“And this is how I come to the realization that I need to save myself.”
Just finished this. I am not okay. I love this book and I cannot shut5 stars!!!
“And this is how I come to the realization that I need to save myself.”
Just finished this. I am not okay. I love this book and I cannot shut the fuck up about it.
TW: Anxiety Depression Death Pill misuse Chronic illness
“I hate when the sadness comes in, like a dark fog stealing away my happiness. The feeling grips onto me with invisible talons and holds me hostage.”
Lauren Asher tapped into the mental illness side of this story with impressive sensitivity. Jax and Elena's spiral scenes felt so intimate and real. They were just so raw to read. They were done well and with authenticity. The panic attacks. The sweaty palms. The vomiting. The rapid heartbeats. It was scary how real they felt.
“Pain has a way of making us retreat into ourselves”
Elena Gonzalez is going straight into my fave heroic heroines! This woman is not backing down from any shit thrown her way. She is brave. She is bold. She is fucking fantastic. Surviving what she went through, she is everything I wanna be.
I cannot express enough how much I LOVED the premise of this story. Wondering how the author "It’s a dangerous time to be female.
3 out of 5 stars!
I cannot express enough how much I LOVED the premise of this story. Wondering how the author could ace building up a relationship from such opposite characters, with greatly opposing beliefs and stance. I wanted to see the marvel unfold and how Mahurin would write that and make us love it.
I did love this, but not to the gravity that I wanted to love this. The problematic and unstable technical parts of the story were evident.
The hero and heroine's relationship was not set enough for me. I would have love to have more endearing and break point moments between them. Moments that are convincing and solidifying enough for their connection.
"All of this pain will be over soon. I longed to sleep."
Reid Diggory is one of my unique hero-reads. Very much unlike from the usual leading men I get to encounter, like Rhysand from ACOTAR, and Hawke from From Blood and Ash. He was such a walking oxymoron: A big and burly, witch hunter (Chasseur) who was sexually innocent, brought up by the Archbishop. He was sure to grow up into the Church's principles and ideals.
Now enter Reid's forced-marriage to Louise Le Blanc, our heathen heroine, with a deliciously blunt mouth and a knack for singing pub songs and busting Reid's veins from frustration (lol). Very quirky. Very humorous. I liked her. This heroine and I could be best friends.
I liked this story, but not enough for more than 3 stars. But, I was prepared to absolutely love it but it really felt lacking. It did not deliver the romance in a steady and stable way. I hated how Reid pranced the boundaries of mysogynism.
I'm not an expert nor I have a degree in literature but it felt to me that this book could have needed another re-edit. I just wanted a firmer insight and back-ups on Lou's bravery and the way she practiced her magic, for me to love this story. I find her courage written in an unstable way. In the scene where she sliced her forearm open to spread her blood on the mattress as a way to show that they "consummated" their marriage. Her, being unfazed from the wound, felt unreal and made in a way to convince readers that this heroine is tough and this and that.
Other scenes could also be written more firm and paralleled. The kiss and consummation scenes felt too early and out of place. It did not summon swoons. I needed more build up for it to feel worthy. The way fight scenes were written also felt all over the place.
I have to mention how much I did like the times Lou slapped the mysogynism out of Reid though. The way he could almost burst a vein on how "unlikely", "unlady-like", and "un-conventional" our dear Lou can be. Her sleeping in the tub. I liked how funny Lou can be. And I like how it affects Reid. I also loved Reid's ability to tolerate Lou.
The way magic demanded balance was such a great foundation of this story too. The way nature demanded balance, such as magic. A love for a love, or a bone for a bone. It made the storyline more interesting and engaging that there were consequences for every spell a Dame Blanche casts.
"She was small. And she was frightened. And she was strong."
3 stars is a good enough rating already. I'm prepared to see improvements on the second book. ...more
That's it. I am trash for Nesta Archeron. So far, this "Lady Death" is my fave sister. Not only because she is a certified book junkie, suc5 out of 5!
That's it. I am trash for Nesta Archeron. So far, this "Lady Death" is my fave sister. Not only because she is a certified book junkie, such as I, but because of the tremendously excruciating process of her coming back into herself. It was fucking no way near easy, facing what Nesta faced. So much respect.
The journey was absolutely de-li-cious.
(view spoiler)[ Oh my. The actual amount of times I teared up while in the course of reading this---this dagger of a book. Mental health resonates throughout this series and this particular one takes the cake (so far). PTSD. Sexual abuse. Graphic violence. Substance abuse. Grief. Depression. It's all scattered throughout this series and they were well-written, well-portrayed, and handled.
SJM really knows how to bring her characters in the lowest of the low and then magnifies that. She mastered putting into play that feeling of hating your own guts, hating your self, getting yourself into this deep dark blackness. Just pure self-grief and then letting everything out, finally putting the character into this built-up breakdown that just freaking pierced me, I fcking felt it.
Nesta at the peak of the mountain. After 5 days of hiking it with Cassian, who made her bring this heavy hiking bag while scaling the mountain with rationed amount of food and water. This was my favorite part (I believe around Chapters 48-50).
I want to say how much I came to love the heck out of Nesta's character after this book. So much respect. Her journey is much more appreciated since she started out really down there. Like down down down there. With her alcoholic tendencies and fucking the guy/s of her choice after a night of full substance abuse. Wasting away in the pleasure hall. That was yeeesh. And so, her family decided the shit has got to stop and sent her to this faraway house where the only way in or out is through winnowing, flying, or walking down 10,000 steps of stairs. She had to train with Cassian and was assigned a sorting job in the library with Clotho and Gwyn and other priestesses.
The book was divided into 4 parts: Novice, Blade, Valkyrie, and Ataraxia. I found this brilliant and really fitted with the progression of the story and the characters, especially Nesta.
Points to remember for when next book arrives:
• Nesta & Cassian had a mating bond ceremony, much like a wedding. Nesta changed her womb into that of an Illyrian for when their time comes to have a baby and not go thru a process similar to Feyre, who also got her uterus changed into an Illyrian's.
• Nesta, Emerie, and Gwyn are have achieved being Valkyries and are still continuing practice to be much better.
• Nesta gave back what she took from the Cauldron to save Feyre and Nyx. Rhys knelt for her and thanked her. Nesta still had remaining powers The Mother chose to leave to her.
• Nesta created Made weapons. A dagger, A sword, and a great sword, named Ataraxia. The dagger was given to Eris (whom I suspect is MOR'S MATE!!!!)
• The Harp, The Mask, and The Crown (The Dread Trove collectively), are kept and warded in the Night Court and only Rhys, Helion, Nesta know how to get it. It was said that a drop of Nesta's blood can remove the wards around the objects.
• There is something between Elain and Azriel. Azriel and Gwyn. Lucien and Vassa (?). Eris and Morrrrr (I ship). Though Mor hates Eris's guts. But there's more that Eris ain't telling us about the day he supposedly left Mor with nails on her stomach, bleeding to death.
• Nesta and the House are besties. Nesta was said to Made the House into her friend. The House showed it her heart down under it.
• Jurian and Vassa are a no show in this book. Maybe on the next one. Vassa is the cursed queen, who becomes firebird at night, and human by day. Lucien also had little appearance here except during Winter Solstice (also Feyre's bday) wherein they exchange elaborate and heartfelt gifts.
• There's no to little Elain and Lucien progress. As mates, they still interact not much. Lucien is always away. Elain is always occupied either from gardening or other things. Not much has been written for now. Excited for her story. Though there is a bonus chapter told in Azriel's pov where him and Elain ALMOST KISSED if not for Rhys calling Az up into his office and scolding him and officially ordering him to stay away from Elain or else risk a BLOOD DUEL where Lucien and Az had to fight. Also, a Gwyn and Az moment was also written where Az dropped in on Gwyn practicing on slicing the ribbon with a sword. The necklace Az wanted to give Elain was never received by Elain and so he dropped off in the library and gave it to Gwyn instead through Clotho. This bonus chapter is confusing my ships. Though, I lean more on the ELAIN/AZRIEL one. But, Gwyn and Az are not bad also. We'll see. I let SJM's writing bring me into a solid answer.
• Again, Cassian and Nesta are matesss. At first, Nesta was trying her hardest to reject the bond, reject Cassian but beeyatch u can't reject your big ass horny self over Cassian, who is equally hots for u. !!! My fave ship. ❤️ Though, I love my Feysand also.
Tamlin. This motherfucker. I wanted you to be redeemed but your bitterness runs deep. I believed you have such grea5 out of 5 stars!
Phew. What a ride.
Tamlin. This motherfucker. I wanted you to be redeemed but your bitterness runs deep. I believed you have such great potential (along with Lucien) to redeem yourself, but you still chose to jab hatred towards Rhys and Feyre. Though, I thank you for saving Feyre countless times, and Rhys. I mourn for the love and the kingdom you lost. Rebuild yourself, Tamlin.
Rhysand. This guy. The maker of feminism. In this book, we saw the full blown kindness that is Rhysand. He saved sexual abuse victims (the priestesses) and gave them a sanctuary in the form of that library. He gave Illyrian women the right to fight and train equally like the men. The good of this guy just keeps getting unraveled. Feyre is one lucky beeyatch.
Feyre. I loved the flying lessons with Azriel. The scenes were absolutely well-written. I felt the frustration of just trying to lift even just one wing. It was not easy, especially for the back muscles.
Nesta. This stone cold bitch. 100% needs to get laid. Character needs to arc.
Elain. I'm actually happy for the improvement this lady had. Gardening and all. I don't feel sympathy for the broken engagement though. Just like her sisters, I never liked that Graysen asshole/ex-fiance. Also, can't quite put my fingers on how her mating bond with Lucien is gonna go. Will they prove how the bond may not always be like Feyre and Rhys' or will they also come through. I kinda ship Azriel and Elain.
Cassian. What an absolute marvel on the battlefield. 5/5. I love. Also, you need to get your shit together everytime Nesta is in the room with you. Slap her with your D. Maybe that will put some sense in her.
Mor. A revealed lesbian at the end of book 3. Kinda sad about the unrequitedness of Azriel though. I hope this one finds true happiness.
Amren. That Cauldron scene when she told Feyre she lied really got me alarmed and confused. It was really out of character for her, but then I realized what she planned and my relief was palpable. Kinda sad for Varian though for what unleashing her would mean. But then, we still got her back.
A list of moments I teared up:
1. Rhysand's death. The mf really died on us. He was freaking drained but still insisted on exhausting his non existent remaining powers. I knew. I knew from there the second Feyre looked back on him and the bond was dark and nothing. Dead was Rhys. And I just cannot. Unacceptable. UNACCEPTABLE. Sarah can kill a major character in this book but NOT Rhys. I insist. And then, we got him back same way we got Feyre back from book 2.
Well now, both of them know how it feels to lose your mate. The actual terror.
2. When the ships, named after the Archeron sisters, sailed into sight. With their father and Vassa, on board. The Feyre. The Nesta. The Elain. What a moment. I teared. And then, their father got beheaded.
3. When Tamlin saved Feyre from actual death by blowing a spring breeze into her way to help her lift up her wings to fly away from Hybern's hounds that would absolutely tear her to pieces. And at the Rhys-revival scenes, when Tamlin gave away a portion of his power to Rhys while telling Feyre to be happy. My heart.
More than a thousand pages after and this journey is still not over. There is still peace to be had. To be earned. I am eager to read more. ...more
I am in absolute awe. The build-up is pure ecstasy. Every scene perfectly paced. Emotionally captivating. Breathtaking. My heart is f5 out of 5 stars!
I am in absolute awe. The build-up is pure ecstasy. Every scene perfectly paced. Emotionally captivating. Breathtaking. My heart is filled with adjectives pointing to satisfaction. And yet, still wanting more! So glad I started reading this with all the books already published because the anticipation is unnerving.
Sarah J. Maas, I want to be your best friend. You magnificent, wondrous, majestic witch of words, of pure emotions, of character developments, of build-ups, of sexual tensions, and of twisting arcs.
This story is such an unraveling, for the characters, for myself. For how Feyre started out as this ghost woman, breathing but not there, not living and look at her now, powerful, healed, and most importantly, herself.
I will forever love stories that resonate lessons about putting you back in touch with your absolute self. ...more
All this time I was afraid that I couldn’t trust him, but I’m the one who couldn’t be trusted. I’m the one who caused the most hurt
4.5 out of 5 stars!
All this time I was afraid that I couldn’t trust him, but I’m the one who couldn’t be trusted. I’m the one who caused the most hurt.
This was such a great swoony read with enough sweet and steam that will make you want to read until the end. The character development was very pronounced. I loved how our hero was made to be this great balance of "bad boy persona" (from the tattoos, charisma, and bartending-skills) and cinnamon-hearted goodness. I want me some Myles. STAT. ...more
"God, this man could hurt my heart and heal it at the same time."
It's been a long time since my last book review and I will JumpStart5 out of 5 stars!
"God, this man could hurt my heart and heal it at the same time."
It's been a long time since my last book review and I will JumpStart that again starting with this absolute 5 star gem! I DEFINITELY RECOMMEND to y'all romance junkie-buddies! Everybody say: "Thank you, Vi Keeland!"
✔ Longtime friends to lovers! - I absolutely loved how the characters' friendship ripened in this story. It was aged solidly and perfectly paced. The characters grew to like and fond each other across a certain amount of time that I definitely appreciated. Their bond was molded meaningfully and the angst was murderous.
✔Swoony + Hilarious - The characters are such a match in their sense of humor. I laughed. A lot.
✔Tearjerker - This ain't getting into my 5 star list if it did not manage to jerk my tears, atleast once.
✔ The existentialism effect - This is one of those books that after having read, I feel like I just have this additional filter in my eyes as to how I view life, how I make my life choices, how I work on myself and the people around me. This book has a closed-off hero that I could relate to and I can't help but see things outside of my perspective. See things on a broader scope. See better. Make more worthwhile actions and decisions: such as read/reread this freaking book!!!
✔ No strings attached relationship (Hence, the title.)> - Though I dislike this trope, I ended up loving this book. The no strings attached agreement started late in the story and the feelings were definitely already there and well established long before the trope was put to use. The relationship was really well aged.
PLOT
This story may initially appear as someone looking for a hookup and entering into a no strings attached relationship but I just want to say how a great friendship dynamic was first very well established by Keeland before the no strings attached relationship happened.
Natalia Rossi can't seem to get away from this particular charismatic and magnetic man that is Hunter Delucia. Natalia has been burned by her relationship with men for so many times. Her father, now with a new family with his mistress. Her ex-husband, now a prisoner.
Natalia is left mothering her teen stepdaughter who kinda hates her guts and has all this teenage angst. She is doing her best to keep her head above the water and decided to focus on her teenager and her career. She keeps bumping with the handsome Hunter and hates how much she feels all these energy between them two. Hunter is definitely not denying that connection. They just... click. But, she does her best to ward him off but nothing fazes the man, and the more they share their connection, the more she can't hold herself off from denying him and his adoring personality.
Both decided on a "Strictly no strings attached relationship." Hunter also has his reasons for a no strings. They both can't get into a serious relationship for both are carrying baggages they are unwilling to unpack.
...and of course, this trope is hindsightly plummeting straight to Shit Land and both are just shitting with each other because feelings will DEFINITELY ensue.
Read this to see how shit hits the fan and sends off a nice and magnanimous smell that will leave you with a crinkled nose and a pondering mind, especially at the very last pages....more
This book is going STRAIGHT TO MY FAVORITE ROMANCE r5 out of 5 stars!!!
"Life is a game of limbo—how low can I go?"
An absolute rollercoaster delight!!!
This book is going STRAIGHT TO MY FAVORITE ROMANCE reads! I have been looking for this kind of story and I have found it, all thanks to Jewel E. Ann. I thank you! ❤
The CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT of this story is 100% ...more
[image] This book has the best adorkable inner monologues. Penny Reid is a genius. I will say that again, Penny Reid is a romance-writ4 out of 5 stars!
[image] This book has the best adorkable inner monologues. Penny Reid is a genius. I will say that again, Penny Reid is a romance-writing genius. Drown me in her books. She's going straight to my Favorite Romance writers!
Stayed up all night reading this and now working on less than 5 hours of sleep. I have no regrets. As the prophecy foretold.
I recommend for y'all dorky romance reading junkies out there! This series will move you....more
Loading...
