THE INVISIBLE LIFE OF ADDIE LARUE by V. E. Schwab

“‘France, 1714. A desperate woman makes a desperate deal in the dark – a bargain to live forever but be remembered by none.’ So begins the invisible life of Addie LaRue, a shadow muse to artists throughout history, forgotten friend, confidante and love, slipping away with the morning light. Addie passes through lives, desperate to only leave a trace of herself. Until the day she walks back into a small bookshop in Manhattan and meets Henry, who remembers her. After 300 years, Addie’s life is restarting, but the devil never plays fair. As Henry and Addie’s lives start to intertwine, they must face the consequences of the decisions they’ve made and the prices to be paid. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is a dazzling adventure across centuries and continents, across history and art, about a young woman learning how far she will go to leave her mark on the world.”

What is the book about?

Born in France in 1714 Addie LaRue is feels stuck in her life in a small village. She wants to see and experience so many things but hasn’t stepped outside the edges of the village in years. She knows that time is running out and that if she doesn’t do something soon she will find herself trapped in the same boring life as all the other girls and will die without having seen anything. So one day she makes a desperate deal with one of the gods that answer after dark – the very god she was warned not to pray to. For the rest of time, until she is done with her soul and has seen all she wants to see, she will be able to wander the world and truly live, but will never be remembered by anyone she meets. A shadow of a girl, but she will learn to leave her mark as a muse to artists and musicians who will never remember her or how their art came to be. However, after 300 years, something terrifying and magical happens… Addie meets a boy who remembers her. Henry hasn’t forgotten anything about her and it feels like fate for them to meet, but the devil doesn’t play fair and soon it’s clear that they didn’t find each other by chance. They each made a deal and now they have to live with the consequences because once that deal is made, there is no going back.

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

I had had The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue on my bookshelf for probably over a year and would always remember it was there at a time when I couldn't really pick it up and read it, like when I was in the middle of a huge series or had exams coming up. So when I finished the trilogy I was reading before this and glanced at my shelf with no idea what to read next, I spotted this book and decided to finally dive in. I was both excited and concerned to read the book as I have found that most people either love it or hate it and I was worried that I wouldn't enjoy it. However I decided to give it a chance and to read to the end no matter what I thought (which I usually do with most books even if I am hating them as I hate to stop in the middle and leaving books unfinished). I didn't quite know what to expect but the blurb really interested me and made me think initially that it would be a very subtle story (as compared to my usual wild fantasy books) and it would probably make me cry. I am quite happy to say that it was exactly what I expected and, even though it took me a while to start loving the book, once I got to the end I was completely broken and in love. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

I am honestly torn between the 2 main characters of the book, Addie and Henry. I loved Addie because of how brave and smart she was. I loved the ending because of how it showed that Addie wasn’t just a naïve girl who made a deal with the devil but that she was much more cunning and intelligent that anyone ever knew. She lived through centuries and struggled through many situations that no one should ever have to live through, yet she continued on and didn’t give up her soul at the first sign of trouble because of how determined she was to not lose to Luc and to see everything there was to see in the world. I also loved Henry because of how easy it was to relate to him and his situation. All he wanted was to just be loved by everyone and to be enough for everyone because he felt like he was never enough and that he would never find someone who would love him as much as he loved them. He may have been a bit stupid in his decision and might have made a terrible deal, but in the moment he was in pain and just wanted some time with the feeling of being loved. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

There were many parts I liked, however there was one that really stood out to me. Addie had lived for hundreds of years and had seen so many places and magical things, however in this specific part of the book Henry takes her to somewhere where she is once again left amazed at the beauty of the world and how much there is to see. I loved this part because I loved the knowledge that there is always more to see and explore and to know that our world still has secrets that someone who has lived for more than 3 lifetimes can be surprised about. It made me want so desperately to travel and finally see more than just the small area that is my life and I know that I want to be just as amazed by it all as Addie. I also loved how Henry wanted so badly to find something that Addie had never seen before and that he took the time to really think and to show her something so magical.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I don’t think this was the best book I have ever read, but I did enjoy reading it and especially loved the ending. One reason I didn’t really love the book as a whole was because I found it so difficult to get into the book at the beginning and until the end it was quite an uneventful story that I’m sure many people would have found boring. I didn’t hate this as I did find that the subtle story was actually quite enjoyable, however I feel like a lot could have been simplified or left out. On the other hand, one reason I really enjoyed the book was the way the book was structured with all the flashbacks. It was a very gradual way of giving us as the readers the information on both Addie and Henry and what happened in their lives to lead them to make a deal with the devil. I love flashbacks because I love to see what characters were like in the past and I think it is one of the best ways of telling your readers about the character’s past experienced and show them how they came to be who they are. One other thing I loved was the ending. It was one of the most heart-breaking ends I have read and it made me want to lose my memory so I could read the book again just to experience the ending and the emotions I felt while reading it. It might not have been the most conclusive ending and I’m sure that plenty of people hated the fact that there wasn’t much in the form of closure and that the characters didn’t exactly get a happy ending (or really an ending at all), however I really enjoyed it and thought that it really fit with the whole story and the aesthetic of it. The whole book was very subtle and open ended so it felt right to have a very open ended ending where it is clear that their story hasn’t really ended at all and a new chapter has actually begun. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I do recommend this book, especially for those who love romance and contemporary novels, however if you are under 14 or don't enjoy books with no action that take a while to really start and that you may class as 'boring' then this may not be the best book for you.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A heart-breaking and mysterious novel full of romance and intrigue. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

DESTROY THE DAY by Brigid Kemmerer

“Prince Corrick is out of options. Held captive by the vicious Oren Crane, he’s desperate to reunite with Tessa, but will need to ally with the rebel leader Lochlan, who until now wished him dead. An island away, Tessa Cade is heartbroken, angry and doesn’t know who to trust. Until Rian – the man she trusts the least – makes her an offer: aid in a plot to finally oust Oren Crane, then see what the future holds. Meanwhile in Kandala, Harristan is dethroned and on the run. He’s struggling to unite the rebels in his fractured kingdom, but he finds support – and maybe more – in unexpected places. As outside threats loom and the fires of revolution burn from within, time is running out to save their kingdom.”

