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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated Happily Ever After in Books

Jun 29, 2023 (Updated Jun 29, 2023)  
Happily Ever After
Happily Ever After
James Riley | 2023 | Children
5
7.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Rushed Ending Keeps Me from Being Perfectly Happy with This Book
Lena and Shefin are living in the Blessed City. Everyone is happy and eagerly waiting for the fairy queen ball to take place that day. Something in the back on Lena’s mind is saying that things aren’t right, but she does her best to ignore them since to go against the fairy queens means punishment. But on her way to school that morning, she discovers a book lying on the road that seems to be for her. What could it possibly mean? And where in Jin? Could he be the key to uncovering what is really going on?

I was anxious to see how this book would end since I’ve enjoyed the previous books so much. It started strongly, with great actions and twists, plus dual points of view to help build tension. It was fun to spend time with the characters again, and the meta comments on writing and books were making me laugh, although they weren’t a prevalent as in the earlier books. Then we reached the ending. It was way too rushed, with some twists that left me completely unsatisfied. We do get a final chapter, but it wasn’t enough to make me feel better with the ending, especially since it changes what I thought I remember about a character. (Maybe I need to reread book two.) Fans will still want to read it, but it’s not as good as it could have been.
  
The Bear and the Nightingale
The Bear and the Nightingale
Katherine Arden | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
9.4 (17 Ratings)
Book Rating
A dark epic fairytale
This captivating fantasy is set in the frozen north of Russia in the 13th century, and used Russian myths and fairy tales as inspiration.

At the centre of the novel is the family of a local Lord, in particular the headstrong youngest daughter Vasya who is gifted with 'second sight'. The existence of the community is threatened when a dark power in the forests begins to wake up, just as the villagers start to turn away from the household spirits who've protected them, in favour of a charismatic new priest.

The Russian setting adds interest and mystique and the protagonist Vasya is fantastically outspoken and scrappy. The plot is easy to follow despite the odd Russian word. It truly is a compelling read.
  
The Night Circus
The Night Circus
Erin Morgenstern | 2015 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.1 (106 Ratings)
Book Rating
Oh my gosh! What an awesome book!! I'm not even quite sure how to describe it. This book is quite unlike anything I have read before. It is part coming of age tale, part fairy tale, part love story. Celia & Marco are interesting characters who possess extraordinary abilities while still being real. The story sucks you in from the first sentence and doesn't let you go even at the final sentence...I found myself in denial that it was over. It was one of those books you just don't want to end but yet you can't seem to put down.
I finished this book a huge fan of Erin Morgenstern. I hope she will write more books as excellent and addicting as The Night Circus!!!
  
Rory runs the Lucky Dog Boutique in Destiny, CA. When someone starts breaking into local shops and leaving bad luck symbols in their wake, no one wants to talk about it for fear of bringing down even more bad luck on the town. After the real-estate agent who has been trying to find Rory the perfect home confesses to the vandalism and is subsequently murdered, Rory decides it is time to investigate.

Destiny is a quaint, almost fairy-tale like town where superstitions are real and good luck charms are a necessity. I might not like to live there, but it is fun to visit for a while!

<i>Note: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.</i>
  
Stardust
Stardust
Neil Gaiman | 2005 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.4 (35 Ratings)
Book Rating
This was a really fun read. I have been wanting to read this book for quite some time but I never found the time. I finally decided to buy the audiobook and boy was I impressed. Neil Gaiman reads the book to you and it was quite a lot of fun.

I always worry when I have the author reading the audiobook. It's either going to be amazing or torturous. Neil did a great job at doing the voices and helping you imagine what each character would sound like.

The plot was cute and sweet. I loved the adult fairy tale aspect of it. I loved the characters and I loved the unique aspects in the book.

If you're looking for a fun read, this is it.
  
TE
The Enchanted (Faerie Tale, #1)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
First of all, all I can say is what a beautiful and enchanting world Genevra Thorne has created with fairies and talking trees and all sorts of wonders.
Secondly, her characters are so well developed. I loved Taryn's free and playful spirit and Prince Gabriel's tough yet kind demeanor. Also, the way their relationship builds is just a perfect speed throughout the novel. I absolutely LOVED this book! Anyone who enjoys fairy tales and romance will want to read this. I cannot wait for the next one! So, go ahead and do yourself a favor: get The Enchanted and start reading. :) *I received this book at the GoodReads Lovers of Paranormal Group for free in exchange for a fair and honest review.*
  
Dead in the Family (Sookie Stackhouse, #10)
Dead in the Family (Sookie Stackhouse, #10)
Charlaine Harris | 2010 | Fiction & Poetry
6
7.5 (13 Ratings)
Book Rating
It's all about family ...

Sookie Stackhouse is dealing with a whole host of family problems, ranging from her own kin (a non-human fairy and a telepathic second cousin) demanding a place in her life, to her lover Eric's vampire sire, an ancient being who arrives with Eric's 'brother' in tow at a most inopportune moment. And Sookie's tracking down a distant relation of her ailing ...

I think this was the first stackhouse book where sookie doesn't absolutely drive me crazy! It wasn't too bad at all. I find myself sticking with this series because I'm so far into them now! Would I recommend the series possibly as each person is different to what they like to read.



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