House Of Roots And Ruin By: Erin A. Craig

 

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A modern masterpiece, this is a classic Gothic thriller-fantasy from bestselling author Erin A. Craig, about doomed love, menacing ambition, and the ghosts that haunt us forever.

In a manor by the sea, one sister is still cursed.

Despite dreams of adventures far beyond the Salann shores, seventeen-year-old Verity Thaumas has remained at her family’s estate, Highmoor, with her older sister Camille, while their sisters have scattered across Arcannia.

When their sister Mercy sends word that the Duchess of Bloem—wife of a celebrated botanist—is interested in having Verity paint a portrait of her son, Alexander, Verity jumps at the chance, but Camille won’t allow it. Forced to reveal the secret she’s kept for years, Camille tells Verity the truth one day: Verity is still seeing ghosts, she just doesn’t know it.

Stunned, Verity flees Highmoor that night and—with nowhere else to turn—makes her way to Bloem. At first, she is captivated by the lush, luxurious landscape and is quickly drawn to charming, witty, and impossibly handsome Alexander Laurent. And soon, to her surprise, a romance . . . blossoms.

But it’s not long before Verity is plagued with nightmares, and the darker side of Bloem begins to show through its sickly-sweet façade. . . .

 I finally got my hands on this baby. And it is a beautiful baby at that haha. I wound up with the B&N copy with the gorgeous purple sprayed edges. And between that and the beautiful inside cover and flower printed chapter headers. I loved flipping through the pages.

I went back and did a re-read of House of Salt and Sorrow before starting this one. It had been an age since I had gotten my hands on the ARC of it (Back in 2019) and I really wanted to refresh myself before I tried to jump back into this world. And I'm delighted I did. There were so many small details I forgot. (I think, in theory, you could read each of these as a stand-alone. But I think they are better when read together)

And going back to remember things that may or may not play a part in this new story was something I was glad I did. Plus I just really enjoyed just seeing all the things I missed my first read-through.

The world that both books are set in, is such a creepy and dark one at times. And as Craig did in HOSAS, this book left me guessing until the very last page. It had so many twists and turns, and even when I thought I had one figured out... She would hit me with a whole different twist. Or spin things from that point in a way I didn't expect it to continue going.

Verity was an interesting character. One that I found myself immediately loving. (Shocker I know, me, actually liking a FMC haha)

But I really did like her. She was complex and fierce when she wanted to be. And seeing her discover herself and find that inner strength after so much tragedy in her life. It made for a very intricate and interesting arc as her story progressed.

And then let's talk about Alex. I adored this boy from the start. He was the sweetest and kindest person. And treated Verity in a way that helped her grow and find herself, but also was sweet and romantic. And gave me all the good fuzzy feelings. And oh man. The rest of his story is so interesting and absolutely crazy. But I won't go into details so I don't ruin that part of the story for anyone.

But let's talk about the craziness that happens in this book in general. There are some absolutely insane moments and some characters that may actually be crazy. And Craig did a spectacular job of riding the line between creepy and just plain dark.

I cannot suggest this more to anyone who likes a little sinister and eerie.

I give HOUSE OF ROOTS AND RUIN

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐5 STARS⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Cruel Prince By: Holly Black

)

Y'all ready for my next audio review? Because this has been the book that pulled me- from my slump.

And good news, Book 2 THE WICKED KING comes out today! (1-8-19)

Of course I want to be like them. They’re beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever.

And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.

Jude was seven when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.

To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences.

As Jude becomes more deeply embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, she discovers her own capacity for trickery and bloodshed. But as betrayal threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.

(Original Review Written Jan 3, 2019)

Oh! My! Goodness!!!

So I have had this book on my to-read list for a while now. My Audible wish list too (since I tend to like these fantasies on audio more most of the time)

And finally had a decent amount of credits built up and this book was on the 2-for-1 credit sale. So of course.... I finally downloaded it haha.

And I'm so glad I did. I'm just sad I have 5 more days until the next one comes out now still haha.

I started this one while on my way home to Florida for New Years. And played it the entire drive there and halfway back. Along with some headphone time between haha. I just didn't want to stop listening. The story itself was so good. And the narrator was amazing. I loved her portrayal of Jude. And her voice was just perfect for the character and story.

