stayinggroundedwithbooks

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A Crown of Gilded Bones

Getting into this book was a little bit of a force just because I haven’t been reading as much never mind forgetting some of the intricacy of this fantasy world. However once I found some time to really dive in (aka on my trip to the cape), I was able to really invest in the story and characters.

I realized I’m not a huge fan of the authors casual writing and some of the repetitiveness of the story such as saying the same joke over and over example ”let me guess you have a question to ask.” I think because it had been a while since the last book it had lost some of its spark that got me hooked in the beginning.

Even though I’m not a huge fan of some of the writing, I have to stick with it till the end and find out what happens as Poppy tries to get back to Casteel and fight a war for Atlantia. I guess that could mean it’s good writing afterall since I need to know what happens with the story…oh well!! Also I need more spice in the next book please and thanks!

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A Good Girls Guide to Murder

This was different than the types of book I have found myself reading. It was more of a Young Adult novel compared to the adult fantasy that had become more common on my bookshelf. I started this story while away at Myrtle beach because it was available to me but it turned out to be an interesting read. It was intriguing as you don’t find out the real murderer until the end of the story and are constantly curious as new secrets are unveiled throughout. Even in the end there was still a twist to add to the mystery. I guess shouldn’t discount mystery books for the future!

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A Court of Silver Flames

Finally got to see Nesta and Cassian’s love story and it did not disappoint. The tension between them was so obvious from the first time they met and we finally got to see them become mates. A lot of the action in the story happened in the last 100 pages so I couldn’t the book down until it was done. Nesta battled with deserving Cassian’s love and being worthy of being happy and loved. That’s some thing I have battled with personally. This hit home a couple times and I found myself getting teary eyed when reading the story.

The book ended with a pretty bow as all the characters were happy even though there are some unknowns about potentially an upcoming war. I’m curious what the next romance will be whether with Elain or Az or even Mor.

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The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

Good book! A little predictable but enjoyed how the chapters were short. Took longer than I hoped to read because of school and social life.  

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Blood and Honey

I wasn’t as excited about this book after the last book ended with Lou and Reid together having fought Morgane. It almost feels a little dragged on and Morgane should have been killed in this book but yet again she got away. A third book is expected to come out this year and I’m assuming that it will be the last. Not sure yet if I will want to read it.

Lou and Reid’s relationship was a little up and down in this book as they seemed less compatable and more drawn to eachother in a physical way. Whereas in the first book they bickered and also spoke as friends and admirably about eachother. Was sad when the Ansel died as he was the piece that held everyone together. I saw it coming from a mile away though. There were a lot about this book that was predicable. Such as how Claud Deveraux was more then he appeared and how the werewolves eventually agreed to help fight against Morgane.

On page 514 there was also a spelling error as Morgane’s name was spelled Morgan. I’m switched up genres with the next book as I move into a historical fiction story. Overall this fantasy stint of books was great and I was introduced to many new authors and stories that were some of my favorites.

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Serpent & Dove

I said I needed a little more spice after the last book I read and this did give me a little bit more. Reid and Lou’s banter made me want to read more about them and their unexpected love story. I also enjoy how witches are the mystical part of this book as oppose to fae and dragons from my previous books. I have always been interested in the Salem Witich Trials so I should see if there are books about that.

Anyways...if Lou dies at her mothers hand so does Reid, as well as the Kings kin. However Lou is also at risk of being killed in order for her not to be used in this way. I’m hoping to see more of Lou and Reid’s relationship in the next book as they battle the relationship between witch and former witch hunter. I also enjoyed other characters in this book such as Coco and Ansel. Coco is the strong willed best friend and Ansel is the young, caring apprentice of Reid. Both prove to be important characters. After I read the sequel I’m going to continue to look for spicy books and there’s a few on my list but this book was still good.

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The Cruel Prince

I was very much taken back to the YA days of reading. The book was good and I turned each page excited to find out what happened next. However, I realized that I very much enjoy more sophistication and maturity in my books now.

