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AE
An Enchantment of Ravens
8
8.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is for fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses. It has the same feel and flow, except this is more detailed. The author made the point to over explain all of the portions so you can have a vivid picture.
I enjoyed the plot, ideas, and romance but the over explination just irked me. I wanted to imagine it myself. I also have so many questions from the end but cannot say without spoilers.
  
A Court of Thorns and Roses
A Court of Thorns and Roses
Sarah J. Maas | 2015 | Young Adult (YA)
10
8.7 (107 Ratings)
Book Rating
I enjoyed reading this book immensely! It is crazy what one will do for the ones they love. Sarah J. Maas did an amazing job showing just how far one would be willing go to save the one who holds their heart. It was just an amazing read, and I can't seem to get it off my mind. 'A Court of Thorns and Roses' has forever left a mark on my heart is really all I can say.
  
I is for Innocent (Kinsey Millhone #9)
I is for Innocent (Kinsey Millhone #9)
Sue Grafton | 2008 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Five years ago, Isabelle Barney was murdered on the day after Christmas. While her estranged husband was acquitted of the crime, her ex-husband is now suing him in civil court in a wrongful death case. Kinsey has been hired to help the lawyer win the case, taking over from a PI who just died. His notes were a mess, so she is completely retracing his steps. But as she goes, she begins to wonder just who committed the murder. Is she helping the court case, or hurting it?

Kinsey is back in top form in this book. The plot twists all over the place before coming to a perfectly logical climax. Henry and Rosie are involved in a very fun sub-plot that provides some laughs. The suspects are strong, and we meet a couple of new supporting characters since Kinsey has had to move her office.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/11/book-review-i-is-for-innocent-by-sue.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
A Court of Mist and Fury
A Court of Mist and Fury
Sarah J. Maas | 2016 | Young Adult (YA)
10
9.3 (54 Ratings)
Book Rating
Characters (3 more)
Storyline
Action packed
Umm Everything?
Seriously. Amazing.
I put off starting A Court of Thorns and Roses because of vanity reasons (the cover just didn't do it for me, ok?!), but I fell in love with it immediately. I didn't even wait a second before starting A Court of Mist and Fury. Seriously. This series has become one my all time favorites. A Court of Mist and Fury is the continued story of Feyre. After being under the mountain she has found herself with a strange new body and a constant battle with the demons wrecking havoc in her mind. This book spends a good deal of time letting Feyre find herself and realize the good and toxic things in her life. As a threat looms ever closer, she learns to trust in herself and her abilities to become the curse breaker the all need.

The story is remarkable. I am always a little wary about the second books in series but this one far surpassed the first book. Sarah J Mass took an abusive relationship that we see all too often in books and turned it upside down. The sad part was I didn't even realize that it was an abusive relationship until I started into this book. I began to look back and pick out unhealthy parts to Feyre and Tamlin's relationship. I found myself giddy with delight as Feyre finds healthy relationships. I kept looking around as I was reading to see if anyone would notice the pure delight on my face (awkward..). The best part? The entire book moved so quickly I felt like I was sprinting to complete it. My emotions were on a rollercoaster the entire time. The author did a great job including scenes that provide a break from the chaos to let us catch our breath before diving right back in.

The characters really make this book. All the main women in this book are badasses. It is a breath of fresh air to see these women be more than a pretty face and hold their own. I also can't get over their friendship. It's clearly a true, bone deep friendship where the love is hard to miss. The night court men in this book are also refreshing. They will protect their friends family, but they are also aware that everyone is capable of taking care of themselves and each of them have their own strengths. I love the friendship and love between these characters.

The relationships had such tension in them it was impossible not to feel them. Apparently, fae do not do a good job of hiding how they feel about those they care about, and I am not complaining! I loved the relationship between Feyre and Rhys. Even from A Court of Thorns and Roses I wanted more interaction between the both of them. Although I couldn't tell what exactly was between them, I could feel the pull, the need to hear more of their story. Authors are amazing for being able to capture things like that! I do feel the need to note that there are some pretty heavy sex scenes in this book, significantly more than the first one. Maybe don't read out in public ;).

I loved a Court of Mist and Fury! I am a yelling at myself for not jumping on the bandwagon sooner. I highly recommend this book to everyone who likes magical fantasy books, books with strong female leads, books with a bit (ok a lot) of romance but in a healthy way, and an effortless read.
  
