book reviews

The Girl in the Storm by Christopher Stanfield

| Jasmin De Anda

A poetically told story that needed a little more…

The Girl in the Storm is a contemporary fantasy focused on the arch angels including Michael, and Lucifer.

SYNOPSIS

Angels are real, demons walk the Earth, and she alone can stop the Devil…

Seventeen-year-old Genevieve Reidell loves to paint, and values her closest friends above all, but when a gunman terrorizes her high school, her near-reckless bravery sets her on a path that will change the entire course of her life. Her best friend is shot and dying but when Genevieve holds her, the bleeding stops and the wounds close.

But when she tries to save another friend, she can’t. Overcome with guilt Genevieve struggles to understand. But when a stranger arrives at her home with a mysterious book and an ominous warning, she learns about her destiny. Angels have protected her, but the time has come to unravel the mysteries that have haunted her for years. Genevieve must learn to harness and control her gifts and accept that whatever she does might not be enough. The Devil must be stopped, and Genevieve is ready to walk into the storm. She’s cheated death before, but can she save herself again without losing those she loves?

A Cinematic Experience…

I’m having trouble really describing this book so instead I want to share my experience. When I started the book I was impressed and at the same time confused by the way the story was being told. It’s told in a very cinematic way as if the scenes were edited, the chapter’s often going back and forth between present and a flashback often within a single page. In the first chapter we are told of the shocking thing that has occurred to the main character Genevieve as she tells her therapist.

The reason talking about this book feels so complicated is because I had a lot of contradicting thoughts about it. Like in the first half of the book I was very impressed by the storytelling. It’s captivating, and a the same time it was too much… poetry. The descriptions were detailed and poetic but I felt they went on too long sometimes and just wanted the story to continue.

Two Books in One…

I think the easiest way to explain is to talk about it like this. I felt like I read two books in one. The book is 437 pages, but I felt like book one ended on page 271 and book two started immediately after. For the first 60% of the book there’s a clear primary antagonist, and a clear book one antagonist. One threat acting for Lucifer who Genevieve must face.

She has obstacles to overcome, fears to face, and questions that need answers. But as the book seemed to be coming to a close I was really confused that I had so much of it left. From that page where I felt like book one ended all the way to the actual end, I consistently felt I was reading the sequel which is why I want to discuss this as two books instead of one. That being said book one was very interesting but I wished for a lot more, specifically with the character’s.

MORE DETAILS

Word Count (rounded)~ ?

Page Count: 437

Genres: Contemporary Fantasy, Dark Fantasy, Mythical Fantasy

My favorite part of any book is the character’s. I love the moment’s spent away from the main plot line. I love getting to know their personalities, their interests, their flaws. And book one only focused on the main plot so I had names and faces, but not much to make me form an attachment to the character’s. Book two on the other hand had much more depth with the character’s. I finally felt like I was getting to know Genevieve and the other angel’s, but suddenly it was all too fast. While I spent book one wanting it to move faster, I spent book two wishing it would slow down. Like I said, contradictory thoughts. But the true strength of this book is the writing.

A Poetic Writing Style…

The writing style reminded me a bit of Neil Gaiman, specifically American gods. It’s extremely detailed and often dove into the backstories of even the smallest character’s. For example at the start there is a shooter and later in the book, the author explores his day showing how he was led to the school that day. The most important thing I thought was that although it didn’t meet my priorities with character’s, I remember every detail of what I read and to me that means I was never bored. Because believe me, when I’m bored I retain absolutely nothing from the page. My hopes are that book two is a little more consistent with pace.

My Rating…

I thought this book was great but I can imagine how much better it could get which is why I’m looking forward to book two. I’ve decided that my personal rating is three stars because I enjoyed it, but I don’t think I will be rereading it.

The next book I’ll be reading is “Dark Corners” by Megan Goldin, a crime thriller.

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When You Returned by Havelah Mclat

| Jasmin De Anda

A cute romance for the Hallmark fans…

When You Returned is a sweet, simple romance for when you just want to sit back and enjoy a book over a nice cup of coffee.

