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

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

ANGELFALL by Susan Ee

“It has been six weeks since the angels of the apocalypse destroyed the world as we know it. Only pockets of humanity remain. Savage street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When they fly away with a helpless little girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back. Including making a deal with the enemy.”

What is the book about?

Six weeks ago, with no warning and no idea as to why, angels came down and destroyed the world. Now, only pockets of humanity remain as people struggle to survive. Nothing we were used to rely on works anymore, anything electrical and phones has stopped working, leaving most people helpless with no idea how to survive. Money holds no value and most people have had to turn to inhumane methods in order to protect their families. During the day people live in fear from the street gangs that rule the streets and keep control of everything, robbing the regular people of anything to eat or to help them survive. Once the sun sets a different fear rules – a fear of the supernatural, of the angels of the apocalypse. Penryn is the one in charge of protecting her little family: her mentally unstable mother and her disabled sister. All she wants is to keep them safe, but when she finally decides it’s time for them to leave their apartment and find somewhere safer, everything goes wrong. They encounter some angels who take her helpless little sister and now Penryn will do anything to get her back, including making a deal with the enemy, who may be the only one with the knowledge she needs to find her sister. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

I first bought Angelfall and the other books in this trilogy a few years ago and didn’t even know anything about the books at the time. If I’m completely honest I only purchased the books because I needed to get a giant book purchase up to £40 for free delivery and the books were on the ‘similar to books in your basket’ section. I didn’t even read the blurb and just decided it would be interesting to read and then proceeded to completely forget about their existence, as I do with most of my books (I have an extreme addiction!). However, a few months ago my friend was telling me about a few books she was keen to read and she mentioned Angelfall and something clicked in my brain and I remembered owning the series. Then I made the decision to pick up the book and have a look at the blurb and at a few reviews and I became very intrigued and excited to read the books, so I moved them to the top of my to-read list. It seemed like my kind of book as it had a few of the elements I always love. I was so interested to start reading and so confident, especially after my friend said she wanted to try them too. However, at the beginning when I started to read I was a bit disappointed. For some reason I found the book a bit hard to get into at the start, but soon it started to lighten up and my initial thoughts about it were soon confirmed. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

I think my favourite character was probably Penryn because she was such a realistic human. When she lost her sister and needed to get help from her enemy, she initially was prepared to use rather inhumane methods to get it. She didn’t try to hide what her desperation was turning her into and she made it clear that her sister was her priority and she didn’t care how she got to her. It was so realistic because I know, even though we would want to say that this wouldn’t happen to us, if it had happened to anyone of us we would have been prepared to sacrifice all our morals to get back someone we loved. It was also so clear that most of the time Penryn had no idea what she was doing and was just hoping that things would work out. And obviously she didn’t know what she was doing because she was just a teenager who 6 weeks ago had been going shopping with friends and relied on her phone for everything. Penryn was a very flawed main character, however that’s what made her a great main character and her loyalty to people made her a main character that I definitely admired. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part was definitely at the end of the book when it was clear that wat Raffe had said to Penryn earlier wasn’t the slightest bit true. Even though I already was pretty confident that what he had said wasn’t true before it even got to this part, the reassurance was definitely nice and made me much more excited to continue with the story. It was such an emotional and very annoying part because of what Raffe believed in that moment and how I was the only one who knew that it wasn’t true. I just wanted to scream at him but just had to sit there watching as the two characters got separated and watch as Raffe believed they would never see each other again. But I also loved this part because it made it clear that the romance I so wanted to happen was definitely going to happen, even though both characters clearly wanted to deny any feelings they had for each other.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall I really enjoyed Angelfall and now I can’t wait to read the second book in the trilogy and continue with the adventure. One thing that I really enjoyed about the story was how it was so different and yet so similar to some of the books that I have read and enjoyed. It had the same vibes as the dystopian fiction/fantasy books I have read, where the world is ending and it seems like it is up to a teenager to figure out how to fix everything. However it was also different as Penryn only wanted to save her sister and get back to her family and had no intention of saving the world, even though I’m pretty confident that is how the series is going to end. Another thing I loved about the book was the romance. Although there wasn’t really any romance, it was so clear where it was going between the characters as it was so predictable and I loved it. The enemies to lovers that I know is coming is one of the biggest reasons I am continuing the series and I have high hopes for it so it better meet my expectations. Although I did really enjoy the book, there were a few things that I didn’t love. One thing was that the book was written in the first person. After reading so many books in the third person I think now I’m just so used to it that anything else feels weird. Also I definitely prefer it when the book is written in the third person as I get to watch over all the characters and see more than I would if it were in the first person. However, after a while I got used to it and didn’t hate it any more. The second thing was that it took me a little while to get into the book and I found it hard to read in the beginning. I think that this may have been because of the first person writing but it might have also been because I found it a bit confusing in the beginning as I didn’t really know what was happening or why. Gradually I got into it and I started to get answers to my questions, however in the beginning I found the book a bit disappointing. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I would recommend this book and I think it is a great book for lovers of fantasy, romance and adventure. I think it’s best for readers over 15, but I know anyone will enjoy it (if they have the patience to keep with it at the start).