Gifted (2017)
Gifted (2017)
2017 | Drama
Lovely film about a gifted child whose genius mother committed suicide and who is now being raised by her uncle. He is trying to give her a normal childhood but this is then challenged in court by her grandmother who wants to gain custody and make the child an academic. What follows is an emotional tale, with the uncle questioning his ability to bring up the child and wanting to do the right thing for her. Brilliantly acted throughout. Moving and thought-provoking.
  
A Court of Wings and Ruin
A Court of Wings and Ruin
Sarah J. Maas | 2017 | Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.8 (113 Ratings)
Book Rating
My review: "Okay, so I have some major mixed feelings about this lovely book. If you read my reviews for A Court of Thorns and Roses and A Court of Mist and Fury, then you’ll know that I loved both; especially ACoMaF. For some reason though, I had a hard time getting through this book.

Don’t get me wrong, I did like it. But let me explain some things I did not like. The beginning was slow and honestly, I was a bit bored. Eventually it picked up, but if I hadn’t been so invested in the series, I might have stopped reading. (And I’m glad I continued, btw) Though the pace picked up, I still found myself forcing myself to push through the story. That’s my biggest reason for maybe, kinda, just a little bit- not liking it. The end also seemed a bit rushed. Maybe that’s just me. But I felt like maybe there should be… MORE.

In the first book, I was very much into Tamlin and Feyre. The second book I was drooling over Rhys and totally shipped him and Feyre. Yes, they have a couple steamy scenes in this book, but it didn’t do much for me like the previous book. This time, I was hooked on Cassian. I don’t know what it was, but he stole the show for me. I also thought Lucien and Elaine were super cute, despite things being so strained. But really, can I just have Rhys and Cassian for myself? Please, please, please." Read my entire review here: https://thenerdybookwormsite.wordpress.com/2017/09/16/a-court-of-wings-and-ruin-by-sarah-j-maas/
  
The Queens Lady
The Queens Lady
Joanna Hickson | 2022 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The Queens Lady is the second in the Queens of the Tower series, and picks up the Joan Vaux story where it left off in the last book. She’s now Lady Joan Guildford, and is Lady in Waiting to Queen Elizabeth, the wife of Henry VII. It’s a privileged position and means that Joan is at Court when Prince Arthur dies and Prince Henry is named as heir. Joan acts as something of a go between with the King and Queen, but King Henry is a serious, dour man - and this isn’t improved when the Queen dies shortly after her son.

Joan no longer has a place at court, and her husband falls out of favour when his enemies gain considerable influence with the King.

It was really interesting to learn about the inner workings of the English court and the precarious line that courtiers had to tread. Joan also gave some insight into some significant historical events: the Field of the Cloth of Gold in France, Princess Margaret’s marriage to King James, the arrival of Catherine of Aragon, and accompanying Princess Mary to Paris when she marries King Louis.

I’m an absolute sucker for historical fiction, and I loved the details and the very human, realistic style this book was written in. And I really liked Joan.

The ravens are a constant - after all, Joan is the Lady of the Ravens. Bu they’re not as central to the storyline this time.

I don’t know whether this will just be a duology, or if there’s more to come, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Highly recommended.
  
The Night Of  - Season 1
The Night Of - Season 1
2016 | Drama
10
9.4 (5 Ratings)
Excellent series telling the story of what did, didn't, might have, might not have happened when a young, clean living college student meets a self-destructive young girl and wakes up next to her dead body. Some poor split second decisions lead to him being locked up for her murder and the prosecution begins. Seeing how the main character changes after being wrongly (?) imprisoned even before the court case gets moving has been done before but not with this much intensity and emotion. Truly excellent.
  
The Kingdom
The Kingdom
Jess Rothenberg | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.1 (7 Ratings)
Book Rating
Okay... I literally never hear this book mentioned and I have no clue why it was so FREAKING GOOD! It was so much different then I thought it was going to be, I'm a huge fan of interview formats in books... no idea why but it was a pleasant surprise when I found it in here.

The very Disneyland meets Westworld, with the court case and murder mystery was just so much fun and all the sprinkling of fairytales throughout the story loved it!
  
The Staircase
The Staircase
2018 | Crime, Documentary
9
8.0 (25 Ratings)
TV Show Rating
Well balanced presentation of a trial (0 more)
The wifes family not being consulted (0 more)
Throughly enjoyed
Contains spoilers, click to show
Amazing presentation of the facts and how things are argued within a court despite this being filmed through the accused it's so well presented it shows it's likely he may if done it but was let out on a trial error rather than "inoccence". It is unfortunate the wofes family where not consulted however there response in places shows they felt the programme may be bias towards him which it is not.