Jude was brought to Elfhame when her elder sisters father killed her parents and made them a part of his life. He raised them as his children, children of the High General. However being human made it difficult for Jude and her twin sister Taryn. Jude was fierce to prove hersef to the fey and Taryn just hoped to find love. When Jude is harassed by Prince Carden she can’t help but hate him in every way. Jude gets the opportunity to serve as Prince Dains, the future king, spy. However, things go wrong at the coronation when Prince Balekin creates a coup in order to become High King himself. Jude finds herself pairing up with Carden in order to protect her loved ones as well as secure a future for herself in the Court. At the end of the book, Carden sits on the thrown, with the idea that Judes kid brother, Oak, who also is the rightful heir, will inherit the thrown when he comes of age.

A hint of romance between Carden and Jude sparks at the end of the book. Not to mention the weird romance between Taryn and Locke, who used Jude to prove their dedication to eachother.

I might read the other books as it appears to be a popular YA series but for now I need to find something more adult!

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The Priory of the Orange Tree

I found myself in a whole new world. Samantha Shannon wrote this beautiful book allowing me to escape the modern world be live in and enter a world of dragons, Queens, magic and pirates. 

I fell in love with Ead and Sabrans relationship. I knew there would be a same-sex romance when I started the novel but their connection grew throughout which I hadn't been expecting when I first met the characters. My heart broke for Sabran as she lost each person she cared for. The way Shannon wrote Ead and Sabrans love story is something all people long for. As your partner is the other part of your soul. I was sad for them as they had to go their separate ways in the end with the hope to meet again in 10 years and run away together. In the meantime Ead would be the Prioress of the Orange Tree and Sabran would help build back Inys. 

Niclays character bugged me. I didn’t like him from blackmailing Tane and I felt he was a miserable old man. That was until the end when he chose to fight against the Draconic Army instead of killing Ead in hopes that he would see Jannart again. I was surprised that he surrendered when I was so sure that he was full of hatred for everyone but Jan. 

I liked Loth. I was a little confused about his character and I wished more for him. He had such a close relationship with Ead and Sabran and his sister. One of his best friends died and he seemed like the only one without someone. I hoped he would end up with the Donmata Marosa but once again that ended with what appeared to be a friendship. 

Tane was the person that felt most relatable to me but she was also a mystery to me as well.  She wanted so bad to be dragon rider that she committed an illegal act out of selfishness. However she worked hard and was honorable and loyal to her dragon and her friends. I wondered for so long throughout the book why the jewel was sewn into her side and then the puzzle pieces clicked together and it all made sense as she was the descendant of Neporo who helped defeat the Nameless One with Cleolind when he first rose. At the end of the book I was confused as Tane returned to the Island of Komoridu where her ancestor lived. She woke to a white butterfly and blood on her side. I didn't know what this meant. After looking up some theories some say that the jewel was stitched back in Tanes side in order to keep it safe and that the butterfly was Neporo looking over Tane. 

Aralaq the ichneumon, who I pictured as a polar bear, was also one of my favorite characters because he was so loyal to Ead in protecting. He always showed up when the characters needed him most. 

A lot is still unresolved as the world needs to build its self back together after the Draconic Army was defeated and new allies were formed from East to West to North and South. However, Shannon was able to depict a beautiful story of love, female power, faith in a world filled with dragons. 

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Crescent City: House of Earth and Blood

Sarah J. Maas is honestly a goddess. So far every one of her books has had me hooked. My next series by her will be Throne of Glass.

Anyways at the beginning of a Crecent City I was confused as there was so much going on. Maas was introducing a whole new world in a sense and it was a little convoluted. She also used several nicknames for each character which made it a little confusing to get to know each one.

Once I got past the first part of the book, I was able to really dig into Bryce and Hunts stories. Their romance was a slow build and by the end of the book we didn’t really get to see them be fully intimate with eachother as they were interrupted each time. The end of the book took a huge turn when Micah tried to use the horn in Bryce, nearly killing her and releasing a world of demons on the city. It was then revealed that Bryce had the power of Starborn light and had kept it a secret from everyone. She used this power to save the city and Hunt, while also saying one final goodbye to Danika.

