Monday 6 June 2016

Erena Reviews: May 2016 & June TBR

June 06, 2016 0 Comments
Hello friends,

I hope you've been spectacularly well and that you've read plenty. The month of May was a busy one, as will June be (oh lord, I cannot wait for holidays), but I still managed to fit in a few books and I'm on track with my 2016 reading challenge! Two of the books I read this month were sent to me to review (I've linked the full reviews below if you're interested), another was a book I've been waiting to read for months which also left me depressed because I have to wait another year for the next book, and another was a reread. Perhaps a bit all over the place, but I think a good mix. So without further ado...


BOOKS



1. The Yearbook Committee - Sarah Ayoub
I had heard a few good things about this one and I saw it had short chapters and when you are a busy uni student, that is very appealing. The Yearbook Committee is about five very different teenage students in their last year of high school who must come together to produce their yearbook. The attitudes and personalities of the characters constantly collide which is actually quite enjoyable and while you may get annoyed at the arrogance of some of the other minor characters, you also get to experience the good things. I think this book is better aimed at teenagers (especially if in high school) and younger adults as the bigger picture is the stigma of bullying. You can read my full review of The Yearbook Committee here. 3.5/5



2. Harry Potter & The Chamber of Secrets - J.K Rowling
I'm currently rereading the whole series which I've done multiple times already but I can never get enough Harry Potter. I won't say much about this one but if you haven't read it, you need to read it. Don't ever tell me you haven't read Harry Potter but you've read Twilight or Divergent etc. This series is always 10/10



3. A Court of Mist and Fury - Sarah J Maas
My biggest anticipated release for 2016 comes book two of the A Court of Thorns and Roses series. The story follows on after Feyre's escape and saving of Tamlin from Under the Mountain however, she's having trouble living her life in the Spring Court. We get to see a lot more of my beloved Rhysand (who could quite possibly be #1 Book Boyfriend!!) and the Night Court, as well as new Night Court characters that are charming, hilarious and super badass. A Court of Mist and Fury was my perfect novel; it has fantasy, action, romance, comedy and I'm gonna use the word again, badass-ness. I did a very messy review/discussion here. I give this one a million stars/5.



4. The Crown - Kiera Cass
The final segment in The Selection series. Last year, you may have seen that I read the first four books in about a week, as they are so easy to read, and left me wanting more. The previous book (The Heir) and The Crown is all about Princess Eadlyn, daughter of America and Maxon, and her own Selection. Like the previous books, this one is very easy to read and flows nicely however, I felt it needed a little more... surprise or 'the bad things that happen in stories' to be more... bad? All in all, this book is not perfect but it was pretty much what I hoped for and I'm happy with that. Also, it's a lot better than The Heir. I did a full review here. 4/5

JUNE TBR



1. Harry Potter & The Prisoner of Azkaban - J.K Rowling
Continuing my reread of the series. Because I started this in May, I've actually finished this already.

2. Cinder - Marissa Meyer
This was actually on my May TBR but I put it down as I didn't want to continue reading after A Court of Mist and Fury as I was in a massive book hangover and didn't want to not enjoy it, you know?

3. Hidden Bodies - Caroline Kepnes
I started this in May as well but was only reading it when I was at work - which isn't much. This is the second book to 'You' which was friggen brilliant. I'm not sure why Kepnes wrote a second book because it honestly didn't need one BUT, I am enjoying it so far.

4. Me Before You - Jojo Moyes
I've heard great and sad things about this one so I'll make sure to get under a blanket with my box of tissues for this one.

I think I'll also pick up another book this month, but I'm unsure of what it'll be at the moment.

And that's all for this post! I hope you enjoyed my mini reviews for the month of May, feel free to check out the full reviews I did for 3 out of 4 of the books I read - much appreciated.
Let me know what you read in May and what you plan to read in June, I'd love to know!

See you soon!
x



Where you can find me:

Contact: erenabennett@hotmail.com
Bookstagram: @erenareads
Instagram: @erena_b
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Snapchat: @erena_b

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Friday 3 June 2016

A Court of Mist and Fury Review/Discussion - Sarah J Maas CONTAINS SPOILERS

June 03, 2016 0 Comments
"Feyre is immortal.
After rescuing her lover Tamlin from a wicked Faerie Queen, she returns to the Spring Court possessing the powers of the High Fae. But Feyre cannot forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people - nor the bargain she made with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court.
As Feyre is drawn ever deeper into Rhysand's dark web of politics and passion, was is looming and an evil far greater than any queen threatens to destroy everything Feyre has fought for. She must confront her past, embrace her gifts and decide her fate.
She must surrender her heart to heal a world torn in two".
- Sarah J Maas

This is a review/discussion of book two in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series. This review/discussion will most certainly contain MAJOR spoilers because there is no way I cannot talk about it the way I want to without them - sorry! CONSIDER THIS YOUR WARNING.

Just a quick little note: I've called this a review and discussion because I find myself spilling words all over the place and I ain't sorry! So it isn't true review format but it is still kind of a review... I think? Ok, read on.

When I read A Court of Thorns and Roses last year, I deemed it my favourite read of 2015. Honestly, I loved the relationship between Feyre and Tamlin, as I think most people did, but as soon as Rhysand was introduced I was like "DAYUUM, I like you". That is actually very typically me, loving the most beautiful human who also happens to be the so-called 'bad boy'. But I was always have a soft spot for the one who was there first because if the main character (in this case, Feyre) is happy then I'm pretty happy, to an extent. I definitely knew Rhys was coming back, which I was damn excited for.

Literally within the first sentence you know something is up with our girl, Feyre. We all know that Feyre is no princess, so why is Tamlin treating her like one?
For me and I'm assuming many others (?), I stopped liking Tamlin very soon. That may be just me liking to control things but come on?! Who likes being told "no"? Not me, and not Feyre either. And I knew something was up with Ianthe but I couldn't really put my finger on it.


Once Feyre was taken into the Night Court I unashamedly admit that I felt at home. I loved Mor straight away and once we were introduced to the other new characters: Amren, Cassian and Azriel, I fell in love with them too. And then we get introduced to the city of Velaris too? Ahh... I would very much like to live there. How can you not fall in love with Rhys now? He has kept this city secret from everyone and actually loves and cares about it.

I think (one of) my favourite lines from the book was when they go to visit Feyre's sisters Nesta and Elaine, they're at the table eating and Nesta being Nesta, makes some kind of snide remark and Feyre says "I can eat, drink, fuck, and fight just as well as I did before. Better, even". A point for you Feyre because that was hilarious.

There's a scene that we all remember where Lucien finds Feyre and wants to take her back to the Spring Court but she's all badass and here is another favourite line of mine from her: "When you spend so long trapped in darkness, Lucien, you find that the darkness begins to stare back". And then her Illryian wings come out and damn, I wish the picture in my head could be made into a poster. As much as I love Lucien, we do not want to go back to the Spring Court!!

Despite all the emotions I experienced during the sudden kidnapping of Rhys, I was in awe at the devotion and destruction of Feyre as she found her way to him to save him. And soon after when Feyre meets the Suriel again, she discovers her and Rhys are mates (like soulmates, lovers, bonded forever and ever and ever) and that scene made me giggle.

Now, the best part; how good was the cabin scene?!?! I love how we get to know more of Rhys' past and story. And how Feyre then accepts him as her mate with the whole food thing and dear lord, everything after that. Rhys gets his feast (hehe!)

The scene where Velaris is invaded is action packed and awesome but no thanks to those selfish human queens! I liked how Feyre, once again unleashed her power, but now much more than ever before. And Amren, woop woop!


All that commotion with Jurian and the King of Hybern is a bit crazy. Tamlin showing everyone how much of a wanker that he is and Lucien bonding with Elaine. And there was honestly a point in that part where I wanted to throw the book across the room. Alas, I continued reading until I was finished and then thought to myself "What the f***". The extra bond. The extra feels. The way Feyre bullshits about with Tamlin. How Lucien gives her that knowing look but she keeps playing along anyway.

I absolutely that we were given that little chapter in Rhys' point of view. Another one of my favourite parts of the book. A Court of Mist and Fury was the absolute perfect book for me. If you want to know what genre or type of book I love most, this is it. It has fantasy, it has badass romance, crazy messed up scenes with the former lover and new plans to overthrow it all. Sarah J Maas, you are my queen and I am unsure how I'm meant to survive until book three. After I finished reading, I was in a massive book hangover for at least a week. The first few days were the worst and this may be a little embarrassing but I was actually depressed. I began plotting what would happen in book three; I was honestly thinking of what Feyre would do and I reckon I came up with some pretty plausible ideas. I then went on to read a little fanfic and saw many others had ideas similar to me.

I finished this book weeks ago and many people might not even read this or get this far if they do. But many thanks if you did. You can see now why I have called this a discussion (with myself) because this sure isn't review style.

I give A Court of Mist and Fury a billion stars.

Please feel free to talk to me about this book, I'm all for it, even if it's labelled a support group. So comment below, or talk to me on Bookstagram (@erenareads). Sorry for all the mess and see you next time!

x


Where you can find me:

Contact: erenabennett@hotmail.com
Bookstagram: @erenareads
Instagram: @erena_b
Goodreads: @erenareads
Snapchat: @erena_b

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