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Briannabrown1019 (799 KP) rated Rhapsodic (The Bargainer #1) in Books
Nov 17, 2020
Contains spoilers, click to show
WOW I was surprised by this one. I read this for a book club, after being recommended to read it a few times because I loved ACOTAR so much. I ended up loving this as well!! It's such an interesting story and I'm definitely going to be continuing the series. With that being said, one of the pros listed as reasons to read this book was that it was super spicy, and with that I'll have to disagree. The sexual tension is there, sure. But the actual steamy scenes didn't start until the last 100 pages and even then they weren't as outrageous as I'd been told. So if you're purely here for spice, I urge you to stay for the plot. If that doesn't matter to you then I recommend this for sure!
Ashley Wold (5 KP) rated A Court of Thorns and Roses in Books
Jan 31, 2018 (Updated Jan 31, 2018)
World Building (1 more)
Complex characters
I first heard about this series several months before the third book was released. I was interested because it is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. I didn't know what to expect as I had never read a Maas book before; little did I know this would become one of my favourite book series!
Out of the three books, ACoTaR is my least fave, but I think it is still a good book. I couldn't put it down (despite lack of much action for most of the book), and started on the second book asap.
I wasn't very fond of the main character Feyre in this first book, and I didn't particularly like Tamlin. I was intrigued by Rhysand, and liked Lucien.
I am so glad I got into this series, and would recommend it.
Out of the three books, ACoTaR is my least fave, but I think it is still a good book. I couldn't put it down (despite lack of much action for most of the book), and started on the second book asap.
I wasn't very fond of the main character Feyre in this first book, and I didn't particularly like Tamlin. I was intrigued by Rhysand, and liked Lucien.
I am so glad I got into this series, and would recommend it.
Ashley Wold (5 KP) rated A Court of Wings and Ruin in Books
Jan 31, 2018 (Updated Jan 31, 2018)
FEELS (2 more)
Action-packed
Court of Dreams banter
Melodramatic/cheesy/repetitive writing (3 more)
Character development overall isn't as satisfying
Feysand smut isn't as interesting, feels excessive
Some of the plot feels forced
I'm conflicted about this book. I definitely liked it better than ACoTaR, but ACoMaF was so incredible that I had high expectations for the third book, and some parts of it just fell flat.
The first bit pacing is a bit slow, but picks up. There were times I felt the writing was a bit cheesy and/or melodramatic, and at times repetitive. For the second book, there was a lot of sexual tension, but in this book it just seems like excessive sexy times since they're already together. A lot of the plot felt forced.
Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed reading this book! But it definitely felt more like a "guilty pleasure" read.
The first bit pacing is a bit slow, but picks up. There were times I felt the writing was a bit cheesy and/or melodramatic, and at times repetitive. For the second book, there was a lot of sexual tension, but in this book it just seems like excessive sexy times since they're already together. A lot of the plot felt forced.
Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed reading this book! But it definitely felt more like a "guilty pleasure" read.
A Court of Mist and Fury
9.3
Rate It
Book
The stunning sequel to Sarah J. Maas' New York Times bestselling A Court of Thorns and Roses and a...
Young Adult Romance Fantasy Adventure ACOTAR ACOMAF
Kate Seger (9 KP) rated A Darker Shade of Magic in Books
Dec 22, 2019
Super engaging and well rounded characters (2 more)
Great world building
Crisp readable writing
WONDERFUL Fantasy book!
Gotta recommend this one! It was SO GOOD. The writing is clean and addictive, the characters are unique and engaging, the magic is... well... magically magical and unlike most of the generic magic floating around out there.
A cross-dressing pick pocket pirate, a promiscuous prince, a moody magician with a forgotten past,
a pair of twin villains who make the Lannister twins look like snowflakes, and a vicious blood-enslaved magician. How's that for a cast? Side note -- even the bit players in this book are well drawn and stir emotions when they die. Yes. People actually die in this one...I've read several books lately where SOMEONE obviously should have died SOMEWHERE along the journey and no one did. I was SO ready for some "let's get real and kill people so the stakes are high" reading.
Four different versions of London exist on different planes... each magical in varying degrees, all in danger of destruction from a magical artifact that accidentally smuggled between the veils. This is the scene for the grand adventure.
I was really struggling to get over my book hangover after finishing Queen of Nothing and this was like the nectar that healed me. I can't wait to dive into book 2!
Also, Kell is my new fictitious boyfriend. Move over Rhysand from ACOTAR, we're starting a reverse harem.
A cross-dressing pick pocket pirate, a promiscuous prince, a moody magician with a forgotten past,
a pair of twin villains who make the Lannister twins look like snowflakes, and a vicious blood-enslaved magician. How's that for a cast? Side note -- even the bit players in this book are well drawn and stir emotions when they die. Yes. People actually die in this one...I've read several books lately where SOMEONE obviously should have died SOMEWHERE along the journey and no one did. I was SO ready for some "let's get real and kill people so the stakes are high" reading.
