CRESS by Marissa Meyer

“‘Even in the future, there are damsels in distress.. ’ Cress, having risked everything to warn Cinder about Queen Levana's evil plan, has a slight problem.  She's been imprisoned on a satellite since childhood and has only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she's just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice. When a daring rescue of Cress involving Cinder, Captain Thorne, Scarlet and Wolf goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a higher price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.”

What is the book about?

Cress has lived on a satellite since childhood, alone with no one except her netscreens and her own imagination for company. She risked everything to let Cinder know about Queen Levana's plans and now has a huge problem. She has been ordered to track down the ship that Cinder and her allies are aboard for the queen. Although the tracking down was the easiest part, now the problem is that she doesn't want to give her mistress the information to give to Levana. So now she is risking her life further to keep Cinder and her friends safe from the people who want to kill them. However, when she is finally able to make contact with the Rampion, Cinder and her friends agree to rescue her and for once Cress thinks she is safe. But the rescue doesn't exactly go according to plan and the group gets separated. Now Queen Levana thinks she has won and won't let anything stop her marriage to Emperor Kai, but she didn't factor in the cyborg and her allies who will stop at nothing to protect Earth and Luna from her tyranny. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

After finishing Scarlet I was really excited to continue reading and start the third book of this series that has definitely exceeded my expectations so far. In a way I feel like the end of Scarlet was the start of the true series, the true plot and battle against Levana. I was really excited to finally see Cinder face her and to embrace her true Lunar self. I started reading Cress almost instantly after Scarlet as I was really keen to continue the story and to find out what would happen next. I was quite confident that I would enjoy reading the book and that it would be just as good as the previous 2 books in this series. I honestly, now having read this book and the 2 previous ones, don't even know how I could have waited so long with the books just gathering dust on my shelf. Once I read the blurb I was even more intrigued as I was wondering how the group would get separated and how they would ever find themselves back together. Soon I started reading and I think this was the first book of the series where I was able to really get into it from the start, without having to read a few chapters before I really started enjoying it. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was probably once again Thorne or possibly even Cress. I really liked Thorne for the same reasons as I liked him in the previous book: his humour, charisma and just how entertaining and confident he seemed to be. Even though it might have been annoying to the other characters that he didn't really appear to take things seriously and was always just trying to keep things light and fun, I really liked that about him. However I liked him even more in this book as it was clear that he wasn't just all the stuff that I said above and that he wasn't always confident and sure of himself. He had doubts and was clearly just keeping up an act so that the other characters wouldn't panic even more. He was trying so hard to lighten the mood not only for his own benefit so that his thoughts about how he didn't actually know anything didn't catch up to him but also for his friends who worried far too much. Cress was a really interesting character and I really liked her mainly because of her imagination. She was constantly trying to trick herself into thinking she was somewhere else, doing something else, so that she wouldn't let all her worries take over, kind of like her own coping mechanism like Thorne's joking personality. I also liked how she reminded me of myself because I often find myself lost in my own little world, building up worlds in my head. I really liked both these characters and I definitely liked them together, even though not much happened (though there is a whole book left so I have hope).

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

I honestly can't pick just one favourite part in this book as it's really just the whole book together that I enjoyed and not just one specific part. The whole vibe was just so great and I found that I loved everything about it. There wasn't one specific part of the book that stood out to me and it wouldn't be fair of me to single out just one part. Also there wasn't really many happy parts in the book as the characters were separated and constantly worrying about having to find themselves back together. I did really enjoy the time that Cinder spent in that village in Africa though, as I loved how the people living there helped her even though they knew the risks. However, the way that ended wasn't the most lovely thing so I can't really say that it was my favourite part. Honestly the whole book was just great and I can't wait to read the next one and enjoy it just as much. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, Cress was a really great book and I really enjoyed reading every part of it. One thing that I really enjoyed was the link to the original Rapunzel throughout the whole novel. Some parts didn't quite seem obvious to me at first as I was initially comparing it to the Disney version, however soon the blindness started to make sense when I thought of the original version of the fairy tale. The long hair that was then cut, the fact that Cress was locked in a satellite all alone, the name Thorne and even the name Cress (another leafy vegetable like Rapunzel, which I think means lettuce is some language). It was such genius on the authors part and I am honestly in love with her approach to the fairy tale retellings throughout this whole series. Another thing that I really enjoyed was that we finally got to see parts of Luna (though the circumstances weren't exactly the best) and we also got to be introduced to the 4th girl who would be part of the final book of the series. This is the first time I knew who the book title was referring to in advance (though I suppose I have known since the first book) and it made me even more excited to read the next and final book in this series. I am so excited to finish the series and to see what happens at the end and I can't wait to read Winter.

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

All 3 of the books were absolutely amazing and I really enjoyed reading them, however I would probably say that so far Cress is my favourite book. One of the main reasons is that this book is partly based on the fairy tale of Rapunzel, which is my absolute favourite story and so obviously I have a huge soft spot for this book. Every link to the story made me so excited and made me love the book even more. Initially I wasn't quite sure what to expect or which was the fairy tale that would show up in the book as the title didn't showcase it like with the previous books but I was pleasantly surprised and gradually grew to really love it. Another thing I loved about the book that made it stand out more than the previous books was the fact that the main plan, the plan to finally face Levana and save everyone, was starting. It made me so excited as I was going to get to see Cinder embracing her future and her true identity and also see every character work together to save the world. Cress had  everything I had loved about the previous books (the short chapters and the fairy tale elements) but it also just had more that I enjoyed. So far the books have just been getting better so I just can't wait to see what Winter is like. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I recommend reading Cress but obviously after reading Cinder and Scarlet, the previous 2 books in the series. It is a great book for those who enjoy some romance, dystopian fiction and fairy tale retellings, with a shrinking of save the world vibes. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

Another perfect novel with a whirlwind of an adventure and great romance to make you squeal. 

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

SCARLET by Marissa Meyer

“‘Even in the future, beware of the big, bad wolf...’ Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the best-selling Lunar Chronicles. She is trying to break out of prison – even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive. Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.”

What is the book about?

Cinder is stuck in prison after being put there by Kai, who she was only trying to protect, and will be handed over to the Lunar Queen Levana as a bargaining tool. If she doesn't escape she will face trial on Luna which means only one thing – her execution. However, if she doesn't succeed in escaping she will be the Commonwealth's (and likely Earth's) most wanted and she is unlikely to be able to stay hidden for long. Halfway across the world, in a small village in France, Scarlet Benoit is facing her own nightmare. After years living peacefully with her grandmother on her farm, her grandmother is missing and no one seems to care, they all just think she ran because she was a little eccentric (or crazy as they like to say). But Scarlet knows that she would never do that and that something bigger and much worse happened, especially when her father shows up after years of no contact looking for something. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information on her grandmother's whereabouts, she has no choice but to trust him. He says he will help her find her grandmother, and, despite having known him for less than a day, she goes with him to find her and gradually they start to feel a connection. As they begin to unravel the mystery on why her grandmother was taken in the first place, their adventure overlaps with Cinder's and they find themselves having to work together to keep Queen Levana from taking over the Commonwealth and then Earth.

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

I'm not kidding when I say that I started reading this book immediately after I finished Cinder. I had the book ready to go and after the cliffhanger ending that left me wanting more I was certainly glad for it. Since I had already read the first book in this series and had really enjoyed reading it, my initial thoughts Scarlet were very optimistic. I was quite sure that this book was going to be just as enjoyable as the previous one and that I would find it just as interesting. I was really intrigued to find out what happened next and was desperate to figure out how things would go, as everything was really up in there. The blurb intrigued me even more as I was going to meet completely new characters and it wasn't just going to be all about Cinder. I was also excited to see how Little Red Riding Hood was going to come into the story. Once I started to read I was initially disappointed like with Cinder and found it a little hard to get into the book and let the real world fade, however the doubts lasted less than with the previous book. Soon I was enjoying the book and found that once again I finished it in 2 days, reaching for the next book seconds after. 

Who was your favourite character and why? 

There were a few characters that I liked in this book but I would probably say that my favourite character was Thorne. Even though he was probably ridiculously annoying to the other characters who didn't appreciate his jokes and his carefree attitude towards everything, I loved it. He added some much needed comedy and entertainment to the book as all the other characters were much too focused on not dying and trying to find a way to stop Queen Levana. It was probably the reason why I also really loved Iko whose enthusiastic personality didn't falter even when they were in the middle of a war. And when you put both of these characters together not only did that mean a headache for Cinder and whoever else was on the ship but it also made for great comedic relief. I can't wait to keep reading about them. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

My favourite part of the book was probably the scene where Scarlet and Wolf were together in that train carriage. Ever since the two characters had met, there had been a clear attraction between them and it was also clear that neither wanted to act on it. It was such an obvious connection because if it had been anyone other than Wolf I don't think Scarlet would have just followed him blindly to Paris, or have trusted him enough to have him help her all the times they found themselves in trouble. However, neither of them was dumb enough to act on it when they had only known each other for a day, no matter how badly I wanted them to. Fortunately, whatever they felt for each other clearly took over their brains in that train carriage and for a few moments they were just Wolf and Scarlet, two teenagers without a care in the world and nothing to think about other than the other person. I really loved this scene and was glad for the moments of happiness these characters got because it was obvious that after a few more hours their whole lives were going to be completely different and much less manageable. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, Scarlet was a stunning book and I really enjoyed reading it. I enjoyed it for a lot of the same things as Cinder, clearly showing the author's talent for satisfying her readers. One thing I loved was the short chapters which definitely made me like the book more. I love short chapters and they always make me feel like I am flying through a book and I'm sure anyone else would feel that way. The fact that you can say you are on chapter 15 in less than half an hour feels like such a prize. It made me feel like the book was so easy to read and I'm sure it was part of the reason why I finished the whole book so quickly. Another thing I really enjoyed was how this book flowed so easily from the previous one. It was so clear that Marissa Meyer knew what she was doing and had intended even when she first started writing for this to be a 4 book series. I loved how I was easily transported back into the dystopian world and how everything fit together so well, with things that I had initially dismissed in Cinder becoming much more significant than I could have ever though in this book. One last thing was how once again the fairy tale story (this time Little Red Riding Hood) was so subtly incorporated into the story. I loved to see the similarities between the stories and I can't wait to see what fairy tale pops up next. 

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

Although I enjoyed both Cinder and Scarlet and found that both were amazing, I would say that my favourite out of the two of them was definitely Scarlet. There are a couple reasons for this... Firstly, I really enjoyed having more points of view involved in the story and loved how this book was almost following 2 different storylines that were linked together in more ways than one. I found this much more engaging because it was much easier to read as I was always on edge hoping to get back to the next perspective so I could find out what happened next. Secondly, I found that the reveals throughout this book were much less predictable and I found myself being really surprised at some points of the story, really shocked to find out how certain things linked together. It was definitely more engaging and less predictable than the previous book and I found myself loving every second of it. Now I can't wait to read the next book of the series and keep going in this surprisingly amazing plot. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I definitely recommend Scarlet (though obviously read Cinder – the first book in the Lunar Chronicles series – first) and think it is a great book for romance, dystopian and fairy tale lovers. 

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

A thrilling adventure set in the future with the perfect sprinkling of romance and the looming threat of war.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

CINDER by Marissa Meyer

“‘Even in the future, the story begins with Once Upon A Time...’ Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless Lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl... Sixteen-year-old Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future. Because there is something unusual about Cinder, something that others would kill for.”

What is the book about?

This story is set in the future, after World War 4 where now everyone is dependent on androids and hovers. In New Beijing, the streets are always crowded with androids, humans and cyborgs (which are humans with metallic parts that have been placed in them after serious accidents occur to give them a second chance at life). Not only that but a deadly disease, a plague, also roams the streets of the whole of Earth, threatening the lives of the whole population with no cure in sight. Sixteen-year-old Cinder was adopted at age 11 by her stepfather, whose death she is blamed for by her stepmother. She is a cyborg, a second class citizen and treated as a slave by her stepmother and now also blamed for her stepsister's illness. Her life was already a disaster, but when the handsome, loved Prince Kai suddenly comes into her life, she finds herself in the middle of an intergalactic struggle for peace and a struggle through her emotions. She must now uncover the secrets about her past, the past she cannot remember, in order to protect the future of her planet. But she never asked for any of this and will have to choose between her freedom and loyalty to her country. 

What were your initial thoughts on the book?

I bought the Lunar Chronicles series years ago (seriously!) and have had it sitting on my shelf waiting to be read. I kept meaning to read it, interested to see why so many people had enjoyed them. I had read a few books by Marissa Meyer before and had really enjoyed them so my initial thoughts were that this book would be great and I would really enjoy it. I love fairy tale retellings and have loved them since I was little and was really interested to see what this one would be like. I knew it was going to be a really wild retelling and I was really intrigued to see how the author would approach the iconic Cinderella in China in the future, but I had hope for it, especially after seeing how popular the books were. After reading the blurb I was even more interested as I wanted to see how the threat of war from an entirely different race of people living on the moon would become part of the story. Soon I started to read the book and initially I was a little disappointed as I found it difficult to really get into the story and become absorbed in the new dystopian world of New Beijing. However, after a few chapters, it really started to pick up and I began to really enjoy the story and find myself a part of the book. It took a little bit of time for me to get into it but soon I was soaring through and I finished the book in 2 days, realising that I shouldn't have waited so long to start the book.

Who was your favourite character and why? 

My favourite character was probably Iko, which may be a bit odd to some as she wasn't a main character really and was just an android, but I loved her. Her energy and personality was so sweet and energetic that it was almost impossible not to love her. The way she acted like an actual human and had the personality of a teenage girl simply because she had a ‘damaged’ personality chip. I loved how excited she got about the prince and how she was there for Cinder to keep her company and to kind of give her a glimpse into the life of a teenage girl and kept her from just being absorbed into her role as a mechanic and a slave for her stepmother. She was so easy to like and it made me smile how happy she always was and how much she liked all the things that I like all girls love. It was also clear that Cinder cared for her as I do and that she loved having her friendship. Even though I'm sure it must be annoying at times to have such a chatterbox to assist you, especially when you are busy with work, but I loved Iko and hope to see her soon in the next books. 

What was your favourite part of the book and why?

This was a really hard question to answer, not just because I had enjoyed the whole book but also because I finished the book 2 sittings, in 2 days and every part just blurred together and I could honestly only remember the story as a whole and not any specific parts. However, after some thought, I would probably say that my favourite part was when Cinder made up her mind on how she would use the money she had gotten. She had never had money to use as she pleased as everything she owned was her stepmother's as her stepmother owned her, however finally she had money and made the most significant decision of her life. She chose to work on the car, work on her escape from a life at her stepmother's beck and call, work on her freedom. I knew she'd never actually leave as that would make one depressing and pointless book if all the main character did was runway, but I loved to see that defiance and that after years being treated as nothing by her stepmother and stepsister (Pearl) and hundreds of others who thought her a disgusting no one because she was a cyborg. She finally chose to stand up for herself and I knew that it wouldn't be the last time. 

What was your overall impression of the book?

Overall, I thought Cinder was a really great book and I enjoyed reading it. Initially I wasn't quite sure what to expect of a Cinderella type story set in China with the main girl being a cyborg, however I was pleasantly surprised and found that I really enjoyed it. I really liked how it wasn't exactly a fairy tale retelling and it was more like there were just elements of the Cinderella that I grew up with and that the actual story, the actual plot was a lot deeper than the simple fairytale that anyone could tell. The car that was a faint orangy colour (like a pumpkin), the name Cinder, the fact that she had an evil stepmother and stepsister, the foot lost on the steps, and (though this may just be my own little thought, which I will continue to believe even if told otherwise) Peony as her fairy godmother who gave her a dress. I loved the incorporation of these elements into what will clearly become a much bigger story. Another thing I really liked about the book was how easy it was to read. The short chapters, every single one of them, was like a breath of fresh air and made me love the book even more. If you are a reader you will know what I mean when I say that it felt like a reward to have a book with all short chapters and that it was much easier to read this way. One thing that did kind of annoy me was how predictable this book was and how I saw the big reveal from miles away, and it had nothing to do with the fact that I knew Cinderella's story inside out (though I predicted that she would lose the foot because of that). I would have liked to have been a bit more surprised as I love plot twists and big reveals, though I suppose it might have been a surprise to some. Either way I am excited to continue the series and so interested to see how the author will incorporate other fairy tales into the series and to see how the deeper story develops. 

Would you recommend this book?  

I would recommend reading the book, it is a really interesting and enjoyable book, especially for over 14 year olds who enjoy romance, dystopian fiction and fairy tale retellings (especially non traditional ones).

Summarise the book in one sentence. (Verdict)  

An interesting science fiction twist on a traditional fairy tale.

Reviewed by Jimena Gutierrez Reviriego

The Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas: Reading Order

The Throne of Glass series is a very confusing series to read as the order isn't quite clear and many people have conflicting opinions on which is the correct order. I read it in the one that my friend told me to without really questioning it. 

The first thing that confuses people is when to read The Assassin's Blade. A few people say to read it first, even before Throne of Glass, as it is a prequel, however I would probably say this is the worst decision ever. If you were to read it first, you would not get the understanding and the enjoyment out of it like if you read it later on. Some say to read it after reading Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight and Heir of Fire, however I think that it works out best to read it after only reading the 2 first novels (Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight) and that is how I read it. 

Another thing that confuses people is when to read Tower of Dawn as the book takes place at the same time as Empire of Storms but is from a completely different character's point of view and in a different location. I read it after finishing Empire of Storms and found that to be fine and, if you do not enjoy reading 2 books at once, I think it's a great way to read the book. However, personally I think I would have enjoyed doing a tandem read better as I hated having to read an entire book before finding out what happened after the cliffhanger. I found a great tandem read on this website Reading Guide for Throne of Glass  but I will also add a picture below of the tandem read (which I wish I had used).

Anyways, this is the order I used: 

1. Throne of Glass (Book 1)
2. Crown of Midnight (Book 2)
3. The Assassin's Blade (Prequel)
4. Heir of Fire (Book 3)
5. Queen of Shadows (Book 4)
6. Empire of Storms (Book 5)
7. Tower of Dawn (Book 6)
8. Kingdom of Ash (Book 7)

Though I wish I did the tandem read above. 

Whichever way you read the book series in I know that you will love it and should definitely not use the confusing reading order as an excuse to not read this series as it is an experience that you will not regret. 

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