Life Is Just A Blur

20-year-old Writer and Reader: follow for book reviews, discussions, and more! Follow me on insta @lifeisjustablurblog

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Ruin and Rising Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 /5 I like this one more than the 2nd and it had a good ending which definitely elevates the whole series for me. However, it started slow again - like 100 pages of nothing in the beginning and didn’t really start to pick up until the last 100. MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD! Let’s talk about Mal for a second. I know some people love him and some people hate him. I’m torn with how I feel about Mal being more than human because it actually makes sense but also kind of changes completely what we thought his character was for most of the series. Even though I was on the side of not loving Mal as a character (don’t hate him either, he's just kind of frustrating), there was this sense of Mal “keeping Alina human” and he was always good enough for her because they loved each other whether she had power or not, and this kind of dismisses that a bit? I am glad that Mal did die and I’m low key upset they undid it bc I think it makes it more adult (ik ik this is YA) and real if he truly had to die. Also I’m not really buying how he was brought back. However, I do like the final loss of Alina’s powers and how they got their “happily ever after” similarly to how Katniss and Peeta (Hunger Games) did, in that it's realistically happy for the lives they had lived, not some fairy-tale ending. A few other issues I had were that we waited way too long to really introduce Harshaw’s character and what he went through in his past and why he was fighting with them; and it got so annoying how much time Alina spends being in and out of consciousness in this series. I was also upset that we never get ANY kind of explanation for how Alina was born with her power after we learn she's not related to Morzova. Even like 1 line being like “I guess the universe created me to restore balance” would’ve been something. But if that is the case why did the universe wait so long! All this being said though I did enjoy it, but I didn’t love it. I’m hoping Six of Crows is better. I’d give the series as a whole 4 / 5 stars. - - - #ruinandrising #shadowandbone #shadowandbonenetflix #seigeandstorm #grishaverse #malina #alinastarkov #maloretsev #bookreview #grisha https://www.instagram.com/p/CqMNjH0LP7e/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Honestly, Ben Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫(3.5)/ 5 I’m really glad that we get to see how this story ends because the first book’s ending was so unfair, and I like seeing Ben’s POV, but I unfortunately don’t feel it was written as well as the first. I don’t like the swimming pool analogy in the opening and closing of the book - I feel like it’s trying to be, but not done nearly as well as the different kinds of love thing from the first book. I also feel like Ben wasn’t developed enough to be a main character - or maybe that he just seems to act out of character a lot of the book. Overall, I did enjoy it though. Spoilers from here on——— I’m kind of sick of love triangles and wasn’t looking forward to that in the book but I actually ended up really liking Hannah. I thought what her and Ben had was actually really cute and she’s a fully-fleshed out character. I don’t think her story was wrapped up well though, like it was kind of just left hanging after Ben decided to realize in a snap that he really wanted Rafe. I just don’t understand - it was being paced so well - slow - that suddenly like a 180 which is one of the things that didn’t seem very “Ben” from the first book. I’m really glad that Rafe and Ben end up together, and they are so cute, but the ending is a LOT. I just don’t think this is how Ben would act. He was so conservative for all of book 1 and over half of book 2 and then he just admits to everything? In front of everyone? I just can’t believe his character would give up the scholarship and his family and his friends like that. I think he was supposed to change in this book, but we only see that through his crazy actions in the end and not through his thoughts even though we are in his head the whole time which makes it so jarring. Overall still worth the read if you liked the first; at least it feels complete. P.S. I started working on a fanfic that takes place once the boys go to college. Should I put it on my wattpad? https://www.instagram.com/p/Ceos4hGPGrp/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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The Wicked King Spoiler Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Overall I thought this book enjoyable but not quite as good as the first one. Most of the book was taken up by faerie politics which got a bit confusing and not much time was left for action. I know why people love this one the best in the series, but that ONE sex scene does not make this book overall good (though that was great). I had really been hoping to have a bit more progression with Jude and Carden in this book but I guess it is progressing in a more realistic way (then how I want - I just want them together already!) so that’s good. MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD!!! There was so much betrayal in this book. The one that Jude is warned about, that ends up being the ghost isn't all that surprising. I suspected since that scene with Narsisa that it would be one of the Court of Shadows and while I wasnt sure who it was going to be, looking back since the bomb and the roach like each other its unlikely it would have been them since were now routing for that ship as readers. Taryn’s betrayal did surprise me (and I loved how Carden just listened when he thought it was Jude) but it was still in character for Taryn. She is a character I don't know what to do with. I kind of want to hate her but I can’t bc she's not just Judes sister, but her TWIN (I love how they are starting to use that too finally) and she does care for Jude. Honestly she makes Jude seem like a good person though. I was also not surprised by the marriage - considering the title of the third book and as soon as that scene started I knew where it was going. However the exile did get me. I remember my heart beating and I couldn't believe it. I’m hoping the last book will be a bit better than this one. Tags⬇️ #judeduarte #cardangreenbriar #thecruelprince #thewickedking #thequeenofnothing #tarynduarte #youngadultbooks #youngadultfantasy #fantasybooks https://www.instagram.com/p/CbskvFtuoZx/?utm_medium=tumblr

