April 2021 Wrap Up 🎕🌈📕

So, April was a very exciting month! We have 3 new reads, a netflix show, and a re-read! I am very happy to give a phenomenal review for the Shadow & Bone series below. I didn't read a lot of books, but I did enjoy them. A Kingdom of Flesh & Fire is the second book in the Blood & Ash series. I reviewed From Blood & Ash awhile ago and I read the second book in preparation for the release of book 3, A Crown of Gilded Bones. So, far I am thoroughly enjoying Book 3! I also finished another audible book, The Wicked King by Holly Black. I reviewed book #1, The Cruel Prince, already. Alright, let's get down to the reviews. 

Official Reviews

Shadow & Bone Netflix Show ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

So, let me start off this review by saying I adored this series. I loved the accuracy and the creative liberties the show took. The fact that the show is intertwining two of Leigh Bardugo's books is amazing. For those new to this world, Shadow & Bone is a trilogy created by Leigh. I have reviewed her books before and I'll link them below. To prepare for the show's premiere, I re-read book one in the trilogy. I remembered how much world building was in the book. The Grishaverse was just starting to be made. The second set of books in the series is very much a prequel to the Six of Crows series. I feel this is important to mentio because so many watchers were disappointed in the Crows, but what they forget was that the Shadow & Bone trilogy is actually set before the Crows duology. Therefore, the crows in the TV show are babies. It's their backstories (with some new heists). Kaz Breaker is still building his empire and his reputation. Nina isn't even with them yet. She is off on her on journey. We got to see her backstory. 

Moving on, let's dive into the show itself. I LOVED BEN BARNES. I loved him as Prince Caspian and I loved him as the Darkling. The show did give him more of a story than we got in the actual books, but it made him more personable. Alina was portrayed brilliantly. The crows were everything. Jesper was ADORABLE! Kudos to his actor because he made the show. Freddy Carter was everything I picture for Kaz. Inej was just as wraith like as I thought. The actress for Zoya was spot on in my opinion. My only issue was the fact that they sexualized her more than I remembered from the books. Not sure what the purpose in that is, but I guess we'll see. Now, let's talk about Mal....book mal was, IMO, boring. I did not enjoy Mal. I wasn't team Mal in the books. TV show Mal, is awesome! He was given so much more depth than what the books showed. Like, the actor was great & the relationship with Alina & Mal was so much clearer than in the books. I just was not expecting that. I was impressed. 

All in all, I give the show 5 stars. I was not disappointed. I was enthralled from the beginning. I binged it in 24 hours. I was entertained. I saw our queen, Leigh in the background. I got to fan girl overly my childhood crush! It was everything I could've wanted in a book to TV adaptation. I really hope we get a season 2 because I need to see my fav blonde boy, Nikolai. 

Leigh Reviews:

Blog Post: New Author Alert: Leigh Bardugo & the Grishaverse

Ninth House: Official Ninth House Review: Book & Tour

Crave ⭐⭐⭐½

Book 1 (Crave)

By: Tracy Wolff

About Crave:

My whole world changed when I stepped inside the academy. Nothing is right about this place or the other students in it. Here I am, a mere mortal among gods…or monsters. I still can’t decide which of these warring factions I belong to, if I belong at all. I only know the one thing that unites them is their hatred of me.

Then there’s Jaxon Vega. A vampire with deadly secrets who hasn’t felt anything for a hundred years. But there’s something about him that calls to me, something broken in him that somehow fits with what’s broken in me.

Which could spell death for us all.

Because Jaxon walled himself off for a reason. And now someone wants to wake a sleeping monster, and I’m wondering if I was brought here intentionally—as the bait.

Twilight but with a boarding school?-- If you’re looking for a twilighty love story this is your book. It’s got twists and turns and broody teenager angst. I didn’t fully get into the story and I’m not sure if it’s the writing or just the characters but I was frustrated reading about Grace & all her woes. I want more details about the creatures and I was to know Wtf is Grace. Like where is this story going??? The series has potential to be interesting and lively. I have heard the other books in the series are worlds better than this one so I might give the second book a try. So we’ll see how that goes. There are 5 books in the crave series. You can find book 1's link below & the Goodreads link to the series. 

