My October Wrap-Up
22:04
Two months! I have two months to read 24 books *panics*
It's do-able, totally do-able. I refuse to be beaten by time. Meanwhile though, here are the eight books I got read this month together with my thoughts on them - pick them up at either your own pleasure or peril, my friends.
Throne of Glass
- by Sarah J Maas
2.0/5.0 stars
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The series that is taking the world by storm. And I was not impressed. Booktube and Booklr have been going insane for this fantasy series and the rave reviews make you feel almost guilty for not picking it up sooner. But see, the recurring theme of a mad hype surrounding certain books that then raises ridiculous expectations, only to not have them met, is the exact reason why I try to stay away from such books. In all honesty, Throne of Glass isn't even a book I would have picked up if I wasn't so sick of hearing everybody banging on about it and feeling left out, if not curious as to what was so bloody brilliant about it. So pick it up, I did.
Caleana Sardothien is an eighteen year old assassin, the world's most notorious assassin, the assassin whose name is enough to make grown men cry. But after being betrayed, she is currently serving a sentence in the salt mines of Endovier, that is until the Crown Prince Dorian kidnaps her and makes her a deal; enter a contest to become the King's Champion and win, she'll serve as an assassin for the Royal family for four years - for the empire that ruined her life beyond repair, but fail, and she returns to an eternity in Endovier.
The beginning of this book - talk about pulling a reader in. I started it on the train and I lost track of time; I unknowingly ignored the ticket conductor multiple times, had no clue when the train set off or indeed, if it was even set to go to Birmingham, and I was caught like a deer in the headlights when we pulled into New Street station. I was hooked. But it got progressively worse. Caleana starts off as being a badass heroine; she has a loose tongue, she has her wits about her, and she has a history to boot. Then she enters the castle of the King who rules the empire she loathes, and her personality just...wilts. For an assassin she's pretty damn vain and feminine and kind of pathetic at times. She does have her kickass moments, and seriously, why they're so few and far between beats me. Because throughout the rest of the book, Caleana is lazy, annoying, and making her mind up between two guys who seem to be falling for her against their better judgement. The love triangle in this series is no secret but it's tiresome and far from realistic. I root for neither guy. They're bland and boring, and there is no romantic development to support either love interest. And it makes up about 80% of the story. I did not pick up this book to read about the world's most feared assassin being caught up in a love triangle and dilly-dallying over which dress she should wear! Total injustice to a promising protagonist.
The book lacked serious world-building, it lacked characters with depth, it lacked a solid storyline. It lacked action which is meant to be central to the story for God's sake. The author brushes over the tasks that the competitors go through and the ones she does describe, are rushed. And then the ending was just poor. I hated it. Worst part of the book in my opinion. It was jumpy, felt rushed, and left me confused. It got 2.0 for the beginning. Other than that...I almost never picked up the second book. But so many reviews say that it blows the first out of the water, and having read the first two chapters, I'm hooked (again) so we'll see.
Ultimately though, what the author did with A Court of Thorns and Roses, she couldn't do with Throne of Glass. Which is a shame because I flippin' loved ACOTAR.
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Crown of Midnight
- by Sarah J Maas
2.0/5.0 stars
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Yes, I read it. No, I shouldn't have done. Yes, it is - shock horror - worse than the first. No, I wouldn't recommend this series in a million years.
Thank the heavens for the 1636 people on Goodreads that seemingly share my opinion and rated this 2 stars or below. Because it's a God-awful book/series from start to finish. As if Calaena couldn't get more annoying. As if you could insert more "action packed" scenes, yet make them so dull. As if you could make a reader skip and skim read over half the book which is exactly what I did.