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

An action-packed story set in a post-apocalyptic world, with the perfect sprinkling of romance and fantasy.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

KINGDOM OF ASH by Sarah J. Maas

“‘The final battle is here.’ Aelin Galathynius has risked everything to save her people – but at a tremendous cost. Locked in an iron coffin by the Queen of the Fae, Aelin must use all her fiery will to endure the torture inflicted on her. If she yields to Maeve she will doom everyone she loves, but her resolve is beginning to unravel… With Aelin imprisoned, her friends must go on without her. Some bonds will deepen, while others will be severed forever. But as destinies weave together at last, all must unite as Aelin fights to save herself – and the promise of a better world.”

What is the book about?

Aelin Galathynius has risked everything, her whole life, for her kingdom and the people she loves. She cashed in every debt owed to her to get the allies she needed so that Terrasen could win this war and did everything she could with no intention in being there in the end. Even though she didn't mean for it to end like this, she has still ended up alone. Maeve has taken her, locked her in an iron coffin that she had had prepared for her years before she had even met Maeve. Now Aelin must use every bit of strength and determination she has left to endure the torture that Cairn, one of Marvel's blood sworn and a sadist, inflicts on her. If she gives in she will doom everyone back in Terrasen and destroy every person she loves, but she is starting to lose hope and lose strength. While she is imprisoned, Aelin's friends must continue to fight and work together to ensure there is a Terrasen for her when she is finally saved. As everyone reunites to save the world, it will either end or begin after this battle. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

Honestly I had very mixed feelings about this book and was both dreading and desperate to read it. My initial thoughts on it was that it was going to be absolutely incredible and that I would really enjoy reading it. However, I also knew from a friend of mine that it was going to be an emotional rollercoaster and that I would probably have my heart broken so I wasa little bit skeptical about reading it. Ever since finishing Empire of Storms I have been so desperate to start reading this book, so desperate to find out what happened after the cliffhanger ending that left me screaming. Tower of Dawn at first just felt like a massive obstacle keeping me from finding out what happens next (however I did end up really enjoying it). Although I wanted to find out the ending and finish the series, I also didn't as I didn't want the series to end after I basically dedicated the past month or so to reading the books. I was dreading finally finishing it but that wasn't enough for me to delay reading it. I knew it was going to be an epic read and that I would love it just as much as the other books in the series, and my thoughts were quickly supported once I started reading it as I was already falling in love with the last novel in this incredible series. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

For this book I cannot and will not choose a favourite character because every single character that I could chose from is my favourite and I cannot chose between them. In this book every one of the badass girls that I have loved and I wish I could be like was amazing and developed in her own way in this book and I refuse to pick between all these girls. Elide and the horse, Yrene and the ending scene, Lysandra and how she risked everything for Aelin and Terrasen, Manon and the character development and obviously Aelin for everything she has done since taking back her title. Every single one of these grew so much since I was first introduced to them and became better than I could have ever imagined. I loved all of these characters and I cannot chose between them and once you read the book and understand what I mean by the characters above you will agree with me.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