Amazon | Goodreads

A Kingdom of Flesh & Fire ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Book 2 (Blood & Ash):

By: Jennifer L. Armentrout

About A Kingdom of Flesh & Fire:

A Betrayal…

Everything Poppy has ever believed in is a lie, including the man she was falling in love with. Thrust among those who see her as a symbol of a monstrous kingdom, she barely knows who she is without the veil of the Maiden. But what she does know is that nothing is as dangerous to her as him. The Dark One. The Prince of Atlantia. He wants her to fight him, and that’s one order she’s more than happy to obey. He may have taken her, but he will never have her.

A Choice...

Casteel Da’Neer is known by many names and many faces. His lies are as seductive as his touch. His truths as sensual as his bite. Poppy knows better than to trust him. He needs her alive, healthy, and whole to achieve his goals. But he’s the only way for her to get what she wants—to find her brother Ian and see for herself if he has become a soulless Ascended. Working with Casteel instead of against him presents its own risks. He still tempts her with every breath, offering up all she’s ever wanted. Casteel has plans for her. Ones that could expose her to unimaginable pleasure and unfathomable pain. Plans that will force her to look beyond everything she thought she knew about herself—about him. Plans that could bind their lives together in unexpected ways that neither kingdom is prepared for. And she’s far too reckless, too hungry, to resist the temptation.

A Secret…

But unrest has grown in Atlantia as they await the return of their Prince. Whispers of war have become stronger, and Poppy is at the very heart of it all. The King wants to use her to send a message. The Descenters want her dead. The wolven are growing more unpredictable. And as her abilities to feel pain and emotion begin to grow and strengthen, the Atlantians start to fear her. Dark secrets are at play, ones steeped in the blood-drenched sins of two kingdoms that would do anything to keep the truth hidden. But when the earth begins to shake, and the skies start to bleed, it may already be too late.

What the heck....Okay this book is mind blowing compared to the first. Can I just say Prince Casteel is total Rhysand vibes and I love him. Poppy is everything I want in a heroine but I do wish she’d be less young and stubborn. Kieran can stick around because his sassiness makes the book better. Be glad book 3 is ready because this leaves you with a massive cliff hanger and you’d have a book hangover from hell. Like wow. I’m disappointed I waited so long to read this book but I’m so happy I waited so I can dive into the third book ASAP! This book leaves you with many questions. Like you will be going WTF many many times. Honestly though, I'm happy for those moments because 80% of the time Poppy doesn't know what's going on either. I really do see the hype behind the series and I'm very happy I decided to push through book 1. Now onto book 3!! I'll leave links to amazon, and my previous post about book 1. 

Amazon | September Wrap Up

The Wicked King ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Book 2 (The Folk of the Air)
By: Holly Black

About The Wicked King:

The enchanting and bloodthirsty sequel to the New York Times bestselling novel The Cruel Prince.

You must be strong enough to strike and strike and strike again without tiring.

The first lesson is to make yourself strong.

After the jaw-dropping revelation that Oak is the heir to Faerie, Jude must keep her brother safe. To do so, she has bound the wicked king, Cardan, to her, and made herself the power behind the throne. Navigating the constantly shifting political alliances of Faerie would be difficult enough if Cardan were easy to control. But he does everything in his power to humiliate and undermine her even as his fascination with her remains undiminished.

When it becomes all too clear that someone close to Jude means to betray her, threatening her own life and the lives of everyone she loves, Jude must uncover the traitor and fight her own complicated feelings for Cardan to maintain control as a mortal in a Faerie world.

Okay, so my bar was set somewhat low for this book because I wasn’t a huge fan of The Cruel Prince. I will admit I was interested in the story the whole time. I actually wanted to read it more than other books at time but I only had it on audible so my time was limited. I really enjoyed seeing the growth in Jude. She makes a great hand to the king but she definitely still has some maturing to do. I’m starting to see the appeal of Cardan. He’s sassy and witty and I didn’t necessarily see the twist coming at the end because so even believed in him. But it fit the personality started in book 1. I will definitely be reading book 3 because I’m invested in what happens next! Below you'll find the link to Amazon and book 1's review.

