Her Majesty’s Dragon - Naomi Novik (Temeraire #1)

Book: Her Majesty’s Dragon/Temeraire (UK)

Author: Naomi Novik

Releasedate: 28th of March, 2006

I already owned the UK version of Temeraire in my bookcase, but I hadn’t gotten around it yet to read it when a coworker offered me the whole series for my bookcase. So I am the proud owner of the first book in the UK version as well as the regular, lol. So it was for me quite confusing when I found out that there were two titles for the same first book. 

Anyway! 

I do love books with dragons! So when I found out that this particular story sets place in the time of Napoleon, I was definitely intrigued. Usually you find them in fantasy stories and definitely fantasy settings, but to create a world in a time we are familiar with, that is quite something. Because how would you shape the world when you have dragons around?

I really like that take she used for it and the fact that dragons have their own intelligence and manners! It’s really cool! I kept being hyped through the book and kept telling my husband (who adores dragons more than I do) that he should really read it too! 

I’ve read several books of Naomi by now and as always, her writing style is amazing. The amount of work she put into the details and worldbuilding is absolutely great! 

So if you love dragons and historical stories, you definitely should start reading this series! 

Lost in Snowy Valley - Heather Trim

Book: Lost in Snowy Valley 

Author: Heather Trim

Releasedate: 9th of November, 2023

Twelve-year-old Via has been diagnosed with severe scoliosis and forced to wear a back brace and seeks comfort in her family's ceramic Christmas village. But she notices something is missing—her favorite figurine. 
Either by miracle or magic, Via and her mother are suddenly transported into the Victorian Christmas village on a journey of self-discovery. Along the way, she realizes that it's not only the figurine that was lost, but a part of herself that can only be found in the enchanting world of Snowy Valley. 

Oh boy. If you want to get in the mood for Christmas with a heartwarming and heartfelt story, then this is your go to this Christmas. 

The story is very suitable to read with younger children as well, but it’s also entertaining for the teens and older if you like a feelgood story.

Heathers writing style is easy going and she paints the picture just perfectly. You almost feel like you’re there in the story with Via and her mother. I love the tiny details she has put in the story for the Victorian time. I do have a soft spot for Victorian stories, so she had me there. Heather does have the talent to make people feel what the main character is feeling and you get why Via thinks how she thinks. 

It’s not a superlong story, so you can easily read it with an afternoon, a cup of tea and a blanket!

Uprooted - Naomi Novik

Book: Uprooted

Author: Naomi Novik

Releasedate: May 19, 2015

“Our Dragon doesn’t eat the girls he takes, no matter what stories they tell outside our valley. We hear them sometimes, from travelers passing through. They talk as though we were doing human sacrifice, and he were a real dragon. Of course that’s not true: he may be a wizard and immortal, but he’s still a man, and our fathers would band together and kill him if he wanted to eat one of us every ten years. He protects us against the Wood, and we’re grateful, but not that grateful.”

Agnieszka loves her valley home, her quiet village, the forests and the bright shining river. But the corrupted Wood stands on the border, full of malevolent power, and its shadow lies over her life.

Her people rely on the cold, driven wizard known only as the Dragon to keep its powers at bay. But he demands a terrible price for his help: one young woman handed over to serve him for ten years, a fate almost as terrible as falling to the Wood.

The next choosing is fast approaching, and Agnieszka is afraid. She knows—everyone knows—that the Dragon will take Kasia: beautiful, graceful, brave Kasia, all the things Agnieszka isn’t, and her dearest friend in the world. And there is no way to save her.

But Agnieszka fears the wrong things. For when the Dragon comes, it is not Kasia he will choose.

———

Having read the Scholomance series by Naomi, I just know her writing style is amazeballs, so I knew this had to be good. Let’s say that this book is definitely not what you think it will be, because you keep waiting for something else to happen and it doesn’t happen, lol. Instead it takes you unto this really gorgeous and horrifying storyline. Everything is not what it seems to be and that’s okay. You think you know everything when you start reading, but you don’t, because there is so much more at play and I really love the way the story unfolds on itself and Naomi did a splendid job taking you along her path with this story. I do love a good standalone book from time to time and she did an amazing job at it! 

5/5 

Once Upon a Broken Heart - Stephanie Garber

Book: Once Upon a Broken Heart

Author: Stephanie Garber 

Releasedate: September 28, 2021

For as long as she can remember, Evangeline Fox has believed in true love and happy endings... until she learns that the love of her life will marry another.

Desperate to stop the wedding and to heal her wounded heart, Evangeline strikes a deal with the charismatic but wicked Prince of Hearts. In exchange for his help, he asks for three kisses, to be given at the time and place of his choosing. 

But after Evangeline’s first promised kiss, she learns that bargaining with an immortal is a dangerous game—and that the Prince of Hearts wants far more from her than she’d pledged. He has plans for Evangeline, plans that will either end in the greatest happily ever after or the most exquisite tragedy...

When I picked up this book I was like ‘This looks really pink and very cheesy, so it must be cheesy’.

Never judge a book by it’s cover, because I totally loved this one. Every time when you think ‘This must be happening now’ it doesn’t. In a good way, so the entire story is not predictable! And I find that a true artform if you are able to surprise your reader with your story.

I’m sad that it has a sequel, because I only found that out when I was finished reading and my TBR is way too big at the moment, so I can’t wait when I can read the next book. I want it on paperback, because books that deserve to be this good, get a spot in my bookcase. 

5/5! 

A Game of Thrones - G.R.R. Martin

Book: A Game of Thrones (a Song of Ice and Fire #1)

Author: George R.R. Martin

Releasedate: August 6, 1996

It was about time that I started reading this series. I’ve been very hesitant, knowing that there are still some books that need to come out. I mean, I’ve seen the tv-series. You immediately notice when the books aren’t there anymore to support the storyline. I totally get it why people are extremely miffed with the last two seasons. 

But we’re not talking about the tv-series. *inhale, exhale* Lol.

But I tried reading the first book a while ago before I saw the tv-series and I got totally lost with all the characters and their storylines. There are SO many! 

So I decided to watch the tv-series first and that totally helped me visualize the setting within the book. Yes, there are some differences with the story in the book and in the tv-series, but that’s logical. It happens. 

Not everyone’s storyline I found interesting to read, but I loved the Daenerys storyline and it made me realize so much more for her in her situation, that was really cool to discover. The book gives so much more depth to the situation (as it mostly always does), but it was good to read nonetheless. 

I disliked the storyline with Robb the most, because I don’t care much for warfare. I found it rather tedious. 

I really think they did a great job in casting said characters in the book. I could totally picture most of them in their respective roles. Sansa’s haircolor being totally different though. But that’s fine.

George’s writing style does tend to paint a pretty picture once you get the hang of the storyline. I was quite frankly quite intimidated the first time. I got scared out of reading it. 

So, despite me taking my sweet time starting to read it, I liked it nonetheless.

So a 4/5 score for me!

Book: Summer’s Runaway 

Author: Rebecca L. Marsh

Releasedate: April 2023

Once again Rebecca managed to get inside my head. I love the way she’s able to make this book feel like a stand alone. It’s technically the next book after Where Hope Is Found, but you can easily read it without reading the first book. For me it helped to know what characters were being portrayed in the book, but no worries if you haven’t read it!

Rebecca’s writing style is easygoing and it doesn’t take much effort to get into the story. It really isn’t hard to imagine where the main character is and after a while, what’s she’s been through. 

I experienced all sorts of emotions again, I mean, Rebecca has a knack for it to make you feel things you don’t want to, haha. But she manages it nevertheless. I was absolutely able to picture the situations happening on the island and I felt miffed, sad, enraged, happy for what happened there. It’s quite a thing to get inside a teenager’s head. Heck, if I’m looking at my teenagers I’m like ‘What dustball has settled in your brain? I have no idea’. Teenagers do stupid things and Rebecca mastered the ability to let you share in those teenager feelings. As a grown-up you can poke through those feelings, because we see them for what they are. I almost felt as if I was jammering against my own teenager. “Whyyyyy would you do that…” 

And that’s quite a feat not everyone can master. 

Summer’s Runaway isn’t your standard happy go lucky book, but if you stick until the end, you will be rewarded! 

Heartless - Marissa Meyer

 

Book: Heartless

Author: Marissa Meyer

Releasedate: 8th of November, 2016

This is absolutely one of my favorite novels by Marissa Meyer. I’ve read it twice so far and won’t hesitate to pick it up again.