The end of the book leaves us with some questions as new leadership needs to be formed and what does Bryces power mean. I cried several times including when Lele, the fire sprite, sacrificed her life for Bryce and when Bryce was saying her final goodbyes to Hunt with the idea that she would die trying to save the city.

It was ultimately a book of friendship and self reflection by the characters. Maas is writing book 2 right now and I hope to finally dig into Bryce and Hunts romance which they denied for so long. I also hope to learn more about Ruhn and Hypaxia’s relationship.

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A Court of Frost and Starlight

This seemed to be a good transition into the next part of the series which I believe is Nestas story. Sarah J. Maas seems to be moving forward as Rhys and Feyres lives have began to settle for the most part, though I imagine they will still be a big part of the story as more plots are beginning to brew.

In this book, each chapter was in the view of a different character, mainly being Feyre and Rhys. It emphasized their love for eachother, their goals for the future and working through their past experiences together. It takes place during the Winter Solstice, which they celebrate like our Christmas, with presents and family. Nesta has become a distant member of the family as she appears to be dealing with her trauma by herself and is even more cunning than she was before. Cassian is still drawn to her. While everyone else’s lives are settling and appear to be closer than ever to happiness, Nestas point of view will begin in the next book, which I imagine will be pretty interesting.

Also Side note: I ran out of space on my bookshelf and currently have a stack on the floor of read or to be read books! While I wish I had a bigger book shelf, it also excites me that reading has become this important part of my life that it literally overflowed!

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The Secret Life of Bees

Completed ✅ for school. Good book but was a force because I knew it was for school. Have to write a paper on character development in the lens of psychology theory. Watching the movie today!

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A Court of Wings and Ruin

*Happy Sigh.* That’s how I felt as I closed the book for the final time. Feyre and Rhys had defeated Hybern with the help of all their friends and High Lords and peace between the Fae and human realms was on the horizon. There are some things that the story could have done without like the random death and bringing back to life of Rhys at the end of the battle. I didn’t need that stress lol Feyre and Rhys’ love story is all I want and need!

The series could have easily ended there and I probably would have been satisfied. However, A Court of Frost and Starlight which is a shorter book, continues the story. Also a new book coming next year on Nesta and hopefully her romance with Cassian. With being satisfied on the ending of this book it almost makes me nervous to read more, but the characters now hold a place in my heart so I must continue. Sarah J. Maas has a new fan (hopefully will get to Throne of Glass series in the near future).

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A Court of Mist and Fury

Wow. Stayed up in the middle of the night to read. And re read parts of this story. Thoughts. 1. Tamlin is a bitch 2. Rhys and Feyre are goals and my heart broke for them over and over 3. They are also masterminds and I screamed at the ending when discovering that their bond was stronger than ever

The last senetence had me railing. “And so Tamlin unwittingly led the High Lady of the Night Court into the heart of his territory”

High lady! Yes girl power.

I’m mad that Lucien is Elians mate because Elain is so sweet but Lucien is a coward. It’ll be interesting to see how that can work in Feyres advantage when bringing down Tamlin and the King or Hybern and getting herself back to Rhys. Alsoo heatt coming from Cassian and Nesta. Man.

Book 3 arrives in the mail today.

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A Court of Thorns and Roses

Good book! However, did not meet my expectations of the reviews compared to FBAA and AKOFAF. The second book apparently has better reviews than the first so starting the second one today! Just from the spoilers I know that Rhys and Feyre have an intense relationship so I am excited to see how that pans out. I was rooting for Tamlin and Feyre for most of this book but then when Rhys was introduced, the banter that they had was more interesting compared to with Tamlin.

I was a little confused in the beginning (this is really only my second series I’ve read about Fantacy) about the Fae, faeries, and High Fae and that there was different types of faeries. I caught on after a while. There were parts of the book where Sarah J. Maas wouldn’t go into a scene as in depth as I wanted her to. For example whenever Feyre would drink the faerie wine with Rhysland.