Amazon | December Wrap Up

September 2020 Wrap Up 📚📚📚

 

New Official Reviews

Serpent & Dove Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
By Shelby Mahurin

About Serpent & Dove: 
Bound as one to love, honor, or burn.

Two years ago, Louise le Blanc fled her coven and took shelter in the city of Cesarine, forsaking all magic and living off whatever she could steal. There, witches like Lou are hunted. They are feared. And they are burned.

Sworn to the Church as a Chasseur, Reid Diggory has lived his life by one principle: thou shalt not suffer a witch to live. His path was never meant to cross with Lou's, but a wicked stunt forces them into an impossible union—holy matrimony.

The war between witches and Church is an ancient one, and Lou's most dangerous enemies bring a fate worse than fire. Unable to ignore her growing feelings, yet powerless to change what she is, a choice must be made.

And love makes fools of us all

Don’t sleep in this series--Okay, I have had this book in my library for at least a year and I’m so mad at myself I didn’t dedicate the time to it until now. WOW, great job Shelby! This book is awesome. The originality and the world building is freaking phenomenal. I loved Lou and I loved Reid. Coco is the best friend anyone would kill for. I did pick up on some foreshadowing but not all. I enjoyed the twists and learning about all the different witch cultures and that twist at the end was mind blowing 😉 If you’re on the fence about this series, don’t be. I can’t wait to start book #2.

Order on Amazon

Book #2 Blood & Honey 

About Blood & Honey:
After narrowly escaping death at the hands of the Dames Blanches, Lou, Reid, Coco, and Ansel are on the run from coven, kingdom, and church—fugitives with nowhere to hide.

To elude the scores of witches and throngs of chasseurs at their heels, Lou and Reid need allies. Strong ones. But protection comes at a price, and the group is forced to embark on separate quests to build their forces. As Lou and Reid try to close the widening rift between them, the dastardly Morgane baits them in a lethal game of cat and mouse that threatens to destroy something worth more than any coven.

The hotly anticipated sequel to the New York Times and IndieBound bestseller Serpent & Dove—packed with even steamier romance and darker magic—is perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas.

From Blood and Ash Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐

By: Jennifer L. Armentrout

About From Blood And Ash:

A Maiden…
Chosen from birth to usher in a new era, Poppy’s life has never been her own. The life of the Maiden is solitary. Never to be touched. Never to be looked upon. Never to be spoken to. Never to experience pleasure. Waiting for the day of her Ascension, she would rather be with the guards, fighting back the evil that took her family, than preparing to be found worthy by the gods. But the choice has never been hers.
A Duty…
The entire kingdom’s future rests on Poppy’s shoulders, something she’s not even quite sure she wants for herself. Because a Maiden has a heart. And a soul. And longing. And when Hawke, a golden-eyed guard honor bound to ensure her Ascension, enters her life, destiny and duty become tangled with desire and need. He incites her anger, makes her question everything she believes in, and tempts her with the forbidden.
A Kingdom…
Forsaken by the gods and feared by mortals, a fallen kingdom is rising once more, determined to take back what they believe is theirs through violence and vengeance. And as the shadow of those cursed draws closer, the line between what is forbidden and what is right becomes blurred. Poppy is not only on the verge of losing her heart and being found unworthy by the gods, but also her life when every blood-soaked thread that holds her world together begins to unravel.


Woah, push through guys it’s worth it.-- Forewarning, this book gets steamyyyyy and I mean STEAMY at the end. Okay, not gonna lie this was a tough book for me to get into. I kept seeing great reviews and MUST read recommendations but it didn’t really pick you for me until about 68% through. Boy am I glad I pushed through! This book ended up being awesome! I saw the few twists coming but not that cliff hanger! I’m so glad the second book is out already because I’d be livid if I had to wait. Poppy is clearly a confusion girl and I’m so glad she had Victor and Hawke to help her out but boy oh boy does it take a turn. Be prepared because when this storyline picks up it gets GOOD quickly.