SYNOPSIS

Is their love strong enough to heal the wounds of the past?

Once a renowned skater, Jaclyn is now a single mother, working at the beloved skating rink in a small town in Colorado that has been in her family for generations. When the rink is at risk of being lost, she looks for help from professionals.

The last person she expects to help them get back on their feet is Lavern, an old flame from high school.

After running from grief over the loss of his brother eight years ago, Lavern is back in town on assignment from a company that helps struggling businesses. Assigned to help the rink recover, he now must face the girl he once loved and left behind.

Together, Lavern and Jaclyn are the only hope to save her family’s rink. But confronting the pain of the past might be more than they can imagine.

A Simple Premise…

When looking for a quick way to describe this book, I would say it reminds me of the Hallmark and Netflix Christmas movies, the sweet small town romances. It’s the kind of story that you’ll likely enjoy if you’re just looking for a sweet romance.

The premise for when you returned is that Jaclyn’s family skating rink is in danger after a foreclosure notice from the bank, and Lavern is the representative for his company sent to help them get the business back on it’s feet. I would describe this more as a small subplot. The issue with the rink is mentioned at the start, but doesn’t play a very important role in the story. There’s not much time spent discussing it. The true story is the one about Jaclyn and Lavern. There are a few things made clear from the start, one is that Jaclyn and Lavern haven’t spoken in years and the other is that Lavern left abruptly after the death of his brother. And those things are why this story is more about the two character’s reconnecting, and facing their feelings for each other.

A Quick Read…

The story is told quickly so there isn’t much room for questions, but it does have its sweet moments. I would say the parts I enjoyed more were the flashbacks, some between Jaclyn and Lavern and others between Lavern and his brother.

MORE DETAILS

Word Count (rounded)~ ?

Page Count: 256

Genres: Contemporary Romance, New Adult

Character’s I Wish I Got to Know More…

There are of course two main character’s, Jaclyn and Lavern. Jaclyn’s backstory gets explored a little more. Her ambitions, her lost dreams, and her inspiration. Lavern on the other hand has his history told slowly primarily in flashbacks. But while I was given somewhat of an idea as to who these people were, I did wish I was given more.

While the technical details are shared: their family situation, their careers, the ghosts of their past. Their personalities are what needed more. I wanted to know what they enjoy, what makes them smile.

I wanted to know how Jaclyn likes spending time with her daughter and how her and her friend’s spend their time when she isn’t working or being a mother.

It was the same with Lavern. I wondered if he was a workaholic, or if he had hobbies. I wondered if he thought of Jaclyn beyond the simple nostalgic memories and if he ever felt guilt for leaving. I especially wondered what the two character’s were like in high school not as a couple, but as individuals.

My Rating…

I rate books with a five star system from would never read it again to loved it and can’t wait to reread it. I don’t really believe in calling a book bad because each person’s interests are different and a book I hated could be loved by someone else and vice versa. Everyone has different deal breakers.

I gave this book two stars because I enjoyed some sections of the book, but heartwarming romance just isn’t something I read often. I would recommend this to the Hallmark and Netflix Christmas movie fans.

The next book I’ll be reading is “The Girl in the Storm” which is another Indie Novel. I’m trying to read a lot of Indie author novel’s which is why I plan to read a new book every week. If you’re an author, let me know a little about your book in the comments!

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Sign Here by Claudia Lux

| Jasmin De Anda

An intriguing mystery that fell a little flat for me…

Sign Here is a humorous and interesting read that may have been in need of just a little more information.

SYNOPSIS

Peyote Trip has a pretty good gig in the deals department on the fifth floor of Hell. Sure, none of the pens work, the coffee machine has been out of order for a century, and the only drink on offer is Jägermeister, but Pey has a plan—and all he needs is one last member of the Harrison family to sell their soul.

When the Harrisons retreat to the family lake house for the summer, with their daughter Mickey’s precocious new friend, Ruth, in tow, the opportunity Pey has waited a millennium for might finally be in his grasp. And with the help of his charismatic coworker Calamity, he sets a plan in motion.