What is the book about?

Corrick, Tessa and Harristan are all separated and each going through a terrifying journey of their own with very few allies that they can trust. After being thrown from the Dawn Chaser, Corrick was rescued by Oren Crane and his crew and is now being held captive. The only way he can get free and find his way back to Tessa is to follow Oren’s orders and do things he wished he would never have to do again. However, Corrick is not fully alone as he finds himself having to work together with Lochlan, the rebel leader who until now would have taken every opportunity to kill him, and soon he finds that maybe his anger was misplaced and he will find a friend in an unlikely place. Tessa is only an island away, grieving and furious at Rian for his lies and everything that happened. She has been living as far as she possibly could from Rian, with only a guard for company. But she needs to get back home to Kandala and Rian may be her only way out of Ostriary so she will do anything to get his help, even if it means risking herself in a plan to finally get rid of Oren Crane for good. Meanwhile Harristan is not doing much better in Kandala. He has been dethroned and anyone who finds him and turns him in has been promised unbelievable riches. He doesn’t know who to trust and it seems that every time he tried to find allies he finds himself in the same position, no better off than he previously was. However, when it counts he finds allies and may finally have a chance against those who are spreading lies against him, but in order to save what means the most to him he may need to make an impossible decision and one that will mean losing everything he had been fighting to keep. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

The ending to the previous book, Defend the Dawn, was a cliff-hanger ending that left me desperate to start Destroy the Day and find out what would happen next. I had conflicting initial thoughts as I had loved the 2 previous books in this trilogy and was quite confident that this book would be just as amazing and I would love it just as much as the others. However, as this was the last book of the trilogy and I hadn't really loved the ending of the other Brigid Kemmerer series I had read (Cursebreakers), I was terrified to start reading and find that the ending would ruin the series that I had been loving since I started reading. I could kind of feel that the ending wouldn't disappoint but I couldn't be sure. The blurb didn’t give me much more than what I already knew from the previous book, but it did peak my curiosity in some areas and made me much more interested to start reading. As I had started reading the book straight after Defend the Dawn, with no break, I found it so simple to get into the book and had read nearly half without even realising. I was addicted from the very start and was impatiently waiting for the ending to come so I could see what would happen and if I would love it. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was probably Corrick because of how he really became the guy that Tessa knew he was. While he was with Oren Crane he was forced to do things that Cruel Corrick wouldn’t have even hesitated about and in the beginning it was clear that he would have done anything to get back to Tessa, even if that mean sacrificing his humanity and the part of himself that never wanted to be Cruel Corrick. He was in a way forced into the role of King’s Justice and, even though he could have explained everything to his brother, he clearly wanted to protect Harristan from the feelings that he felt every time he made a decision that no one, let alone a 15 year old boy should have had to make. It was clear to me that he used this cruel image of himself as a mask and that in reality he was just the boy that was with Tessa in the workshop and who just wanted to help people. This was made even clearer when he chose to find a way out of the things that Oren wanted him to do and he made this decision not only for Tessa, who always saw the best in him, but also for the part of himself that never wanted to be cruel. When he made this decision, I made mine about who my favourite character was and that didn’t change throughout the rest of the book, though there were several other characters that I liked. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book was a series of little moments between Tessa and Erik/Rocco. I loved their whole friendship in this final book and the way that they became so much more than just a guard and the girl he needed to protect. I loved how Tessa started to see him as more of an older brother and he saw her as an annoying little sister too. There weren’t really many friendships shown in the series and that was definitely something that I think the other books really needed, however at least in Destroy the Day I got to see a lot more of those friend/sibling dynamics (also with Lochlan and Corrick). There was something so sweet about how they were both looking out for each other, which may have been linked to the fact that they thought they were the only survivors of the party that travelled from Kandala, and the way that they still managed to lighten things up with some friendly teasing just like true siblings would do.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, Destroy the Day was perfect and there was basically nothing that I would have changed. One thing I loved about the book was the plot. It honestly kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time and having 3 separate points of view from characters that were each going through their own interesting and shocking plot had me so engrossed in the book. There was no one plot line or perspective that I loved more and definitely none that I was desperate to get through. It was all so amazing and I am so sad that it is finished and I won't ever read anything more about these characters. Another thing I absolutely adored was the ending. I had been absolutely terrified that the ending would not be as good as I was expecting and that it would ruin the whole series, however clearly I shouldn't have worried as it was amazing. It made me feel every emotion possible and had me fully crying. I was torn between throwing the book across the room and hugging it and honestly the plot twist had me completely shocked, which is always great (as that is the purpose of it). It was stunning and I can't wait for any other of this author's books. One final thing that I am obsessed about with the whole series is the map and the covers and the perfectly alliterative titles. I am honestly so happy when I see the books on my shelf because of how perfect they look and I will never stop pointing them out when people ask about my books (or even if they don't!). The map was also a perfect addition to the fantasy series and you wouldn't even believe the amount of time I looked at it to figure out where the characters were. Also in this book the map was even better so that was great. The only thing that I think I really missed in this book and in the whole series in general is the magic that is usually present in fantasy series. It would have made the book even better to have that but even without it I was still in love with Kandala and would have happily been transported to that world. 