The whole of Kingdom of Ash was absolutely amazing and I really had to think about it before answering this question and even after that I couldn't quite pick one part as quite a few stood out to me. One of those was when Manon told Abraxos she loved him when there was a chance that she wouldn't make it. I loved this part because of how it showed Manon's character development from a witch who didn't have feelings or refused to feel them to one who loved and who cared, which was later proven even more. Another part that I also enjoyed was when Elide took that horse and rode to save Lorcan. I loved how she didn't even think about herself and just rode. She came such a long way from the little girl who didn't do much and felt like her whole personality was just her injury. There were also quite a few other parts that I enjoyed so I definitely don't think I could chose just one. This whole book was just an emotional wreck of a journey and I loved it. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, Kingdom of Ash was amazing and I think the perfect finale for the incredible fantasy series that has been the centre of my world for quite some time. I loved practically everything about the book and, even though it practically destroyed me and I now am in this void that I have no idea how to get out of, it was amazing and I wish I could read it all again for the first time. One thing that I really enjoyed about the book was (strangely) how it destroyed me and had me on the brink of tears throughout basically the whole book. It is a books job to make you feel something and this one certainly made me feel everything. It was so well written and I was easily able to connect to the characters and feel what they felt while they reached the final battle. The fact that I had spent 7 novels and 1 prequel getting to know the characters definitely helped to get me attached to them and the character development that I saw in this book had me dying the whole time. Another thing that I really loved about Kingdom of Ash was how finally all the couples that I had been rooting for, all the couples that I wanted together and needed together, got their own happy ending. At the end of Empire of Storms everything had gotten ruined and I was honestly so worried that after this whole series these couples would stay mad at each other. There were also certain points in Kingdom of Ash where I thought everything was going to end and where I didn't know if they would come back from it but I gladly got what I wanted and I couldn't be more grateful. One small thing that I didn't quite like about the book and found a little annoying was the beginning when everyone was separated and had their own point of view and story to tell. Although I appreciated getting all the details, it was so annoying when it would take at least 4 chapters and different perspectives before it got back to the character that I had been waiting for and when the chapters ended in cliffhangers I honestly would lose it as it would be a while before I got the next part. Luckily, gradually characters started coming together and there were less and less separate chapters (though still multiple POVs) until everyone came together. Although I didn't like it, this didn't stop me from liking the book and I'm so sad to say goodbye to these characters. 

Which was your favourite book in the Throne of Glass series? (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7)

Now that I have finished reading all the books I can honestly say that my favourite book in this series has got to be the fourth book, Queen of Shadows. I won't go into the details as to why I chose this as my favourite as it is clear in the previous reviews where I explained why it was my favourite, however the main reason is because its the first book where everyone came together and the start of the real series and not just the world building introduction (which I couldn't tell was the case with the first 3 books at the time but looking back now it is quite clear). Although this final book also had all the characters come together and was absolutely incredible I cannot say it is my favourite book for one main reason: it was the last book. Although I was desperate to read it, I was also dreading it because of this exact reason as it would mean that everything would end. I slightly hate the last book of all series because it means stopping reading, it means leaving this world and these characters that I have grown to love. After the last book finishes, I will no longer get to learn anything more about the characters and will never get to experience the stuff that I did again (unless I reread it and it still won't be the same that way). I loved Kingdom of Ash and I loved this whole series but it's over now and I hate that so Queen of Shadows will have to remain my favourite book in the series. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I 100% recommend Kingdom of Ash and I will never stop recommending it and the whole entire Throne of Glass series. It is an amazing book for a fantasy lover with the perfect amount of romance and adventure and magic. I think it's best for over 17 year olds due to the more explicit scenes but it is not that spicy or detailed so slightly younger readers may enjoy it. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

The perfect final novel in a series that will rip out your heart and have a lasting impact on you for the rest of your life.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

