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bookish_blanche's reviews
515 reviews
Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas
5.0
From assassin to queen
So the series started out as the story of Celena the assassin. It has now evolved into much more: the story of a broken queen trying to save her kingdom. This one is all about mystical creatures, unraveling the past and destroying a kingdom from within. Schemes, revenge, battles... With the new characters that come into focus, this book is everything we needed.
As usual, read the whole series because it's worth it.
"Sometimes there won't be a right choice. Just the best of several bad options."
So the series started out as the story of Celena the assassin. It has now evolved into much more: the story of a broken queen trying to save her kingdom. This one is all about mystical creatures, unraveling the past and destroying a kingdom from within. Schemes, revenge, battles... With the new characters that come into focus, this book is everything we needed.
As usual, read the whole series because it's worth it.
"Sometimes there won't be a right choice. Just the best of several bad options."
Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
5.0
In the heart of the battle
Woah! How am I supposed to describe this masterpiece? So much action, the different characters finally coming together. It is sooooo wild. The battles are exhausting, they are so well described both visually and emotionally that it feels as if we're living them. We discover more and more about the past, the future... Such powerful and strong hearted women. Woah!!!!!
I have no words. I'm starting to repeat myself but it's sooooo worth it.
"Nameless is my price."
Woah! How am I supposed to describe this masterpiece? So much action, the different characters finally coming together. It is sooooo wild. The battles are exhausting, they are so well described both visually and emotionally that it feels as if we're living them. We discover more and more about the past, the future... Such powerful and strong hearted women. Woah!!!!!
I have no words. I'm starting to repeat myself but it's sooooo worth it.
"Nameless is my price."
Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas
4.0
Discovery of new horizons
This one is special and if I rated it 4 stars, it is only because I'm trying to be reasonable and it was isolated from the main story. In this one, we focus on Chaol's recovery and the discovery of a new realm, more exotic, but just as interesting. New characters (again! Yes I know but the author is really talented and we can't get lost). All in all it was surprisingly interesting but when I read it, I really needed to know what was happening with the others and so I kind of wanted to get it over with... That's probably why I didn't enjoy it as much as the others. But it still was great.
Maybe disappointing to step away from the main characters, but all in all, but be patient because it is still worth it.
"We don't look back. It helps no one and nothing to look back."
This one is special and if I rated it 4 stars, it is only because I'm trying to be reasonable and it was isolated from the main story. In this one, we focus on Chaol's recovery and the discovery of a new realm, more exotic, but just as interesting. New characters (again! Yes I know but the author is really talented and we can't get lost). All in all it was surprisingly interesting but when I read it, I really needed to know what was happening with the others and so I kind of wanted to get it over with... That's probably why I didn't enjoy it as much as the others. But it still was great.
Maybe disappointing to step away from the main characters, but all in all, but be patient because it is still worth it.
"We don't look back. It helps no one and nothing to look back."
Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas
5.0
The perfect reunion
This one is the wildest by far. So many things happen! Finally all characters are reunited for the final war against not one but two well written villains. I was not disappointed! It was epic, so many different battles, so many questions finally answered. We understand everything, we discover the link between all intrigues. It is just wonderful.
Just waow. Masterpiiiiiiiiece
This one is the wildest by far. So many things happen! Finally all characters are reunited for the final war against not one but two well written villains. I was not disappointed! It was epic, so many different battles, so many questions finally answered. We understand everything, we discover the link between all intrigues. It is just wonderful.
Just waow. Masterpiiiiiiiiece
The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black
5.0
Happily ever after?
I loved this one. It was very packed and intense, with a lot of actions. Magic has a more important place and I really enjoyed that. The plot thickens but the ending gradually reveals itself. I liked seeing the feelings grow and secondary characters gain importance. All in all it was very interesting.
Great book, perfect ending.
"Come home and shout at me. Come home and fight with me. Come home and break my heart, if you must."
I loved this one. It was very packed and intense, with a lot of actions. Magic has a more important place and I really enjoyed that. The plot thickens but the ending gradually reveals itself. I liked seeing the feelings grow and secondary characters gain importance. All in all it was very interesting.
Great book, perfect ending.
"Come home and shout at me. Come home and fight with me. Come home and break my heart, if you must."
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
5.0
Not what I expected
I don't exactly know what I thought this book would be but it definitely wasn't this. The whole kingdom and system in place is really interesting and it immediately picked my curiosity. Mare has her flaws, but I like her and her strong will. The love interests are great and well exploited, the romance never becoming too important. Side characters each bring something to the adventure and makes it more interesting. The story is captivating and the plot twists absolutely marvelous. I quite enjoyed it in the end.
Great intrigue and well conducted story.
"Words can lie. See beyond them."
I don't exactly know what I thought this book would be but it definitely wasn't this. The whole kingdom and system in place is really interesting and it immediately picked my curiosity. Mare has her flaws, but I like her and her strong will. The love interests are great and well exploited, the romance never becoming too important. Side characters each bring something to the adventure and makes it more interesting. The story is captivating and the plot twists absolutely marvelous. I quite enjoyed it in the end.