Order on Amazon

Book #2 A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire

About A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire:

A Betrayal…
Everything Poppy has ever believed in is a lie, including the man she was falling in love with. Thrust among those who see her as a symbol of a monstrous kingdom, she barely knows who she is without the veil of the Maiden. But what she does know is that nothing is as dangerous to her as him. The Dark One. The Prince of Atlantia. He wants her to fight him, and that’s one order she’s more than happy to obey. He may have taken her, but he will never have her.
A Choice...
Casteel Da’Neer is known by many names and many faces. His lies are as seductive as his touch. His truths as sensual as his bite. Poppy knows better than to trust him. He needs her alive, healthy, and whole to achieve his goals. But he’s the only way for her to get what she wants—to find her brother Ian and see for herself if he has become a soulless Ascended. Working with Casteel instead of against him presents its own risks. He still tempts her with every breath, offering up all she’s ever wanted. Casteel has plans for her. Ones that could expose her to unimaginable pleasure and unfathomable pain. Plans that will force her to look beyond everything she thought she knew about herself—about him. Plans that could bind their lives together in unexpected ways that neither kingdom is prepared for. And she’s far too reckless, too hungry, to resist the temptation.
A Secret…
But unrest has grown in Atlantia as they await the return of their Prince. Whispers of war have become stronger, and Poppy is at the very heart of it all. The King wants to use her to send a message. The Descenters want her dead. The wolven are growing more unpredictable. And as her abilities to feel pain and emotion begin to grow and strengthen, the Atlantians start to fear her. Dark secrets are at play, ones steeped in the blood-drenched sins of two kingdoms that would do anything to keep the truth hidden. But when the earth begins to shake, and the skies start to bleed, it may already be too late.

Twisted Kingdoms Reviews

The Hunt (Book #1) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

By: Frost Kay

About The Hunt:

Death marked her from her very first breath.

Being sired by a Madrid is supposed to be a blessing, but for Tempest, it's a curse that leaves her orphaned, penniless, and enslaved to a blood thirsty crown on the brink of war.

Found too unruly to become a ward of the court, she's thrust into the care of the King's Hounds - the assassins and warriors responsible for protecting the kingdom. Driven by rage and an oath to avenge her mother's memory, Tempest throws herself into training.

But becoming the first ever female assassin isn't enough. Now, she must obtain the heart of her kingdom's most feared enemy - the jester - a deadly shapeshifter hidden in a land twisted by myth and darkness.

Revenge is never easy or cheap. Tempest is willing to sacrifice everything to see justice served. Even her own soul and freedom.

Enter the world of the Twisted Kingdoms at your own risk where monsters wear pretty masks, good and evil are at war, and fairy tales don't exist. If you love fiery heroines, sexy villains, enemies-to-lovers romance, pulse-pounding action, mafia undertones, and dark fairy tales, you need to discover the new series readers are comparing to Holly Blacks's Cruel Prince and Leigh Bardugo's Six of Crows.

Amazing story. I couldn’t put it down. I love Tempest. She’s a great heroine and Frost does a great job building this world. I knew she’d do a awesome. Pyre is a joy to have in the book. I really enjoy his sass & I'm ngl I definitely saw that twist coming. I can’t wait for book two!

Order on Amazon

The Rook (Book #2) ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

By: Frost Kay

About The Rook:

The Dark Court is no place for a lady.

After tricking the king, Tempest has finally won her prize - a place on the king's council - but it comes with a steep price. The monarch wishes for her to once again infiltrate the Jester's Dark Court and crush the remaining rebellion.

Trapped between her kingdom and her honor, she throws herself into the task, determined to discover her true enemies. Slipping into her role as the Jester's fiery plaything and personal assassin comes with an ease that terrifies her.

The charming and dangerous shapeshifter and his world of eternal night tempts her to forget her purpose. But Tempest is no man's pawn. Her destiny was never to sit back passively.

She makes her own path. Even if it's painted with blood, strewn with bodies, and scattered with the pieces of her broken heart.

Enter the world of the Twisted Kingdoms at your own risk where monsters wear pretty masks, good and evil are at war, and fairy tales don't exist. If you love fiery heroines, sexy villains, enemies-to-lovers romance, pulse-pounding action, mafia undertones, and dark fairy tale retellings, you need to discover the new series readers are comparing to books by Holly Black, Leigh Bardugo, Meagan Spooner, Sarah J Maas, Emma Hamm, Brandon Sanderson, Melanie Cellier, and Audrey Grey.