Calaena is the polar opposite of assassin. I mean, please. It's like I was reading about a bipolar killer who just switches on her "kill" switch whenever she deems fit, and the times when that damn switch is off, she's an angsty, drama queen who likes all things fluffy and unicorns and rainbows. Her character is inconsistent and whilst I was expecting at least some character growth, I was instead witnessing its downward trajectory. Her rare kickass moments in this one are so kickass, so why the hell is her character not like that throughout?! The supposed plot demands her to be consistently badass and lethal but she fails to remember she's a freaking assassin, fails to remember the empire she works for tore her life apart, and fails to remember she's falling for guys that are loyal for that damn empire! And that plot. Let's not even go there. It's messy and all over the place and it bored me half to death. I mean when fantasy's done well, it's bloody amazing. And by that, I mean it's fantasy that's as realistic as fantasy can get, and one that the reader can buy into..fantasy that sweeps you up into a whole new world that you can imagine and live. But wow, what shocking world-building this series has. It hits an absolute rock bottom zero. And because of it, the "plot" has no standing. It's so stupidly ludicrous. It makes no sense, it's confusing as hell, and I really wished the book would just end because it was outright awful. Suffice to say, I'm not picking up the next book. I have no interest in knowing what happens next. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that six books (and that's only so far) have been penned for this series. Cheap plot twists, poorly executed character development, and over-the-top-convenient ploys are all that it offers.
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A Different Blue
- by Amy Harmon
2.0/5.0 stars
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Blue Echohawk was abandoned by her druggie mother and left in the care of a stranger who she grows up to believe is her father. She doesn't know who her mum was, she doesn't know how old she is, and she doesn't even know her real name. Given her past, she's built up a touch facade that intimidates most. That is except for her history teacher, Wilson, who's young, British, and determined to break her shell and make her deepest secrets come undone.
I couldn't like this book. As much as I wanted to, I couldn't. I had so many issues with it. I found myself not feeling any empathy towards Blue as a main character. I simply couldn't relate to her. Her lessons with Wilson were tedious to read. The author almost writes the entire history lesson itself so in essence, the story jumps from narrating Blue's past, to Wilson's speech to the class about Julius Caesar and his conquest of Rome. And it happens far too often. It just wasn't relevant and it felt as though the lessons were acting as fillers for the book. The plot itself is not developed well. It's jumbled and random characters are inserted here, there and everywhere to build a story that's pretty far-fetched and unrealistic. The point of it was meant to be a journey of self-discovery and growth, but it failed to hit home. I did like the relationship between her and Wilson, until about the last quarter of the book. I think the author did an injustice with it. If the plot was a lot more solid with a bit more depth, and if the relationship between them had stayed as it was at about 75%, it may have worked. But otherwise, sadly, this book doesn't work. And if this review is vague and nondescript and a little over the place, it's because that's exactly what I got from what I read. It's hard to review something that left no impact and made me forget it less than 24 hours later.
To Kill A Mockingbird
- by Harper Lee
5.0/5.0 stars
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Picking up classics to read for pleasure is not something I do. But after being gifted with Go Set A Watchman, the sequel which isn't really a sequel to TKAM, (more like its parent book), I felt almost obligated to do so. And I'm so glad I did.
To Kill A Mockingbird is set in Alabama in the 1930s and it follows six year old Scout and her older brother Jem during a period of three years; it is told from Scout's perspective as we read of her childhood experiences that then evolve into early adolescence during which her father, Atticus Finch, is defending a black man who is accused of raping a white woman.
I loved this book for so many reasons. Scout's narrative may be one of a six year old, but it's entertaining, it's witty, it's insightful. She's smart with a wild innocence and there's something endearing about that; she's a realistic protagonist and watching the world through her eyes, having her voice narrate the story that's being told, truly hits home. It is her narrative that captures so wonderfully the poignant themes that ring throughout the novel. The characters that share her tale are well constructed; both her brother and father are distinctive in their own right and I was instantly drawn to both. Jem is the over-protective brother who looks out for Scout as if its second nature. His relationship with her strikes the perfect balance for a sibling relationship, and his constant need to shelter her from harsh realities, to teach her and patiently make time for her, makes their relationship enviable. And Atticus. The absolute hero of the book. His values and beliefs, his careful nurturing of his children, his firm belief in justice...he's undeniably the star of the show. It was beautiful to read of his moments with Jem and Scout, how he patiently teaches them crucial moral values almost effortlessly through his actions and meticulous explanations, and most fundamentally, through the way he tackles his court case. The lessons of social prejudice and racism, the depiction of friendship, loneliness, and family, the representation of innocence...all of it weaves together to make a fantastic coming-of-age story. As much as I regret it not being the book I studied at school, I'm so glad that I read it as an adult. It meant so much more. And with its flawless moral compass, I wish every human on this planet could have the chance to read it and understand its take-home messages...