But things aren’t always as they seem, on Earth or in Hell. And as old secrets and new dangers scrape away at the Harrisons’ shiny surface, revealing the darkness beneath, everyone must face the consequences of their choices.

A Humorous Story…

Hell as an office, how can that not be amusing? It’s easy to relate to the irritants that make it Hell. If you’re legal to drink, then you know that a bar that only serves Jägermeister is just horrible to think about. All the small things that make life in Hell intolerable definitely make this an amusing read. But the surprising thing is this story was less dark comedy and more mystery.

A Mystery That Fell Just a Little Flat for Me..

“Sign Here” when it comes down to it is a mystery. Peyote has a plan that requires just one more soul from the Harrison family, but what is that plan? As the story began to unravel, I was intrigued, new questions being asked with each chapter. Questions like why does he need this family? Who is Calamity really? But as my questions were answered, I only found myself asking more questions.

Two Stories that Never Connected…

“Sign Here” is really two stories in one book. One is the story of Peyote, the fifth floor employee in Hell looking to get a promotion. The other is the story of the Harrison family who is harboring a dark past we know nothing about. From the beginning it’s made clear that these two stories are meant to connect. After all, this is the family Peyote needs to complete his plan.

MORE DETAILS

Word Count (rounded)~ ?

Page Count: 432

Genres: Horror, Thriller, Psychological

This was the part of the story I found lacking. Peyote mentions throughout the story how he desperately needs one of the Harrison’s to sign over their soul. But what is he doing in order to achieve that goal? For someone who needs them, he never interacts with them and hardly ever even interferes. I felt the story could’ve benefited more if part of being required to make deals with humans was some manipulation. If Peyote had to push the family member’s into feeling they needed to sell their soul, it would have made it more meaningful.

In the end the employees of Hell aren’t doing much work, they’re just there to have the human sign on the dotted line, or click the button in this case. Sure they don’t mention the fine print, but it just never felt malevolant enough.

My Rating…

I rate books with a five star system from would never read it again to loved it and can’t wait to reread it. I don’t really believe in calling a book bad because each person’s interests are different and a book I hated could be loved by someone else and vice versa. Everyone has different deal breakers.

I gave this book two stars because I enjoyed some sections of the book, but as a whole I found the story lacking and don’t plan to reread it in the future. Maybe a show would add that extra information to make the story feel more complete.

The next book I’ll be reading is “When He Returned” which is an Indie Novel. I’m trying to read a lot of Indie author novel’s which is why I plan to read a new book every week.

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It Ends With Us by Colleen hoover

| Jasmin De Anda

A Tale of Youth, Hardships, and Strength…

It Ends With Us is a more grounded romance of a young woman finding love.

SYNOPSIS

Lily hasn’t always had it easy, but that’s never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She’s come a long way from the small town where she grew up—she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. And when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily’s life seems too good to be true.

Ryle is assertive, stubborn, maybe even a little arrogant. He’s also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily. And the way he looks in scrubs certainly doesn’t hurt. Lily can’t get him out of her head. But Ryle’s complete aversion to relationships is disturbing. Even as Lily finds herself becoming the exception to his “no dating” rule, she can’t help but wonder what made him that way in the first place.

As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan—her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector. When Atlas suddenly reappears, everything Lily has built with Ryle is threatened.

What’s So Special About This Book?

Colleen Hoover is all the rage right now. Having written dozens of novels, the first time I read one of her books I honestly expected a cookie cutter romance because who really can release that many novels so close together and still be unique. Well Colleen can.

“It Ends With Us” at it’s core is a story of abuse. Lily has a past where she was forced to watch her mother suffer. Traumatized heroine’s are my guilty pleasure. I see a trigger warning, I read it. It’s not that I enjoy their suffering, I’m not sadistic. It’s their strength and recovery that I love. (A guy who saves her and worries about her is always a bonus). But this one was different because it was realistic. Most books that center abuse tend to pain the male as a monster incapable of empathy or kindness. Some stick to the pattern of abuse followed by apologies. But with this book I got to see the true psychology of why a woman stays with her abuser, but also the judgement they face.

