First Nile Runs because...
Anyway, aside from the minor wtf dumb moments Nile has, I really did enjoy Air and Ash. Nile is strong but has to recreate herself is she wants to survive and be the person she needs to be.
I really hyped up Air and Ash for myself. I shouldn't have because it definitely took away from the reading experience. That being said, it was a squash buckling pirate adventure. And, not generally the nice kind.
Princess Nile has always been a sailor and commander of the seas. She is summoned home only to be banned from the sea and be used as political pawn. Well, she's having none of that. She joins a ship's crew. What she finds is utter incompetence and corruption at the hands of one lazy captain and a terrifying mean, whip-lashing (read as: dashing) 1st mate.
Nile has her work cut out for her in this book. She thinks she can change a crew, but before she changes anyone else, she needs to change herself. She needs to lay low, but her inner righteousness makes people suspicious. Let's use a series of gifs, shall we?
First Nile Runs because...
And then on the ship she be like:
And then she is also like...shit calling too much attention to myself because I HAVE MAGIC. THAT I NEED TO HIDE:
But for whatever reason she somehow makes her crew (#squadgoals) amidst all the mayhem:
and then like, "shit I need to escape! Help me terrifying (read as: handsome) 1st mate.
Anyway, aside from the minor wtf dumb moments Nile has, I really did enjoy Air and Ash. Nile is strong but has to recreate herself is she wants to survive and be the person she needs to be.
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SO, when Vampire Girl first came out, I had high hopes. Then, as I read it was another vampire story with a girl deciding between 7 guys I noped outta there real quick. Now again, I was on edge because of reviews saying it was a rather simple story. Alas, I am in a reading slump and keep on dropping books that I have been dying to read. So, I thought, what the hec I've got nothing to lose. And here is my verdict:
It wasn't terrible. The main character herself, Ari, is kind of a boring Jane Doe but the other characters are great. So much trans love it made my heart full. The idea of 7 princes fighting for the throne was appealing enough. However, there was one major fall through...
The writing was to simple to the point of insanity. The plot was interesting. They carry it out fine even. But there is SO SO SO MUCH lacking in terms of descriptions of...EVERYTHING. I needed more description. More description of hell, more description of Ari's though process, more description of Fen's thought process. Everyone just seemed so shallow. Not because the characters actually are, but because we are given barely any insight into their minds. The world building has so much potential, We get a surface description and nothing else. Essentially the entire book's writing felt like this:
Karpov Kinrade gives us just enough to keep us interested, but frustratingly not enough for us to connect with the world or characters. This writing is to simple. It felt like a draft that was to be filled in later with details...EXCEPT IT WASN'T.
I mean will I read the next book? Yea, BUT I WANT MORE THOROUGH DESCRIPTIONS. GIVE ME THE FEELS. I WANT
Okay, okay, I admit it. I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Yes, it definitely had a Twilight feel to it, but our main girl Evie isn't nearly as annoying. Yes we've got a frustrating love-triangle, but it's clear pretty quickly who Evie chooses to be with.
Evie is of to Crestwood College on a scholarship. She's sad to be leaving her uncle Jim but excited for new opportunities. She makes quick friends with adorkable football player Russell who she feels that she feels an instant connection with as well as the steadfast and kind Freddie. All goes well on her first day until she meets Reed who is determined that she is an abomination who tries to run her out of town because of who she is. Good thing Evie is stubborn even in the face uncertainty and fear. Okay, so... Russell is adorable and Reed is brooding mystery and they both lay a claim to Evie's heart, but in the end none of the fate crap matters, Evie makes her decision and doesn't spend time going back and fourth on it-so the love triangle is a bit more bearable than most. Evie is an actually fairly not terrible main character. I think that is in part to do with her two good girl friends Buns and Brownie (it's okay, I can't with the names either). They help Evie when she is down in the dumps and are just a ball of fun and energy.
Aviva is dead. Aviva is now back from the dead-a monster, a vampire, powerful in a way that has other vampires repulsed and she has no idea who turned her or why. She should have died that dark night, but she isn't and she must make do with the life given to her. Now the hunt begins and only the slightly cranky Daniel seems to be willing to take a chance on Aviva and train her to be the weapon that can stop destruction.
This is 100% a five-star book. I became so quickly obsessed with my book despite my slight aversion to reading vampire books nowadays. Resurrection is a whole different take on vampires. Won't say anything spoilery-but will say that Aviva's powers are pretty cool. Can we talk for a second how lovely the name Aviva is!!? So lovely!! let's also talk about how Aviva is a great character. A bad-ass chick who has been dealt kind of a really shitty hand, and to be honest she is in no way perfect. THAT my friends is what makes her such an amazing character. She's not a goody two shoes, she doesn't toe the line, but she does have her own set of morals and doesn't cross lines she doesn't believe should be crossed. For good reasons, of course. But Hetal, it's another romance vampire novels...YES. BUT IT IS SO MUCH MORE. Please believe me! It's mature, and sexy, and dark, and truly toes the line of YA/NA paranormal romance. A word of caution, however, Resurrection deals with some dark themes and may not be suitable to particularly young audiences. As I said, it toes the edge between YA and NA. I cannot WAIT till the next book comes out!!
This book was better than I imagined it would be- and that is always a pleasant surprise.
Vala is the Prince's personal guard, one small mistake during an assassination attempt and she is stripped of her rank and forever dealing with the Queen's suspicious ire. Vala would give her life for her people, but the sentiment may not be returned...did I mention Vala's skin is literally fire? No- well, When Vala is touched she burns. Poor Vala must deal with her feelings for the prince while protecting him and his guest/potential marriage partner who seems to be looking for the island's secrets. I went into this book thinking it would be very simple. A shadow of some of my favorite fantasies, but it wasn't. Fallen Flame held it's own. Vala's turmoil over whether to trust Xavyn with her life and her secrets was someone what complex. Her relationship with Haidee who had been an estranged resentful sister turns into a sisterly bond full of trust when there should have been doubt, and realizing that the person she loved--who she thought loved in her return may not be the best thing for her. The one thing I must hold a grudge about is Xavyn however. It is clear he goes through quite a process when figuring out whether to trust Vala. Vala however, it doesn't really explain where her trust in Xavyn comes from. To me, it seems that it stems more from the betrayal of the people she was loyal to rather than anything Xavyn did himself. Actually though, where did that love story come from? It feels more like Hero syndrome where she falls for the person who "saves" her. The plot was predictable but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of reading Fallen Flame. The emotions and betrayal and near-miss moments of being found out kept me on my toes. Definitely a solid fantasy with a unique plot. |
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