A Novel Review

This blog is dedicated to all of the books that I've loved and hated and why. I review mostly YA and fantasy but I branch out from time to time.

[booknerdstudies]

“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”

—Saint Augustine of Hippo

[a-novel-review]

It's been a whike

I know it's been a while since I posted any reviews but that hasn't mean I've stopped! Life got in the way a little. Had a vacation and a job change and a personal life change but now that everything is calmed back down I'm trying back into writing my reviews! I'll have three posted tonight from the last three books I've read but haven't reviewed: King's Cage, Caraval, and The Bone Witch. Sorry for the wait and Thanks!

[a-novel-review]

I just #read King's Cage. Here's a cool #infographic about it made with @bookoutapp

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I just #read Caraval. Here's a cool #infographic about it made with @bookoutapp

[a-novel-review]

I just #read The Bone Witch. Here's a cool #infographic about it made with @bookoutapp

[micaelareads]

what is infinite? the universe and my tbr pile

[a-novel-review]

'Cruel Crown' by Victoria Aveyard **Spoilers** I really enjoyed these novellas. I feel like that added a kind of depth to the series that I didn't really realize I wanted. I'm going to break this down to review each novella to make it a bit more organized for my benefit. 'Queen Song' I really liked Queen Song! This novella is centered around Coriane, the singer queen, of the dying house Jacos. Julian's beloved sister and Cal's lost mother. This is how she came to be the singer queen who bewitched the crown prince and then ended up committing suicide and leaving her loved ones behind. I'm glad that we got a peek into the woman who won the prince's heart on her own merit and not just by strength or family name. I loved seeing Cal in the things that she did and getting a sense of all the pieces that make up a silver court. I loved seeing that not every silver is strong in their ability and family. Through Red Queen and Glass Sword it seemed like all of the silvers were trained soldiers from birth and basically godlike. But seeing Coriane deal with the her fathers greed, her brother and best friend falling in love, and her own confidence issues that stemmed from a long history of being told that what she loved to do was worthless and unsuitable. Even though I really did like Queen Song a part of me is very confused with what happened. Coriane, since joining court, has been plagued with self doubt and confusion as to who she is and what people want her to be. This for the most part turned out to be the meddling of Elara Macanthos but when Coriane became queen she enlisted the help of an Arven guard to block out any ability effecting her. But his silence didn't seem to work so either he wasn't doing his job at all or she somehow figured out around his ability? But if that was a thing why wouldn't they mention it in the main series. That just really confused me and if anyone would want to talk about what they think happened, I'd love to have a conversation! 'Steel Scars' This novella wasn't as good as Queen Song, I feel. It was longer then it really needed to be but it was still good in its own right. This novella centered around a character we should all know and probably love by now, Captain Diana Farley. A little backstory into how she came to meet Shade Barrow and in turn find her way to The Stilts to meet Mare Barrow. I really liked getting to see how Farley and Shade met and started to hit it off. I loved his charm and wit and how he was able to wiggle his way into the captains stone heart. I also really enjoyed reading the encoded messages between Farley, the colonel, and the mysterious Command of the Scarlet Guard. The thing that I didn't really like about it is that it was a little longer then it needed to be and if I'm going to be completely honest I didn't really learn anything new. The flirting and blossoming of a new relationship really made my heart flutter but I had read it after I read Glass Sword (which Aveyard recommended doing) and it really just made me sad for something that'll never be. Maybe if this novella centered more on how Farley and the Colonel came to join the Scarlet Guard I would have been a little more interested.

[a-novel-review]

Hi! I saw that you've posted some bookout infographics and I was wondering if you have the full version? I've been using the app myself and I'm in love with it but as the whole version is 5 euros I'm a little hesitant to buy it. If you have the full version, is it worth it?

Hi! I really love bookout so I did buy the full version. But It was only $3 for me at the time. When I bought it the only (major) difference is the 10 book limit that you had. I never had to deal with actually reaching that limit at the time but knowing it was there freaked me out lol. In pro you can set your yearly goal but if you have a Goodreads then you can do that there as well. And it’ll track your stats globally meaning that it’ll track every book you read together instead of each book individually - so you can track how often you read and at what speed and for how long. Plus no ads! Aside from the 10 book limit the other stuff never really bothered me personally but I’m not gonna complain now that I have access to that stuff! Also if you have an Apple Watch you can do it from there!I hope this helped you with your decision! Happy reading!

[a-novel-review]

I just #read Cruel Crown. Here's a cool #infographic about it made with @bookoutapp

[a-novel-review]

‘Glass Sword’ by Victoria Aveyard

**Spoilers**

Okay, Okay, Okay... 

This book ... was a huge breather from other YA dystopian books. There was romance, but such as in Red Queen it wasn’t the driving point of the story. I find that (lately) most female protagonists’ driving force is about being with the guy in the end. While there was obvious romantic tension between Mare and Cal and a little between Mare and Kilorn, it wasn’t the main point. It was merely good seasoning on an already delicious dish.

In the sequel to Red Queen, Mare Barrow has been betrayed. she has left behind, harmed, or led to death all of the people who have been on her side. While she escapes from the new king’s attempt to humiliate and destroy her in front of all of Norta, she has been severely damaged.

I thought that this was an excellent sequel to an astounding first novel. Throughout the book Mare struggles with every decisions she makes and suffers from a reputation that she is not accustomed to having. She can no longer hide as a nobody in the crowd and due to her past experiences she struggles insanely with who to trust. Mare grows a lot throughout the novel as she sheds the Mareena Titanos skin and become someone new; a revolutionary and a leader. 

In Red Queen we learning that anyone can betray anyone but in this novel we learn that even your own heart can betray you and becoming a monster is a choice that is to be made and not a fate of everyone.

Also, a little more spoilery for those that are sensitive, can I say that I really appreciated how Aveyard had Mare handle Kilorn’s feelings? There was no “oh I don’t know... I might love him.” and stringing him along. It was very surgical and it happened right away. “You’re like family.” and while of course he was hurt because he deeply cared for Mare for nearly the entirety of their lives he also acknowledges that people can not choose who they love and he can not hold that against her.

I give this book 5 stars!

[a-novel-review]

Booknerd walking past a bookstore

Booknerd: I have self-control

Inside booknerds head: You should go in there

Booknerd: *slowly turns around*

Inside booknerds head: it's warmer inside and you're super cold

Booknerd: But I don't have time, I have things to do-

Inside booknerds head: shhhhhh

Booknerd: I have responsibilities-

Inside booknerds head: shhhhh those things are stupid

Booknerd: You make some valid points

Inside booknerds head: well it was actually just one-

Booknerd: shhhhhhh

*goes inside*

[lilyharvord]

When you’re rereading glass sword for the 50th time:

I lay my head on his shoulder. So I can see the map better, I tell myself. 

ME: 

[a-novel-review]

I just #read Glass Sword. Here's a cool #infographic about it made with @bookoutapp

[a-novel-review]

I just #read Red Queen. Here’s a cool #infographic about it made with @bookoutapp

[youthbookreview]

What is this amazing app and when will it be available on Android?!

[a-novel-review]

The app is called Bookout! I'm not sure since I don't have an android but Android APK says that it's been out for android. The picture is a little blue guy looking at you. For IOS you could get the app for free but you wouldn't be able to make these cute infographics but I think it cost $2.99 for the full version!

[macrolit]

Books say: She did this because. Life says: She did this. Books are where things are explained to you; life is where things aren’t. I’m not surprised some people prefer books.

Julian Barnes (via macrolit)

[booksandmusicinme]

I love this series! Can’t WaIt FOR THE NeXt BOoK!!

[thecatandthekindle]

Books were a safe place, a world apart from my own. No matter what had happened that day, that year, there was always a story in which someone overcame their darkest hour. I wasn’t alone.