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.