BOOK REVIEW: SNOW LIKE ASHES BY SARA RAASCH (SPOILERS!)

Title: Snow Like Ashes [Goodreads Link]

Author: Sara Raasch

Goodreads Summary: Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.

Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again.

So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn’t go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Review: 

I enjoyed so much of this book but I can't help but feel that it was just missing a little something that could've made it amazing. Before I pick it apart in detail, I want to quickly say that this book wasn't overly unique or original but it had a really well-developed world, an interesting premise, complex characters and really lovely writing (seriously, this has some really great quotable lines in it!), so I would wholeheartedly recommend it. It's a really solid high fantasy novel that I thoroughly enjoyed, I just think it had a little more room to grow to make it even better. Since it is only the first in the series, perhaps we will see this happen in future books.

CONTINUE READING FOR SPOILER-Y CONTENT!

Book Review: The Chimes by Anna Smaill

Title: The Chimes

Author: Anna Smaill

Goodreads Summary: The Chimes is set in a reimagined London, in a world where people cannot form new memories, and the written word has been forbidden and destroyed.

In the absence of both memory and writing is music.

In a world where the past is a mystery, each new day feels the same as the last, and before is blasphony, all appears lost. But Simon Wythern, a young man who arrives in London seeking the truth about what really happened to his parents, discovers he has a gift that could change all of this forever.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Review:

My feelings upon finishing this novel were so conflicting because I equally loved so much of it that I wasn't fond of other bits. I will praise it for its originality, first and foremost. It has been a long time since I've read a narrative so unique. The liked that it was definitely an England the reader can be somewhat familiar with, but also not at all. There's references all throughout the book of recognisable things (the Shakespeare reference sticks out), which I didn't expect. It was nice because it helps the reader get an idea of where this place exists on a hypothetical timeline. But in saying that, it was still so far away from a reality we could know and it was fascinating! It was so interesting reading about a world so intrinsically grounded in music.

The writing was also just superb. Smaill honestly floored me with her prose in this book. I will say that at points this might have been to her fault but I can't look down on it too much because of how much I enjoyed it. Seriously. Some lines I literally read so many times because they were just so lovely. It never felt clunky and almost flowed with a rhythm that matched the music within the novel. It was a very nice touch!

As much as I want to shower this book with praise, I do have some issues with it (hence the rating). Let me say that I thought the second half of the book was spectacular! The first section, however, was a bit...confusing. Now I realise that this was on purpose. As the story deals with memory loss, it makes sense that you can't quite get your grip on the story for awhile, but while I can appreciate the intent of that decision, I don't think it worked completely. It made getting into the book really difficult and I felt like I must not have been reading it properly. Sure, it pays off in the end but I think it's risky to have a beginning like that. I also think some of the finer details of the world and story fell a bit flat.

Ending on a positive note though, I really, really loved the romance. I loved that it was subtely interwoven within the story. And queer representation, heck yes! For most of the book, I felt like I was reading too much into their interactions and that it definitely wasn't going to happen (because I'm always surprised when queer relationships actually happen, to be honest). But then I was so relieved to find out that it was actually there and they do end up together. It was just really sweet and I'm so glad that their ending wasn't as tragic as you're lead to believe for a few pages there.

Anyway, have you guys read The Chimes? If so, what were your thoughts? Did you like the confusing beginning or do you agree with me? Let me know down in the comments below :)

Until next time!

Jess, xxx

TAG: TOTALLY SHOULD'VE BOOK TAG

Hey, guys! Today I was meant to be putting up a Top 5 Wednesday but I wasn't really feeling this week's topic so I decided to do a tag. I wasn't tagged in this tag but I saw Katytastic's video and thought it was really cool so I'm doing it anyway. It's the "Totally Should've" book tag, created by emmmabooks (original video here), and goes through a bunch of different scenarios you think totally should've happened with certain books/series.

1. Totally should've gotten a sequel

For this one I'm going to have to go with The Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead. Now, I get it, this world has gotten 12 books so far, do we really need any more? Well, I think yes. This book was a pretty big disappointment for me but I think my biggest issue with it was that there was a huge about the world revealed and it kind of got pushed to the side and I think it really needed to be explored. It's hard to go into without spoilers but I think this world needs a little bit more to deal with that big plot twist. 

2. Totally should've had a spin off series

Everyone I've seen has said the same thing for this so this is pretty unoriginal but I'm gonna have to say the Harry Potter series by J.K Rowling. Now most people say that they'll just take any spin-off, but I'd have to disagree. While I'd probably read any spin-off, sure, the one that I really, REALLY want is a Marauders era spin-off. I need it like air.

3. An author who totally should write more books

Erin Morgenstern. Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure The Night Circus is, currently, her only released novel? I thought that book was honestly so wonderful and imaginative. Then once you consider it was only her debut novel, you can see all the possibilities of what she has left to achieve. I really hope she releases more books because she can (hopefully) only improve.

4. A character who totally should've ended up with someone else

So as not to repeat books (because lbr, I would say HP again and Harry/Ginny, ugh), Aelin/Celaena from the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. I know the series hasn't ended yet but it seems Maas is trying to make it clear who Aelin is going to end up with and I'm not about it at all. 

5. Totally should've ended differently

I didn't want to go with an obvious answer but it still annoys me so much that I have to use it for this, and that is: The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins. Mockingjay was a mess and I didn't think it was a satisfying ending at all. Also, that epilogue was so, so bad.

6. Totally should've had a movie franchise

The Chaos Walking trilogy by Patrick Ness! I'd be very, very hesitant about it if it was made into a movie because characters being able to hear each others thoughts and I'm always worried about how that will translate to screen. But otherwise, I think this series would make such a good movie franchise. It's really fast-paced and gripping and just everything it needs to be translated really well into movie format.

7. Totally should've had a TV show

The Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead. I know we already got a movie (which I actually loved a lot, to be honest) but that flopped and I'm still hoping for it to get the same second chance as The Mortal Instruments with a TV show. I think so many elements of the story would work so, so well in an episodical narrative and I just NEED IT. PLS.

8. Totally should've had only one point of view

I honestly can't think of anything for this question. All books that I have read with more than one perspective have had a good reason to do so and I can't imagine them working otherwise. So I'm just gonna skip this question, oops.

9. Totally should have a cover change

I've mentioned her so much in this tag but I just can't not use her for this question but literally ALL of Richelle Mead's books. Okay, Soundless and the Age of X series covers aren't actually that bad but basically all of her other ones just aren't that great. The Vampire Academy/Bloodlines covers are truly horrible, though. I would give so much to have good cover changes for those books. Everytime they re-design them, they essentially keep the same design and change the colouring or crop of it. 

10. Totally should've kept the original covers

The Curse of the Bond Riders trilogy by Karen Brooks. I've literally never heard anyone talk about this series. It's a small series by an Australian author but I loved it (well, the two books I've so far read of it). The first book came out with this really lovely, simple cover design and I really loved it. Then not long after the release of the second book, the covers got re-designed and it is impossible to find them in the old covers. The new ones aren't bad but I just loved the old ones so much. It saddened me greatly.

11. Totally should've stopped at book one

I'm gonna go with a series I haven't finished (and that's kind of the point). The Divergent series by Veronica Roth. I read the first book and enjoyed it a whole lot. Got to the second one and stopped halfway through and have still never found the drive to pick it up again. From what I've heard, the third book is even worse. Despite issues with the idea of the story, the first book was quite compelling and all of that flat-lined in the second novel so I definitely wish it had just ended on book one.

And finally, I tag anyone wearing a purple item of clothing, go!

Do you agree/disagree with any of the things I thought totally should've happened? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time!

- J, xxx

A Clean Slate + T5W: Fandoms!

Hi all! Happy new year!

I thought I'd start this by talking about my lack of activity on this blog (feel free to skip right to the T5W though). My last post was almost 2 months ago! What! And before that, my posts were sporadic at best. I had a very, very busy last semester and honestly, I just wasn't reading so I didn't have much to talk about on here. As soon as I was done with that, I went right into doing NaNoWriMo and once again, didn't read much. I think in October and November, I read a combined total of 5 books. So yeah, it wasn't great. You shouldn't be surprised to know I also failed my 2015 reading challenge, as well. After that I was working a lot and Christmas was hectic and yeah, basically just life happened. 

But now it's 2016 and time for a clean slate. I'm starting fresh and not concerning myself with what happened in 2015. I'm focusing on maintaining my reading (and hopefully reaching my 100 book goal I failed last year) and being more active on this blog. I'm going to try and work out a schedule. I figure it's better to do this now while I'm still on holidays from uni and can try and find a rhythm before having to add studies on top of that. Let's hope this all works out!

Anyway, now onto the Top 5 Wednesday portion of this post. I'm a little late on this week's but better late than never. T5W is always a good way - for me, anyway - get back into the swing of blogging. And this week's is focused on top 5 fandoms and that's basically perfect for me! I will add that I am taking this as top fandoms I've been active/very invested in, rather than which fandoms I think are the best. As always, Top 5 Wednesdays was created by gingerreadslainey and for more info, here's the Goodreads group! So, without further ado:

#5: Vampire Academy

I can't not include this series. I mean, I have a tattoo dedicated to it and I have literally read most of the books more times than I can count (I tend to re-read them at least once a year). I can't even explain how much I love this series. It was also one of the first ones I ever read fanfic of so that's an interesting fact. It's also one of the series I read in my early teens that I still love dearly now. 

#4: Star Wars

The release of The Force Awakens has just re-awakened my love of Star Wars and reminded me how much I love this series/franchise. I can't remember a time before Star Wars for me. My Mum is a big sci-fi fan so I grew up watching the movies. The prequels were being released when I was quite young and they were what made me fall in love with the series, so say what you will about them but they are very special to me. But yeah, the whole franchise holds a special place in my heart and I'm pretty sure they are why I love sci-fi so much.

#3: Harry Potter

I don't feel like this one needs explaining but I will. Harry Potter was the first series I ever got really, really invested in. I literally grew up watching the films and reading the books and they're just so tied to my childhood that I will love it to pieces no matter what. From a fandom stand point, though, my first fanvideo I ever made (oh yeah, I made a lot of those fyi) was of HP. The fic in this fandom is endless and amazing. I went to the midnight screenings of the last two movies and there was a really wonderful atmosphere created amongst the fandom there and I loved it.

#2: Lord of the Rings

While I do absolutely love the books, I was introduced to LOTR via the movies. I mean, I was about 6 when Fellowship of the Ring came out so can you really blame me? But like Star Wars got me into sci-fi, LOTR is probably the reason I love fantasy so much. Despite being so young, for some reason I was allowed to watch the movies when they first came out and I was absolutely obsessed. I adored everything about them. I read the series when I was about 8. Of course, things went over my head but for an 8 year old to stick through those dense books, I think you can see how in love with the story I was. The movies are literally my favourite movie series ever. I've seen them multiple times and I never get bored. Also, I have a tattoo in Elvish, aw yis.

#1: BBC's Merlin

This show, guys. THIS SHOW. Look, I can talk at length about how I think this show missed it's potential and how the writing quality dwindled over the course of it's five seasons but that doesn't take away from the fact that I was OBSESSED with this show. Like I have never been obsessed with anything before. I started watching when it was in its second season and it hooked me in from then until it finished. It finished over 3 years ago now and I still can't get away from it. I made and watched so many fanvids. I read SO much fanfic. I even wrote ones too. To this day, the only fanfic I've ever published online was a Merlin fanfic (no, I will not link it, haha). I was also very active within the fandom on Tumblr. I have fanart from it on my wall. This show and the fandom that came with it are so, so special to me so that's why it got #1 place.

So, there you go, guys! I could really mention so many more fandoms (*cough* Star Trek, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Teen Wolf, The 100 *cough*) but we will be here for awhile. I've been in the fandom game for a long time now. But what are some of your favourite fandoms? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time!

- J, xxx

BOOK REVIEW: Fairest by Marissa Meyer

Title: Fairest

Author: Marissa Meyer

Rating: 3/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis:

Mirror, mirror on the wall,

Who is the fairest of them all?

Fans of the Lunar Chronicles know Queen Levana as a ruler who uses her “glamour” to gain power. But long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, Levana lived a very different story – a story that has never been told . . . until now. 

Review: 

I liked this book more than I thought I would. In saying that, I didn't think I'd like it at all. I originally didn't want to read it (I only did so on a whim in anticipation for Winter) because I thought Levana was a good antagonist figure by being just a really bad person and I was convinced that this novel would be something that would try to persuade me that she was actually just "misunderstood". Don't get me wrong, those types of villians are interesting as well but I also think in some cases - such as Levana's - it isn't necessary and doesn't add to the story to make her like that. Thankfully, I was really wrong in my presumptions.

The book was more an exploration of Levana's character rather than a justification. Sure enough, there are points that we get to see events in her life that possibly explain why she is the way she is, but in the end, it boils down to her own decisions than anything else that have made her so cold-hearted. You do sympathise with here in certain scenes but the book doesn't shy away from showing how messed up she is as well. In short, you're always aware that she's still a bad person but there are moments when you can at least pity her.

My main issue with Fairest is that it felt both too long and too short at the same time. It is quite long for a novella but it's too short to be its own standalone novel. At some points, the story felt like it was being dragged along and at others, I just wanted it to be stretched out a bit more and given some more depth. 

But overall, I think this book was good. I would still rank my least favourite within the entirety of the Lunar Chronicles but if you're a fan, you should definitely check it out. If you're worried - like I was - that it's going to try and make the villian a good character, don't worry, it doesn't. It's worth the read either way!

Let me know down below what you thought of this book! Also, hopefully I should have a review up for Winter soon!

Until next time!

- Jess, xxx

MOVIE REVIEW: Mockingjay Part 2 (no spoilers!)

RATING: 6/10

Hey guys! Last night I went to the Mockingjay Part 2 midnight screening and really wanted to share my thoughts with you all about it! I've never done a movie review so bare with me. Also I'll keep this non-spoiler-y since I know a lot of people won't have seen it yet!

Firstly, I want to say that it doesn't quite feel real yet that the movie series is over. I've gone to every midnight screening for these movies and it's become a sort of tradition for November. So I'm quite saddened that it's all come to an end but all things need to eventually. I also thought it was a nice ending; I really enjoyed it. I wasn't the biggest fan of part 1 (it was slow moving and while I can appreciate its purpose, I also was just very bored for a lot of it), nor was I much of a fan of the book. But I do think this instalment was still good, but wasn't perfect.

This movie had a lot of quiet moments interspersed between the fighting and war scenes but I think it really allowed for some of the actors to really shine. The performances were truly outstanding in this film. Jennifer Lawrence has always left me in awe with how well she's taken on the role of Katniss in these films and this still remains the case for this film. Josh Hutcherson also left me really impressed with how he portrayed Peeta following the traumatic events of Mockingjay Part 1. 

The complexity of the war was also done really nicely. This is probably something which is most present in both parts 1 and 2 and really comes to a head in the finale, which it obviously had to seeing as it was the concluding chapter. It's also a major underlying theme within the books (and one of my favourite ones) that I think was done even better in the movies, in some instances. Particularly for these final movies, it was a key factor to both and viewer enjoyment kind of hinges on whether they're interested in that or not.

I think my biggest issue with Mockingjay Part 2 is that it suffers similar issues that I had reading the book. This film series has been - I would say - quite faithful to its source material - and that made for an incredible Catching Fire film -, but I wish they hadn't been so with this one. The pacing was really off, similar to the book. The first part was slow and then it just spurts up at random points and feels very jumpy and not in a good way. A lot of the action at the end happens too quickly (which, again, was something I found in the book and really disliked). The climax built very quickly and everything happened in a very swift succession and then just dropped suddenly. It's confusing to the viewer and I wasn't a fan at all. There are also spoiler-y plot points that I was just as mad at in the movie as I was in the book but that's something I knew was coming.

All in all, I think it was a good conclusion to the film series. It's a high quality film and all of its faults, in my opinion, are faults that have been carried over from the book. If you liked the book, you will definitely enjoy the film. If you were a bit on the fence about the book, there is still things to enjoy but do be warned that some of the same issues in the book make an appearance in the film.

So, for those of you who might have already seen it, what'd you think? What was your favourite scene? And if you haven't seen it yet, what scene from the book are you most excited for/hope they include? I want to hear all your thoughts down below!

Until next time!
- Jess, xxx

Book Review: The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (No Spoilers!)

Title: The Song of Achilles

Author: Madeline Miller

Rating: 4/5 stars

Goodreads Synopsis: A tale of gods, kings, immortal fame, and the human heart, The Song of Achilles is a dazzling literary feat that brilliantly re-imagines Homer’s enduring masterwork, The Iliad. An action-packed adventure, an epic love story, Miller’s debut novel has already earned resounding acclaim from some of contemporary fiction’s brightest lights.

Review:

I'm going to keep this brief and without spoilers because I read this book awhile ago now. I wrote up half a book discussion but then saved it to my drafts and never finished it. Now it's not as fresh in my mind so I've altered it to just be a general review.

 In short, I really loved The Song of Achilles, but more on the side of emotion than actually thinking it was technically fantastic. Miller's prose is really clean and engaging throughout the novel, but the pacing leaves a bit to be desired in a lot of the book. There were some really lovely bits in the middle of this book but it also dragged quite a bit. The character development feels stunted after the first half of the book (where it was, honestly, fantastic), although Achilles' character was really successfully humanised despite this. I think in large part that humanity which Achilles demonstrates so much more than in other texts is his relationship with Patroclus.

And that is what made this book for me, as well as most others, I'm sure. The relationship between Achilles and Patroclus is a beautiful, beautiful thing to read. Don't be fooled in thinking this book is about anything else but them, or that that's a bad thing. The first 100-150 pages of this book is also where they really shine, in my opinion. It didn't take me long to be so invested in these two characters that the emotions I was feeling felt like a punch in the gut - even when I was feeling happy. 

Overall, The Song of Achilles is just a very good book and I would 100% recommend it. If you haven't read the Illiad or know the original text, don't be concerned and not read this. It's very easy to pick up without that, and possibly even better not knowing how the story concludes. 

For those who have read it, let me know down in the comments what you thought and what you're favourite scenes were! 

Until next time!
Jess, xxx