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister Scarlett from a disastrous arranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver: Caraval Master Legend’s true name.

The only chance of uncovering Legend’s identity is to win Caraval, so Tella throws herself into the legendary competition once more—and into the path of the murderous heir to the throne, a doomed love story, and a web of secrets…including her sister's. Caraval has always demanded bravery, cunning, and sacrifice. But now the game is asking for more. If Tella can’t fulfill her bargain and deliver Legend’s name, she’ll lose everything she cares about—maybe even her life. But if she wins, Legend and Caraval will be destroyed forever.

Welcome, welcome to Caraval...the games have only just begun.


SPOILERS 
Wow, I just... this book was just so amazing. Jacks. Dante. WHAT EVEN IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE NEXT BOOK? HOW WILL ANYTHING BE FIXED? HOW. WHAT IS WITH DANTE? WHAT IS WITH JACKS? WHO IS TELLA GOING TO END UP WITH? WHO THE fudge knows. 
Dante is Legend. Legend is Dante. I went back and read Caraval and IT WAS SO HINTED THERE. Like haha Marcello killed Dante thinking he was killing Legend... AND HE WAS RIGHT! And also just like throughout the book is was hinted towards him, so knowing what I know, rereading Caraval was so satisfying-- seeing everyone's reactions to Julian too.... Wow. It's so with rereading. I'm planning on rereading Legendary soon too, just to see all the hints towards Dante being Legend. 
I thought Dante might be Legend, and throughout the book I was feeling more certain that he was. But every time I was feeling slightly solid on who Legend was, I was like wait... could it be Julian though? Honestly, it was so confusing. 
I did really love Dante and Tella from the very beginning of the book. Their banter gave me life. Also the part where he was literally spying and heard she said he as a bad kisser HA. So good. Such a quality book. Ah. Just perfect. And then Dante got mad at Armando when he insults Scarlett... cute. Cute. 
Also when you realize the word moment that like even though Tella and Julian didn't do anything in the first book and neither did Dante and Scarlett, both were kinda like almost doing stuff with each other and I think that's weirdly ironic as well as the fact that they're both siblings dating each other's siblings. 
And speaking of dating. Let's just talk about Scarlett and Julian's relationship. I loved the strain on it in this book. Maybe because I'm just a dramatic bitch, but I really enjoyed that their story is far from over. I love how committed Julian is to try and keep Scarlett won over (because yes, I do love Julian), but I also love that Scarlett really stood up for herself and was like yeah, not now, Julian. The drama of their relationship was quite enjoyable. Like, if they don't end up together I'm gonna be mad, but I love that there's still drama in it. Also some people probably hate Scarlett for playing Julian and D'Arcy at the end of the book, but I think it's going to be fun to read about. I'm really looking forward to it, haha. As long as Julian wins out in the end. But YESS I'm really looking forward to that small bit in the next book (it's going to be relatively irrelevant compared to the issues with the fates... but still.) 
And then we can't forget to talk about Jacks. While I really like Dante and Tell's relationship, I'm intrigued about Jacks. (also Jacks like the Jack of hearts? IDK he does turn people in cards). Like Tella is his true love, she made his heart beat again... Surely that has to mean something. I'm quite looking forward to seeing the complexity of that relationship in the next book. 

