Review: Shadow and Bone

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I felt that this book started off slowly. It took a while to get into the storyline, but after a few chapters I was completely involved in the story. I wasn't sure that I was going to like the story, but I ended up falling in love with the concept and can't wait to read the other books.

The world and character building was a little sparse considering that the reader is going into these novels without any idea about the world, the rulers and rules, or the Grisha. I do wish we were given a chapter or so to really explain the Grisha as they are the most fascinating part of the novel. There are these people with powers and you're introduced to what they can do as you see them, but I feel like a reader would connect with the novel more if you understood the heirarchy of the Grisha, the way they categorize powers, and what those powers could entail before we are introduced to the multitude of abilities and fringe characters.

The novel progressed at a good pace until it came to the end and then it seems like a number of plot points were just jammed into the conclusion. It felt like the author wrote 87% of their novel and then said, "Shoot. We need the bad guy to accomplish x by the end of the novel, mess up the good guy's life, and then have the good guy come up with a plan that allows them to segue into the next novel... and I've only got 13% of the book left to accomplish it." It just seemed to jump around too much and I would have preferred it if the book was lengthened so that the storyline could be fully fleshed out.

Other than those concerns, I did really enjoy the book and look forward to reading the rest of the series. Definitely give it a chance if you like YA and unique magic series like Sword of Truth or Daughter of Smoke and Bone.

View all my reviews

Day 3 (30-Day Book Challenge)

Your Favourite Series

Harry Potter by J.K.Rowling

I've always loved reading, but my parents used to read the first two books to me before bed and then by the time the third book came out I was reading them by myself. They've just been so monumentally important throughout my life and there is no other series that would ever hold this honour for me.

Day 2 (30-Day Book Challenge)

A Book That You've Read More Than 3 Times

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

When I was a child, I used to keep track of the number of times I read each of my Harry Potter books. This one surpassed 40 and then I just lost count.

Day 1 (30-Day Book Challenge)

Best Book You Read Last Year

I was finally able to finish reading the Infernal Devices trilogy and oh was it glorious. I just didn't own the third book in the series, Clockwork Princess so for whatever reason I never finished reading the series... and Shadowhunters is my second favourite series. (Nothing beats Harry Potter.) As a result, this lovely book tops my list for 2015!

30-Day Book Challenge

Review: Seven Wonders Book 1: The Colossus Rises

Seven Wonders Book 1: The Colossus Rises by Peter Lerangis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was intrigued by this series because I am a fan of Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series. This seemed to have a similar feel and did not disappoint. I really loved the inclusion of Atlantis, as it is one of my favourite mythologies. The way the author created such a unique history for Atlantis and then seamlessly brought it into our present conflict was wonderful. I was riveted from the start and count not wait to read the rest of the series.

The characters are not well developed at the beginning, but throughout the course of the novel you gain more insight and knowledge about their personalities. The four main characters are each unique and allow for the reader to more likely identify with someone.

The world building is wonderful and I wish there was a novella or even faux-history book that the readers could delve into to allow the author to fully immerse them in the rich history of Atlantis.

Overall, a definite recommendation for any readers that like middle grade, YA, mythology, history, adventure or just good books.

View all my reviews

Illuminae - Amie Kaufman

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The layout of this book was so unique - rather than a straight narrative, you were able to experience the story through short bursts via IM chats, 3rd-party observations while transcribing security video, and AI logs. It was an enjoyable story and the plot wasn't predictable.

View all my reviews