Which is your favourite book in The Defy the Night series? (1, 2, or 3)

Overall every single book in the Defy the Night trilogy was absolutely amazing and this is definitely a series I will be forcing my friends to read, hoping they will love it as much as I did. Although all 3 books were absolutely stunning in every respect, I think that my favourite book in this series is probably Destroy the Day (the third and final book). This book was very similar to the previous ones and there wasn’t much that really made me consider it as my favourite, but the few things that did really stood out to me. One thing was that because all 3 of the main characters whose perspectives we are given in the book were separated in this final novel so they didn’t have each other to talk with and spent time with. This meant that they each started to form their own separate bonds and relationships which developed the side characters and main characters and the whole story much more. The relationship between Quint and Harristan wouldn’t have happened if Corrick hadn’t left, the friendship between Lochlan and Corrick (surprisingly) would never have formed if Corrick hadn’t fallen off that boat with him and the connections Tessa formed with Erik and Olive never would have been possible if she had been at Corrick’s side the whole trip in Ostriary. The other books didn’t have much off these relationships with side characters and it felt more like the whole book was being carried by these 3 main characters so that is definitely one thing that made Destroy the Day so much more special. Another thing was the fact that this book connected with me so much more and made me truly feel for the characters. I had felt a connection throughout Defy the Night and Defend the Dawn and had definitely been annoyed at the characters and had definitely smiled from time to time and maybe even laughed or felt sad, however nothing like with this final book. I full on cried and full on laughed and felt true feelings with it which definitely made me love it more. A book’s job is to make you as a reader feel something and this book did its job really well. I honestly can’t believe this story is over and if Brigid Kemmerer ever chooses to dive back into Kandala I will not hesitate to dive in with her. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I would 10000% recommend Destroy the Day and the whole Defy the Night series. If you love romance, adventure, fantasy and are ready to cry and scream and be shocked by plot twists then this is the perfect book for you (and it's best for over 14s).

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

The perfect, twisty and emotional conclusion to an amazing fantasy trilogy.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

DEFEND THE DAWN by Brigid Kemmerer

“Revolution is simmering in the kingdom of Kandala. With sickness on the rise and supplies of the precious Moonflower cure running low, King Harristan and Prince Corrick must fight to maintain control. Tessa Cade has gone from masked outlaw to palace adviser – and she’s more determined than ever to help her people. When an emissary from the neighbouring kingdom of Ostriary arrives with an intriguing offer, Tessa must embark on an uncertain journey with Prince Corrick. The voyage could be their only chance to save the kingdom – but it will hold untold danger for Tessa as she navigates perilous waters…and confronts her feelings for Corrick. No one is who they seem to be, and the consequences will be deadly.”

What is the book about?

After stopping a near revolution, Kandala is in a precarious situation. Now the supply of Moonflower is running low and King Harristan and Price Corrick don’t know how long they can keep control and keep things calm in their kingdom. With Tessa’s knowledge on the correct doses of Moonflower, they have a chance of being able to help more people, which is the thing Tessa has always wanted to do, when she was an outlaw and now that she is the king’s adviser and apothecary. However, it is impossible to keep everyone happy and giving Moonflower to the rebels to keep the kingdom safe means making the consuls angry and risking a rebellion from the inside. When an emissary arrives from the neighbouring kingdom of Ostriary, claiming that the King of Ostriary is willing to start trade negotiations, the goods that he is willing to trade make it an intriguing offer and one Kandala cannot turn down. The only way to keep the citizens of Kandala safe is to board the ship with the emissary and come back with supplies, but that means that Corrick and Tessa must embark on a new adventure and leave behind Harristan to keep control of the kingdom on his own. The voyage will be dangerous, not just physically but also emotionally as Tessa navigates both the waters and her feelings for Corrick. Everything seems too good to be true and soon it is clear that not everyone is who they say and the journey will be much more dangerous than they ever thought. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

After finishing Defy the Night I was very intrigued to continue the story and find out what would happen next for Tessa and the royals. It was clear they just barely escaped a revolution, which would have ended with more deaths on both sides of the fight, and if they didn’t keep things under control, next time they wouldn’t be so lucky. My initial thoughts on Defend the Dawn were pretty clear and confident as I had finished the previous book and had been shocked at how much I loved it so I knew that this book was going to be just as good. I was also hoping for more twists and hoping that I wouldn’t see them coming like I had with Defy the Night. Once I started reading I was even surer that I would love the book as I so easily found myself back in the kingdom of Kandala, fully engrossed in a world that wasn’t even real. I finished the book in literally 2 sittings and was soon regretting my decision to read quickly as I was having to move on to the last book and would soon never hear more from the characters I had grown attached to. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