Better a Second Time--If you loved the first book in the series, you'll be even more impressed with The Rook. I loved Temp & Pyre. They go together so well & their banter is always entertaining. I won't post any spoilers here, but this book has twists and it leaves you craving the third book. Why is the next release so far away???

Order on Amazon

Links to Other Reviews:

Queen of Shadows & A Court Of Mist & Fury:  Official Review: For All of Sarah J. Maas Books

The Shadows Between Us: New Author Alert: Tricia Levenseller

Damaged Like Us & Lovers Like Us: Official Review: The Like Us Series

Ninth House: Official Ninth House Review: Book & Tour

Official Ninth House Review: Book & Tour

Ninth House Tour Experience

Can I start off by saying Leigh Bardugo is a spectacular human being! I was amazed by her candor and her personality. She is truly awesome and wholesome. I was in awe the majority of her event. My mother and I went to see Leigh in St. Louis, Missouri. We received a physical copy of Leigh's new book, Ninth House as well as, a leather bookmark. You were able to bring one other item to have Leigh autograph. There were books & merchandise available for purchasing too. The first 30 minutes of the event was a live Q&A with Leigh. I didn't take notes or record anything because I wanted to focus on the experience. I did take a few pictures and you can find them below. I've been to one other author tour and that was Sarah J. Maas's Kingdom of Ash tour. Trying to compare the two isn't fair in my eyes. They're two different authors with two different styles. I loved both experiences, but Leigh's was more quaint & intimate whereas Sarah, had limited availability and only a small few got to meet her after the Q&A was over. I wasn't fortunate enough to score meet & greet tickets, so I didn't get the chance to talk with my fav. I did get to talk shortly with Leigh and honestly I was SO socially awkward. I just kept saying thank you and how much I loved her books. She was sweet and complimented my "No Mourners No Funerals" t-shirt. I bought that and my mom a shirt from Blissfully Bookish Company. I'll leave a link to their website here.  

There were so many different questions asked. I'll give a list below with as much as I can remember.

• How will the shadow & bone Netflix show work with the trilogy &  duology?
• Season 1 will be heavy on the Shadow & Bone book with some unknown content on the SoC characters. 
• How was writing Ninth House different from other books? (Ninth House is an adult novel)
• There's more at play than a young adult novel. Dealing with race, gender, elite societies, and so much more is more complex than when you do YA. 
• How many books will be in the Ninth House series?
• Leigh has a number in mind and it's around 5.-- I was so excited about this ;) 
• Will there be another book for Six of Crows?
• At this time no. She has a notebook of ideas for stories and she hopes that she'll someday have time to write a third book. She has a general idea/arch to how she wants the Grishaverse to play out but it's finding the right time to get it there.
• What can we expect from Ninth House?
• to quote Leigh, "Bonkers magic."
• It's nothing she's ever done before and she couldn't be more excited for her readers to enjoy it.
• Is Leigh worried about having Ninth House being bought out for a TV series with Amazon when she hasn't finished the series yet?
• She is slightly concerned but nothing major. She doesn't want to have a George R Martin on her hands, but she also knows that showbiz takes forever to get going. She hopes to have more than one or two books out before the show airs. This way she can (hopefully) avoid any time crunches or having to work with a show that surpasses her books. 
• Is Leigh concerned about the actors for Shadow & Bones being older than she had written the character to be?
• No, she thinks they're all perfect and look much younger than their age portrays. She understands that to having actors under the age of 18 create more risk/issues for the show. Having older actors help to decreases limitations & they're more experienced and can handle to older concepts/experiences that take place in the Shadow & Bones world. The book characters might be a young age but they've experiences so many hardships that they don't act or think like their age. 
• What made Leigh choose TV over Cinema for her books to screen adaptations?
• She said there really wasn't a huge choice. She was offered a few choices but in the end the TV made the most sense. She likes that it leaves more room to grow the show. There's less to be cut out unlike movies where so many details are forced out. This way her books are given more opportunity to fully show what happens and keep in as much detail as possible.

