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purple_reads's reviews
224 reviews
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
2.0
The second instalment of this series gave us the missing puzzle pieces to the first; along with a multitude of questions without their answers.
Consequently, following the death of Amarantha, Feyre’s mental trauma has caught up with her, wrecking her should be peaceful nights with restlessness. Her new body has begun adjusting to her mind and she finds the act of learning her new role - a High Lord’s bride - to be troubling. She feels trapped in her mind, space, and soul; forced to endure the aftermath of what she’d gone through - what she’d done. Stuck; stuck to play a role she did not want, as her last shred of hope withered away along with the girl she had once been. However, it wasn’t until the day of her wedding, as she is about to take her vows, that she finds herself in a much more treacherous predicament; but maybe, just maybe, this hardship - their bargain - had saved her.
Feyre’s character development was incredible. I loved the way she changed throughout the book - becoming more sure of herself and who she was, more independent; The Queen we all know and want.
Regarding the book as a whole, it feels like it serves as a filler between the first and third books in the series. Meaning, the majority of the content involved answered questions to help the characters along with their journey.
The middle of the book became quite bleak and repetitive, to put it simply, and this is the sole reason for deducting a star from my rating. But don’t be persuaded by one sentence, there were a few incidents within the middle of the book that did catch my eye and were interesting.
However, the ending being the most spectacular part gave justice to the middle. I was not expecting what I had read, and most definitely not ready for it.
Trust me, you’re about to go on an emotional rollercoaster - so y’know, try not to throw the book at a wall when you read it.
Stars ~ 1.5
Consequently, following the death of Amarantha, Feyre’s mental trauma has caught up with her, wrecking her should be peaceful nights with restlessness. Her new body has begun adjusting to her mind and she finds the act of learning her new role - a High Lord’s bride - to be troubling. She feels trapped in her mind, space, and soul; forced to endure the aftermath of what she’d gone through - what she’d done. Stuck; stuck to play a role she did not want, as her last shred of hope withered away along with the girl she had once been. However, it wasn’t until the day of her wedding, as she is about to take her vows, that she finds herself in a much more treacherous predicament; but maybe, just maybe, this hardship - their bargain - had saved her.
Feyre’s character development was incredible. I loved the way she changed throughout the book - becoming more sure of herself and who she was, more independent; The Queen we all know and want.
Regarding the book as a whole, it feels like it serves as a filler between the first and third books in the series. Meaning, the majority of the content involved answered questions to help the characters along with their journey.
The middle of the book became quite bleak and repetitive, to put it simply, and this is the sole reason for deducting a star from my rating. But don’t be persuaded by one sentence, there were a few incidents within the middle of the book that did catch my eye and were interesting.
However, the ending being the most spectacular part gave justice to the middle. I was not expecting what I had read, and most definitely not ready for it.
Trust me, you’re about to go on an emotional rollercoaster - so y’know, try not to throw the book at a wall when you read it.
Stars ~ 1.5
The Viscount Who Loved Me by Julia Quinn
5.0
The second instalment of Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series tells the story of Anthony Bridgerton’s path to love.
Honestly, this is the best book I have read in a long time and I’m not sure whether I am ready to move on from it.
I’m about to get a serious book hangover.
There was not one moment within this book that I found myself bored, uninterested or simply not liking.
I adored the character development and especially the relationship progression throughout the book. This was a great enemies to lovers and I’m glad it was a slow burn and not love overnight!
This was such an amazing book that I’m finding it hard to find the words to describe it. My review structure has gone and I’m just sat here talking about how great this is.
You better go read it.
Stars ~ 5
Honestly, this is the best book I have read in a long time and I’m not sure whether I am ready to move on from it.
I’m about to get a serious book hangover.
There was not one moment within this book that I found myself bored, uninterested or simply not liking.
I adored the character development and especially the relationship progression throughout the book. This was a great enemies to lovers and I’m glad it was a slow burn and not love overnight!
This was such an amazing book that I’m finding it hard to find the words to describe it. My review structure has gone and I’m just sat here talking about how great this is.
