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tales_of_monika's reviews
175 reviews
Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
5.0
This one took me a little longer than usual since being stuck in self-isolation put me in a major reading slump, but hey, I managed to get out of it!
This book was VERY Sarah J Maas. The fae, the love interests, the drama. But that's what I love her for.
One of my favourite things about this book was Celaena's/Aelin's character development. Having to face her past and come to terms with who she is and what she stands for was definitely a tough journey. But it all worked out in the end.
Two things. One - I had a feeling Maeve would turn out to be a bigger bitch than previously expected. Two - I KNEW that Sorscha woman was hiding something. All this talk about staying hidden etc. etc.
And I cannot stress enough how DRAMATIC the ending of the book was. Holy crap that king has gotta get his head chopped off soon or I'll rip my hair out.
Onto the next book!
This book was VERY Sarah J Maas. The fae, the love interests, the drama. But that's what I love her for.
One of my favourite things about this book was Celaena's/Aelin's character development. Having to face her past and come to terms with who she is and what she stands for was definitely a tough journey. But it all worked out in the end.
Two things. One - I had a feeling Maeve would turn out to be a bigger bitch than previously expected. Two - I KNEW that Sorscha woman was hiding something. All this talk about staying hidden etc. etc.
And I cannot stress enough how DRAMATIC the ending of the book was. Holy crap that king has gotta get his head chopped off soon or I'll rip my hair out.
Onto the next book!
Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
5.0
Yet another book from the Throne of Glass series done! I've been reading like crazy since I'm hooked on the whole story!
If there is one thing that I can say about Sarah J Maas it's that she is a MASTER of dramatic endings (and she has a thing for wall sex).
Again, so action packed! So many little jigsaw pieces scattered around previous parts of the series coming together to form the bigger picture and give us at least some answers to all the burning questions.
What I really liked about this one is how Aelin got everyone together at the end. People we've completely forgotten about. She really did gather a whole damn army.
Onto the next book now!
If there is one thing that I can say about Sarah J Maas it's that she is a MASTER of dramatic endings (and she has a thing for wall sex).
Again, so action packed! So many little jigsaw pieces scattered around previous parts of the series coming together to form the bigger picture and give us at least some answers to all the burning questions.
What I really liked about this one is how Aelin got everyone together at the end. People we've completely forgotten about. She really did gather a whole damn army.
Onto the next book now!
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
4.0
In all honesty I expected more. I heard a lot of good things about this book but to me it just seemed.. bland? I know it's a true story so I couldn't expect more to happen. I didn't like the style of the author's writing. It seemed too casual and lacked depth. But maybe that was done on purpose.
It was quite scary when it hit me that this was a real story. The worst part was when Lale had to interact with Mengele. Since I first came across this man during my history lessons I've been absolutely terrified of him and what he did to people. To think that this man was in such close proximity to him sent shivers down my spine.
There's no doubt that Lale was a very lucky man. Despite being put in a concentration camp he managed to find love and escape death and trust me, he could have had it way worse in the camp itself.
It was quite scary when it hit me that this was a real story. The worst part was when Lale had to interact with Mengele. Since I first came across this man during my history lessons I've been absolutely terrified of him and what he did to people. To think that this man was in such close proximity to him sent shivers down my spine.
There's no doubt that Lale was a very lucky man. Despite being put in a concentration camp he managed to find love and escape death and trust me, he could have had it way worse in the camp itself.
Hades' Deception by Erin McDermott
5.0
As soon as I saw "Fantasy" and "Greek Mythology" I knew I had to read this book.
The story is totally not what I expected when I first started reading. What I initially expected was a Persephone x Hades love story in a modern setting. Safe to say I was wrong.
This book makes a great opening to what I'm hoping will be a very interesting series of books. It was such a pleasant read (finished it in a few hours) and not too intense on the plot. One thing I noticed (and am greatful for) is that the main character doesn't just accept the new reality she's thrown into. No. She struggles, mourns and refuses to accept the new lifestyle.
There are not too many characters so you don't get lost trying to figure out who's who. Which is a major bonus.
The ending leaves you asking all types of questions. Where will they go now? Whose side will they stand on? What's going to happen next? And I honestly just want the continuation to be out already so I get all my answers. Or at least some answers.
The story is totally not what I expected when I first started reading. What I initially expected was a Persephone x Hades love story in a modern setting. Safe to say I was wrong.
This book makes a great opening to what I'm hoping will be a very interesting series of books. It was such a pleasant read (finished it in a few hours) and not too intense on the plot. One thing I noticed (and am greatful for) is that the main character doesn't just accept the new reality she's thrown into. No. She struggles, mourns and refuses to accept the new lifestyle.
There are not too many characters so you don't get lost trying to figure out who's who. Which is a major bonus.
The ending leaves you asking all types of questions. Where will they go now? Whose side will they stand on? What's going to happen next? And I honestly just want the continuation to be out already so I get all my answers. Or at least some answers.
Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas
5.0
So I finished Tower of Dawn! I liked how Chaol and Nesryn got their own little spin-off book. I missed them in Empire of Storms.
One thing that I am in awe of in this book is Chaol's journey to accepting himself just the way he is. He always struggled with accepting his mistakes and I like how Sarah J Maas made accepting his inner darkness a major part of the healing process when Yrene was healing his spine.
I never really believed that Chaol and Nesryn would last. It was too sudden and I just didn't see them being together for long. But I am happy they both found their happiness on their journey. Though I kept wondering if Nesryn would want to stay "home" where she felt like she belonged.
Overall it was a good side story. And all that information they got! I can't wait to jump into the next book though I'm aware it will be the last, which is quite sad.
One thing that I am in awe of in this book is Chaol's journey to accepting himself just the way he is. He always struggled with accepting his mistakes and I like how Sarah J Maas made accepting his inner darkness a major part of the healing process when Yrene was healing his spine.
I never really believed that Chaol and Nesryn would last. It was too sudden and I just didn't see them being together for long. But I am happy they both found their happiness on their journey. Though I kept wondering if Nesryn would want to stay "home" where she felt like she belonged.
Overall it was a good side story. And all that information they got! I can't wait to jump into the next book though I'm aware it will be the last, which is quite sad.
Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco
5.0
I heard many good things being said about this book but I didn't expect it to be THIS good!
I only started this yesterday and I fell in love instantly. I find the victorian era quite fascinating (anything related to Queen Victoria really) so this was a huge plus. I would've finished it in one sitting if I didn't have to work.
It just had this irresistible magnetic pull and I got lost in the world of Audrey Rose and Thomas in victorian London (if any of you are ever in London you should visit the London Dungeon, it shows the city throughout it's creepy times in a fun way). I love Audrey Rose's modern set of mind and that she's not afraid to commit herself to science despite it being socially unacceptable at the time. She's also not afraid to state that women are equal to (if not better than) men. And Thomas is just ideal
I only started this yesterday and I fell in love instantly. I find the victorian era quite fascinating (anything related to Queen Victoria really) so this was a huge plus. I would've finished it in one sitting if I didn't have to work.
It just had this irresistible magnetic pull and I got lost in the world of Audrey Rose and Thomas in victorian London (if any of you are ever in London you should visit the London Dungeon, it shows the city throughout it's creepy times in a fun way). I love Audrey Rose's modern set of mind and that she's not afraid to commit herself to science despite it being socially unacceptable at the time. She's also not afraid to state that women are equal to (if not better than) men. And Thomas is just ideal
Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J. Maas
5.0
So I finally finished the Throne of Glass series and what an emotional rollercoaster it has been!
This final book (split into two parts because the Polish translation made it too long to be made into one book) was just incredible. There was so much action going on!
The epic battles that kept on taking place and the constant fear and anticipation of "will they make it on time?" is what kept me up at night reading. I cried a lot, I smiled a lot but overall it was an amazing experience.
What I really liked about this series is how Sarah J Maas uses all of these tiny puzzle pieces throughout the books and then combines them when you least expect it. She never runs out of tricks up her sleeve
This final book (split into two parts because the Polish translation made it too long to be made into one book) was just incredible. There was so much action going on!
The epic battles that kept on taking place and the constant fear and anticipation of "will they make it on time?" is what kept me up at night reading. I cried a lot, I smiled a lot but overall it was an amazing experience.
What I really liked about this series is how Sarah J Maas uses all of these tiny puzzle pieces throughout the books and then combines them when you least expect it. She never runs out of tricks up her sleeve
Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller
4.0
I loved Daughter of the Pirate King. It's such a pleasant little read.
If you like Pirates of the Caribbean you're going to enjoy reading this book. Especially since the badass pirate is a woman.
I love how witty and sarcastic Alosa can be. Especially when she's interacting with Riden. The tension between them is evident from the very moment they meet.
The adventure and magic of the story were just great!
I can't wait to read the next part!
If you like Pirates of the Caribbean you're going to enjoy reading this book. Especially since the badass pirate is a woman.
I love how witty and sarcastic Alosa can be. Especially when she's interacting with Riden. The tension between them is evident from the very moment they meet.
The adventure and magic of the story were just great!
I can't wait to read the next part!
Daughter of the Siren Queen by Tricia Levenseller
3.0
So I finished Daughter of the Siren Queen and I'm honestly a little disappointed. Although I liked the first book and I was looking forward to reading the continuation, I'm not a big fan.
For me, some elements were just too much and too unrealistic despite it being a fantasy book (cannibals, really?). Another thing that really got on my nerves was the lack of detail in the book. The sentences were mostly "I did this. He said that." I can't recall a sentence that would be longer than two lines.
Though the duology is pleasant to read and quite fun, I think it would be so much better if the author put a bit more detail into it.
For me, some elements were just too much and too unrealistic despite it being a fantasy book (cannibals, really?). Another thing that really got on my nerves was the lack of detail in the book. The sentences were mostly "I did this. He said that." I can't recall a sentence that would be longer than two lines.
Though the duology is pleasant to read and quite fun, I think it would be so much better if the author put a bit more detail into it.