Anyway, thanks for reading! 
​Anji

The stakes have never been higher, step in the wrong place and your life is forfeit. An unexplored world, recently discovered through a coded message. A race to find materials that could possibly save Earth from its oncoming peril, but what if there's a catch?
Unearthed is the first book in a sci-fi duology by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner. Their names sound familiar to you? That's because they're the pair who wrote the New York Times Bestselling series of Starbound (These Broken Stars, This Shattered World and Their Fractured Light). These two are a sci-fi force to be reckoned with. They had a lot to live up to after their  Starbound books... And they lived up to, if not surpassed those. Unearthed is an exciting novel with compelling characters and an even more fascinating plot. Though it started off a little slow, you're sure to be sucked in the world before you even know it, and soon enough it'll be three AM and you're still reading... Maybe that was just my experience, though, haha. 
Unearthed takes place on a recently discovered planet, which was once occupied by a now extinct race that the humans have named the "Undying" due to their last message left to humanity. Meet Mia Radcliffe, a scavenger who has snuck onto Gaia to steal expensive technology. Now meet Jules Addison, a scholar who's determined to find the meaning behind a second, hidden message behind the first. Through a strange twist of fate, the two have to end up working together... and little do they know just how much they'll need to rely on each other or the perils the will soon face. 
I absolutely loved the relationship between Jules and Mia. I enjoyed watching how it progressed throughout the book. And I loved the tension and mistrust built between the two characters due to their differing motives and goals. And I'm not just talking about tension from mistrust heheh. 
The beginning isn't exactly a slow start. It actually jumps right into the action, which I loved, but it feels slow in comparison to later in the book, due to actually very speedy pacing as well as a stronger connection to the characters you are reading about. Seriously, this book is absolutely riveting, you're not going to want to tear your eyes away, the plot just keeps getting thicker and thicker. Unearthed is a race, to survive and to find... whatever they're looking for before others do. It's exciting-- I swear my heart was racing during several key moments, and I was reading faster the faster the story went. That's just how engrossing this story really is. 
I'll admit, I wasn't actually all that excited to start this book-- it was sitting on my bookshelf for a while due to a busy school time. Then, on my yearly camping trip I brought the book along and picked it up just to pass the time. Little did I know i was about to be swept away in a planet far, far away. Haha. Anyway, I'd give Unearthed 8/10 stars, it was a fantastic and enthralling book. Definitely one to add to the favorites shelf. I highly recommend if you want to go on a heart-pounding adventure with a compelling plot and intriguing characters. It has action, it has adventure, high stakes and a sprig of romance. What else could you possibly want?
Here's the synopsis: 

When Earth intercepts a message from a long-extinct alien race, it seems like the solution the planet has been waiting for. The Undying's advanced technology has the potential to undo environmental damage and turn lives around, and Gaia, their former home planet, is a treasure trove waiting to be uncovered.

For Jules Addison and his fellow scholars, the discovery of an alien culture offers unprecedented opportunity for study... as long as scavengers like Amelia Radcliffe don't loot everything first. Mia and Jules' different reasons for smuggling themselves onto Gaia put them immediately at odds, but after escaping a dangerous confrontation with other scavvers, they form a fragile alliance.

In order to penetrate the Undying temple and reach the tech and information hidden within, the two must decode the ancient race's secrets and survive their traps. But the more they learn about the Undying, the more their presence in the temple seems to be part of a grand design that could spell the end of the human race...

SPOILERS
OH. MY. GOD. The sexual tension between Mia and Jules was PRIME. I absolutely loved the slow burn of the romance, I hate instalove. I love Mia and Jules' relationship, especially with the distrust and betrayal mixed in. The moment they finally kissed was so rewarding, and then the funny little dialog added after about yeah of course I had to follow you, I didn't know if the kissing was over and I couldn't miss out on that. AHA. 
I was a little disappointed at first with the big hidden thing being a spaceship, but with that ending? It was totally okay. Of course, I was suspicious from the beginning that the Undying were actually humans and I WAS RIGHT! I'm thinking they were probably the people from the colony that was briefly mentioned? Like they were in trouble and the people of Earth refused to help but they survived and now want revenge? I don't know. 

Anyway, thanks for reading! 
​-Anj

I know, you're all sick of hearing (or reading) these words-- I'm so sorry for not posting regularly. Junior year was especially busy with a lot of pressure... But here I am! I also didn't actually read that many books due to a negative amount of free time, so I didn't actually have that many books to review, but I did read a few, and I am ashamed to say I am disgustingly behind on reviews. So behind that I don't think it would actually be worthwhile to write full on reviews of these books-- it's been too long since I've read them. Here I'll just give the synopsis, my general feel of the book and if I recommend it or not. Alright, here we go. 

Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake 
Wow. There was so much hype about this book, and I was falling for none of it. The synopsis just didn't interest me enough to actually buy the book and read it, that is, until my friend asked me if I'd read it and said it was on her reading list. That, of course, piqued my interest-- if it was a good book and my friend read it, I couldn't miss out! Plus if we both liked it we could have some great in depth talks about it. So I immediately ordered it and read it as soon as possible. 
Unfortunately, the reading experience was not as I'd hoped it would be. To be blunt, the book was dull for me. There was never a moment whilst reading it when I didn't feel like I could simply put the book down and never think about it again. I'd heard that it was like that, but there was a turning point, so I waited. And waited. There was no turning point. The entire book just felt dull and boring. There wasn't really any good buildup with the relationships, suddenly there was just love in some circumstances. Really, you can't expect me to fall for that. For those of you who know me-- I hate instalove plots. Even if one of the romances was not insta, I still didn't have any emotional connection to it. There was hardly any buildup, there was some, but not enough for me to even care at all. (Y'all probably know which one I'm talking about, if you read the novel.) Any relationship in general in this book ranging from romance to friendships just wasn't anything I connected with therefore anything I cared about. 
I know I'm in the minority and a ton of people are in love with these novels, but I'm sorry. I tried to like this book, I really did, but I just couldn't. The only time I was even slightly interested and not feeling bored to death was in the last few lines of the entire novel. And it most certainly is not enough interest for me to carry into reading the next book. 
The concept of the series is great, but the writing structure and just how the general plot was played out just didn't work for me. The series is about an island divided into three factions: the Naturalists, Elementals and the Poisoners. The Naturalists are good with anything to do with nature, they all have "familiars" which are animals bonded to them. The Elementals can control the elements. The Poisoners can ingest any amount of poison and still be fine. The island is ruled by a queen, and becoming queen is a dirty process. Each reigning queen bears triplets, and each triplet is one of the three types of powers. These girls are separated at youth, and trained to hone their powers. At the age of 16 they have to duke it out, and the surviving sister is crowned queen. 
In this novel, each sister has a bit of an issue. Mirabella, the elemental, is very strong, and it's predicted that she will win the competition, ending the Poisoner faction's reign. Her issue? She doesn't want to kill her sisters. The other two, Arsinoe and Katharine, are having trouble even getting in touch with their powers... If they don't have any powers to fight with, how could either ever become queen? This novel is not the actual competition to becoming queen, only the events leading up to it (which is disappointing, maybe the actual competition would be more interesting? I guess I'll never know.) 
Here's the real synopsis: 

Every generation on the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplets is born: three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. Mirabella is a fierce elemental, able to spark hungry flames or vicious storms at the snap of her fingers. Katharine is a poisoner, one who can ingest the deadliest poisons without so much as a stomachache. Arsinoe, a naturalist, is said to have the ability to bloom the reddest rose and control the fiercest of lions.

But becoming the Queen Crowned isn’t solely a matter of royal birth. Each sister has to fight for it. And it’s not just a game of win or lose … it’s life or death. The night the sisters turn sixteen, the battle begins. The last queen standing gets the crown.

If only it was that simple. Katharine is unable to tolerate the weakest poison, and Arsinoe, no matter how hard she tries, can’t make even a weed grow. The two queens have been shamefully faking their powers, taking care to keep each other, the island, and their powerful sister Mirabella none the wiser. But with alliances being formed, betrayals taking shape, and ruthless revenge haunting the queens’ every move, one thing is certain: the last queen standing might not be the strongest … but she may be the darkest.

​If you're intrigued, by all means, pick up the novel. I'm pretty sure I'm in the minority of not enjoying the book, hopefully you'll be in the majority. I'd give Three Dark Crowns 3-4/10 stars. I'm sorry, I just didn't enjoy the novel. 

Thunderhead by Neal Shusterman 
After reading Scythe, I was pretty excited about this novel. And I was not at all disappointed, if anything, my expectations were exceeded. I'm not really sure how that was possible, but it happened. This had none of the world building the fist book did, which made it launch straight into the action. AH. I can't express how much I loved this book, and how much it pains me to wait for the next one. 8.5/10 stars. It was the best. 
I don't have much to say other than if you read and enjoyed Scythe, you HAVE to read Thunderhead, it's even better than the first. I really just can't wait for the next book. I think I might've screamed a little when it ended, HOW CAN A NOVEL END LIKE THAT?! It was both beautiful and heartbreaking, that's all I'm going to say other than READ IT. 
Synopsis: 
​
Rowan and Citra take opposite stances on the morality of the Scythedom, putting them at odds, in the second novel of the chilling New York Times bestselling series from Neal Shusterman, author of the Unwind dystology.

Rowan has gone rogue, and has taken it upon himself to put the Scythedom through a trial by fire. Literally. In the year since Winter Conclave, he has gone off-grid, and has been striking out against corrupt scythes—not only in MidMerica, but across the entire continent. He is a dark folk hero now—“Scythe Lucifer”—a vigilante taking down corrupt scythes in flames.