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After You
- by JoJo Moyes
Landline
- by Rainbow Rowell
3.0/5.0 stars
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Georgie's marriage is in trouble. As much as she loves her husband Neal, and as much as he loves her, it no longer seems to be enough. And shit hits the fan when she tells him that she can't go to Omaha to celebrate Christmas with his family as planned. When he pushes off without her and takes their kids with him, Georgie thinks she's lost him for good. Until a bizarre turn of events let her communicate with Neal - but the Neal of the past. 1998 Neal. And Georgie can't help but wonder if she's meant to fix something that happened in the past in order to fix her marriage, or, for Neal's happiness, make it happen so that their marriage doesn't take place at all...
This book appealed to me because granted, it has an airy-fairy premise, but 99.9% of books out there are on falling in love, on the lead-up to a relationship, on the chase of a significant other and rarely, if ever, do we see what happens after. What happens after the honeymoon phase? What happens after you get the girl? What happens after she says yes? And Rainbow delivered on this front. She paints a realistic picture of Georgie and Neal's life after fourteen years of marriage and it was harsh but so very real. She hits on the fact that marriage takes work; it's a whole lot of compromise and a hell of a lot of sacrifice, and communication dammit. And that's where my three stars lie.
The rest of it...well, that's where the two stars have gone. I found Georgie to be an annoying narrator. She's selfish and self-absorbed and she seems to have no consideration for Neal's feelings until she panics that she may have lost him. I found her character growth to be stilted and by the end of it, I don't think she truly learnt what she should have. Funnily enough, I liked Neal. He's not portrayed as the typical hot guy. There are no swoon-worthy moments, he's not charming or funny or badass. But he's very real. His love for Georgie is obvious in the small things; it's subtle, and it's there, and it's real. He genuinely puts her happiness above all else and through their past, it's clear that she's the centre of his universe. And I really liked their dynamic. Their chemistry was never a sizzling, passionate, heart-racing one, but rather, a breath of fresh air that made them happy in each other's company, and despite everything, they do make each other a stronger version of themselves. The plot though, kind of fell flat. Georgie's career is a big factor in their marriage as is her best friend Seth, but both almost disappear halfway through the story. They were like floating pieces of information with which nothing happened. It felt very unfinished as did the "magical" aspect of the book; none of it was actually properly developed and whilst I did kind of enjoy Georgie finding her way back to Neal, it wasn't enough for me. Sorry Rainbow fans.
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| Source "Nobody's lives just fit together. Fitting together is something you work at. It's something you make happen - because you love each other.” |
City of Bones: The Mortal Instruments #1
- by Cassandra Clare
3.5/5.0 stars
Yes, shoot me now, I am dreadfully late getting round to reading this series. But hey, at least I got round to it!
The City of Bones is set in the Shadow World, a world that runs parallel with the normal world whilst normal people - mundanes - remain blissfully unaware of its existence. A world that Clary Fray had no idea existed. That is until she finds herself at the Pandemonium Club in New York City where she witnesses the murder of that cute guy she had her eye on, but she fears she's losing her mind when his body disappears into thin air, when she realises that his three murderers are invisible to all but her. This is Clary's first encounter with the Shadowhunters, warriors whose life purpose is to rid the world of unwelcome demons. It's also not her last, as less than 24 hours later, her house is invaded by these very demons who attack and capture her mother. It is Jace, who she remembers from that night at Pandemonium killing a teenage boy, who saves her life, and it is the Shadowhunters who may just hold the key to unlocking the secrets of Clary's world that is no longer what she thought it was...
Cassandra Clare knows how to build a world. Her descriptions vivid, her characters brought to life, her plot solid - this book is fantastically done. Creating a world of fantasy is a difficult job; it has to be mystical and magical, yet believable somewhat. And City of Bones delivers. I found myself imagining both of Clary's worlds and buying into the existence of the Shadow World. Clary makes a great protagonist; she's annoying and a little dense at times, she's defenceless and thoughtless, and basically she's everything a fifteen year old would be. But she's realistic and I assume the rest of the series will showcase her growth and development as a character and as a member of the Shadow World. Jace is definitely the highlight. He's hot, a total badass, and unbearably witty - the banter that goes back and forth between him and Clary is my favourite part of the book. The secondary characters are well drawn out; they're likeable, they each have a role, and they're developed just enough for the plot. And the plot is a great one. Not overly complex, not a doppelganger of other fantasy books out there, not poorly constructed. Its execution deserves credit. Plot twists, fast-paced action packed scenes, the right amount of romance/mystery/drama - someone give me the next book!