TOWER OF DAWN by Sarah J. Maas

“‘A glorious empire. A desperate quest. An ancient secret.’ Chaol Westfall and Nesryn Faliq have arrived in the shinning city of Antica to form an alliance with the Khagan of the Southern Continent, whose vast armies are Erilea's last hope. But they have also come to Antica for another purpose: to seek healing at the legendary Torre Cesme for the wounds that Chaol received in Rifthold. After enduring unspeakable horrors as a child, Yrene Towers has no desire to help a young lord from Adarlan, let alone heal him. Yet she has sworn an oath to help those in need – and will honour it. But Lord Westfall carries darkness from his own past, and Yrene soon comes to realise it could engulf them both. And deep in the shadows of distant mountains, where warriors soar on mighty ruks, long-awaited answers slumber. Answers that might offer their world a chance at survival – or doom them all.”

What is the book about?

Chaol Westfall and Nesryn Faliq have been sent across the ocean to another continent by Dorian, the new King of Adarlan, and Aelin, the Queen of Terrasen. Their mission, to forge an alliance with the Khagan of the Southern Continent, whose vast army would help their allies waiting in Erilea win the battle with Erawan that they currently aren't favoured to win. This may be their last hope. However, this mission is not the only reason Chaol finds himself in Antica, but also the legendary Torre Cesme, the sanctuary for skilled and magical healers who may be able to heal Chaol. After the battle with the possessed and now deceased King of Adarlan, Chaol found himself unable to walk and, if he has any chance of regaining feeling in his legs and being able fight in the front lines, then he must get the help of a healer. Yrene Towers is that healer, the one who has been told to help the lord from Adarlan. But she has no desire to heal him, not after the unspeakable horrors she and her mother suffered at the hands of Adarlan's soldiers, soldiers Chaol commanded as Captain of the Guard. Yet she swore an oath and will honour it and help him, but it will prove to be harder than she thought. The injury he possesses is not ordinary as it was given to him by magic, and helping him may just destroy them both...or bring them closer together...or both.

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

Initially I was so annoyed that I had to read Tower of Dawn, the book simply an obstacle between me and learning what happened after the shocking cliffhanger in Empire of Storms. I had no interest in reading an entire book set in a completely different location with new characters and some old ones that I had entirely forgotten existed after reading the previous book. I knew that this book would either be read incredibly quickly or I would never finish it, and, although I knew I would enjoy it, I didn't know if it would be as good as the other books I had read in this series. However, after reading a few chapters, I started to realise how stupid my initial thoughts had been and I knew that I would love this book, just like the others. Looking back I can't believe that I had been annoyed I had to read this book because I soon realised when reading it that I would have been lost without it and that I would have hated not having experienced the adventure and learnt the information first hand as I was able to do while reading. The book convinced me to change my mind after only a few chapters and I finished it quicker than expected, not simply because of my impatience to read Kingdom of Ash but also because of how much I was enjoying it.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

I liked a lot of the characters in this book and most of them were new, or some that I hadn't really gotten to know despite meeting them previously, like Nesryn. One of the characters I really liked, who I suppose will say was my favourite character in this book, was Yrene. This was one of the characters that I had met before, however briefly, in The Assassin's Blade who I never thought I would see again. But I underestimated the genius of Sarah J. Maas and somehow she managed to put in characters that seemed so insignificant initially back into the story, into roles that made a huge difference to the story and will probably play a bit role later on too. Anyways, why I really liked Yrene was the fact that she chose to help Chaol and face everything that was happening even though she had nothing to do with it and didn't need to. She could have easily just remained in the well guarded Torre Cesme where she would have had a future as the Healer on High and would have been safe. However, since arriving in Antica, even after seeing all the beauty and safety it had to offer, her goal remained to head back to Erilea and help her homeland survive the war. She could have hidden away and she chose not to. She could have said no to healing Chaol when she found out that she may get hurt too, that it wasn't an ordinary injury, and yet she chose to keep going and I loved her bravery and courage. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