You better go read it.
Stars ~ 5
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
4.0
Putting my feelings into words has proven to be difficult with this book; for almost four days has me stewing over what I have just read.
At this point in the review, I would usually talk about the synopsis of the book for those who have yet to read it but this time that is not the case.
Sarah J Maas has ruined my life yet has succeeded to amaze it every single day. Her books fill that void within me but leave it open and much more stripped bare than it ever was before.
I always liked Nesta, for some reason she resonated with me and I often felt her pain whenever I saw a glimpse of what she had gone through. That is probably the reason why reading her book left me more emotionally destroyed than any book has ever done; why it has taken me days to recover, and perhaps it will be weeks until I truly feel whole again. Her journey is one of self-love and forgiveness - a story of hope, faith and love. A beautifully told tale of a woman who is struggling, who is lost, who is numb to that of the world around her but rises from the ashes and learns the importance of loving and forgiving herself.
This is my favourite book from SJM and I think it is her most well-written one too. She really lets you connect with the characters, understand them and watch them grow.
However, there were a few characters and moments that left me raging and I can not help but see them in a slightly different light now that we see them from a another perspective. I’m almost not looking forward as much as I’d hoped to see them in the upcoming books.
Ending my review here does not give this book justice; there are a thousand things I could talk about - whether that be my irritation towards characters or my love for them, I could talk and talk for days.
Also, 11/10 for the smut ;)
Stars ~ 4
At this point in the review, I would usually talk about the synopsis of the book for those who have yet to read it but this time that is not the case.
Sarah J Maas has ruined my life yet has succeeded to amaze it every single day. Her books fill that void within me but leave it open and much more stripped bare than it ever was before.
I always liked Nesta, for some reason she resonated with me and I often felt her pain whenever I saw a glimpse of what she had gone through. That is probably the reason why reading her book left me more emotionally destroyed than any book has ever done; why it has taken me days to recover, and perhaps it will be weeks until I truly feel whole again. Her journey is one of self-love and forgiveness - a story of hope, faith and love. A beautifully told tale of a woman who is struggling, who is lost, who is numb to that of the world around her but rises from the ashes and learns the importance of loving and forgiving herself.
This is my favourite book from SJM and I think it is her most well-written one too. She really lets you connect with the characters, understand them and watch them grow.
However, there were a few characters and moments that left me raging and I can not help but see them in a slightly different light now that we see them from a another perspective. I’m almost not looking forward as much as I’d hoped to see them in the upcoming books.
Ending my review here does not give this book justice; there are a thousand things I could talk about - whether that be my irritation towards characters or my love for them, I could talk and talk for days.
Also, 11/10 for the smut ;)
Stars ~ 4
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
2.0
I didn’t have high expectations when I began this book, and I’m not really surprised that it wasn’t all that interesting.
It only really started to grab my attention towards the end and that didn’t last long either. The ending seemed dull in comparison to what had happened moments before.
The characterisation is good for Alina but I didn’t feel like Mal had enough show instead of tell. That being said, it could be because we don’t see a lot of things from his perspective and he does seem to be thinking things through quite a bit. I don’t feel a connection between the two but I do understand Alina’s character a bit.
I think the world building is great and although I don’t understand half of it, the parts that I do are interesting. I’m picking it all up as I go along.
Stars ~ 2
It only really started to grab my attention towards the end and that didn’t last long either. The ending seemed dull in comparison to what had happened moments before.
The characterisation is good for Alina but I didn’t feel like Mal had enough show instead of tell. That being said, it could be because we don’t see a lot of things from his perspective and he does seem to be thinking things through quite a bit. I don’t feel a connection between the two but I do understand Alina’s character a bit.
I think the world building is great and although I don’t understand half of it, the parts that I do are interesting. I’m picking it all up as I go along.
Stars ~ 2
Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo
3.0
The ending felt right. The best way it could’ve ended for Alina.
I enjoyed the friendships that were formed and developed in this book. It was more than I had expected and took me by surprise.