| To love is to destroy, and to be loved, is to be the one destroyed - Jace, City of Bones
(Note: it lost 1.5 stars because I watched the film first and it's pretty bang on with the book so I knew the scenes and plot twists beforehand. It's also aimed at the teenage audience; I did find it to be slightly juvenile in the sense of character mannerisms and speech, and maybe that's why I didn't become obsessed with this as I probably would have done at sixteen)
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City of Ashes: The Mortal Instruments #2
- by Cassandra Clare
3.0/5.0 stars
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Clary's normal world has been turned upside down, and now it seems that her Shadow World is also destined to have the same fate as the notorious Shadowhunter-gone-bad, Valentine, who has returned to the Shadow World, wreaks havoc in his wake. After his conquest to steal the Mortal Cup in City of Bones, he is now after the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, and as dead bodies pile up in the blood-stained streets, and as the barriers between the demon dimensions and the Shadow World come loose, it is up to the Shadow Hunters to discover what exactly Valentine is up to before they find themselves in a race against time to stop all hell breaking loose.
It is with great regret that I say I'm not enjoying the series as much as I thought I would. City of Bones did the great job of building a world, executing a plot, and developing characters that held promise. And I feel like City of Ashes tore that all down. The plot dragged out in this book and quite frankly, books 1 and 2 could have easily been made into one book. There were lengthy descriptions of the city or world that whilst worked in book 1, made me lose concentration in book 2. The constant back and forth with the romance irked me to no end. Many of the characters were done a great injustice; Jace lost his spark and I didn't love him half as much as I loved him in book 1 (although he still stands to be my favourite character) and Clary...could she get any more annoying?! Maybe that's what made this book hard to read; reading it from the perspective of a character I dislike makes it almost impossible. If I have to be brutally honest, the whole thing was uninteresting. I don't feel invested in the plot, I no longer feel the chemistry between the characters, I don't feel anything. So why I'm continuing with this series beats me. Suffice to say, I'm on book 3. And I can already tell you that I'll be hashing out another annoyed review soon enough.
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City of Glass: The Mortal Instruments #3
- by Cassandra Clare
3.5/5.0 stars
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*Eats her words from previous review*
Okay, my thoughts on this are like a yo-yo. I can't decide if I like the series or not because there are so many aspects of it that Cassandra Clare deserves credit for, but then there are so many points whilst I'm reading that make me half-tempted to give up. It's frustrating as hell.
So in the third instalment of the Mortal Instruments saga, Clary travels to the City of Glass, the ancestral home to Shadowhunters, where she missions to save her mum. But the City of Glass is also home to the third Mortal Instrument, the Mortal Mirror, which has been lost for centuries and which Valentine is intent on finding in order to destroy the world he believes is now corrupt. The Shadowhunters battle to find the mirror before he does but it comes with its consequences and before they know it, they find themselves engulfed in a war that will change the dynamic of the Shadow World forever.
It's clicked what the biggest flaw with this series is - it's just so predictable. The plot twists I saw coming from a mile away, the plot (again) is a bit of a rehash of the previous two (i.e. doing everything to find a Mortal Instrument before Valentine does), and the love angle is exactly what I envisioned two books ago. Yet I still wanted to keep reading it. Not obsessively so, but enough to want to get to the end. And I think in this book, Cassandra Clare's characters saved it. They have a lot more to offer in this book and Clary was, surprisingly, a lot more bearable and pretty kickass in the end. I can't deny it - Clare's action scenes are some of the best I've read. She also consistently delivers with the humour, the banter, the one-liners that do make me smile when reading and I felt a lot more connected to the characters I thought had lost their depth a little in book two. And I'm in love with Jace again. I mean, come on. How could I not be.
So all in all, I am, of course, on to the next book. I did read that this was intended to be a trilogy but the author ultimately concluded the series last year with six books so it'll be interesting to see where/how she takes the story further. I promise you'll get my thoughts on it next month.
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