Overall, the tour was worth it. Leigh was awesome. I got a personalized signed copy of Ninth House and a signed copy of my special edition, Six of Crows. My mom also got a personalized signed copy and she had King of Scars signed. We enjoyed the evening with Leigh & loved getting the opportunity to meet her. I will definitely be going to another tour if she has one! 😍

Ninth House

By: Leigh Bardugo

About Ninth House:

“The best fantasy novel I’ve read in years, because it’s about real people. Bardugo’s imaginative reach is brilliant, and this story―full of shocks and twists―is impossible to put down.” – Stephen King

Galaxy “Alex” Stern is the most unlikely member of Yale’s freshman class. Raised in the Los Angeles hinterlands by a hippie mom, Alex dropped out of school early and into a world of shady drug dealer boyfriends, dead-end jobs, and much, much worse. By age twenty, in fact, she is the sole survivor of a horrific, unsolved multiple homicide. Some might say she’s thrown her life away. But at her hospital bed, Alex is offered a second chance: to attend one of the world’s most elite universities on a full ride. What’s the catch, and why her?

Still searching for answers to this herself, Alex arrives in New Haven tasked by her mysterious benefactors with monitoring the activities of Yale’s secret societies. These eight windowless “tombs” are well-known to be haunts of the future rich and powerful, from high-ranking politicos to Wall Street and Hollywood’s biggest players. But their occult activities are revealed to be more sinister and more extraordinary than any paranoid imagination might conceive.

Official Review:

I listened to this book on audible & let me tell ya it took me foreverrrr to finish this book. I prefer reading the books myself so I probably won't be using audible much. It's nice for those days I'm not feeling music on my way to work. Also, it can sync with your kindle app so I'm always on the right parts! Even though it took the good part of a year almost to finish this book, I remembered every part. Leigh did a phenomenal job with Alex's story. I'm not a huge adult book reader but this was awesome. Leigh created a creepy world and it makes me want to visit the Yale campus in the fall so bad! Hearing her talk about it on tour was awesome but reading her descriptions of the buildings and the campus is so enticing. I already knew from her previous work that Leigh can build a world & characters so well, but she made Alex her own edgy self. Alex is relatable but she also has that hard life living that not everyone experiences. She's her own person & she really grows throughout the book. I'd recommend Ninth House to anyone who wants a twisted murder mystery with some magic thrown in. 😜 I can't wait to see where Leigh goes with this series! I think we'll have to wait a few years before we get book #2 but that's okay with me. Good things come to those who wait right? 🤷

Order Ninth House Below: 

Amazon | Google Play | BN | Apple Books | Kobo | Leigh's Website

Other Links:

Blog Post: New Author Alert: Leigh Bardugo & the Grishaverse

Blog Post: Book Promo: Ninth House is Live!!

Book Promo: Ninth House is Live!!

Ninth House

By: Leigh Bardugo

Alex Stern Book #1

Galaxy “Alex” Stern is the most unlikely member of Yale’s freshman class. Raised in the Los Angeles hinterlands by a hippie mom, Alex dropped out of school early and into a world of shady drug dealer boyfriends, dead-end jobs, and much, much worse. By age twenty, in fact, she is the sole survivor of a horrific, unsolved multiple homicide. Some might say she’s thrown her life away. But at her hospital bed, Alex is offered a second chance: to attend one of the world’s most elite universities on a full ride. What’s the catch, and why her?

Still searching for answers to this herself, Alex arrives in New Haven tasked by her mysterious benefactors with monitoring the activities of Yale’s secret societies. These eight windowless “tombs” are well-known to be haunts of the future rich and powerful, from high-ranking politicos to Wall Street and Hollywood’s biggest players. But their occult activities are revealed to be more sinister and more extraordinary than any paranoid imagination might conceive.