I really enjoyed this whole book and there were a lot of parts that I enjoyed and could easily be my favourite however I would say that my favourite part wasn't a specific part and more of just the parts where there were things revealed and connections that made me laugh. Seeing Yrene again, for example, after I never thought I would see her again since The Assassin's Blade was so entertaining, especially as I realised whose love interest she was supposed to be. However, the main thing was when Nesryn went to see the rukhin and there was a character that had literally appeared for no more than a chapter or two in the prequel. I loved that somehow this character reappeared and would prove to be a great help in the story and that not only that but he was also related to another character which was entirely unexpected. It was the funniest thing ever to see how everything Sarah J. Maas had done and every character she introduced in the prequel book was intentional and was there to serve a purpose, which was made clear after reading Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn. I loved this and can't wait to see what goes on next. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, Tower of Dawn was a really great book and, although I was desperate to finish and get to Kingdom of Ash, I really loved reading it. One reason I loved the book and why I have loved this series so far is that everything that Sarah J. Maas has done, every character she introduced, was entirely intentional. I read The Assassin's Blade ages ago and met a few characters that appeared for not much more than a few pages so I believed them to be insignificant and didn't give them a second thought. I thought it was just to show something about Celaena/Aelin or to add something more to the story, yet I was clearly proven wrong when reading this book. There were characters in this book I had met before and somehow they were linked to the story in ways I couldn't even imagine. It was absolutely genius and made the book so entertaining and enjoyable as I realised that everyone was linked together and that Aelin was in the centre of everything. It was so funny and I just can't wait to see everything come together in the next and final book. Another thing I loved about reading this book was that I got to see a whole new continent and location, one free of the destruction that people faced in Adarlan and the whole of Erilea. It showed me and the characters what Erilea could look like if they won the war and if Aelin was able to provide what she promised: a better world. I loved seeing the streets of Antica and the safety and happiness that people felt there. It was a land where magic wasn't forbidden and where people went to be saved by the healers at Torre Cesme. One last thing about the book that made me enjoy it despite how much I just wanted to be done with it (now I'm really thinking I should have done a tandem read of Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn) was that the plot was so interesting. In the beginning I had no hope for the book as it wasn't going to follow the storyline that I had been so interested in but soon I realised I jumped to conclusions too quickly. Not only did Tower of Dawn have a great plot that kept me on my toes just like the other books, but I also got a lot of information that fed into the plot that I was so desperate to get back to. Without Tower of Dawn I would have been lost and I'm just so glad that I was proven wrong about the book and it was better than I thought. 

Which book did you like better: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6?

Although I really enjoyed reading Tower of Dawn and have found that all the books in the series so far have been amazing, my favourite book is still Queen of Shadows. It was interesting in this sixth book to see an entire new world, one that was safe (or appeared to be) and hadn't been plagued for the past 10 years by a demon king. However, while reading Tower of Dawn I missed some of the characters that I had read about in Empire of Storms and Queen of Shadows before that. It was a big change and one that I enjoyed, though not enough to say that I would pick this book over the fourth book. Queen of Shadows was perfect in every respect and there was so much that I loved that led me to choose it as my favourite. The plot in itself would have already been enough to make me choose it as my favourite, the fact that it was so interesting and that it had so many turns and things that I have never expected. Then the fact that it had all the characters that I loved from the previous books in the series, both those from her life as Aelin and from her life as Celaena. They all came together, the Fae and the human and it is the only book I have read so far where all of the characters I have grown to love were working together. I know that the last book will also be like that and I am so excited and hope it will meet my expectations. Every book in the series so far has been great but without a doubt Queen of Shadows is my favourite one (so far).

Would you recommend this book?  