The pacing wasn’t too bad but many moments were boring and had me wanting to fall asleep. Some parts of this book were mind-numbing while only a few piqued my interest enough to not want to put it down straight away.
Compared to the two previous books in this series, Ruin and Rising had a lot more action. This is the only thing that sets it apart as better than the first two instalments.
I was most excited to read about Nikolai and I loved the foreshadowing for King of Scars.
Stars ~ 2.5
I enjoyed the friendships that were formed and developed in this book. It was more than I had expected and took me by surprise.
The pacing wasn’t too bad but many moments were boring and had me wanting to fall asleep. Some parts of this book were mind-numbing while only a few piqued my interest enough to not want to put it down straight away.
Compared to the two previous books in this series, Ruin and Rising had a lot more action. This is the only thing that sets it apart as better than the first two instalments.
I was most excited to read about Nikolai and I loved the foreshadowing for King of Scars.
Stars ~ 2.5
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
3.0
The beginning of this book had me gripped; the action was great and I found that there wasn’t something not interesting to read about.
As the story progressed it started to wobble in terms of excitement. There were moments that had me wanting more and moments that had me bored. I enjoyed it but it just wasn’t the best.
I did love getting to see more of Celeana and she is one of my favourite Maas characters. Watching her be a badass is amazing.
The relationships between the three main protagonists are interesting and quite heartbreaking. I think Maas did a good job at making them realistic.
The ending was great - I’m sad but also excited.
Something that did irk me though was the comment about how Chaol would make fun of Celeana for wearing a scarf around her head. This feels like an attack on some religions and this should’ve been edited out because it’s unacceptable to be in a book (or any book) that can easily influence young reader’s opinions.
Stars ~ 3.25
As the story progressed it started to wobble in terms of excitement. There were moments that had me wanting more and moments that had me bored. I enjoyed it but it just wasn’t the best.
I did love getting to see more of Celeana and she is one of my favourite Maas characters. Watching her be a badass is amazing.
The relationships between the three main protagonists are interesting and quite heartbreaking. I think Maas did a good job at making them realistic.
The ending was great - I’m sad but also excited.
Something that did irk me though was the comment about how Chaol would make fun of Celeana for wearing a scarf around her head. This feels like an attack on some religions and this should’ve been edited out because it’s unacceptable to be in a book (or any book) that can easily influence young reader’s opinions.
Stars ~ 3.25
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
3.0
I was really unsure whether I’d like this when I began. At first it wasn’t really my thing but then I found myself becoming more and more invested.
The pacing of the book is pretty good. The first one hundred pages are a build up of what is to come — which at the time was tedious, yet interesting, but it really kicked in when both Lou and Reid were forced into marriage (as stated in the description). This was when the story really flew and had me wanting to read more.
Character development was something I think was good but could’ve been better. I enjoyed seeing Lou and Reid grow together. In particular, Reid breaking away from his forced beliefs and Lou learning more about herself. However, I do think that we didn’t get to see much of Reid’s development from his own perspective. There isn’t a moment where he is questioning what he believes in unless he is witnessing/has witnessed something extreme, and even then it’s just anger?
The storyline just isn’t really there until the end, but I was there for the romance.
The ending does have me slightly confused. We don’t really get much intel as to what it’s supposed to mean for the characters, nothing to keep the stakes going or to keep me hooked on reading the sequel straight away.
Furthermore, a lot of things just didn’t make sense or weren’t consistent; the magic system being a good example.
I loved seeing them bond! This was my favourite aspect of the book and it definitely boosted my like of it. These interactions were what kept me reading!
It was definitely the characters that had me enjoying this!
Stars ~ 3.5
The pacing of the book is pretty good. The first one hundred pages are a build up of what is to come — which at the time was tedious, yet interesting, but it really kicked in when both Lou and Reid were forced into marriage (as stated in the description). This was when the story really flew and had me wanting to read more.
Character development was something I think was good but could’ve been better. I enjoyed seeing Lou and Reid grow together. In particular, Reid breaking away from his forced beliefs and Lou learning more about herself. However, I do think that we didn’t get to see much of Reid’s development from his own perspective. There isn’t a moment where he is questioning what he believes in unless he is witnessing/has witnessed something extreme, and even then it’s just anger?
