Well, this was an uneventful month for reading...kind of lol. I got about three 500+ page books done. NGL, I struggled to stay dedicated to my reading. It had nothing to do with the books, because I enjoyed all 3 & I was constantly thinking about what would happen next. I just wasn't in a reading mood. Kind of felt like a reading slump...only difference was I actually had books I could get lost in. I have 3 new books to review & my favorite goth queen, Leigh Bardugo, released the final book in the King of Scars duology. I will have the info on that after my King of Scars review. I will also be reviewing her virtual book release event I went too. I was very lucky to be able to purchase a ticket and I couldn't wait to watch it. I've seen Leigh in person on tour once before and it was phenomenal. She is a genuine person and hilarious. That showed true in her virtual release event too. ALSO, next month, we get the Shadow & Bone Netflix series!!! *screaming in Ravkan* I'm so freaking excited for that show. The full trailer dropped this week and it was EPIC. It was mind blowing and I'm actually excited because the show looks to be following the books (with a twist) fabulously. Plus, the queen herself played an extra...I mean it doesn't get better than that. Okay, time for some reviews.
Official Reviews
Grishaverse: King of Scars Duology
By: Leigh Bardugo
Book 1: King of Scars ⭐⭐⭐½
Face your demons... or feed them.
The dashing young king, Nikolai Lantsov, has always had a gift for the impossible. No one knows what he endured in his country's bloody civil war--and he intends to keep it that way. Now, as enemies gather at his weakened borders, Nikolai must find a way to refill Ravka's coffers, forge new alliances, and stop a rising threat to the once-great Grisha Army.
Yet with every day a dark magic within him grows stronger, threatening to destroy all he has built. With the help of a young monk and a legendary Grisha general, Nikolai will journey to the places in Ravka where the deepest magic survives to vanquish the terrible legacy inside him. He will risk everything to save his country and himself. But some secrets aren't meant to stay buried--and some wounds aren't meant to heal.
Alright, so I loved Nikolai in the Grisha trilogy & I was so excited when Leigh said he was getting his own series. With that being said, I knew it was going to be a duology, so I waited to read it until Rule of Wolves (book 2) was going to come out. I hate waiting for new books in series & I hate feeling like I need to re-read the previous books to fully prepare for the current one. I don't know if it was me, but while I was reading/listening to KoS I felt like I should've re-read the Grisha trilogy & Six of Crows duology. We get the awesome mixing of Nina & Zoya with Nikolai & other characters from the previous series. I just felt like I was forgetting important aspects of the characters' back stories. Maybe this is beneficial because I saw some readers' reviews & they were unhappy the characters didn't seem fully genuine to their past roles in books. I don't know, but I felt lost sometimes. All in all, I did enjoy the book. For some reason, when I decide to read a book by Leigh, I get sidetracked and it takes me FOREVER, to finish it. It's taken me all month to get through KoS. I did it though! Just in time for the release of book 2, Rule of Wolves.
Let's dive deeper into my thoughts, I truly enjoyed getting to see inside Zoya's mind. I liked her in the Shadow & Bone (Grisha) trilogy. She was a witch in those books, but for some reason I like broody characters. It was great to see her view point & get to understand why she's the way she is. Nina was a sassy enjoyment in the Six of Crows duology & I feel like she has a long road to fully recovery from that ending. I loved her in SoCs. Her character in KoS was frustrating at times, but I had to remember she was grieving in her own ways. Now, Nikolai....I needed more. I wanted more from his chapters but the felt far & few between. He was himself but also not. I know he's changed since the trilogy like all the characters but I wanted more insight into him as a person & see his witty charming self. Also, the storyline was slow moving for me at times, but I'm hoping the second book with be quicker paced given the ending of KoS. I'm very excited to see how Leigh crafts Rule of Wolves.
Book 2: Rule Of Wolves
Released - March 30th, 2021
The wolves are circling and a young king will face his greatest challenge in the explosive finale of the instant #1 New York Times-bestselling King of Scars Duology.
The Demon King. As Fjerda's massive army prepares to invade, Nikolai Lantsov will summon every bit of his ingenuity and charm—and even the monster within—to win this fight. But a dark threat looms that cannot be defeated by a young king's gift for the impossible.
