Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Review: Frostfire

(Please note that I received this book for review through Firstreads. However, this is a 100% honest review.)

FROSTFIRE BY AMANDA HOCKING

Bryn Aven is an outcast among the Kanin, the most powerful of the troll tribes.

Set apart by her heritage and her past, Bryn is a tracker who's determined to become a respected part of her world. She has just one goal: become a member of the elite King’s Guard to protect the royal family. She's not going to let anything stand in her way, not even a forbidden romance with her boss Ridley Dresden.

But all her plans for the future are put on hold when Konstantin– a fallen hero she once loved – begins kidnapping changelings. Bryn is sent in to help stop him, but will she lose her heart in the process?
 


Oh what fun! I absolutely loved returning to Amanda Hocking's world of trolls, royalty, and trackers! I would whole heartedly recommend this book to almost anyone. There is humor, romance, and action. I can already tell the Kanin Chronicles will be an amazing series. 

First, we have our heroine. Bryn. I think I like her even more than I liked Wendy from the Trylle trilogy! She is a hard working tracker that stands out because of blonde hair, fair skin, and eyes, unlike the rest of the Kanin, that mark her a a half-breed. She is half Skojare, making her an outcast. 

As always, Amanda Hocking ha of provided us with two love interests. Love triangles aren't really my thing, but Amanda Hocking does it so well. I lapped it up! Currently, I really like Ridley. But, I feel like I could really grow to like Konstantin once I understand his background, his reasons for his actions, and just get to know him better! (Plus, I love his name.) Another character I liked was Linus, a changeling Bryn saved from Konstantin. He was really sweet and I hope he has parts in the upcoming sequels!

Also, there was all the royal intrigue and stuff. I love reading about riches and dances. It's so fun! Speaking of royalty, I really didn't like the king, and I am really intrigued by the queen. The king seems pretty stuck up to me, and it was implied that the queen was lying about loving her husband! What fun!

For those wondering, it is not necessary to read the Trylle trilogy first, but I would highly recommend doing so. There are a few cameos of characters from the trilogy, and the books would give you a deeper understanding of the world! Plus, it is just interesting to reading from both Wendy and Bryn's view points, since one is the equivalent of a princess and the other is a tracker and a "peasant".

Overall, I can't wait for the next book in the series. I can always count on Hocking for an entertaining, engaging read full of vibrant characters, swoony love interests, amazing settings and ideas, and fighting/action! 




4/5 stars
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Saturday, August 15, 2015

Review: A Court of Thorns and Roses


A thrilling, seductive new series from New York Timesbestselling author Sarah J. Maas, blending Beauty and the Beast with faerie lore.

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

Perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and George R. R. Martin, this first book in a sexy and action-packed new series is impossible to put down!


What a fantastical, gripping, compelling read. ACK! This will probably be a long review...

A Court of Thorns and Roses is definitely a new favorite! Honestly, while reading, I was a reminded a bit of my favorite tale “East of the Sun and West of the Moon” although I know ACOTAR is said to be more of a loose Beauty and the Beast retelling. Either way, I LOVED this book. 

(For the rest of the review A Court of Thorns and Roses will be referred to as ACOTAR to save my poor typing fingers.)

Firstly, while reading ACOTAR, I realized it gave me a classic feeling no other Fantasy book has given me in 2015. I don’t know quite how to explain this phenomenon, but when I read books by Tamora Pierce, Jessica Day George, Shannon Hale, Brandon Sanderson, and OF COURSE Sarah J. Maas I always feel the same “floaty” feeling. I feel at home reading these books yet still they are exciting and unpredictable. So, when I felt this “floaty” feeling of utter enthrallment, I knew ACOTAR would be a novel I will reread for years to come.

Secondly, I loved the characters. Feyre was tough, flawed, likable, admirable, and I easily started seeing the Fae world through her eyes. As for the other characters, Feyre’s family all had more than one dimension to them, especially her sisters. Of course, the love interests were intriguing as well. I haven’t picked a “side” yet but I know I will probably be a wee bit more in favor of one by the second book!

Let’s talk about the world. The seasonal courts, the magic, the different creatures, the villains, the beautiful and terrifying locations such a castles, dungeons, forests, and more created a lush (and sometimes dark) setting. I never felt disconnected from the kingdoms of ACOTAR.

I read ACOTAR soooooooo fast. I sat down and was completely immersed. This book reminded me of why I LOVE fantasy. I will always be a sucker for the dresses, strong heroines, weapons, castles, forests, politics, descriptions, darkness, romance, conflicting kingdoms, and royalty. I loved reading about Feyre, Tamlin, Lucien, Rhysand, and the rest of the cast. I relished every minute. 


5/5 Stars 






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