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Stars Non-spoiler review This was a very cute quick-read, friends-to-lovers, queer romance. When I first started reading, I thought it was going to make some obvious choices but it surprised me by not, which I appreciated. I like how this is a different take on “the gay story” where instead of a story about discovering their sexuality, in this story Rafe is out loud and proud but decides to move schools and put himself back in the closet so he can have a chance at having a more “normal” high school experience. I understand where he’s coming from, as the reality to life is that in most places (even accepting places) people still treat you differently for being queer. We get to see Rafe struggle with this and whether or not it’s worth hiding who he is (or as he says, just a part of who he is - because sexuality doesn’t have to define a person) is worth hanging out with the sports guys and being able to have a close best-guy-friend. But can they really be your best friend if you're hiding a large part of who you are from them? The romance is absolutely adorable and these two are so perfect for each other. The “friend” love they share is so real. I do wish we got a bit more from Claire-Oliva (Rafe’s bff) though (but there’s a cute little story called openly honestly where we did!). For a book that was never supposed to have a sequel, the ending is mean! Though I understand it’s realistic as life doesn’t always get a perfect happy ending. Tags⬇️ #openlystraight #gayreads #queerbooks #gaybooks #gay #gayboy #boyxboy #boyxboylove #Rafe #Ben #gaylove #billkonigsberg #romancebooks #teenromancebooks #teenbooks #youngadultbooks https://www.instagram.com/p/CYfQ6TDrI2Y/?utm_medium=tumblr

[cruelqueen]

All exclusive short stories: The Folk of the Air

I decided to collect all exclusive stories I know of. I have done something similar for SJM books .  If you know of any other exclusive story, please let me know! THE CRUEL PRINCE A visit to the Impossible Lands Barnes and Noble edition THE WICKED KING deleted scene from The Wicked King, Barnes and Noble edition THE QUEEN OF NOTHING Cardan’s letters from the Queen of Nothing Barnes and Noble edition, should be read after the book deleted scene from The Queen of Nothing , sent via Holly’s official newsletter Some posts I found useful: post about True Names A Guide to Holly Black’s Extended Faerie Universe

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Teen Titans Non-spoiler review: I was so excited when I saw these new Teen Titan comics as they are my favorite superheros and the ones who got me into comics. The artist is also one of my favs from Instagram and I have followed his causal teen titans series for a while. They are a great place to start in comics! Raven:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 Great new interpretation of the character and her backstory. I love Raven’s style and the attention paid to the details in things like her clothes and room. Also love how the whole color palette of the book is raven’s signature purple. The addition of voodoo culture was quite interesting. However, I found the twist at the end very predictable (even though it was with an original character). Beast Boy: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 This one started much slower but ended up being better than Raven in my opinion. I love how they actually told BB’s real original origin story (which has kind of been lost in more recent teen titans adaptations). However, the side characters were not as compelling as those in Raven. Again, love the coloring carried throughout the book (obviously green here) and good connection to Raven that got us excited to see how things go. Beast Boy loves Raven: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 This one was my least favorite of the bunch as it wasn’t much of a superhero story or a teen romance. It was supposed to be a romance, but I just don’t think it has a great set up. One of the best things about the BB and Raven ship is that its suppose to be a very slow burn, where they annoy each other for years before getting together. In this book it’s in days so the payoff isn’t as good. Also, I feel like it’s going to be weird that they are together before all the titans even group up. I did love when Robin came in though and we started to see the start to the titans friendship. I just kind of wish we got all the titans before the BB/Rav ship. https://www.instagram.com/lifeisjustablurblog/p/CXXVMyQrXfe/?utm_medium=tumblr