This is not your average fairytale with a happily ever after, but it’s so so good. It’s an origin story of the Queen of Hearts and it is a heartbreaking story of how she became the Queen of Hearts. You really can’t imagine her when you get to know her at first, but once the story progresses, you see why she is who she ended up to be. 

She manages to make the fairytale original without the expected outcomes and why does stuff happen like this. You really want her to succeed in her dreams and get your heart crushed alongside hers when it doesn’t. 

I really don’t want to spoil anything for you to read, but if you like a story that is really good, but doesn’t necessarily come with a happy ending, then this is your go to. It is amazeballs.

5/5

Cursed - Marissa Meyer

Book: Cursed (Gilded #2)

Author: Marissa Meyer

Releasedate: 8th of November, 2022

Oh my word… I LOVED this book. It was so hard for me to put it down! I got it for Christmas from a friend, because I had Gilded on my e-reader and I just had to have the second book in my hands. I might even still purchase Gilded #1 to have it in my bookcase.

Marissa manages to make a whole new fairytale based on a tale as old as times. And she does it with absolute flourish. If there is one thing I find rather dull in books and movies, is when it gets predictable. And I had no moments at all during this book when it got predictable. Heck, I didn’t even know if the story was going to end well! I’ve read her Heartless two times over and you don’t know with her if there even is a happily ever after. (I just noticed to my horror that I haven’t reviewed Heartless yet. Shocker… *puts it on to do list*)

It’s dark, it’s enticing, it’s horrifying and I cried so hard during this book. I snuck several moments in the day to be able to read it and I still kept busy with it in my head when I wasn’t reading it. It’s so good! An absolute must read! 

5/5 

The Lost Girls of Paris - Pam Jenoff

Book: The Lost Girls of Paris

Author: Pam Jenoff

Releasedate: 29th of January, 2019

My sister borrowed me this book and I am glad she did! I read this one pretty quickly, because I could hardly put it down. I was too curious how the story would proceed.

Since it places itself in WWII, you already sort of know what happened. But Pam manages to place you there in the story, with the girls. 

I do love the way the story flows between the characters and it eventually comes all together in a very satisfying ending. 

This book gives me the chills to experience some of the horrors that happened during WWII and it really intrigued me how they managed to disrupt the Germans. Pam isn’t shy to leave the details out about how gruesome it was and I respect her for that. 

So, if you like history and want something that is easy to read and yet tough to accept, this is your go to! 

Ready Player Two - Ernest Cline

 

Book: Ready Player Two

Author: Ernest Cline

Releasedate: 24th of November, 2020

To be brutally honest; that was underwhelming. I just loved LOVED the first book with all it’s quirks and references and the way the story build up to the climax. It was amazeballs.

But this? It was so predictable in so many ways. I mean, I yelled Swordt Art Online before it even was a thought on the page it seems. The story on itself is slow, it really takes so much time (too much time?) to get into the story itself. And once there is a quest there are so many problems presented. It almost felt political. And me, as a nerd and gamer, I was underwhelmed. And a tad disappointed. I had no idea what story the second book would be. I always get into a book with an open mind to see what happens. But this one was filled with unnecessary cliches. 

I mean, it feels really weird that after all Wade had done in the first book. Find all the Easter Eggs, he gets another one! Was that suffering not enough already? Can’t he just be in peace? It’s such a contrast to the ending of the first book and it feels not in place. You could read it for the additional lore in the world, but I think I would’ve been perfectly happy if we only had Ready Player one. 

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

 

Book: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

Author: Suzanne Collins

Releasedate: May 19, 2020

Well, who hasn’t heard of the Hunger Games? I’ve read the Hunger Games series at least 2 times now and have seen the movies at least 3 times. I just really love that world and I might start rereading again once my TBR pile is slowly depleting. Haha, who am I kidding?

This is the origin story of Coriolanus Snow and when you meet him at first and you compare him with the President Snow we know from the Hunger Games, you can hardly see the resemblance between the two. Coriolanus is going to mentor the female tribute from District 12. And as you know, that’s the same district Katniss comes from. The lowest of the low. How is he ever going to make that girl win? 

I just love the fact that this is an origing story and throughout the tale you see him develop into slowly but surely the Snow we come to know so many years later. It has slight nudges and winks to the Hunger Games series if you’ve paid attention to the details and I like that. It’s not pompous and the story definitely feels like it’s set so many years before. Different tech, despite it’s in our future, but Suzanne still made it count.

I can’t wait to see what they’ve made of the movie! 

The Golden Enclaves - Naomi Novik

 

Book: The Golden Enclaves (Scholomance #3)

Author: Naomi Novik

Releasedate: 27th of September, 2022

If you’ve read the first two books. That really was just an apetizer for what is coming your way in book three. I was so so curious how the story would proceed after book two and I was really miffed when my package got lost in the mail and I received a substitute a week after it was released *sob*. 

Needless to say; I devoured the book like a mawmouth within a few days. It was so good! And horrendous, and confusing, and eyeopening, and amazing. All the feels. And if you look back at the two previous books when you’ve read this one, it explains so much. And it really makes you think what choice you would’ve made if you were in their shoes. It’s so so good. I mean, they managed to get out of the school and then what? Well, that answer is pretty quickly present in the story and then you’re like ‘ooooh, that’s what’s next!’. 

The third installment is a very good ending to an awesome series without feeling rushed or unfinished business. I was surprised a certain person resurfaced pretty easily, but it all fitted in the story in the end. 

I urged my husband to read this book as soon as possible, because I really needed someone to talk about it once I finished it. Lol. Naomi really gave food for thought with this one. 

So, if you are still doubting to start this series; just do it. Naomi’s books are so imaginative and very submersive. I could hardly put the book down. And did I mention how shiny the cover is in paperback? No? It’s so shiny! 

The Last Graduate - Naomi Novik

 

Book: The Last Graduate (Scholomance #2)

Author: Naomi Novik

Releasedate: 28th of September, 2021

Oh man, I loved the first book and I really do love the second. In the first book a whole plan arises and it comes to bloom in the second and it is awesome to behold what happens. I am really trying to be as spoilerless as possible, but if you’ve already read the first one, you really were waiting for the second one. 

I hated the ending, because when I read this, the third book wasn’t out yet, by far. I bought this one in the pre-order and read it asap. And maaaan, the wait was long. It ends with a huge cliffhanger and it has this epic feel throughout the story. I mean, El and Orion are such a cool match to see. And I just love that the Scholomance itself is ‘alive” and so willing to participate in whatever scheme Galadriel is throwing herself in. I am really fascinated by the magic system and I really feel for El that she doesn’t want to go to the dark side, despite the fact that her skills would definitely suit her. The universe is technically screaming at her to become a maleficer, but no, she won’t succumb and I admire her for that. 

And by the way, have you noticed the freaking creepy monsters that lurk there? I mean, a mawmouth just sounds horrendous! Brrr. I definitely understand why the parents send their kids to the Scholomance if they can. But man, that’s just nasty stuff.  

A Deadly Education - Naomi Novik

 

Book: A Deadly Education (Scholomance #1)

Author: Naomi Novik

Releasedate: September 29, 2020

A friend of mine recommended this book and once I read the teaser I was intrigued, so when I came across it in our local bookstore, I brought it along.

Well, first and foremost. Naomi’s writing is so easy and vivid to read. I actually read this one in just a few days. And with my current energylevels and time to read, that says a lot. If I had a whole day where I could read a book, it would definitely be this one.

The magic system is as far as I can tell pretty unique. The way the world works with malia and mana is really cool and the fact that you are born with an affinity for certain magic skills is very neat. 

I do love the main character. Most heroines are very insecure and most likely a sort of damsel in distress. Well, Galadriel isn’t. She’s not your regular loner, but I can really feel why she is alone and it’s really cool to see how she develops throughout the story. I really, really like this book and will most definitely read it again! 

House of Sky and Breath - Sarah J. Maas

 

Book: House of Sky and Breath (Crescent City #2)

Author: Sarah J. Maas 

Releasedate: 15th of February, 2022

OH… MY … SOCKS… 

I wrote that I wasn’t very enthusiastic about the first book in this series, but second one has blown me away!

I mean, I even coerced my husband to start reading the books so I can squeal with him over the ending of this book. 

I was much more invested in this story then I was in the first one. It felt like it finally fell into place and it was much easier for me to read instead of getting lost in the infodump. None of that was really needed now. 

It was sligthly daunting for me to start this book, because I was so underwhelmed by the start of the first book, but it was totally worth it getting into it. The books are one of the thickest on my bookshelves, but you really need all the pages for the story. It was quite a heavy book to take with me on the subway, lol, And I even have the hardcover so that’s extra weight and mass. But I didn’t regret it and I read it pretty quickly. Sarah’s writing style is so easy to read. I was surprised in the first book and the second with all the profanity, but given that this isn’t YA anymore, I guess that suits the purpose for the story.

If you are planning on reading this series, I highly recommend that you read the Actorar series first and possibly even the Throne of Glass series as well, because there is a big plan afoot in Sarah’s worlds and you want to be there to see it unfold! 

House of Earth and Blood - Sarah J. Maas

 

Book: House of Earth and Blood

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Releasedate: 3rd of March, 2020

Oh boy. I really love the books Sarah writes but this one really took me way to long to get into. I even made a post in our facebook group looking for support on how to get into this book. 

And people kept telling me “Read on, it will get better!” 

And it did, fortunately.

When you start this book, prepared to get infodumped. I really was lost at the start at so many new locations and people that it almost was to much for me. Heck, I still haven’t properly read the Game of Thrones series because of all the POI switching. 

But okay, I kept reading on and I quite liked the book. I still love the Acotar series more then this book, but it was okay for me. Maybe if I read it a second time, it will be better now I know the personas and what happens next. 

I do like the modern day worldbuilding in a world filled with Fae though. I mean, they have cellphones and watch Sunball games on big screen tv’s. That’s really cool. The magic in the story doesn’t feel obsolete, but it enhances each other and I think that’s a really cool job that Sarah did there. 

So, on to number 2! 

Crooked Kingdom - Leigh Bardugo

 

Book: Crooked Kingdom (#2 Six of Crows)

Author: Leigh Bardugo

Releasedate: September 27, 2016

If you liked the first book, you are definitely going to love the second book. For me, this story had so much more depth then the first one and it was a real joy to see how everything unfolds in the story. We also get to see more of Kaz’s mind and why he is like he is and you almost get the shivers for him for what happened to him.

The ending is really satisfying, but throughout the story you are constantly wondering if everything is going to be allright. Because sometimes things won’t be allright and that’s allright in itself. 

You really feel anxious for what happens in the story and it all seems to be a big mindfuck until you understand it all. And that really had an Ocean’s Eleven feel to it for me. 

This book was a nominee for best YA Fantasy back in 2016 and I can totally understand that. It still has it’s darkness and it’s plots and twist and I really do like that! 

Six of Crows - Leigh Bardugo

 

Book: Six of Crows

Author: Leigh Bardugo

Releasedate: September 29, 2015

Well, the recommendation to read this book came from quite a weird place. I really love playing Guild Wars 2 and I saw someone there with a name that resembled one of the characters in the Throne of Glass series of Sarah J. Maas. (I’ve read those too also in the past, all of them are in my bookcase!)

We started talking and she recommended me this book with it’s successor as well. So, I still had some birthday money left and ordered them. They have a pretty spot in my bookcase now.

Okay, remember Ocean’s Eleven? It’s like that and nothing like that at all. It’s fantasy, dark and brutal. You get to know several characters in the story and whereas I was afraid it was going to be a multi person story with several storylines, it wasn’t that bad at all. The story flows with the different characters and just shows you different point of views. 

I really like the way the Grisha work in this world and I find it fascinating how Leigh made it so human still. Kaz is a really intriguing person to follow and you never quite know what’s going on in that dark head of his. The story is daring, exciting and thrilling. And I really like the scenery because it’s mostly Dutch inspired (however some of the names elude me why those were chosen as “Dutch”), but hey, it was pretty well executed. It’s really weird for me to read Dutch names in an English story, so my head was switching back and forth to Dutch and English, but that didn’t bother me. 

Leigh’s storytelling is a hard to put down kinda style and it reads very easily. So, if you like dark, brooding and a criminal mastermind, I’d definitely recommend reading this one!