Wings, War and Mating Bonds....The Bookbabe Reviews A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

Last month the third installment in Sarah J. Maas A Court of Thorns and Roses series was released. I didn't jump right into the book because I had a lot going on and frankly I wanted to take my time with the novel. This book starts off with Feyre back at the spring court awaiting a time to ruin Tamiln's life make him pay for the betrayal of her and her family to Hybren.
Throughout her time at the Spring Court she is attempting to keep Tamlin and Lucien at arms length. She plays this well; its an Oscar winning performance, at least where Tamlin is concerned. Lucien, however, is expecting something. He is suspicious of her from the moment they leave the Cauldron and King of Hybren to come back to the court. It's not until Dagdan and Brannagh (the niece and nephew of the King) that Feyre is able to spring her trap and escape; but not before the pays back Ianthe for her role in the betrayal and for her constant in wanted sexual advances on Lucien and several other males around her. Feyre and Lucien escape to the court of Night together. Lucien only leaves with her because he wants to see his mate; Elain, who happens to be Feyre's sister. As they escape the run into characters from the winter and autumn courts that will play a much bigger role in the storyline as we go on. Once they are back in Velaris Lucien quickly comes to understand that all he thought and knew about Rhysand and his court is untrue. Rhysand is more caring and loving and honorable then Lucien has been made to believe and the leads him into becoming a reluctant ally of the Night Court. During the book we see a love hate relationship start between Nesta and Cassian. We also see Azriel and Mor's relationship become more strained; and most of that is Mor's doing. She is sitting on a secret that she needs to share with Az. We also find out the Amren has a love interest who lives in another court; we also find that she will betray Feyre and her friends in order to save not only the court but their world.
Amren's betrayal was frustrating for me; I found myself cussing her when I read it. I truly did not see that coming and she had put Feyre in danger. However, Maas cleans it up and the end and we find that Amren is still a friend of the group and is still within the courts ranks at the end of the novel. If the betrayal was not bad enough Maas could not resist harming Rhysand; but this one moment was also a chance for Tamlin to redeem himself. This did not change my views of Tamlin. I still don't like him; but it does mean that we will see him in the future. We will also see Queen Vassa in the upcoming novels, however, I have a feeling that her tale is going to be full of drama and danger. I think this queen is going to be a piece of work; something tells me she's putting on a front to those around her so that she can be freed from the man that holds her captive. There is so much that went on in this book and its way to much to discuss without spoilers.

Best Scenes:
Death of a really bad character at the hands of Nesta and Elain.
Amren lives.
We have a LQBT character

Worse scene:
Cannot tell you due to chance of spoiling it - sorry!

I gave this book 5/5 stars on goodreads.

Quotes that I loved:

🌷 My Spring Reading List 🌷

Spring brings about so many wonderful things....from sweet breezes , and soft rains to lovely flowers. But it also brings new books...tons and tons of new books. Here is my TBR and to be purchased books for this spring.

1) Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare (owned)
2) Lord of Shadows by Cassandra Clare (Released 5/23)
3) Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas (owned)
4) A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas (pre-ordered)
5) Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (owned)**
6) The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas (owned)
7) What is the Bible by Rob Bell (released 5/16)
8) The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (owned)**

9) Rest In Power by Sybrina Fulton & Tracey Martin (owned)
10) The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness (owned/re-read)

Of course you know I plan to read more than just these novels. The asterisks represent books to be read with my book club.

Is it May yet....

I am really looking forward to the latest book in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J. Maas. I can not wait to meet the members of the Night Court again.

Here is the synopsis of the book:

In the third volume of the #1 New York Times bestselling A Court of Thorns and Roses series.
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.
In this thrilling third book in the #1 New York Times bestselling series from Sarah J. Maas, the earth will be painted red as mighty armies grapple for power over the one thing that could destroy them all.

There's nothing better than Book Mail!

The fall season is pretty much in full swing...football has officially started and long awaited books are being released. This week I recieved my U.K. Paperback copy of Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas...

Empire of Storms is the fifty book of the Throne of Glass series. I can not believe its been over a year since the last release. I can not wait to see what Aelin gets into. And I am very curious about what will happen with Dorian and Chaol. If you have not read these you should...great world building and amazing action. Here is a synopsis of the book:

The long path to the throne has only just begun for Aelin Galathynius. Loyalties have been broken and bought, friends have been lost and gained, and those who possess magic find themselves at odds with those don't.

As the kingdoms of Erilea fracture around her, enemies must become allies if Aelin is to keep those she loves from falling to the dark forces poised to claim her world. With war looming on all horizons, the only chance for salvation lies in a desperate quest that may mark the end of everything Aelin holds dear.

Aelin's journey from assassin to queen has entranced millions across the globe, and this fifth installment will leave fans breathless. Will Aelin succeed in keeping her world from splintering, or will it all come crashing down? 

Sweet Summer Reads....

The summer of 2016 has by far been my best and most bookish summer to date. I came in at 17 books read ;)! Four more than I read last year!!!! While most of them where great, eight books really stood out. Here they are:

1)1984 by George Orwell

2) Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King

3) Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

4) The Bourbon Kings by J.R. Ward

5) The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith 

6) A.D. 30 by Ted Dekker

7) The Girl with all the Gifts by M.R. Carey

8) A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

You can find my no spoiler reviews of these books here on my blog. How many books did you read this summer? What books would you recommend for me to read is fall? Please feel free to leave a comment. Happy Reading 🤓

To fall in love with Night itself....The Bookbabe Reviews: A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

Sarah J. Maas has stolen my heart with this book. I usually wait until the next day to write my reflections (review) of most of books; but, I just couldn't with this one. A Court of Mist and Fury (ACOMF) has everything we fanasty YA nerds want. Great world buliding, fabulous writing, bad ass characters and maybe just a little bit of a romance. She delivered all that in more with the pages of this book. 

In ACOMF, Maas takes us back to the Spring Court and back into the relationship that has been developing between Tamlin and Feyre. They have just returned to the Spring court after their almost life ending experiences Under the Mountain. One would think with all the hardships, torture, and death they witnessed Under the Mountain that they would have a closer bond. But, they don't and Tamlin is not being the guy we meant in A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTR); he is withdrawn, on edge and seems content to allow Feyre to waste away. He ignores her unhappiness and the changes in her. He is selfish, and only thinks of himself and putting on show of strength and force to his people. 

The only relief Feyre seems to get from him is her trips to The Night Court; which were forced upon her by its High Lord Rhysand. At the Night Court she is free to do what she likes. Rhysand comes off with his usual arrogant bravado but you can sense something deeper there. Especially any time Feyre mentions Tamlin; Rhys just seems to bristle at simple mention of the High Lord. It would take the wedding ceremony and Tamlin locking Feyre in the Spring Court Manor home for Rhys to really step in. 

Once he rescues her, basically frees her, he allows her as much time as she came to become what she was before she went Under The Mountain. Rhys is giving Feyre something Tamlin can't....freedom! It's no surprise that during all this her feelings towards both Tamlin and Rhys shift. 

She begins to see Tamlin as very self serving, uncaring, maybe even a little emotionally abusive and possessive. Rhys is Tamlin's complete opposite - he is kind, patient, caring and attentive. Even though he has it in her head and has been told by others at the Spring Court that he can not be trusted; that he is dangerous. Against her better judgement she makes a decision to cut Tamlin off completely, and stay on in the Nighy Court so that she can learn to use her powers and learn to fight. Something that Tamlin had no interest in letting her do at all. 

Slowly Feyre begins to feel something for Rhys that was never there with Tamlin....Rhys also does not reveal until the book is almost at an end that he and Ferye are mates. And that he has known for sometime. He attempted to separate himself from her but...he could not so he made up ways to see her and to misdirect the attentions of that witch from Under The Mountain away from Ferye. During all of this Ferye and Rhys and his court are trying to stop am invasion of a long hated and very dangerous King. They almost have it under control when several betrayals come to light; and at the worse possible time. It's in these betrayals that the majority of the plot twists happen. The most surprising one of all coming right at the end. 

Maas wrote this book so well, waving in just the right amount of mystery to make you want to speed read to the ending. I think ACOMF has replaced The Girl with all the gifts as my favorite book read so far in 2016. 

I gave it 5/5 stars on Goodreads.com

Favorite Quotes:

"There are different kinds of darkness, there is a darkness that frightens, the darkness that soothes, the darkness that is restful. There is the darkness of the lovers, the darkness of assassins. It becomes with the bearer wishes it to be, needs it to be. It is not wholly bad or good."

"No one was my master – but I might be the master of everything, if I wished. If I dared."

"He luck to you up because he knew – the bastard knew what a treasure you are. That you were worth more than land or gold or jewels. He knew, and wanted to keep you all to himself. (Rhys)"

"He did - does love me" (Ferye)

"The issue isn't whether he loved you, it's how much. Too much. Love can be a poison." (Rhys)

"To the stars who listen – and the dreams that are answered."

"Truth is deadly. Chances freedom. Truth can break and mend and and bind."

Currently Reading....and Books Read last month!

First up what I am currently reading! 

I am Currently Reading several books; one book is for chumps! I am finishing up Northanger Abbey (Jane Austen), A Court of Mist and Fury (Sarah J. Maas). I have started Welcome to Night Vale by (J. Fink/J.Cranor) and The Vampire Lestat (Anne Rice). 

What I read last month....