A Heartbreaking Story…

The only Colleen Hoover book I ever read had me crying and I expected the same here. Luckily it wasn’t that bad, but it was still emotional and I imagine the movie will have me sobbing.

In this story we follow Lily Bloom, a 23-year-old living in Boston. Lily is innocent, smart, and brave as hell. She knows what she wants and goes for it, but when she meets Ryle, the matters of the heart prove to be more confusing than she expected. Her experiences prove that what you think and what you feel are difficult to separate and it’s never as simple as finding the love of your life and living happily ever after. Especially when her first love Atlas enters the picture.

MORE DETAILS

Word Count (rounded)~ 115, 000

Page Count: 384

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Domestic Fiction

As much as I sometimes wanted to shake Lily and tell her to think, I was able to understand why things were the way they were.

A Surprisingly Special Story…

I’m pretty picky with romance. If it’s not a specific type of story, I tend to ignore it. But I definitely enjoyed this one. If you’re tired of the cliches of romantic fiction, I would definitely suggest trying this book. Sure there’s still a gay best friend but he isn’t used as her therapist. There may be a love triangle but there’s no alpha male dominance fight over who she does or doesn’t deserve. It’s raw, it’s real, and it’s entertaining.

My Rating…

I rate books with a five star system from would never read it again to loved it and can’t wait to reread it. I don’t really believe in calling a book bad because each person’s interests are different and a book I hated could be loved by someone else and vice versa. Everyone has different deal breakers.

I gave this book three stars because I really enjoyed it but I don’t think I’ll be rereading it. I’ll probably end up watching that movie over and over again though.

The next book I’ll be reading is “Sign Here”. I’m trying to read a lot of Indie author novel’s too which is why I plan to read a new book every week.

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The Seven Husband’s of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

| Jasmin De Anda

The scandalous and heartbreaking story of a fictional famous retired actress…

The Seven Husband’s of Evelyn Hugo is a story of Hollywood scandal and how one woman used that to her advantage.

SYNOPSIS

Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now?

Monique is not exactly on top of the world. Her husband has left her, and her professional life is going nowhere. Regardless of why Evelyn has selected her to write her biography, Monique is determined to use this opportunity to jumpstart her career.

Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the ‘80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn’s story near its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways.

The Question About Evelyn Hugo…

Evelyn Hugo, reclusive actress who mysteriously retired and has refused to participate in any interviews since. But what happens when she suddenly requests an article to be written, and wants amateur journalist Monique Grant to do the job?

From the beginning it is made clear that this story is about unraveling the question of who Evelyn Hugo truly is. We are given snippets of how the media saw her, but Evelyn makes it clear as she tells her story that the media knew nothing. Reading her story had me intrigued as I learned what was the truth and what was the lies she had carefully given.

An Emotional Journey…

A story about an actress is something I would expect to be difficult. Most actors deal with scrutiny and lack of privacy and I imagine that has its toll on their mental health. Add in the fact that Evelyn Hugo is a Cuban woman in the 50s and her struggle becomes more difficult. But in no way was I prepared for the story of her romantic life to be so heartbreaking.

Halfway through this book I was rooting for Evelyn to have one moment of peace and happiness. Which Brings me to what I considered the highlight of this book.

The Character’s…

Something I feel is being lost in story’s are good, unique character’s. There’s always the gay friend, the perky ball of sunshine best friend there to cheer up an awkward main character. There’s the playboy who says he’ll never settle down. Then there’s the male lead, who can be a number of cliches. But none of the character’s fit these boxes.

MORE DETAILS

Word Count (rounded)~ 100, 000

Page Count: 400

Genres: Romance, Historical Fiction, Domestic Fiction,, Psychological Fiction

The main character, Monique Grant was a bit lost in the story, but Evelyn and her friend’s were extraordinary.

Evelyn Hugo is gorgeous, smart, and mesmerizing. But she can also be manipulative and cruel in order to get what she wants. She’s a woman who realized early on that the world would always sexualize her and therefore learned to accept that by turning her body into a weapon. At her best and even at her worst, I adored her.