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The Cruel Prince Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Light spoilers This is such a delayed review but hopefully I remember enough to write this well! When I picked up this book I had high expectations but I was also cautious because some people seem to have some pretty strong feelings against it. I’m on the side of this book being amazing. I really like the MC/narrator - I like how she’s very human and talks about things like how she likes her father even though he killed her parents. She’s not a “golden girl” protagonist like a lot of novels - and she’s not a hero (maybe closer to an anti-hero). I feel like the obvious choice for a protagonist would be someone more like Vivi (who is half faerie but still resents her dad for what he did and wants to escape faerie) but I really like the author's choice to use a more grey character like Jude. The enemies to lovers aspect certainly isn’t rushed in this series and I think it’s developing in a realistic way. Although I’m hoping it happens before the very end of the series. Some people seem to think the world building is lacking but I think it’s relaying a bit on readers knowing what faerie is and I think that’s okay. The world building that is necessary for the story is all there. The end twists aren’t completely unpredictable but not obvious in my opinion. Though I really don’t think Jude has thought it through very well (but that again makes her seem more like a real person). Overall it’s a story about dearie I haven’t seen told before. I don’t see this becoming some of my fantasy favorite books (like shadowhunters and Harry Potter), but this first book was a really great read and I’m very excited for the rest of the series. Tags⬇️ #thecreulprince #hollyblack #thefolkoftheair #thefolkoftheairseries #thewickedking #thequeenofnothing #fivestarreads #bookreview #fivestarbook #fantasybooks #fantasyseries #judeduarte #judeandcardan #carden #faerie #faerieland https://www.instagram.com/p/CUTRZ98Lyzv/?utm_medium=tumblr

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The Words of the Wandering SPOILER Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Don’t read this review if you’re interested in picking up this series- go look at my reviews for the first two. This is just going to be a collection of my thoughts on this book and will spoil the whole thing. You have been warned. I’m going to start right at the end— AHHHHH!!!! Why? Like why? How can we end a book in the middle of a battle scene 😳!!!! And I have to wait forever for War of the Woods 😭 (where’s that release date announcement?) I keep expressing in these reviews that I wish things were made a bit clearer- for example I thought that the piece of the kindred stone in the Owl and the one in Star Solo were two different pieces. So this whole book I thought we were looking for the one in the owl! Other than that, this book was a good continuation of the series, obviously a bit more of a lead up book for the final. It was a bit slower than the other 2, but we finally got the Fyn and Ivy kiss and a date! (Even though the date goes horribly wrong) Speaking of the main couple- WHY does every couple in literature have to love triangle/square/shapes-with-even-more-sides?? We finally get some progress and now we have two other people getting in the way! Anyways, Derwin’s death was shocking and even had me fooled for a little bit, but I quickly saw the hints that he was still alive. Rimbrick’s death was also very shocking and I liked how after we had a fake-out death, we did end up having a real one. However, I really liked Rim and wished we could have seen a bit more of him😢. But I really liked how we finally got to return to Castle Plum before Ivy’s final fight for the crown. I’m excited to see how the series concludes and I honestly have no idea how it’s going to go down, but I do believe Ivy will finally win her crown (and her man😉 - I want to see Fyn become the King 👑)! Tags⬇️ #crownsofcroswald #middlegradefantasy #middlegrade #middlegradebooks #middlegradefiction #bookreview #fantasyseries #ivylovley #bookreviews https://www.instagram.com/p/CQbmXDRLYXf/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Nightwing The New 52 Comics Vol 1 Non-spoiler Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 One of my all-time fav characters is Richard (Dick) Grayson: aka the first Robin, aka Nightwing, aka the second Batman. If you don’t know much about this character or aren’t big into DC, Dick Grayson was a young acrobat in Haly’s Circus. In Gotham, his parents/the Circus owner (depending on the version) refused to pay protection money to a mob family and during a performance that Bruce Wayne (Batman) was at, the trapeze was compromised by the mob and Dick’s parents fell to their deaths. The young orphan was taken in as a ward by Bruce, and when Dick found out his new guardian was Batman, he became the first Robin. In this series Dick Grayson’s (Nightwing) past with Haley’s Circus is coming back in a way he never expected. It’s a mystery plot the sidekick to the World’s Greatest Detective must figure out on his own. (However this story is connected to what Batman is doing in “A Court of Owls” but I recommend reading Batman vol 1 after as it spoils pretty much the whole plot to Nightwing vol 1). I love backstory plot lines, and this one was done well: completely changing the perspective without changing the integrity of the original backstory. The motivation behind his parents deaths is different, but not in a way that doesn’t fit in with the backstory we’ve always known for The Flying Graysons. The art isn't my fav ever but I love how they do all these images of Nightwing doing flips (see second picture). All the action sequences are done really well. However, the issues are a little slow at first. The villain isn’t very interesting until you find out who it is and even then I don’t think there was enough set up in the beginning for it to have a profound effect, especially because (as far as I could find) this is a new character to the DC universe. But I still recommend this comic line as they get much better in vol 2 (review coming soon!). I also don’t love the red costume as I’m a sucker for the classic blue. Tags⬇️ #nightwing #robin #batman #batmancomics #nightwingcomics #batmanandrobin #comic #comics #comicreview #comicreviews #bookreview #bookreviews #thecapedcrusader https://www.instagram.com/p/CPycNrKrsUW/?utm_medium=tumblr

