Crown of Midnight

Review Time! This review is way overdue but I'm excited to be finally reviewing it, Crown of Midnight is the eagerly anticipated sequel to Sarah J. Maas' sizzling 2012 YA Debut, Throne of Glass! I absolutely loved the first book so it was without question that Crown of Midnight was one of those few books I did manage to read this year! You can purchase a copy of Crow of Midnight from The Book Depository | Fishpond | The Nile | Bookworld. Thanks to Bloomsbury for the review copy! (Much love SERIOUSLY LOVE YOU GUYS!)

(Goodreads) Eighteen-year-old Celaena Sardothien is bold, daring and beautiful – the perfect seductress and the greatest assassin her world has ever known. But though she won the King’s contest and became his champion, Celaena has been granted neither her liberty nor the freedom to follow her heart. The slavery of the suffocating salt mines of Endovier that scarred her past is nothing compared to a life bound to her darkest enemy, a king whose rule is so dark and evil it is near impossible to defy. Celaena faces a choice that is tearing her heart to pieces: kill in cold blood for a man she hates, or risk sentencing those she loves to death. Celaena must decide what she will fight for: survival, love or the future of a kingdom. Because an assassin cannot have it all . . . And trying to may just destroy her.

The Short Story? - There are not enough words in the english language to describe how amazing this sequel was! I don't know about you but I was expecting the second book flop and instead Maas outwrote herself with this spectacular sequel that absolutely blew my mind to pieces and took me to plot heaven. Seriously - I DIE. This book was one of the best sequels I've ever read, the plot was fast-paced, action-packed and filled with heart-stopping romance and jaw-dropping twists and turns. I fell head over heels in love again with Celaena and Chaol, I'm pretty much living my love story through them. Beautifully written, Maas shows true talent with this pleasing and captivating sequel, Crown of Midnight gets two thumbs up from the Badass Bookie!

The Long Story? - Honestly, this book is amazing beyond words (but perhaps numbers can help. A 4.52 average rating on Goodreads with a total of 9048 ratings - IMPRESSIVE). There is little not to love about the storyline of Crown of Midnight. It was fast-paced and filled with action, suspense and mystery. Basically everything needed to make a good book. I remember reading through this book and finding myself constantly shocked by the unpredictability and unexpected twists in the book. Maas definitely knows how to drop bombs (you emotional terrorist!) in the right places. I can't get through this review without at least talking about the SIZZLING chemistry between Celaena and Chaol, probably one of my favourite couples, the romance between the two has definitely blossomed in this sequel however there are so many obstacles for them to overcome, my heart truly breaks! Beautifully written, I'm 120% pleased with the plot, LOVE LOVE LOVE what Maas has accomplished and I look forward to a third book!

Celaena is one of those characters that I felt an instant connection to from the very first moment we were introduced to each other and over the course of two books I've grown even closer to her. She's just so strong and independent. If I was ever placed in any situation that was similar to what Celaena has gone through, I wouldn't have survived. She's so badass yet there is this sweet side to her which she only shows when she is around Chaol. She's so strong yet vulnerable. I liked how in Crown of Midnight, the story was told in alternating perspectives between Celaena, Chaol and Dorian because it truly brings the reader closer to the character. I found this was especially the case with Chaol, on the outside he is so proper and serious yet after reading his perspective you can totally see that he is a passionate man who truly find himself head over heels in love with Celaena. I couldn't help but feel a little sorry for Dorian because he truly is the other guy in this situation, I'm certain a part of Celaena still loves him but I'm rooting for Chaol along with 98% of the other readers! I couldn't have been happier with the characters!

It seems to me after that raving review that there is not much I didn't like about the book ( or nothing). No wait, I hate the long wait til the THIRD BOOK AFTER THAT ENDING. Maas has truly written an extraordinary sequel that will please many if not all followers of the series, fantastic plot, great characterisation and beautiful writing. A top effort!

What's it Worth? - Break Out the Piggybank

Badass Bookie xx

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Dance of Shadows

Review Time! Dance of Shadows is the debut novel of YA author, Yelena Black! I originally had this review planned for February BUT before I could finish the book, someone stole my copy of the book from the common room - HOW RUDE. However Cass @ Words on Paper was nice enough to send me her copy! You can purchase a copy of Dance of Shadows from Fishpond | The Book Depository | The Nile | Bookworld. Thanks to Bloomsbury for the review copy!

(Goodreads) Vanessa doesn’t believe that her sister is a runaway. She wouldn’t leave her family behind without saying a word. The only way Vanessa can discover the truth behind her mysterious disappearance is to follow in Margaret’s footsteps, but to do so she risks her sanity and maybe even her life . . .

Vanessa Adler is one of the talented few to get a place at the acclaimed New York Ballet Academy. Between backbreaking rehearsals for the school’s production of The Firebird she desperately tries to find out what happened to her sister before she vanished. There are rumors that the pressure of performing the lead role, the same role Vanessa is now rehearsing for, drove her mad. Other girls have gone missing too. Can the role be cursed? Vanessa’s new relationship with leading-man Zep only seems to complicate things further. What is he hiding from her and can she really trust him?

The Short Story? - Dark, seductive and exciting, Dance of Shadows is an refreshingly original debut. A great combination of dance and the supernatural, Black has written a beautiful yet eery novel of mystery, suspense and the unexpected. Captivating plot and well written, my only problem with the novel was some of the characterisation. Overall, an enticing and edgy debut that taunts readers to devour the story from cover to cover.

The Long Story? - Even though I used to dance, I've never been all that fascinated with dance novels. They're a little too girly for me and I honestly don't really understand the appeal of ballet (only ever did Jazz and Tap). So going into this novel I was a little hesitant however I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. My biggest concern was that the dance and supernatural element would over power an actual plot. I didn't really want a novel about some girl who falls in love with some dancer dude who turns out to be a vampire. LUCKY ENOUGH, that wasn't the plot. It's a really subtle supernatural element that carries through the novel. It's a mystery and we don't find out what's really happening until the very end. All we know is that girls are disappearing and something funky is going on with the choreographer. It's the kind novel that takes a lot of restraint not to flip ahead because the suspense will absolutely KILL you! Brilliant plot, I can't fault because I love supernatural elements and I love mysteries!

Characterisation was really the problem area for me, I didn't find myself caring all that much for Vanessa. As a protagonist, she's quite distant from her readers. I don't think her character was developed enough and what I did see of her, she was annoying and insecure and whiney and kinda depressing. I know a lot of other reviewers really enjoyed her character but we just didn't click. It's probably just a personal thing because I kind of the opposite of Vanessa but it did let down the novel a little for me. There is a guy involved named Zep although I don't really understand their "love", I don't mind instant love when it done well but in this case, I didn't think any romance was necessary. I would have been happy with a straight up YA novel without the boy. I did like Vanessa's friends though, they were portrayed really well. Fun and caring and loyal, they're the kind people I would be friends with. Overall, the characterisation definitely wasn't a forte for me but it wasn't horrible either.

Dance of Shadows is one of those debuts that everyone is either going to love or hate depending on how much you're willing to forgive and look the other way. I really enjoyed it, the characterisation was a little bit of a let down but not so much that it ruined the book for me. The plot was fantastic and the writing was really engaging, it's a pretty decent debut and I'm definitely going to follow through with the series because I'm sure there is going to be character growth in the books to come!

What's it Worth? - Squeeze into the Budget/ Hand Over the Paycheck

Badass Bookie xx

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Something Like Normal

Review Time! Something Like Normal by Trish Doller is a 2012 YA Debut published by Bloomsbury back in June of 2012. I really wanted to read this sooner but reading corresponded with pretty much everything else in my life and I only just had the chance to pick it up lately! You can purchase a copy of the book from Fishpond | The Nile | Booktopia | Bookworld Thanks to Bloomsbury for the review copy!

(Goodreads) When Travis returns home from a stint in Afghanistan, his parents are splitting up, his brother’s stolen his girlfriend and his car, and he’s haunted by nightmares of his best friend’s death. It’s not until Travis runs into Harper, a girl he’s had a rocky relationship with since middle school, that life actually starts looking up. And as he and Harper see more of each other, he begins to pick his way through the minefield of family problems and post-traumatic stress to the possibility of a life that might resemble normal again. Travis’s dry sense of humor, and incredible sense of honor, make him an irresistible and eminently lovable hero.

The Short Story? - A bittersweet love story dealing with the aftermath of war, grief, friendship and finding normal again. Doller's debut is a phenomenal novel about love, loss, family and moving on. Realistic characters that are beautifully flawed, this is a cast of characters that will steal your hearts. Deeply moving and well-written, Doller's debut is one of a kind. Definitely a must read for contemporary fiction lovers!

The Long Story? - I knew without even opening the book that this was going to be amazing because THE BOOK IS LESS THAN 300 PAGES ( YAY FOR SHORT BOOKS!) and obviously my presumption that this book was going to be amazing turned out to be correct, for such a small book, it packed quite a punch. Normally I wouldn't be the kind of girl to pick up a book about grief and all that shebang but I have a thing for War novels. I can't even begin to explain how amazing this book is! Something Like Normals follows Travis, a young men who has returned from Afghanistan and is struggling to adjust make to his old life. The world is unravelling around him as he deals with the death of his brother in arms and through his transition he meets a girl who helps him find a new normal. The story is so beautiful and the love story so bittersweet, yet all together it works perfectly. This is definitely a contemporary novel you wouldn't want to miss, one of my 2012 favourites!

One of the things that automatically stood out to me was Travis's voice throughout the novel. It's harsh, there is non of the sugar coating but it's realistic. He tells it like it is. Travis is such a beautifully flawed character and his internal struggle so unique and heartbreaking, I felt an instant connection to him. He definitely isn't a nice guy and in fact some of his action make him a jerk but in the end you just can't help but love him, flaws and all. Harper is perfect for Travis and while there was a point in the novel where I didn't think they should be together, the chemistry between the two is just amazing. More than that, Harper is such a beautiful character, she's so considerate, understanding and just loving. The characterisation is definitely one of the biggest perks of the novel for me, absolutely beautiful characters!

Something Like Normal is an extraordinary love story but more than that it deals with a lot of serious issues in a manner which makes you really think and FEEL. I have nothing but high praise for Doller's debut, Something Like Normal is unlike anything I have read, realistic, bittersweet and heartbreaking. One of my favourites of 2012, this is definitely one to read before the year is up!

What's it Worth? - Break Out the Piggybank

Badass Bookie xx

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