Four different versions of London exist on different planes... each magical in varying degrees, all in danger of destruction from a magical artifact that accidentally smuggled between the veils. This is the scene for the grand adventure.
I was really struggling to get over my book hangover after finishing Queen of Nothing and this was like the nectar that healed me. I can't wait to dive into book 2!
Also, Kell is my new fictitious boyfriend. Move over Rhysand from ACOTAR, we're starting a reverse harem.
Acanthea Grimscythe (300 KP) rated A Court of Wings and Ruin in Books
May 15, 2018
Contains spoilers, click to show
A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas doesn’t quite live up to A Court of Mist and Fury, but it’s still a surprisingly fun jaunt through war-torn Prythian. Brimming with dangerous deals and unlikely allies, I actually enjoyed reading this – for the most part. It should be made clear, once again, that though Maas’s books are found in the young adult section, they contain material not suitable for some young readers.
Like sex. Lots and lots of detailed sex. The few times it popped up in the Mist and Fury, it was alright. Wings and Ruin, on the other hand, really hones in on the sexual relationship between Feyre and Rhysand. A bit too much for my taste, anyway.
Sex aside, the plot moves along at a fairly quick pace and, for the most part, kept me hooked. (As in, I legit stayed up waaay too late one night reading.) I also love that there was a bit more focus on Feyre’s sisters this time around, rather than Feyre’s own self interests. It’s nice to see her grow as a… person, I guess you could say.
Overall, this isn’t my favorite book of the bunch, but I don’t find it (or its ending, which I feel is approached with the same logic I would have used) to be near as horrid as I was told to expect. I look forward to the next in the series, as ACOTAR is, undoubtedly, a guilty pleasure of mine.
Like sex. Lots and lots of detailed sex. The few times it popped up in the Mist and Fury, it was alright. Wings and Ruin, on the other hand, really hones in on the sexual relationship between Feyre and Rhysand. A bit too much for my taste, anyway.
Sex aside, the plot moves along at a fairly quick pace and, for the most part, kept me hooked. (As in, I legit stayed up waaay too late one night reading.) I also love that there was a bit more focus on Feyre’s sisters this time around, rather than Feyre’s own self interests. It’s nice to see her grow as a… person, I guess you could say.
Overall, this isn’t my favorite book of the bunch, but I don’t find it (or its ending, which I feel is approached with the same logic I would have used) to be near as horrid as I was told to expect. I look forward to the next in the series, as ACOTAR is, undoubtedly, a guilty pleasure of mine.
Kaysee Hood (83 KP) rated The Cruel Prince in Books
Jul 12, 2018
Folklore (2 more)
Character Building/Development
Plot Twist
Fae-ly sure this might end badly
Though Holly Black has written quite a bit this is the first book I've read by her and I was impressed by her style, characters, and story she's come up with. She's blended her own tale with folklore about Faeries where she's able to have a simple yet wonderful atmosphere telling Jude's story.
I'm guilty of reading reviews sometimes before the book so I was worried about the declarations of TCP being similar or a copy of A Court of Thorns and Roses, but after finishing the book myself I can say though I understand where someone may feel this way TCP is more based on folklore than ACOTAR series is. Once I was roughly 100 pages in I was wrapped into the story because it was based more on lore rather than taking pieces from it (not that I do not love ACOTAR, but lore and myths will forever hold a special place in my heart). It felt like it gave Black more to work with because the charms do work, the rules are heavily applied, and Mortals HAVE to be more cautious. It felt Jude had more at risk if she failed for herself because of what she wasn't.
I'm loving how more YA books are making these strong female roles with teenage girls and young women overcoming their own doubts, pushing through their fears to make things happen, and learning to trust themselves more than anyone else. Jude is very much becoming one of these characters throughout TCP and you're able to see the development from the beginning to end, which I suspect will occur more in The Wicked King as she attempts to work out the rest of her plan. Not only is Jude a good role model in this sense, it is also great writing skill to be able to show the progress of a character. Even other characters get a bit of development or at the very least you're able to come to an understanding as to why they are acting as they do rather than questioning it. Everyone who meant something for TCP were fleshed out and helped push the plot along.
Speaking of plot I was amazed by it. Even though I had sort of guessed what would happen and who the key players were in the end I had it a bit wrong, which was okay because I personally love surprises and twists. It was nice for a moment to believe something was happening with what information was given then at the very last second it was altered.
I cannot wait for more from this series. TWK seems too far away even though it's less than six months now. It appears Jude is getting more than what she bit off. I want to find out if she can make these promises, what her plan has cost her, and if she can convince the prince-the king- to do what needs to be done until the final phase can be played out. I want to know more of what happens to her sisters and brother. I want to know if Madoc will be an issue in this. There is a lot I'm wondering really.
I'm guilty of reading reviews sometimes before the book so I was worried about the declarations of TCP being similar or a copy of A Court of Thorns and Roses, but after finishing the book myself I can say though I understand where someone may feel this way TCP is more based on folklore than ACOTAR series is. Once I was roughly 100 pages in I was wrapped into the story because it was based more on lore rather than taking pieces from it (not that I do not love ACOTAR, but lore and myths will forever hold a special place in my heart). It felt like it gave Black more to work with because the charms do work, the rules are heavily applied, and Mortals HAVE to be more cautious. It felt Jude had more at risk if she failed for herself because of what she wasn't.
I'm loving how more YA books are making these strong female roles with teenage girls and young women overcoming their own doubts, pushing through their fears to make things happen, and learning to trust themselves more than anyone else. Jude is very much becoming one of these characters throughout TCP and you're able to see the development from the beginning to end, which I suspect will occur more in The Wicked King as she attempts to work out the rest of her plan. Not only is Jude a good role model in this sense, it is also great writing skill to be able to show the progress of a character. Even other characters get a bit of development or at the very least you're able to come to an understanding as to why they are acting as they do rather than questioning it. Everyone who meant something for TCP were fleshed out and helped push the plot along.
Speaking of plot I was amazed by it. Even though I had sort of guessed what would happen and who the key players were in the end I had it a bit wrong, which was okay because I personally love surprises and twists. It was nice for a moment to believe something was happening with what information was given then at the very last second it was altered.
I cannot wait for more from this series. TWK seems too far away even though it's less than six months now. It appears Jude is getting more than what she bit off. I want to find out if she can make these promises, what her plan has cost her, and if she can convince the prince-the king- to do what needs to be done until the final phase can be played out. I want to know more of what happens to her sisters and brother. I want to know if Madoc will be an issue in this. There is a lot I'm wondering really.
Nikki Allegretti (6 KP) rated A Court of Wings and Ruin in Books
Oct 13, 2017
When is Paraphrasing Bad....Always.
Contains spoilers, click to show
There are a couple reasons why I rated ACOWAR 6 stars. In all honesty, it's the weakest of the three books in the trilogy. In order of strongest to weakest it's: ACOMAF, ACOTAR, ACOWAR.
The first reason: it was rushed. This story would have been 100 times better if she had taken her time and split it into two books. I absolutely adore SJM's writing and her initials are inked on my body forever, so it's not like I'm bashing her writing. I love her. It was just rushed. There were things that would have been better to have been spread out.
The second reason: unnecessary deaths and unnecessary revivals. I won't go into details on that because I don't want to spoil anything specific.
The third reason: this one hurts me the most. I've seen the movie Troy about 432451542 times. (Yes exaggerations.) There were lines from Troy that were paraphrased in this book and that bothers me. It is one thing to get inspired by a movie, it's another to paraphrase it. I will show my work.
-in the meeting with the high lords, Tamlin says something along the lines of ..leave in the middle of the night...blah blah...but Feyre says "The sun was shining when I left you."
--in the movie, Troy, Helen's husband says something along the lines of I see no prince I see someone who would take a man's wife in the middle of the night. Paris responds with "the sun was shining when your wife left you."
My other example:
-Mor and Feyre are standing on a hill watching a battle and Mor is pacing and says "get the men back into lines"
--in Troy, Achilles is on a hill watching a battle and he says "get them back into lines" while Odysseus yells "Get the men back into lines."
It's all small things that would go unnoticed if you didn't watch the movie 53751432 times. So it just bothered me, a lot. I'll still read her work. I'll still love her, but those two scenes bothered me to no end
The first reason: it was rushed. This story would have been 100 times better if she had taken her time and split it into two books. I absolutely adore SJM's writing and her initials are inked on my body forever, so it's not like I'm bashing her writing. I love her. It was just rushed. There were things that would have been better to have been spread out.
The second reason: unnecessary deaths and unnecessary revivals. I won't go into details on that because I don't want to spoil anything specific.
The third reason: this one hurts me the most. I've seen the movie Troy about 432451542 times. (Yes exaggerations.) There were lines from Troy that were paraphrased in this book and that bothers me. It is one thing to get inspired by a movie, it's another to paraphrase it. I will show my work.
-in the meeting with the high lords, Tamlin says something along the lines of ..leave in the middle of the night...blah blah...but Feyre says "The sun was shining when I left you."
--in the movie, Troy, Helen's husband says something along the lines of I see no prince I see someone who would take a man's wife in the middle of the night. Paris responds with "the sun was shining when your wife left you."
My other example:
-Mor and Feyre are standing on a hill watching a battle and Mor is pacing and says "get the men back into lines"
--in Troy, Achilles is on a hill watching a battle and he says "get them back into lines" while Odysseus yells "Get the men back into lines."
It's all small things that would go unnoticed if you didn't watch the movie 53751432 times. So it just bothered me, a lot. I'll still read her work. I'll still love her, but those two scenes bothered me to no end