Also. The story itself was so detailed and fast paced. I kept just waiting to hear what was going to happen. And this book left me constantly guessing and trying to predict everything that was going to happen.

And then there is Jude and Cardan. And the whole cast of characters to be honest, that made this story so good in my eye.

All of them added so much to it. Offering little tidbits here and there. Showing how their individual personalities played so well together and helped to shape who they became or reacted with one another.

But specifically I want to talk Cardan and Jude. Duh haha.

I know it's become common knowledge I don't usually take well to female characters. And there were definitely things about Jude I disliked through the story. But I really did enjoy her character. She was feisty and strong willed, and just a plain ol' bada** haha.

I loved that even when she was at her most scared she used that to fuel her determination on.And then would comeback twice as strong to any of her adversaries, all the while being quick and cunning.

But the thing I liked the most about her I think,was her determination. She got knocked down so many times. And even when she was scared to death, she just revised her plan, and kept going. She admitted to her fears, and then learned from them.

While also showing that she could sometimes be vulnerable too. That sometimes even the strongest person has regular character flaws, or can be vulnerable to matters of the heart and family.

And I appreciated that in a character.

She didn't always make the right choices either. Sometimes she let her head or heart rule her actions (And these were the moments that just made me want to smack her haha) But I enjoyed that flaw in her, smacking aside.

So often these main characters in these fantasy stories are portrayed as these smart and instant-heroes. They just know what to do and how to do it with no training or guidance. And then there is Jude, who, while has had some of both, is still just a teenage girl. Trying to figure her way in the world. And making decisions that may be good or bad, even at times reckless and hasty. And I really really liked that. That she had flaws, was flawed.

And then we have Cardan... *Sigh*

He's such a complex thing. One that took me a bit to unravel as I listened to this audio actually. I'm usually pretty good at figuring out plot points and charter motives. It's typically my superpower of sorts haha. But this boy had me taking my time trying to fit each piece with the next. Every time I had him pegged down (Or what I thought was having him pegged) Something would change, and I'd be reevaluating my original guess.

And I liked that. I like the plot points or characters that can stump me. It happens so little for me sometimes with how overly-analytically I look at books most of the time.

But I think the thing that constantly tripped me up with Cardan was I could never figure out his motives. He could be cruel and vengeful one moment, and then completely docile and almost kind in others. And I couldn't decide which was the true prince, and which was an act he was putting on.

I liked that he was multidimensional. It added a lotto his part in the story. And why the ending is so gasp worthy I think (Even though I did have that part figured out haha)

I just wish we would have gotten more of him through the story. There would be times the story centered around the drama with him. And then we would get these huge breaks where he would maybe just be there in passing. And I think that caused the reader to lose some of the feelings they needed to build for him. To really be able to sympathize. It probably wasn't until about halfway through that you really start to see the pieces fit, and begin to really understand him and his motives, or lack there of at times too. And I just wish he played a bigger part through more of the book.

And I want to just touch really quick on a couple of the other characters. Like Vivi, Taryn, Locke, even Madoc and Dain.

They add so much to this story. I honestly couldn't believe how well Holly was able to write such complex characters as them in such a small amount of time. It takes so much development to give us characters like them. And each of them played such big parts in this story. And I didn't feel like any of them was underdeveloped or rushed. There was so much behind the scenes things happening with all of them. And none of the plot was ever lost. And I just really want to say how much I appreciated that in the story. It made all the betrayals and shocks that much more powerful when they happened.

And one last thing.... Locke... GAHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Ok, I think I'm done haha

This book was just perfect. And I cant wait for book 2 to be out!

I give THE CRUEL PRINCE

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐5 STARS⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Off The Ice (Juniper Falls #1) By: Julie Cross

I need to give a huge thank you to Entangled Teen for sending out a copy of this awesome book for review. Ya'll over there are amazing, and I can't tell you how appreciated it is all you do for us bloggers 💙💙💙

All is fair in love and hockey…

Claire O’Connor is back in Juniper Falls, but that doesn’t mean she wants to be. One semester off, that’s what she promised herself. Just long enough to take care of her father and keep the family business—a hockey bar beside the ice rink—afloat. After that, she’s getting the hell out. Again.