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They Both Die at the End Non-Spoiler Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 I’d like to start out by saying that this book lived up to the hype, but no one is talking about how triggering it is. Topics include: feeling worthless/meaningless in your life, fear of dying/dying young, loneliness, car crashes/drowning, and anxiety/overthinking. I don’t recommend this book to anyone younger than about 16 - even at 20 this book hit me really hard. TW from here on. I seriously don’t think I’ve ever read a sadder book. Even the title did not prepare me. I am not a crier - I can’t even remember the last time I actually shed a tear over a book or movie - and this had full tears running down my face so many times I lost count. It’s not even sad just because they die, it's sad because how the boys start talking about from the beginning everything they regret in their lives and how they should have lived differently. What makes it worse is knowing there’s no hope for these characters (at least that’s what the title suggests, I'm not saying I confirm that so as to not spoil). You are just along for this journey that we all (characters included which makes this book unique in its spoiled ending) know will end tragically. The ending made me full-on sob and have to put the book down, but I think the book did the characters justice. I was kind of prepared for an adventure story and it’s kind of that - but it’s not really a crazy ride in what they do as much as it is in what they feel. I also thought this book was about appreciating life and living it to its fullest, but, to be frank, it’s not a story that makes me want to live - it’s a story that makes me fear death around every corner. I’m not saying I regret reading this book but I am questioning why I did so. 😅 It was very good, but I’m also destroyed - take that as you will. Tags and Extra (spoiler) part ⬇️ #theybothdieattheend #contemporarybooks #bookreview #fivestarreview https://www.instagram.com/p/CPbjFporUUf/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Stranger than Fanfiction Non-spoiler Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 I was very surprised how much I liked this book, considering that, for some reason I still really don’t understand, many don’t. I love The Land of Stories series by Chris Colfer and I also enjoyed his book Struck by Lighting (which is a very different style than this book), but that didn’t hit me like this one did. It’s been a long time since a book has made me laugh this much - or cry this much. Be prepared for a roller coaster of emotions, especially if you are going through that time in your life where you are getting ready to or have just left home for the first time - The threshold of adulthood. It really captures that “the first time reality of growing up hits you” feeling that at the time I read this, I really related to. It’s the story of a road trip told from the perspective of four friends who are seniors in high school gearing up to go away to college. They are all dealing with their own issues of identity, family, romance, and secrets. However, some people find the characters are a bit flat, and I won’t argue with that- even though they each have interesting stories, their personalities don’t really shine through. It’s an adventure grounded in reality but Chris Colfer’s experience with fantasy clearly shines through. So while everything that happens COULD technically happen, don’t expect it to be completely realistic. Like the title says, it ends up being “stranger than fanfiction.” (However I think it’s important to note as I have seen some people be frustrated by this: this book is not about fanfiction. It does have a bit to do about fandoms and one character writes fanfiction but that’s about it.) Overall it’s a great read (with diversity and #LGBTQ rep!) about waking up to the reality of real life. (Omg the ending had me bawling 😭 even though you see it coming, it hurts - but so does life). It has a lot of surprisingly serious messages in what appears to be a light-hearted book about friends on one last hurrah before they go their separate ways. Tags⬇️ #strangerthanfanfiction #chriscolfer #glee #kurthummel #thelandofstories #fivestarreview #bookreview #lgbtrepresentation https://www.instagram.com/p/CPMJyJlL5dq/?utm_medium=tumblr

