“A robber who steals a knife and cuts himself cannot cry out against the woman who kept it sharp.”
A unique retelling of Rumpelstilskin 3.75 stars
“A robber who steals a knife and cuts himself cannot cry out against the woman who kept it sharp.”
A unique retelling of Rumpelstilskin, Miryem is the daughter of a timid loan lender. Tired of her father being unasseritive, she takes up the lending job herself and demands her neighbors pay back their debts. Somehow, the King of the Staryk (fairy like people) hears that Miryem can change silver into gold… and begins to test her on it.
“You were challenged beyond the bounds of what could be done, and found a path to make it true.”
I read Novik’s Uprooted when it came out and it was a 3 star read for me, I am a character driven reader and that was more of a plot/tone driven book. I liked it but wasn’t as in love as everyone else. Still, I was very interested in reading Spinning Silver. And I ended up liking it way more than Uprooted. SS is a character driven novel. I need characters to care about in order to read/invest my time in a book and Novik pulled it off brilliantly. At times the shifts from one perspective to the other were confusing, but it didn’t bother me all too much.
I felt this book was very strong until the end. It took a little bit too long to get to the point and then everything felt rushed. Or maybe that was me rushing to finish this book. Could be either. Also, I’ve heard/read criticisms of this book as being a “sophomore novel” aka the second book ever published by Novik. That’s not true, if you look at her published works this would be about book 10. I’d love for people to stop saying its her second book.
A really great read, perfect for those who love fantasy and I could honestly see other genre readers enjoy this book as well. Glad I got my act together and finally read it.
“But the world I wanted wasn't the world I lived in, and if I would do nothing until I could repair every terrible thing at once, I would do nothing forever.”
I recently have been going through one of the worst book slumps of my life. It was getting to the point where noth 5 stars!
I CAN’T BELIEVE IT’S OVER
I recently have been going through one of the worst book slumps of my life. It was getting to the point where nothing I picked up could suck me in and hold my attention. This book proved to me that it wasn’t me, and there are books out there still that I am able to completely DEVOUR because they are so good. So thank you, Holly Black, for giving me my reading mojo back. I missed it dearly.
I honestly cannot say much about this book without giving away massive spoilers. It begins where The Wicked King left off, with Jude exiled to the human world. Struggling with odd jobs to help support her family, Jude learns of a plot to dethrone the King. On top of that, someone from Jude’s past comes to her for help. (And that’s all I have to say about the plot).
Such an incredible series, I almost want to pick the first book up right now and reread them all at once from the beginning. Black has given readers such a gift with these books, I almost wish she would continue this series.
Get your ass in gear and read this series!!! One of the best books of 2019 for me!
I’ve already recommended this to one of my library kids, so it goes to show that just because you don’t love a book it doesn’t mean you can’t 3 stars
I’ve already recommended this to one of my library kids, so it goes to show that just because you don’t love a book it doesn’t mean you can’t recommend it to others.
I’m a cover lover and read this for purely shallow reasons. I listened to the audiobook and found myself not always wanting to listen or tuning out. But conceptually, this book is great. A shapeshifting fox girl who travels through space to save her brother, that’s a great unique plot kids will love.
There's a reason Telgemeier is so successful, every single one of her books is relatable and delightful!There's a reason Telgemeier is so successful, every single one of her books is relatable and delightful!...more
I seem to be the odd girl out, I didn't really care for this book. I could go into detail but I really don't want to. It was just okay for me, therefoI seem to be the odd girl out, I didn't really care for this book. I could go into detail but I really don't want to. It was just okay for me, therefore two stars. No interest in reading the other books in the series....more
“Sometimes light illuminates things that are better left in the dark.”
Aru Shah is about a young girl who lives in a museum with her moth 4 stars!
“Sometimes light illuminates things that are better left in the dark.”
Aru Shah is about a young girl who lives in a museum with her mother. In a bullying situation, she awakens an ancient demon. Now, she must work with her “sister”, a fellow reincarnated soul to stop the demon from ending the world.
“It was one of the things that she liked best when her mother told her the stories: villains could be heroic, and heroes could do evil.”
There’s something about a talking disgruntled pigeon that has to manage two tweens that really resonated with me. I didn’t expect to enjoy this book, I haven’t enjoyed the teen novels this author writes. But I had such a great time listening to the audio of this. Lots of myths and gods and goddesses I had never heard of.
It does follow the Percy Jackson format that I personally find annoying. You know, the one where every five seconds the main character gets attacked by a new creature? But I expected that since this is a Riordan imprint.
“Tales are slippery, her mother had often said. The truth of a story depends on who is telling it.”
“The living had a tendency to make promises they could not keep.”
The Bone Houses was one of my most anticipated Fall 2019 books. While 3.5 stars
“The living had a tendency to make promises they could not keep.”
The Bone Houses was one of my most anticipated Fall 2019 books. While I didn’t love it, I did enjoy it and it was the perfect book to kick off October with.