Enter Tate Tanley. What happened between them the night before she left town resurfaces the second they lay eyes on each other. But the guy she remembers has been replaced by a total hottie. When Tate is unexpectedly called in to take over for the hockey team’s star goalie, suddenly he’s in the spotlight and on his way to becoming just another egotistical varsity hockey player. And Claire’s sworn off Juniper Falls hockey players for good.

It’s the absolute worst time to fall in love.

For Tate and Claire, hockey isn’t just a game. And they both might not survive a body check to the heart.

Oh man. Where to start on this book *sigh*

I can't pass up a sports romances as I've made super clear in other reviews. Especially the hockey ones. They are my kryptonite haha. Although I do have to admit I do typically go for more of the NA's or just regular ol' sports romances vs a YA like this.

But I'm so glad I dove into this one.

It was such a good story. And was so much more emotional than I was expecting. And hit really close to home for me.

I know some that follow my reviews may know. But my mom got sick a couple years back now. And when It happened I had to put my life on hold to get her through surgeries, doctors appointments, physical therapy. All of it. And it took a lot out of me. And I had to halt things like school. So I guess what all that means is, that I could relate so much with Claire in ways.

And not just that but just her personality and drive. And loyalty. I found she was so similar tome. And that really gave me this rare look at a character I could fully Empathize with. And I think that was the biggest thing that pulled me into this book.

Don't get me wrong. The story itself was absolutely amazing. And the characters were so well written and mature for a bunch of dumb high schoolers haha.

But once I had related. It just made the book connect in such a deeper way, and I found myself pulling for Claire and Tate.

And Tate in general. His story was just as good as Claire's. And he's by far one of my favorite contemporary YA heroes.

There was just something about that boy. How real and raw he seemed. And I think that drew me in more. Made me want to cheer so much for him and Claire and see things work out.

Plus, there was actually hockey in this sports romance. I get so tired of books that brand themselves as sports books and then have no sports in them. And there was a really good balance of sports and the rest of the story. It made me a happy hockey nerd for sure haha.

Just everything about this book was perfect. And I don't use that word often unless I really enjoyed every aspect of a book. And that is exactly what happened in this one.

I'm so glad I took a chance on it

And can without even a shadow of a doubt give OFF THE ICE

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐5 STARS⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If There's No Tomorrow: Jennifer L. Armentrout

I'm so excited to get to share my review of IF THERE'S NO TOMORROW with y'all today.

This is by far one of the best books Jen's put out to date, but also one of the most emotional and heartbreaking.

I can't thank Jen and her spectacular team enough for sending out this amazing ARC copy to read and review. I seriously adore y'all 😘😘😘

I seriously love Jen's books, and her herself too. She is just one of those authors that is a blast to meet and get to talk with. And I've gotten the luck to meet her several times over the past few years. She was actually one of the first few authors I ever met, and it seems I wind up at some event she's at or hosting at least once a year hehe.

I just got to meet her again this past March at Apollycon (Along with all those adorable cover models of hers haha) while I was working the event.

And she's totally awesome y'all!

 

Lena Wise is always looking forward to tomorrow, especially at the start of her senior year. She's ready to pack in as much friend time as possible, to finish college applications and to maybe let her childhood best friend, Sebastian, know how she really feels about him. For Lena, the upcoming year is going to be one of opportunities and chances. 

Until one choice, one moment, destroys everything. 

Now Lena isn't looking forward to tomorrow. Not when friend time may never be the same. Not when college applications feel all but impossible. Not when Sebastian could never forgive her for what happened. 

For what she let happen.  

With the guilt growing each day, Lena knows that her only hope is to move on. But how can she move on when tomorrow isn't even guaranteed?

I have got to start appropriating the time to be reading vs. the time to be sleeping. Because it's 6 am, and I've gotten ZERO hours of sleep so far.
And this makes 2 nights in a row of starting a book and finishing it before the sun rises the next day....

I go from not being able to hardly touch a book for months to this. Lord someone help me now haha.