Great intrigue and well conducted story.
"Words can lie. See beyond them."
Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard
5.0
The other side of the rebellion
In this one, we still follow Mare but she is now in the heart of the Scarlet Guard. It's a different atmosphere, but just as interesting. Many new characters come into focus and new relationships are born. It felt a little slower than the first one, I'm not sure why. However it was still really intense and surprising. We learn more about the New bloods and their abilities which was really interesting and the romance is a little more present.
Perfect if you like romance, mystery, action, powers...
"No heart can ever be truly understood. Not even your own."
In this one, we still follow Mare but she is now in the heart of the Scarlet Guard. It's a different atmosphere, but just as interesting. Many new characters come into focus and new relationships are born. It felt a little slower than the first one, I'm not sure why. However it was still really intense and surprising. We learn more about the New bloods and their abilities which was really interesting and the romance is a little more present.
Perfect if you like romance, mystery, action, powers...
"No heart can ever be truly understood. Not even your own."
King's Cage by Victoria Aveyard
5.0
Deep psychological torture
I may be weird but I like when the villain uses psychological torture rather than physical one. In books I find it more intense and interesting to describe it. It is easier to feel what the character is going through. Anyway it is probably why I enjoyed this book. The prison Mare finds herself locked in is a mind prison and Maven is a really interesting character, tortured, broken, smart and indecisive. I love the obsession he has and the way he acts about it. I read this book very quickly because I was eager to know what would happen. It is wild and also slow because the feelings and relationships are more important.
My favorite one from the series.
"To stand in front of a person who is your whole world and be told you are not enough. You are not the choice. You are a shadow to the person who is your sun."
I may be weird but I like when the villain uses psychological torture rather than physical one. In books I find it more intense and interesting to describe it. It is easier to feel what the character is going through. Anyway it is probably why I enjoyed this book. The prison Mare finds herself locked in is a mind prison and Maven is a really interesting character, tortured, broken, smart and indecisive. I love the obsession he has and the way he acts about it. I read this book very quickly because I was eager to know what would happen. It is wild and also slow because the feelings and relationships are more important.
My favorite one from the series.
"To stand in front of a person who is your whole world and be told you are not enough. You are not the choice. You are a shadow to the person who is your sun."
War Storm by Victoria Aveyard
5.0
The war that changes everything
This one is very intense and that's why I loved it. We switch from character to character and it is very interesting to know everyone's point of view. Schemes, allegiances, betrayals, battles... This book is full of surprises and powerful scenes and emotions. The ending is quite satisfying, not too cheesy or too sad. I enjoyed the political aspect of the series as well, even though it isn't something I especially look for in a book. It was well put in the story.
I really loved this series, way more than I thought I would.
"Not all crowns are worn where people can see."
This one is very intense and that's why I loved it. We switch from character to character and it is very interesting to know everyone's point of view. Schemes, allegiances, betrayals, battles... This book is full of surprises and powerful scenes and emotions. The ending is quite satisfying, not too cheesy or too sad. I enjoyed the political aspect of the series as well, even though it isn't something I especially look for in a book. It was well put in the story.
I really loved this series, way more than I thought I would.
"Not all crowns are worn where people can see."
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
5.0
An emotional and well put story
I read this one in French, but I'll review it in English anyway. I wanted to read it because everyone was talking about the series and since I couldn't watch it, I thought that reading it could be great. I really loved the book. Honestly, it was heartbreakingly beautiful and horrible. Being inside Clay's head when he discovers everything is a very good choice, one that allows the reader to fully understand the severity of Hannah's situation and the reasons that put her on this terrible path. I cried like a baby when unraveling this overwhelming story.
I however have to mention how disappointed I was in the series for the lack of depth it showed. Don't even get me started on the other seasons that, in my opinion, completely destroyed the whole point of the novel.
If you enjoyed the series, I highly recommend that you read the book so you can really understand Hannah's story.
"No one knows for certain how much impact they have on the lives of other people. Oftentimes, we have no clue. Yet we push it just the same."
I read this one in French, but I'll review it in English anyway. I wanted to read it because everyone was talking about the series and since I couldn't watch it, I thought that reading it could be great. I really loved the book. Honestly, it was heartbreakingly beautiful and horrible. Being inside Clay's head when he discovers everything is a very good choice, one that allows the reader to fully understand the severity of Hannah's situation and the reasons that put her on this terrible path. I cried like a baby when unraveling this overwhelming story.
I however have to mention how disappointed I was in the series for the lack of depth it showed. Don't even get me started on the other seasons that, in my opinion, completely destroyed the whole point of the novel.
If you enjoyed the series, I highly recommend that you read the book so you can really understand Hannah's story.
"No one knows for certain how much impact they have on the lives of other people. Oftentimes, we have no clue. Yet we push it just the same."