In this book, although I still really loved Corrick, I did find him a bit more annoying. He got so annoyed at Tessa for still seeing his as the boy she had first met and not accepting him as Corrick (which I did understand) and he didn’t even consider than this was just as difficult for her as for him. Because of this I think my favourite character in this book would probably have to be Tessa or even Harristan. I loved how hopeful Tessa was and how she didn’t automatically assume the worst about everyone like Corrick did. Although everyone saw this as Tessa being naïve I saw it more as her not giving up and believing that not everyone is horrible. She had been through so much suffering and still had room for hope and I loved this about her because she was definitely not as cynical as some of the other main characters I have met. Harristan was very similar to Tessa in this way as he also had a lot of hope and cared for his people so much. All he wanted to do was help them, which was made clear at the beginning of the book (another plot twist that I did see coming as well). He believed the best of his people, even when they had staged a revolution that killed many of the people in the Royal Sector in the previous book and he was ready to help lead them as a true king would do, rather than sit and hide and wait for Corrick to come back. I can’t wait to see more of him in the next book and I really hope that neither he nor Tessa lose that hope and light that they have in them, and that Corrick rediscovers his. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part was very clear to me when it came up and I didn’t even need to finish the book to know that no part that would come after was going to be superior to this part. This part was near the end of the book when my favourite and pretty much the only couple in the book finally made up. I had had enough of the drama between them to be honest and was prepared to throw the book across the room if there was one more miscommunication or lack of communication. In Defy the Night there had already been enough drama between them with how much they switched between friends to lovers to enemies to lovers and all I wanted was for things to be perfect between them as I knew they deserved and also I deserved. When finally this all happened near the end of the book the relief and happiness on my face was clear and I knew nothing would beat the emotions that I had felt reading this part. Then the ending came and all of the progress that the couple had made was made futile, but at least I had a moment of happiness and eventually it will have a purpose in the third and final book. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall I really loved Defend the Dawn and am so ready to find out the ending, though also absolutely terrified that Brigid Kemmerer will ruin it like she kind of did with the Cursebreaker series. One thing I really loved about the book was the plot. After reading the first book and seeing how action packed it was I was honestly unsure what could possible happen in this book as Defy the Night had had everything, from revolution to romance. However, when I started to read and realised there would be a whole new adventure, I was even more excited. Now that I think about it nothing much really happened on the boat, however the amount of secrets and tension made it feel like an eventful time (which it certainly was near the end of the book). It also made the book even better to have Harristan’s point of view so we could see what was happening in Kandala while the others were gone and these parts definitely added to the action and tension. Another thing I really enjoyed was the cliff-hanger ending and how much the author toyed with my emotions in these final chapters. I honestly was about to cry and throw the book across the room and then had the shock of realising that it was all just a manipulation and everything was kind of fine. The cliff-hanger had me on the edge of my seat, reaching for the final book, Destroy the Day, before I had even read the last sentence of Defend the Dawn. I am so desperate to find out the ending and have so much hope for this series. One other thing that really surprised me is that this book is written in the first person and it didn’t annoy me in the least. I honestly never thought that at this age I would find a book written in the first person that I would love from the first second I started reading, however when I started Defy the Night I wasn’t annoyed at all and didn’t find it any harder to get into the book. If I’m completely honest because of how much I have been enjoying it I thought for a moment it was written in the third person, but obviously not. Finally, my favourite thing about these books is the absolutely gorgeous covers (honestly they are so amazing) and the way that the 3 books match so perfectly with their alliterative titles. It satisfies my inner perfectionist so much and every time I look at the spines on my shelf I just want to scream at how perfect and gorgeous they are. 

Which book did you like better, the first or the second?

Overall I loved both the books and found that after the amazing Defy the Night, Defend the Dawn definitely met my expectations, however I think the first book (Defy the Night) is definitely my favourite. There aren’t really many differences between the books and not much helped me make my decision, however there was one very small thing that I enjoyed more in the first book than in the second. This is the romance between Tessa and Corrick. I loved the way that both the characters were struggling so much in Defy the Night and that they were shifting between friends to lovers to enemies and then back to lovers. It was so tense and I loved it. It was clear that Tessa was struggling to see Corrick as the boy she had started to fall for and that Corrick was also struggling as he had never opened up to anyone before. Even though it did annoy me that they didn’t just get together quicker, I understood their doubts. However, in Defend the Dawn there were a lot of the same issues when I thought that it had been resolved already at the end of Defy the Night. There was also a lot of miscommunication and lack of communication which I hated. I was definitely very relieved when finally everything was resolved and I just hope that in the final book I don’t have to go through any more issues with the romance because I really just want a happy ending. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I definitely recommend this book and think you should absolutely read it (after Defy the Night of course). It is a great book for those over 14 who enjoy romance, fantasy, retellings and adventure. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A twisty, mind-blowing book whose ending will leave you desperate for the next book. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

DEFY THE NIGHT by Brigid Kemmerer

“In a kingdom where sickness stalks the streets and only the richest can afford a cure, King Harristan and his brother Prince Corrick are forced to rule with an iron fist. Tessa Vade is a masked outlaw marked for death, but she likes it that way. Together with the mysterious, handsome Weston, she robs from the rich to help the poor, distributing medicine to those who need it most. As it becomes clear that the only way to save her people is to assassinate the King, Tessa faces a deadly mission that will take her to the dark heart of the kingdom…and force her to work with the very people she intended to destroy.”

What is the book about?

The kingdom of Kandala a mysterious sickness plagues everyone and with no idea how the disease spreads or where it came from, everyone is panicked. The only known cure for this sickness are Moonflower petals that only grow in 2 of the sectors of the kingdom and they are hard to come by for the poor as they are incredibly expensive so only those with the means can survive the sickness. As a result, smugglers and outlaws now try to steal the petals, either for themselves or to help others and King Harristan and Price Corrick are forced to rule with an iron fist to try to keep their country from destroying itself. Tessa and Wes are 2 of the outlaws, risking their lives to steal Moonflower petals from the rich who have too much and distributing them among the poor who would otherwise already have succumbed to the disease. When Tessa realises that her attempts to save people have been pointless and the only real way to change things is to assassinate the King, she heads off on a mission that will likely be her last. But soon she realises that everything is not as simple as it initially seemed and that now she may have to work with the very people she set out to destroy or she will never be able to save the people of Kandala.