The storyline just isn’t really there until the end, but I was there for the romance.
The ending does have me slightly confused. We don’t really get much intel as to what it’s supposed to mean for the characters, nothing to keep the stakes going or to keep me hooked on reading the sequel straight away.
Furthermore, a lot of things just didn’t make sense or weren’t consistent; the magic system being a good example.
I loved seeing them bond! This was my favourite aspect of the book and it definitely boosted my like of it. These interactions were what kept me reading!
It was definitely the characters that had me enjoying this!
Stars ~ 3.5
Yellow Thorns by Rina Kent
3.0
This is so trashy but I kind of liked it? I’m really just going into this without a critical mind.
I like how this sets up the story for the first book in the duet, and the concept of the dare intrigues me.
I’m just hoping Sebastian is as fucked up as people say he is.
Stars ~ 3
I like how this sets up the story for the first book in the duet, and the concept of the dare intrigues me.
I’m just hoping Sebastian is as fucked up as people say he is.
Stars ~ 3
The Rebels of Gold by Elise Kova
I liked Rebels of Gold more than Dragons of Nova purely because I got more Florence.
This book was good but didn’t hit what I wanted.
I think the main reason I liked this was because of Florence and Coletta. Seeing Coletta’s perspective was something I enjoyed because I got to see who was really holding Nova and Loom in Rok’s sovereignty and how she was working in the shadows. Florence chapters I loved because I got to see all of her character development blossom.
Something that I wasn’t a fan of was the ending. I wanted to see more explored with Cvareh before the time jump happened and I didn’t feel like the relationship between Florence and Arianna was handled well. It seemed like one door was closed and another was opened but we didn’t get to see that. The author implies or gives us hints that they work with each other again and that would explain why the parting of ways they had didn’t feel very final, and more like an emotional acceptance between them rather than their last meeting. I just wanted to see the working relationship between them, if it happened, as well as where they regard each other now — good friends? colleagues? best friends? previous mentor and ward? I’m satisfied and happy for how things ended for them both but not with their relationship.
Stars ~ 4
This book was good but didn’t hit what I wanted.
I think the main reason I liked this was because of Florence and Coletta. Seeing Coletta’s perspective was something I enjoyed because I got to see who was really holding Nova and Loom in Rok’s sovereignty and how she was working in the shadows. Florence chapters I loved because I got to see all of her character development blossom.
Something that I wasn’t a fan of was the ending. I wanted to see more explored with Cvareh before the time jump happened and I didn’t feel like the relationship between Florence and Arianna was handled well. It seemed like one door was closed and another was opened but we didn’t get to see that.
Stars ~ 4
King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo
5.0
This is my favourite book from Bardugo so far!
I absolutely loved finally getting to read Zoya and Nikolai’s POVs!
The pacing for this one was good, it definitely got so much better during the second third and it began to get interesting no matter which POV I was reading. At one point, I got too excited and didn’t want to stop.
I enjoyed learning more about Zoya and Nikolai’s backstory; I absolutely love these two characters.
The characterisation stayed consistent throughout and this is something I really love about Bardugo’s writing.
Really, I should’ve seen that plot twist at the end. Of course, it would happen again.
-0.25 for that first chapter and those Nina chapters which I could barely get through at the start.
Stars ~ 4.75
I absolutely loved finally getting to read Zoya and Nikolai’s POVs!
The pacing for this one was good, it definitely got so much better during the second third and it began to get interesting no matter which POV I was reading. At one point, I got too excited and didn’t want to stop.
I enjoyed learning more about Zoya and Nikolai’s backstory; I absolutely love these two characters.
The characterisation stayed consistent throughout and this is something I really love about Bardugo’s writing.
Really, I should’ve seen that plot twist at the end. Of course, it would happen again.
-0.25 for that first chapter and those Nina chapters which I could barely get through at the start.
Stars ~ 4.75