Morning Star (Red Rising #3) by Pierce Brown

Publisher: Del Rey
Released: February 9, 2016
Series: Red Rising #3
Genre: Science Fiction Dystopian, Young Adult/Adult Fiction crossover
Pages: 524

Darrow would have lived in peace, but his enemies brought him war. The Gold overlords demanded his obedience, hanged his wife, and enslaved his people. But Darrow is determined to fight back. Risking everything to transform himself and breach Gold society, Darrow has battled to survive the cutthroat rivalries that breed Society’s mightiest warriors, climbed the ranks, and waited patiently to unleash the revolution that will tear the hierarchy apart from within.
Finally, the time has come.
But devotion to honor and hunger for vengeance run deep on both sides. Darrow and his comrades-in-arms face powerful enemies without scruple or mercy. Among them are some Darrow once considered friends. To win, Darrow will need to inspire those shackled in darkness to break their chains, unmake the world their cruel masters have built, and claim a destiny too long denied – and too glorious to surrender.

Red Rising has quickly become one of my favorite series of all time and Morning Star? One of my favorite finales. Even though Pierce Brown is now writing a new trilogy after the events of Morning Star. Yay. This novel had everything I wanted in a finale. It had a load of action. political intrigue, character development, and just so much heartfelt fangirl moments.

Morning Star takes place one year after the events of Golden Son and let me tell you, it was satisfying.  Darrow is a broken man. After experiencing torture at the hands of The Jackal for a year, he is losing his will to fight and it is heartbreaking. Everything that happens afterwards is so bittersweet. His relationship with Sevro, Mustang, Victra, and all the rest of The Howlers as he reclaims the fight.

The writing as always was impeccable. The action sequences were amazing and so vivid. I was constantly clutching my book because I was so scared for all my favorite characters. There was never a dull moment while reading this book and I loved that. It was so nice to see so many people come together to stand with Darrow and his cause. So bittersweet.

Also, I can’t not say that I am so happy my ship finally sailed!!! ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
I was jumping up and down because I have been waiting for this for 3 books and it finally happened. Not only my ship, but my precious baby Sevro too! Sevro is such a delight to read and he brings a comic relief to an otherwise very serious and daunting journey. He has an colorful sense of humor and can annoy everyone, but he never fails in making me laugh. He is without a doubt my favorite character in this trilogy.

The plot was so engaging and brought one of the best endings I have read this year (as a finale). It was so heartbreaking and gives you a rush because you don’t know if everyone is going to make it out alive. To see Darrow and Mustang and even Cassius face off finally and bring out the outcome for the world to come after them? Such beauty. I am blown away by the events that transpired. Brown did an amazing job wrapping up this rebellion and I am so excited to see what’s in store next for our beloved characters.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t shed some serious tears. Even for our villain. I am so attached to these characters and this world that it will forever have an imprint on my heart. ❤

If you haven’t read this trilogy, what are you even doing with your life? pick it up now! It’s so good and wonderful!
And if you have, what did you think? Let’s fangirl together! xoo

 until next time,

The Crown (The Selection #5) by Kiera Cass

When Eadlyn became the first princess of Illéa to hold her own Selection, she didn’t think she would fall in love with any of her thirty-five suitors. She spent the first few weeks of the competition counting down the days until she could send them all home. But as events at the palace force Eadlyn even further into the spotlight, she realizes that she might not be content remaining alone.

Eadlyn still isn’t sure she’ll find the fairytale ending her parents did twenty years ago. But sometimes the heart has a way of surprising you…and soon Eadlyn must make a choice that feels more impossible—and more important—than she ever imagined.

This book was so bittersweet. I am so sad to say goodbye to my beloved Maxon and America. I’ve loved these characters so much and will miss them so much. With that being said, this book was so sad for be to read because of the end of one of my favorite guilty pleasure series!

First things first, this book was entirely too short. I mean it was less than 300 pages? Really? How am I going to let go in less than 300 pages?! 😦 Plus the ending felt (and really the whole plot of this book) felt a little rushed. Everything happened and wrapped up so fast the last quarter of the book.