Citra, now a junior scythe under Scythe Curie, sees the corruption and wants to help change it from the inside out, but is thwarted at every turn, and threatened by the “new order” scythes. Realizing she cannot do this alone—or even with the help of Scythe Curie and Faraday, she does the unthinkable, and risks being “deadish” so she can communicate with the Thunderhead—the only being on earth wise enough to solve the dire problems of a perfect world. But will it help solve those problems, or simply watch as perfection goes into decline?

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas 
I have mixed feelings about this book. Whilst reading it, I, for the most part, was loving it. Getting to  return to my favorite characters was amazing, I loved seeing Rhys and Feyre together again. It restored my faith in Sarah to write these characters perfectly again. Looking back, though, there were some issues with this book, such as some random add ins that were clearly just set ups for more stories. For instance, there's a random chapter from Mor in the book that literally has no relevance to anything other than to just show there's something darker... I did enjoy the tensions set up in the novel, but if you're looking for a book with a carried out plot, this one isn't for you. This book isn't a book, it's just a window into the lives of the leaders of the Night Court. 
6-7/10 stars, I loved the experience of reading it, but it had quite a few flaws. The end view into the next book series has me hype, though. I'm hoping the Nesta x Cassian series will be similar to ACOMAF in the way that Cassian helps Nesta journey through to overcoming her mental battles. I can't wait.

Hope warms the coldest night.

Feyre, Rhys, and their close-knit circle of friends are still busy rebuilding the Night Court and the vastly-changed world beyond. But Winter Solstice is finally near, and with it, a hard-earned reprieve. 

Yet even the festive atmosphere can't keep the shadows of the past from looming. As Feyre navigates her first Winter Solstice as High Lady, she finds that those dearest to her have more wounds than she anticipated--scars that will have far-reaching impact on the future of their Court.

Thanks for reading! 
-Anj 

"And yet none of those things seems valuable anymore. None of those are true power. True power isn't granted. True power can't be taken away." 

Holly Black's novel, The Dark Prince, is a dark story full of intrigue, cruel beauty and twists around every corner. If you're tired of cliched plot lines, The Cruel Prince is the book for you. It's an extremely original story with twisted characters. There's no 'good,' everyone has their faults, and boy, are they big faults. You might even call them evils. 
I loved this novel, it really was a great way to start off the year, entirely different from what I was expecting. There was no way I could've predicted the end of the novel from the first few chapters, the story's motives keep changing and expanding.
Of course, going into the book I wasn't sure what to expect either. I've never read a Holly Black book, but after this one I'm sure I'll be trying another one of her stories soon. Before reading The Cruel Prince, I wasn't sure if it was modern day or if it had a fantasy setting. All I knew was that there were faeries, the protagonist was a human living amongst them, and that there was, well, a cruel prince. All elements that are bound to draw me to the story to begin with-- I love faeries. And I love "mean" characters, because there's usually a reason for their malice, and the meaner the better the backstory. 
Just everything about this novel was a pleasant surprise. It was modern day, but that didn't take away from the aura of the faeries. Where the story begins and ends are drastically different places, despite the book not taking place over a long length of time. Priorities change very quickly over the course of the story, and I loved that. 
This book is a combination of telling the story of a complicated family relationship, harassment, magic, and courtly politics. How do you fit those all together smoothly into a story? I have no idea, but somehow Holly Black was able to make it work. Somehow you get a modern tone in a world feels anything but. The book deals with modern, seemingly un-fantasical issues like bullying at school, while also depicting magic and the intrigue of court. I just can't emphasize how amazed I am at how smoothly and well this book read despite the combination of different topics. It's one of the main factors in making this book seem very original and different from most other stories. 
While I can't promise the story has a fast start, it's not exactly slow either. From almost the first few pages I felt like I was sucked into the story. Not because there were any particularly BIG events and plot twists to draw my attention, no, the story had to set those up first. No, I was drawn in because of the narration. The tone, and... the setting. I don't know, everything just seemed to make me want to stay in the novel, to continue because I knew it was going to get even more interesting soon. Not that I was bored... I don't know how to explain it. I guess I could say that I was ​intrigued from the very beginning, and then my investment in the story only grew from there. 

"The odd thing about ambition is this: You can acquire it like a fever, but it is not so easy to shed." 