This is Leigh's first adult novel and I couldn't be more excited to read it. She is touring for this book and I was fortunate enough to get a ticket for her stop in St. Louis, Missouri!!! I will definitely be writing about my experience there and how it relates to my Sarah J. Maas book tour. I'll post related links down below. Go out and check out the book and who knows maybe a stop near you has tickets available still😉

Related Links:

New Author Alert: Leigh Bardugo & the Grishaverse

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Kobo

Leigh's Tour Dates/Locations/Tickets

About the Author:

Leigh Bardugo is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of fantasy novels and the creator of the Grishaverse. With over one million copies sold, her Grishaverse spans the Shadow and Bone Trilogy, the Six of Crows Duology, and The Language of Thorns— with more to come. Her short stories can be found in multiple anthologies, including The Best of Tor.com and the Best American Science Fiction & Fantasy. Her other works include Wonder Woman: Warbringer, and the forthcoming Ninth House. Leigh was born in Jerusalem, grew up in Southern California, graduated from Yale University, and has worked in advertising, journalism, and even makeup and special effects. These days, she lives and writes in Los Angeles, where she can occasionally be heard singing with her band.

Website | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr

New Author Alert: Leigh Bardugo & the Grishaverse

I've been writing a lot of posts about romance books and I want to bring it back to my original favorite genre, fantasy. The author I'm going to introduce today has been around awhile. I just read one of her books about a two years ago. That book was, Six of Crows (Duology). However, I didn't realize the trilogy, Shadow & Bone, was the predecessor to the Six of Crows books. I'm going to share my thoughts on the books I've read by Leigh. I'll also share the links to Leigh's information and her books. 

To  start, I feel it's best to set the layout of Leigh's world, the Grishaverse. The Grishaverse is the lavish fantasy world in which science and magic collide. Established in Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone Trilogy and further expanded in the Six of Crows Duology and the The Language of Thorns, the Grishaverse is home to your favorite characters from Ravka, Ketterdam, and more! (pulled from Leigh's website) The Shadow and Bone Trilogy is set in Ravka and the Six of Crows Duology is set in Ketterdam, two countries within the Grishaverse. Six of Crows begins two years after the events of the final book in the Shadow and Bone trilogy. Some intrepid characters appear in both series. There is NOT a set reading order for the Grishaverse. You can read either series without the other and still understand the story-lines. I wish I would've read the Shadow & Bone trilogy first just so I could better understand the Grisha characters background. Also, King of Scars should be read after Shadow & Bone trilogy because it gives details into Nikolai's past.

Shadow & Bone Trilogy

Note: You can buy a bundle of all 3 books on kindle for $19.89. Link here

Book One: Shadow & Bone 

Soldier. Summoner. Saint. Orphaned and expendable, Alina Starkov is a soldier who knows she may not survive her first trek across the Shadow Fold—a swath of unnatural darkness crawling with monsters. But when her regiment is attacked, Alina unleashes dormant magic not even she knew she possessed.

Now Alina will enter a lavish world of royalty and intrigue as she trains with the Grisha, her country’s magical military elite—and falls under the spell of their notorious leader, the Darkling. He believes Alina can summon a force capable of destroying the Shadow Fold and reuniting their war-ravaged country, but only if she can master her untamed gift.

As the threat to the kingdom mounts and Alina unlocks the secrets of her past, she will make a dangerous discovery that could threaten all she loves and the very future of a nation.

Welcome to Ravka . . . a world of science and superstition where nothing is what it seems.

I really enjoyed book 1. I liked finding out the history of Grisha and seeing Alina try to figure out her powers. I liked the Darkling even if he was sketchy at times. I'm sad we lose some quality Alina and Mal time, but don't worry that doesn't last long 😉 Shadow & Bone really sets the bar high for this series. I was craving more after I finished this.

Book Two: Siege & Storm

Soldier. Summoner. Saint. Alina Starkov’s power has grown, but not without a price. She is the Sun Summoner—hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Shadow Fold. But she and Mal can’t outrun their enemies for long.

The Darkling is more determined than ever to claim Alina’s magic and use it to take the Ravkan throne. With nowhere else to turn, Alina enlists the help of an infamous privateer and sets out to lead the Grisha army.

But as the truth of Alina's destiny unfolds, she slips deeper into the Darkling’s deadly game of forbidden magic, and further away from her humanity. To save her country, Alina will have to choose between her power and the love she thought would always be her shelter. No victory can come without sacrifice—and only she can face the oncoming storm.