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The Secret Series Non-Spoiler Review:
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 As you may already know from my reel, bookshelf post, or comments I make a lot on other posts, I absolutely love this series. Not only do I have a soft spot for it because it’s some of the books that got me into reading, but I reread it last year and they are objectively, fricking fantastic. My favorite thing about this series has and always will be the narrator/author (see second picture for example). Just like the sass and the jokes and the occasion defining of words in the footnotes: I cannot get enough. Like there’s another whole plot there (that - mini spoiler - ends up being tied into the main story). The characters are also amazing. Cass the young survivalist who plans for everything and Max-Earnest the puzzle-solver who is terrible at jokes but somehow still funny. The plot is so good in each book I can’t choose a favorite or least favorite of the bunch (unlike every other series I’ve read that usually at least has one book that is worst than the others). These books are like the definition of “it’s about the journey not the destination” as from book 1 we are searching for a secret we’re not sure if we will ever find, and yet it is never slow. You get to watch the characters grow and change, becoming more confident in who they are. And it doesn’t even end when the book is over because my other favorite thing about these books, especially when I was young, is the appendices (learned that word from book 4). I had so much fun testing to see if I was a super-taster, making disguises for the book (mine from a kid in pic 3), and learning the magic tricks. These books also have some really great full page art for each chapter. Not only did I immensely enjoy these books (this review might honestly just be a test to see how many positive words I can use to describe these books), but as a kid I learned a lot from them. I will never stop recommending these books to people no matter how old you are because I think they are something every mystery/adventure book-lover should experience. Please just read them. 🥺 #thesecretseries #bookreviews #bookreview #fivestarreview #fivestarrating🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 #fivestars #favbook #favbooks #favoritebooks #favoritebook #favoriteseries #favoritebookseries #middlegradebooks #middlegradefantasy #middlegradefiction #middlegradereads #thenameofthisbookissecret #ifyourereadingthisitstoolate #thisbookisnotgoodforyou #thisisntwhatitlookslike #youhavetostopthis #maxernst #cass #badmagic #badluck #badnews #thebadseries 
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This Girl with the Whispering Shadow Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 (Light spoilers) Thank you again to @storiesuntoldpress and @author.denight for a free digital review copy of this book! In this book, you get to learn so much more about the world: it’s one of the top fictional worlds I wish I could live in. (I really want to try the drinks!) I loved learning about things like the Invisitaurs and Quogo. We also not only learned a lot more about the characters we already knew, but a whole new cast of characters too. We got interesting backstory on Fynn and now I can really ship him with Ivy. We also got many cute Rebecca and Ivy friend moments, which I felt like book 1 was lacking. This book is also much better paced than the first, which allowed me not only to connect to characters more but get a more clear picture of the setting. As far as critiques, I still have some small issues with clarity. For example, I wish Ivy’s magic was a bit better explained or that we saw more of her practicing so we better understood its limits because it seems like she suddenly she can do a lot of things but then other times doesn’t use it at all. Also it’s kind of hard to remember who knows what about Ivy’s past and powers but that may be on me 😅. However, overall this book is much better written than the first. MAJOR SPOILERS from here on———————- Loved how the star solo came back at the end- I didn’t see that coming! These books are really good with setting up clues. I only wish Gretta’s story was set up in book 1, even if we just met her in some small but memorable way, because then it would have made a bigger impact of her being the one who let the queen in at last year’s ball. Can’t wait for book 3! Disclaimer: This photo is edited, the free copy I received was digital. #thecrownsofcroswald #thegirlwiththewhisperingshadow #bookreview #bookreviews #bookreviewer #middlegradebooks #middlegradefantasy #middlegradefiction #middlegradereads #fantasy #fantasybooks #fivestarreview #fivestars #fivestarrating🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 #denight #shadows #magickingdom 
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Thanks @cityof_obsessivereading_ for tagging me in the #bluestackchallenge ! Turns out I have a lot of blue books! Blue is my fav color so 😅. Also doing this for #bluebookstackformind challenge created by @justbooksandamy_ who is donating £1 to @mindcharity for every blue stack she’s tagged in during April! Mental health issues is something that I am very passionate about: I’ve struggled with them myself, and I’ve seen friends struggle with them. Let remember to be kind to ourselves and do what we need to do to take care of our minds as well as our bodies. #QOTD : What’s your favorite Blue Book you own? #AOTD : This hard because so many of my favorite books are in this stack but I’ll have to go with This Isn’t What It Looks Like. If you haven’t read The Secret Series by @isthispbosch I seriously recommend it. Besides Harry Potter, it’s my favorite book series. (THATS HOW GOOD IT IS) Books in stack (top to bottom) 📘- Wonder Struck by Brian Selznick 📘- Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater 📘- The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster 📘- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J. K. Rowling 📘- The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey by Trenton Lee Stewart 📘- This Isn’t What It Looks Like by Pseudonymous Bosch 📘- Write This Book by Pseudonymous Bosch 📘- The Land of Stories Beyond the Kingdoms by Chris Colfer 📘- The Selection by Kiera Cass 📘- The Fault in our Stars by John Green 📘- Crossed by Ally Condie 📘- The Bane Chronicles by Cassandra Clare 📘- Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentmen 📘- Four by Veronica Roth 📘- Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare 📘- Chain of Iron by Cassandra Clare 📘- The Never Weres by Fiona Smyth Tags⬇️ https://www.instagram.com/p/COIxZianN-b/?igshid=3jxqdiwrhpgw

