My Experiences with Literary Classics: Part One

Daisy Miller by Henry James 

So, let's talk about assigned reading. It's a touchy subject. It's a good way to get kids to read but what about just letting them read what they want? How are literary classics any better than Harry Potter?

Well, I see the merits to both arguments. But, personally, I have had some interesting experiences with classics that have led me to value them. They've broadened my world view. I've loved a few of them. Others I've hated. And some I'm not sure.

Today let's discuss Daisy Miller by Henry James

I read Daisy Miller for a essay I was assigned to write in my sophomore year. I thought I hated it. Reading it was torturous. I kept wondering how such a short book (a novella really) could take so long to read. I called it dry and dull.

Then I wrote my essay. I did research on the book and author. I scrutinized the dialogue. And all of the sudden I started appreciating it. I could find some feminist themes. I started being intrigued by expatriates. I analyzed the main character and all of the sudden had this deeper understanding. The tragic story became more fascinating.

And I ended up having some fond memories of Daisy Miller. I display my copy proudly on my vanity- although that may be in part due to the books prettiness and quality of elegance.

However, I still struggle with my perception of the book. Did I like it? Did I not?

I mean, I haven't had the desire to reread it. I remember the painful hours it took for me to get through it. However, I still think about the characters. The characters and storylines in Daisy Miller haven't left my brain since that essay. And I definitely have that essay and my sophomore English class to thank for that.

However, other classics, like Great Expectations, I still hate even after writing about it quite extensively. And some, like A Separate Peace, I've loved since I read the first sentence.

So is Daisy Miller a good novella?

Your guess is as good as mine.

Review: The Cruel Prince

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Goodreads/Amazon

Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.

To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences. In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.

The Cruel Prince is a very promising start to a new series which I am undeniably excited for. Holly Black is such an amazing writer. I loved her Curse Workers series and I'm glad to have found a new piece of work from her.

This book is definitely causing a storm in the book world. There's so many good reviews on Goodreads, blogs, and YouTube. While I didn't love it as much as some people, I definitely enjoyed it. (The hype might have ruined it a bit for me!)

THAT ENDING THOUGH. The ending has me itching for the next book. 

I'm getting ahead of myself though. So what do I love about this book? I love that this book doesn't hold back on the dangerous, feral quality of the fae. They are bullies. They are powerful. They will kill your parents. They will make it their mission to torture you. There were some fae *cough cough you-know-which-one-if-you-read-the-book* who I loathed. 

At some points I was close to yelling at the main character, Jude. DON'T DO THAT! DON'T TRUST THIS OR THAT PERSON etc. Sometimes I did question her judgement. Also, the bullying scenes were hard to read sometimes. 

I was intrigued by all the family, sister, and friend dynamics. Jude has a twin sister and a half sister. And they are all very, very different. And Jude's relationship with Madoc is so complicated and hard. He murdered her parents, but he's really the only parent figure she's known. It's all very interesting, especially toward the very end. 

I was pretty sucked in by the story. I felt a disconnect from Jude sometimes but I think future books will create a better connection between reader and character. So, in conclusion, I highly recommend The Cruel Prince. It's definitely cruel and dangerous. And the twist/cliff-hanger(ish) is a killer one. Now comes the wait for book two. 

Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Take Place In Another Country

Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl

Visiting other countries is amazing. I dream of seeing new places and getting out of the United States can feel so very freeing. However, trips are expensive. So what's a fun alternative? Books, duh! :)

So, here's my top ten books that take place in different countries!

The United Kingdom 
There's like a million books I love set in the UK:
Harry Potter
obviously
Murder Most Unladylike
Some good old British fun. This is my favorite middle grade series at the moment. I love the female friendship and quirky mystery solving.
Clockwork Angel
The whole Infernal Devices Trilogy is such a love letter to London.

Australia
Saving Francesca
Melina Marchetti never disappoints and lots of her emotional, amazing novels take place in her home country.

Paris
Anna and the French Kiss
I will never get tired of singing its praises. Anna is hilarious and her descriptions of being an American in Paris are spot-on.

Prague 
Night of Cake and Puppets 
Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke and Bone series takes place partially in Prague. However, Night of Cake and Puppets takes place entirely there! These beautiful books make me want to visit so badly.

Antarctica
Up To This Pointe
Ballet and penguins? What more is there to ask for? I read this while at a ballet intensive as well... so that was cool!

Ancient Greece
The Song of Achilles
So I've raved about this one so much. It definitely transports you back to the myths of Ancient Greece. It's so well researched and I love Patroclus and Achilles so much.

Afghanistan
Kite Runner
This is a powerful classic that everyone should read. I really need to get my hands on more work by Khaled Hosseini!

Favorite Books I Read in 2017: Part Two

So I've finally finished this list of amazing books:

8. The Bean Trees
I read this book in class and loved it. Not only is it beautiful written, it is also incredibly relevant to issues we are having today. The characters were all very memorable; Turtle, Esperanza, and Estevan have all stuck with me.

9. Bad Romance
This was a powerful book about a very important subject: abusive relationships. It was heartbreaking but I couldn't look away. Demetrius is such an amazing author... I've loved all her contemporary works.

10. The Song of Achilles
This book deserves all the awards. The Song of Achilles wraps Greek mythology, beautiful romance, and the tragedy of the trojan war all into one book. I loved reading about Patroclus and Achilles' romance.

11. Roses and Rot
This is a book for artists. It's a love letter to novelists, painters, poets, and dancers. And it has magic and fae mixed in to make it extra exciting. I fell in love with this beautifully written story.

12. This Adventure Ends
Emma Mills is quickly becoming one of my favorite YA contemporary authors. I always have so much fun; This Adventure Ends was no exception. It's full of awesome, quirky friendships and adventure.

13. This Savage Song
This is my first Victoria Schwaub or VE Schwaub that I've rated 5 stars. This Savage Song was so beautiful, dark, and compelling. Expect violins and monsters. And it's definitely savage.

14. Three Dark Crowns
Okay. This was such a unique fantasy. I loved the matriarchy aspect, the sister rivalry, and the twist at the end. Like This Savage Song, Three Dark Crowns was a very dark fantasy. I can't wait to read the second book.

So, there we have it! I hope 2018 brings even more favorites. 

Favorite Books I Read in 2017: Part One

Guess what guys?! I'm not dead! It just didn't feel right not posting my fave books of the year- even if it's a bit late to do so. Without further ado, here are the books I loved in 2017:

1. The Bear and the Nightingale
This was the first book I read in 2017 and boy was it a great way to start out the year! I read this luscious Russian fantasy while curled up in my warm bed with snowflakes floating down outside my window. Here's my review. 

2. Summers at Castle Auburn
I picked up a used copy of this on a whim. And I ADORED it. Summers at Castle Auburn was probably my number one favorite of the year. It's a cozy, creative read with a slow burn romance. I fell in love with the world Shinn created and I loved all the girl power and sisterly love. Here's my review.

3. Traitor's Blade
I had a blast reading Traitor's Blade while on vacation this year. It's hilarious, action-packed, and has a great twist at the end. Falcio, Kest, and Brasti are all my babies and no one is allowed to hurt them. Also, all the fantasy aspects are executed beautifully. I NEED to finish this series now.

4. Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom
This is my favorite duology ever. Leigh Bardugo is a genius. I cried. I laughed. I screamed. Can we talk about how cute all the couples are??? Or what about how savage Kaz is? Also, read this for awesome as heck heists. I wrote an in-depth post about my SoC obsession here.

5. Tower of Dawn
I thought Sarah J Maas couldn't do it. But she did. She made a freakin awesome book about Chaol (AKA my least favorite character). Now I am in love with Chaol and Yrene and Nesryn and Sartaq. Also, I love how diverse this book was; we see so many new characters and places. Tower of Dawn might be my new favorite SJM book. It's that good.

6. Because of Miss Bridgerton (and all of Julia Quinn's books)
I went on a Julia Quinn binge this year and basically read all her books. OOPS. Anyway, Because of Miss Bridgerton is hilarious and banter-y and full of JQ goodness. If you're ever in a reading slump, pick this historical romance series-starter up for a quick cure.

7. The Queen of the Tearling
I've had the ARC of this sitting unread for years. It's pretty shameful. But I finally read The Queen of the Tearling this year- and I loved it. It was amazing and thought-provoking. The heroine, Kelsea, is unique and the book truly focuses on her becoming an amazing ruler. I will warn you it's a pretty slow fantasy; but I loved how immersed I became. I really need to read the next book.

Stay tuned for part two- coming next week!

Blog Update: Fixed and Improved Reader Rising

Hi! I'm back. I'm not sure if y'all noticed but my blog has been dead and broken for the last few months. After I got back from a three week long intensive, I came back to a wonderful surprise: a blog covered in a gray image.

My background was this ugly photo. So was my blog button, my post signature, all my social media buttons, and all my post dividers. 

I was so shocked! Basically, photobucket decided to hold all my photos for ransom and tried to get me to pay for a subscription (which I didn't want to do.) 

So, I totally failed at fixing it on my own. It was so frustrating and I was fully prepared to have to have the blog totally redesigned.  Thankfully, I got some amazing help yesterday and my blog is up and running again!!!  I CANNOT wait to start posting about all the amazing books I've been reading. 

Series Review: The Red Winter Trilogy

*I received this series for free from Xpresso Book Tours*
Oooh look a fun fantasy trilogy filled with mythology!!

Book One: Red Winter
Goodreads/Amazon

Red Winter was a fantastic start to the series! First, I was surprised by the BEAUTIFUL ILLUSTRATIONS included. Seriously, they were gorgeous. And I loved all the mythology and world building. I wasn't sure if I would like Emi at first, but I loved her character growth. The reader watches Emi start to become her own person instead of seeing herself only as a vessel for a kami.

Also, I loved Shiro!!! He was my favorite character throughout the series. I enjoyed watching his character growth and learning more about him. Romance was not at all front and center in this first book... which I like because I've always preferred slow burn.

Book Two: Dark Tempest
Goodreads/Amazon

In this sequel the pace does not let up! While this book was my least favorite in the series, I still really enjoyed it. I, of course, continued to adore the illustrations and all the characters.

My favorite part was the blossoming, slow relationship between Emi and a certain fox spirit. Also, there were some surprising revelations about Shiro! And a lot more characters were introduced and the fictional world continued to expand. I loved the atmosphere... it was tense and exciting. The readers get to delve deeper into mythology and the past. Basically, we got to know all the characters more and really geared up for the amazing grand finale!

Book Three: Immortal Fire
Goodreads/Amazon

Immortal Fire was my favorite book in the trilogy! It was all high stakes action and a panicked count down until the day Emi will end her mortal life and become Amaterasu. There were also some really cute and bittersweet sections. I was so touched by the scene at the beach.

The ending chapters killed me! It was so emotional and I was very distraught for a bit. However, *spoilers* I did get my happy ending and it was soooooo sweet *end spoilers* Immortal Fire was a powerful, well written conclusion to an excellent series. I was so sad to say goodbye to Emi, Shiro, Yumei and all the characters.

Overall:

The Red Winter trilogy gets 4/5 stars from me. In the future, I will definitely pick up more of Anette Marie's books! I would not hesitate to recommend this series to fans of mythology, beautiful illustrations, and sweet romance.

Also, I didn't included all the book synopsis's (so that this post wouldn't be mammoth) so click here to access all the books and descriptions on Goodreads!

BREAKING NEWS: I Just Read The Six of Crows Duology

WHY HAS NO ONE TOLD ME HOW AMAZING SIX OF CROWS IS? *scrolls through goodreads* Oh wait all my friends have rated it 5 stars and have shouted its praises. Huh.

Well, anyway, I have just finished bawling my eyes out at the ending of Crooked Kingdom and I have been obsessively pinning fan art on Pinterest. It's safe to say I am obsessed.

So let's talk about some special things from The Dregs... six to be precise. (This list is pretty much spoiler free... There's nothing you won't get from the first few chapters of SoC)

1) KAZ BREKKER
OK I have feelings about this boy. He is the most anti-hero of all the characters and yet I still love him to pieces.... I love his viciousness and his cane and his cunning schemes. Bardugo make him worthy of some sympathy and even a bit of admiration.

2) INEJ GHAFA
Inez is wise, moral, and has amazing acrobatic skills. She's called the Wraith and is, of course, made of strong stuff. She's Suli and throughout all her traumatic ordeals still remains very close to her Suli heritage... often spouting out Suli proverbs to Kaz. To summarize, she is amazing.

3) WYLAN
Precious Wylan is dragged into the Dregs and it's the cutest thing ever. He's from a respected, although rather horrible, family... and this new criminal life takes a while to adjust to. He's also a whiz with chemicals.

4) JESPER FAHEY
Jesper!!! I love Jesper and his pistols and sarcasm... and how he flirts with Wylan! He also has a gambling problem, unfortunately. I wanted to shake him by the shoulders so many times. I LIVED for his chapters.

5) MATTHIAS HELVAR
Ahhh, now we are at big grumpy Matthias.  My favorite Fjerdan! He's really just a giant teddy bear. (Okay, he's actually not but I can pretend.) He and Nina are perfect for each other... even though they are kinf-of not-really mortal enemies. Oops.

6) NINA ZENIK
Okay! I'll admit it. Nina is my favorite character. I love her strength and her love for waffles and her ability to be bright and happy in her gang of dark criminals. And her grisha powers as a Heartrender are amazing.

IN CONCLUSION 

So, basically, if you are like past me and haven't picked up Leigh Bardugo's masterful SIX OF CROWS duology let me say one thing: you are missing out on all the fun shenanigans in the Ice Court and Ketterdam. Come meet my flawed babies. The characters and world building and heists are freakin' spectacular. Also Bardugo's writing is dazzling and a lot more sophisticated than my review.

Now, excuse me, I'm going to go like all my favorite quotes on Goodreads. And cry over that scene in Crooked Kingdom.