I would absolutely recommend Tower of Dawn and think it is an amazing book for lovers of all things fantasy, romance and adventure. However, I think it is best for readers 17 and up as there is some more mature content.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

An epic, magical and romance-filled adventure in a new world, more wonderful than anything you could ever imagine.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

EMPIRE OF STORMS by Sarah J. Maas

“‘Blood will run. Dreams will shatter. An army must rise.’ The assassin-queen has sworn not to turn her back on her kingdom again. Especially when she might be the only one who can raise an army to keep the Dark King from unleashing his beasts upon them all. But Erawan will wield Aelin's past, her allies, and her enemies against her. With a powerful court trusting Aelin to lead them, and her heart devoted to the warrior-prince at her side, what – or who – is she willing to sacrifice to spare her world from being torn apart?”

What is the book about?

Finally, Aelin is on her way home, back to the place she never thought she would lay her eyes on again, not since her family was butchered within the walls of their own house. However, just as she starts to feel safe and welcome, she is greeted with a new problem, a new issue that for some reasons only she can provide a solution for. It appears that those who still live in Terrasen do not want an assassin as a queen and, unless she forms an alliance and finds an army for her would-be kingdom, she may never officially be the queen she had taken so long to convince herself to become. But Aelin will not turn her back on her country, her people, ever again. She will do everything she can, cash in every favour and debt owed to her to form an army, to save her kingdom. But, while trying to do all of that, Aelin also faces the threat of Erawan, who will wield her past against her. She must lead the way for her court, the people who would follow her through anything. She must make a decision on what she is willing to sacrifice for the freedom and safety she desires for her kingdom and her people. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

The ending of Queen of Shadows left me with many questions and a need to keep reading that had made me reach instantly for this next book, Empire of Storms, aching to begin. It had been such a casual and calm and somewhat quick ending that made me so interested in continuing reading. I didn't quite know what to expect of this book other than an amazing experience that would leave me dreading re-entering the real world. I knew that this book was going to be incredible, especially after the amazing Queen of Shadows that left me with a new definition of what is a 5 star book, and I was so excited to start reading. I was even more intrigued after reading the blurb as to how Aelin was planning on raising an army when she didn't possess any contacts that I could think of on the spot that would lend any support to her, yet somehow I knew this insane woman was going to succeed. When I started to read I was so glad to see it picked up right where the first book had left off and was surprised at how easily I slipped back into this world, a world that I know has become my personality and escape and reason for being over the few weeks and will continue to be so for months if the books continue to be this good.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

This book had a lot of character that I loved and I definitely had a lot of characters competing for the position as my favourite character. However, this time I would definitely say that Aelin was my favourite character, or definitely one of them. I had enjoyed reading about Aelin in all the books that I have read in the series so far, especially in the past 2 books, Heir of Fire and Queen of Shadows. This is because in these last 2 books and in Empire of Storms she finally stopped hiding behind the assassin's identity she created and was willing to become the queen she had tried to push down for so long. Not only that but she started to really use her magic and grow with it as it made her into one of the strongest and most incredible people I have ever seen. I loved her particularly in Empire of Storms because of the way she truly steeped into her role as queen and did all she could to come up with an army to save her kingdom. I loved how she always had a plan and always knew what to do, even when I myself had no clue what she was thinking. She is only 19 and was able to coordinate with so many people to have them all arrive in one place, prepared to help her court fight Erawan. Not only that but she was willing to sacrifice herself for the good of the world and allow the people she loved the chance at a better world. She is so impressive and I am so excited to see what happens in the end. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

This question always has and I know always will be the hardest one to answer because after reading an amazing book you never want to have to single out one part that was incredible. Also a good book is never just created by one good part or even several good parts put together, it is the way that the story flows and the way that the author builds the story up that makes a good book. The whole of Empire of Storms was amazing and there were so many different parts that I loved and I don't think I can choose just one. However, there were some moments that I really loved – those with Lysandra and Aedion. I had had an inkling for a bit of the previous book and the whole of this one that these two characters were meant to be, however Empire of Storms confirmed my suspicions and also had several sweet moments that had me squealing. One particular moment after a battle, where Lysandra found herself just barely holding on, Aedion's reaction and what he said had me wishing I could put myself in the shifter's place. I absolutely loved it and thought it was one of the sweetest moments. Later on there was also a moment like that, where the two discussed what they were and I absolutely loved how they decided to take things slow, how Aedion let Lysandra come to that decision and he didn't stop her. I love these two and I just hope to get more of them in the final book, and that they get their happy ending. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I loved reading Empire of Storms and there is nothing that could have been improved because the book was perfect. One thing that I really enjoyed about the book was the main theme throughout the book where Aelin was trying to come up with an army to help her and her court face Erawan and despite the many people who doubted her, she always had something up her sleeve. Even though it annoyed the hell out of everyone, Aelin kept her plans to herself, all of them surfacing only when she wanted them to be known and she always managed to catch me and all the other characters unawares. It was so entertaining and honestly I do not know how she came up with, let alone managed to succeed with, some of these plans. Aelin was actually crazy but I loved it and I love her. Another think I enjoyed about the book was all the answers I got to some of the things that had been bugging me for a while. I had had several questions that I wasn't sure I would ever get answers for, but this book managed to reveal the truth and shock me with the amount of plot twists that revealed answers to these questions. I really loved the shock and how this book caught me off guard so many times and had me on the edge of my seat for most of it. One last thing about Empire of Storms that I absolutely loved and will always love about the books that I read is the way that it had me on a rollercoaster of emotions. There were so many moments while reading the book where I physically screamed or gasped or spoke aloud or even cried and I absolutely loved it. It is one of my strongest beliefs that a book hasn't done it's job if it doesn't make you feel something and that until you get to experience the emotions that you can feel while reading, you haven't fully lived. Books are one of the magical things this world can give you and the way that they can make you react as if the stuff that you just read and the characters you have grown attached to aren't just a figment of your imagination is one of the best things in the world. I loved this about Empire of Storms, even when I wanted to through the book across the room after the cliffhanger ending that I can't continue reading about until I read a whole entire book on different people. This book was amazing and I am honestly dying to continue reading and finally reach the epic conclusion that I have been waiting for. 

Which book did you like better: 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5?

So far every book in the Throne of Glass series has been more incredible than I could have ever imagined when I first started it. As I read more it was as if each book was even better than the last, which I still don't know how it was possible as even the first book, Throne of Glass, was perfect. Although I absolutely Empire of Storms and thought it was one of the best I have read in a while, I would probably say that my favourite book is still Queen of Shadows. Empire of Storms was very similar to Queen of Shadows and had all the aspects that I had loved in the fourth book of this incredible series. It had the romance that I don't know how I could ever live without and the characters that I don't think I will ever stop thinking about even in a few years. It also had a lot of magic, one of the things that has always been my favourite in fantasy books, definitely more than Queen of Shadows, which definitely made it a strong contender as my favourite book. However, although Empire of Storms was amazing, there was something about Queen of Shadows that I can't quite describe that made it stand out to me more. Maybe it was because it was the first book where everyone came together, all the big players that I had met coming together to fight the evil that had presented itself. It was also the first book where Aelin really embraced her identity and really used her magic as if it were a part of her her whole life and she hadn't spent years without it, trying to forget it. It was also the first book where Rowan and Aelin admitted to themselves and each other that they had feelings for each other (though their relationship certainly developed in Empire of Storms). It was also the first book that didn't feel like it was just setting the backstory and it actually had a much more substantial plot than the previous 3 books. Queen of Shadows was just a lot better than Empire of Storms and, if I had still had doubts about it, the cliffhanger ending that had me wanting to through the book across the room and the rather explicit scenes would have been enough to have me come to the same conclusion.

Would you recommend this book?  

Yes, yes, yes, I would 100% recommend this book and have no doubt in my mind that anyone who reads it will be left just as stunned as me. It is an amazing book full of romance, adventure and fantasy, however I do think it is for older readers (those over 17) as there are some more mature (or ‘spicy’) scenes.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

Another stunning instalment in the Throne of Glass series whose cliffhanger ending will leave you screaming and reaching for the next book within seconds, aching to continue and never leave the most magical world ever.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego