Into the Fire by Jeaniene Frost Book Review

Into the Fire by Jeaniene Frost. Photo: Amazon UK

Fiery action-filled plot, but not enough love making

This is the forth book in the Night Prince series and surprisingly I didn't know that Vlad and Leila's story didn't end on the third book - I thought it was a trilogy. I was really excited to pick up the final book in the series and see how their story ends - Vlad has always been a favorite of mine (I love a fiery man). 

However, I found that this good didn't grab me as much as Frost's other titles. This time around I found that Vlad's overprotectiveness was a tad too much. Instead of it coming off as protective and the usual Vlad sexiness - he came off as overbearing and insanely aggressive. I didn't find it an attractive quality this time around. 

Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell Book Review

 

Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell. Photo: Amazon UK

A heart-breaking, yet beautiful tale of love, family and unimaginable loss

From the moment I heard about this book I knew it had a top spot on my TBR list and this was all from just the pre-buzz within the publishing industry before the book's official publication date. Once the book was released and the media started to sing it's praises and when Maggie O'Farrell won the Women's Prize for Fiction 2020 award with this novel - I knew I had to pick up a copy right away. I went into this book with high expectations as a big Shakespeare fan and it was intriguing to me as I'd never thought about his life prior to his career in London.

I found it very interesting to speculate what Shakespeare's childhood and home life was like back in Stratford. O'Farrell has a very unique writing style in this book - sweeping descriptions and a very jumpy timeline/viewpoint. It's also slightly maddening that she never refers to Shakespeare's first or last name in the entirety of the novel. She names every other character, but never William.

Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer Book Review - Part 2

 

Seemingly never-ending; it's 756 pages and it definitely feels that insanely long.  

My part one review went up to page 376, so this second part review covers from page 376 all the way until the ridiculous ending point at 756. While the first half of this novel was quite enjoyable, the second half dragged on and on and took me weeks to get through. It's unfortunate because all the action happens in the first 300 pages and then not again until around the 600 mark. 

If you're a fan of pacey, page-turning novels, maybe give this one a miss. 

Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer Book Review - Part 1

Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer. Photo: Amazon UK

Back in one of the most iconic (vampire) love stories of all time - but is it all just for nostalgia's sake?  

I decided since this book is so massive to split up my review of it into two parts - mostly because I was afraid that I would misremember details of the story by the end of the book because it's so long! I'm currently on page 376 which is approximately 56% of the way finished with Midnight Sun - so it's safe to say I'm halfway there! 

Cracking open this mega brick sized book, I was excited to once again be immersed in the lush forest town of Forks. Eagerly, I dived back into the high-school romance story of Edward and Bella and wasn't surprised when it felt different this time around. In fact, two years ago I tried to reread the book that started it all, Twilight, but found myself so frustrated that the writing was nothing like I remembered (by that I mean the writing and dialogue was horrible and unpleasant to read). However, this blip didn't stop me from diving into this new novel with an open mind (and a whole lot of nostalgia) because I couldn't wait to read what Edward was thinking the entire time. 

Well Met by Jen DeLuca Book Review

Well Met by Jen DeLuca. Photo: Amazon UK

A Renaissance faire with a broody love interest wrapped in leather acting like a cheeky pirate - SIGN ME UP!  

The overall concept of this book is what inspired me to pick it up...and I'm so glad that I did! I heard about this book on Twitter and usually I'm quite weary of random titles mentioned on social media, but the buzz around this book was quite loud. As I started reading, I understood the hype immediately - I finished this book in a day and a half. Just flew through it!

Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton Book Review

Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton. Photo: GoodReads UK

Guilty pleasures? Hamilton offered nothing but pain throughout this entire novel  

Unfortunately I was introduced to this series by many ‘Top 10 vampire romance series’ that had other good vamp books on the list so I figured I’d give this series a try. Boy do I wish I hadn’t.

I made it about 40% of the way through before I decided I couldn’t stand this book. The main character is a bitch who tries to have morals but through her actions it just isn’t believable. Plus I was sold romance - where? There was no romance at all in this. Just about 90% of the book is the main character getting her ass handed to her and looking pathetic. God, please give the readers some small wins so we can at least root for the MC, instead it’s a pathetic mess of getting our teeth kicked in repeatedly.

I honestly don’t think much happened at all in this book. She goes to a club, then has to solve a mystery, then goes to some weird sex party, then the male sidekick she had dies (also suddenly he is her ‘lover’ even tho they kissed ONCE) yahhh okay....

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid Book Review

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. Photo: Amazon UK

Enchanting and glamorous - nobody can resist the allure of Evelyn Hugo! 

I picked up this novel after I named Daisy Jones and The Six as my favorite book read in 2018 and Taylor Jenkins Reid did not disappoint. I am always in awe of Reid's ability to write stories that make fictional people and stories so damn realistic. Just like what I found with Daisy, Evelyn was so real and human I kept finding myself believing that she was a real celebrity.

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee Book Review

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee. Photo: Amazon UK

An adventurous tale with a somewhat unlikeable main character.

The story set in the 1700s follows British lord Henry 'Monty' Montague as he embarks on a great European Tour with his best friend Percy. Along the way the pair find themselves chased around by thugs, the royal guard and Monty standing naked in the middle of an aristocratic party in Paris?!

No Rest for the Wicked Book Review

No Rest for the Wicked by Kresley Cole. Photo: Amazon UK

Enjoyable introduction to the author, but the heroine could use some work.

The story follows Kaderin, a Valkyrie assassin who hunts vampires to the end of the Earth to avenge her sisters' tragic deaths. She is known as one of the coldest and cruelest warriors in the world of Lore (folklore).

The New Hunger by Isaac Marion Book Review

The New Hunger by Isaac Marion. Photo: Amazon UK

Well written but very little actual plot.

This story was well written and I really enjoy Marion's writing style. However, nothing much happens in this story.

There isn't really a plot. The characters are just wandering around aimlessly. It does lead up to the start of Warm Bodies (at the stadium). But good writing can only do so much for a story - if there is no plot then the story doesn't move forward or build up to anything bigger.

The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater Book Review

The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater. Photo: Amazon UK

Even better than the first book, the Raven Cycle rules!

Maggie has done it again! I have to say I might like this book even more than the first one. Her stories and characters just keep on getting better and better.