Well, this book was a bit of a slower read for me. Spending a majority of the time looking for the amplifiers. I don't know I just felt like it was very repetitive. I still enjoyed the book and couldn't wait to start the last one, but it just took me awhile to finish Siege & Storm. 

Book Three: Ruin & Rising

Soldier. Summoner. Saint. The nation’s fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army.

The Darkling rules from his shadow throne while a weakened Alina Starkov recovers from their battle under the dubious protection of the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Now her hopes lie with the magic of a long-vanished ancient creature and the chance that an outlaw prince still survives.

As her allies and enemies race toward war, only Alina stands between her country and a rising tide of darkness that could destroy the world. To win this fight, she must seize a legend’s power—but claiming the firebird may be her ruin.

Amazing. The concluding novel kept me on the edge of my seat the majority of the time I read it. Compared to book 2 this one ramped up and stayed there. I loved every second of this book. Mal & Alina make me happy. I love Nikolai. I loved everything about this. I can't wait for Nikolai's story. 

Six of Crows Duology

Note: You can buy the two books together on amazon for $15.60. Link here

Book One: Six of Crows

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone. . . .

A convict with a thirst for revenge.
A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager.
A runaway with a privileged past.
A spy known as the Wraith.
A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums.
A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.

Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz's crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first.

This book starts out a bit dry, but it picks up speed quickly. I finished this book before Crooked Kingdom was release and I lost track of the series until recently. I do wonder, if the beginning wouldn't have felt so dry, if I'd have read the Shadow & Bone trilogy first. Just a thought, I'm not sure that's the case, but it could be true. I'm going to re-read this series before I start Crooked Kingdom. I might give a more detailed response to the story then. I do know that I loved Kaz and I was sad to finish this book without book 2 being ready. That is not the case anymore 😉

Book Two: Crooked Kingdom

Kaz Brekker and his crew have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn't think they'd survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they're right back to fighting for their lives. Double-crossed and badly weakened, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz's cunning and test the team's fragile loyalties. A war will be waged on the city's dark and twisting streets—a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of the Grisha world.

I have not read this book yet. It is on my TBR read. I will give an updated review once I've finished the book 😊

Nikolai Duology

This series is set to take place after the Shadow & Bone Trilogy ended & encompasses all the characters in the Grishaverse. 

Book One: King of Scars

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.

I have not read this book yet. It is on my TBR read. I will give an updated review once I've finished the book 😊

Book Two: TBD.

NONE GRISHAVERSE RELATED:

Ninth House

This book is not part of the Grishaverse. I am SO excited for this book to be released! It's set to release October 8, 2019. Preorder here

Galaxy “Alex” Stern is the most unlikely member of Yale’s freshman class. Raised in the Los Angeles hinterlands by a hippie mom, Alex dropped out of school early and into a world of shady drug dealer boyfriends, dead-end jobs, and much, much worse. By age twenty, in fact, she is the sole survivor of a horrific, unsolved multiple homicide. Some might say she’s thrown her life away. But at her hospital bed, Alex is offered a second chance: to attend one of the world’s most elite universities on a full ride. What’s the catch, and why her?

Still searching for answers to this herself, Alex arrives in New Haven tasked by her mysterious benefactors with monitoring the activities of Yale’s secret societies. These eight windowless “tombs” are well-known to be haunts of the future rich and powerful, from high-ranking politicos to Wall Street and Hollywood’s biggest players. But their occult activities are revealed to be more sinister and more extraordinary than any paranoid imagination might conceive.

About the Author:

Leigh Bardugo is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of fantasy novels and the creator of the Grishaverse. With over one million copies sold, her Grishaverse spans the Shadow and Bone Trilogy, the Six of Crows Duology, and The Language of Thorns— with more to come. Her short stories can be found in multiple anthologies, including The Best of Tor.com and the Best American Science Fiction & Fantasy. Her other works include Wonder Woman: Warbringer, and the forthcoming Ninth House. Leigh was born in Jerusalem, grew up in Southern California, graduated from Yale University, and has worked in advertising, journalism, and even makeup and special effects. These days, she lives and writes in Los Angeles, where she can occasionally be heard singing with her band.

Website | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr