A VOW SO BOLD AND DEADLY by Brigid Kemmerer

“Face your fears, fight the battle. Emberfall is crumbling fast, torn between those who believe Rhen is the rightful heir and those who are eager to begin a new era under Grey, the true heir. Fight the battle, save the kingdom. With war looming, Harper struggles to help Rhen find a path to peace. Meanwhile, Lia Mara, newly crowned queen of Syll Shallow, begins to question if she can be the ruler he country needs. As the two kingdoms come closer to conflict, loyalties are tested, love is threatened, and an old enemy resurfaces who could destroy them all.”

What is the book about?

War is looming and everyone is struggling to find the best path. Emberfall is crumbling under Rhen’s leadership, torn between those who believe that Rhen is the rightful king and those who want Grey to take the throne and start fresh under a new leader. Rhen doesn’t know what to do and a familiar voice haunts him once more, watching and influencing his every move. Harper wants to find a way to find peace between the countries, however she is struggling to show Rhen the right way towards it. Meanwhile, Lia Mara, newly crowned queen of Syll Shallow, is unsure if she is really suited for the role and if she can be the leader her country needs. She wants to find peace, but it isn’t as simple as it seems and a new enemy from within threatens to ruin everything she has worked for. Grey struggles to find a balance between magic and battle, but without both there is no chance he can face the looming battle against his brother. As the two kingdoms come closer and closer to conflict, loyalties are tested, love is threatened, and an old enemy resurfaces. They must find a way to work out their differences and stop this new threat, before it destroys them all…

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

A Heart So Fierce and Broken had left me completely shocked and desperate to dive straight back into their fantasy world and find out the conclusion to the Cursebreaker series. As soon as I got my hands on the book, I wanted to immediately open it and begin the story; however I resisted because I wanted to fully appreciate the story, as it would be the last time I would read about Harper, Rhen, Grey and Lia Mara. After reading the blurb, I was even more curious to see what this book would bring and I wanted to see if the kingdoms could truly find peace between them, after being enemies for so long. After admiring the cover for a few extra seconds (the front covers for this book series are beautiful – I love them), I finally opened the book and within seconds I had already forgotten I was reading and was completely sucked back into a world of magic, royalty and blood. From the very first page, I already knew that this book was going to be just as incredible as the others, if not even more, and I was already in love with the plot and all the characters. I absolutely adored A Vow So Bold and Deadly from the very first word, and it was horrible to see the end approach so swiftly.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

Strangely enough, it wasn’t that difficult to pick a favourite character and it was even more unexpected that that happened to be Grey. In the previous books he was hidden behind the other characters, leaving them to be the main protagonist, especially in A Curse So Dark and Lonely as we weren’t even given his perspective. However, in A Heart So Fierce and Broken, we began to see a bit of what he was like on the inside and then in this book it was clear to me that he was one of the best characters and, in my opinion, the best. Firstly, he is so brave and loyal, and, despite everything he has been though, he keeps fighting for a brighter future for everyone around him. Next, he is so selfless, which was clear to me from the very first book. Some people might mistake his selflessness for loyalty and following orders, however no one was forcing him into doing anything and he chose to keep on fighting, if not for himself but for everyone he has ever loved. Lastly (and this is undoubtedly the quality that made me choose him as my favourite character), he is so protective and caring of the people he loves. In the first book, and also in the second one, we didn’t get to truly see behind the ‘Scary Grey’ mask he wears, however in A Vow So Bold and Deadly, we get to see the true Grey and how he is just a gentle, brave man that will so anything to help and protect the few people he holds close to him. It’s hard to earn his loyalty and trust, but, once you have, there is nothing more powerful than his friendship and I think that is what made him stand out from all the other characters. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

