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Sum up: (Goodreads)

Aelin has risked everything to save her people―but at a tremendous cost. Locked within an iron coffin by the Queen of the Fae, Aelin must draw upon her fiery will as she endures months of torture. Aware that yielding to Maeve will doom those she loves keeps her from breaking, though her resolve begins to unravel with each passing day…

With Aelin captured, Aedion and Lysandra remain the last line of defense to protect Terrasen from utter destruction. Yet they soon realize that the many allies they’ve gathered to battle Erawan’s hordes might not be enough to save them. Scattered across the continent and racing against time, Chaol, Manon, and Dorian are forced to forge their own paths to meet their fates. Hanging in the balance is any hope of salvation―and a better world.

And across the sea, his companions unwavering beside him, Rowan hunts to find his captured wife and queen―before she is lost to him forever.

As the threads of fate weave together at last, all must fight, if they are to have a chance at a future. Some bonds will grow even deeper, while others will be severed forever in the explosive final chapter of the Throne of Glass series.

Kingdom of Ashes - Throne of Glass #7 - Sarah J. Maas

Some scenes contain sexual and violent contents that may offend sensibilities of readers.

Plot:

The events of this book occurs after Empire of Storms and Tower of Dawn.

Kingdom of Ash is divided into two parts and each one of our heroes are on their own quest.

Rowan, Elide, Lorcan and Gavriel are still looking for Aelin who has been kidnapped and is being tortured by Maeve.

Aelin and Fenrys are trying their best to survive what Maeve has planned for them.

Lysandra and Aedion are trying to keep the illusion that Aelin is still among them while leading their army.

Dorian and Manon are trying to unite the witches and make Manon their rightful queen so they can follow them into the upcoming battle.

Opinion:

/!\ This section may contain spoilers /!\

Oh my! I was kind of preparing myself for this one. I knew it would be emotionally intense. And yet, I was not prepared enough. I am not even sure to know where to start. This book was long, I am not going to lie. However I read it in barely three days because I couldn't put it down. Be ready for some actions with battles on battles on battles! (alright, I have to admit that sometimes it was a bit long to read but anyway) Such an emotional rollercoaster, honestly! So many things happening with so many different characters and yet, it’s all linked.

Let's start with Aelin because obviously everyone wants to know what happened to her after the awful ending of Empire of Storms. Aelin has been tortured for months at the hands of Maeve and Cairn. The torture is not only physical but also psychological. When Sarah J. Maas describes the tortures Aelin went through, it is most definitely hard to read about it. I would advise against reading this book for people who are a bit sensitive to "torture scenes". I could just feel Aelin's helplessness. She could not do anything against what was done to her. It just feels like a never-ending nightmare. Fenrys also lives his own nightmare. I just felt so bad for the two of them.
Even though we know that Aelin will be released, the wait is so painful and the moment she was released, she looked so broken. I just couldn't take it. I mean, we all know Aelin and how strong and full of sass she is. And yet, when she was running away and begging for her friends to let her out of this iron mask, she completely broke and I just broke with her too.
Rowan wants what is best for Aelin but he struggles to know how to be close to her again. She is a whole new person with everything that happened to her and she is scared of what everyone expects her to be. But Rowan was just perfection even though I felt like he was a bit erased in this book.

I really liked how Sarah J. Maas grew Dorian's character throughout this story. His new found abilities made him quite interesting. I have to admit that he gave me a few scares here and there. She gave him a true depth. Unfortunately he also becomes mean and cold, which implies that his romance with Manon was a bit weird. I was rooting for them at the beginning but then it just turned cold. She gave him everything and he just turned it down. He used her and her body. Yes, it was interesting when he found this "dark side" of his and Manon was kind of helping him with it, kind of like with a protégé but still, it doesn't mean he has to be a d*ck all the time.

I felt for Manon throughout this book. I was not a huge fan of hers when she was first introduced in the Throne of Glass series. And yet, I learned to love her and her Thirteen. Unfortunately this story doesn't end well for everyone. The Thirteen's deaths affected me so much. I felt so bad. Even worse than bad. I cried so much during this scene, I felt like I was never going to get through it. I had to put the book down to take a break.

Many of the secondary characters became much more important than I would've thought at the beginning, especially Yrene (you'll understand once you read the book). I liked that the end was not just about Aelin because it would have been way too predictable. Chaol and Yrene were really cute together. It seemed like they drew their strengths from one another.

I liked that Elide was a strong female character. However the way she handled things with Lorcan were a bit... too much. I mean, I totally understand that she was pissed off by his actions at the beginning. But even Aelin forgave him and Elide was not capable to do so. Worst, she kicked him down when he was already more down than down. He tried his best to make up for what he'd done (kind of like Chaol in Tower of Dawn). I really discovered a new face of Lorcan and I really fell for him. He tried his best through his actions to make things right. He offered his support and took an oath to Aelin. I almost liked him... alright, I think I actually really liked him in this book.

Now let's talk about Aedion and Lysandra. I am not fully sure on what to say about the two of them. Aedion was such an as*hol*. Honestly he was abusive to Lysandra to the point he kicked her out when it was freezing cold, snowing and she was naked. Who on Earth does that?! I understand that he is pissed off at Aelin's plans but why would he take his frustration out on Lysandra who is only playing the part that has been asked of her? I would've never, ever forgiven him, no matter if we died tomorrow. I wanted to punch him so hard! Lysandra could do better and she should have had better. She shouldn't have ended with him. I hate that his character ended up being abusive. In the first books, he reminded me of a little boy who only wanted his cousin back. Now, I'm ashamed for him.

The only thing I felt for for Aedion was how short his reunion with his father was. I was so frustrated for him. We'd been waiting for this reunion for ages and I was so disappointed that it ended so suddenly with Gavriel's death. Honestly, what was that?!

I was so happy to see more of Nesryn and Sartaq. I just loved them. I basically just love the whole Sartaq's second family. The ruks sounded so interesting. I felt like they were an equivalent to the Thirteen wyverns.

In a really twisted way, I could admire Maeve. I said in a (really) twisted way. She is a really strong female character and she is ambitious.

This book was mostly psychological. Sarah J. Maas really focused on how the characters felt, all their hopelessness. Hopelessness is truly the main motto here. It is a really, really dark book, which is expected considering how Empire of Storms ended. You can feel the despair of every character throughout the final battle. They've been dragged from battles to battles and they are just over-exhausted.

Anyway, yes, this book is really long. No, it is not the best book. Yes, some scenes could have been better. But this book is the end of the Throne of Glass series and I will dearly miss all the characters. This book made me cry so much... to the point I got a headache. I cried for all my beloved fallen characters but also for the end of this amazing series. How I’m going to miss it!

