SORCERY OF THORNS by Margaret Rogerson

“All sorcerers are evil. Elisabeth has known that as long as she has known anything. Raised as a foundling in one of Austermeer’s Great Libraries, Elisabeth has grown up among magical grimoires that rattle beneath iron chains, capable of transforming into grotesque monsters. When an act of sabotage releases the library’s most dangerous grimoire, Elisabeth is accused of treason. With no one to turn to but her sworn enemy, the sorcerer Nathaniel Thorn, and his mysterious servant, she finds herself entangled in a centuries-old conspiracy. Not only could the Great Libraries go up in flames, but the world along with them.”

What is the book about?

Ever since Elisabeth was a little girl she has been raised with the fundamental idea that all magic and sorcery is evil. Raised as a foundling in one of the Great Libraries, Elisabeth has grown up surrounded by books, but not just any books, grimoires filled with magic spells and information on everything that you could possibly imagine. Although the grimoires seem completely innocent, Elisabeth has always known that there is a danger when it comes to them and she has always seen them chained in iron and treated like monsters. One day, Elisabeth has the opportunity to see a sorcerer with her own eyes, and she does not want to waste that, but she soon finds herself wishing she had never been so curious. In a dramatic turn of events, an act of sabotage in the library results in Elisabeth being blamed for the destruction of one of the most valuable grimoires in the world.  Alone and desperate, Elisabeth have no choice but to trust Nathaniel Thorn, a sorcerer who she was taught to hate, and his mysterious and rather strange servant. But this is not just a matter of sabotage in one Great Library and she ends up finding herself tangled up in a centuries-old conspiracy. Now she and Nathaniel must save the world from destruction or the Great Libraries will go up in flames and there will be no one left to save them.

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

The first time I spotted Sorcery of Thorns I had just been scrolling on Amazon like I normally do when I really want to get more books. As soon as I saw it, the book called out to me and was basically screaming at me to buy it. The cover and the title just made me think I would love it and then after reading the blurb I knew I was going to really enjoy reading it. Unfortunately, I never got around to buying it, but when I went round my friend’s house and found it on her shelf I knew I had to borrow it and read it. As I had read another book by Margaret Rogerson before this one (An Enchantment of Ravens) and had found the beginning a little bit boring, I was quite concerned that I was going to find that this book would also be a bit slow to begin with. So when I opened the book and began to read it came to be as a complete shock that I was already hooked after only the first chapter and I was soon flying through the book. From the very first page I already knew that this book was going to be absolutely incredible and I was prepared for it to become one of my favourite books. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

So, although there were a lot of lovable and amazing characters in the book, I didn’t find it too difficult to choose a favourite character – Elisabeth. I think that the main reason why I found that she was my favourite was the fact that she reminded me of the head-strong, resilient reader that I hope that I can become, and each day that I read about Elisabeth I felt like I too could save the world if I continued to read books and believe in myself. She was brave and strong and she never gave up, and, even when everyone else believed that there was no hope, she continued to fight because she made the choice that, even if there was no way that she would succeed, she would try her harder because she would rather die with a purpose rather than live knowing that she could have tried and possibly succeeded I making a difference. Another thing that really made her stand out to me was the fact that she was such a relatable character in the way that she too was a misunderstood girl who always felt like an outsider due to her relationship with books. It has always been hard for me to accept the fact that I’m the weird and different one and not the majority of teens in the world that hates reading with a passion, however Elisabeth really helped me see that it is good to be different because in the end you will be rewarded for it. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

