The Grisha: Shadow and Bone: Book 1 by Leigh Bardugo
The Shadow Fold, a swathe of impenetrable darkness, crawling with monsters that feast on human flesh, is slowly destroying the once-great nation of Ravka.
Alina, a pale, lonely orphan, discovers a unique power that thrusts her into the lavish world of the kingdom’s magical elite – the Grisha. Could she be the key to unravelling the dark fabric of the Shadow Fold and setting Ravka free?
The Darkling, a creature of seductive charm and terrifying power, leader of the Grisha. If Alina is to fulfil her destiny, she must discover how to unlock her gift and face up to her dangerous attraction to him.
But what of Mal, Alina’s childhood best friend? As Alina contemplates her dazzling new future, why can’t she ever quite forget him?
This is the first book I’ve read by Leigh Bardugo, but definitely not the last. I had this one read in just a couple of sittings as I was absolutely hooked from the outset. The Grisha books are widely known so it had been on my radar for a while and I was delighted to find a copy recently. I’m not gonna summarise the plot or anything; the synopsis is all you need to know. Bloody loved it. These books are probably marketed at teens but I’m not ashamed to say I really enjoyed it and I’m currently waiting (impatiently!!!) for book 2 in the series to come to my local library! Excellent world-building, a great cast of characters and a super fun plot made this one a cracking read.
Highly recommended for sure!
The Grisha: Shadow and Bone: Book 1 by Leigh Bardugo
A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns & Roses, #1) by Sarah J. Maas
Feyre’s survival rests upon her ability to hunt and kill – the forest where she lives is a cold, bleak place in the long winter months. So when she spots a deer in the forest being pursued by a wolf, she cannot resist fighting it for the flesh. But to do so, she must kill the predator and killing something so precious comes at a price …
Dragged to a magical kingdom for the murder of a faerie, Feyre discovers that her captor, his face obscured by a jewelled mask, is hiding far more than his piercing green eyes would suggest. Feyre’s presence at the court is closely guarded, and as she begins to learn why, her feelings for him turn from hostility to passion and the faerie lands become an even more dangerous place. Feyre must fight to break an ancient curse, or she will lose him forever.
It probably seems like I’m on a YA kick with these reviews, and I guess I am a little, because I’ve just started the second book in the series! I’ve had ACOTAR on my TBR for a loooooong time and I’m on a bit of a break from review books at the moment, so it was high time I picked this one up. These books are addictive, like seriously! I can see how people go mad for this fandom, because its safe to say I am probably going to lump myself in there by the time I get them all read.
Feyre, bless her, she’s a bit naïve for someone who seems so tough but I really like her as a character. Even with all of the cringey love-y stuff (Not my thing at all, I prefer hatred! Haha!) As with Bardugo, there is decent world-building in Maas’s books as well. I think its another super fun YA series, and I am definitely liking how its going so far!
Highly recommended, especially if , like me you’ve been stuck in one genre for too long!
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid
I’m thinking of ending things. Once this thought arrives, it stays. It sticks. It lingers. It’s always there. Always.
Jake once said, “Sometimes a thought is closer to truth, to reality, than an action. You can say anything, you can do anything, but you can’t fake a thought.”
And here’s what I’m thinking: I don’t want to be here.
I cannot review this properly without giving away anything so this one will be very short! I read this one in a day, and it left me with more questions than answers. In saying that though, it is an exceptionally clever novel. It is short, but its also extremely powerful in terms of content. It is unsettling, creepy and suspenseful pretty much the whole way through. It seems to be divisive going by some of the reviews I’ve seen, but give it a chance. I would say read it, and then read it again.
Highly recommended.
I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid
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