hoohoo, guys.
Can you believe it’s March already? Oh, how time flies by. February was quite a good reading month for me. And a turbulent one. Not because there were many good books and many bad, but because I reread one of my all time favourite series which killed me, then resurrected me only to kill me again five pages later. You’ve probably guessed it: it was the Grisha Trilogy. But I’ve read many more books which I shall show you now.
Which books have you read in February? Which one was your favourite?
ARCHENEMIES BY MARISSA MEYER
Book: Archenemies | Series: Renegades, Book 2 | Author: Marissa Meyer | Publisher: Feiwel & Friends | Release Date: 6th November 2018 | Pages: 471 (Paperback) | Genre: Dystopia, superheros | Rating: ★★★★
What is it about?
Nova manages to stay undercover with the Renegades. They developed a weapon which can take away prodigies’ abilities. She has to find a way to stop them but is she okay about betraying her friends?
What did I think?
I really enjoyed this book! The focus in this book wasn’t too much on the action, and more on character development. I liked getting to know the main characters better, especially Adrian. I also adored his relationship with Nova, it is so tentative and only blossoming and on the verge of something beautiful and I just want a romance between them to happen.
The action sequences were amazing! I liked the comic-style superhero fights immensely. The story itself was quite slow at some points, but that did not bother me really. And the ending… phew! Can’t wait for book 3!
THE WICKED KING BY HOLLY BLACK
Book: The Wicked King | Series: The Folk of the Air, Book 2 | Author: Holly Black | Publisher: Hot Key Books | Pages: 326 (Paperback) | Release Date: 8th January 2019 | Genre: fantasy | Rating: ★★★★★
What is it about?
Jude made Cardan the High King of Fairie. Now she has to keep him there and herself in a position of power at his side. That is easier said than done because in Fairie, everyone is a potential enemy, even those Jude thought she could trust.
What did I think?
Wow, wow, wow. This book was absolutely amazing. After reading The Cruel Prince, book one in this series, I wasn’t even sure if I should pick this book up. And I am so, so glad I did. This book was wild from start to finish. I absolutely love Jude. She is always trying to be strong, to gain as much knowledge as possible, to be untouchable and to always trust in herself. But she struggles and I loved how Holly Black wove those struggles into the story. I also adored the further development of the other characters and to see into which direction they would go. I don’t know what to say, I loved this so, so much. The writing, the characters, the plot, the plot twists… Nothing in this series is ever really sure and you never know what to expect. That book was f-a-n-t-a-s-t-i-c.
THE GRISHA TRILOGY BY LEIGH BARDUGO
Author: Leigh Bardugo | Books: Shadow and Bone (358 pages, 7th May 2013) / Siege and Storm (432 pages, 17th June 2014) / Ruin and Rising (427 pages, 18th August 2015) | Publisher: Square Fish | Genre: Fantasy | Rating: ★★★★★
What are they about?
Ravka is one of the few countries allowing Grishas to have a place in it. Grishas are people with special abilities. But Ravka is devided by the Shadow Fold, a place of darkness and monsters. When the mapmaker Alina discovers that she has the ability to summon sunlight, she is shipped of to the capital to help the Darkling destroy the Fold. But can she trust him? Or anyone else, for that matter?
What did I think?
If you’ve read what I’ve written above, you probably know that this was a reread of one of my favourite series. I just adore the story with its beautiful characters so much. It is hard for me to even talk about those books in understandable sentences. My head goes “hdcvbvbkalvbabcajv” as soon as I do so much as think about them. The best thing about the series are by far the main character, Alina, and the villain. Alina develops so well, all the while staying true to herself. She starts out as bland and kind of boring, but she grows so much. And the villain? Is my #1 book crush. He is written in such a fantastic, twisted way, I love it. I also like the Russian inspired country the series is set in. Just… everything about those books is amazing, I’m in love and I can’t think straight or rational when it comes to this story.
KING OF SCARS BY LEIGH BARDUGO
Book: King of Scars | Series: Nikolai Duology, Book 1 | Author: Leigh Bardugo | Publisher: Imprint | Pages: 528 (Hardcover) | Release Date: 29th January 2019 | Genre: Fantasy | Rating: ★★★★
What is it about?
This book follows Nikolai, one of the characters from the Grisha trilogy and you should read those books before reading this one. The Darkling has been defeated. But some of the darkness he infected Nikolai with has stayed within Ravka’s new king. And it slowly gets stronger. There might be a way to get rid of it, but it is uncertain and dangerous. But together with Zoya, the Grisha commander, he is determined to try.