The rest of the quote is real interesting but it's spoilery so... 

Jude is The Cruel Prince's protagonist. She's a human living in the faerie world... which makes her life extremely complicated. To her and everyone around her, she looks inferior to their immortal perfection. Yet Jude is determined to prove her worth. She's quite the ideal protagonist. She's a fighter, not one to be pushed over (as you will quickly realize), and her morals are far from perfect. Jude is twisted. She's lived in a twisted world of clever deceit for so long that she's basically become part of it. What I'm trying to say is that Jude isn't exactly good. I wouldn't categorize her as an anti-hero, but she certainly isn't a full on hero, either. Jude falls somewhere in-between, which is part of why she's such a fun protagonist to follow. 

"You're like a story that hasn't happened yet. Because I want to see what you will do. I want to be part of the unfolding of the story." (okay, that might not be quoted correctly, sorry, I have picture and the quote moves onto another page.) 

Then there's Cardan, the cruel prince. And boy, he is pretty cruel. He certainly wasn't what I expected, going into the novel, but then again, nothing in this novel was what I expected. He's... dark, like all the characters in the novel, yet somehow he came out to be one of my favorites. I'm fascinated by his relationship with Jude. (not that they have a relationship, just the way they interact with each other). I don't want to give anything away, I'll just say I had a lot of fun reading their interactions at certain points in the story. Cardan is a mystery, and it was certainly hard to figure him out. You think you got him down in a box, and then he'll do something that completely blows those walls open. 
All and all, I would give The Cruel Prince 8/10 stars. It was a fantastic read, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a bit of fantasy, faeries, court intrigue or just something new, different from the usual type of story. It's a fun book, or, in the words of Leigh Bardugo it's "lush, dangerous, a dark jewel of a book." Couldn't agree more. If you like happy, light books, this isn't for you, but if you enjoy a bit of betrayal and a story that'll keep your mind on its toes, this is the one for you. 

Anyway, here's the synopsis: 

Of course I want to be like them. They’re beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever.

And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.

Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.

To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences.

In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.


SPOILERS BELOW FOR THE CRUEL PRINCE, DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE NOVEL YET


Let's just start this part off with some self-satisfaction. I KNEW I COULDN'T TRUST LOCKE. Neve trust the friendly guy in this kind of story. It's the cruel ones that show exactly who they are, like my lovely bae, Cardan. Locke was just hiding behind a friendly mask. He's actually a dick and I KNEW IT. Sorry, just proud of myself for figuring that out. And I also had a good guess that Locke was Taryn's suitor. 
"I have lied. I have betrayed. I have triumphed." 
​Let's just ask what the hell kind of sister is Taryn? Sure she "warned" Jude, but seriously? She's.. Ugh. I really hate disloyalty and that is the prime example of it. 
Now, thinking of Cardan. At first I thought he was a love interest. But then I Was like oh shit nope. He's VERY cruel. No chance of a romance there. And then it turned around when she found that paper with her name all over it. Jude thought that was a sign of hate but like... Nope people don't do that when they hate you. I loved the interaction with Cardan and Jude, and that's the thing I'm really looking forward to seeing more of in the next book. 
Cardan... Ah just wow. All the interactions in the 2nd part of the book just had my mind grinning. I can't describe it, I just loved it. After the party when he's completely under her control and they decide to "work together." Wow. Fantastic. 
Okay, so the last bit of the book moved a little fast. At first it seems like a normal, perhaps slow paced story to start off with. Little odd mix of modern day and faerie, and then the next part of the novel went wholly fantasy on us and moved so quickly! Jeez. like the negotiations just breezed through. Then the end, wow. The throne room scene? I was on the edge of my seat. (I actually was, I like to sit on the edge of my seat to keep good posture.) The betrayal of Cardan (somehow that betrayal was okay, haha.) and then his words to her at the end of the book? AH. Get me the next book this instant. 
And then there's that whole thing with Dain. And all the siblings, really. Like, wow, I was not expecting them to all get wiped out! I was expecting that Dain issue to come into play in books to come, but it's great now that he's dead. Surprising, and missing out on some potential with continuing sibling rivalry, but it was REALLY surprising. Something that doesn't happen in too many books today. I have to respect that creative decision because it really started off the new, different part of the story. 

Anyway, thanks for reading. 
-Anj