Because of really bad seasonal allergies and being sick I did not get through my usual four books last month. But I did get to enjoy Michael Connelly's Fifth Witness and The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey. I was excited to have finally gotten to each. I will be posting the review for both really soon. 

Currently Reading....

Woo hoo! I am currently reading these three lovely books....

1)Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

2)Cleoparta: A life by Stacy Schiff

3)A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J.Maas

My Year in Books....(thank you Goodreads lol)

My favorite book of the Year: The Bookman's Tale by Charlie Lovett

 

Favorite Series I read this year: The All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness 

The Bookbabe Reviews: Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass 4) by Sara J. Maas

                                    

*****(This review contains no spoilers)******

Finally I have finished Queen of Shadows; I honestly do not know what took mw to long. Especially since I really loved the book. In Maas tome we return to the Kingdom of Adarlan after Celaena aka Aelin  (Queen of Terrasen) has been training and honing her magic far away from the magic striped Adarlan. In this book Aelin is very changed, not at all like who she was in the first three books. She comes back to Adarlan to over throw the King and restore magic. She also needs to right a few wrongs and get revenge for a death. When Aelin enters the Kingdom of Adarlan she finds out that her cousin, General Aedion, is set to be executed by the King. That Chaol has left the Kings service after Dorian revealed his magic; and that Dorian is now enslaved and possessed with the spirit of a Valg Prince. Chaol (one of my favorite characters in the series) has become hard. He is still as loyal as ever but he does not know what to make of Aelin. She has lied to him in the past because of their past Aelin also can not trust him. She wants to; and in some way it seems that she wants for him to have missed her. But when she sees how her interacts with fellow rebel, Nesryn, she knows that Chaol has moved on. They both come to the agreement that it will be easier to work together to free Aedion and to make things right in the Kingdom. 

The part of the story that I found the most intriguing pertained to the witches, Manon and the Blackbeck Clan. They took a larger role in this book. Which is exactly what I was hoping. We finally get a little more information on their motivations and we slowly start to see them evolve. We see that Manon is more than what her grandmother (matron witch) hopes that she is. We see her kindness in her shielding of Elide Lochan. What I ca not wait to see is what will become of her attraction of Dorian; this was a particular turn of events that had me scratching my head. Also, I found myself during parts of this book doubting Rowan and his true feelings for Aelin. Of course all of this is explained but there is still some "mystery" around him. Also, it feels like their may be a storm brewing for them in an upcoming book. I feel like their relationship will be used against them in some way. 

Favorite Scene: Abroynn finally getting whats coming to him, and at the hands of someone other than Aelin. Someone that he seemed to like to use as a pawn in his twisted games with Aelin. 

Favorite Quote: 

"Tell me what I must do to atone; tell me to crawl over hot coals, to sleep on a bed of nails, to carve up my flesh. Say the word, and it is done. But let me care for you as I once did, before...before that madness poisoned my heart. Punish me, torture me, wreck me, but let me help you. Do this mall thing for me - and let me lay the world at your feet"

"When you shatter the chains of this world and forge the next, remember that art is as vital as food to a kingdom. Without it, a kingdom is nothing, and will be forgotten in time"

"What was it like? To love." (Manon)

"It was like dying a little everyday. It was like being alive, too. It was joy so complete it was like pain. It destroyed me and unmade me and forged me. It hated it, because I knew I couldn't escape it, and knew it would forever change me" (Asterin) 

"She was death, devourer of worlds" 

"You make me want to live, too, Aelin Galathynius. Not exsist - but live. I spent centuries wandering the world, from empires to kingdoms to wastelands, never settling, never stopping - not for one moment. I was always looking toward the horizon, always wondering what waited across the next ocean, over the next mountain. But I think...I think that whole time, all those centuries, I was just looking for you"

 

The Book Gods have smiled upon me....

*Fan Girl Squeal* My signed copy of Queen of Shadows has arrived!!! If you are not reading the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas you're missing out. So go buy it NOW! So we can talk, and swoon over it! I purchased my book from www.booksofwonder.com ! The staff of BOW are amazing. And almost all of their books are signed first editions. So go check them out. 

The Awesome August Book Photo Challenge Day 16: Favorite Fandoms

Awesome August Book Photo Challenge Day 10: Favorite Authors

Awesome Book Photo Challenge Day 10: Favorite Author! Well I read to much to just have one...so my picks are Deborah Harkness, Jane Austen, Amy Tan, Stephen King, Edgar Allan Poe, Sarah J. Maas, Alice Walker, Andrew Pyper, and J.K. Rowling. Sorry folks but I read to much to have just one. These are my favorite "fiction writers. Non-fiction/inspirational award goes to David Pelzer (author of A Child called It) Rob Bell (author of Love Wins)  and Max Lucado (author of He Chose the Nails) .

My Favorite Books of the Summer thus Far!

All of the reviews for these books are on the blog ;) 

Sexy High Fae...Oh my! The Bookbabe Reviews: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

The Bookbabe Reviews: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

My final book for review for June is Sarah J. Maas' A Court of Thorns and Roses. I really don't know why I waited almost two months to read it after its release date. Especially since I knew that I would not be disappointed. This book had me tweeting her for information on the next book's release date. There is so much to love about this book. But what really stands out is that we meet a very different female lead than that of her previous series; Throne of Glass. In Feyre, we find a vulnerability that is often missing from the heroines in most YA novels. She is both tough and soft hearted. She wants nothing more but than to be able to support her family. When the book opens we find Feyre in a snow blanketed forest as she hunts for food. She is battling internally with being both mother and father to her family. (Even though her dad is alive.) She has to take on some very important tasks that most younger siblings would not have to; especially since her family has so recently fallen on hard times. While in the forest Feyre kills what appears to be a wolf and this set into motion something even Feyre would never expect. As the story progresses we meet some very interesting Fae characters. Chief among them being Rhysand, Tamlin and Lucien. In these three we really find all the characteristics that we hope to find in Maas' male characters. Tamlin is frustrating but gallant, hilarious, and sexy as all hell. Lucien is a bit of a jerk at first; then he grows on you like a fungus. By the end of the book you have a deeper appreciation of him as a character. Another character that I came away loving was Rhysand. Though I have a funny feeling that his court scheming and his help in the downfall of their "queen" well come back to bite Feyre and Tamlin in the behind. What I loved most about this book is that its a take on Beauty and the Beast; however, Maas took it in a very interesting and highly entertaining direction. I can not wait to see what happens in this series of books.

I would recommend this book to any fan of Throne of Glass, Game of Thrones and YA fantasies. 

  

Quotes I loved:

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

“I love you," I said, and stabbed him.” 

For more reviews feel free to follow me at www.delawarebookaddict.blogspot.com

The Bookbabe Reviews: Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

Okay, this books finally chapters had me on twitter asking Sarah J. Maas to consider moving up the publication date of the next book (which is slated to come out in September). So much happened in this book that kept me up nights trying to get to the next chapter. So in this book we find Celanea in Wendlyn trying to gain intel in the royal family so that she can warn them about the King of Adarlan. She doesn't get to accomplish this mission because she ends up running into Rowan; a Fae male warrior and Prince that comes looking for her. He takes her to Mistward a fortess full on Demi Fae where she comes to meet her Aunt Maeve, Queen of the Fae. Celaena only agrees to come because she needs information about the Wyrdkeys and how she can find and destory them. Along the way we see Celaena fight her way through her grief as she deals with the lost of Nehemia. We  also get to know Rowan a little better; at first he is very aloof and keeps Celaena at arms length. But, by the end of the book things has changed. He has sworned to protect her and I think there may be something else growing there too. (Though they are distant cousins and that would be rather strange if anything does happen). There are a few things that I loved about this installment into the series. First, we get to meet some new and very interesting characters such as Manon Blackbeak and her 13. These witches are badass. These women live to be ruthless and cunning and are raised to believe that they where born without a heart of soul. We also meet Aedion Ashryver, who is a relative of Celaena's and is as loyal to the King as he would like some in the court to believe. Second, we also get to see Dorian come into his own and that comes in part with him actually accepting who he is and with his new found love Sorscha. I was really rooting for this couple but, wow oh wow how the King set them up. The last few chapters of the book really had me wanting to cry and scream and oh the feels. Last but not least; we get some deeper insights into the deaths of Celaen's parents. We also get a glimpse at King of Adarlan before the end of magic in their lands. We find out that he may have some power of his own and not power that was bought on from the ring that he wears. I am hoping that my theory about him is correct and that there is more to him than meets the eye. All I can say is that the next installment of this series can not come soon enough. My over all rating for this book is 5 stars; it more than exceeds my expectations for the third book in a series. It is one of the best sequels I have read in some time.

Quotes I loved: 

Quote:

"There were cells in the bowels of the mines that they  used to punish slaves. Cells so dark you would wake up in them and think you'd been blinded. They locked me in there sometimes - once for three weeks straight. And the only thing that got me through it was reminding myself of my name, over and over and over again - I am Celaena Sardothien......Celaena Who did not fear or despair, Celaena who was a weapon honed by death"

Quote: "It would not take a monster to destroy a monster - but light, light to drive out darkness.

Quote:

"All I want is for my people to be free and my queen restored to her throne" (Aedion)

"They Burned the antler throne, Aedion. There is no throne for her"

"Then I will build one myself from the bones of our enemies"

For more Bookbabe reviews please continue to follow me at www.delawarebookaddict.blogpost.com and www.facebook.com/thebookbabeofde.