What did I think?
Yes hello I love these characters. Ever since the Grisha trilogy. I am weak. But Nikolai is such an amazing character, he is complex and beautifully written. Nikolai is a great with words and knows how to make use of his sharp mind. Zoya is smart and snarky and a good fighter. They make such a good duo and they both are masters of the art of disarming people with both their words and their weapons.
The book was very slow at some points but I actually enjoyed that because those were the political parts. And King of Scars was very political indeed. Intrigues, assassination attempts, court gossip, warfare,… I’m still not sure how I like the ending but know that it left me wailing and crying for the better part of an hour. I certainly cannot wait to get my hands on book two to see where this story is going.
TOP TEN BY KATIE COTUGNO
Book: Top Ten | Author: Katie Cotugno | Publisher: Balzer & Bray | Pages: 368 (Paperback) | Release
Date: 3rd October 2017 | Genre: YA contemporary, romance | Rating: ★★
What is it about?
Ryan, the attractive hockey-star of the school, could have every girl and he sometimes does. Gabby is an introvert with social anxiety. They are unlikely friends, but they have managed to be best friends for several years. Now, that their time at school is ending, they have to decide how to continue.
What did I think?
To be honest, I was not the biggest fan of this book. There were a few good things though. For one, Gabby was amazing. I loved her character. She is introverted and sometimes snarky, but she has a great sense of justice. She has social anxiety and tries to deal with it. And she is bisexual. Which brings me to the next good point: the rep. Gabby is in both a relationship with a boy and a girl, who is a lesbian. I think sexuality-wise the rep was pretty good.
But here the good already stops. I was really annoyed with Ryan, the other main character for most of the time. He is irritated by everytheing and somehow never accepts help and gets angry when someone is caring about him and tells him about their opinion. Of course only, when it’s different from his own. While I understand his motives and why he acts as he does, I found it tiring at most points. Especially because there was so much unnecessary drama between him and Gabby. I also thought the plot was quite boring because it basically starts at the end? What? What also annoyed me for some reason was that there weren’t that many lists? I thought that the top ten lists would have a bigger part in the book. But they didn’t.
LOVESTRUCK BY KATE WATSON
-WERBUNG/AD-
Book: Lovestruck | Author: Kate Watson | ARC | Publisher: Flux Books | Pages: 300 (Paperback) | Release Date: 2nd April 2019 | Genre: YA contemporary, fantasy, mythology | Rating: ★★★★
What is it about?
Kali is a cupid in training. When she accidentally prick herself with one of her arrows, she falls head over heels in love with Ben, the mortal she was supposed to match. She is allowed to live on Earth to be near him. Luckily, she finds a way to un-love herself. Of course, that is easier said than done and she soon struggles with her new life on Earth.
What did I think?
This book was so much fun. There was so much (unnecessary) drama in this book. But I don’t mean negative drama. It was so nice reading about all those carefree gods who meddle with mortals and mortals who just try to make the best of their lives. I liked that there were so many different subplots which all came together at the end. None of the characters were written too deeply, which was a bit of a pity but then it wasn’t exactly necessary for the story. The writing was as light as the story which fit perfectly. I liked this book a lot and flew threw the pages.
HEARTSTOPPER (VOL. 1) BY ALICE OSEMAN
Book: Heartstopper (Vol. 1) | Graphic Novel | Author: Alice Oseman | Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books | Pages: 288 (Paperback) | Release Date: 7th February 2019 | Genre: YA contemporary, romance |
Rating: ★★★★★
What is it about?
Charlie and Nick both are pupils at Truham Grammar School for Boys. They’ve never met, but then they are sorted into the same form group. They soon become friends and soon Charlie, who is openly gay, falls very hard for Nick, even though he doesn’t know if he has a chance.
What did I think?
I loved, loved, loved this. I’ve been following the Heartstopper webcomic for a while but somehow stopped at some point. Why, though? Why did I ever stop? Charlie and Nick are the actual cutest people on this entire planet (yeah they’re fictional but whatever). And their relationship developing is amazing. I also love Alice’s drawing style, it fits the story and its characters perfectly and adds to the light, sweet narrative. I just loved this so much and I guess I really need to get around reading the webcomic again.
And those were the books I’ve read last month.
Until next time,
Kat