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

I had really enjoyed another of Brigid Kemmerer’s trilogies (Cursebreakers) and when I found out that she was writing another one I knew I had to have it. I didn’t know what to expect exactly as I had completely forgotten everything about the other books of hers, however I knew that I had really enjoyed them so one thing that I was quite confident about before going into this series was that I was going to love it. Once I had purchased all the books of the series (as I hate not having the complete series and having to wait before jumping in to the next book) it didn’t take long for me to start staring at the series, longing to read the gorgeous books. If I’m completely honest I didn’t even read the blurb before buying these books and just put my faith in the author, however before I started reading it I did give it a glance and it made me even more confident in my initial thoughts as it looked like just the kind of story I would love. When I started reading, I initially did have a few chapters where I had no idea what was going on and wasn’t quite in the world yet (which happens with every fantasy book to be honest). However soon I was completely engrossed in the book and coming up with wacky theories and just longing to see how it would end. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was definitely Wes, though I also loved Tessa and think she is definitely a great, strong and determined female main character. Wes was just so sweet and the fact that all he wanted to do was help people literally broke my heart. The poor guy spent the last few years being hated by everyone because of the things he had done and the only reason he did them was because he didn’t want someone he loved to have to suffer through making those decisions and doing those things. He never wanted to do them, though, and everyone thought that that was just who he was when in reality he was just a boy who was trying to keep others from being hurt. The scene in the Hold literally broke me and all I wanted to do was give him a hug and tell him that it wasn’t his fault and that no matter what he did I would still be there for him. He uses this cruel version of himself as a mask and deep down he is just Wes and all I want is for him to take off the mask and be the sweet guy I know he is. The way he would make Tessa smile, and he would joke around, and he would bring her food in the beginning of the book made me smile and I just want to see more of this side of him. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book was probably the scene near the end of the book (pretty much right before everything started to go downhill for the characters – not that it was going amazing well before that) when Tessa and Wes are in their little workshop and finally have a moment to just be their cute little selves. The slow burn friends to lovers to enemies to lovers of this book literally had me on the edge of my seat and I needed a scene where they did something more than just stare at each other and this scene definitely gave me that. When they were interrupted I almost threw the book across the room and honestly am surprised I didn’t. It was such a cutesy scene and I really want more of these so please don’t let the author complicate their relationship any further, these guys have already suffered enough.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall I really loved Defy the Night and I am so ready to read the next book and have this be one of my favourite series. One thing that I loved about the book was the amount of tropes and clichés and stereotypical Young Adult and Fantasy things there were in this book. To a lot of people I’m sure this would have been annoying but to me it was so comforting to read a story that had so many things that I have seen in so many other books. I mean it literally has a teenage girl who has no powers and is a nobody having to try to save the world and a morally grey male she is falling for and hundreds of other elements that are so common for this kind of genre, however that’s why I loved it, because it was like all the other books that I loved. Another thing that I really enjoyed was the Robin Hood element and the fact that it is kind of a retelling but is nothing like the original story and just has similar vibes. It was a lot like that with her other books that I read and I loved it. I haven’t read any books with a Robin Hood retelling before so it definitely gave the book some originality. One other thing that I loved was the sort of plot twist there was. I cannot say anything or else I will spoil it but it definitely gave the book something that most other books don’t have as it wasn’t fully predictable. However, and I am not joking, I was actually able to figure out the truth after the second chapter. Initially it was just a joke and I was just like ‘oh I bet that…’ but when it came true I was honestly shocked at my wizarding skills and I think I have just read far too many YA Fantasy novels but I do not care because it is hands down the best genre. One last slight thing I feel the need to mention is how stunning the covers of this book series are. I am pretty sure I said this about all the covers of the Cursebreaker series but oh my goodness does Brigid Kemmerer know how to pick a gorgeous cover that will have readers squealing. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I would absolutely recommend Defy the Night and think it is an amazing fantasy, romance novel. It is perfect for people over 14 who enjoy this genre and I am pretty confident this series is going to be a fast favourite of mine and many others. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

An original, action-packed fantasy novel that you will not be able to put down.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

THE REAPPEARANCE OF RACHEL PRICE by Holly Jackson

“18-year-old Bel has lived her whole life in the shadow of her mom’s mysterious disappearance. Sixteen years ago, Rachel Price vanished and young Bel was the only witness. Rachel is gone, presumed dead. The case is dragged up from the past when the Price family agrees to a true crime documentary. Bel can’t wait for filming to end, for her life to go back to normal. But them Rachel Price reappears, and life will never be normal again… Lights. Camera. Lies.”

What is the book about?

16 years ago, when Bel Price was barely 2 years old, her mother, Rachel, disappeared. One minute the two of them were walking around the mall together and the next Bel was found alone in the car on the side of the road, the door closed and no sign of Rachel, other than a few of her belongings. The sudden disappearance has haunted the Price family for years, especially the first year when Bel’s father was the police’s prime suspect. Rachel is presumed dead; however they never found any clues as to where she went or what happened to her. For the past few years Bel has been able to pretend that nothing was wrong and that there was never a time when it wasn’t just her and her dad, but now that her dad has agreed to a true crime documentary on Rachel’s disappearance, everything is resurfacing. Bel doesn’t want anything to do with the documentary but she made a promise to her dad and is not about to go back on it. All she wants is for the documentary to be finished, the camera crew to go back to where they came from and her life to go back to normal, with Rachel no longer the topic of everyone’s conversations. However, when Rachel suddenly reappears in the middle of the street, back from the dead and looking just like she did 16 years ago, Bel realises her life will never go back to normal again. Especially as she doesn’t believe a word coming out of Rachel’s mouth and in order to find out the truth she will have to uncover all the deadly secrets her family have kept hidden since that fateful day her mother disappeared…

