REVIEW: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When Feyre is torn from her family and dragged off to the faerie realm, all she knows is based only the stories she's heard growing up. But she soon discovers that while some of the stories have an ounce of truth to them, not all that live in the realm are the cold, heartless animals she'd been led to believe. And when she opens her heart to her captor, Tamlin, her world is indeed changed for the better, even as danger lies around every corner.

I originally read this book awhile back in 2015, but couldn't remember how it ended (nor had I done a written review), so I wanted to reread it again before starting the others in this series. I think I enjoyed it more the second time around, gobbling it up in only 5 days vs a month the previous time. The author has a very descriptive prose that allowed me to immerse myself in the beautiful, magical world she created... well, sometimes beautiful, but other times quite dark and scary as well. And I felt like I was right there next to Feyre seeing everything through her eyes. I'm anxiously looking forward to see what happens with Feyre and Tamlin next... and while Rhysand was indeed a "bad guy" even he got to me, so I'm also looking forward to finding out what became of him too since we were left with a bit of a cliffhanger there.

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REVIEW: In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters

In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's 1918 and the world is on the brink of collapse. People are dying from the Spanish Flu or being shipped overseas to die in the war over there. The Spiritualism movement is in full swing in the US and 16 year old Mary Shelley Black watches as desperate mourners flock to séances and spirit photographers for comfort. She never believed in ghosts herself, but when her childhood sweetheart, who had went off to war, begins to appear to her, she starts to question her previous beliefs. But what does he really want, and how is she supposed to help?

This is the second book I've ready by Cat Winters, the other being The Cure for Dreaming which I also enjoyed very much. She has such an evocative style of writing that really pulls you in and makes you feel as if you're right there living everything right alongside Mary Shelley. The depictions of the Spanish Influenza had so many parallels to our recent COVID-19 virus, but it also made me realize that the Spanish Flu was soooo much worse! I guess since medicine wasn't as advanced then, it would make sense that more people died. I really enjoy it when a book not only tells a very interesting story, but also teaches me a thing or two!

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REVIEW: Fingersmith by Sarah Waters

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's 1860s London and life is hard in the Borough. So when a con man who goes by the moniker of Gentleman proposes a scheme to swindle a rich heiress out of her fortune, young thief Susan Tinder is happy to oblige, especially if it means it'll help her family. But all is not as it seems and inevitably things don't go as intended. I can't say too much without spoilers, but suffice to say, there were many twists and turns, and surprising plot twists, that kept me deeply engrossed in this engaging story.

This is the second book I read by Sarah Waters, the first being Tipping the Velvet and I enjoyed this one just as much as the first. The author really kept me on my toes with all her surprises and I appreciate that even when things weren't spelled out fully, and the reader was left to intuit certain things, it was eventually all spelled out in the end.. for those who may not have been paying close attention. A fantastic read, highly recommended!

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REVIEW: Jigglyspot and the Zero Intellect by P.D. Alleva

Jigglyspot and the Zero Intellect by P.D. Alleva
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cannibalistic killer clowns, Aliens, Demons... all this and more within the pages of this book. I received an ARC directly from the author and wasn't sure how I'd feel about it going in. It's definitely not for the feint of heart, and while I love a good horror movie, I usually can't watch the gory parts. But honestly this was so very engaging and action packed that I didn't really have time to dwell on the gory bits.

Most of the characters in this book you're gonna love to hate! While I didn't really feel a kinship with any of them, except maybe Kera, in no way did that keep me from wanting to see what crazy, depraved thing was gonna happen next. And some of it was downright disturbing! LOL

Buckle up and get ready for a wild, scary, and sadistic ride!

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REVIEW: The Witch With No Name (The Hollows #13) by Kim Harrison

My Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆

The final book of the Hollows series.... or so it was at the time The Witch With No Name was published back in 2014. But alas, a return to the Hollows is forthcoming with the release of American Demon this summer. Woohoo! I've already got my preorder in and ready to roll. :)

This 13th and "final" book brought a decade's worth of massive world building and mega-delicious storytelling to a close with such a satisfying conclusion that I truly never would've believed there'd be any kind of reprisal or return. But 6 years—and probably tons of clamoring, enthusiastic fans—later and voila! Rachel and the gang are coming baaaaaack!! w00t w00t!!