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Discussion: How the best TSC characters are getting the worse series (Why The Eldest Curses has been a major disappointment): TEC SPOILERS 
Like most people, I adore Malec: Alec Lightwood is my favorite character in all of TSC; Magnus, obviously, is another fav; and together they are my favorite fictional couple. Ever. 
When I first read The Red Scrolls of Magic (RSM), I really liked it, but I knew the plot wasn’t great; I loved it for all of the very cute Malec moments. I’ll do a whole review one day, but in short: I didn’t like Shinyun. Wasn’t that big of a surprise when she turned out to be bad and her villain origin-story is “I was different and no one liked me so now I’m going to rule the world,” 🙄.
It also felt like it didn’t line up perfectly with COFA (like how were they coming back from the opera if in RSM they ended up staying in Magnus’s apartment by the end?) Also the book did not line up with the extra “a story told in postcards”. BUT I was prepared to let it slide and assume that they just faked the postcards and being at the opera or that they ended up going back to traveling after the end of RSM. But then I got to The Lost Book of the White (LBW) and I just… can’t forgive. It’s honestly probably my least favorite book in TSC. Was it really bad? No. But again it did not seem to fit in with the timeline (like are you seriously telling me that all of that stuff had NO EFFECT in TDA?). We got a different villain, which I actually really liked, but he was so powerful that literally he could’ve just snapped his fingers and they all would have died and there’s no good reason that he didn’t do that. Then he is defeated in the stupidest way- like they don’t even use the magic swords that were supposed to be their only hope! Anyway, go see my review for LBW, but it’s all just so CONVENIENT. Here’s to hoping the last book is going it be better. It’ll have to cover a lot of ground with the Princes of Hell or it’ll feel rushed (once again) and unbelievable/too convenient- but knowing that part of the plot will be looking for the Book of the White, unfortunately I doubt they will be able to do both storylines justice if the book length is similar to the first two. 
_
Other Malec stories like “Born of Endless Night” and “The Land I Lost” are so good. TEC is no where near that quality or the quality of the other series in TSC. I feel like as fans we’re being cheated and we are being forgiving bc we love Malec, but honestly we deserve better. #shadowhunters #theredscrollsofmagic #thelostbookofthewhite #theeldestcurses #cassandraclare #aleclightwood #magnusbane #maxlightwoodbane #izzylightwood #simonlewis #claryfairchild #jaceherondale #malec #thebanechronicles #cityoffallenangels #cityoflostsouls #themortalinstruments #talesfromtheshadowhunteracademy #theblackvolumeofthedead #alexanderlightwood #jemcarstairs #tessagray #chainofgold #chainofiron https://www.instagram.com/p/COBAWuFn4jx/?igshid=1sqnibst5r0sg

