Book Review: War of the Wilted by Amber Mitchell

War of the Wilted (Garden of Thorns, #2) by Amber Mitchell

Blurb:

Like flowers denied water, people are wilting under the emperor's tyranny.
Rose will not rest until the Gardener is dead. But there are bigger battles to fight, and Rayce—leader of the rebellion and the only man Rose has ever loved—believes their best chance at winning the war is to join forces with her sworn enemy.

Saving innocent people is more important than her quest for revenge. But their new ally can’t be trusted—and he knows her darkest secret. One betrayal could leave the war and Rayce’s life hanging in the balance, and Rose will need to make the ultimate sacrifice to save them all.

My Review:

I was so glad that there is a sequel to Garden of Thorns. I loved that book so much, it was easily one of my favorite books last year. 

This follow up is filled to the brim with betrayal, sacrifices, and tough decisions. With Rayce holding the Gardner captive in the rebellion headquarters for intel, Rose tries to tell Rayce it's not a wise decision but their differences in opinion will drive a wedge between them and Rose will have to rise and become the queen she was always meant to be, the last thing she ever wanted. 

It's time for Rose to be strong, avenge her father, save her people. Empires will fall, the strong will survive, and the world will change forever. 

I loved this book, I couldn't stop reading when I started. Even though it has been a while since I read Garden of Thorns I was able to seamlessly read this book without missing a beat or needing to recap the events of book one. 

Overall, this series is a must read for fantasy fans.

My Rating:

🌟🌟🌟🌟

4 of 5 Stars!

Book Review: Grim Lovelies by Megan Shepherd

Grim Lovelies by Megan Shepherd

Blurb:

Seventeen-year-old Anouk envies the human world, where people known as Pretties lavish themselves in fast cars, high fashion, and have the freedom to fall in love. But Anouk can never have those things, because she is not really human. Enchanted from animal to human girl and forbidden to venture beyond her familiar Parisian prison, Anouk is a Beastie: destined for a life surrounded by dust bunnies and cinders serving Mada Vittora, the evil witch who spelled her into existence. That is, until one day she finds her mistress murdered in a pool of blood—and Anouk is accused of the crime.

Now, the world she always dreamed of is rife with danger. Pursued through Paris by the underground magical society known as the Haute, Anouk and her fellow Beasties only have three days to find the real killer before the spell keeping them human fades away. If they fail, they will lose the only lives they’ve ever known…but if they succeed, they could be more powerful than anyone ever bargained for.

From New York Times bestselling author Megan Shepherd, Grim Lovelies is an epic and glittering YA fantasy. Prepare to be spellbound by the world of Grim Lovelies, where secrets have been long buried, friends can become enemies, and everything—especially humanity—comes at a price.

My Review:

“You thirst for magic so you can exact revenge. You want to destroy, to tear down. I see it in your eyes."

"And what's wrong with that?"

"Nothing, my dear, as long as you don't mind living in a broken world.”

 - Grim Lovelies by Megan Shepherd

Initially I requested this book because I loved the cover, heard great things about the book, and was interested in reading more after reading an excerpt on ew.com. I eagerly started this book and liked the beginning - until Mada Vittora's death. 

I could definitely see the comparisons to Cinderella with the animals turned into teenagers by witches then needing magic to remain human, I was even intrigued by the witch boys. I just had trouble connecting with Anouk. From the beginning I saw her as weak and naive; she acted so young and innocent from being so sheltered by Mada Vittora. While she seemed so attached to Mada Vittora and so torn up about her murder is unclear to me since by accounts from the other Beasties she was far from motherly, even going so far as to cut off some of Anouk's toes so her feet would better fit into her shoes. 

Then there was the strange tangle of relationships with Anouk. Beau loved Anouk but she saw him like a brother. Anouk claimed Luc was also like a brother to her but she fixated on wanting to know where he was and finding him so much at the beginning of the book I thought she was interested in him. And the proposition from Prince Rennar which wasn't really an option at all. And what was that with Viggo? Real attraction or the backlash of some spell? 

Overall, I liked the concept and the setting of the story and the glimpse of world-building we see (sort of) but I had trouble connecting with the main character and the supporting characters. 

My Rating:

🌟🌟🌟

3 of 5 Stars!

"What I'm Reading" Wednesday #123

This "WIR"-Wednesday I'm reading an ARC of a fantasy novel I posted about several weeks ago in a "Waiting On Wednesday" post...

Grim Lovelies by Megan Shepherd

Blurb:

Seventeen-year-old Anouk envies the human world, where people known as Pretties lavish themselves in fast cars, high fashion, and have the freedom to fall in love. But Anouk can never have those things, because she is not really human. Enchanted from animal to human girl and forbidden to venture beyond her familiar Parisian prison, Anouk is a Beastie: destined for a life surrounded by dust bunnies and cinders serving Mada Vittora, the evil witch who spelled her into existence. That is, until one day she finds her mistress murdered in a pool of blood—and Anouk is accused of the crime.

Now, the world she always dreamed of is rife with danger. Pursued through Paris by the underground magical society known as the Haute, Anouk and her fellow Beasties only have three days to find the real killer before the spell keeping them human fades away. If they fail, they will lose the only lives they’ve ever known…but if they succeed, they could be more powerful than anyone ever bargained for.

From New York Times bestselling author Megan Shepherd, Grim Lovelies is an epic and glittering YA fantasy. Prepare to be spellbound by the world of Grim Lovelies, where secrets have been long buried, friends can become enemies, and everything—especially humanity—comes at a price.

Why I Requested This Book | What I Think So Far:

I requested this book on Netgalley after reading an excerpt online and loving the beginning of the book. I was approved for an ARC and started reading this book late Monday night. I like the book so far but for a main character Anouk is a bit too sheltered and innocent for my taste. I'm hoping she'll grow some steel and become a strong female lead by the time the book is done. I'm curious about the much-mentioned Luc and sure that Beau is interested in Anouk and fascinated by the witches and the baubles they create for "the pretties." I'm interested to see how this book ends. 

"What I'm Reading" #121

This "WIR"-Friday I've started reading an amazing ARC that should definitely be on everyone's TBR list this fall! I'm reading...

The Boneless Mercies by April Genevieve Tucholke

Blurb:

A dark and gorgeously drawn standalone YA fantasy about a band of mercenary girls in search of female glory. Won in a major six-house auction!

Frey, Ovie, Juniper, and Runa are the Boneless Mercies—girls hired to kill quickly, quietly, and mercifully. But Frey is weary of the death trade and, having been raised on the heroic sagas of her people, dreams of a bigger life. 

When she hears of an unstoppable monster ravaging a nearby town, Frey decides this is the Mercies' one chance out. The fame and fortune of bringing down such a beast would ensure a new future for all the Mercies. In fact, her actions may change the story arc of women everywhere.

Full of fierce girls, bloodlust, tenuous alliances, and unapologetic quests for glory, this elegantly spun tale challenges the power of storytelling—and who gets to be the storyteller. Perfect for fans of Maggie Stiefvater, V.E. Schwab, and Heidi Heilig.

Why I Requested This Book | What I Think So Far:

Immediately when looking at this book from a surface level, the covers beautiful and the blurb makes you want to open the book and see what's inside. When I heard this book was a a female-driven retelling of Beowulf I had to have it. I've had another book by this author sitting on my TBR shelf for a while but this book I jumped right into and I'm loving it so hard already. It's dark, it's beautifully written, and it's utterly unputdownable!