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thisnursereads's reviews
53 reviews
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
5.0
⭐️5
“Don’t think about who they are. Think about who you are and what sacrifices you can live with and what will break you.”
True to Kristin Hannah's style, this book will break you, rebuild you and break you in a repetitive cycle that pulls at the heartstrings and causes tears to pour.
This is a WWII story but what makes it unique is that it focuses on the people left behind. The Nightingale tells the story of two french sisters and highlights the unsung heroes of war:
Vianne Mauriac, the eldest sister, who is forced to make impossible decision after impossible decision in order to keep her daughter safe after her husband is sent off to fight against the Nazis and her small town in France becomes overrun with German soldiers.
Isabelle Mauriac, the youngest sister, with a fire in her belly and a rebellious spirit, she joins the French resistance. Risking it all in order to follow her heart and do what she believes is right.
Which sister would I be?
What decisions would I make?
Would I be willing to risk my life to save strangers? Would I have survived this?
Could I have kept going?
These are the type of questions this book ignites in the reader and it is so beautifully tragic.
How could it not be?!
Please read this.
-Not a light read. Consider looking up the trigger warnings for this before reading.-
“Don’t think about who they are. Think about who you are and what sacrifices you can live with and what will break you.”
True to Kristin Hannah's style, this book will break you, rebuild you and break you in a repetitive cycle that pulls at the heartstrings and causes tears to pour.
This is a WWII story but what makes it unique is that it focuses on the people left behind. The Nightingale tells the story of two french sisters and highlights the unsung heroes of war:
Vianne Mauriac, the eldest sister, who is forced to make impossible decision after impossible decision in order to keep her daughter safe after her husband is sent off to fight against the Nazis and her small town in France becomes overrun with German soldiers.
Isabelle Mauriac, the youngest sister, with a fire in her belly and a rebellious spirit, she joins the French resistance. Risking it all in order to follow her heart and do what she believes is right.
Which sister would I be?
What decisions would I make?
Would I be willing to risk my life to save strangers? Would I have survived this?
Could I have kept going?
These are the type of questions this book ignites in the reader and it is so beautifully tragic.
How could it not be?!
Please read this.
-Not a light read. Consider looking up the trigger warnings for this before reading.-
The Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin
4.0
Wow to this series so far! I think I’ll write a review once I’ve finished the series but overall this book really just makes me THINK! It is detailed, and brings you on this journey where half the time, the reader is left in the dark only for it to all come together in the end! Such a different rhythm to the writing than I’m used to but once I was used to it, the words started flowing easily. Excited to read the last book in the series and find out how the hell this story ends!
The Traitor Queen by Danielle L. Jensen
5.0
⭐️5
Devoured it! So much better than the first book in its use of action, intensity, and romance!
---------------
"'Two birds,' Sarhina replied. 'One stone.'
And if there was one thing Lara knew for certain, it was this: the Veliant sisters had very good aim.”
1. Like the first, book two did not disappoint with strong female characters. I mean, there is even a PREGNANT WARRIOR-Hell yes! That truly shocked me. As a labor & delivery nurse, I loved that they changed the narrative of what a heroin can look like.
The complexity of the characters is also cranked up a notch which was rewarding. The struggle and growth of Aren & Lara as they dealt with their new reality brought with it a rollercoaster of emotions that made my heart race and I lived for it.
Additionally, the strength and perseverance of Lara throughout the series, but especially this book, kept me rooting for her and desperately hoping that she would get a happy ending. She endured so much! I loved her story.
“You are my goddamned damnation, but there will never be anyone but you.”
2. Ah romance. Ah enemies to lovers to enemies to...
I fell for Aren in the first book, and I continued to love him in the second. Nothing else to be said, definite "book BF" material.
3. The world building felt stronger as the story brought them to new cities but it isn't why I read the book. Characters>world building
4. I GOT A MAP. Was so happy about this and it helped so much.
5. The first book was highly predictable, almost to a fault. This book kept me on my toes, took twists and turns which made it awesome. Highly recommend pushing through the first book to get to this one because it was worth it!
My only issue is that.
I cannot wait to read on and continue this series!
Checkout my other reviews in the series:
[b:The Bridge Kingdom|53921926|The Bridge Kingdom (The Bridge Kingdom, #1)|Danielle L. Jensen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1591726304l/53921926._SY75_.jpg|60164804]
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5231985274
Devoured it! So much better than the first book in its use of action, intensity, and romance!
---------------
"'Two birds,' Sarhina replied. 'One stone.'
And if there was one thing Lara knew for certain, it was this: the Veliant sisters had very good aim.”
1. Like the first, book two did not disappoint with strong female characters. I mean, there is even a PREGNANT WARRIOR-Hell yes! That truly shocked me. As a labor & delivery nurse, I loved that they changed the narrative of what a heroin can look like.
The complexity of the characters is also cranked up a notch which was rewarding. The struggle and growth of Aren & Lara as they dealt with their new reality brought with it a rollercoaster of emotions that made my heart race and I lived for it.
Additionally, the strength and perseverance of Lara throughout the series, but especially this book, kept me rooting for her and desperately hoping that she would get a happy ending. She endured so much! I loved her story.
“You are my goddamned damnation, but there will never be anyone but you.”
2. Ah romance. Ah enemies to lovers to enemies to...
I fell for Aren in the first book, and I continued to love him in the second. Nothing else to be said, definite "book BF" material.
3. The world building felt stronger as the story brought them to new cities but it isn't why I read the book. Characters>world building
4. I GOT A MAP. Was so happy about this and it helped so much.
5. The first book was highly predictable, almost to a fault. This book kept me on my toes, took twists and turns which made it awesome. Highly recommend pushing through the first book to get to this one because it was worth it!
My only issue is that
Spoiler
I wanted to know what happens and how they deal with Lara being allowed back into the Bridge Kingdom! The resolution felt incomplete and abrupt, leaving me wanting so much more of Lara and Aren's life.I cannot wait to read on and continue this series!
Checkout my other reviews in the series:
[b:The Bridge Kingdom|53921926|The Bridge Kingdom (The Bridge Kingdom, #1)|Danielle L. Jensen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1591726304l/53921926._SY75_.jpg|60164804]
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5231985274
Six Scorched Roses by Carissa Broadbent
4.0
⭐️4.0
“Time, Vale,” I said. “Time is the most valuable resource of all, and some of us are perpetually short.”
Carissa Broadbent has brought us a thought-provoking standalone fantasy-romance novella in only 180 pages. The eyes flow past her words like a knife through butter on a warm day and this is easily a book that can be read in one sitting.
This is book 1.5 of her A Crowns of Nyaxia series that is a story following two characters, Lilith and Vale:
There is Lilith, a women tormented by death and there is no hiding from it. Either the death that surrounds her brought on by a curse from a God, causing the lands and people to rot away, or the impending death of her terminal illness, that walks with her like a shadow. Lilith is a scientist and like many scientists, she is a driven, obsessive, workaholic that places her cause at the forefront of her life. Lilith hopes to find a cure to save the ones she loves but in order to do that she must go against the Gods.
We meet Vale, a brooding
“Time, Vale,” I said. “Time is the most valuable resource of all, and some of us are perpetually short.”
Carissa Broadbent has brought us a thought-provoking standalone fantasy-romance novella in only 180 pages. The eyes flow past her words like a knife through butter on a warm day and this is easily a book that can be read in one sitting.
This is book 1.5 of her A Crowns of Nyaxia series that is a story following two characters, Lilith and Vale:
There is Lilith, a women tormented by death and there is no hiding from it. Either the death that surrounds her brought on by a curse from a God, causing the lands and people to rot away, or the impending death of her terminal illness, that walks with her like a shadow. Lilith is a scientist and like many scientists, she is a driven, obsessive, workaholic that places her cause at the forefront of her life. Lilith hopes to find a cure to save the ones she loves but in order to do that she must go against the Gods.
We meet Vale, a brooding
The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen
4.0
⭐️ 4.0
Fifteen years after a peace treaty was signed between Ithicana and Maridrina, the next step of the treaty must be fulfilled-a marriage between the two. Princess Lara, daughter of King Silas of Maridrina, is betrothed to the now King Aren of Ithicana. Sent over as a symbol of peace, Lara has other plans. At the age of five, her father had her and her sisters taken away, trained, tortured and taught in order to become ruthless spies. Now in a new land, Lara has one goal-infiltrate, learn the secrets of the Bridge Kingdom, and send them back to her father in order to save her people.
Gah. Just finished and already reaching for the second book. It did not give me the burning urge to shut my door and read the entire series in one sitting like ACOTAR but it was a fun read and I enjoyed the characters!
1. FILLED with fierce, intelligent, strong female characters.
They are warriors, they are protectors, they are cunning and witty and they can kill. What's not to love!
“Since the moment I set eyes on you in Southwatch, there's been no one but you. Even if I'm a goddamned fool for it, there will never be anyone but you."
You are a fool, she thought as darkness took her.
And that made two of them.”
2. Slow burn lovers to enemies trope with a very easy to fall for male character named Aren.
He has a love for his people and a respect for women that I wish was present more often within fantasy. He does what it takes to keep his people safe but he is also a lover and a dreamer-Swoon-I saw some reviewers questioned Aren's actions as they didn't think they matched his character at his core but I believe that his actions were a part of his hopeful naivety which was commented on by other characters in the book, and he was blinded by love.
3. Mild fantasy world building as Lara learns of and explores the land of Ithicana which includes a handful of islands that run parallel along a bridge (it connects two northern and southern lands). The use of the sea as an additional character could have been expanded upon but I enjoyed the description and use of it nonetheless. Could it have had even more intricate world building details-yes. Am I hopeful this will be expanded upon further in the next book(s)-yes.
Fifteen years after a peace treaty was signed between Ithicana and Maridrina, the next step of the treaty must be fulfilled-a marriage between the two. Princess Lara, daughter of King Silas of Maridrina, is betrothed to the now King Aren of Ithicana. Sent over as a symbol of peace, Lara has other plans. At the age of five, her father had her and her sisters taken away, trained, tortured and taught in order to become ruthless spies. Now in a new land, Lara has one goal-infiltrate, learn the secrets of the Bridge Kingdom, and send them back to her father in order to save her people.
Gah. Just finished and already reaching for the second book. It did not give me the burning urge to shut my door and read the entire series in one sitting like ACOTAR but it was a fun read and I enjoyed the characters!
1. FILLED with fierce, intelligent, strong female characters.
They are warriors, they are protectors, they are cunning and witty and they can kill. What's not to love!
“Since the moment I set eyes on you in Southwatch, there's been no one but you. Even if I'm a goddamned fool for it, there will never be anyone but you."
You are a fool, she thought as darkness took her.
And that made two of them.”
2. Slow burn lovers to enemies trope with a very easy to fall for male character named Aren.
He has a love for his people and a respect for women that I wish was present more often within fantasy. He does what it takes to keep his people safe but he is also a lover and a dreamer-Swoon-I saw some reviewers questioned Aren's actions as they didn't think they matched his character at his core but I believe that his actions were a part of his hopeful naivety which was commented on by other characters in the book, and he was blinded by love.
3. Mild fantasy world building as Lara learns of and explores the land of Ithicana which includes a handful of islands that run parallel along a bridge (it connects two northern and southern lands). The use of the sea as an additional character could have been expanded upon but I enjoyed the description and use of it nonetheless. Could it have had even more intricate world building details-yes. Am I hopeful this will be expanded upon further in the next book(s)-yes.
The Inadequate Heir by Danielle L. Jensen
5.0
⭐️ 4.75
Danielle Jensen's characters are so easy to love and once again, I have fallen...
--------------------------
“I do want to remake the world so that I can be with you. So that I can get down on my knees and ask you to be my wife. So that I can put a crown on your head and make you my queen. So I can build a shrine and worship you as my goddess. I want all of these things, yet I face a future with none of them, and I don't know whether I want to fall on my own blade or burn everything to ash because I do not want to let you go.”
This book runs parallel to [b:The Traitor Queen|50719471|The Traitor Queen (The Bridge Kingdom, #2)|Danielle L. Jensen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1599853320l/50719471._SY75_.jpg|60177252] but with a different perspective. Instead of following Aren and Lara, RIP to their POV novels being completed, we are taken on an adventure through the eyes of Keris Veliant-heir to the throne of Maridrina and son of King Silas Veliant-and Zarrah Anaphora, respected general and niece to the Empress of Valcotta.
Zarrah is stationed in the city of Nerastis, planning to lead her people to victory in The Endless War. She is driven by hate, vengeance and trauma, and god-willing she will not rest until every last Maridrinian has died at her blade. When the empress demands that they hold on their plans to attack, Zarrah decides to sneak across the river into Maridrinian territory and kill the crown prince stationed on the other side...
Keris never wanted this life. If it were up to him he'd be up North with his head in a book far away from his father and the war. Of course, it doesn't matter what he wants and instead he is forced to be as close to it all as possible, stuck in Nerastis with the smell of booze, death and dirt. That is until he sees a beautiful women in the streets...
Zarrah's plan does not go smoothly and she runs into an anonymous Maridrinian, with golden locks and handsome features. There is something about him she cannot resist and as they continue to meetup in secret, she begins to question everything she held true.
Hence begins an affair built off of dreams. But as their relations turn to passion, a mistake is made and identities revealed! A capture is made! Zarrah is taken to Maridrina and must rely on her sworn enemy to survive. Will she continue to listen to her head or learn to lead with her heart?
----------------------------------
This continues to be a favorite fantasy series of mine! It checks off so many boxes and the character development is so beautifully done.
Although I fell hard for Aren, Keris is the antihero you want to root for in the end. He is a master of swoon worthy words and his actions hold true. He is devilishly intelligent, brooding and
Danielle Jensen's characters are so easy to love and once again, I have fallen...
--------------------------
“I do want to remake the world so that I can be with you. So that I can get down on my knees and ask you to be my wife. So that I can put a crown on your head and make you my queen. So I can build a shrine and worship you as my goddess. I want all of these things, yet I face a future with none of them, and I don't know whether I want to fall on my own blade or burn everything to ash because I do not want to let you go.”
This book runs parallel to [b:The Traitor Queen|50719471|The Traitor Queen (The Bridge Kingdom, #2)|Danielle L. Jensen|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1599853320l/50719471._SY75_.jpg|60177252] but with a different perspective. Instead of following Aren and Lara, RIP to their POV novels being completed, we are taken on an adventure through the eyes of Keris Veliant-heir to the throne of Maridrina and son of King Silas Veliant-and Zarrah Anaphora, respected general and niece to the Empress of Valcotta.
Zarrah is stationed in the city of Nerastis, planning to lead her people to victory in The Endless War. She is driven by hate, vengeance and trauma, and god-willing she will not rest until every last Maridrinian has died at her blade. When the empress demands that they hold on their plans to attack, Zarrah decides to sneak across the river into Maridrinian territory and kill the crown prince stationed on the other side...
Keris never wanted this life. If it were up to him he'd be up North with his head in a book far away from his father and the war. Of course, it doesn't matter what he wants and instead he is forced to be as close to it all as possible, stuck in Nerastis with the smell of booze, death and dirt. That is until he sees a beautiful women in the streets...
Zarrah's plan does not go smoothly and she runs into an anonymous Maridrinian, with golden locks and handsome features. There is something about him she cannot resist and as they continue to meetup in secret, she begins to question everything she held true.
Hence begins an affair built off of dreams. But as their relations turn to passion, a mistake is made and identities revealed! A capture is made! Zarrah is taken to Maridrina and must rely on her sworn enemy to survive. Will she continue to listen to her head or learn to lead with her heart?
----------------------------------
This continues to be a favorite fantasy series of mine! It checks off so many boxes and the character development is so beautifully done.
Although I fell hard for Aren, Keris is the antihero you want to root for in the end. He is a master of swoon worthy words and his actions hold true. He is devilishly intelligent, brooding and
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
3.0
Wow to this series so far! I think I’ll write a review once I’ve finished the series but overall this book really just makes me THINK! It is detailed, and brings you on this journey where half the time, the reader is left in the dark only for it to all come together in the end! Such a different rhythm to the writing than I’m used to but once I was used to it, the words started flowing easily. Excited to read the last book in the series and find out how the hell this story ends!