[lifeisjustablurblog]

The Crowns of Croswald Non-spoiler Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Thank you so much to @storiesuntoldpress and @author.denight for a free review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ☺️. In the genre of fantasy, it’s difficult to find a world that is really unique, but Croswald is. I do agree with other reviewers that it’s like Harry Potter in that it’s about a magic school, and a young person discovering their abilities and their place in this new magic world. However, the way magic works in Croswald is very different and very intriguing. I love the quills and I think it’s interesting how the royals aren’t born with magic but sqwinches are, and that kind of puts them on the same playing field (instead of the royals “ruling” the school). I still don’t understand all of how the magic works in this world, but look forward to figuring it out in future books! This book is very fast-pasted, which keeps it interesting but sometimes I wish we could slow down a bit to connect more with some of the side characters like Fyn and Rebecca (when things aren’t crazy 😅). I like Ivy as a character: she’s that typical curious, rebellious girl and easy to relate to, but she does seem to act younger than 16 at times. Overall, the world is amazing and you can tell the author knows every little detail about it and how it works and I can’t wait to learn more about it! The way all the little hints come together for the conclusion is epic. My biggest critique is that sometimes I wish things were explained a bit clearer. There were quite a few things I had a difficult time picturing and sometimes the pace or POV changed really fast. (For example, I cannot figure out how big Humboldt is! His mouth is big enough to fit a tray of cakes but his body is small enough to fit in a cage Ivy can carry 😳?) But, I’d still love to read the second one and will likely finish the series (4th and final book was just announced)! Tags⬇️ #thecrownsofcroswald #thecrownsofcroswaldseries #thecrownsofcroswaldreview #denight #bookreview #bookrecommendations #middlegradebooks #bookstagram #fantasy #fantasybooks https://www.instagram.com/p/CNxY12pH_0C/?igshid=1doig19lwkvkd

[lifeisjustablurblog]

Chain of Iron SPOILER Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 It took me a bit to write this after I finished the book bc that ending made me so mad/sad. But I’ll start at the beginning: How James makes up the house for Daisy is SOOOOO CUTE!!! However, this book acutally feels much more Cordelia centered than COG2 (with less of James’ POV) which is now kind of throwing me off and I want more James. I’m a bit disappointed how little Lucie/Cordelia content were getting. I understand why they have to be more apart for this book - but then we should have seen more of them in the first book. We’ve never gotten a chance to see people training to become parabatai in TSC, nor have we seen two female parabatai - so much potential and nothing is done with it! And I think this hurts the book too because than it doesn’t hurt as much when Cordelia feels like she has to give up being parabatai with Lucie. This might be an unpopular opinion- but I like Cordelia more than Lucie. I like Lucie, but she is not one of my favorite characters. I know she’s the youngest and I know why she makes certain decisions, but I she acts naive a lot of the time. Though the fact that she carries an ax is amazing 🤩 I still don’t like Grace, but I am starting to root for her redemption (and her ship with Kit). But I still find a lot of the Grace scenes boring. As for the other “redemption arc” character, Alaster, I love him. I love him as a character and I totally think he can be redeemed. This book has a lot more of a plot I think than COG2, but somehow also slower - I think because the murders are just kind of going on for most of the book but none of the characters figure anything out until the end. Now, the end: I understand why a lot of characters are keeping secrets (and you don’t have to keep saying “I feel so bad I’m keeping secrets” guys we get it), but the ending is just so dramatic and it HURTS. I still don’t ship Mathew x Cordelia and I just want James to be able to explain and finally be with Cordelia 😭! Side note: I want Mathew to be happy bc I love him but worried that he doesn’t seem to have a real love interest (that’s interested in him) and I’m starting to worry that he might die in COT. #chainofgold #chainofiron #chainofironreview #chainofgoldreview #thelasthours #lucieherondale #cordeliacarstairs #jamesherondale #matthewfairchild #shadowhunters 
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