The book was full of a lot of absolutely incredible scenes and, obviously, I loved the whole book but I think that my favourite part of the book was probably the ending. Even though the future was unknown – and I hate it when authors leave me wondering what happened to the characters – I really liked how the book made it clear that the worst was over and now there was a chance for all the characters to find a happy ending, even if I wouldn’t get to see it. I liked knowing that some of the characters would finally get to set aside helping other and finally get to look after themselves, especially after months of having to look for what was best for the whole population. There was a lot left up to the reader at the end, but I think that the book gave me a sufficient amount of closure for me to move onto another book, with new characters and a different adventure. It is always sad for me to let go of characters that I feel like I have been with through the tough times and the good, but I like that I have the chance to believe what I like and imagine the future, even though I will always be curious at what the author actually had planned for the characters in her own head. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I absolutely love A Vow So Bold and Deadly and thought that it was an incredible conclusion to another series that I have thoroughly enjoyed. One of the things that I really liked about the book was the fact that it once again had Harper and Rhen’s perspectives, which I had really missed after not having them in A Heart So Fierce and Broken. I really liked that all 4 main characters had their point of view included, which gave me a bigger picture, but I enjoyed some more than other and hated the cliff-hangers I was sometimes left on, especially when I was reading late at night and couldn’t keep going until I got that persons viewpoint again. Another think I really liked was the romance and how you could truly see how both couples were in love and made for each other. I liked seeing the romance develop in the first and second books, and I loved seeing the connection grow even further in this last book. One last think that I loved about the book, but also sort of disliked, was the ending. It left me with the opportunity to make my own future for the characters and the potential to create the life they each deserve, which I really liked especially as I could further the connection with the characters. However, I also disliked the ending because, although it gave me a sufficient amount of closure, I would have liked to know what the author had in store for the character. It was also sad to see the characters go, especially a certain one that I had developed strong feelings for and a bond, but the ending was good and didn’t ruin the series as I was dreading. The Cursebreakers series was incredible and I really enjoyed getting the chance to go on such an incredible adventure with these characters. 

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

Although all three books in the series were incredible, I think that my favourite book is A Curse So Dark and Lonely, mainly because it was the most memorable and I enjoyed the plot better. A Curse So Dark and Lonely had the best plot put of all three and was faster paced. Although the pace did pick up in A Vow So Bold and Deadly, it did not compare to how quickly I read the initial book and I definitely found that the plot was more thought out, however this could have been because it was a new series filled with characters I had never met before, so I was eager to find out more. Another thing that made me stick with the first book in the series because of how strong the romance was and how it tugged at my own heart and made me feel so sad and connected to the characters. I couldn’t even believe that romance could be so powerful and could make me practically cry, but the incredible author was able to break my heart into a thousand pieces and the slowly piece it back together. One final reason why I chose A Curse So Dark and Lonely as my favourite book was because it was the fairy tale retelling. I love fantasy books that are fairy tale retellings and, as Beauty and the Beast is one of my favourite fairy tales, I absolutely adored the first book. Although the second and third books were following on from the first book and did include some elements of fairy tale, I definitely preferred A Curse So Dark and Lonely because it was the original. Overall, I thought that all three books were very well written and combined to make an incredible book series. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I definitely recommend reading A Vow So Bold and Deadly, especially for readers over 14 and those who enjoy fantasy, romance and a pinch of magic. I advise reading the other two books in the trilogy because without that information it will be very confusing for you. It is a great read and I am sure that almost anyone who picks up the book will enjoy it. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A magical and thrilling conclusion to a shocking, romance filled twist on Beauty and the Beast.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

A HEART SO FIERCE AND BROKEN by Brigid Kemmerer

“Harper has freed Prince Rhen from the curse that almost destroyed his kingdom. But all is not well in Emberfall: rumours are rife that there is a rival heir with a stronger claim to the throne and that ‘Princess’ Harper of Disi is nothing but a fraud. Grey has fled the castle carrying a terrible secret. When he is discovered by soldiers and returned to Ironrose by force, Grey’s allegiances begin to shift. As he grows closer to an enemy princess, he is forced to decide whether he will stand against Rhen for the crown he never wanted…”

What is the book about?

Harper’s love for Rhen has freed him and his kingdom from the curse that almost destroyed them all. But, even with the curse now broken, Emberfall is still not fully safe: rumours are spreading about a rival heir with a stronger claim to the throne than Rhen and that ‘Princess’ Harper of Disi and the alliance is nothing but a lie. Grey has fled the castle carrying a terrible secret, which he must hide to keep himself and all of Emberfall safe. Hidden in a small village with a new identity, he is discovered by soldiers and forcefully returned to Ironrose. Grey’s alliances begin to shift as he realises that maybe Rhen isn’t the prince he thought him to be and that his thoughts had been blinded by loyalty to the crown. As he grows closer to an enemy princess, he must decide whether he will stand against Rhen for the crown he never wanted or let himself and all of Emberfall be destroyed…

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

Initially, I obviously knew this was going to be an incredible book because I had already read the first book in the series – A Curse So Dark and Lonely – and absolutely loved it. I had been left on a perfect and shocking cliff-hanger, which had just enough suspense to leave me desperate and curious to discover what happens next, but not too much that I become frustrated due to my shocking lack of patience. As soon as I had turned the last page of the previous book, I was already reaching over to read A Heart So Fierce and Broken, ready to dive back into Emberfall and uncover the new plot that I was sure to love. After admiring the gorgeous cover and reading the enticing blurb, I already had endless questions and was anxious to finally flip to the front page and begin another adventure, and as soon as I did I was already in love with the story. Once I started to read, I felt like I had never stopped reading and was back with Harper and Rhen in their world, trying to help them in their adventures. After reading the first chapter in Harper’s familiar perspective, I felt at home in the fantasy world of Emberfall, but, as I began to read more chapters, those feelings slowly began to fade when I realised that I was no longer going to have Harpers point of view. Although I was a bit surprised to begin with, I gradually began to get used to the new narrators and start to enjoy the story again. Within what felt like minutes, I was already reaching the end of the book and was literally on the edge of my seat once again. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was definitely Lia Mara, mostly because she is what I think the best version of me would be. Unlike other times, choosing my favourite character was a very easy decision and I was already decided only a few chapters after meeting Lia Mara. Even though she was always surrounded by brutality, she grew up believing in peace over conflict and that there were other ways to solve problems than with a sword. I really liked how she was very self-conscious about herself, like most teenage girls are, and that she didn’t believe that she was anyone worth knowing. Lia Mara had always been a nobody, completely ignored by most people, and so that’s what she believed was true, even after all her friends told her that she wasn’t worthless. The best thing about Lia Mara was that she was completely selfless and loyal to everyone she cared about. This might have been because of how she didn’t believe she was of any importance and that no one would miss her, but I also think that it all came down to her bravery and strength to choose what is right, even if it means choosing everyone else over your own self. One last thing that made me sure she was the best character was that she enjoyed reading almost as much as I do and I think that that made her an even better character, with all the knowledge she had gathered from reading. The reason I knew I liked her from the first few chapters is because she understood the appeal of fictional characters and how much better they are from real human beings. I just understood Lia Mara really well and she really showed me that you don’t need magic or any important role to still do something to help the world. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book was most likely the ending for quite a few reasons. One reason why I liked the ending was because it was full of plot twists and, when I thought the surprises were over, more kept on coming. I had started the book with high hopes, and lost faith in it as I started to notice that the main characters were different, but the ending restored my trust to the story completely and I was so excited to read the next book to find out the solution to the endless problems that appeared in the last chapter. Another reason why I chose the ending as my favourite part was because it made me hopeful for a better future. For the whole book, Emberfall was in shatters and the problems the country had didn’t look like they were ever going to be resolved, but the ending gave me the confidence to believe in a resolution. I am hopeful that in the third and final book, this new path the story is on will help Emberfall and everyone have a better, more prosperous future and that the characters will be able to resolve their differences and join together to help reach that goal. One last reason why I really enjoyed the ending of A Heart So Fierce and Broken was because of the romance at the end. I like seeing a couple finally together with (almost) nothing in their way and, luckily, that is what I got. For some reason, I preferred the romance in this book to the previous one, and I really enjoyed seeing the love flourish after so much suffering. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I really enjoyed reading A Heart So Fierce and Broken and thought it was an amazing book. When I started reading, I was confident that the book was going to be just as incredible as the previous book in the series, but after reading a few chapters I began to realise that the main characters were different, and that I would be hearing different points of view. I had lost hope in the book because I had really enjoyed the perspectives in A Curse So Dark and Lonely and I wanted to keep hearing from them, however I kept reading and – once I got used to the new narrators – I found that I enjoyed these characters just as much as the first ones. One of the reasons why I enjoyed the book was because of the new main character. It is rather ironic that the reason I thought I wasn’t going to enjoy the book is actually one of the reasons I loved the book, but it’s true that the new main character (Lia Mara) made the book so  much better. She was kind, brave and loyal and was a complete inspiration. She showed me that, even if I’m just one person with no special abilities, there is still a chance that I can do something that will change the world and that, if I try my best, anything is possible. Another thing that I really loved about the book was the romance, which I somehow preferred to the romance in A Curse So Dark and Lonely. I think the main reason I loved the romance in A Heart So Fierce and Broken more was because I didn’t know it was going to happen and it didn’t seem like it was forced. Before even starting A Curse So Dark and Lonely, I already knew that there was going to be romance between two characters because it is a Beauty and the Beast retelling. However, when I started to read A Heart So Fierce and Broken, I didn’t know that there was going to be romance until I started to notice the emotions begin between the characters. I also think I liked it more because I got to really see the characters begin to fall for each other and I got to see and feel it through both characters eyes. I knew everything they felt for each other and why they felt that way, and I really loved watching it all begin from day 1. One last reason why A Heart So Fierce and Broken is such an incredible book is because of the ending. I was so shocked after reading the many twists coming right after the other that I barely had time to register what had happened. At the end it was chapter after chapter filled with new information, new shocks and more twists, and I absolutely loved them all. The ending made me so curious and gave me so much hope for a wonderful third and final book that I almost immediately turned to grab the next book and start to read. A Heart So Fierce and Broken really was an extraordinary book and I’m really glad that I gave it a chance. 

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

Although both A Curse So Dark and Lonely and A Heart So Fierce and Broken were amazing books in their own way, I think that my favourite book is A Curse So Dark and Lonely, mainly because I liked the plot better. I found that A Heart So Fierce and Broken had a bit of sequel syndrome and for a small section of the book I was unaware at what the plot was, which made the story a bit slower paced and, frankly, quite boring. In contrast, A Curse So Dark and Lonely had a wonderful plot and I didn’t lose interest once in the whole book, therefore, in my opinion, it was a much more enjoyable and exciting book. Another reason why I think that I enjoyed A Curse So Dark and Lonely better was because it was the original fairy tale retelling of Beauty and the Beast and I always adore reading different versions of some of my favourite princess fairy tales. Even though A Heart So Fierce and Broken was a continuation of the story, it lost its element of fairy tale retelling and I didn’t enjoy the story as much because it lost a bit of its element of magic (which is a bit ironic because magic is present in a lot more of A Heart So Fierce and Broken). One last thing that made me choose A Curse So Dark and Lonely over its sequel was because the romance made me so sad, especially when he remembered her when he wasn’t even in his true form. Despite preferring the romantic couple in A Heart So Fierce and Broken, I found that A Curse So Dark and Lonely made my heart break and nothing can beat a book that tears you apart and then slowly puts you back together. Both books were really good and I enjoyed reading them both, and I cannot wait to finish the trilogy with A Vow So Bold and Deadly. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I definitely recommend reading A Heart So Fierce and Broken, especially for readers over 14 and anyone who enjoys fantasy, adventure and romance. Before reading this book, however, I suggest you to read A Curse So Dark and Lonely, the first book in the series, or you will find yourself in a confusing situation. Once you have read the first book, I urge you to give this book a chance, even if you are bored at first, because you will find that the further you go in the story, the more incredible it gets. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A fairy tale, fantasy adventure with shocking twists and turns full of murder, betrayal and love. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

A CURSE SO DARK AND LONELY by Brigid Kemmerer

“Prince Rhen, the heir to Emberfall, is cursed. Forced to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year over and over, he can only be freed if a girl truly falls for him, and after so many failures his kingdom and its people are barely holding on. Harper’s life has never been easy, but she’s learning to be tough enough to survive the streets of Washington, D.C. When she is sucked into Rhen’s world, nothing is as it seems. Powerful forces are standing against Emberfall…and it will take more than a broken curse to save it from utter ruin.”

What is the book about?

Prince Rhen, the heir to Emberfall, is cursed. He is forced to repeat the autumn of his eighteenth year over and over, and until he can get a girl to truly fall in love with him, he will never be freed. Rhen has failed so many times and is losing hope, but he has to continue trying because his kingdom and its people are falling further into poverty and are barely holding together; the only thing his people know is true is the deep fear of the monster that roams Emberfall. Harper may look like an ordinary girl, but her life has never been easy. Somehow she has found a way to survive her harsh life in Washington D.C. and to work with her brother to keep their mother safe and alive for as long as they can. When she is sucked into Rhen’s world for another attempt to break the curse, her entire world is turned upside down and nothing is as it seems. The only thing Harper wants to find an escape so she can help her family survive, but powerful forces are standing against Emberfall and it will take more than a broken curse to save it. Harper must decide between her family and the fate of Emberfall or the whole kingdom will end in utter ruin…

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

As soon as my friend mentioned that these books were on her book wish list, I immediately looked them up and spent hours re-reading the blurb of the first book longing to be able to read them. Luckily, I quickly got to buy them and, once I got my hands on them, I wanted to start reading right away. Finally, I got to pick up A Curse So Dark and Lonely and dive into the world of Emberfall. After reading the blurb for what must have been the 100th time, I was made even more curious and exited to read the book. I was ecstatic at the chance to read a fairy tale retelling of Beauty and the Beast because I really love those types of books, and especially because it is one of my favourite fairy tales. Once I opened the book and started to read the first chapter, I was already nearing the middle of the book, completely lost at the amount of time I had spent in Emberfall reading about Harper and Rhen. From the first page I was already absolutely captivated and I knew that I was going to adore this series. I knew the book was incredible from the very first well-written page and even before that, when all I had read was the blurb 100 times over. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was, undoubtedly, Harper. There was a lot to like about Harper, but the one thing that stood out to me and made me immediately choose her was her strength and determination, despite her cerebral palsy. She really showed how her condition did not define her and that it was a part of her and her daily life. In addition to having some physical challenges, she was strong and resilient and capable of anything. She knew that some people would treat her differently and that some would see her as weaker, but she didn’t let that bring her down and she did her best to show the world that she wasn’t going to be defined by her condition; she was her own person. I really liked how she was determined to do everything she could to help everyone she could, she didn’t just think of her family but also all the people of Emberfall. Despite being in a completely different world, Harper wasn’t broken, she was made stronger. No matter how many times she was hurt or attacked or shocked, she continued to do her best and try her hardest to help everyone and make her way back home. Another thing that I really liked about Harper was that she never forgot her family and her real aim when she was in Emberfall. She could have easily tried to ignore the fact that she had a family waiting and worrying for her, but she didn’t. Instead she did everything in her power to get home showing, once again, her determination and also her loyalty. She didn’t give up on those she cared about and didn’t forget the place she came from, no matter how tempting the delicacies and luxuries of Emberfall were. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part was one that is far too difficult to explain and if I try I will most likely completely ruin the plot, so I will explain it without saying what part it was. I loved this part because of how well it connected with my emotions and made me really feel something for the character. I liked how it showed that what he had said earlier in his thoughts was true and I felt really sad because of how it must have affected him. I felt even worse because no one knew how he felt or what it was like for him because he lost all means of communication. I thought it was so sweet that he remembered and I couldn’t help but cry when I knew that there was still hope and all was not lost. It was one word that triggered all of these feelings, but I think that one word was enough to show the truth about everything. It was the sweetest thing ever and I am really glad that I got the opportunity to feel all that from just one word. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, A Curse So Dark and Lonely was an incredible book and I absolutely loved every word. There is nothing at all that I would change about the book and I thought that it was just perfect. One reason why I loved the book was because I got to read from both Harper’s and Rhen’s points of view and without both the story would have not been complete. I would have missed so many important details with only one of the characters narrating and I would have felt completely robbed of the opportunity of seeing both characters reactions to certain things. Furthermore, I got to read a perspective I never thought would be possible and I thought it was pure genius by the author because of how much it affected me as a reader and connected to my emotions. Without it, I don’t know if I would feel as inclined to read the next book in the series, but now I just can’t wait for more of this magical writing. Another thing that I liked about the book was how one of the main characters, Harper, had a condition that many people have all over the world. I thought that it was very smart of the writer to include this because I thought it was a really effective method of making the character more inspirational and giving the book a stronger meaning. It furthered my awareness of some conditions and made me understand more about the world we live in, and I thought that it was a really great incorporation into the book. One last reason why I really loved reading A Curse So Dark and Lonely was because of how the romance developed. Many romance books I read go too quickly for my liking and it doesn’t seem very realistic that a couple could fall that in love so quickly. However, A Curse So Dark and Lonely was unlike any of those books and introduced the feeling of romance much later and slower. I thought it was much more realistic and thought that it made the book that much better. This was also good because it meant that the book could end the way it did and a quicker romance wouldn’t have ended in the perfect way that A Curse So Dark and Lonely ended (not including the epilogue). I thought that A Curse So Dark and Lonely was unmistakably a remarkable book and I am so excited to read the next book in the Cursebreakers series.

Would you recommend this book?  

I 100% recommend that you read A Curse So Dark and Lonely, especially if you are a fan of fairy tale retellings like I am. I think that it is best for readers 14 and over, but I am sure anyone who picks it up will love it. It is full of romance, adventure and action and will leave you eager for more.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A magical, fantasy novel, full of action, adventure and romance, all about a girl, a prince and a curse. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

About Me: Update

Hi everyone. As you all know, I started this blog for my Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award 2 years ago. I kept it going throughout year 10 and 11 due to my love of reading and how it really helped me process and consolidate what I had read. I have decided I'm also going to use this blog to share any experiences that I think might help other people and to show that although I try hard to live life like the magical fantasies I read about, life is just not like that. So I'm going to begin by explaining the most hectic year I have had.

This year I went through one of the most stressful times I've ever known: I completed my GCSEs. For those of you who don't know what GCSEs are, they are set of exams on all the subjects you were taught in secondary school that occur in May-June time. For the past two years I've been studying towards these exams hoping and dreading that they would be cancelled like in previous years due to the pandemic. I'm not sure if I was fortunate or unfortunate by the fact that I did sit my exams, but either way I sat 28 exams starting from the 16th of May and finishing on the 23rd of June. 

I spent year 10 and 11 in my room revising every second that I had because I was not going to fail my exams or get low grades because I didn't work hard enough. I know that I might have been a bit hard on myself but at least this way I know I did everything I could to make sure that I got the grade that I deserved. Now I know it's still not a really good representation of what you are like as a person and what you could really achieve, but these exams define everything and I was not about to let them define my future in the wrong way. 

For the past few months I have been told by friends, family and even teachers that I should not work as hard as I am working and that I should relax a little bit, but they don't know is that you can't achieve the top grades by only doing a couple of hours of revision a day. So, as a result, I sat down at my desk and revised for over 6 hours every evening, which is basically all the time that we have after school. For a while I lost all confidence in myself and all motivation, but I kept reminding myself that the main goal was to see those grades and know that I deserve them and hopefully they were what I wanted.

Another thing that really kept me going was the fact that one of my friends was working equally as hard as me and I always knew that, when I was sat at my desk, she was also sat at hers and, when I was struggling to keep going, she was also struggling. I know that there were probably many other people who were also working just as hard as me and if you're one of those people who is able to work that hard and to keep going then all I can say to you is to not listen to what anyone says because in the end it's your grades and it's your life, so you work as hard as you want and as hard as you can because in the end it will all be worth it because you will be able to achieve anything through hard work. It may take you a while and it might lead to many sleepless nights or nights where you just cry yourself to sleep because, believe me, it is not easy, but I think and hope that it is going to lead to success in the end. (My view may change when I get my results though!)

Now, if you're the kind of person who doesn't work and thinks that they can just cram all of their revision into the night before the exam then I have a very different piece of advice for you. Work and work hard because in the end it will be worth it and even if you are thinking that you can't get any good grades because you're too dumb or just don't have the motivation, but you will be able to do it if you just set a goal. My goal might be impossible in some people's eyes and I might have extremely high expectations myself, but each person is different and if you are just aiming for a pass, then work for it and don't let anything stand in your way. 

Some of you may be thinking that I'm only saying this stuff because I have a very clear idea of what I want to do in the future and I have a clear goal, so it's not that hard for me to stay motivated. However, my life is completely different and I don't know anything about what I want to do in the future. I try so hard to think about what I may want to do, but it is impossible. I don't know what I like, when I'm good at, what I want to do, and I don't know how I'm going to figure out what job I want in the future, especially at this age. There is so much pressure on teenagers and most people don't see it. But I know that if I work hard and I try my best that maybe, when I get to the point where I actually know what I want to do, that I have the grades that I need for it and all my life wasn't just wasted. So if you know what you want to do, don't let anything stop you from achieving your dream, but if you are in the same situation as I am in and you have no clue and you don't know when you are never going to find out, then just keep going and just keep hoping that one day you'll find out.

I will be getting my GCSE results on the 25th of August (I have to wait 2 months and it is torture!) and I can't stop thinking about what I will see when I open them. If you don't know, the grading system for these exams is numbers. The highest you can get is a 9 (above an A*) and the pass grade is a 4 (a low C). I want all 7s, 8s and 9s (As and above). This may seem like a lot or little for some people, but everyone has different expectations, so you aim for what is right for you. 

While I was revising and preparing for my exams, I made the decision to not read as it would have just made things a lot more stressful as I would have had a lot less time to revise. However, I don't know if it would have actually been better if I did read, but I am glad that now all my exams are over and I can finally pick up a book and read like I've been meaning to the past few months. If you've been following my posts then it may seem weird to you that I carried on posting a review every week on Wednesdays as I normally do, but the main reason for that is due to the fact that during the summer holidays I spent the whole time reading and I read practically a book a day, so I ended up with so many book reviews this summer that I decided to have them scheduled to publish each week. So by the time I finished my exams I had caught up to the point where I had my scheduled reviews, so the next review will be in real time and will be the first book that I have picked up since December. 

I hope you continue to enjoy reading my reviews and they help you find a book you love. I also hope that you find this helpful and if you are struggling in school with anything at all that this helps you stay hopefully. So my final message to you all is to be brave and stay strong because, even though things seem tough, it will all be worth it in the end.