But y'all I cannot put into words just how stunning and incredible this book was.

Jen always has this wonderful way of eliciting emotions through her writing. And this book managed to hit every single one of those feels I could possibly have.

I made the decision to go into this book blindly.
A decision that I'm extremely glad I made.
(I've done it a lot lately with recent books, especially by some of my favorite authors. And it seems to help with that separation of moving on to a new book or series by them. And not staying attached to the old ones. Plus it has just made for a much better reading experience for the books I've been brave enough to do it with)

So I really had no clue other than it was a contemporary YA, of what to be expecting or thinking.

And man, I'm pretty sure if I had read the description, I would have never expected what this book delivered.

I can't stress enough how beautiful the writing in this book was. Absolutely heart breaking. But so honest and sincere. And a subject that I think will touch a fairly large amount of people. Especially teens and even us still in our 20's who see ourselves as indestructible.

This book touches not only on life altering decisions and consequences, but also just that good contempary style of friendships, relationships, and growing up and finding yourself.

And as I said, this book hits a really good close to home target. We're not indestructible, and choices we make... No matter how insignificant they seem, have a way of playing out in ways we don't ever suspect. We make dumb choices and decisions because of others around us. And we don't think about what will come of those things. "It will never happen to me" I feel gets thrown around a lot these days.
And this is a good reminder that it could, and what happens when it does.
Yes it is a work of fiction. But it's dealing with a very real subject that does in fact happen all to often these days.
And Jen does such a wonderful job of breaking it all down to its barest most raw form. To give us those soul wrenching emotions (both good and bad)

And she does it not only with such an incredibly detailed and thought out story. But with such multi dimensional real characters.

I could feel the emotions in this book as I turned every page. Feel the hurt. And sparrow, and pain, and giddiness. The happy, sad, and fun.
And honestly this book had all those things.
I found myself laughing hard at times, and breaking down in tears at others. Such real and true emotions.
I found myself weeping and cheering along with the main characters.

They were so we'll constructed and thought out.

I adored Lena and her struggles (be it boy trouble, to the more emotional grief and guilt that overtakes her)
She's a relatable character, someone we've all been at a point I think. And I loved watching the evolution she takes through the pages of the story.

There were times when I wanted to reach in and smack her (shock shock for me right haha)

But I think those moments that caused me to feel like that, were needed too. They showed the difficulty Lena faced through the story. And in the end offers you a better emotional attachment to her and her situation.

And I can't even explain how much I loved Sebastian. I always find myself so completely smitten with Jen's male characters. Whether it's Daemon, Seth, or Aidan. And Sebastian was no exception (He was more along the lines of reminding me of Cam, or even Jensen)

I feel like he was so much wiser beyond his years at times, but yet still this emotional unsure teen too. And that gave him so much of that depth I mentioned. It made him relatable, and the character that you turn to lean on and feel for just as strongly as you do for Lena.

He's got that goofy charm with just enough cockiness to him, that you just can't help but adore in a character. And man I'm just putting it out there now.... I.CALL.DIBS!!!!

HE IS MINE! I CALL HIM!

AND NONE FOR GRETCHEN WIENERS!!!
😜😜😜😜😜

Plus I just adored all the additional characters in this book as well. they were a fun and interesting mix of goofy athletes, silly gossipy girls, and dorky guys.

All had their own unique personality. And those little things about each of them are what added so much to the story.

They give you those things that make you feel more as the story goes on, and let you really understand why the other characters feel or act so strongly.

This story is just by far a touching and beautifully heart breaking experience of a read. Much the way The Problem With Forever was. 

And I will warn... Have a box of tissues close by. Because if you're like me (claim to not be emotional) you'll need them anyways. Because guess what?! This emotionless blogger bawled like a baby with a toothache.
😭😭😭

IF THERE'S NO TOMORROW gets

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐5 STARS⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Honestly It'd get get 20 if I could do that.

it was just that good of a book.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Dreamfall (Dreamfall #1): Amy plum

Hey y'all! 👋👋👋

So I know I've been essentially MIA these past few months. Summer is always a slow time in the book world in general, and for me it's even slower because I take time with my family and do the whole vacation thing.

But I'm also still just really struggling with blogging and reading in general, and that's caused a huge gap in getting new posts and content up.

My life is still a ridiculous mess most of the time... As I juggle work, school, and still caring and supporting my mom while she's still recovering from the brain tumor and multiple surgeries this past year.

But I promise I'm going to start trying really hard to be more involved with everyone and get myself back into this awesomely bookish world.

So with that all said, why don't we jump into the review of this crazy book?!

Cata Cordova suffers from such debilitating insomnia that she agreed to take part in an experimental new procedure. She thought things couldn’t get any worse...but she was terribly wrong.

Soon after the experiment begins, there’s a malfunction with the lab equipment, and Cata and six other teen patients are plunged into a shared dreamworld with no memory of how they got there. Even worse, they come to the chilling realization that they are trapped in a place where their worst nightmares have come to life. Hunted by creatures from their darkest imaginations and tormented by secrets they’d rather keep buried, Cata and the others will be forced to band together to face their biggest fears. And if they can’t find a way to defeat their dreams, they will never wake up.

Holy heck y'all!!!

I can't even comprehend what exactly this book did to me yet haha.

Like this book took so many crazy twists and turns, and had me on the edge my seat.... well, bed the entire time.

Let me just explain it all real fast.

So.... I pre-ordered this book back before it came out. It was delivered on release day..... And then what do I do? I sit on it forever and a day. So anyways. I've been having an awful time getting Into any books. I finally found a couple here and there. A sci-fi, or a fantasy. But even some of the ones everyone's been talking about and into, I just can't seem to get to hold my attention.

I've read 2 books. And started and stopped about 6 this past month. It's been brutal. And I've been kinda antsy finding something that does it for me (and it's not like these books I try are boring either. I just can't get myself to enjoy them)

So back to this book. I finally decided last night that I'm still in a fantasy mood (particularly YA)

So I'm looking through my shelves and piles of books. And nothing is catching or pulling at my attention.

And I just happen to spot Dreamfall. I can't remember at all what the book's about. But I love Amy Plum, which drove me to pre-order the book to begin with.

So I head off to bed (I'm an insufferable insomniac. So the start of bed time for me is around 1 or 2 am. 1 in this case.)

Ironic I know, considering what this book is about (It was not lost on me y'all. Not one bit har har)

And for once, I start this book and immediately it catches my interest. So fast forward 4 hours. And it's 5 am now.... blurry eyed, about to pass out where I'm sitting up in bed, I turn to the last page and HOLY FREAKING JESUS ON A FREAKING CRACKER!!!!!

Like my mind is so completely blown and I have no words, and I'm trying to be as quite in my freaking out as I can, so I don't wake everyone plus my cats up in the house. But I'm silently rocking, mouth open, staring down at this mind bomb of a book.... And trying to figure out if I missed something somehow, because there is no possible way that was the actual end to the book. Like there's got to be a epilogue to the epilogue..... And scouring the internet to find out if this book is going to be a series, because I cannot deal with that ending at all haha. (FYI I believe I figured out that this book is going to be a duology)

But let me just say. As crazy that all wound up being..... I loved the book from start to horribly fantastic cliffy end haha

This book took me on such a roller coaster and I loved it so so much.

It's one of those books that leaves you guessing, and just when you get it all figured out.... BOOM!! Something changes, and you're left speculating all over again.

But that was the fun part of the book. Never knowing who or what was going to be the bad guy. Or what was real and what was not.

I also loved how Amy split this book into the 3 POV's. I always get a little worried when there's more than 2. Books can get messy and confusing when you try to show too many angles.

But in this case, it added so much more depth and understanding to the story.
The characters grew on me so fast, and I found myself rooting for all of them, and crushed by particular developments concerning a few of them too.
But guy! Guys! I had something about the characters pegged so well. And OMG I almost freaked out when I found out I was right.
Like you Go Amy Plum! Giving us such unique and interesting characters.

This book was a terrifying, and even at times a freaky read. And exactly what I needed in my time of bookish need.