Choosing my favourite part was quite difficult because the whole book was absolutely incredible, however if I really had to pick one specific part I would probably the ending of the last chapter of the book.  Now, by the last chapter I don't mean the epilogue and now that I think about it the epilogue was probably one of my least favourite part, what I'm referring to is chapter 36 and the ending of it. I really loved this chapter because it's the chapter where I really realised just how amazing the book was and when I really started to understand that the book had affected my emotions and had connected with them in a way that not many books do. I realised that I truly felt for all the characters and fact that a certain, unforeseeable thing had happened to one of them made me really feel something deep and true for them. I know have mentioned this quite a few times but I'm going to reiterate it because it's something very important when it comes to books and that is that the book has not done its job and is not good book if it doesn't make you feel something, whether that is sadness, anger, happiness or any other feeling, but if it doesn't make you feel of anything then the author has not done their job. So when I realised that the book had really connected with my feelings I then discovered that this book was truly incredible. This was also a part where I realised that a certain character was a lot kinder and stronger than I had ever know before and I had wished that this had been something that we had been able to see earlier in the novel but I know that the author picked the right place to put it because it was a very important moment that really connected with my heart and I think it was quite talented the way that the author was able to truly connect with the readers. Although this is chapter one of my favourite I really loved the whole book and every single part was incredible. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, the whole book was absolutely incredible and I found that there was very little that I didn't enjoy. However, one thing that I did find wasn't up to my standards was the ending of the book and by this I mean the epilogue. I feel like it is a pattern with Margaret Rogerson's books because in both the novels that I have read of hers I have found that the book endings and epilogues didn't give me as much closure as I would have liked and really left me with the opportunity to figure out how things ended for the characters myself when it is something that I would have quite liked to have found out from her. I know that some people like the opportunity to expand on what the author wrote but I personally prefer it when the author creates a future of those characters and although I was giving more hope for those characters I feel like things could be in a bit better and we could have been given a little more information about them. Although, this was something that I didn't necessarily like about the book, there were hundreds of other things that I absolutely adored. One thing that I really loved was the start of the romance and how the characters kind of hid their feelings from each other and themselves and the funniest thing was that a certain character, who really didn’t know much about human interaction and romance, was the only one who actually spotted the feelings that they had for each other. It was also a slight forbidden romance, not forbidden necessarily by law but more by the morals that the characters had and, even though the characters could easily start a relationship, they attempted to stop anything from flourishing in order to avoid any future pain and suffering for themselves and each other and also to avoid breaking the moral rules that had been in place since they were little. Another thing that I really enjoyed about the book was the magic in it and how magic was something evil rather than something good like it usually is in most other books. I also really loved the addition of the grimoires and how the books themselves had a special power that should be studied and care for. I adored how Elisabeth had an incredible relationship with those books and I really liked the idea of the Great Libraries and how those books with cared for and treated. It was really incredible to see the relationship between each character and magic and personally I really enjoyed seeing Elisabeth journey from believing that magic was evil to slowly growing to realise that magic actually didn't have anything bad about it and if you used it in a good responsible way then magic could actually save lives. One last thing that I would like to mention is fact that the world building and character building in this novel was absolutely incredible and I connected with each character on a much deeper level than I ever have before. Sometimes I have not actually been able to picture certain things in books, however in this book everything was clear and perfect and I really loved her able to build that landscape and picture each room in my head perfectly. This really made the novel come alive for me. The book was absolutely incredible and I know that, although all of this is over I will see myself coming back to revisit the wonders I've been through.

Would you recommend this book?  

I would definitely recommend this book for anyone, preferably over 13, who is a lover of all things fantasy, adventure, magic and romance.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A romantic and magical adventure full of secrets, lies and sorcery.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

AN ENCHANTMENT OF RAVENS by Margaret Rogerson

“Every enchantment has a price… Isobel is a portrait artist with a dangerous set of clients: the immortal fair folk. Yet when she receives her first royal patron – Rook, the autumn prince – she makes a horrific mistake. She paints the mortal sorrow in his eyes – a weakness that could cost him his life. Furious, Rook escorts Isobel to his kingdom to stand trial for her crime, but their journey is full of danger. Forced to depend on each other for survival, will their alliance blossom into something more? After all, their love would violate the fair folks’ ruthless laws…but are some matters worth the risk?”

What is the book about?

Isobel creates Craft - stunning portraits for the fair folk, beautiful and immortal clients that would do anything to get their hands on any new human Craft. They crave human Craft as they themselves would turn to dust if they were to pick up a paintbrush and stroke a sheet of paper or hold a saucepan over a stove, so they trade enchantments for Isobel’s paintings. But Isobel and all other humans must be careful for, though these creatures cannot lie, they are able to twist words with a talent and a simple enchantment may mean be your death. When Isobel receives a mysterious, royal new client – Rook, the autumn prince – she makes a deadly mistake and highlights a (so called) weakness in her painting that could cost him his throne, and his life. In an attempt to fix his reputation Rook whisks Isobel away to his kingdom to stand trial for her crime. But the path is long and dangerous and no matter where they run they are attacked by monsters from Rook’s world. Thy have no one to rely on but each other and gradually an alliance forms and an emotion that would end with them both killed begins to blossom. They must find a way to crush that feeling or risk everything for it…

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

At the start of the month I went over to my friend’s house and she is as much as a book lover as me so whenever I go round her house or she comes round mine we always seem to be going back home with at least a couple books in our arms. So, when I came home after spending the afternoon with her, I happened to have An Enchantment of Ravens in my arms and I was so excited to read it. I had been warned by my friend that the book had a relatively slow start, but I had decided to ignore it as it looked so interesting and I ended up with very high hopes for it. Therefore, when I started reading I ended up completely and utterly shocked at the fact that I was so bored. I knew in the end  I would most likely love it, because when I had read the blurb I had been so captivated by it, but when I started reading my hopes quickly went downhill and I wasn’t sure I had made the right decision in reading it. I spent ages on chapter 8, not wanting to read on but knowing I had to. Finally, I sat down one evening and read as far as I could and got so engrossed that I had soon finished the book and was completely shocked at how I could have possibly thought I wasn’t going to like it only a few days ago. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

