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Showing posts with label Sarah J Maas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sarah J Maas. Show all posts

Friday, June 19, 2015

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas

Only a flimsy magical barrier and an old as dirt treaty 'protects' the human world (Feyre's world) from the wicked Faeries. Legends are full of warnings about the fey, but none helped her when one came to her home to drag her back to his. Everything is more beautiful, deceptive and cruel than she was ever taught, but she will also discover a brighter side to this foreign world. One she will start to appreciate. It might even have something to do with a certain masked fey lord...

A Court of Thorns and Roses is another awesome faerie world created by Sarah J.Maas, one with a completely (yet, as mesmerizing) different world than the Throne of Glass world. Faeries used to rule the world and after a savage war they retreated to their own territory, forced to release their human slaves. Their world is now split in 7 courts, each ruled by a Lord. Some aren't happy about their predicament and are just waiting the right opportunity to take over the human world once more. Things of nightmare but also terrible (and sometimes deceptive) beauty mingle in this enchanted world beyond human reach.

I really, really liked the colorful and dangerous world Maas created and the rich story line to accompany it. Feyre is taken from her family, and treated as an esteemed guest in Tamlin's manor. He is a bit awkard, but he is making efforts to be nice to her and eventually she will warm to his presence. I couldn't help it, my mind kept screaming 'Stockholm syndrome' but at least the whole thing wasn't creepy! He was actually courting her, for reasons we don't know, but the whole thing is kinda sweet. She's not any swooning girl though and she keeps her foul mouth and attitude at least until half the book. Her witty comments were great, and I LOVED her banter with Lucien. There were many great characters in this novel, but he was definitely my favorite. He is though, secretive, smart, has a shit attitude but he is as loyal as it gets. From beginning to end, he lived up to my expectations.

I find it super hard to talk about the plot without giving anything away... The novel is kind of split in two parts, Tamlin's courting of Feyre and Feyre's hopeless mission. The atmosphere in both part is soooo different you could almost believe it's two different books. Feyre goes from lost girl in search of a purpose to a girl with a purpose that will most likely get her killed, yet she won't give up. I really admired her strength and determination in this second part and I have to command her for it. Tamlin went from shy and flirty, yet mighty powerful, to groveling mute eye-candy. In the second Part, Feyre must complete three tasks to reach her goal and will gain unlikely allies along the way, and ohh were these task stress-inducing! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.

The conclusion is a complete game changer and I was holding my breath during the final battle. I just couldn't believe what I was reading! I really can't wait for the next novel to discover the fallback of these events and where each character now stands. I haven't mentioned Rhysand yet, but he was one of the great and surprising characters and I can't wait to see the part he will play in the next installment.

A Court of Thorns and Roses is another amazing book by miss Maas and I strongly suggest you read it!

Read an excerpt


tynsignew

Friday, March 06, 2015

Heir of Fire by Sarah J Maas

Celaena was forced into exile, sent on a mission by the King of Adarlan, but once she get there her plans must change.

Heir of Fire is an awesome installment in this series but I would lie if I said I got into the story right away. See, the Throne of Glass series has a very intricate world, filled with details, weird names and many past- and present- enemies, and with my terrible memory, I had a hard time getting my bearings once more. I don't want to tarnish this novel's shine, it really is my own fault hehe. Once I got back into the saddle though, it was quite a ride!

All our favorite characters -and some new ones- are now apart, living their own lives in parallel. Celaena is in Wedlyn learning about her magic and her history (which is quite amazing!) with a new awesome character - Rowan. He is one grumpy old as dirt Fae, but he really grows on you hehe. Damian is still in Adarlan, dealing with his magic and his father, but also overcoming his loss of Celaena with a new female character! Chaol, as amazing as he is, is completely lost in this installment, trying to find the right path, and I really felt for him. Witches were also given a more important role in this novel, and we meet Manon. Her story isn't that relevant in Heir of Fire, but I think she'll be important in Queen of Shadows.

My favorite part of this novel is definitely Celaena and her new friend Rowan. I loved their interactions, two bulls facing each other to see who will come out on top. Even though they start as reluctant partners, they end up being really good for each other and I loved it. It's not a romantic relationship, nothing like what Celaena had with Chaol, but it's also really great.

The plot was very engaging! Every characters are knowingly - or not- getting ready for a full blown war. The stakes are really high and battles, big and small, are being fought on every front. It's very exciting to witness everyone getting ready, seeing the pieces get in line and set the ground for the upcoming battle. Celaena really impressed me with her attitude, her quick mind and her abilities. She not only faced physical enemies, but also her inner demons, brilliantly! We also finally learned what really happened the night her parents died!

Heir of Fire is one big buildup of anticipation for Queen of Shadows, coming out September 2015. I really can't wait to read about this epic battle and I truly hope my favorite characters will make it through. Many did great sacrifices in Heir of Fire and I hope they will be worth it!

If you haven't read this amazing series yet, I strongly urge you to do so, starting with The Assassin's Blade. It's a collection of the short stories of this series, and I strongly suggest you read the first 3 ones before you start on Throne of Glass.

tynsignew

Friday, November 08, 2013

The Assassin and the Empire by Sarah J Maas

The Assassin and the Empire is the last of a series of four novellas taking place before the first book in the series, Throne of glass.

Sam & Celaena are in love and want to leave town, but if they don't want to live their lives as fugitives, they have to strike a deal with the Assassin's Guild and the price will be a steep one. Even steeper than the astounding number the leader is asking for, but our heroes will find out the hard way...

I've already read the first three novellas as well as the first two books in the series, which gave me a very interesting perspective. I truly enjoyed discovering about the lovers, especially knowing what came next. Even though I knew the final outcome of the installment, I enjoyed discovering the particulars, and I was simply hooked to the pages. That's just how enticing Maas' writing is.

Another element I particularly liked is that reading those novellas provides the readers with the exact events that brought Celaena to become the person she is in Throne of Glass. See, the girl from the novellas, and the girl from the series is completely different. The Novellas are a tale of hope, love, betrayal and grief, which explains our hero's behaviors later in the series.

The plot proved to be exciting and engrossing. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time and felt the weight of grief right by Celaena's side. The emotions were honest and raw and I truly enjoyed it.

I strongly urge you to read the four novellas in the series because even though they aren't absolutely necessary to your enjoyment of the series, it will definitely enhance your experience. Miss Maas often refers to events happening in the stories, and having read them will enlighten those moments.

tynga

Friday, September 06, 2013

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Maas

Now that Calaena is the King's Champion she has to face the responsibilities going with her title. He has a never-ending lists of man for her to dispatch, sending her on missions to spread his wrath. It doesn't mean she's ready to trade her soul for her freedom though and she finds original ways to convince the King of her loyalties.

Crown of Midnight was simply amazing and in perfect continuity with the first book, Throne of Glass. Miss Maas created an awesome world and I felt right back home when I launched beside Calaena into her new adventures. Filled with hidden magic, conspiracies and passion in a medieval setting, I had everything I like in a novel to be completely engrossed.

Despite its awesomeness, the world building isn't everything and the characters are definitely the main reason I love this series so much. Each character is so rich, full of life and mysteries, you really have to pay attention to the subtleties if you don't want to miss out on some very important nuances.

Caleana herself is a big secret to unveil. Who is she really? Where does she come from? Why won't she face her past? Why keep everyone at arms length? A lot of answers are provided in this novel and I have to admit I was completely shocked. Yes, I knew there was some big secret, but I never grasped the extend of it and now that I know, I feel this strong urge to re-read the book and see which clues I missed, and I MUST read book three ASAP or I'll go nuts. I want to know what happens next *cries*

Chaol and Dorian are both amazing for their own reasons. Dorian is a bit left behind in this novel mostly because Calaena broke things with him and despite his wanting to move on he is having a hard time and can't help but wanting her from afar. He isn't a groveling mess though and he isn't a fool. He stepped up his game by the end of the novel proving to be a very important element to the plot's progression and I applaud him for that. Go for boys handling their own! Chaol simply broke my heart for so many reasons. First, because he is intentionally blinding himself from his real feelings for Calaena and when he FINALLY decides to give in, because yes he does!!, I had to *awww* in an extremely girly moment. He is such a romantic under his thick armor, it's very endearing. He isn't perfect though and makes mistakes that will hunt him for the rest of his life, hence the third reason he broke my heart.

The plot proved to be everything I desired and then some. Not only did I thoroughly enjoy the romantic aspect, but the conspiracies and the action completely satisfied me. Everytime you think you have everyone figured out, something happens and blurs the cards. Maas never allows you to sit back and be confident in your knowledge of the characters because she drops a game-changing bomb every once in a while and you are forced to reconsider everything.  The plot is so intricate, the possibilities are mind-boggling!