Sum up: (Goodreads)

Chaol Westfall has always defined himself by his unwavering loyalty, his strength, and his position as the Captain of the Guard. But all of that has changed since the glass castle shattered, since his men were slaughtered, since the King of Adarlan spared him from a killing blow, but left his body broken.

His only shot at recovery lies with the legendary healers of the Torre Cesme in Antica—the stronghold of the southern continent's mighty empire. And with war looming over Dorian and Aelin back home, their survival might lie with Chaol and Nesryn convincing its rulers to ally with them.

But what they discover in Antica will change them both—and be more vital to saving Erilea than they could have imagined.

Tower of Dawn - Throne of Glass #6 - Sarah J. Maas - hotchocolate.and.books

Some scenes contain sexual and violent contents that may offend sensibilities of readers.

Plot:

This book occurs alongside Empire of Storms.

Chaos makes it good on his promise to Aelin and Dorian and decides to head to Antica where he hopes the healers there will be able to help him with his disability. He holds the hope to walk again one day and be able to face the upcoming war alongside his friends. He meets Yrene who is a powerful healer. Despite her hatred for people who worked for the former Adarlan king, she agrees on helping him. His mission is more than just finding help for himself. He also wants to gain the support of the Antica royal family.

Soon it looks like Valg are hiding in Antica and targeting healers. And the more questions are raised, the more mysteries appear.

Opinion:

It took me a really long time to start this book. Yes, I am not afraid to admit it. I was never a fan of Chaol nor Nesryn. I had to wait until until the week before Kingdom of Ashes release to start it. And man, I really regret waiting such a long time!

I was not a fan of the two of them together. They were awkward and I still struggle a lot with Chaol's way of thinking about all the events: his loyalty to the former king, his betrayal to Aelin... Most of the time I tended to think he was still an a**. And yet, I really appreciated how Sarah J. Maas grew his character, especially when he met Yrene. He didn't just need to heal physically but also psychologically. In this book, Chaol realized he made mistakes and how much he is paying for them now through self-loathing. His path to redemption was so rough and intense that I hurt to read about it. I loved Yrene so much for not giving up on him even when he was at his worst. It felt like she was literally giving him wings. You could feel how her love made him stronger and helped him forgive himself.

I loved the love interest between Nesryn and Sartaq. I was rooting for them so much. Almost more than for Chaol and Yrene. Sartaq is such a sweet character. He never asked to be born a prince and he only wants to find his own path. He has a second family that he loves more than anything. I liked him so much! I also grew to like Nesryn. She is stuck in a situation and she doesn't really know what to do with herself. She feels like she may have found a way out with Sartaq.

This book was a complete different tone from the others. It took a little while to take place but I got to appreciate it. It was a small break in the craziness that is the Throne of Glass series. I love how Sarah J. Maas created such strong female characters but all of them are very much different: Aelin, Nesryn, Yrene, Manon, Lysandra, Elide... I just loved them all. Even Maeve is quite bad-ass. I know that she is the worst of the worst but still... she is badass in her own way.

The only negative point in this book is that I was dying to know what happened to all the other characters, especially Aelin. She was left in such a precarious position in the last book. I couldn't wait to know so I was rushing a bit through this one and I always kept Aelin in the back of my mind.

Sum up: (Goodreads)

From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul as black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown. She hides her secret vigilantly; she knows that the man she serves is bent on evil.

Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult when Celaena realizes she is not the only one seeking justice. As she tries to untangle the mysteries buried deep within the glass castle, her closest relationships suffer. It seems no one is above questioning her allegiances—not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a foreign princess with a rebel heart.

Then one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to give up the very thing most precious to her and decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie... and whom she is ultimately willing to fight for.

Crown of Midnight - Throne of Glass #2 - Sarah J. Maas

Some scenes contain sexual and violent contents that may offend sensibilities of readers.

Plot:

Celaena is now the King's assassin. Even though she despises him, nothing will stop her from gaining her freedom even if it means killing people and endangering her life. She agrees helping her ennemy destroying he rebels. But the more murders he asks her to commit, the more she questions who these people really are. When she is confronted with someone of her past, she has to act now before it is too late. Or maybe it already is...

Opinion:

OH! MY! This book... and this ending! I think I need a few minutes to collect myself and know what to write down.

Okay...I am sorry I didn't write the review before but I just needed to read the next book because I just couldn't wait. I had really enjoyed reading the first book. I found the story quite original and the characters were all very different but driven by something. Anyway... I do not really know how to review this book without saying too much and spoiling you so I will try to be extremely careful and I will probably stick to describe the characters and their evolution. Just let me tell you that this book contains many actions and twists and you cannot possibly be ready for it. It is a full rollercoaster and your head will be spinning at the end of the story. And the end... it is not really a cliffhanger but it is for sure quite some twist!

Celaena does not care that she should now be faithful to the king as she only sticks to her convictions and beliefs. She is not perfect, that is for sure but she is strongly loyal to her ideas and to the people she considers her friends. But even though she seems fierce and tough, she is also vulnerable when it is time for her to stand for something. The more she kills for the King, the more she questions herself. Does she really want to gain her freedom out of murdering innocent people?

I have to admit that I was really not a fan of Chaol as I didn't get the chemistry between him and Celaena. I mean, I just didn't feel anything for these two characters together. However in this book, it changes. They both develop a relationship and I liked seeing Celaena so carefree and Chaol so passionate for someone else than Dorian. Chaol turns to be a perfect, sexy, sweet and protective guy. But I have to say I was disappointed that nothing more would happen between Dorian and Celaena because for me, they were just perfection together.

In this book, the friendship between Celaena and Nehemia slowly unravels because of their own beliefs. Nehemia wants nothing more than stand for her country and for her people even if it means endangering her life but Celaena is scared. She is scared for her life but also for everything she built here.

But after a dreadful event, Celaena becomes really different from the first book. She becomes darker, blood-thirsty and terrifying...

Okay, I need to stop now or I will want to tell you everything. So you probably understood that this series is really a must-read. I found the first book nice but kind of slow sometimes and a bit too predictable. However I feel like it is only getting better and better.

Sum up: (Goodreads)

Criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker has been offered wealth beyond his wildest dreams. But to claim it, he'll have to pull off a seemingly impossible heist:

Break into the notorious Ice Court

(a military stronghold that has never been breached)

Retrieve a hostage

(who could unleash magical havoc on the world)

Survive long enough to collect his reward

(and spend it)

Kaz needs a crew desperate enough to take on this suicide mission and dangerous enough to get the job done - and he knows exactly who: six of the deadliest outcasts the city has to offer. Together, they just might be unstoppable - if they don't kill each other first.