I had a challenging time summing this one up, seeing as it's the culmination of a decade's worth of awesome-ness. So in closing this major chapter, I'm going to borrow a quote from the publisher's description. They summed it up so succinctly that I'd rather not have to reword it, lest this review sit undone another 3 months. LOL

Rachel Morgan's come a long way from the clutzy runner of Dead Witch Walking. She's faced vampires and werewolves, banshees, witches, and soul-eating demons. She's crossed worlds, channeled gods, and accepted her place as a day-walking demon. She's lost friends and lovers and family, and an old enemy has become something much more. But power demands responsibility, and world-changers must always pay a price. That time is now...

Yup, the whirlwind world of Rachel Morgan has always been a nonstop ride of saving the world and facing down all the monsters—both human and Inderland. And now it's time for her to save Ivy's soul—something she's been promising to do throughout most of the series anyway—as well as the rest of the living vampires. If she doesn't, the link to the ever after will be irrecoverably severed and the infrastructure as we know it fall apart.

That's a lot of pressure to dump on one girl's shoulders! Why is it always Rachel who's expected to save the world? If you have to ask it's only because you haven't been following the series... it's because she's such a badass rockstar and the only one who can!

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REVIEW: Into the Woods: Tales from the Hollows and Beyond by Kim Harrison

My Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆

Into the Woods is a collection of short stories from the Hollows and beyond. While many of these stories take place in the Hollows universe, others are from a completely new world, engaging nonetheless.

Undead in the Garden of Good and Evil by Kim Harrison
Read 6/8–6/9/06 & 10/12–10/13/19
This is Ivy's story, before she meets Rachel and Jenks and starts Vampiric Charms. We learn a lot more about what makes Ivy tick, and how she comes to her decision to live blood-free as a living vampire. I don't think I enjoyed it quite as much as the full-length novels because I missed having Rachel and Jenks too, but still, I appreciate this story for what it is... a deeper look into Ivy's life pre-Rachel. :)
Rating: 7 stars

Dirty Magic by Kim Harrison
Read 10/14/19
This short story takes place in Kim Harrison's Hollows universe. Mia is a banshee previously introduced in the short story Undead in the Garden of Good and Evil. This is her story... I understand she's to become a major antagonist in the full-length Black Magic Sanction (book 8) so this is a good look into what makes her tick. I found it quite interesting and look forward to delving deeper into her character in an upcoming novel.
Rating: 7 stars

The Bridges of Eden Park by Kim Harrison
Read 10/18/19
A short tribute to Kisten, this short story actually takes place prior to For A Few Demons More. We briefly meet Kisten's sister Chrissie, who's ex-boyfriend is after her son. Rachel steps in to help and save the day. It's a decent story, quite short, but gives a brief glimpse into Kisten's feeling about children and shows him as a kind and tender soul.
Rating: 7 stars

Two Ghosts for Sister Rachel
Read 10/27 – 10/30/19
This is Rachel's story, before she joined the I.S. We get to meet Rachel's brother, Robbie whom we've heard about in the books. And we learn a little more about what makes Rachel tick and what prompted her decision to join the I.S. (before she eventually left with Ivy). At 84 pages long, this was more of a novella than a short story, and that made it even better... more time to flesh everything out. And the story about the ghost and how things go wrong is true Rachel. Loved this one! <3 Rating: 9 stars

Bespelled
Read 10/21/19
This is a short story that gives us more insight into the demon Algaliarept, "lovingly" referred to as Al throughout the series. This is pre-Ceri and we get to learn what makes him tick and how he came to be the demon he is today. Perfect timing to read it right after The Outlaw Demon Wails due to the major turning point taking place in that book. NO SPOILERS! :p
Rating: 8 stars

Ley Line Drifter
Read 12/7 - 12/9/19
This was a fun little Jenks and Bis short story, with a short Ivy appearance. Jenks takes on a job on his own and proves he's more than just a sidekick. And if I didn't already love Bis, this story would indeed win me over! We are introduced to a Dryad named Daryl who is mentioned in some later Hollows novels.
Rating: 8 stars

Million-Dollar Baby
Read 2/2/20 - 2/3/20
Remember in Pale Demon when Trent went off with Jenks on his elf quest? Well, this is that story... In it, we get to see Trent's self-doubt that he will be able to properly care for Lucy, his love for her the moment he set eyes on her, and his deep inner feelings on wanting to become a better person—one that doesn't turn to murder first when faced with trouble. We have really begun to see an entirely different side of Trent over the last couple books (Pale Demon & A Perfect Blood) and this story really brings all that home!
Rating: 7 stars

Non-Hollows Shorts

Pet Shop Boys
Read 2/8/20
This is the first of 4 non-Hollows-related short stories, and even though there was no Rachel, Ivy, or Jenks, Harrison's writing style still made it a joy to read nonetheless. The depiction of the darker side of Fairies—similar to blood-sucking vampires—is something that usually remains hidden from the eyes of most humans. Until one stumbles through the veil one night and has to fight for his life to escape!
Rating: 8 stars

Temson Estates
Read 2/8/20
This was a short 15 page story, but was a different take on dryads from what Ms. Harrison portrayed in Ley Line Drifter. An interesting read!
Rating: 6 stars

Spider Silk
Read 2/9/20
I really liked this story--which actually read more like the first few chapters of a book--since it definitely left me hanging at the end! I really would've liked to find out what happened to Kevin for one. I sincerely hope that Ms. Harrison considers taking this story further and gives us a full book, perhaps even jumping forward into Meg's adulthood, as I really enjoyed this glimpse.

The portrayal of the Dryad here is fierce but kind, loving yet cruel... it reminded me more of the Fae than any Dryad I've ever read about, the only minor difference being that they could be imprisoned within living trees—which I suppose is what makes them Dryad.
Rating: 8 stars

Grace
Read 3/17/20 - 3/18/20
A bit of a different take on magic, which focuses more on the transfer of energy and imbalances in the body, versus its usual association with witches or other Inderlander species like in the Hollows series. Throws, as they're known, have an imbalance of energy in their body such that they can do all sorts of things from shorting out electrical equipment to restarting someone's heart. But with all that power comes a need to control it, and that's where the Strand comes in. Grace is one such throw, having been discovered by the Strand in her mid teens and now working among their ranks—for anyone that refuses to work within the system must undergo a procedure to have it the "imbalance" burned out of them. Kinda like a lobotomy! So yeah, this is energy manipulation without any of the spiritual or magical stuff that goes along with it.

I found it an interesting angle, though I'm predisposed to enjoy the paranormal side of things more so than the science, so I can't say I liked it quite as much.
Rating: 7 stars


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REVIEW: The Undead Pool (The Hollows #12) by Kim Harrison

My Rating: ★★★★★★★★★☆

When The Undead Pool was originally published back in 2014, it was planned that the series would come to a close after 13 books. This being book 12 would indicate we're nearing the end of the story arc. But woohoo! Ms. Harrison is publishing a return to the Hollows book later this year titled American Demon so hopefully we won't be saying goodbye to Rachel and Jenks for some time yet. :)

In The Undead Pool, Rachel is again out to save the world, with Trent right by her side. I don't want to give away too much, but if you've been watching the relationship (or previous lack thereof) between Rachel and Trent, you'll definitely be surprised how things develop here. Suffice to say, I was gleefully happy with the direction it's taken. ;)

Overall, this was a fantastic addition to the series—fun, fast-paced, and exciting. Highly recommended!! But definitely start with Book 1, Dead Witch Walking.

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REVIEW: A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic #3) by V.E. Schwab

My Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆

A Conjuring of Light is an action-packed conclusion to the Shades of Magic trilogy. Unlikely heroes come to light, while some previously favorite characters started to become a little bit annoying... for me at least. While I adored the first two books in the trilogy, this one took a little bit longer to really gain its wings, which is why I rated it slightly lower than the first two. At 600+ pages, I felt the author could've dispatched with a little of the brooding and some other superfluous stuff and left us with a juicer book that keeps the action going non-stop.

Suffice to say, if you enjoyed the first two books in the series as much as I did, you'll definitely want to read this one since A Gathering of Shadows ended on a cliffhanger. And I'm sure you'll be just as happy with the ending as I was. I just wish the journey was a little less arduous.

If you're interested in this trilogy, do check out my reviews for the first two books here:
A Darker Shade of Magic (Shades of Magic #1) by V.E. Schwab
A Gathering of Shadows (Shades of Magic #2) by V.E. Schwab


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