This was a very difficult decision, strangely much harder than picking my favourite part, which you all know I tend to struggle most on. However, I finally decided on a favourite character…Rook. Although to begin with I thought he was a rather odd character, he continued to intrigue me throughout the book and I grew rather fond of him. At the start I had already begun to see how he was different to all the other fair people – kind to Isobel and not at all self-righteous or selfish. However, when he appeared in the dead of night and practically dragged Isobel into the woods over a painting I began to doubt his whole personality. Finally I started to see him soften around Isobel and let his true self shine through. Although he was self-confident and brave, he was also soft and had feelings that he himself hated but I loved because he wasn’t an unfeeling monster like the rest of them. When he finally declared his love for Isobel it was clear to me that he was the best character because he was willing to do anything for Isobel, even die, and he wasn’t afraid to make his feelings known to everyone around him, even if it would cost him his crown and his life. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part is very clear to me but a bit hard to explain without sort of ruining the plot so I will try my best, as usual to explain why I liked it without saying what it was. So, I will begin by saying that the reason this part of the book definitely stood out to me was because it was the part where I was no longer bored by the predictable story and was actually interested in what was going to happen. At this part, everything seemed to click into place and both characters seemed to realise, even though neither of them actually wanted to admit it, what they wanted and that they would never actually be able to get it unless something dramatically and drastically changed. This is also the first time where the ‘Good Law’ was mentioned with no context or any explanation whatsoever so I was even more intrigued by the fact that I had no idea what was wrong and just how terrible it would be to break such a law. This scene is where I started really rooting for the characters and hoping that they would be able to succeed in more than what they believed they would. 

What was your overall impression of the book? 

Overall, I really loved An Enchantment of Ravens and thought it was incredibly well written and had many twists that I wouldn’t have been able to spot. One thing that I really loved about the book was the (though very obvious) forbidden romance. Although it had been evident from the start that the 2 main characters would fall in love and there would be some issue, I couldn’t have known what was coming and I was shocked to realise how forbidden their love really was. I also really enjoyed how the romance took many twists and turns along the way and, at one point, even seemed lost (but I had always known that it was still there). Another thing that I really liked about the book was that this was one of the books where, although I really hoped and believed that both characters would survive and be able to be together, I seriously doubted it, especially at the end, and didn’t know if they were going to make it (to be honest I still don’t know if they will live to see a happy ending). I really liked this because in most books I know that the author would never kill off anyone important, however, An Enchantment of Ravens was different and really made me worry for the characters whenever they were in trouble. One last thing I really liked was the fact that the book was beautifully written and had the most detailed and amazing descriptions that, although at the beginning I was concerned I would find a little boring, really helped me imagine myself there with the characters. Although the book was off to a rocky (slow) start, I really ended up loving the book and my parting message to you all is to keep reading because it will be worth it in the end.

Would you recommend this book?  

I would absolutely recommend this book to any reader over the age of 14 who enjoys a fantasy adventure filled with magic, mayhem and mystery. An Enchantment of Ravens was a marvellous book and I really enjoyed it and I believe that anyone who picks it up – and perseveres through the first few chapters – will absolutely love it like I did.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A beautifully written fantasy adventure.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

CINDERELLA IS DEAD by Kalynn Bayron

“It’s 200 years since Cinderella found her prince…but the fairy tale is over. Sophia knows the story though, off by heart. Because every girl has to recite it daily, from when she’s tiny until the night she’s sent to the royal ball for choosing. And every girl knows that she has only one chance. For the lives of those not chosen at the ball…are forfeit. But Sophia doesn’t want to be chosen. She doesn’t want to go to the ball at all. Not when she’s afraid the girl she loves might be chosen too. Pushed beyond breaking by a society that denies everything she is, Sophia sets out on a journey that will remake her world…into one where SHE gets to choose.”

What is the book about?

It has been 200 years since the start of Cinderella’s fairy tale, when she met her prince, but the fairy tale lives on in the kingdom of Mersailles. This is because every girl from when she first learns to the night she’s sent to the royal ball is forced to recite it daily. The royal ball is similar to Cinderella’s ball where she met her prince, but now the stakes are much higher. Every girl in Lille, at the age of 16, must attend the royal ball and compete to win the heart of one of the men at the ball, so that she can be chosen by him and they can then live the rest of their lives like Cinderella and Prince Charming. But this royal ball isn’t even remotely charming as each girl only has 3 chances to be chosen, and if not then their lives will be forfeit. But Sophia doesn’t want to be chosen. She doesn’t even want to go to the ball at all. For all she wants is to live a quiet life with the girl she loves, away from all the expectations of her society. Then one night Sophia is pushed beyond her limit by the rules that deny everything she is, so she sets out on a journey to remake her world into one where she and every other girl in Mersailles has a chance to be herself and choose her own path. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

This was a book that I had never actually thought of ever buying or reading. I had seen it multiple times in Waterstones whenever I went in to admire the books and I had always been intrigued by it, but never enough to convince myself into buying it. Only a little while ago I met up with my friend who shares a love of reading with me and we were discussing the books we had read over the summer and the still unread ones we had on our shelves. Then, while we were in her house and I was taking in the wonderful books she had on her shelves, I came across one that I had been dying to get, and, as I was going to be borrowing some books anyways, she almost screamed at me to take Cinderella is Dead and read it first, because she was in great need of discussing the book with someone. The cover and the blurb intrigued me and I was really interested in reading the book and being able to uncover all the mysterious secrets it held within its pages. Now that I have finished reading it, I cannot believe the adventure I have been on and how I passed up the opportunity of reading the book multiple times. Cinderella is Dead never bored me and grasped my attention from the very first page. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