Six of Crows - Six of Crows #1 - Leigh Bardugo

Some scenes contain sexual and violent contents that may offend sensibilities of readers.

Plot:

Kaz is the chief of a gang that is known in Ketterdam. One thing is sure: you do not want to mess with any of them. If he seems like a young boy, he knows everything about everyone's sins. When he is entrusted with an important task that could lead to his death or to more money than he has ever seen, he gathers everyone around to help him:
     Inej, a shadow and his best spy,
     Matthias, a former Grisha hunter who spent months in the worst prison,
     Nina, a Grisha with considerable powers,
     Wylan, the son of a wealthy man who has a thing for explosions,
     Jesper who knows each weapon by heart.

The six of them will try to retrieve a man who was able to create a drug that gives more powers to Grisha from a prison that is known to be unbreachable. But they all have secrets and secret motives...

Opinion:

Unfortunately I didn't really enjoy this reading. It took me over two weeks to read it when usually I could read a book in less than 3 days. Everyone kept talking about this book on Bookstagram and how awesome it was. But I didn't feel like that at all. I thought it was slow and I didn't like any of the characters maybe because I couldn't identify to any. I mean they are outlaws so it may be normal to not really like them and yet, I felt frustrated because they were all selfish and I couldn't sense their feelings. Their relationships were so neutral that it bothered me. I think the only charcaters I kind of liked or felt like I could enjoy were Matthias, Nina and Inej.

The universe created by Leigh Bardugo is really complex. I read 95% of the books in English and yet, I really struggled with this one. There are many information that are sometimes useless, such as the names of the bars or each business in Ketterdam. It also took me a while to understand the connection between the characters and to remember their names. Some moments I was not sure I understood what happened so I had to go back, re-read the scene before I could keep on reading, which annoyed me a bit. Let's say that this is not a book that you read to relax, haha!

I also didn't really like that it ended on a cliffhanger. When it is a series that I really enjoy, I don't really mind but here I want to read the next book just to know what will happen even though I didn't enjoy much the first book.

However, the story was really original. It is not like anything I have ever read. After the first part, there are some actions that make us want to know more, which probably explains why I didn't give up on the book at the beginning. I also liked that the more the story keeps on going, the more secrets are revealed about each character and secrets the reader absolutely does not expect. I liked to read about their hopes because - even though they are thieves and thugs - they dream a better life than the one they have.

Anyway, you should probably give it a try but be aware that the beginning is slow and some scenes are violent. As for me, I will try to give it a try to the second and final book of this duology :)

Sum up: (Goodreads)

After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.

Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for four years and then be granted her freedom. Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilarating. But she's bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her ... but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.

Then one of the other contestants turns up dead ... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.

Throne of Glass - Throne of Glass #1 - Sarah J. Maas

Some scenes contain violent contents that may offend sensibilities of readers.

Plot:

Celaena Sardothien is barely seventeen and yet, she is the best assassin. Everyone has one day heard of her. Yet, after one betrayal she ends up in Endovier salt mines where no one lasts more than a year. Everyday she survives. She keeps her head up no matter how many times she gets whipped. But she knows she will never make it out alive. That was until a surprised bargain may save her life.

This year, the infamous king has decided to organize a competition where the best fighters in the world - may they be prisoners, ex-soldiers or guards - will fight. At the end of this competition, the winner will be the king's assassin for four years before being granted freedom.

When the Captain Chaol Westfall offers Celaena the possibility to fight in a competition where she could gain freedom after a few years, she accepts even if it means being the king's assassin. She will fight as the Crown Prince's champion, Dorian.

But when she gets in the castle, she will soon realize that the competitors are not her biggest threat. There is something lurking in the shadows, something that slowly slaughters each fighter and she will have to find out what it is before she is the next one...

Opinion:

This review may contain some spoilers if you haven't read this book

I heard so much of this series and I finally started it. Yay me!

Let's talk first about this new world that Sarah J. Maas created. As always, Sarah J. Maas has a nice writing and I absolutely liked the storyline revolving around a world that is slowly dying because a king, so greedy with power, destroys everything that may be a threat to his throne. No one talks about magic to the point everyone forgot it ever existed. This world is violent and depressing. No one good lasts very long. Celaena knows about magic. She has already seen it.

I really enjoyed the storyline because it was original. At least for me. I had never read a story where a young girl is a famous assassin and her only way out of the mines is to serve a king she hates.

I just regretted that the story around the "demons" haunting the castle was not better explored. I felt slightly frustrated because it could've been better. Celaena took way too long to realize who was beyond the attacks even though it was obvious. However I was really surprised (in a good way) by the outcome between the Duke and Kaitlin. I was not expecting it at all. I cannot wait to read more about that in the next books.

Personally, I didn't see the use of the love triangle between Dorian-Celaena-Chaol. Maybe I am a bit too old for that (oh nooo!). I mean there was obviously a hot chemistry between Dorian and Celaena but I didn't see anything between Chaol and Celaena. It also doesn't bring anything to the story.

When she refused to be with Dorian at the end though, I really wanted to struggle her. He loves her, she likes him and nup, she doesn't want to go there. I mean, if you see something you want and this something is the prince who could possibly change everything, you go for it. You don't say "Nah, I want freedom more". You could still be free and in love with a prince. Okay, maybe it's my extremely sappy, cheesy, romantic side speaking but still...

Now about the characters:

I liked Celaena. She is strong, fierce, proud, smart, loyal, brave... Everything you cannot possibly be in real life (haha!). Despite trying to prove the world she is a fearless assassin, we see glimpses of a past that still haunts her. She has flaws and vulnerability but she is afraid to show them. Even after working in the mines, she remains true to herself and she doesn't hesitate to help other people.

Chaol... Now I'm a bit confused about this character. I don't know if I like him or not. I know he is supposed to be a withdrawn character, which explains why we probably didn't feel his chemistry with Celaena, and yet I couldn't really bring myself to like him. He plays hot and cold the whole time. He supposedly likes her but he is constantly waiting for her to try to murder them all. But maybe this opinion will change along the books of this series.

I hated Dorian at first but as I reached the end of the book, I couldn't believe the Dorian from the beginning was the same Doriam from the end. It felt like they were two complete different characters. The first time we read about him, he is cold, spoiled, selfish and a real womanizer. In the middle, there is already a shift as we see he is truly trapped between what his heart wants and what his father wants him to be. He tries to protect Celaena the best he can. I felt sorry for him because his situation clearly is uneasy. Witnessing his growing love for Celaena, I just felt more in love with him. He is ready to do anything that is possible for Celaena.

