Books I Read
Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson
I was kind of unsure about this book; I'm not quite sure why. I picked it up at the library one day because I thought I'd heard people say they liked it and I was low on new books. I'm very glad I did. It's a great book, and I enjoyed all the mystery and intrigue. Also, though I had a hard time liking Elisa for some reason, I thought her knowledge and use of strategy was pretty cool.
The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
Ok, I admit it- I read this book primarily because I wanted to know who Eugenides is. I definitely wasn't disappointed! Though neither book nor character were quite what I expected, I loved both. The ending caught me very much off-guard, but thinking back, I might've just missed almost all the clues the author dropped. I definitely want to read the rest of the series!
Dangerous by Shannon Hale
I have always associated Shannon Hale with fairy-tale remakes and stories that feel like fairy-tale remakes. This is neither of those. It is . . . Well, I can't tell you that. Spoilers. It is pretty exciting, though definitely not Shannon Hale's best. The idea of the book was good, and the main character was a homeschooler who loves science and occasionally quotes poetry to express her feelings, which is cool. However, I thought it seemed a bit rushed, particularly at the beginning. Also, there was too much romance and not enough-world saving, at least in my opinion.
Reapers by Bryan Davis
I'm currently in the middle of reading this book, and I'm not entirely sure what I think about it. It's very different from most of the books I read, including Davis's other books, but that's a good thing. I like the concept of the Reapers, and the main characters seem cool. And this isn't a bad thing, but SO MANY QUESTIONS. Also, Alex is nasty and I want to punch her very hard. I guess the only thing that's really making me uncertain of this book is that something seems off with the pacing.
Books I Want To Read
A few days ago, I came home from the library with a very full bookbag, and I already had several books waiting for me at home, not to mention several other books on request from the library that hadn't come in yet. So, these are just the highlights.
Crown of Embers by Rae Carson
As I mentioned above, I really enjoyed Girl of Fire and Thorns. I'm very excited to read the sequel (as well as glad I didn't start the trilogy until all the books came out). Elisa's new position is an almost-guarantee for more intrigue (yay!), and the book summary/blurb thing promises that Crown of Embers will be at least as exciting as Girl of Fire and Thorns.
Eyes Wide Open by Ted Dekker
This is another book I picked up more or less on a whim. I haven't read much Dekker in a year or two, but I noticed this one at the library, realized it was new, and thought it sounded interesting. I also have Water Walker out from the library, but I've had Eyes Wide Open longer, so it's probably higher priority. Probably.
This is another book I picked up more or less on a whim. I haven't read much Dekker in a year or two, but I noticed this one at the library, realized it was new, and thought it sounded interesting. I also have Water Walker out from the library, but I've had Eyes Wide Open longer, so it's probably higher priority. Probably.
The One by Kiera Cass
I'm still waiting for this one to come in at the library, but I'm really looking forward to it. No spoilers from The Elite, but as usual at the end of a second book, the characters are in a terrible mess, and I desperately want to know how they fix it. I also read a sneak peek of The One in a book of Selection short stories/bonus materials, so that got me even more excited. I very much hope America ends up with Maxon. Yes, he has his problems, but he's a great guy. And if she goes with Aspen in the end, there will be yelling on my end.
Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
This, like The Thief, is a book I keep hearing about and finally got curious to try. Again, I'm still waiting to get my hands on it, but I think it should come in at the library soon. I'm not entirely sure what to expect, but it sounds awesome, possibly on the level of the Blood of Kings trilogy.
This, like The Thief, is a book I keep hearing about and finally got curious to try. Again, I'm still waiting to get my hands on it, but I think it should come in at the library soon. I'm not entirely sure what to expect, but it sounds awesome, possibly on the level of the Blood of Kings trilogy.
Well, there's my bookish news for the week. What about you? Have you been reading anything good lately? What books are you looking forward to reading? Please tell me in the comments!
No galu govad gen!
-Sarah (Leilani Sunblade)
Pretty good lineup! The Thief is good, but just you wait until you read the rest. The awesomeness has only just begun...
ReplyDeleteAs for Mistborn...it's definitely adult for intensity and seriousness...the violence can be kind of heavy, at least for what I'm used to reading. But I think you will enjoy it. It is definitely serious good writing. I didn't continue the rest of the series, because I kind of bounced around and spoiled everything, plus it just got a bit more depressing. But Mistborn can definitely be read with satisfaction on its own!
Awesomesauce! Now I'm even more excited. :D
DeleteThanks for telling me. :) Glad to hear it's good on its own, though I'm hoping I'll like it enough to give the rest of the series a try.
I've started/read a lot of popular trilogies/series lately (Girl of Fire and Thorns, Throne of Glass, Shadow & Bone...). For me, the second book has been better than the first for GoF&T (so I think you'll like Crown of Embers better) and Shadow & Bone.
ReplyDeleteI had similar feelings for Dangerous. She took on a lot with that book, and most of it didn't work for me.
Really? Interesting; usually the second book is my least favorite book in the series/trilogy. (There are, of course, a few exceptions.)
DeleteYeah . . . I wonder if it would've helped if she hadn't tried to stuff it all in one book. And, of course, either dropped the romance or developed it better.
I have heard a lot of people saying that they like Kiera Cass' novels! What do you like about the books? I haven't read any novels by her before!
ReplyDeleteFor one thing, it's an interesting concept. I don't think there are a lot of books- dystopian books particularly- in which you have 35 girls literally competing for the hand of a prince, but it's not cheesy like it could be. I like the characters, America especially, and the books are very well-written. I'd definitely recommend them.
DeleteHere's the review that made me decide to read the series, if you're interested: http://bookworm716.blogspot.com/2013/06/book-review-selection.html
Mistborn is on my 'list of books to read" as well. So is the Divergent trilogy. :) Girl of Fire and Thorns looks interesting!
ReplyDeleteCool! I'm glad you're reading the Divergent trilogy; they're excellent books. You should definitely read Girl of Fire and Thorns!
DeleteJumping on the bandwagon late, but this sounds fantastic! I am totally swamped right now with books; I'm trying to finish the Wheel of Time series this summer. : )
ReplyDeleteHeh. Swamped with books isn't always such a bad thing . . . better than being swamped with homework, which is the usual cause of my being swamped with books. xD How's the Wheel of Time series? I've heard of it, but I haven't read it.
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