Hello, dears! Coming back from this hibernation feels good! I had some very good books which I enjoyed during the little free time I had during quarantine (working from home is hell), so I finally found the chance to share them with you! Some span months back but with some recent amazing developments (especially in the Grishaverse), I felt like it was finally time!
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Summary from GoodReads
The Grishaverse will be coming to Netflix soon with Shadow and Bone, an original series!
The wolves are circling and a young king will face his greatest challenge in the explosive finale of the instant #1 New York Times-bestselling King of Scars Duology.
The Demon King. As Fjerda's massive army prepares to invade, Nikolai Lantsov will summon every bit of his ingenuity and charm—and even the monster within—to win this fight. But a dark threat looms that cannot be defeated by a young king's gift for the impossible.
The Stormwitch. Zoya Nazyalensky has lost too much to war. She saw her mentor die and her worst enemy resurrected, and she refuses to bury another friend. Now duty demands she embrace her powers to become the weapon her country needs. No matter the cost.
The Queen of Mourning. Deep undercover, Nina Zenik risks discovery and death as she wages war on Fjerda from inside its capital. But her desire for revenge may cost her country its chance at freedom and Nina the chance to heal her grieving heart.
King. General. Spy. Together they must find a way to forge a future in the darkness. Or watch a nation fall.
The wolves are circling and a young king will face his greatest challenge in the explosive finale of the instant #1 New York Times-bestselling King of Scars Duology.
The Demon King. As Fjerda's massive army prepares to invade, Nikolai Lantsov will summon every bit of his ingenuity and charm—and even the monster within—to win this fight. But a dark threat looms that cannot be defeated by a young king's gift for the impossible.
The Stormwitch. Zoya Nazyalensky has lost too much to war. She saw her mentor die and her worst enemy resurrected, and she refuses to bury another friend. Now duty demands she embrace her powers to become the weapon her country needs. No matter the cost.
The Queen of Mourning. Deep undercover, Nina Zenik risks discovery and death as she wages war on Fjerda from inside its capital. But her desire for revenge may cost her country its chance at freedom and Nina the chance to heal her grieving heart.
King. General. Spy. Together they must find a way to forge a future in the darkness. Or watch a nation fall.
BUY ON
REVIEW
Fun fact: I had finished this book before the Shadow and Bone release on Netflix. The book was a rollercoaster of emotional action and everything I love in Leigh's writing. Knowing that this was also Nikolai's book along with the cameos of many characters AND that ending that followed when I finally got to the Netflix series I was a giddy mess of feels...especially for Ben Barnes.
The book continues from where we were left off. Nikolai and Zoya have many open war fronts, alliances are tested and among others, there is a blight that destroys everything and no one knows its origins...or is there someone who does?
While I didn't mind the plot lines that in the end became connected, I did want more cameos of the other characters. I know it is kind of selfish of me but I really wanted a meeting between Kaz and YOU KNOW WHO. That happened in the Netflix series so my wish did come true? :P
Additionally, I really liked how the story moved from Nikolai to Zoya making her the strongest character; not that Nikolai wasn't, God knows I will die if I even see the actor who will play this role. But I loved how Leigh explored the power in a woman and to the lengths, she would go to protect those she loves.
Nina and Hanne on the other hand seemed they had the worst 'heist' to pull off. Being in Fjerda with spies and danger felt more...stressful. I liked how Hanne explored her powers and the romance with Nina...but it felt a little rushed and while I wanted her to have a HEA...I still mourn Mattias.
The final part of the book with that trip and how the events unfolded felt a little off? Does that...tree have a specific role? Could it be that 'HE' wants something more? Also the ending and final words of Zoya? HOLY WOW THAT WAS A CLIFFHANGER FOR THE NEXT SERIES!
In the end, I do understand that in my mind I have connected the books with the Netflix series and seriously want like 8 seasons? But in the end, what matters is the book in your hands and the story that you immerse yourself in and fall in love with the characters.
Definitely one amazing book by Leight Bardugo and I can not wait for fo the next series in the Six of Crows world!