The Stormwitch. Zoya Nazyalensky has lost too much to war. She saw her mentor die and her worst enemy resurrected, and she refuses to bury another friend. Now duty demands she embrace her powers to become the weapon her country needs. No matter the cost.
The Queen of Mourning. Deep undercover, Nina Zenik risks discovery and death as she wages war on Fjerda from inside its capital. But her desire for revenge may cost her country its chance at freedom and Nina the chance to heal her grieving heart.
King. General. Spy. Together they must find a way to forge a future in the darkness. Or watch a nation fall.
Virtual Launch Party⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Leigh Bardugo is the best. I love her. This virtual release party was amazing. The MC was hilarious. Leigh was her typical perfect self. I will forever advocate for people to read her stuff. She is just a wholesome realistic person. Like I said previously, I've met her once and she was adorable and complimented my SoCs shirt. She had a lot to say about the Grishaverse and herself and her work last night. I found myself laughing multiple times while I watched from my couch. I'll have cliff notes after this. Along with access to this virtual launch party, I also receive a physical copy of Rule of Wolves & a signed book plate! Not too bad given the price for a ticket.
The event started off with a pre-show "green room" virtually of course. It had trivia questions, cosplay showings, and just overall good chatting in the super quick chat box. Leigh came on with her MC Daniel Jose Older. These two are great together. The mesh so well and unlike the SJM virtual book tour, Daniel did not make this about him. He had witty commentary and gave insightful input but didn't go off about his own books & such. Daniel actually started it off with the most googled questions about Leigh & she was floored by them. "Is Leigh married?" "Is Leigh a witch?" "Why does Leigh have a cane?" and a few more.
After the google questions, Leigh talked a little bit about her current situation with writing and TV shows. Next, was a live reading from Leigh with a twist...Daniel & Leigh decided to make into a play like reading. To everyone's enjoyment, Daniel & Leigh were two characters & Daniel's wife was the narrator...then comes a special guest, HOLLY BLACK!!!! It was so fun and honestly quite hilarous. I was thoroughly entertained during this entire event. Leigh wrapped up the launch party with fan submitted questions. She moved quickly so she could cover as many questions as possible.
Comments Made by Leigh:
- Leigh is engaged!!! Yas queen, congrats :)
- She's been really stressed lately. Between Shadow & Bone on Netflix, Ninth House being adapted by Amazon, and needing to write Ninth House #2, she's feeling pressed for time.
- She wanted Rule of Wolves to be an Grande Finale for the Grishaverse. She left a door at the end open in case she ever decided to walk back through, but for now she'll be stepping back from the Grishaverse in books. Leigh feels she needs to step back because the Grishaverse is about to change. With the Netflix show about to start there is the possibility for the fandom to grow & new comers to join the group. She wants to see how it goes and what direction everything may lead to.
- Leigh is very excited for us to watch Shadow & Bone next month. She's amazed by all the work that went into the adaptation & can't wait to watch it with us.
- She has ideas for SoCs 3 but isn't sure about it and doesn't want to write it unless she's fully devoted to it.
- Leigh says Ninth House 2 is bonkers
- The Darkling is an Aries (LOL TRUE) or a Capricorn...maybe.
- Zoya has a secret sweet tooth (Leigh hopes at least)
- She has two other series ideas in her head that she takes notes on but she isn't sure when or if she'll get to write them in this lifetime.
To close this out, Leigh said on thing that resonated with me the most about the King of Scars Series. She says that many fans wanted more Nikolai and her response is always the same, "Nikolai's story is the story of Ravka. They are one and the same. She needed to tell Zoya's POV & Nina's POV because they are different parts of Ravka's story." I really got this because I was one of those fans, and this really changed my perspective of KoS and gave me a new mentality for RoW.
Blog Posts About Leigh:
Den of Vipers ⭐⭐⭐½
By: K.A. Knight
Ryder, Garrett, Kenzo, and Diesel—The Vipers.
They run this town and everyone in it. Their deals are as sordid as their business, and their reputation is enough to bring a grown man to his knees, forcing him to beg for mercy. They are not people you mess with, yet my dad did. The old man ran up a debt with them and then sold me to cover his losses.
Yes, sold me.
They own me now.