Having different POV at some point in this book offers the reader a glimpse of each character's feelings in some situation.

Anyway, if you like a bit of fantasy and a lot of adventures and actions, this book is for you! :)

The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air #1) by Holly Black

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 (The Folk of the Air #1) by Holly Black

Someone to love by Melissa de la Cruz

Constantly in the spotlight thanks to her politician father's rising star, Olivia Blakely feels the pressure to be perfect. As the youngest girl in her class, she tries hard to keep up and to seem mature to the older boy she's crushing on, even as she catches his eye. But the need to look good on camera and at school soon grows into an all-consuming struggle with bulimia.

As Liv works toward her goal of gaining early admission to art school, including taking part in an upcoming student show, her life spirals out of control. Swept up in demands to do more than she's ready for, to always look perfect and to succeed, Liv doesn't know who she is anymore. It will take nearly losing her best friend and even her life for Liv to learn that loving herself is far more important than earning the world's approval.

You'll miss me when I'm gone by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Eighteen-year-old twins Adina and Tovah have little in common besides their ambitious nature. Viola prodigy Adina yearns to become a soloist—and to convince her music teacher he wants her the way she wants him. Overachiever Tovah awaits her acceptance to Johns Hopkins, the first step on her path toward med school and a career as a surgeon.

But one thing could wreck their carefully planned futures: a genetic test for Huntington’s, a rare degenerative disease that slowly steals control of the body and mind. It’s turned their Israeli mother into a near stranger and fractured the sisters’ own bond in ways they’ll never admit. While Tovah finds comfort in their Jewish religion, Adina rebels against its rules.

When the results come in, one twin tests negative for Huntington’s. The other tests positive.

These opposite outcomes push them farther apart as they wrestle with guilt, betrayal, and the unexpected thrill of first love. How can they repair their relationship, and is it even worth saving?

You'll miss me when I'm gone by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Love and Other Train Wrecks by Leah Konen

A twenty-four-hour romance about two teens who meet—and perhaps change their minds about love—on a train ride to Upstate New York in the middle of a snowstorm

One train ride. Two strangers.

Noah is a hopeless romantic. He’s heading back home for one last chance with his first love, whom he broke up with when he went off to college.

Ammy doesn’t believe in true love—her parents being prime examples. She’s escaping from a mom who can’t take care of her to a dad who may not even want her. That is, until one winter night when Noah and Ammy find themselves in the same Amtrak car heading to Upstate New York.

After a train-wreck first encounter between the two of them, the Amtrak train suddenly breaks down due to a snowstorm. Desperate to make it to their destinations, Noah and Ammy have no other option but to travel together. What starts off as a minor detour turns into the whirlwind journey of a lifetime, and over the course of the night they fall in love. But come morning their adventure takes an unexpected turn for the worst. Can one night can really change how they feel about love...and the course of their lives forever?

Love and Other Train Wrecks by Leah Konen

Between the blade and the heart (Valkyrie #1) by Amanda Hocking

Valkyries have one great responsibility: to return immortals to the afterlife by slaying them. As a Valkyrie, Malin has always known that the balance of the world rests on her ability to carry out orders. But when Malin discovers that her mother spared the life of an immortal who was destined to die, her world is thrown into chaos.

Malin not only wrestles with the knowledge that her mother might not be who she thought—she’s also thrust into the path of a gorgeous blue eyed guy named Asher who needs her help slaying the rogue immortal who destroyed his family. The balance of the world is at stake. And, as Asher competes with Malin’s ex for her love and loyalty, so is her heart.

Between the blade and the heart (Valkyrie #1) by Amanda Hocking

As You Wish by Chelsea Sedoti

In the sandy Mojave Desert, Madison is a small town on the road between nothing and nowhere. But Eldon wouldn’t want to live anywhere else, because in Madison, everyone gets one wish—and that wish always comes true.

Some people wish for money, some people wish for love, but Eldon has seen how wishes have broken the people around him. And with the lives of his family and friends in chaos, he’s left with more questions than answers. Can he make their lives better? How can he be happy if the people around him aren’t? And what hope is there for any of them if happiness isn’t an achievable dream? Doubts build, leading Eldon to a more outlandish and scary thought: maybe you can’t wish for happiness…maybe, just maybe, you have to make it for yourself.

Together at Midnight by Jennifer Castle

What does it really mean to be kind . . . and why does it sometimes feel like the hardest thing in the world to do? High school senior Kendall, who just returned from a life-changing semester in Europe, and Max, who is drifting his way through a gap year before college, struggle with these questions when they witness a tragic accident in New York City during the holiday season. Racked with guilt, the two accept a dare to perform random acts of kindness to strangers. The challenge pulls these two teens, who have a history together from back home, closer and closer as they explore a vibrant city filled with other people’s stories and secrets.

Kendall and Max can’t deny their growing bond, even though they both have other romantic entanglements and uncertain futures. As the clock counts down on New Year’s Eve, will they find themselves together at midnight?

Jennifer Castle’s latest novel is a romantic, thought-provoking tale of human connection and how we find—and make—our place in the world.

A Taxonomy of Love by Rachael Allen

The moment Spencer meets Hope the summer before seventh grade, it’s . . . something at first sight. He knows she’s special, possibly even magical. The pair become fast friends, climbing trees and planning world travels. After years of being outshone by his older brother and teased because of his Tourette syndrome, Spencer finally feels like he belongs. But as Hope and Spencer get older and life gets messier, the clear label of “friend” gets messier, too.

Through sibling feuds and family tragedies, new relationships and broken hearts, the two grow together and apart, and Spencer, an aspiring scientist, tries to map it all out using his trusty system of taxonomy. He wants to identify and classify their relationship, but in the end, he finds that life doesn’t always fit into easy-to-manage boxes, and it’s this messy complexity that makes life so rich and beautiful.

A Quiet Kind of Thunder by Sara Barnard

Steffi has been a selective mute for most of her life - she's been silent for so long that she feels completely invisible. But Rhys, the new boy at school, sees her. He's deaf, and her knowledge of basic sign language means that she's assigned to look after him. To Rhys, it doesn't matter that Steffi doesn't talk, and as they find ways to communicate, Steffi finds that she does have a voice, and that she's falling in love with the one person who makes her feel brave enough to use it.

Beneath the Haunting Sea by Joanna Ruth Meyer

Sixteen-year-old Talia was born to a life of certainty and luxury, destined to become Empress of half the world. But when an ambitious rival seizes power, she and her mother are banished to a nowhere province on the far edge of the Northern Sea.

It is here, in the drafty halls of the Ruen-Dahr, that Talia discovers family secrets, a melancholy boy with a troubling vision of her future, and a relic that holds the power of an ancient Star. On these shores, the eerie melody of the sea is stronger than ever, revealing long-forgotten tales of the Goddess Rahn. The more dark truths that Talia unravels about the gods’ history—and her own—the more the waves call to her, and it may be her destiny to answer.

Beneath the Haunting Sea by Joanna Ruth Meyer

Love, Hate & Other Filters by Samira Ahmed

Maya Aziz is torn between futures: the one her parents expect for their good Indian daughter (i.e.; staying nearby in Chicago and being matched with a "suitable" Muslim boy), and the one where she goes to film school in New York City--and maybe, just maybe, kisses a guy she's only known from afar. There's the also the fun stuff, like laughing with her best friend Violet, making on-the-spot documentaries, sneaking away for private swimming lessons at a secret pond in the woods. But her world is shattered when a suicide bomber strikes in the American heartland; by chance, he shares Maya's last name. What happens to the one Muslim family in town when their community is suddenly consumed with hatred and fear?

Blood and Sand by C.V. Wyk

Roma Victor. The Republic of Rome is on a relentless march to build an empire--an empire built on the backs of the conquered, brought back to Rome as slaves.

Attia was once destined to rule as the queen and swordmaiden of Thrace, the greatest warrior kingdom the world had seen since Sparta. Now she is a slave, given to Xanthus, the Champion of Rome, as a sign of his master's favor. Enslaved as a child, Xanthus is the preeminent gladiator of his generation.

Against all odds, Attia and Xanthus form a tentative bond. A bond that will spark a rebellion. A rebellion that threatens to bring the Roman Republic to its end--and gives rise to the legend of Spartacus....

All That Was by Karen Rivers

A heartrending young adult novel about the complexities of best friendships gone wrong, and the redemptive power of letting go.

Piper and Sloane were best friends. They grew up together, from childhood to first love, and in spite of how different they were, their friendship was supposed to last forever. That is, until Piper caught Sloane kissing her boyfriend—and just days later, Piper was found dead, washed ashore on a beach. Sloane was torn with grief and guilt. How do you make amends for hurting someone you love, if that person is no longer around? And how can you ever move on and love again? Told from alternating perspectives, this is a story about the complexity of friendships, forgiveness, and growing up.

The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert

Seventeen-year-old Alice and her mother have spent most of Alice’s life on the road, always a step ahead of the uncanny bad luck biting at their heels. But when Alice’s grandmother, the reclusive author of a cult-classic book of pitch-dark fairy tales, dies alone on her estate, the Hazel Wood, Alice learns how bad her luck can really get: Her mother is stolen away―by a figure who claims to come from the Hinterland, the cruel supernatural world where her grandmother's stories are set. Alice's only lead is the message her mother left behind: “Stay away from the Hazel Wood.”

Alice has long steered clear of her grandmother’s cultish fans. But now she has no choice but to ally with classmate Ellery Finch, a Hinterland superfan who may have his own reasons for wanting to help her. To retrieve her mother, Alice must venture first to the Hazel Wood, then into the world where her grandmother's tales began―and where she might find out how her own story went so wrong.

Say You'll Remember Me by Katie McGarry

When Drix was convicted of a crime--one he didn't commit--he thought his life was over. But opportunity came with the new Second Chance Program, the governor's newest pet project to get delinquents off the streets, rehabilitated and back into society. Drix knows this is his chance to get his life back on track, even if it means being paraded in front of reporters for a while.

Elle knows she lives a life of privilege. As the governor's daughter, she can open doors with her name alone. But the expectations and pressure to be someone she isn't may be too much to handle. She wants to follow her own path, whatever that means.

When Drix and Elle meet, their connection is immediate, but so are their problems. Drix is not the type of boy Elle's parents have in mind for her, and Elle is not the kind of girl who can understand Drix's messy life.

But sometimes love can breach all barriers.

Fighting against a society that can't imagine them together, Drix and Elle must push themselves--Drix to confront the truth of the robbery, and Elle to assert her independence--and each other to finally get what they deserve.

Winner Take All by Laurie Devore

For Nell Becker, life is a competition she needs to win. For Jackson Hart, everyone is a pawn in his own game. They both have everything to lose.

Nell wants to succeed at everything—school, sports, life. And victory is sweeter when it means beating Jackson Hart, the rich, privileged, undisputed king of Cedar Woods Prep Academy. Yet no matter how hard she tries, Jackson is somehow one step ahead. They’re a match made in hell, but opposites do attract.

Drawn to each other by their rivalry, Nell and Jackson fall into a whirlwind romance that consumes everything in their lives. But when a devastating secret exposes their relationship as just another game, how far will Nell go to win?

Visceral and whip-smart, Laurie Devore’s Winner Take All paints an unflinching portrait of obsessive love, toxic competition, and the drive for perfection.

So I will probably not be the most objective person because even though I didn't hate the book series, I also didn't like it particularly. I felt like the two first books were very long and very "young", the third was the one I actually enjoyed the most and I didn't have the courage to properly read the fourth book. I passed so many scenes, it shouldn't even be legal, haha!

Anyway, there was a Fallen movie that had been "released" (where? I don't really know; when? a few months ago) and I will let you discover the trailer.

I am sorry but it looks like a very bad B-rated movie. I am not a huge fan of the books series so I was hopeful maybe I would like the movie but it looks like nup! it's going to be as bad as the books.

So what do you think of this trailer? Have you read the books? Did you like them?

P.S: I don't think there has been an official release date in DVD or on TV so we'll have to be extremely patient... but I wasn't that impatient anyway, haha!

Sum up: (Goodreads)

Feyre has returned to the Spring Court, determined to gather information on Tamlin’s maneuverings and the invading king threatening to bring Prythian to its knees. But to do so she must play a deadly game of deceit—and one slip may spell doom not only for Feyre, but for her world as well. As war bears down upon them all, Feyre must decide who to trust amongst the dazzling and lethal High Lords—and hunt for allies in unexpected places.

A Court of Wings and Ruin - A Court of Thorns and Roses #3 - Sarah J. Maas

Some scenes contain sexual and violent contents that may offend sensibilities of readers.

BIG SPOILERS ALERT FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T READ THE FIRST TWO BOOK!

Plot:

Feyre is now back at the Court of Spring but she has a plan. She will destroy the Court of Spring from within. But she has to do it smartly and smoothly so that no one can understand she is planning, especially not Jurian and King Hybern who has spies everywhere. No one sees anything except Lucien who is suspicious.

When her plans are finally falling into place, it does not happen the way it should have and she ends up bringing Lucien along with her. She finally comes back home only to find her sisters more broken than ever and a war ahead to plan.

When Feyre and her friends understand that they will never win this war by themselves and they need the help of every Court - and I mean all of them - they will realize that trust is very dangerous, especially when allies become ennemies and ennemies turn out to be friends...

Opinion:

First thing first, this book is much slower than the previous one. A Court of Mist and Fury was all about twists and action. I felt like this book revolved around the strategies and the upcoming war. We had less Rhys-Feyre moments, which saddened me. I was expecting more. More emotional rollercoaster, more joy, more tears, more suspens, more shock... The second book completely wrecked me and even though, this one was nice and I enjoyed it, I still felt like there was something missing.

About the characters...

Feyre character evolved so much. She is now a High Lady, a friend, a sister, a mate, a warrior but she is also a politician. She takes decisions and she takes responsibilities for it, no matter what. The way she plotted against Tamlin and the Court of Spring was so well described. She is so much mature now and she is ready to manipulate for her plans to work. She is also ready to bargain with everyone and everything to win this war.

"You were right,” Lucien declared at last. “That girl I knew did die Under the Mountain."

I love the part Feyre took in this war. She was truly revealed as a High Lady. She took decisions and everyone just supported her, no matter how crazy her ideas and actions were.

But this is war. We don’t have the luxury of good ideas—only picking between the bad ones.

Sarah Maas really knew how to perfectly detail the trauma Feyre went through. She is a true magician with words. I feel like everyone could relate to what she and other characters went through.

Rhys is still the super cute guy that we met in the first book and fell in love with in the second book. But he is still really stubborn. He prefers taking the weight of the world on his shoulders instead of asking for help.

I feel sorry that we didn't see more of Rhysand. The second book of this series was focused on the growing romance between the Feyre and Rhysand and now, I just felt disappointed that we did not see more of them. But this is not the only time I was disappointed. Azriel-Morrigan, Nesta-Cassian, Amren-Varian... I feel like some love story lines were left aside when the writer could've developed them. I understand that she wanted to develop the war aspects and all the strategies the characters thought about to win this war but I think the writer missed some important part of the stories by deciding not to develop the love stories. Because it is war, I feel like the characters would not spend much time dancing around each other instead of going at it.

In this book, we get to learn more about Morrigan. I have to admit that I felt frustrated by her stagnant love story with Azriel and the turn the writer gave to this story frustrated me even more. But it is the way it is and I can only hope that both characters will find their happiness at some point. I still think that Morrigan is unfair to Azriel to not tell him the truth.

Cassian and Nesta were just too much. We finally what Cassian was worth on a battlefield and damn if it didn't give me goosebumps. Nesta was still slightly getting on my nerves. I liked to see a new side of her but her angry-cold side was just annoying at some point.

I was also expecting more Lucien moments in this book but no. We see him during the first quarter of the book and a bit at the end and that's it. I mean, he left everything behind and we don't even see how he adjusts and adapts to this new life. He was always faithful to Tamlin and his court and now, he is surrounded by people he doesn't know, in a city he never heard of. I would've loved to have more coming from him.

Sarah Maas introduced new - and old - second characters and I really want to see more of them: Helion, Kallas and Viviane, Miryam, Drakon, Varian, Tarquin, Nephelle, Vassa... There are so much more to be told. Even Tamlin and Jurian's stories.

I am very happy that I discovered this writer. I will probably try to read more of her works.

Excerpts:

“Only you can decide what breaks you, Cursebreaker. Only you.”

“Remember that you are a wolf. And you cannot be caged.”

“And will you come with me; On this adventure - and all the rest?""Always”

Sum up: (Goodreads)

Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two.

A Court of Mist and Fury - A Court of Thorns and Roses #2 - Sarah J. Maas

Some scenes contain sexual and violent contents that may offend sensibilities of readers.

BIG SPOILERS ALERT FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T READ THE FIRST BOOK!

Plot:

Feyre and Tamlin are back from Under the Mountain. Three months have passed and they are now living their life, broken and utterly alone despite their engagement. Tamlin is always busy with affairs he never talks to Feyre about. She spends most of her time alone and confined in this big house in the Court of Spring. Nightmares keep them both up at night and yet, they never talk about it.

He never woke when the nightmares dragged me from sleep; never woke when I vomited my guts up night after night. If he knew or heard, he said nothing about it.

Feyre is slowly fading until the day of her wedding. She should be happy, right?

That was until Rhysand made a grand entrance at the ceremony to remind her of their bargain and he took her to the Court of Night. In the next few months, she spent the week with Rhysand while he helps her reading, working on her mental shields and on her powers. But one day, when she was back to the Court of Spring, everything changes. Tamlin wants nothing more but to know that Feyre is constantly safe from everyone and he decides to lock her up in his house. The least we can say is that Feyre lost it. Rhysand sends his cousin - Morrigan - to come and pick her up.

Feyre just cannot believe that Tamlin would betray her like that after everything they've been through together. And she is just done. Done with Tamlin, done with Lucien who never dares going against Tamlin's wishes, done with the Court of Spring, done with everything.

Rhysand takes her under his wings (quite litteraly by the way) and he warns her about the war that is coming. She has a great role to play but even with Rhysand instructions and the help of his friends, will she be ready on time? Can she really trust them? And which sides will she be on?

Opinion:

Wow! Just wow! I don't even comprehend what just happened. All these twists and actions, I thought my heart couldn't take it.

Reminder: big spoilers ahead if you haven't read the first book. Do not read this review if you do not wish to be greatly spoiled!

This book is undescriptable. It is an emotional rollercoaster. It is beautiful, painful, hopeful, cruel... you will feel every possible human emotions.It is litteraly like no other book I have read in the past. I am truly at lack of words.

This book is about life, love, death, betrayal, hope... You slowly understand that everything is not black and white, easy and hard. You have shades of grey. Beautiful shades of grey and ugly shades of grey.

We already knew everything Feyre was capable of going through for love. She went through the worst events when trying to free Tamlin from Amarantha. But in doing so, she lost a piece of herself. She feels like she is drowning and Tamlin cannot do anything to help her. She is strong despite what she believes. She saw the worst in people and yet, she still hopes, she remains strong - even stronger, she remains vibrant and faithful to what she believes in.

I was not a pet, not a doll, not an animal.
I was a survivor, and I was strong.
I would not be weak, or helpless again.
I would not, could not be broken. Tamed.

This Feyre is completely different from the Feyre we met in the first book. This one is loyal, fierce and she does not care anymore about the blood in her hands as long as it means that her beloved ones are safe.

Tamlin has been overprotecting her, breaking Feyre even more. Both our characters are broken but love completely blinded Tamlin what his fiancée truly needed. His support, his trust, his love, his everything. He slowly becomes overbearing and intoxicating.

“He did—does love me, Rhysand.”
“The issue isn’t whether he loved you, it’s how much. Too much. Love can be a poison.”

Now that his powers are fully back, he is very different from the one he used to be. I have to admit that even though at the beginning I still liked him, he slowly began to get on my nerves and I just wanted to slap him awake. But I am still sad on how the writer turned the story. I mean Feyre and Rhysand have a great chemistry together but Feyre just sacrificed everything for Tamlin and he ends up being a jerk. I am just sad :(

Now Rhysand... it took me quite some time to get warmed up by his character. I still felt like he was the "bad guy" from the first book, always plotting against someone or trying to play games no one knows the rules to. Yet, we saw a very different side of his character: caring, loving, fierce, loyal, funny, hopeful... He always seems like he does not care what people think of him when it actually affects him deeply.

“You think I don’t know how stories get written—how this story will be written?” Rhys put his hands on his chest, his face more open, more anguished than I’d seen it. “I am the dark lord, who stole away the bride of spring. I am a demon, and a nightmare, and I will meet a bad end. He is the golden prince—the hero who will get to keep you as his reward for not dying of stupidity and arrogance.”

Rhysand truly understand what Feyre is struggling with and he is ready to help her through it. He is a true feminist in a way. She learns how to fight with her new abilities and with her body. This whole new love story was so touching because it starts with a friendship, trying to get through everything that happened and trying to anticipate the war that is yet to come, and it ended with... a mating (I warned you there would be spoilers).

I just felt like Feyre said way too quickly that she loved Rhysand. I mean, she barely knows he is her mate, she is still slightly upset with him (even though she truly shouldn't be) and paf! she is in love. I mean, you could the love growing between the two of them but she never acted on it. I even resented her when she got upset because he did not tell her straight that she was his mate. She was about to marry another guy, then she was completely broken and she still hated Rhys... If he had told her then that she was his mate, she never would have believed him. Anyway... Their love story was based on respect, love, caring, loyalty, trust, honesty and support, even through difficult times (take that Tamlin!). Their chemistry is just... too much! I felt like my heart was about to explode and I couldn't wait until they finally kiss and accept each other (and trust me, it takes quite some times).

“I’m thinking,” he said, following the flick of my tongue over my bottom lip, “that I look at you and feel like I’m dying. Like I can’t breathe.”

We also met incredible new characters: Morrigan, Amren, Azriel, Cassian... They are all like a big, united family. They were all different and yet, wonderful together. The least we can say is that they had a bad start in life.

In this book, we saw many courts: Court of Dreams, Court of Nightmares, Court of Summer, Court of Night... The other courts felt so vibrant and alive. Especially the Court of Summer. i really like Tarquin and I feel so sorry for him after he has been played out.We traveled a lot, trust me!

This series started as a retelling of Beauty and the Beast and yet, it feels now more like a very light Game of Thrones. But this series and this book particularly are epic. So go read it. NOW! And with that ending, you will want to start the third book straight away.

Excerpts:

“But then she snapped your neck.”
Tears rolled down his face.
“And I felt you die,” he whispered.
Tears were sliding down my own cheeks.

“He locked you up because he knew—the bastard knew what a treasure you are. That you are worth more than land or gold or jewels. He knew, and wanted to keep you all to himself.”

“To the people who look at the stars and wish, Rhys."
Rhys clinked his glass against mine. “To the stars who listen— and the dreams that are answered.”

“If you were going to die, I was going to die with you. I couldn’t stop thinking it over and over as you screamed, as I tried to kill her: you were my mate, my mate, my mate.”

I was his and he was mine, and we were the beginning and middle and end. We were a song that had been sung from the very first ember of light in the world.

Sum up: (Goodreads)

Feyre's survival rests upon her ability to hunt and kill – the forest where she lives is a cold, bleak place in the long winter months. So when she spots a deer in the forest being pursued by a wolf, she cannot resist fighting it for the flesh. But to do so, she must kill the predator and killing something so precious comes at a price ...

Dragged to a magical kingdom for the murder of a faerie, Feyre discovers that her captor, his face obscured by a jewelled mask, is hiding far more than his piercing green eyes would suggest. Feyre's presence at the court is closely guarded, and as she begins to learn why, her feelings for him turn from hostility to passion and the faerie lands become an even more dangerous place. Feyre must fight to break an ancient curse, or she will lose him forever.

A Court of Thorns and Roses - A Court of Thorns and Roses #1 - Sarah J. Maas

Plot:

Feyre is a young girl who has lived in poverty since her mom died many years ago. She lives with her dad and her two sisters who despise her. Her two sisters are beautiful and they still remember the old times when they were wealthy and educated. Feyre cannot read and she doesn’t have the grace or the illocution of her sisters. Her dad spends his time mourning a lost wife who was not well-known for her kindness. Feyre hunts animals to feed her family and gets money when it is possible after she took a deathbed oath to her mother.

However, one day, she kills what she thought was a wolf but was instead an Immortal. Only a few days pass when an Immortal comes to her house and claims her life after she took an Immortal’s life. She has no choice and finds herself leaving her family for a new place she knows nothing of but scary stories and legends. Now she is stuck in the magical land of Spring Court in Prythian and she will learn that the Immortal who took her is not the scariest thing that walks in this land. He may actually be her only chance to make it out of there alive… unless he gives her a reason to stay…

Opinion:

Okay, I have to admit… I just fell in love with this book! Everyone told me to be careful because the beginning was slow and kind of boring but I really didn’t feel like it was slow. You didn’t have any action because the writer just wanted to settle the scenery and the story.

A Court of Thorns and Roses is definitely the contemporary retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It was very different though because it was more modern and in a world where magic is known from everyone. The world is also divided in courts instead of countries. I loved this new world Sarah Maas invented. It is original and very dark and yet, beautiful. She describes beautifully this new land Feyre lives in. She provides vivid details but it was never too much — to the point where you’re wondering when the story will start again.

Feyre is a heroine that I first didn’t really like. She got on my nerves from time to time when she arrived at Prythian. I could understand that she missed her family — even though her family clearly did not deserve it — and I could understand she struggled to find her place in this new place and new life. But still. Then I couldn’t deny that she was a strong, powerful, loyal character. She definitely isn't a damsel in distress. She would give her life for the people she loves, no matter who they are and how they treat her.

I found him carefully studying me, his lips in a thin line.
“Has anyone ever taken care of you?” he asked quietly.“No.” I’d long since stopped feeling sorry for myself about it.

Tamlin was at first very awkward and weird. Some explanations about his behavior were given towards the end but still… Anyway, he was still amazingly beautiful and compassionate. He is not scared to admit his feelings and he is ready to do everything in his power to protect Feyre — even though she does not really need it… well she does… but she doesn’t know it.

I was conflicted regarding Lucien. Did I like him or not… I am not totally sure. I feel like the writer could have given him a better personality. He is all hot and cold with Feyre and it sometimes got on my nerves.

“Do you ever stop being so serious and dull?"
"Do you ever stop being such a prick?" I snapped back.
Dead—really, truly, I should have been dead for that.
But Lucien grinned at me. "Much better.”

I struggled with the other characters. Nesta, Elain and her dad were just awful people whose only thoughts were how they could possibly spend the money Feyre could get them. The dad was just a selfish pr***.

The love story was beautiful and raw. The writer takes her time to build the relationship between all the characters. We see how they come from hatred or wariness to lust and love or simply friendship. You see the whole development of Feyre and Tamlin’s love story.

“I love you,’ he whispered, and kissed my brow. "Thorns and all.”

I liked that the writer « said things explicitly ». Sometimes in YA novels, writers censure scenes of characters making love or kissing and I just hate that because I feel frustrated — for me and for the characters.

"I would have had you moaning my name throughout it all. And I would have taken a very, very long time, Feyre.”

Anyway, this is definitely a must-read book and I really regretted not starting it sooner but at least now, I can read the last two books straight without having to wait :)

Sum up (Goodreads):

Auburn Reed has her entire life mapped out. Her goals are in sight and there’s no room for mistakes. But when she walks into a Dallas art studio in search of a job, she doesn’t expect to find a deep attraction to the enigmatic artist who works there, Owen Gentry.

For once, Auburn takes a risk and puts her heart in control, only to discover Owen is keeping major secrets from coming out. The magnitude of his past threatens to destroy everything important to Auburn, and the only way to get her life back on track is to cut Owen out of it.

The last thing Owen wants is to lose Auburn, but he can’t seem to convince her that truth is sometimes as subjective as art. All he would have to do to save their relationship is confess. But in this case, the confession could be much more destructive than the actual sin…

Plot:

Auburn is a young woman who fell in love at a very young age. She fell in love with a boy named Adam and for whom she would have given the world. But he died and Auburn was left by herself in a world she did not understand fully yet.

A few years later, Auburn left Portland where she grew up for Texas. She only came once to Texas and it was to bid her farewell to Adam. Now she is looking for another chance at life. She needs to hire a lawyer to help her with a situation that has been dragging for four years. But lawyers do not come with cheap price. Because of that, Auburn will have to look for a second job and this is actually when her life will take an unexpected turn.

I pause and look into the glass window of one of the buildings to check for smeared mascara. I take in my reflection and don’t like what I see.

A girl who hates the choices she’s made in her life.

A girl who hates her career.

A girl who misses Portland.

A girl who desperately needs a second job, and now a girl who is reading the HELP WANTED sign she just noticed in the window.

See, this place is called Confess and basically, people write everyday confessions about the lies they told and the suffering they caused when it actually is a painting studio. Its owner - Owen Gentry (who is ridiculously hot) - is desperately looking for help and Auburn is also desperately looking for help.

Owen promises her $200 if he helps her out for his showing. Auburn is quickly fascinated by his masterpieces painted from strangers' confessions and by him.

Owen hasn't had an easy life. He lost his brother and his mother and since then, he alternated between real world and jail. But most of all, when Auburn seems to come out of nowhere, he never admitted that he knew her from the past.

They are the past and this is the present, and Auburn is... somehow both. She would be shocked if she knew how much of her past has affected my present, which is why I won't be sharing the truth with her. Some secrets should never turn into confessions.

And the problem is that both characters have huge secrets suffocating their lives. They know about survival but they do not remember what it is to live life at its fullest until they meet. Being together could be their saving and their loss.

Opinion:

I just finished this book and wow! it was quite a ride. I have to admit that when I started this book I really did not expect this. I thought it would be just some normal YA story and yet, it turned out to be completely different.

I have to admit that I was slightly taken aback with their young age. They are supposed to be respectively 20 and 21 years old and yet, they had such maturity and bad experiences in their lives that I imagined more around 24-25 years old but it did not stop me from loving the story.

I just felt overwhelmed with all the emotions the author was pouring in this story: the story of two teenagers who are adults in more ways than just one. This story was completely unpredictable. The more we go into the story, the more the characters are revealing secrets the readers could not have expected.

From time to time, I hated that Auburn would bring herself down like that and would accept everything from people. But at least at the end she stood up for herself.

This book is about so much more a YA story. It is about sacrifice, the extend you can go to in order to help someone you care about without jeopardizing your life, love, confessions, lies and secrets...

I strongly recommend this book!

Excerpts:

"Your initials are really OMG?” I bite the inside of my cheek, forcing back the smile I don’t want him to see.

"What’s your cat’s name?”

Owen reaches over and runs his fingers through the cat’s mane. “Owen.”

I immediately laugh at his joke, but his expression remains calm. I pause for a few seconds, waiting for him to laugh, but he doesn’t.

“You named your cat after yourself? Seriously?”

He looks at me and I can see the slightest smile playing at the corner of his mouth. He shrugs, almost bashfully. “She reminded me of myself.”
I laugh again. “She? You named a girl cat Owen?”
He looks down at Owen-Cat and continues to pet her as I hold her. “Shh,” he says quietly. “She can understand you. Don’t give her a complex."

I’ve never felt stronger than I feel when I’m with her. I’ve never felt like I had a purpose like I feel when I’m with her. I think about the first words I said to her when she showed up at my door. “Are you here to save me?”

Kingdom of Ash - Throne of Glass #7 - Sarah J. Maas

Tower of Dawn - Throne of Glass #6 - Sarah J. Maas

Crown of Midnight - Throne of Glass #2 - Sarah J. Maas

Six of Crows - Six of Crows #1 - Leigh Bardugo

Throne of Glass - Throne of Glass #1 - Sarah J. Maas

January 2018 Young Adult books releases

Fallen Series by Lauren Kate - Movie

A Court of Wings and Ruin - A Court of Thorns and Roses #3 - Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Mist and Fury - A Court of Thorns and Roses #2 - Sarah J. Maas

A Court of Thorns and Roses - A Court of Thorns and Roses #1 - Sarah J. Maas

Confess - Colleen Hoover

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