About the author:
She would be delighted if you visited her at LeighBardugo.com and fairly giddy if you liked her selfies on Instagram.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Summary from GoodReads
The Shadowhunters must catch a killer in Edwardian London in this dangerous and romantic sequel to the #1 New York Times bestselling novel Chain of Gold, from New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Cassandra Clare. Chain of Iron is a Shadowhunters novel.
Cordelia Carstairs seems to have everything she ever wanted. She’s engaged to marry James Herondale, the boy she has loved since childhood. She has a new life in London with her best friend Lucie Herondale and James’s charming companions, the Merry Thieves. She is about to be reunited with her beloved father. And she bears the sword Cortana, a legendary hero’s blade.
But the truth is far grimmer. James and Cordelia’s marriage is a lie, arranged to save Cordelia’s reputation. James is in love with the mysterious Grace Blackthorn whose brother, Jesse, died years ago in a terrible accident. Cortana burns Cordelia’s hand when she touches it, while her father has grown bitter and angry. And a serial murderer is targeting the Shadowhunters of London, killing under cover of darkness, then vanishing without a trace.
Together with the Merry Thieves, Cordelia, James, and Lucie must follow the trail of the knife-wielding killer through the city’s most dangerous streets. All the while, each is keeping a shocking secret: Lucie, that she plans to raise Jesse from the dead; Cordelia, that she has sworn a dangerous oath of loyalty to a mysterious power; and James, that he is being drawn further each night into the dark web of his grandfather, the arch-demon Belial. And that he himself may be the killer they seek.
Cordelia Carstairs seems to have everything she ever wanted. She’s engaged to marry James Herondale, the boy she has loved since childhood. She has a new life in London with her best friend Lucie Herondale and James’s charming companions, the Merry Thieves. She is about to be reunited with her beloved father. And she bears the sword Cortana, a legendary hero’s blade.
But the truth is far grimmer. James and Cordelia’s marriage is a lie, arranged to save Cordelia’s reputation. James is in love with the mysterious Grace Blackthorn whose brother, Jesse, died years ago in a terrible accident. Cortana burns Cordelia’s hand when she touches it, while her father has grown bitter and angry. And a serial murderer is targeting the Shadowhunters of London, killing under cover of darkness, then vanishing without a trace.
Together with the Merry Thieves, Cordelia, James, and Lucie must follow the trail of the knife-wielding killer through the city’s most dangerous streets. All the while, each is keeping a shocking secret: Lucie, that she plans to raise Jesse from the dead; Cordelia, that she has sworn a dangerous oath of loyalty to a mysterious power; and James, that he is being drawn further each night into the dark web of his grandfather, the arch-demon Belial. And that he himself may be the killer they seek.
BUY ON
REVIEW
Ah, my lovely Shadowhunters...children with all the emotions and secrets and obligations.
Chain of Iron is the second book of the series which continues after the events of the first book. Cordelia and James are to be married, Grace is still a b*ch and the rest of the cast have all to deal with their own stories and insecurities.
I loved Cassandra's writing she has a way of pulling my heartstrings...but also wanting me to throttle her characters as they all just needed to TALK things! And while there were more sinister plots at work especially from the Demons, I gained the feeling that all of them fell victims to the events; Matthew and Cordelia, James and that damn bracelet, Anna and her feelings, Lucie and her powers who really should have just asked for help, all of them gave to the plot the power to move on, especially as we see here some of the events that set forth Malcolm Fade's actions in The Dark Artifices series.
Despite some issues I had with the plot that didn't stop me from enjoying the world, the historical setting at the beginning of the 20th century, seeing William and Tessa again as also the cliffhanger. Seriously Cassandra Clare knows how to keep me on my toes till the next book!
Recommended if you are a long-standing fan of the fandom!
About the author:
You can find me online at
www.cassandraclare.com
I have a blog:
http://cassandraclare.livejournal.com/
and a Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/Cassandraclare
and a Twitter:
www.twitter.com/cassieclare