I’m theirs in every sense of the word. But I’ve never been meek and compliant. These men, they look at me with longing. Their scarred, blood-stained hands holding me tight. They want everything I am, everything I have to give, and won’t stop until they get just that. They can own my body, but they will never have my heart.
The Vipers? I’m going to make them regret the day they took me.
This girl? She bites too.
18+ Reverse Harem Romance. Warning this book contains scenes and references of abuse/assault that some readers may find triggering. Along with graphic sex scenes and violence. This is a dark book.
They run this town and everyone in it. Their deals are as sordid as their business, and their reputation is enough to bring a grown man to his knees, forcing him to beg for mercy. They are not people you mess with, yet my dad did. The old man ran up a debt with them and then sold me to cover his losses.
Yes, sold me.
They own me now.
I’m theirs in every sense of the word. But I’ve never been meek and compliant. These men, they look at me with longing. Their scarred, blood-stained hands holding me tight. They want everything I am, everything I have to give, and won’t stop until they get just that. They can own my body, but they will never have my heart.
The Vipers? I’m going to make them regret the day they took me.
This girl? She bites too.
18+ Reverse Harem Romance. Warning this book contains scenes and references of abuse/assault that some readers may find triggering. Along with graphic sex scenes and violence. This is a dark book.
Interesting twist on the RH--So, I was super intrigued in this story even though Reverse Harems aren’t my thing but this story is so much more than that. Like wow, I was amazed by the family dynamic and the mafia style world. Roxxanne reminded me of Harley Quinn and it was perfect. I really enjoyed Diesel and he was the crazy one so I’m not sure what that says about me haha. My soft spot went to Kenzo though..my little cinnamon roll. Ryder was everything I picture a Mafia King to be. We can’t forget Garrett, who is most definitely a lover with a touch of fighter. I thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns of the plot. The author did a great job building up the suspense of the story and giving an nice little HEA. I will say the smut is HEAVY. Be prepared for all kinds of wild s*x. It’s a lot and can be extra kinky/wicked for those who are vanilla. All in all, solid story. I liked it.
Dead Moons Rising⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Dead Moons Rising⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
By: Jack Whitney
Aydra Ravenspeak has lived peacefully in the kingdom of Magnice her entire life. She rules as Queen over the northeastern realm of Haerland with her loving brother, King Rhafian Sunfire, and her younger siblings. Their kingdom knows only prosperity, sanctuary, and peace. A loving home for all their people.
Of course, these are all lies.
When Aydra rides out to the Forest of Darkness for the rise of the Dead Moons, she is injured in the enemy king, Draven Greenwood’s, realm. What she learns whilst recovering there shatters the world she knows. She has been engulfed by lies within her own kingdom. Forced to smile and dine at banquet as nothing more than a trophy. Given a title no person ever intended on allowing her to use.
But the lies that throw her the most are those she was told about him.
Strangers arrive on their shores, and she’ll have to work with Draven to stop them from taking their lands. The secrets of her kingdom and Haerland begin to unravel, and Aydra is soon faced with an impossible decision as the war begins.
I'd like to take a moment to thank Booktok for putting Jack's TikToks on my FYP. I don't know if I would've found her book this soon if Booktok hadn't happened. I loved the TikToks Jack was sharing and then I found her Instagram & was like, okay hold up, I need to find her book & I need to read it now...sadly I had to wait a month before it was release but it was SO Worth the wait. I'll like Jack's Instagram account below. DMR is an adult fantasy romance novel, so do not think this is a YA book. It is most definitely not. Jack's got a talent for writing EXTREMELY steamy smutty scenes. I was like, D**N, that's pretty freaking hot. Don't even get me started on Draven & Aydra. Like okay, yes, love that. Love that, oh and LOVE THAT. They are amazing together. I love their dynamic. But then again, who doesn't love a good enemies to lovers trope? Also, I will say this, I did 100% want to throttle Aydra's brother. I wanted to yeet him off a cliff and hope he splatters to death. Sorry, is that too rude to say about a supposed King? I also enjoyed Lex, Balandria, Dorian (of course), Nyssa, Hagen, & can't forget Nadir. THAT ENDING THO. HOW CAN THAT BE. I REFUSE TO BELIEVE IT. NOPE. I NEED BOOK 2 ASAP. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE.
No comments:
Post a Comment