Tag Archives: Cilff Hanger

A Court Of Thorns And Roses (Review By Kristiyan K. ’27)

A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #1)A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Prepare to be enchanted. Sarah J. Maas’ A Court of Thorns and Roses is more than just a book. It’s a lifestyle, a religion. A whirlwind of passion, danger, and unforgettable characters, this novel will leave your hands shaking, your heart pounding, and your mind reeling. You may think this is yet another corny romantasy book. Trust me, it’s not. It’s THE romantasy book.

From the moment Feyre, a fierce and independent young woman, is dragged into the magical faerie realm of Prythian, you’ll be hooked. As she navigates the dangerous politics and treacherous alliances of Prythian, Feyre must confront her own fears and desires while fighting for her freedom. Her journey is a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with heart-wrenching trials, exhilarating adventures, and a forbidden love story or two that will fill up your soul.

The writing is nothing short of exquisite. Maas paints a world so lyrical and evocative, you’ll feel like you’re right there, amidst the towering trees or the glittering halls of the Spring and Night Courts. The characters are complex, flawed, and utterly captivating. Feyre is a heroine you’ll root for, her strength and resilience shining through even in the darkest of times. The fantasy elements and world-building are equally impressive. Maas creates a rich and detailed world that is filled with fascinating creatures, ancient lore, and dangerous secrets. The action elements and fighting sequences are well-developed and add depth to the story, providing an interesting and fast-paced narrative. To truly immerse yourself within this magical world, I recommend reading the book with a fantasy book playlist. The music will enhance the experience and help you visualize the scenes even more vividly (Velaris has several songs inspired by it…).

But let’s talk about the real magic of this book: the romance. Oh, my goodness, the romance! It’s spicy, it’s passionate, and it’s everything. The enemies-to-lovers trope is executed to perfection, and the tension between Feyre and Tamlin will have you fanning yourself and muttering, “Oh la la.” And don’t even get me started on the plot twists (especially in the second book). These plot twists are canon events, and as such I cannot interfere… even though there is so much I want to write about….

Beyond the romance, the fantasy elements and side character arcs are equally amazing. The faerie politics are fascinating, and the magical creatures are both enchanting and terrifying. And let’s not forget about the lovable and hilarious side characters, like Rhysand, who’s a total dreamboat, and Cassian, who’s just… Cassian. You’ll know what I mean. Anyways, what I was getting at is that once you finish reading ACOTAR you’ll feel like a part of a big and happy family.

In conclusion, A Court of Thorns and Roses is an absolute must-read for any fan of fantasy, romance, or both, or neither. It’s a spicy, plot-twisting adventure that will leave you breathless. So grab your favorite beverage (be careful near the book), get comfy, and prepare to be enchanted. Just a warning: once you finish this book, you might find yourself experiencing a severe case of post-ACOTAR-depression; the next ten books you read will be dry as bricks. Trust me though, it’s totally worth it. This book/series is five stars for a reason!

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The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi (Review by Anika F. ’21)

The Gilded Wolves (The Gilded Wolves, #1)The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In an alternate 1800s France, six individuals must team up to pull off the heist of a lifetime. The thieves in question are a historian, an engineer, a performer, a gardener, and an old friend, all led by an angsty leader.

The setting is full of magic and wonder. Roshani Chokshi pulls from myths from all around the world to build a rich environment: There are references to the Bible, Greek mythology, Persian stories, and Indian deities. The words themselves are also full of magic: “History is a myth shaped by the tongues of conquerors.” Atmospheric settings and writing are not necessarily for all readers, but the lush story really worked for me.

While the plot did feel convenient at times, the success of the book came not from the events that occurred, but rather from the characters. Six characters is a lot of one book to flesh out, but this one managed to make all of them have compelling stories and character arcs. Severin, the group’s leader, struggles with wanting revenge for a lost inheritance and also wanting to protect the members of his team. Hypnos (the old friend) and Severin both struggle with being mixed-race in a society that sees whiteness as paramount. Enrique (the historian) sees parallels to his Filipino heritage and the Spanish colonization of his people. Zofia (the engineer) learns to understand how emotions work as she feels more at home with chemical reactions than with life forms. Tristan (the gardener) looks up to Severin, but is reluctant to go on any heists. And Laila (the performer), has a secret: She’s not a “normal” girl, and in the next few months, she will die.

This book has been heavily compared to Leigh Bardugo’s Six of Crows, and while the idea of having to steal something is the same, the execution is completely different. Six of Crows relies on a magic system that gives certain people (the grisha) special powers. The Gilded Wolves, however, uses logic and problem solving to complete the heist. What stood out to me is how the historian and the engineer work together to solve the puzzles. In an increasingly STEM vs humanities/social sciences world, having these two rely on each other to solve problems was so refreshing.

And if I haven’t convinced you to read this yet, the sequel The Silvered Serpents came out in late 2020, and the third book The Bronzed Beasts comes out in September 2021! —Review by Anika F. ’21

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He Started It by Samantha Downing (Review by Anika F. ’21)

He Started ItHe Started It by Samantha Downing
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

October has officially begun, and it is finally socially acceptable to start sharing some mystery, thriller, and horror reads. To begin, here is a 2020 release: He Started It, by Samantha Downing, tells the recreation of a childhood road trip by adult siblings Eddie, Beth, and Portia, as instructed by their grandfather’s will. Although they oblige, their relationships reveal avarice, family tensions, and ongoing conflicts as the storyline progresses with the trip.

Personally, I have a criteria when it comes to thrillers. Firstly, and most importantly, the ending needs to be satisfying and make sense based off of the clues revealed along the way. Secondly, the plot leading up to the final twist needs to be captivating enough to hold my interest, maybe through small turns here and there that can introduce some shock value. And if I ever feel like putting the book down mid-read, it is not a good sign.

For these reasons, He Started It truly disappointed me. The events leading up to the final reveal were honestly underwhelming. I thought the ending might save the storyline, but once I reached it, I found myself slightly annoyed. The book provided me no way to piece together the preceding events and how each scene led to the resolution. Nothing made sense.

If you have the time to spare, I suppose you could give it a try. But if not, sit this one out and pick up My Lovely Wife, another one Samantha Downing’s works that will definitely be more worth your time. —Review by Anika. F ’21

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