Also, there really wasn’t as much romance as I was expecting. I am really happy that my ship sailed,but I wish I was able to see it unfold more clearly. It was still sweet and cute, but I am selfish and I wanted more! If you read my review for The Heir you’ll know that I had two ships in this spinoff series so I really wasn’t going to be disappointed with whoever Eadlyn chose but I am so happy with her choice. Erik, or should I say Eikko, completely store my heart. As did my lovable Kile who can build me the world. Sweet Henri and Hale were all so sweet to Eadlyn. I really enjoyed their little group that they formed. It was sweet to see Eadlyn have these guys who truly cared for her and supported her. As well as her new girlfriends.

Speaking of Eadlyn, I am so happy with her growth in this series. I was a little skeptical reading this book because I hated Eadlyn in the last book because she was such a spoiled brat, but she really grew up. She became stronger and more confident, more warm, and tender. She took charge when needed and didn’t let anyone steamroll her. I was really proud of her for stepping into her new role as Queen regent and the tasks that came with being Queen.

As much as I liked some aspects of this book I have to say my favorite part was the bits with Maxon and America. No matter what small part they play or how little we see of them they are still steal the show for me. They are ever the adorable couple that I love. Their moments together were sweet with Maxon fussing over America and America taking cute jabs at Maxon. ❤

Overall, this book was enjoyable. I liked it more than The Heir but it was definitely not my favorite in the series. It was too short and lacked a solid plot. Plus the epilogue (can it even be considered an epilogue) really gave us no glimpse into how our characters were doing.It was more like just parting words. However, I still enjoyed it. I am happy with Eadlyn’s choices and the end to the Selection was cute ❤

Until next time,

The Raven King (The Raven Cycle #4) by Maggie Stiefvater

Nothing living is safe. Nothing dead is to be trusted.

For years, Gansey has been on a quest to find a lost king. One by one, he’s drawn others into this quest: Ronan, who steals from dreams; Adam, whose life is no longer his own; Noah, whose life is no longer a lie; and Blue, who loves Gansey…and is certain she is destined to kill him.

Now the endgame has begun. Dreams and nightmares are converging. Love and loss are inseparable. And the quest refuses to be pinned to a path.

“Adam smiled cheerily. Ronan would start wars and burn cities for that true smile, elastic and amiable.”

❤

Okay, this is kind of tough for me to review because I honestly don’t know what to say, nor do I know what to feel.

First of all, this felt entirely too rushed. Everything happened so fast at the end and it was a little too anticlimatic. The first 70% of the book for me was so slow and all over the place and I had no idea what we were even doing. Then the search for Glendower wasn’t even discussed until almost the very end and I was sitting there wondering “umm are you going to look for this king we’ve been talking about since book 1?” Then that search and ending was so dull and again, anticlimatic. It was all so underwhelming.

On the other hand, I did enjoy this book because of the amount of PYNCH (Ronan and Adam). I love these two so much and they really made this book entertaining for. Ronan is my favorite in this series because of his rough attitude and lost soul. There is just something about him that calls to me.  Plus, there was Gansey and Blue. I kind of wanted more for them. I feel like they were pushed on the back-burner a bit and that made me a little disappointed. Next to Ronan, Gansey was my favorite because he is like the cutest boyfriend for me and I am left unsatisfied. *SPOILER*I knew his death was coming, but wow. It almost felt like nothing even happened at all. Does that make me heartless? *END SPOILER*

Plus, all the new additions! What was the point in new characters that played little to no role in THE LAST BOOK! Even though I liked Henry Cheng, what was the point of having him? Even Piper Greenmantle was such a disappointing villain. I really feel like the ball was dropped for this book because everything just felt so underwhelming. I didn’t care what Piper was doing or why. I feel like her storyline should have just been wrapped up in the previous book or something, but that is just my opinion.

Overall, this book was just okay. It was entertaining and I am sad to say goodbye to my lovable Raven Boys and Blue. I just wish it was more. Too many questions were left unanswered and there were so many loose ends.

But hopefully you enjoy it more than I did! My favorites are still The Dream Thieves and Blue Lily, Lily Blue.

Until next time,