The Bone Houses is a fantasy novel about Ryn, a gravedigger in a small town. When a bunch of bone houses (aka the dead) begin to rise and attack her village every night, she sets out on a quest with a map maker to save the town.
“I grew up thinking monsters could be slain.” “And I grew up thinking people were the monsters.”
There was a lot of amazing world building and imagery in this book, that’s my favorite part about it. Many parts of the book were written in such a way that I could see the landscape so clearly in my head. I liked that we had a strong female heroine and a sweet and respectful hero. The pacing was what made this a 3 star and not a 5. I had no problem putting the book down and sometimes struggled to get back into it. Otherwise, a very unique and solid story.
There's nothing wrong with this book, but I've listen to about 8 hours out of 15 on audio, and I don't love it. Started out great, butDNF about 50% in
There's nothing wrong with this book, but I've listen to about 8 hours out of 15 on audio, and I don't love it. Started out great, but sadly, I am not invested in the characters or the story....more
There’s something so comforting about opening up a new Ilona Andrews novel. It’s like seeing an old friend and falling back into thin 4 stars!
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There’s something so comforting about opening up a new Ilona Andrews novel. It’s like seeing an old friend and falling back into things as if no time has passed by. I will fully admit I was skeptical about Catalina’s book, especially when I didn’t love the prequel novella with her in it. But the Andrews’s duo totally pulled it off and now I am DYING for the next book. This book is everything we loved about all the previous books in the series. Fans will not be disappointed. If you haven’t read this series, honestly I recommend reading the first 3 books or you may get lost. I don’t consider this a standalone novel
What a cute middle grade treat! Think Shakespeare mixed with baking. I admit, I was drawn into this book by the cover and it totally paid 3.75 stars
What a cute middle grade treat! Think Shakespeare mixed with baking. I admit, I was drawn into this book by the cover and it totally paid off. I think many middle grade readers will love this book. ...more
“You cannot look at a person, and say, ‘If I could change this or that, if I could pick what I want and discard other things, I could lo 3.75 stars
“You cannot look at a person, and say, ‘If I could change this or that, if I could pick what I want and discard other things, I could love this one.’ Such a love is pale and weak—and doomed to failure.”
When Bran leaves on a mysterious trip to Africa, Charles is left to run the pack in Montana. One day he gets a distress call from one of the Wildlings, pack members who live in the woods and don’t have much control. When Charles and Anna investigate, they discover one of their wolves being abducted.
It becomes very clear that the pack has a traitor among them, but who? And why?
“Canadian hikers would be too polite to end up as bodies. Thus the bodies must not belong to random hikers.”
I’ve said it once, I’ll say it a million times. I love this series for the characters. Some of the side plots… meh. My favorite part of this book was the development of the character, Leah. I’ve always felt there was more to her and now that I’ve seen there is, I am dying for a Bran and Leah book.
The more recent Briggs villains in both the Mercy Thompson series and the Alpha and Omega tend to be witches. I am wondering if they are both leading to some epic battle with both series and I am so down for that. I’m dying to know when the next book is coming!
“Ours, said Brother Wolf. She is perfect, our soul mate, our anchor, the reason we were created. So that we could be hers.” [image] Follow me on ♥ Facebook ♥ Blog ♥ Instagram ♥ Twitter ♥...more
“That is the dual gift of love, isn’t it? The joy of greeting and the sorrow of good-bye.”
I am so glad I came back to this series. I had 4 stars!
“That is the dual gift of love, isn’t it? The joy of greeting and the sorrow of good-bye.”
I am so glad I came back to this series. I had originally given up on it, but I did an audio reread of the first three books and made it to the fourth.
In Dead Heat, Charles and Anna travel to Arizona to visit an old friend. While they are there, they come across a series of horrible crimes involving children and a fae. Now it’s a matter of racing the clock before this evil fae takes another child.
“If you make my children, make any child, feel bad for who they are, I will teach you why people fear mama grizzlies more than papa grizzlies.”
I honestly don’t love this series for the plot, I love it for the characters and the world building. I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again: I need a character driven novel to enjoy a book. If I don’t care about the characters, I am done. I do wish I enjoyed the plot more in this series, but I find it operates in circles around the core issue and not in a straight line (if that makes any sense).
This is a solid urban fantasy series, if you haven’t picked it up, be sure to do it soon!
“I don't say goodbye very easily, Anna. Not gracefully or prettily. Goodbye tears your heart out and leaves it a feast for carrion birds who happen by.”
“Rumors said that if he got drunk enough, he sometimes got his jollies by stripping naked and scaring hikers out in the Broken into thin 4.5 stars!
“Rumors said that if he got drunk enough, he sometimes got his jollies by stripping naked and scaring hikers out in the Broken into thinking he was Bigfoot.”
I really enjoyed this book! On the Edge is about Rose, a young woman raising her two younger brothers in a world “on the edge” of the broken (aka our world) and the weird. Strange creatures keep popping up in the edge leading Rose to team up with a stranger from the “weird” to save the edge community.
“Yes, I'm too mad to punish you right now. We'll talk about it when we get home. Go brush your teeth, comb your hair, put on dry clothes, and get the guns. We're going to Wal-Mart.”
I was completely absorbed into this book. I listened to the audiobook and it was an effortless experience, I didn’t tune out on accident at all and it captivated my attention from beginning to end. I love Ilona Andrews and how excellent they are at worldbuilding. I kept thinking to myself, how do they come up with these ideas?? I never could (which is why I am a reader and a reviewer, not an author).
An excellent urban fantasy novel, I cannot wait to dive into the rest of the series. Ilona Andrews is an author duo I have come to count on for amazing original content.
“Give me a few minutes.” “You have time.” He sat in the grass. “Are you just going to sit there and watch me?” “Yes. Watching pretty peasant girls is what we poor little rich boys do best.” “Peasant?” He shrugged. “You started the name calling.”
I listened to the audio book. While I enjoyed it overall, I found myself tuning out or choosing to listen to music on my commute instead of 3.5 stars
I listened to the audio book. While I enjoyed it overall, I found myself tuning out or choosing to listen to music on my commute instead of listening to the book, which isn’t the best sign. I can see why everyone loves it, but it didn’t wow me. I wonder if I had read this back when it was released 10+ years ago if I would have loved....more
I feel almost exactly the same on this reread as I did the first time around, which is rare because usually the book Reread August 2023 via audiobook
I feel almost exactly the same on this reread as I did the first time around, which is rare because usually the book is either better or worse on a reread. Pacing is way off, and the audiobook narrator whispered a lot of dialogue of some characters (which made it hard to even hear what was happening).
Definitely came out of the reread loving Silas and mostly enjoying the book, but the faults are all still there.
---- original 2019 review ---- 3.5 stars
I don’t seem to connect with this author the way everyone else does. I read her debut book and it was pretty meh for me. I really did enjoy this book, at least, 60% of it. But I am not gaga over it.
Sorcery of Thorns is about a girl who grows up in a library in a fantasy version of the early 1800’s. In this world, books can be dangerous and must be protected for themselves and for the safety of others. When the director of her library is killed, Elisabeth is caught in a whirlwind of events trying to figure out who did it.
The major thing that lost me with this book is it’s too long winded and wordy. Personally I think 30% of it could have been cut. But that’s just me. I found myself skimming at the end because I just wanted to be done after days of reading it.
I will say, the parts I did like I was completely sucked in. So maybe the pacing was off. I also loved the character Silas. Developed extremely well. I liked the concept of the book and the world building. A strong female character doesn’t hurt. I think this book is worth giving a shot, many readers loved it.
Ilona Andrews is magic! I swear this writing team almost never lets me down. This book was fast paced, engrossing, complex yet not confusin 4.5 stars
Ilona Andrews is magic! I swear this writing team almost never lets me down. This book was fast paced, engrossing, complex yet not confusing. Basically it was exactly what I needed at exactly the right time.
Going to keep this short, but basically if you like urban fantasy and/or PNR, you need to jump on this series ASAP!
It is time yet again not to judge these books by their covers! (God these covers are so bad). Another excellent PNR/urban fantasy book from t 4 stars
It is time yet again not to judge these books by their covers! (God these covers are so bad). Another excellent PNR/urban fantasy book from the writing duo Ilona Andrews.
I'm going to keep it short and say while this book started off slow, it gained speed and by the end I was riveted. This is an unforgettable series with characters that will stick in your mind for a long time to come. I'm glad I waited to pick up this series so I am able to binge it now and not have to wait for my next fix.
Seriously y'all, you need to pick up Ilona Andrews if you haven't yet.
Alright, first things first. What were they smoking at the Avon Romance office the day they decided to choose this as the cover? IT'S SO HOR 4 stars!
Alright, first things first. What were they smoking at the Avon Romance office the day they decided to choose this as the cover? IT'S SO HORRIBLE. If anything, it stopped sales instead of encouraging them. Jesus, some bad decisions were made that day.
All that out of the way, this was an excellent start to a series. No one does world building like the Ilona Andrews team. Burn for Me is about Nevada, a private investigator who is sucked into a job she is not expected to complete. A fire prime has been committing acts of terrorism throughout the city, and Nevada is expected to bring him to his family for surrender unharmed. Along the way she is joined by Mad Rogan, probably the most dangerous of them all.
This book held my attention completely from the beginning all the way to the end. It's funny because this was marketed as a romance, but it was way more urban fantasy/mystery than a romance. It was a great balance and I think the romance will grow very well in the continuing books. I really enjoyed reading this book, and once I was done reading this book I immediately opened the second book because I wanted more.
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