One Dark Throne

Dear Lila,

So as you know I was lucky enough to receive a sampler of One Dark Throne by Kendare Blake through Netgalley, needless to say that I was very pleased.

I really enjoyed Three Dark Crowns and was really looking forward to seeing how the story progressed, and the sampler did not disappoint, it picks up where Three Dark Crowns left off, just after the eventful Quickening and the aftermath that will surely follow.

(trying to avoid spoilers here)... I'm really intrigued to see how things are going to develop after the revelation at the end of book one, which I'm still pleased I predicted, will the third sister develop her own gift, the same as someone else, none at all? How will that play out. Will they get round out in their lies? 

What will happen when Mirabella meets back up with Joseph and Jules. 

What will Katharine do when she sees Pietyr again? 

Will Arsinoe go too far dabbling with low magic? 

Which sister will get to the others first, who will come out triumphant? 

Full of intrigue, politics and feuds that have lasted lifetimes. Magic, power, poison, animal familiars. What more could you want!

Can't wait to read the full book. 

Book 17. Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

Dear Lila, 

Strange the dreamer. What can I say? 

Firstly, expectations are always high when it's a Laini book and she never disappoints! 

Secondly, the cover is gorgeous and the colour is perfect. As she says 

"Blue as opals, pale blue. Blue as cornflowers, or dragonfly wings, or a spring—not summer—sky." 

I LOVED IT! I knew I would, I could have put money on the fact that I would. 

The prologue really stuck in my mind to start with and then I forgot about a bit while I went on... But I anyways find that interesting as when you show yourself to remember you wonder who it is going to be about. 

As you know, I dream A LOT! and often very unusual, colourful, imaginative dreams (of only I was that creative in life) so I always particularly like stories about dreams as I feel like they are not meant for me, that's silly, but they resonate with me I guess. 

I really liked Lazlo. He reminded me of someone but I can't think who. Did he remind you of anyone? 

As you know from the texts I sent, I was making some speculation along the way and was right on one of the counts to do with Lazlo. 

I also love that Laini liked my tweet about when I started reading the Muse of Nightmares chapter and a Moth flew in my window. I thought that was so cool on both counts, that she liked it and that the timing of that moth was so perfect. 

I really liked Sarai and nice to know how to pronounce it as I wasn't sure and kept thinking of it as Sarah. 

I like that I had the whole thought process of whether it would be Sparrow or Sarai, especially when they were putting plums in their pockets and then discussing that with Laini and her saying that's what she had hoped would be the case. So that's just really cool. Love having conversations like that with authors. 

I thought the ending was pretty obvious with regards to what Minya did and said though, didn't you!? 

Really pleased it's not a one off, as I hadn't remembered you saying it was a duology. Yay.

Clearly *****

Love, Rach x 

Book 16. Frost Blood by Elly Blake

Dear Lila, 

So, this is a book I either got for 99p or free, I can't remember. I also can't remember if I saw someone recommend it or what, but I put it on my TBR list and then when I was searching for something in between Lord of Shadows and Strange the Dreamer, I looked up the goodreads rating and went for this. 

I liked it, it reminded me of The Healer Series, mixed in with a bit of Red Queen (well elements of it anyway). It's in the kind of setting we like, slightly medieval feel to it, even with people having gifts etc. 

I liked the main characters, they really reminded me of others, but I can't really think who. 

I'll definitely be reading the next one. 

I gave it ****

Love, Rach x

Book 15. Lord of shadows by Cassandra Clare

Dear Lila,

So I can't actually look at my Lord of Shadows copy now without getting a little bit sad about the water that spilt from Jed's cup and made the pages that were once so pretty, become less so... I had to keep it in the airing cupboard for A WEEK!!

Anyway, i digress.

I really liked this second book, lots of story to it and cool to see the other places like in Cornwall etc. I'm struggling to remember whether some of the bits I'm thinking of are from book 1 or book 2, like the scene when they all go to Fairie? Was that book 1 or 2. Anyway...

I think Julian became even more complex in this one though and I sometimes forget how going they are meant to be... Especially when he is in father mode, which I think he is really good at by the way. I feel like him and Emma could do with being a couple of years older, but I guess then it wouldn't be so much YA!?

Anyway, i also like that I'd never noticed the tower of London on its side until you pointed it out, don't think I would ever have noticed that!

Looking forward to the next one, is it a trilogy or more?

***** obviously

Love, Rach x

Book 14. Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare

Dear Lila,

As is to be expected I really enjoyed this book. I feel like the Shadowhunters is just a world I like reading about, regardless of who the story is following. I really liked Emma and Julian, who is a bit of an enigma I think.

I also liked the mystery they were trying to solve and the turn of events with regards to the one who is chosen and not allowed to be helped etc.

I was really routing for Emma and Julian too.

I also love that we got to see Jem and Tessa again.

***** obviously

Love, Rach x

Book 13. Autumn Rose by Abigail Gibbs

Dear Lila, 

So book 13 (unlucky for some, but not for me) was Autumn Rose. 

As you know I've read this before, but I'd read Dark Heroine and then ACOWAR and I needed a palette cleanser before tackling Lady Midnight. 

I enjoyed Autumn Rose again although I do think there's things that should have been different like their ages etc, but it's still a really easy read and I like Autumn and Fallon. 

Won't bother really reviewing though as you could just read this...

http://sistersinbooks.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/autumn-rose.html?m=0

***

Love, Rach x

Book 12. A Court of Wings and Ruin by The Queen

Dear Lila,

So book 12, the MUCH anticipated ACOWAR.

Firstly, how pretty is the book. My favourite series and my favourite colour to boot. Just too nice! I actually couldn't stop looking at the cover.

While I remember, I also really like that the dedication she gave to her husband and her dog is also the last two sentences in the book. Cute.

So, I really enjoyed the book, loved h having it on kindle too so that I didn't have to wait until the evening to keep reading.

Spoilers below on the off chance anyone but us reads it.

#####

I was surprised how quickly in the story she made it back to Rhys, I thought that would have lasted longer. I was pleased that Lucien went with her though too.

I always find her powers crazy really and forget how many of them she has. Although how come Rhys never gets any of the others either? I didn't get that!

I cried at the speech Rhys gave, but again love we said on text I do think that do often when stuff happens I do now always think "oh no did that really happen?" and then by the time you've read on a bit thinking about it's been resolved.

I'm struggling to believe the absolute lack of casualties, I mean I'm happy about it, don't get me wrong, but it's very unbelievable with the level of the battles they had. I was so worried the whole time it would be Cassian or Az.

I liked that the bits with Cassian and Nesta and Elain and Lucien weren't all wrapped up in a bow... And I liked Mor's explanation to Feyre about Az.

The whole fire bird thing was a bit random I think, but I guess with everything else isn't that far fetched.

Am pleased there will be other stories. I wonder what direction they'll go in? There's obviously lots of stories to be told in the other courts. Tarquin, Varian and Amren, Viviane and Kallias, Helion and Lucien etc. All good and I'd happily read about any of them.

I liked that Helion too had always been putting on a bad demeanour etc.

I also really liked Az and Elain.

I love SJM books, feels weird to think that I only started reading her books in January 2015.

Here's to her next one !

***** OBVIOUSLY!

Love, Rach x