Book Review: A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses #1) by Sarah J. Maas

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.
As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.
Perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and George R. R. Martin, this first book in a sexy and action-packed new series is impossible to put down!

I can not tell you how excited I was when I found out that Sarah J. Maas was publishing a Beauty and the Beast retelling. 
I was really, really excited.
The story was great and a new twist on a classic tale that has not already been done before. I was apprehensive when I read that the "Beast" was faerie. I don't like to read faerie/fairy/fey novels anymore. Too many in my earlier years and they end up making me angry at Tinkerbell. Can't have that. This book did that genre a great service. 
It wasn't what I was expecting at all but it was still a really great story. The plot takes a little time to get going and once it does, it doesn't let go. I actually liked the end a lot better than the beginning. I can see how the series might go and I'm excited for it. 
But damn, that plot twist. If only you said something, girl. If only.

While I did not enjoy this book as much as her Throne of Glass books, it's definitely worth a try if you're a fan of Sarah J. Maas. Her writing is so magnificent. Regardless of the plot. It's the plot that got me on this one but I love her writing. 
I will probably be reading the next one when that comes out. It'll be exciting and interesting that's for sure. 

Read: May 2015
My Rating: 4 stars / 5 stars

Book Review: Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

Lost and broken, Celaena Sardothien’s only thought is to avenge the savage death of her dearest friend: as the King of Adarlan’s Assassin, she is bound to serve this tyrant, but he will pay for what he did. Any hope Celaena has of destroying the king lies in answers to be found in Wendlyn. Sacrificing his future, Chaol, the Captain of the King’s Guard, has sent Celaena there to protect her, but her darkest demons lay in that same place. If she can overcome them, she will be Adarlan’s biggest threat – and his own toughest enemy. 
While Celaena learns of her true destiny, and the eyes of Erilea are on Wendlyn, a brutal and beastly force is preparing to take to the skies. Will Celaena find the strength not only to win her own battles, but to fight a war that could pit her loyalties to her own people against those she has grown to love?

I regret starting this series. 
Regret as in, It's-really-good-and-now-I've-caught-up-to-all-the-published-books-and-have-to-wait-until-September-until-the-next-one.
This was so good. Better than the last ones; and that's saying something. It was also horrible. The ending was horrible. My heart might as well have been chopped up and blended with my tears and that would've been less painful. 
I'm so excited. Each book builds more to what will happen while adding more to each character. 
It took a while to get used to all the different POVs this time. There was at least 5-ish? I didn't really like the witch's story in the beginning but grew to really like it in time. Very How to Train Your Dragon-esque. Is that a spoiler? Sorry. Very curious how she'll play into the grand scheme.
Celaena has become my baby. I'm sorry if you hate it when people chose "babies" or call characters that, but I just love her so much. She has grown into a badass lady and I can't wait for her to kick ass and take names. Learning about her past and everything was so good and painful. Ugh. She's so strong. 
I absolutely adored her relationship with Rowan. It was real, strong and platonic. (Yes, you can have a boy and a girl in a strong relationship without any romance! Crazy, I know.) I just loved them together and I can't wait to see more of them.
THE ENDING. Goddamn. I'm even more upset about having to wait a long time for the next one after reading this than I was. Ugh. I'm still not over it. Won't be over it. All I can say is that I will eagerly await the ass kicking that will happen with relish. 
I'm going to buy all of the books and stare at them remembering how they tore out my heart. Also for their pretty covers. 
Would 100% recommend.

Read: March 2015
My Rating: 5 stars / 5 stars

Book Review: Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

"A line that should never be crossed is about to be breached.
It puts this entire castle in jeopardy—and the life of your friend."
From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul as black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown. She hides her secret vigilantly; she knows that the man she serves is bent on evil.
Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult when Celaena realizes she is not the only one seeking justice. As she tries to untangle the mysteries buried deep within the glass castle, her closest relationships suffer. It seems no one is above questioning her allegiances—not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a foreign princess with a rebel heart.
Then one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to give up the very thing most precious to her and decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie...and whom she is ultimately willing to fight for

Oh my.
I read Throne of Glass in July. Hah. Last year! But this didn't have to be read right after. It still follows the story but isn't so packed with information from the first one that leaves you trying to figure everything out. 
This is a really good story. I liked the first one but wasn't really gushing about how I love all the characters or anything. It's just a really good and well written story. 
In this one however, I've come to love the characters. I adore Celaena. She is such a badass and such a troubled soul. My heart broke because of everything she went through. Especially in this book. Why did you do what you did Sarah J. Maas? Why? Do you enjoy sipping on the tears of your readers? I didn't actually cry but I was sobbing on the inside. 
Ugh. All the angst in this one? And after I get the couple I want together. (I don't do "Teams" but, come on, you still root for a certain couple. But Celaena can take care of herself. I just want her to be happy. For once.) 
On that note: Chaol, just say "I understand". PLEASE. Ugh. Boys.
I really love Celaena. She's the heroine but she's so morally ambiguous. I love it. It kind of redefines what it means to be a hero and what makes a hero. Also the parallels between her and the king. I love it when hero and villain have parallels. It makes the balance between "good" and "evil" seem even more slim.
I'm surprised the media/hollywood hasn't gobbled this series up. I'm happy that they haven't destroyed them, but they're so good that they would normally be made into movies by now. They have the whole Game of Thrones vibe about them. Both in that it's a game of thrones and that it does what Game of Thrones does best. Then there's the "love triangle". Which is bull. Sort of. Both boys love her. She loves both boys. 
Obviously 10/10 would recommend. Seriously. Go read them now. I can't wait to read the next one. I'll be watching this series closely. 

Read: March 2015
My Rating: 5 stars / 5 stars