There are two character’s who are an integral part of her story. The first is Harry, a Hollywood producer who is the start of her career. Harry is the man she could not seem to seduce, the main who is always honest with her no matter how cruel the truth is. What I loved most was that he was a man who always looked out for her and her career.

The second side character is Celia St. James. At the start of the story she is the naive emerging actress, beautiful in an innocent way. But as Evelyn and Celia become closer, Celia becomes a wonderful friend. But I won’t say more because I don’t want to give any spoilers.

A Story I Can’t Forget…

Evelyn’s story is one that will definitely always stick with me. I can’t wait to see the live action adaptation. I hope that the show expand’s on Monique’s character because she didn’t have much in the story but I felt her story had a lot of potential to have more of an impact.

My Rating…

I rate books with a five star system from would never read it again to loved it and can’t wait to reread it. I don’t really believe in calling a book bad because each person’s interests are different and a book I hated could be loved by someone else and vice versa. Everyone has different deal breakers.

I gave this book five stars because as despite being a fantasy and sci-fi fan, I was hooked.

The next book I’ll be reading is “It Ends With Us”. I’m trying to read a lot of Indie author novel’s too which is why I plan to read a new book every week.

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The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, VE Schwab

| Jasmin De Anda

The spectacular journey of a girl cursed to live forever…

The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue is the both magical and tragic life of a girl who was cursed to be forgotten.

SYNOPSIS

France, 1714: in a moment of desperation, a young woman makes a Faustian bargain to live forever and is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets.

Thus begins the extraordinary life of Addie LaRue, and a dazzling adventure that will play out across centuries and continents, across history and art, as a young woman learns how far she will go to leave her mark on the world.

But everything changes when, after nearly 300 years, Addie stumbles across a young man in a hidden bookstore and he remembers her name.

The Wonderfully Tragic Life of Addie…

Reading the description, my first thought was that this book would be a romance. It is a romance, but it is also so much more. The romance in case anyone is wondering I would consider instalove, but for good reason. Addie is cursed so no one can remember her. And whatever you think this means, multiply how bad it is by a hundred. She is truly a ghost, so after living for almost three hundred years, it’s no wonder she’s instantly enamored with the young man who says “I remember you”.

Throughout her story, you do get the feeling of a life that’s magical, but it doesn’t shy away from the hardships of her life. She may not be able to die, but she can still suffer and that is made very clear. But by the end, Addie was a character I was so invested in.

I would describe the heart of the book to be one of magic and tragedy because following a character who is immortal is magical, but it’s also incredibly tragic. The story is told in two timelines. It begins with her life in modern day, then jumps back to the start of her journey before she was cursed.

MORE DETAILS

Word Count (rounded)~ 112, 000

Page Count: 448

Genres: Historical Fantasy, Fantasy

It keeps going back and forth between the two time periods, but continues to move linearly as it tells her story. Each flashback continues after the last one left off, never backtracking so it’s easy to follow. But luckily the author made it very convenient because every chapter is dated so you know exactly when it is without having to deal with looking for context clues.

A Character to Remember…

Addie LaRue is a young French woman. At the beginning of her story she is innocent and naive, but in the pages of her modern life, she is strong, vibrant, and so smart. The author did such a wonderful job of showing her character development as her past timeline got closer to the present day. That way I was able to see the change in her character, and easily understand how she became the woman she is, but I also came to admire her for it. When I read a book with a female main character, I like to imagine I’m that character. Usually that’s an easy feat because in most cases with the books I’ve read that involve romance, the main character is more of a vehicle to take you through the story. Their personalities usually are so strong at the start but get lost in the story. That was definitely not the case here. 

There is a male main character, I know I haven’t really said anything about him, but that’s just how amazing Addie is. The male lead is Henry, a young man who owns a bookstore in New York. I really don’t want to say anything about him because it sticks to Addie’s perspective so the reader can get to know him as she does. I really wish I had more to say about him, but honestly he didn’t exactly stick out to me. That wasn’t because I thought he was boring, he is a complex character who some people will likely find relatable. For me, it was more like he didn’t stand a chance of standing out on the page next to Addie. But I thought the best aspect of his character was the mystery. He remembers her and that is a big deal, so there really is a big mystery of how and why he is the only person to remember her.

Their characters felt so real that it made it difficult for me to imagine certain actors. I couldn’t land on a face for Addie. With Henry, I ended up reverting back to my go to actor when I can’t pick someone, which is Ben Barnes. Sometimes I just need a voice and a face to picture, and my default for romance is always him for the male lead.

Other Themes…

There are LGBTQ themes to a certain extent. The author deals with sexuality as fluid so the main characters are never labeled as bisexual, but both characters do have a history of relationships with both sexes.

My Rating…

I rate books with a five star system from would never read it again to loved it and can’t wait to reread it. I don’t really believe in calling a book bad because each person’s interests are different and a book I hated could be loved by someone else and vice versa. Everyone has different deal breakers.

I gave this book five stars because as a contemporary fantasy fan, this hit all the marks of magic, mystery, and tragedy that I love, and more importantly, had a main character I could fall in love with.

The next book I’ll be reading is “The seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo” just as soon as I get the pile blocking my bookcase doors out of the way. If you read this book, let me know what you think!

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Half Sick of Shadows, Laura Sebastian

| Jasmin De Anda

A mesmerizing retelling of Arthurian legend’s minor character…

Half Sick of Shadows is a romantic retelling and expansion of a character known only from her tragic poem.

SYNOPSIS

Everyone knows the legend. Of Arthur, destined to be a king. Of the beautiful Guinevere, who will betray him with his most loyal knight, Lancelot. Of the bitter sorceress, Morgana, who will turn against them all. But Elaine alone carries the burden of knowing what is to come–for Elaine of Shalott is cursed to see the future.

On the mystical isle of Avalon, Elaine runs free and learns of the ancient prophecies surrounding her and her friends–countless possibilities, almost all of them tragic.

When their future comes to claim them, Elaine, Guinevere, Lancelot, and Morgana accompany Arthur to take his throne in stifling Camelot, where magic is outlawed, the rules of society chain them, and enemies are everywhere. Yet the most dangerous threats may come from within their own circle.

As visions are fulfilled and an inevitable fate closes in, Elaine must decide how far she will go to change destiny–and what she is willing to sacrifice along the way.

A story never told…

The story as advertised is an Arthurian legend, but not the way you might remember them. Something I have always loved about Arthurian legend is that no story is completely the same. Most of the details always remain the same. Arthur pulls excalibur and claims his throne. Lancelot, Guinevere, and Morgana all betray him, and eventually Arthur meets his demise. A tragic story indeed, but this isn’t just about them. This is the untold story of Elaine of Shalott.

Meet the woman cursed with the future…

Elaine was a character I had never heard the name of, but when I saw she was the main character, I was surprised by how little information I found about her. In the more known poem, Elaine is a woman suffering from an unrequited love. Enamored with Lancelot, when her feelings are not returned, she dies and her body drifts down the river. But the author of this story felt she deserved better. In this story, Elaine is now only the main character, but a woman who has seen every tragedy that is to come to Arthur and their friends. Sebastian does an incredible job of creating a character who can see the future without removing the things I loves about Arthur’s story.

A story more about heart than adventure…

Characters are always my favorite part of a story. I was pleasantly surprised at how much the story focused on the characters and their relationship. I am by no means an expert on Arthurian legends, and am only familiar with the major details of the stories. However, I felt that the characters were much more fleshed out in this story. Guinevere for example, I only knew for her doomed romance with Lancelot, but in this story she is much more than Arthur’s eventual wife and traitor. In this story she is still kind but she is also fearless. She is a force not to be reckoned with who even Lancelot knows to fear. It was a pleasure getting to know these characters.

MORE DETAILS

Word Count (rounded)~ 133, 952

Page Count: 432

Genres: Arthurian Romance, Fantasy, Fairy Tale

A story for the romantics, not the historians…

When I began this story, I fell in love with Elaine and her narrative. I enjoyed getting to know the character’s through her eyes. But I was surprised when I noticed bad reviews, until I realized they were written by readers frustrated with the historical inaccuracies. If you are a fan of Historical fiction, this is not the story for you. You may be put off by the constant mention of corsets and drinking tea. However, if you are like me and are unbothered by such inaccuracies, then you will have no issues with this story.

What drew me in was the love between these characters. When I speak of love, I do not just mean romantic love, but familial love. Every chapter reminded me of how close these characters were in a way that had me dreading the tragedies that could someday happen just as Elaine does in this story.

A story that left me wanting more…

All good stories come to an eventual end, and this one was no exception. It is difficult to discuss what I loved about this story without spoiling anything, but I grew so attached to the characters that when I realized the story was almost over, I felt disappointed. Not only because I wanted to spend more time with them, but for reasons I can’t say without spoiling it for excited readers. I truly hope that the versions of these characters I fell in love with will someday make it to the big screen.

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Shadow and Bone, Leigh Bardugo

| Jasmin De Anda

An intriguing enough world…

Shadow in Bone is a simple story that was saved by its unique fantasy world, but the characters and story itself felt a little lacking for my tastes.

SYNOPSIS

Soldier. Summoner. Saint. Orphaned and expendable, Alina Starkov is a soldier who knows she may not survive her first trek across the Shadow Fold―a swath of unnatural darkness crawling with monsters. But when her regiment is attacked, Alina unleashes dormant magic not even she knew she possessed.

Now Alina will enter a lavish world of royalty and intrigue as she trains with the Grisha, her country’s magical military elite―and falls under the spell of their notorious leader, the Darkling. He believes Alina can summon a force capable of destroying the Shadow Fold and reuniting their war-ravaged country, but only if she can master her untamed gift.

As the threat to the kingdom mounts and Alina unlocks the secrets of her past, she will make a dangerous discovery that could threaten all she loves and the very future of a nation.

Welcome to Ravka . . . a world of science and superstition where nothing is what it seems.

Meet Alina Starkov…

The story begins with Alina Starkov, a mapmaker whose unit has been chosen to cross the Shadow Fold, a mysterious area of darkness filled with monsters that separates the nation in half. Alina is introduced as an orphan who has always felt out of place due to her insecurities about her appearance. Her only friend is Mal, her childhood friend.

As someone who watched the first season on Netflix first, I was surprised to learn that Alina was not half Shu as she was on the live action adaptation, and it was a detail that was truly missed. While she does often mention her own insecurities, I never got the sense that she was as much as an outcast as I did from watching the show.

Something Missing…

If someone were to ask me what I enjoyed about the book, I’m afraid I would not have much to say. While I do not have anything particularly negative to say about this book, I unfortunately cannot describe anything as truly exciting. In this story there is one main character as well as what I what I would categorize as three supporting characters. At the start of her story when she is introduced, her childhood friend Mal is introduced as well. Later we are introduced to the Darkling as well as Genya. Yet despite the small ensemble of characters, there was not much described of any of them.

As someone whose favorite part of any story is its characters, I was disappointed to learn so little about them. Although their actions are described, there was not much said about their personalities, interest, flaws, or anything. In fact, when these characters began to form their relationships, I felt that none of the relationships felt deserved and that the characters were simply being pushed together like dolls.

MORE DETAILS

Word Count (rounded)~ 81,000

Page Count: 358

Genres: Young adult fiction, fantasy, adventure

I found things especially lacking with the romance in the story. It’s rare to pick up a YA novel and not be introduced to a romantic plot line, and although there is romance in this story, I could only describe it as “blink and you’ll miss it”. The romantic tension between the characters was nonexistent.

The World Introduced…

Trying to come up with the words to describe how I felt about this story has been a struggle, however what I can discuss is the world itself.

This fantasy world introduced by Bardugo is what I felt has potential. The system is well described and whatever information about this world’s conflicts were easy to understand throughout the story. In fact, it left me desiring a story focused on one of the Grisha’s instead. What was it like when their power was discovered? Were they torn from their families? What were their responsibilities beyond training and performing for the wealthy?

Hopes for the Sequel…

Although I wasn’t very satisfied by the story, I am hoping that now that the world has been established that the characters will be more fleshed out in the sequel. Thanks to the Netflix series, I was able to read this story with a clear picture of the characters in my head. My primary hope is that the sequel will prevent me from having to rely on the Netflix series and have me fully immersed in what is on the page. Perhaps my opinion would have been different if I had read the series as a child, but I truly hope book 2 will surprise me.

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Sword of Destiny, Andrzej Sapkowski

| Jasmin De Anda

A disappointing follow up to an amazing first book…

Sword of Destiny was an aggravating read and the first book I have ever quit. The second book in The Witcher series will make you question if the characters are truly the same ones.

SYNOPSIS

Geralt the Witcher battles monsters, demons and prejudices alike in Sword of Destiny, the second collection of adventures in Andrzej Sapkowski’s groundbreaking epic fantasy series that inspired the Netflix show and the hit video games.

Geralt is a Witcher, a man whose magic powers, enhanced by long training and a mysterious elixir, have made him a brilliant fighter and a merciless hunter. Yet he is no ordinary killer: his targets are the multifarious monsters and vile fiends that ravage the land and attack the innocent.

Sword of Destiny is the follow up to The Last Wish, and together they are the perfect introduction to a one of a kind fantasy world.

A surprisingly controversial read…

When I finished the The Last Wish, I could not wait to get my hands on the second book so I could continue following Geralt’s journey and learn more about Yennefer. Yet within the follow up’s first chapter, I found myself struggling not to skim through the pages. The more I read, the worse the writing directed at the women became.

For those familiar with the Netflix show, the first chapter begins with the quest for the dragon, but things are different than the Netflix episode. Yennefer, angry with Geralt for his wish and desperate to reverse her infertility betrays Geralt by using paralysis magic on him, but is then attacked by the band of dwarves. This was when the first shock came when the band of dwarves ties Yennefer up and tear her shirt open to expose her, threatening her with rape. The scene is followed by Dandelion described to stare at her bare chest. When Yennefer tells him to stop, the line is what follows:

“Not on your life,’ Dandelion said, without taking his eyes off the bedraggled sorceress. ‘I’m here because of her. They may slit our throats, but at least I’ll die happy.”

-Excerpt From: Andrzej Sapkowski. “Sword of Destiny (The Witcher).” Apple Books.

MORE DETAILS

Word Count (estimated)~ 104,000

Page Count: 416

Genres: Fantasy

Although I managed to read the dragon quest story, it was the next chapter that truly irked me. Geralt and Yennefer in the next story are living together, but not happily as he seems to be annoyed with Yennefer in every page and Yennefer’s only role seems to be dressing herself with makeup and fragrances. But it was Geralt’s time at the inn which destroyed my will to finish the story; specifically this paragraph:

“He was annoyed by the cold, congealed scrambled egg he was served for breakfast by the innkeeper, who tore himself away for a moment from groping a girl in the kitchen. He was annoyed that the girl was no more than twelve years old. And had tears in her eyes.”

Excerpt From: Andrzej Sapkowski. “Sword of Destiny (The Witcher).” Apple Books.

The line itself felt unescessary and the content was appalling, but what truly bothered me was Geralt’s simple annoyance and lack of interference. Although the witcher claims to never interfere, the first book seemed to prove he did nothing but interfere. Yet the author felt it necessary to write this moment where Geralt witnesses a 12-year-old girl being groped and does nothing.

The First Story I’ve Ever Quit…

Perhaps there is a chance the story drastically improved in the remaining 75% of the book, but I could not get myself to pick up the book again after that and eventually gave up on trying. The magic which intrigued me in that first book seemed to be lacking and Yennefer who was a mystery for most of the first book felt vain and one-dimensional. I felt if I had finished the book only to be disappointed, it would taint my love for the first book and possible the remaining of the series.

Improvements Ahead…

When I first picked up The Witcher series, I began reading book three before realizing there were two written before. I read 20% of the story before realizing my mistake and beginning book one instead, and what I had read of book three, I deeply enjoyed. Although I hope to never feel this way about his remaining books, I am at least taking comfort knowing book three will restore the magic of the first book.

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