I am going to read the next book but depending on how I like it we will see if I continue the series. When I look at recommendations compared to these books, they are all YA when I was hoping to read more NA books. I’ll have to do some more digging!

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A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire

She did it with FBAA and she did it again with AKOFAF. Poppy and Cas finally reveal their feelings for another after denying them for so long. They marry with the plan to get to both of their brothers back and take down the Ascended. Meanwhile, Poppy’s powers are evolving and everyone around her including herself aren’t sure why and who she really is. The first battle of the Atlantians and the Ascended occur solidifying that a war will soon happen. Finally Poppy is in Atlantia with her new husband, the prince, and is nervous but ready to prove herself to the people of Atlantia.

The very end of the book ends with the biggest cliffhanger ever. Poppy is at the Chambers of Nykots, a large tomb of those who are of the blood of the Gods. A groups of Atlantians approach her with anger. Poppy gets so angry that these people won’t accept her that her powers take over. Blood falls from the sky and Poppy glows as a Blood tree sprouts from the Temple. A group of powerful Wolven find Poppy and begin to circle her. The King and Queen and Casteel come to the top of the Temple and discover who Poppy really is. Everyone including Casteel kneel to Poppy and the Queens crown disintegrates. Power comes from the statues of the Gods along the Temple and there torches begin to fire. The book ends with the queen saying that everyone should kneel to the new queen who is the last descendent of the king of Gods....Poppy.

Ahhhhh. The wait for book 3 is going to be torturous. I’m excited to learn more about who Poppy really is and how her love story with Casteel transforms with this new information.

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Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine

Interesting read!

In the beginning of the book I was a little skeptical. The main character is quirky and weird. Usually I can relate to that but Eleanor is a little different. She begins a friendship with a co worker, Raymond, who forces her out of her comfort zone. Eleanor also creates a false relationship in her head with a musician that she saw perform. When Eleanor’s reality hits and she realizes how lonely she is, she becomes clinically depressed. Raymond finds her in her apartment and tells her she needs to see a doctor. Overtime Eleanor begins to go to therapy and it is during these therapy sessions that we discover why Eleanor is the way she is. Eleanor had been through trauma in her childhood involving her mentally ill mother, a fire, and her younger sister who we discover had been killed. The last couple pages bring on an additional twist involving Eleanors’ mother. 

The story takes place in Scotland so the language is different than what I usually read. Mental health is indeed a worldwide problem and this book embraces that and shares the reality of someone who experienced trauma and experiences depression. 

I suggest this book to anyone who wants to learn more about mental health. 

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From Blood and Ash

Rating: Steamy/10

HOT DAMN. This book was intriguing and made you feel some type of way. I originally saw it on a Tik Tok where someone was suggesting steamy good books. I did some research and saw how well liked it was so decided to order it. I was a little skeptical at first because I hadn't read fantasy books in a long time and so I wasn't sure if I could get into it. The author made it easy to start reading, with a steamy scene to start off the book. While some parts of the story were predictable, I still couldn't put it down. 

Poppy is the Maiden. She was born with a gift and survived a horrible Craven attack that killed her parents. Being the Maiden meant she shouldn't be looked at with lust and in return she couldn't think about things that are unworthy of the Gods. But being trapped as the Maiden caused Poppy to want to explore and live as she never got the chance. That is when she meets Hawke. He is a guard that is assigned to her and they form a steamy, bantering, lustful relationship that Poppy has never even thought about experiencing. However, The Dark Prince, who claims he is the rightful heir, is after Poppy because she represents the Ascended people. On the journey to the capital, everything Poppy knew came crashing down when she discovered the Ascended weren't who she thought and the man she fell in love with was actually the Dark Prince himself. She felt conflicted because she was betrayed and his people wanted her dead, but they also shared an intense connection to each other that Poppy couldn't explain. 

When finishing this book I discovered that the author is releasing book 2 in only a couple days and I am so excited to read more about Poppy’s story as she travels to Atlantia with Prince Casteel, the Dark Prince, and learns more of her truth.