There were a couple of characters I loved and many more that I think I really would have liked if it weren’t for the shocking rules in place stopping them from expressing their true selves. However, the character that was my favourite was one that never stopped fighting to be herself and who tried hard to defy the king, even when she knew that she could be killed in a second for a single tiny misstep – Sophia. Everyone thought Sophia was an idiot; she purposefully defied everything that the king said and she did everything she could to try to be herself. In the beginning, I too thought that it was wildly irresponsible of her to continue to stand against the king’s rules when she knew that it could get her and her loved ones killed without a chance to explain. But, once I began to understand that it didn’t matter if she obeyed or disobeyed because either way she was going to live a life full of pain and sorrow. After finishing the book I realised the growing respect I had for Sophia because of how brave and selfless she was. She kept pushing and trying to change the world for her family and friends and all the other citizens of Mersailles and she risked her life in the process. And when the end finally came and everything was finally coming together, she decided that she would save everyone else before saving herself. I believe she was the best character because of how she lived in the same place as thousands of others and yet she was one of the first to ever try to defy the king openly, rather than just keep running. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

I think that my favourite part of the book was the ending because of how it was almost like all hope was lost and there was no way that anyone would ever be able to change anything in Mersailles, but Sophia didn’t accept it and decided that the only way she could ever make a difference was to give it her all. She risked her life in trying to make Mersailles a better place for every single girl and boy who would ever want something different to the rules the king had made. She made the choice to risk her own life so that others could live the lives that they wanted to live and not ones that had been decided for them. The twists that came at the end of the book were shocking and answered many of the questions that I still hadn’t got answers to. I loved the ending because it showed me that you should never ever give up hope even when there is only darkness surrounding you and it showed me that freedom is always worth fighting for, if not for yourself then for all the other people that will come after you and will be grateful for your effort to make their lives better.

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I really loved reading Cinderella is Dead and enjoyed every second of it. One of the things that I really loved about the book was how it was one of the most twisted fairy tales I have ever read. I have read many fairy tale retellings and this genre will always hold a very special part of my heart because of how these tales were my childhood and without the Disney Princesses that I adored I wouldn’t have turned out to be a fiction lover, always wanting to go into another world where magic is possible. Now Kalynn Bayron went completely beyond my expectations as she took a fairy tale, twisted it and then set the book 200 years after that fairy tale. Everything was based on the tale that I had loved when I was little and still loved, but it was a lie and thousands of people had wrongly lived their lives trying to follow the fairy tale Cinderella had lived. Another thing that I really liked was how the whole book felt, in a way, like a giant plot twist, but then at the end came the real twists. I knew that the book was going to be interesting and mysterious, but I had definitely not been prepared for what I actually read. One last thing that I absolutely adored was the ending. In the last few chapters I was holding my breath, completely unsure of what was going to happen and how everything would turn out. It was like all hope was lost for a little bit and there was no way at all that the ending would be happy. The book really taught me how you have to hold on to hope when in the darkness, because, if not, you really have nothing left. I really loved Cinderella is Dead and am anxious to be able to talk about the events with my friend. It was an incredible, unique book and I hope to read many more like it. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I would undoubtedly recommend this book to anyone who adores mysteries, adventures and fairy tale retellings. It is an amazing read, particularly for readers over the age of 13 who are ready to be thrown into a magical twisted tale filled with secrets. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A magical, twisted fairy tale full of secrets and sorrow like no other. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

FAMILY OF LIARS by E.Lockhart

“Lying runs in the family. A windswept private island off the coast of Massachusetts. A hungry ocean, churning with secrets and sorrow. A fiery, addicted heiress. An irresistible, unpredictable boy. A summer of unforgivable betrayal and terrible mistakes. Twenty-seven years before the events of We Were Liars comes another summer, another generation, and the secrets that will haunt them for decades – a story that is scandalous, tragic, and layered with mystery. Welcome back to the Sinclair family. They were always liars.”

WARNING: DO NOT READ THIS REVIEW IF YOU HAVE NOT READ WE WERE LIARS - IT CONTAINS SPOILERS. (Please read We Were Liars, I promise it will be a read you will never forget!)

What is the book about?

The Sinclair family is perfect: beautiful, intelligent, wealthy and athletic. They have everything and more. But everyone is flawed. Everyone has secrets. And everyone cracks every once in a while. On a stunning private island off the coast of Massachusetts, the Sinclair family spend each and every summer. Surrounded by an ocean churning full of secrets, the Sinclair sisters prepare themselves for a summer that they will never forget. An addicted heiress and an unpredictable boy – a summer full of betrayal and mistakes, romance and sorrow. Twenty-seven years before the events of We Were Liars, the young Sinclair girls head into what may be the most scandalous, tragic, shocking and mysterious summer they may ever see. The worst thing they had ever done before that will seem like pure honesty when school begins again. The Sinclair family is not perfect; they were always liars.