If you haven't read this series yet, I strongly urge you to do so, starting with the 4 e-novellas available (I still need to read the 4th one).  They will give you a great background on Caleana and even though they are not exactly mandatory, she refers to those events a lot in the two actual books so I think you would enjoy your experience more if you did read them.

Read an Excerpt




tynga

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Throne of Glass novellas by Sarah J Maas

The Assassin and the Pirate Lord (Throne of Glass, #0.1) The Assassin and the Desert (Throne of Glass, #0.2) The Assassin and the Underworld (Throne of Glass, #0.3)

On a remote island in a tropical sea, Celaena Sardothien, feared assassin, has come for retribution. She’s been sent by the Assassin’s Guild to collect on a debt they are owed by the Lord of the Pirates. But when Celaena learns that the agreed payment is not in money, but in slaves, her mission suddenly changes—and she will risk everything to right the wrong she’s been sent to bring about.

The Silent Assassins of the Red Desert aren’t much for conversation, and Celaena Sardothien wouldn’t have it any other way. She’s not there to chatter, she’s there to hone her craft as the world’s most feared killer for hire. When the quiet is shattered by forces who want to destroy the Silent Assassins, Celaena must find a way to stop them, or she’ll be lucky to leave the desert alive.

When the King of the Assassins gives Celaena Sardothien a special assignment that will help fight slavery in the kingdom, she jumps at the chance to strike a blow against an evil practice. The misson is a dark and deadly affair which takes Celaena from the rooftops of the city to the bottom of the sewer—and she doesn’t like what she finds there.

Book Stats:

File Size: 1777 KB
Print Length: 69 pages
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Release date: January 13, 2012

Purchase

Book Stats:

File Size: 1785 KB
Print Length: 86 pages
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Release date: March 30, 2012

Purchase

Book Stats:

File Size: 1827 KB
Print Length: 92 pages
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Release date: May 1, 2012

Purchase

Series: Throned of Glass 0.1 – 0.2 & 0.3
Source: Personal Shelf
Reviewed by: Tynga

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I’ve heard of Throne of Glass described as a YA version of Game of Thrones and I got instantly curious. I requested the book on NetGalley, but I was declined because I am Canadian so I jumped on the next best thing until the release: the novellas! Each story is only 99 cents on Amazon and it’s well worth your money. Too often, short stories don’t really bring anything to the table, but these stories were amazing and highly exciting!

In The Assassin and the Pirate Lord, we get to meet Celaena a super pretty and extremely cocky sixteen years old assassin, on a mission for her master, along with Sam, another assassin she grew up with. Both teenagers thought they were going to the pirate lord to settle a business with him, after some assassins were presumably killed by pirates, but both youth are in for a surprise.

I really enjoyed this story because even though the novella is only 69 pages long, it was enough to fall in love with both main characters. They also showed a bit of growth and their opinion of each other evolved enough to make a difference. The story and its ending were also heart-poundingly exciting!

After such a great story, I had to pick the second one, The Assassin and the Desert, right away! In this story, Celaena is punished for her actions of the first story and sent to the desert heat. She is suppose to gain the approval of the Silent Master, or not come back. But how to you earn the approval of a master who doesn't want to train you? Celaena will have to draw his attention but it won’t be easy.

My favourite aspect of this second instalment is the dramatic growth Celaena showed us. She used to be a cocky, snob, spoiled girl but the desert heat is hard and did wonders to her personality. Nothing brings you back to reality like a 6 miles run under the desert sun. She was also away from Sam, and this time of loneliness allowed her to think about her relationship with him. The ending was once again breathtaking!

The third story, The Assassin and the Underworld, was just as engrossing. Celeana is back with her master in this story and she has to decide where her allegiances stands. Can she forgive him for what he did? How does she really feel about Sam now that she’s back in his presence? All the while working on an assassinating mission.

This novella was my favourite of the three for three reasons. First, we finally get to see her assassin talents at works. Second, the plot is much thicker and not everything is what it seems. And last but not least, there is some romance involved and I really like how it played out. It really surprised me and I honestly can’t wait for the fourth and last novella to see how the whole thing will unfold!

Overall, Sarah J Maas did an amazing job with these novellas and it got me pumped for the actual book! If you are wondering if this book is for you, I strongly suggest you purchase the first novella and I’m sure it will convince you :) Action-packed & surprising, those epic stories will transport you to a whole new exciting world!

tynsig

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