Plus it gave me a chance to stretch out all those book mojo powers of mine and take a crack at the mystery. And let me tell you. I was spot on a few times. And other times I was just barely brushing on being on the right track. while a few I was completely not expecting.

This book had great in-depth characters that you start to feel and fall for so whole heatedly. And can't wait to see what will come of them.

While also offering a very colorful and expanded world. That could only come up in our most twisted haunting nightmares.

Thanks for some of those BTW Amy. I totally appreciated them at 3 am haha.

But I can't tell you all how much you need to go pick up a copy of this book. It was totally stunning. And if anyone knows.... I've got to know if there will be more!!!

Without a shadow of a doubt...

I give DREAMFALL

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐5 STARS⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

POST EDIT!!!!!

This book IS part of a duology, and the 2nd book is called Neverwake!!

(I need it NOW)

Illuminae (Illuminae Files #1): Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff

I can't tell y'all how happy I was to find this book on the bargain shelf this past month.

I kinda owe it to pulling me from my book slump. (It, and a couple other books this past week)

That and the sleepless nights this and those other books spawned too. Apparently I don't just blog my best at night, but read my best at night too hehe

(Well worth all those missing hours of sleep haha)

Plus this book has been on my radar for quite some time,and the bargain price just gave me that push to finally give it a good shot. And I'm so happy I did.

This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do. This afternoon, her planet was invaded.

The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.

But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she'd never speak to again.

BRIEFING NOTE: Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.

So I started this book 2 nights ago, unsure of what to think of it.

So many people have read it and loved it, and honestly the insanely cool cover made me want to pick it up so bad.

The cover is by far one of the most awesome and intriguing ones I've ever seen. And I'm sort of a cover junkie. Meaning I will go pick up a book on a whim, just because I like the cover without even reading a description sometimes.

But I was just never sure if this book was my thing.

I love a good sci-fi book. That's not the problem. They're actually some of my favorites. And sometimes the only kind of book to pull me from a book slump outside of a really good high fantasy. I was just so unsure of how this book was formatted.... would I get a cohesive story? Would I only ever get bits and pieces and lose character development?

Is it too many working parts for one story?

I had a lot of worries going into it.

And it kept me from getting this book for quite a while.

But then BAM just happened to put it on the discount shelf recently. And I decided to snap up a copy (like I said. I'm a cover junkie, and that alone was making me want it, even if I never picked the thing up again)

But now that I'm sitting on the other side of finishing this book..... I can't believe I waited for it. It was so good! And such a unique way of putting together a story (yes I know I was all worried about that, but it actually made for a really interesting story.)

And I'm honestly smacking myself for waiting so long to start it.

I absolutely loved the story, and need to get my hands on book 2 like yesterday haha.

But it wasn't just this awesome new way of putting a story together, or even the story line itself.... Even though that was pretty awesome too, and left me on my toes through almost the whole story.

And also terrified me at times too. Not because the story is scary in any way. But because the theory behind parts of the story scares me, if it ever came to be in real life (Kinda the way I felt watching that movie The Circle this past week too. Like humanity is almost too smart for our own good when it comes to technological developments)

And I think that comes to play a huge part in this book.

And made it all that much more thrilling and interesting.

It was also these really well constructed characters though. We only ever get glimpses of them at times because of the way things are

told throughout the whole thing. But in writing a story that way, I got to really enjoy a large spectrum of characters without getting too overwhelmed, or feeling like I was missing key parts.

And I loved the buildup of relationships, and character development as the story progressed.

Especially Kady and Ezra.

They are both such strong characters, and I loved the little hate to love you relationship they had going on the whole time.

You couldn't help but root for them, and see how it all would play out.

Plus I loved all the other secondary characters throughout the story too. They gave the book that depth it needed, and provided the missing parts we didn't get from just the interaction between Kady and Ezra.

So all and all.... this story was absolutely amazing. It's so new and so fresh. And I honestly wish more authors would give me new and inventive writing styles like this more.

Seriously, if you haven't picked up the book yet, go find it on the shelf of your local book store or library and just flip through the pages real quick. You'll see exactly what I mean. And hopefully it won't scare you away like I foolishly let it in the beginning.

I give ILLUMINAE

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐5 STARS⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