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

After reading We Were Liars, I felt completely lost and for a little while I didn't want to read anything at all because I felt like no book would ever be as incredible. As soon as I found out from my friend that there was a prequel to the most amazing and shocking standalone I have read so far, I knew I had to have it and I immediately sent my mum the link so she could order it. I had to wait a little while before I could read it, but, as soon as I got back from my summer holidays in Spain, I started reading Family of Liars and I didn't put it down until I finished it. I had only just read the first sentence and I was already in tears and wanting to read the end but also never have to see the book finish. I went in with extremely high expectations and came out feeling completely satisfied with what I had read. Once I finished (I read it in only a day), I felt like I had to tell everyone of what I read and share it, but also like it was too precious to let anyone else read it. It was an amazing read from the very first word. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

This was definitely one of the hardest choices I have ever had to make. All the characters were good and bad in different ways and I liked something about all of them. If I really have to pick one character to be my favourite I think it would most likely Carrie for no reason other than the fact that she seemed to be the only one who felt something. She was the one to tell the story to her son Johnny, not to make things better for herself, but so that he could finally rest. She wanted to help him and she decided to try to be truthful and admit to the worst thing she had ever done. She tried as hard as she could to be truthful, while the rest of her family continued to be liars and never ever be honest in life. She was not perfect and had many problems and made a lot of bad choices, but she admitted to it and tried her best to help others. She was in some ways the glue in the family; she kept her sisters together and helped them whenever they needed her. She might have been a little annoying at times and thought that she was different to the rest of her family, when, really, she was exactly the same, but she tried as hard as she could to help all her little sisters and make sure that they all felt happy and comfortable. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

Choosing a favourite part in this book was also an incredibly difficult decision. I enjoyed the whole book and there weren’t many parts that truly stood out to me. However, if I really had to pick a favourite part of Family of Liars, I would most likely pick a very sweet and sad part of the book. I can’t really explain much about this part, because if I did I would most likely ruin the whole book for many of you, but the main reason why I liked this part was because Carrie finally did the right thing and helped one of the other characters be set free from what was keeping them on the island. Really she had been keeping them there the whole time and had actually been ruining their ‘life’ in more ways than one, but when Carrie finally looked past her own issues and problems, she was able to do one of the only selfless things she had probably done in all her life. She did the right thing, although it was most likely one of the hardest and saddest moments of her life. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I absolutely adored this prequel and it was exactly what I was expecting. I had been worried that it wouldn’t live up to my expectations, however, E.Lockhart is an amazing author and I don’t know how I could have ever doubted her even for a second. One of the things that I loved the most about this book was how it made me feel. Like I have said many times before, a book hasn’t done its job unless it made you feel something. It has to make you sad, angry, happy or excited for the characters (boredom doesn’t count!) and it needs to make you feel like you lost something when you closed the book for the last time and like it will always be a part of you and its characters will always be inside you. We Were Liars and its prequel are 2 novels that I will never be able to forget. Family of Liars made me cry after reading only the first sentence. This may just be because I am relatively sensitive and emotional, but I think that it was mostly because of the incredible writing and how I really connected to all of the characters. Another thing that I really enjoyed about the book was how it made me so happy to be able to look back and see what made the Sinclair sisters the way they were in We Were Liars. When I found out about the book I knew I needed to read it because I was so desperate to find out more about the beautiful and privileged Sinclair family. We Were Liars had been so incredible and had made such a powerful impression on me that I knew I, not just wanted, but needed to read Family of Liars, and I am so glad that I did. One last thing that I really enjoyed was the ending. It was just like in We Were Liars, perfectly conclusive, and it just gave me that much more closure. I really enjoyed it and the whole novel; I just wish things didn’t have to end. I really hope that I am able to read more of E.Lockhart’s novels and that she keeps on writing these incredible mystery and drama books.

Which was your favourite book – We Were Liars, or its prequel?

Although I thoroughly enjoyed Family of Liars, nothing can ever top the emotional rollercoaster I went on when I read We Were Liars. Even though it is a book that is impossible to read a second time because of the heartbreak I went through when reading it, it is a novel that I will never forget and I will always hold close to my heart. I absolutely adored everything about We Were Liars and literally devoured it in one sitting. Family of Liars was also perfect in every way, but the only thing it was missing was the most shocking plot twist I have ever read. Both books probably made me cry the same amount – actually that’s a lie, We Were Liars definitely made me cry more with its incredibly emotional plot twist that left me stunned for a full 15 minutes. Both books were truly incredible, but We Were Liars is definitely the clear winner and it’s a book that I will always remember and forever recommend. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I would 100% recommend this book to absolutely anyone, but obviously read We Were Liars first. If you are someone who loves to read mysteries, thrillers, adventures and dramas, then this is definitely the book for you. And if you are someone who thinks reading is a waste of time then We Were Liars and Family of Liars are absolutely the books to change your mind. I particularly recommend this book for readers over 14, but it is an incredible read that I am sure everyone will love.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A moving and mysterious prequel to one of the most shocking and incredibly written standalone novels I have ever read.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

About Me: Results

Hi guys, I hope you all had a great summer and are ready for another year of school and hard work. I just wanted to let you know (though I'm sure many of you don't really care) that I got exactly what I wanted for my GCSE results. There were a couple of subjects that I got one grade less than what I wanted, but overall I am very pleased and proud of how I did. I am glad to know that all my hard work was definitely worth it and now I feel like I could achieve anything and that I can definitely ace my A levels if I work just as hard as I did for GCSEs.

For my A levels I will be doing Mathematics, Economics, Law and Spanish (only as AS level). Traditionally you only do 3 subjects, but somehow I was convinced, when I went in for enrolment at my college, to do a AS Spanish as well. I am still a bit concerned that it will be too much, but I am fluent so hopefully it all turns out alright. 

I hope all of you who have done exams this year got what you wanted and any of you who will be doing exams in the future are ready and achieve what you want and need for later in life. Good luck and keep reading – it is a great way to escape reality for a little while, forget all your troubles and go on wonderful adventures that would never seem possible on planet Earth.

YOU’LL BE THE DEATH OF ME by Karen M. McManus

“Skipping school is fun – until someone gets murdered. Ivy, Mateo and Cal used to be close – best friends back in middle school. So, when Cal pulls into campus late for class and runs into Ivy and Mateo, they decide to ditch school. Just like old times. But they’re not the only ones skipping school that day. When the trio spot class mate Brian ‘Boney’ Mahoney acting suspiciously downtown, they follow him into an empty building, and walk straight into a murder scene. Now that their day of freedom has turned deadly, it’s only a matter of time before the truth comes out…”

What is the book about?

Ivy, Mateo and Cal used to be the best of friends, an unbreakable trio – or at least that was what they thought. Despite their close friendship, they grew apart when they went into high school, but still had some dormant feelings between each other. So, when they run into each other in the school car park and Cal suggests they skip school, they are all happy to ditch for their own reasons. Completely unaware of the day that they have ahead of them, they believe it is just like old times and they will be able to recreate the Greatest Day Ever, from when they first ditched together in middle school. But, they aren’t the only ones with the idea of ditching school and they end up spotting their classmate Brian ‘Boney’ Mahoney acting suspiciously. They follow him into an empty building and accidentally walk into a murder scene. Now they are all involved with the murder whether they like it or not and they must try the truth before all of them end up in more trouble than they thought they would be. Their day of freedom has turned deadly and they know that it’s only a matter of time before all comes out and everyone knows what really happened…or what they want to believe.

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

As I have already read the other 4 Karen M. McManus books, as soon as I found out that You’ll Be the Death of Me was available for pre-ordering on Amazon, I knew that I needed. My friend, who has also read all the Karen M. McManus, had also pre-ordered You’ll Be the Death of Me, so we decided that we would read the book at the same time so we could discuss what had happened and our thoughts so far. Unfortunately, the book was actually released when we were both revising for our GCSE exams, so we had to make the choice to leave this book until after our exams. So, by the time the exams ended, I was dying to read the book (no pun intended). As soon as I laid eyes on the pristine white cover with the gorgeous purple lettering and paper edges, I knew that I was going to love the book just as much as the others. What I love the most about Karen M. McManus books is that all of them are designed in the same style and have the same covers and lettering, which really satisfies my strange OCD where everything has to be matching. The blurb only encouraged my ultimate love for the book and my friend agreed that she was very excited to start reading the book. We had both finished it in 3 days and both agreed that the book was just as incredible as we thought, with a few minor comments. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

When I first started the book in Ivy’s point of view, I thought that I was going to come out thinking that Ivy was my favourite character because she seemed organised and prepared like I always am, but after the first couple of chapters I began to think that Ivy was a bit too jealous, spoilt and annoying to be my favourite character. My friend then told me that, after reading the first chapter in Cal’s perspective, she thought Cal was going to be her favourite character because he seemed to have a very good sense of humour and the most chill out of the bunch. However, we ended up both agreeing that Mateo was probably the best one and he was our favourite. Mateo seemed to be the most normal at one point and the one who could be sympathised with the most and whose problems weren’t petty and pathetic. He had really suffered but he chose not to give up and instead he got 3 different jobs to help his family. He took responsibility and grew up; while Cal and Ivy probably never had to work to help their family and probably had their parents buy most of their things. One thing he could have been better at was asking for help when he needed it, but I understand that he was stubborn and didn’t want to seem desperate and preferred to prove that he could do it by himself. He was never selfish and did all he could to help his family and friends no matter what.

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

Strangely there wasn’t really any part that actually stood out to me as my favourite part as the book was so hectic and crazy and full of death and mystery. However, if I had to pick, my favourite part would probably be near the end when some of my questions started to get answered and the truth was beginning to be uncovered. I chose this part because one of the things that Karen M. McManus has always done really well in all of her books so far is the way she uses the different points of view to build tension and keep her readers on edge and You’ll Be the Death of Me was no exception. The book bounced back and forth between characters and kept me on the edge of my seat for the majority of the last third of the book. I found it completely exhilarating and my friend completely agreed with me. This is definitely one of the things that I love the most about Karen M. McManus books and I hope to find that she continues to use this in her next books. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, the book really was absolutely incredible and I loved the majority of it. One of the things that I adored (which I mentioned above) was how Karen M. McManus used the different points of view to build tension and keep her readers on edge. My friend completely agreed with me and said that she was flipping through perspectives so fast. The reason I loved it so much was because all of a sudden the character narrating would change just as one of the characters was going to uncover a new clue that would help uncover the truth. This meant that it was always just there but out of reach and it kept me desperate to read on. It was a very good technique to keep the readers hooked and Karen M. McManus used it perfectly in You’ll Be the Death of Me. Another thing that I really enjoyed about the book was how all of the main characters were relatable in different ways and, despite their differences; they were all able to work together. I liked all three of them (Ivy, Mateo and Cal) for different reasons, but what I liked best was how easily they got back to talking after being apart for so long. Although it seemed very unrealistic, I thought that it was sweet and it gives me hope that, even if I lose contact with some of my friends as we are going to different colleges, we will still be able to reconnect, as all of my friends mean the world to me and I wouldn’t want to lose our strong friendship. One last thing that I want to mention is the ending and how it could have been a bit better. The truth was uncovered and everything seemed to be in order, however, the way that the book ended left me with some questions that – unless another book is written – will remain unanswered. My friend was actually the first one of us to mention it and the way she put it was that the ending should have been more drawn out and with that I completely agree because I felt like we weren’t given enough closure. However, in conclusion, I adored the book and I am quite glad that I waited until after my exams because I wouldn’t have wanted to read it with the stress of them looming over me. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I would 100% recommend this book to absolutely anyone who wants to dive into a standalone murder mystery that you can devour in one sitting. I particularly recommend it to readers over 12 who love reading murder mysteries and books filled with action and adventure. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A mysterious standalone novel that will keep you on your toes. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego 

THE ROSE AND THE DAGGER by Renée Ahdieh

“‘I am surrounded on all sides by a desert. A guest, in a prison of sand and sun. My family is here. And I do not know whom I can trust.’ In a land on the brink of war, Shahrzad has been torn from the love of her husband Khalid, the Caliph of Khorasan. She once believed him a monster, but his secrets revealed a man tormented by guilt and a powerful curse – one that might keep them apart forever. Reunited with her family, who have taken refuge with enemies of Khalid, and Tariq, her childhood sweetheart, she should be happy. But Tariq now commands forces be set on destroying Khalid’s empire. Shahrzad is almost a prisoner caught between loyalties to the people she loves. Refusing to be a pawn, Shahrzad tries to uncover powers that may lie dormant within her. With the help of a tattered old carpet and a tempestuous but sage young man, Shahrzad will attempt to break the curse and reunite with her one true love.”

What is the book about?

After being separated from the love her life – the Caliph of Khorasan, Khalid – Shahrzad finds herself feeling alone in a camp full of her old friends and her family. She should feel happy as she has been reunited with the people she loves, but instead she feels more scared and lonely than when she was trapped in the palace with the man she believed would murder her. Now she is not only a metaphorical prisoner, but there is also war brewing and she doesn’t know what to do or who to help. Torn between loyalties, Shahrzad tries to find a way to help all those that she loves before it is too late. With nothing but an old, tattered rug, Shahrzad is able to form a strange new alliance that may hold the secret to how to break the curse that holds her love hostage. But all is not what is seems and more betrayal and lies follow each day and it is impossible to know what is true and what is just built on a foundation of lies. Somehow, Shahrzad must find a way to discover the truth and be able to decide she can actually trust so she can be reunited with her true love and help all she loves. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

As I had just finished the first book in this duology, of course I was desperate to begin reading The Rose and the Dagger because I wanted to know I was coming next and was very curious and ready to dive in to continue the adventure that I had left in the first book. When I first saw the two books and hadn't read anything about them, I wasn't entirely sure I would like them because they didn’t really look like the books I usually read, especially not The Wrath and the Dawn, but it was incredibly surprising that, as soon as I started reading the first book, I absolutely loved it. As I had adored the first book, I went in thinking that I was definitely going to like the second and final book – The Rose and the Dagger. However, I was a bit concerned that the book wasn’t going to be what I thought as I had some doubts at how the book would end and whether it would completely ruin the whole series as so many final books had done. But, as soon as I started to read, all my doubts disappeared and I disappeared into the world of betrayal, battles and love and when I reached the end I knew that I had been completely wrong to judge a book by its cover.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

When I started the book, I had been confident on my decision of who my favourite character would be, but, by the time I reached the end, my mind was conflicted, so in the end I decided on two favourite characters, Irsa and Shahrzad. Shahrzad was one of my favourite characters because of the same reason I loved her in the first book – she had all the qualities that I think make a great person. She carried on surviving and striving to help everyone, even though the danger of her death was still strong. One thing that I loved the best was that Shazi never gave up on Khalid and she knew she had to try because, if not, she would have never been able to live with herself knowing that she hadn’t done all she could to save the man that she loved.  I also loved seeing how she was not afraid to tell people her opinion and that she had the courage to stand up for herself, even when she really should have kept quiet. She was also very stubborn, which helped her a lot and it showed me that it's alright to have a strong belief and to not let anyone change that. Once again, I really liked that she was still human and she was still a young girl, who wanted to just get past all the war and suffering and get to love and be herself, but now she had to also take on the role of Calipha of Khorasan. My other favourite character was Irsa, who, unsurprisingly, was a lot like her older sister – Shahrzad – but in a more quiet way. At first she seemed very shy and quiet and she didn’t really want to attract too much attention to herself and kept many of her thoughts to herself, which doesn’t sound at all like Shazi, so I thought that she was a complete contrast to her sister. However, when she was needed, she was strong, brave and courageous and was able to get people’s attention quickly and efficiently. When Shazi needed her, she was there ready to back her up and take her spot as leader. I really liked the character development I saw in Irsa and I loved how I got to see her flourish into a young woman that could say what she wanted and get what she wanted without hesitation. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

Strangely enough right now there is no doubt in my mind that my favourite part was definitely the ending. Now, when I first started the last chapter my heart nearly left my chest and I was screaming and crying inside, that is how dramatic and tense the ending was. At first I was sure that this book had ruined everything for sure, but I continued reading, my heart pounding and my hands gripping the book as if it was all I had. Finally I reached the end of the chapter and all my earlier thoughts disappeared and I nearly fainted from the tension and dramatic turn of events. Luckily, I didn’t faint or else I wouldn’t have been able to read the glorious epilogue that left me with an overpowering sense of closure that not many books leave me with. I can’t say much more, but the ending really was beautiful and I adored it and wish I could read more about the characters that I spent hours reading about. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I really loved the book and I am happy to say that it was all I had expected and more. Of course, once again I must say that is really annoyed me that there were so many (too many) words that I could not pronounce and, although it made the book really special, I just wished that there was some way to hear how the author intended for them to be said because I am sure that I can’t talk about the book with anyone because I will end up embarrassing myself when I say something wrong. However, I loved the book and found that everything else was flawlessly perfect. One of the things that I loved the most about it was that it was written in the third person, but The Rose and the Dagger was slightly different to The Wrath and the Dawn as it had other people and not just Shahrzad as the focus person. Normally I hate all books that are not written in first person, because I thought it was impossible to truly get into a book unless it was in first person because you wouldn’t be able to feel what the character was feeling, but I knew I was wrong when tears rolled down my cheeks and I felt as heartbroken as the characters. I didn't feel at all limited and I actually found that I was able to get into the story of a lot more than if it had been written in the first person as I was able to spot all sorts of different details that I wouldn’t have been able too if I was only able to see what the character in first person saw. I also really enjoyed how this book kept me on edge the entire time, just like the first book and how there were so many secrets and there was so much mystery, which I loved. One last thing that I loved about the book was the ending, which, although I wish that I could, I cannot really talk about. However what I can say is that it left me with an overpowering sense of closure that not many books leave me with and it really was beautiful. It really completed the whole story and, even though I went in thinking that it was going to end terribly, I loved the ending and everything about the book. As usual, I loved that I read the series but I wish that it hadn’t ended so that I could continue reading about all the characters I grew to love.

Which is your favourite book in The Wrath and the Dawn series? (1 or 2)

Although I loved both books, there was something about the first book that I just cannot forget and the decision I made of The Wrath and the Dawn being my favourite book rather than The Rose and the Dagger was a relatively easy one. Although The Rose and the Dagger had all that I loved about The Wrath and the Dawn as well as a perfect ending, I loved the first book more for one reason and one reason only: the romance. Ever since reading the Folk of the Air trilogy I have had a soft spot for enemies to lovers romance and have not been able to stop thinking about it. Although it seems like the most complicated type of romance in the world, I can't help wishing that I could have something like that because of all the excitement that comes with throwing yourself into a romance that you yourself forbid. It has the element of mystery, drama, adventure and it really completed the whole story. It was clear what was going to happen from the start and, although it was obvious, I loved seeing Shahrzad and Khalid fall in love and the shock that came for both of them when they realised what was happening. I loved The Wrath and the Dawn immensely, and I also loved The Rose and the Dagger quite a lot; together they made the perfect duology and I am glad that I got the chance to read it.

Would you recommend this book?  

I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who would like to read a mysterious novel full of romance, betrayal and lies in a land on the brink of war. However, I particularly recommend this book to people over 13 and you definitely need to read the first book first.

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A sensational and romantic conclusion to a wonderfully mysterious duology.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego