Series Review: The Dark Elements by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Huzzah! It's another series review! I recently (okay, not that recently) re-read Jennifer L. Armentrout's The Dark Elements series, in preparation for reading Storm and Fury, which is the first book to the spinoff series about Zayne. Yes, that Zayne. And yes, I know, the covers have changed like 3 times (I own a mismatched set, which is every reader's worst nightmare because they. Don't. MATCH. *painful shrieking*), but here's the second version, so hopefully most(?) people will be at least familiar with it.

Let's get to it!

Happiest of Holidays!

Hello everyone!

I just wanted to wish everyone the happiest of holidays! Whether you're celebrating Hanukah, Christmas, Kwanza, anything else or none of them at all, I hope you all have a wonderful holiday and festive remainder of the year.

Here's to the end of 2019! Happy reading, and may it be filled family, friends, good food, and a few last-minute books :)

Review: For a Muse of Fire by Heidi Heilig

Book: For a Muse of Fire
Author: Heidi Heilig
Series: For a Muse of Fire #1
Publication: September 25, 2018

A young woman with a dangerous power she barely understands. A smuggler with secrets of his own. A country torn between a merciless colonial army, a terrifying tyrant, and a feared rebel leader. The first book in a new trilogy from Heidi Heilig.

Jetta’s family is famed as the most talented troupe of shadow players in the land. With Jetta behind the scrim, their puppets seem to move without string or stick a trade secret, they say. In truth, Jetta can see the souls of the recently departed and bind them to the puppets with her blood. But the old ways are forbidden ever since the colonial army conquered their country, so Jetta must never show never tell. Her skill and fame are her family’s way to earn a spot aboard the royal ship to Aquitan, where shadow plays are the latest rage, and where rumor has it the Mad King has a spring that cures his ills. Because seeing spirits is not the only thing that plagues Jetta. But as rebellion seethes and as Jetta meets a young smuggler, she will face truths and decisions that she never imagined—and safety will never seem so far away.

Heidi Heilig creates a world inspired by Asian cultures and French colonialism.

Review: Allied by Amy Tintera

Book: Allied
Author: Amy Tintera
Series: Ruined #3 (final)
Publication: May 1, 2018

In the final book in the New York Times bestselling Ruinedseries, the romance of The Selection and the epic stakes of Red Queen come together in a story of revenge, adventure, and unexpected love.

Emelina Flores and her sister, Olivia, were determined to bring peace to the people of Ruina. But as the war for liberation raged on, what triumph and freedom meant to Em and Olivia slowly changed. As Olivia’s violence and thirst for vengeance became her only ambition, Em was left to pick up the pieces.

But it’s not only Em who is upset by Olivia’s increased violence. Other members of the Ruined army are beginning to see the cracks, and soon a small group of them defects from Olivia’s army and joins Em instead. The two sisters are soon pitted against each other in an epic battle for the kingdom and the future, and only one will win.

Review: Defy Me by Tahereh Mafi

Book: Defy Me
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Series: Shatter Me #5
Publication: April 2, 2019

The gripping fifth installment in the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling Shatter Me series. Will Juliette’s broken heart make her vulnerable to the strengthening darkness within her?

Juliette’s short tenure as the supreme commander of North America has been an utter disaster. When the children of the other world leaders show up on her doorstep, she wants nothing more than to turn to Warner for support and guidance. But he shatters her heart when he reveals that he’s been keeping secrets about her family and her identity from her—secrets that change everything.

Juliette is devastated, and the darkness that’s always dwelled within her threatens to consume her. An explosive encounter with unexpected visitors might be enough to push her over the edge.

Review: The Red Scrolls of Magic by Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu

Book: The Red Scrolls of Magic
Authors: Cassandra Clare and Wesley Chu
Series: The Eldest Curses #1
Publication: April 9, 2019

From #1 New York Times bestseller Cassandra Clare and award-winner Wesley Chu comes the first book in a new series that follows High Warlock Magnus Bane and Alec Lightwood as they tour the world after the Mortal War. The Red Scrolls of Magic is a Shadowhunters novel.

All Magnus Bane wanted was a vacation—a lavish trip across Europe with Alec Lightwood, the Shadowhunter who against all odds is finally his boyfriend. But as soon as the pair settles in Paris, an old friend arrives with news about a demon-worshipping cult called the Crimson Hand that is bent on causing chaos around the world. A cult that was apparently founded by Magnus himself. Years ago. As a joke.

Now Magnus and Alec must race across Europe to track down the Crimson Hand and its elusive new leader before the cult can cause any more damage. As if it wasn’t bad enough that their romantic getaway has been sidetracked, demons are now dogging their every step, and it is becoming harder to tell friend from foe. As their quest for answers becomes increasingly dire, Magnus and Alec will have to trust each other more than ever—even if it means revealing the secrets they’ve both been keeping.

Review: Ash Princess by Laura Sebastian

Book: Ash Princess

Author: Laura Sebastian

Series: Ash Princess Trilogy #1

Publication: April 24, 2018

Theodosia was six when her country was invaded and her mother, the Fire Queen, was murdered before her eyes. On that day, the Kaiser took Theodosia's family, her land, and her name. Theo was crowned Ash Princess--a title of shame to bear in her new life as a prisoner.

For ten years Theo has been a captive in her own palace. She's endured the relentless abuse and ridicule of the Kaiser and his court. She is powerless, surviving in her new world only by burying the girl she was deep inside.

Then, one night, the Kaiser forces her to do the unthinkable. With blood on her hands and all hope of reclaiming her throne lost, she realizes that surviving is no longer enough. But she does have a weapon: her mind is sharper than any sword. And power isn't always won on the battlefield.

For ten years, the Ash Princess has seen her land pillaged and her people enslaved. That all ends here.