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

The second that I saw that Holly Jackson was writing another book I added The Reappearance of Rachel Price to my Amazon basket, before it even had a front cover. I have absolutely loved every book that Holly Jackson has written and have always been surprised by the plot twists and the secrets that come out so I knew, before I had even looked at the blurb or bought the book, that I was going to love this book just as much. I didn’t know exactly what to expect because the stories are always so shocking, keeping me on the edge of my seat and making me sacrifice all sleep just to be able to uncover the truth, however I knew that it was going to be amazing. When the book finally came out and I bought it I was so excited to start reading, however I wanted to wait for the perfect opportunity to read the book, when I could give it my full attention and do nothing but read the whole day (as I had done when I read Five Survive in one sitting). When I finally read the blurb it excited me even more and within seconds I was started the book anxious to find out what shocking things would happen. Initially I found it a bit hard to get into the book, possibly because I had been reading fantasy books all summer and a mystery was definitely a big jump. However it didn’t take long for me to fully get into it and soon I was flying through.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

I don’t really have a favourite character in this book and I really don’t want to have to decide so I just won’t. It isn’t because I liked so many characters that I can’t decide because there were only a few characters that I actually liked because in the end the majority of the main characters were keeping terrible secrets. If I really had to choose I would probably choose one of the side characters (like the ones part of the camera crew) who seemed to be quite sweet, especially Ash who was the only one who really believed Bel and who saw through the wall she built up and how she tried to push people away before they could leave her. I did like Bel but I found her to be a bit annoying at times, and the same thing happened with a few of the other characters. All the characters had their strengths but they also had some weaknesses that deterred me from picking a favourite character.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part was probably near the end when all the secrets came flooding out and suddenly everything made sense. I love this part in most mystery books because I get to finally have the answers to the multitude of questions that have been plaguing me throughout the whole book and I usually get to see if parts of my theory are correct, which always makes me feel like such a wizard when I get something right. Although I wasn’t able to see any of the things in this book before we were told, I still really enjoyed this part of the book because of how it made me feel. The tension and the suspense had me clinging to the book at 1 am desperate to get answers before my eyes stopped working. I was on the edge of my seat for this whole part and the surprise that I got when I found out the truth is the thing that makes me love mystery novels. Since I was little, this has been one of my favourite genres and I am glad to see that I still love them just as much and can still be shocked. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I really enjoyed the book and am just waiting for the next Holly Jackson book to come out so I can buy it and hopefully once again fall in love with one of her books. One thing that I really enjoyed about the book was how the mystery of Rachel’s disappearance and reappearance was being sort of solved by a teenage girl. This was one of the things I also loved in A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder and I loved seeing it here. The reason I enjoyed it is because in this book in particular it was quite realistic because the further Bel dug the more confused she became and the more she realised she was getting nowhere. It was mainly because she had a theory that she didn’t want to give up and because if she admitted something it would mean losing someone who had never left like her mum. It was so realistic because what teen is going to be able to uncover the truth supper easily when the police couldn’t and it also made the book so much more interesting because there were so many clues but none really started to fit together until the end. Although I really enjoyed the book, I do feel like at the beginning it felt a bit slow and uneventful. I found it a little hard to love it in those first few chapters and at first I was disappointed. Later on it started to pick up and I realise now that I was just impatient, however I do think The Reappearance of Rachel Price is my least favourite of Holly Jackson’s books (though for a least favourite I still really enjoyed it).

Would you recommend this book?  

I definitely recommend reading this book and I think it is perfect for readers who love mystery, suspense and secrets. It is best for over 13 and fans of Holly Jackson will definitely love it, though I think her other books are definitely better (so read those too). 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

An unputdownable, compelling mystery that will leave you shocked for days. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

END OF DAYS by Susan Ee

“‘After a daring escape from the angels, Penryn and Raffe are on the run.’ They’re both desperate to find a doctor who can reverse the twisted changes inflicted by the angels on Raffe and on Penryn’s sister. As they set off in search of answers, a startling revelation about Raffe’s past unleashes dark forces that threaten them all. When the angels release an apocalyptic nightmare onto humans, both sides are set on a path toward war. As unlikely alliances form and strategies shift, who will emerge victorious? Forced to pick sides in the fight for control of the earthly realm, Raffe and Penryn must choose: their kind, or each other?”

What is the book about?

Penryn and Raffe escaped the angels after almost not making it out alive and Penryn has managed to find her sister, now getting close to being able to get her family together and find them a safe place to be. Raffe has once again gotten his wings back, but finds himself in the same position as he was when he first met Penryn, trying to find a doctor to put his wings back on him before time runs out. Penryn also needs a doctor for her little sister Paige or else she may starve to death or become a true monster. As they set off in search of a doctor, Penryn learns new things about Raffe’s past and meet creatures that should have just stayed in the past. Meanwhile, things are getting worse with the angels as they fight over who becomes the new Messenger and Raffe needs to get back soon before the title goes to the most undeserving archangel. Things are just getting worse as more apocalyptic creatures appear and it is clear that the end is near and an all-out war is going to begin. It is clear the fight will be between their two species, so Penryn and Raffe will have to choose: their own kind, or each other…

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

I am not joking when I say that I immediately grabbed this book when I finished the last page of World After and just started to read it without hesitation. I was so intrigued to find out more and I needed to see how the book would end, although I did like how calm the ending was and how the characters got a little moment of peace. I didn’t really think too much on my initial thoughts on the book as mainly I was just desperate to read on and flowed straight into it, however I was sure that I was going to like it (if it ended happily) and that it was going to be an epic read. When I started I was initially worried that I would have a slight delay in getting really into the book as I had had with the other books; however I didn’t get stuck at the beginning. This book was much easier to read from the very start and I jumped right in as the book perfectly flowed from the previous one and it was like I never even left their world. I loved it from the very start and now I am just sad that it had to end.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was probably Penryn again and there was one main scene that made this decision clear to me. Penryn finally had what she had been fighting for throughout the whole trilogy: her family back together on their way to safety. She had wanted that for so long and could have just kept going and kept that perfect moment and been safe for the rest of time because she knew that soon everything would end and she trusted Raffe to do the right thing. However then she was presented with a choice: keep running with her family or save the people of the Resistance. She could have kept going, she should have kept going, but Penryn was a stupid and brave and heroic girl and her choice was clear the moment she was presented with it. She came such a long way from the girl who would let the whole world burn for her sister to the girl who was willing to risk her own life for others. She had lost all hope in humanity, thinking no one was willing to help each other, that it was everyone for themselves, but she was the one who restored that faith for others. She made her decision because she was a hero and because she trusted Raffe and knew that he would never hurt her or anyone else. She was the perfect hero, the one the world needed and she proved it in this moment and all the ones that came after.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

I loved so many parts of the book and there are so many scenes I will never forget, however there are a couple that stood out much more to me. It’s really hard to explain without spoiling anything so my wording might be a bit cryptic and confusing if you haven’t read the book, but I’d rather do it like this than spoil the book. My favourite parts occurred when Penryn and Raffe went to try to find some people to help them, some people that Raffe had known in the past and who he thought he could save and that then they could save him and Penryn. The reason I loved this is because they saw what was so obvious between the two of them that both of them (especially Raffe) were trying to ignore and push down because they both knew that it could never be and that it would never last. It was so funny to see how they asked Raffe so many questions about her and when he answered one thing they knew that he meant something else. When he got so pissed at them for showing an interest in his girl (though he had just said she wasn’t his) I nearly died. And then later when it was just the two of them flying around they took the time to pretend that just for a while their romance wasn’t forbidden and that for a while they could just be 2 people who wanted each other. That part was just perfect and I will never forget it. I loved this whole experience and I just wish I coul read it again for the first time.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I really enjoyed reading End of Days and thought it was the perfect ending for this trilogy, however there were a couple things I wish had been done differently. One thing I really loved about the book was the romance which took a real turn in this book. In both the previous books all I wanted and the one thing I was waiting for was a true romance. The tension between the couple was clear and the teasing and banter was absolutely perfect but I desperately wanted more. I didn’t get any of that in World After and that really annoyed me, however I finally got my wish in this last book. One specific scene near the beginning of the book nearly killed me and then later on there were so many moments were I was just dying from joy. There were also many moments where I was so annoyed and wanted to slap some sense into the characters, however overall the whole romance was enough to destroy me. Another thing I really loved about the book was the plot. After reading the first 2 books I was honestly confused at how all this would end and what could really happen in this book. The main thing in the series was Penryn trying to find her sister and get her family to safety and Raffe trying to get his wings back so he could go back to the angels and now that they both had what they wanted (or were about to get it) I was so unclear on what would happen but what did happen was absolutely perfect. The twists and turn, the new characters and the stuff about the past were things I could never have predicted. The final thing that I loved but also had a few conflicting feelings about was the ending. I loved the ending because of what it meant for Penryn and Raffe and how it showed how far they both came, especially Raffe who gave up what meant most to him in the world for Penryn because he finally realised that the most important thing was her. I got what I wanted after so long and it was absolutely perfect, however I wanted more so badly. The build up to the final scene was absolutely incredible and I felt like I was on the edge of my seat the entire time waiting for the ending that I wished for but also dreading it wouldn’t end like I wanted. However, I think that the author could have spent a bit more time on the actual ending scene because it felt a little rushed and anticlimactic. I got the ending that I wanted but I wasn’t willing to accept that the book was finished when I reached the ending and that I would never know anything else about the characters I grew to love. I needed more closure (which I later got by making a board on Pinterest) and I just wish that the book could have been a little longer.  

Which is your favourite book in the Penryn & the End of Days series? (1, 2, or 3)

I enjoyed all three of the books in this series and found that I loved them practically equally, however I would probably say that End of Days (the third and final book) was my favourite one. Although the ending left much to be desired and I didn’t feel like the series was fully complete when I finished, as if there was something missing, I still found that I preferred it to the other 2 books. It had everything I had loved throughout the series, like the ridiculously short chapters that made me feel like I was flying through the book and it was a floppy paperback which I love (if you know, you know). It also had the perfect banter between Penryn and Raffe that I lived for and had seriously missed in World After. However this book also had so much more, things that I hadn’t had in the other books and that I had been wanting for so long. One main thing was the romance which honestly developed so much and made me want to just squeal and hug the book. So many scenes will live in my mind rent free for the rest of my life and this couple will forever be one of my favourites. Another thing was also how many new things popped up in this final book and how it didn’t make it feel at all like it was rushed or everything was being fit into a very small book. The plot felt so much more action packed than the previous books and I just loved it. This whole trilogy has been amazing and I know that I will never not recommend it.

Would you recommend this book?  

I definitely recommend this book and this whole trilogy. It was absolutely amazing and it is the perfect read for those who love romance (though it is slow burn) and adventure and lots of shocking and crazy moments.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

The epic conclusion to a fantastic fantasy and romance series that will leave you thinking about it for days.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

WORLD AFTER by Susan Ee

“‘The survivors of the angel apocalypse begin to scrape back together what’s left of the modern world.’ When a group of people capture Penryn’s sister Paige, thinking she’s a monster, the situation ends in a massacre. As Penryn searches the streets of San Francisco looking for her, she’s drawn into the heart of the angels’ secret plans, where she learns the horrifying extent to which they a willing to go. Meanwhile, Raffe hunts for his wings. Without them, he can’t re-join the angels, but when faced with recapturing his wings or helping Penryn survive, which will he choose?”

What is the book about?

Penryn managed to find her sister after searching for so long with Raffe, but now she isn’t sure if that was the best idea as her sister isn’t who she was before. Whatever the angels did to her while they had her captive has left her a shell of her former self and many see her as a monster. Penryn feels kind of safe now, in the Resistance headquarters with her family, but she misses Raffe and she knows the feeling of safety won’t last, especially when it is made clear that her family doesn’t really belong there. When a group of Resistance people capture Paige, Penryn’s sister, thinking she is a monster, the situation ends in a massacre and Penryn loses Paige again. Penryn must now once again hit the streets of San Francisco to look for her, but this time with different company. As she tries to find her, she finds herself once again in the middle of the angels and discovers the angels’ secret plans for Earth and how far they are willing to go to see them completed. Meanwhile, Raffe is searching for his wings, his only hope of ever being able to go back home and being accepted by his friends. If he doesn’t get them back he won’t ever be able to re-join the angels, but when he has to choose between his wings and Penryn, which will mean more to him?

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

Angelfall ended in such an emotional and stressful cliff-hanger that had me reaching for World After instantly, desperate to find out what would happen now that Penryn and Raffe were separated. My initial thoughts on the book were pretty similar to the thoughts I had for the first book, though now that I had already read one of the books I was definitely more confident about my expectations. I was pretty confident that I would enjoy the book and that it would be really good, even though I was prepared to have a rather rough start to the book, like I had had with Angelfall. I knew that once I got through a few chapters I would fully fall in love with the book and there would be no going back. I honestly finished the book in 2 sittings because once I started to read it was like everything started to flow and sitting to read a few chapter would turn into reading half the book. In the beginning I did kind of feel a little weird, however it definitely took less time to get used to the book than with Angelfall and I was soon reaching the end reaching for the final book to complete the series. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

I think in this book my favourite character was also Penryn because of how brave (though some will see it as stupidity) she is. There is one particular part in this book where it was clear to me that Penryn was one of the bravest and kindest humans I have ever met and it was definitely the part where I knew that she was my favourite. At this part of the book Penryn has the opportunity to run in the opposite direction of the danger and to protect her family in the process, however if she does run she will leave behind many innocent strangers to suffer and probably die at the hands of angels and the creatures they created. Anyone else would have immediately run away and wouldn’t have even considered helping others as most humans I know are all about themselves and aren’t willing to sacrifice their lives for other people, especially strangers. However, Penryn is not one of those people and seeing her risk everything to help a few more people made me admire her so much and definitely made me believe a little that there are good people in the world (even if she is just a fictional character).

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

I loved so many parts of the book, however there is no argument over the fact that my favourite part was definitely when Penryn and Raffe were reunited. I spent the whole book just wishing that they would find their way back to each other and at several points they were so close to it that I wanted to just scream so when it finally happened I was just over the moon. It was just such a sweet part of the book, especially the way that Raffe was so conflicted about whether it was really her or not and to see the poor guy struggle with all the feelings that he had in that moment was just so cute (he literally nearly ruined everything for himself because he was frozen in place!). Then I loved how easily they got back to their old relationship and their loving banter and it just made me feel so happy. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I thought that World After was an amazing book and I can’t wait to read the final book. One thing I loved about the book, and have loved about the previous book too, was the short chapters. These chapters were so absolutely perfect and made the book literally fly by. I always find that books with short chapters are so much quicker and easier to read and this book definitely made me feel that way. In like 10 minutes I had already read 5 chapters and it felt amazing to make so much progress with the book and definitely made me more likely to keep reading. Another thing I loved was the ending because of how it was kind of happy but also had a cliff-hanger. I really loved the way that Penryn described how, even if it was just for a moment, in that moment right at the end she felt safe and it just made me so happy to see the characters so calm and happy, even if I knew it wouldn’t last long as the next book would mess that all up. The cliff-hanger part of it was also great as it made me so excited to read the final book and definitely made the flow from this book to the third book much easier. However, although the book was amazing and I really enjoyed it, there were a few things I didn’t like about the book. One thing was the fact that it was written in the first person. I definitely got a bit more used to it especially after reading the whole of Angelfall in the first person, but it still felt so weird and I definitely would have preferred it to be in the third person. Another thing was that for the majority of the book my favourite couple had to be separated. It really annoyed me that I couldn’t have more of the amazing moments with the banter and any of the sweet moments between them when it was clear that they were fighting their feelings for each other. That is something I definitely would have liked to see more of and hope I will see more of in the final book.

Which book did you like better, the first or the second?

I loved both Angelfall and World After and definitely have high hopes for the final book because of this; however I would probably say that I preferred the first book (Angelfall) to the second book. There wasn’t really many reasons for my decision as both books were very similar with the same short chapters and first person narrative, however there was one very big difference between the 2 books which made my decision for me. The reason I preferred Angelfall was because Penryn and Raffe were together for basically the whole book when, in World After, the couple were together for a very short amount of time at the end. This meant that the second book in the trilogy didn’t have the banter between them that made me squeal and was just so entertaining and also it didn’t have any of the cute scenes where it was clear that they both felt something for each other. That is literally the only reason I would say Angelfall was my favourite as the writing and plot and everything else was so perfect in both books, however it is a big thing that I definitely noticed while reading. Now I just can’t wait to see what happens in End of Days and I hope to see so much more of Penryn and Raffe together.

Would you recommend this book?  

I would definitely recommend reading this book (after Angelfall) and I think it is the perfect read for those (over 15) who enjoy fantasy, dystopian fiction and adventure, with a great sprinkle of romance.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

An addictive and perfect sequel full of mystery, romance and adventure.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego