Book review · Bookworm stuff · Sem categoria

Review: The Final Empire (#1), by Brandon Sanderson

Hello, bookworms! I hope everything is ok with you!

I promised yesterday that I would post my review of The Final Empire, so… Here it is! However, I won’t write a post about the books I got yesterday, but you can read it tomorrow! 😉

Without further ado, here’s my review! I hope you leave comments below, by the way!


The Final Empire, by Brandon Sanderson, is the first book of the Mistborn series, which has six books so far. There is no information about the seventh and final book, but the sixth novel was published in January 2016 and was very well received by the fans. It is important to know that this series is split in two, since the action of the last four books of the series is after the story told in the first three novels..

This first installment tells a revolution led by a Allomancer (someone who can use ingested metals to enhance their physical and mental abilities), Kelsier, who suffered at the hands of the Lord Ruler, a “God” that rules the whole Final Empire. To dethrone the Lord Ruler, Kelsier makes bold plans together with his group. It is early in the development of the revolution that Kelsier meets a Mistborn, Vin, a orphan skaa (the skaa are the enslaved people of the Final Empire) who eventually joins the group because Kelsier promised her that he will teach her all about the metals, because they all have different powers. In the meanwhile, she plays a key role in the revolution: the girl has to  pretend to be a noble, Valette Renoux, in order to trigger discord between the great families of the nobility, to weaken the political system of the Empire. However, there are challenges along the way and the group goes through quite dark moments, but there always remains a desire to improve the Final Empire. So will they be able to realize the dream of seeing an empire ruled by righteous people, or will it be impossible to overthrow the Lord Ruler?

As you can see, the books has a very interesting plot, although it’s not entirely new in Fantasy. Still, it stands out for being simple and for changing certain traditional aspects of Fantasy, like magic. Usually, we associate  magic  with wands or gestures that the characters make with their hands, but in this book, the magic is only possible by swalloing up metal. . Thus, the author gets the reader’s attention through new elements he himself creates. Also, as usual in Fantasy, the first part of the book develops slowly since there is so much detail that we are getting for the first time, but it’s normal because the reader is facing a whole new world. The second part is definitely more action packed, but the plot twists simply fantastic. They were indeed unpredictable.

The characters are the ones that give complexity to the plot since they are all completely different. We have, on one hand, Kelsier, who is fascinating, rebellious and ambitious, and, on the other hand, we have Vin, a weak young girl, but who once learns useful things about her abilities, she becomes a great spy and a very talented Allomancer. Kelsier is undoubtedly one of the most endearing characters, but he did’nt get the attention he deserved, in my opinion. We have little glimpses of his past and we are able to understand his reasons for his revenge and his desire to carry out a revolution; however, he was entirely well developped by the author. Actually, all the characters are under-developed, which is a pity…

Mistborn, digital illustration. Based on “The Final Empire” from the Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson.:
Fanart: Vin and Kelsier with their allomancer capes.

Still, I would like to talk about two other characters that have captured my attention, even though they weren’t well developed as well: Elend and Sazed. Elend belongs to one of the Great Houses of the nobility, but, unlike the other nobles, who prefer to ignore the poverty and the suffering of the skaas and just want to dance and wear the best clothes, Elend is an idealist rebel. He dreams of a harmonious empire where justice and equal rights can reign. So, once he meets Vin and he understands who she really is, he becomes braver and he definitely wants to fight for what is right, instead of discussin what it’s wrong with his friends and drink a little bit peacefully.
Sazed got my attention for being very intelligent, wise, serene and kind, and for never losing  his patience with Kelsier and Vin, since they both have “stormy” personalities. He turns out to be very important for the plot and he never loses his faith in Kelsier’s  plans.

Alex Allen: Character concept for Sazed from the Mistborn series:
Fanart: Sazed.

What I really loved about this book was Brandon Sanderson’s simple writing style. Many readers are afraid to read Fantasy because of the complex and detailed writing. However, The Final Empire was written in a very simple way and it still gets the reader’s attention, but it can get confusing because of the magic system that we see here.

 

In conclusion, The Final Empire is a great book for readers who would like to start reading Fantasy. The writing is simple, the plot is engaging and, although it is not completely new, it features original elements that can fascinate you. For those who are big Fantasy fans, like myself, don’t get your expectations high. However, I think you will like this book anyway.

US cover

My rating:

Diapositivo14


What about you? Have you read this book? Did you enjoy it?

Book review · Bookworm stuff · Sem categoria

Review: Eleanor & Park, by Rainbow Rowell

Hello again, lovely bookworms! This time, I have a review for you! Oh my, it has been a while since I wrote a review. Don’t blame me, blame college.

As you can see, I’m going to talk about a very heartbreaking book: Eleanor & Park!


 

Goodreads synopsis:

Two misfits.
One extraordinary love.

Eleanor… Red hair, wrong clothes. Standing behind him until he turns his head. Lying beside him until he wakes up. Making everyone else seem drabber and flatter and never good enough…Eleanor.

Park… He knows she’ll love a song before he plays it for her. He laughs at her jokes before she ever gets to the punch line. There’s a place on his chest, just below his throat, that makes her want to keep promises…Park.

Set over the course of one school year, this is the story of two star-crossed sixteen-year-olds—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try.


Review:

Eleanor & Park is a YA novel that is set during the  80s, with many cultural references, such as conversations about comic books (X-Men, Watchmen, etc.) and great bands. It’s a lovely book, very innocent, but also full of sadness and sorrow.

The plot focuses on two characters, Eleanor and Park. Eleanor is a fat girl with red hair, and she has a very complicated family life. She is bullied by colleagues and she doesn’t like herself very much. She is a very insecure girl, since she is aware of her differences when she is compared to others. She dresses in a very peculiar way, since she is poor and has to wear male clothes that are already old.

Look at this cute fanart!

Park is a half Korean, half American guy. he kind of  has a normal family,  even though he has some problems with  his parents, but they are, like, the usual teen problems. Not that I’m underestimating that because, after all, I am also a teenager and I understand Park’s problems and issues. He loves comics and music, and that’s how he mets Eleanor, who was a new student at his school. Eleanor started reading his comic books when they went together on the bus and Park decided to talk to her about her interests. In that moment, therefore, we could see a very beautiful, charming and funny friendship starting to grow, which  would turn into a fascinating relationship, full of good, cute moments, full of bad moments as well. They face their problems together, they help each other. They suffer together, laugh together. Theiy love each other so much. “Two misfits. One extraordinary love.” How not to love a novel like this one?

“Why is Park Korean?” The first time I was asked that question, three or four months ago, I had a pretty short answer: “Because Park is Korean.” Because Park was always Korean. From the moment he was Park. Before he was actually “Park.”:
YESSSS! THE LEFT ONE! You need to read this book to understand why I’m excited about the left picture.

So, what more can I say about the characters? I really loved how the author built them. They seemed so real, as if the author had written this novel based on a true story. They are characters that make us smile for their tenderness, that make us cry for the suffering they do not deserve. They have become my friends. Except Eleanor’s stepfather, of course. He’s really bad.
I loved to meet Eleanor. I identify myself a lot with her, since I’m also fat. It made me feel good to read a character who goes through the same experiences as me: the insecurities, the fears. I’m also like her when she talks about the things she loves. She’s a very sweet girl and her life made my heart feel heavy. For me, she is the most well-built character in the novel. We see a little of everything: her problems with herself, her problems with her colleagues, her problems with her boyfriend, her problems with her family. I really enjoyed to see her grow and make the right decisions for her.
Park also won my heart because he is a very charming young man. His heart is so pure  and  he’s so selfless. He’s really a sweetheart. I liked to see him talking with his parents and  I loved the little things he did with Eleanor, for Eleanor, how he touches lightly on the palm of her hand and her red curls. I really liked when he would go with her to her locker and stand against the wall to admire her. I repeat, he is a sweetheart.
The other characters are also very real. The life story of Eleanor’s mother is very touching. She sacrificed, and sacrifices, so much for the sake of her children. Eleanor’s father is barely around and her stepfather is a demon. This is another aspect that I liked Eleanor’s character building:  Rainbow Rowell focused a lot on Eleanor’s family life, especially on the issue of domestic violence and its consequences in a family. These details made this novel even more appealing, more authentic.

eleanor & park DYING.:
R.I.P me! *crying a river*

The writing is very simple and jovial. We see that the author loves writing for teens, but adults can still read her books, of course. It is a very catchy writing since it’s very simple and genuine. The author is able to create magnificent quotes like this: “Eleanor was right. She never looked nice. She looked like art, and art wasn’t supposed to look nice; it was supposed to make you feel something”. As you can see, I sighed a lot while I read this magnificent book.

Here you can see many wonderful quotes from this novel. I took this image from Pinterest, by the way:

-E&P. Mi primer gran amor. El libro de mi vida. Favorito por todos los tiempos:

In conclusion, Eleanor & Park is a story filled with moments of humor and pain, smiles and tears. A very touching romance with fascinating characters, that make us feel everything and anything intensely. It is a book with a very important message: “Love is a superpower”.

Rating:

Diapositivo16


If you have read this beautiful book, please let me know! Also, let me know if you liked this review! See you soon!!

Book review · Wrap Up

February Wrap Up + Review: HP and the Order of the Phoenix

Heyyyyy, bookish people! February has come to an end! Hello, March! Be a good month for me, please!

 

 

So, let’s talk about the books I read in February…
I only read 2… I’M SO STUPID!!! HOW DID I ONLY READ 2????
Well, at least, they were FREAKING GOOD!

 

One of them, the grey book in the picture, is a Portuguese book that has 11 novellas, all written by Valter Hugo Mãe. I loved all of them and, in general, I gave 5 out of 5 stars to this book! IT WAS BEAUTIFUL!

20160229_164740

Then, I took the WHOLE MONTH to read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, by the Queen. Ops, I mean, J.K. Rowling.

I remember when she tweeted this when someone was someone said bad stuff about her. I cried of joy.

Now, here’s the ( big) review about the 5th Harry Potter book!


 

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Goodreads synopsis: Harry Potter is due to start his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. His best friends Ron and Hermione have been very secretive all summer and he is desperate to get back to school and find out what has been going on. However, what Harry discovers is far more devastating than he could ever have expected…

Suspense, secrets and thrilling action from the pen of J.K. Rowling ensure an electrifying adventure that is impossible to put down.


Review: In the fourth book, I realized that the story was taking a more adult way, but it’s in this fifth  one that everything is more complex, especially with the political references, which were AWESOME. So J.K. Rowling, as always, did an excellent job of portraying that young people are also interested in the political situation in which they live and are able to try to change and fight for what is right!

The writing: it remains simple and captivating. J.K. Rowling, at least in the Harry Potter books, never has boring descriptions, but magical one that make us wish for a real Hogwarts. Also, she knows how to create profound, wonderful and inspiring quotes! Although the story has been told at a slower pace, I don’t think it was boring. It’s just that her magical world has more details and there is more action in this book. So, her writing remain simple and  also suitable for younger people, although this fifth volume portrays more complex subjects.

The plot: I absolutely loved the representation of politics in this book. We have a Ministry, the Ministry of Magic, that doesn’t assume its responsibilities and tells lies to its population. In fact, they prefer to omit the truth and try to prevent or even punish those who dare to confront them. It is an organization that chooses to ignore the return of Voldemort because they fear him. However, we have young people who, when they saw some adults confront the Ministry, create a group that want to train to fight agaisnt evil: The Dumbledore’s Army. Actually, they decided to honor the director of Hogwarts because he is trying to persuade the Ministry to accept the reality. Throughout the school year, several students of Hogwarts secretly trained spells to fight against Voldemort and the Death Eaters, the same spells that were banned by the Ministry itself. Don’t you see how FABULOUS this is? The author is literally showing adults that young people are also interested in politics and want to get sh*t done! The elders are always saying that my generation does not pay attention because we don’t care about the country’s situation and other things like thos, but then there are writers like J.K. Rowling that show that young people are still the hope of mankind. Being inspired by the right people, Harry Potter and his friends try to change their world and teach the Ministry that it is best to act, to do something. To get sh*t done!

YESSSS! MY FAVE SCENE OF THIS MOVIE!

That’s why I also loved that Rowling created Umbridge, which was a phenomenal stroke of the author, since this character works in the Ministery and has an important position, but turned out to be a teacher of a discipline that should teaching young people how to protect themselves against evil, like Voldemort and his army. It is wonderful how Rowling symbolically shows that the government loves to control people, to the point that lead them to ignorance. And that’s what Umbridge did, because she didn’t teach anything about Deefense against Dark Arts. What the Ministry did not anticipate was the revolt of the young people themselves, who decided to take the role of fighters.
I can not say more about the plot, but it is phenomenal!

This scene, in the movie, was BEAUTIFUL! SO INSPIRATIONAL! That’s definitely something J.K: Rowling would say! This is my favorite scene of this movie!

 

Characters: Any reader easily creates a connection with all of them, since each has imperfections and qualities that are familiar to us. Harry was a little cranky. He’s a very confused young man, he wants to face his problems alone, but he’s also a young man who really cares about his friends. He’s very brave and is not ashamed to admit that he can’t take over certain situations. Ron continues to be the “comic relief”, that is, always has jokes to tell, like his brothers, Fred and George. He’s very insecure and hates the lack of self-esteem; however, he manages to overcome his unfortunate moments. Hermione is always the brainy one and no one can change that. She is always cunning and does not care what others think when she shows how much she knows. I am always saying that she is a spectacular role model for the kids, and also for grownups.

Romione!!!! And then ther’s Harry cockblocking them. Ahahhahaha!

 

The biggest surprise is Neville Longbottom, who in previous books was a weak boy, very clumsy and didn’t like to defend himself. However, he surprises his friends with his words of encouragement. It is also in this book that we know a little more about his family, that is, the mental state of the parents, who were tortured by Voldemort’s followers before Neville was born. Well, Neville is growing and he was a pleasant surprise.

 

MY POOR BABY!!!!

 

Luna Lovegood, one of the new characters in the book, plays a very important role, but more for the reader and not so much in the plot itself. It is an extraordinary way to show the children that they can be different and we shouldn’t listen to what the others say about us. Luna has never wanted to know what the others said, never! She’s eccentric, dreamy and very honest. She is able to understand the human nature in a very exceptional way. And I love her name, Luna. It means “moon” in Latin and it has everything to do with this dreamy girl!


The character who stands out most is Umbridge. The miserable teacher who loved to punish innocent kids. She is the perfect example of the overuse and abuse of power! She is sinister, cruel and represents all that is wrong in politics!

Ugh, this… witch…

 

Unlike her, we have Professor McGonagall, who is brilliant and her sarcasm is unbeatable. Simply fantastic! Dumbledore was too passive for my liking, although I understood its logic about Harry’s situation. But still… you know…

DRAG HER, MCGONAGALL!!! YOU RULE!

Well, I really loved the book, but there’s one thing that bothers me a little bit: we don’t know much about the Order of the Phoenix. We only know it was huge, had many young people like James Potter, Harry’s father, and his friends and his wife, Lily. Besides, it was also made up of Hogwarts professors, like Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall, and some people from the Ministry of Magic. But, there is no more interesting information. So, in this respect, the book is weak, because the title of this fifth volume is Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. So, we should know more about this group. Thus, the classification of this volume will have a small difference from the previous books.

In conclusion, J. K. Rowling, again, did an excellent job in this fifth book, which contains many wise words, fun times, but it is also very symbolic. The allusions to political life are phenomenal and the new information about the magical world are always very interesting and charming! I LOVED IT!

P.S- No, I didn’t talk about Sirius because it’s just too PAINFUL! NO!

4.75/ 5 stars

Book review

Review: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (The Chronicles of Narnia #2), by C.S. Lewis

 

Goodreads synopsis: When Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy are sent to stay with a kind professor who lives in the country, they can hardly imagine the extraordinary adventure that awaits them.

It all begins one rainy summer day when the children explore the professor’s rambling old house. When they come across a room with an old wardrobe in the corner, Lucy immediately opens the door and gets inside. To her amazement, she suddenly finds herself standing in the clearing of a wood on a winter after-noon, with snowflakes falling through the air. Lucy has found Narnia, a magical land of fauns and centaurs, nymphs and talking animals — and the beautiful but evil White Witch, who has held the country in eternal winter for a hundred years.

Review:

The Chronicles of Narnia is the title of the collection of seven books written by Clive Staples Lewis, better known as C. S. Lewis. Although he first published The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the author has said several times that this book is the second of the collection, and The Magician’s Nephew is the first one. However, I decided to start with this one because it was the only one available at the book fair that I visited in December.

It is with great pleasure that I say I enjoyed reading this little book and I’m glad I read it in English, as if I had read it in Portuguese, the impact would not be so great. It is undoubtedly one of the best children’s books, as everyone says. It has everything a child could love in a book: magic, charming characters, spectacular creatures and simple illustrations, but beautiful. No wonder that this author has been a major influence on J. K. Rowling, the writer of the Harry Potter series.

Let’s start with the plot, which is lovely and innocent. There are four children with different personalities that started to live in a big house of a strange teacher. In one of her explorations through the house, the youngest child, Lucy, discovers a wardrobe and decided to hide in it. However, she did not expect to end up at a place full of snow, nor hoped to find a Faun. Of course, the girl told everything to her older siblings who, at first, thought it was just a story created by her, until they themselves got into the wardrobe to hide from the maid of the house and saw the white place. It was Narnia, a land full of strange magical beings and animals that could speak. It was a beautiful place, but cursed by the White Witch, who preferred to be known as Queen of Narnia. But with the children in Narnia, everything changed and hope started to fill the hearts of the inhabitants of Narnia.
As you can see, it is a simple and ligth plot, perfectly suited for children. Also, it is amazing how the author has combined these Christian themes, such as the representation of Christ (Aslan represents the Son of God), with the fantasy elements and you can see the author’s enthusiasm for mythology, as there is a strong presence of mythological beings such as fauns, centaurs, minotaurs, Dryads , mermaids, giants, etc.
So the story was very well built, although there aren’t many details, like major descriptions of the magical beings, or the previous lives of children or of their own personalities. But I understand that the author certainly wanted to write a light book and it is interesting enough to captivate younger readers.

The writing is very natural and fluid and it’s not tiring, since there is also no great descriptions of places and characters. However, the descriptions are still enough for the reader’s imagination. For being so accessible and light, there is not much to say about the writing, unless, that it is ,in fact, perfect for children. It is not boring and its simplicity provides the magic that any Fantasy book should have.

As for the characters, the author did an excellent job of creating Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy. I especially liked Lucy, she is a very innocent, charming, friendly girl. I also liked Edmund, who, despite being the “traitor” of the story, he managed to captivate me for being a great contrast when compared to Lucy. But about Peter and Susan… There is not much to say, because although they have played a role in the final battle, especially Peter, they didn’t bring anything different to the plot. Still, they are good siblings and they are kind of sensible for their age. Aslan and the Witch are also interesting contrasts and I was curious about their past, which is something that was never mentioned throughout the book. Aslan is a character who defends the goodness and justice, while the Witch prefers to be greedy and revengeful.

movies narnia the chronicles of narnia edmund pevensie lucy pevensie

In conclusion, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a wonderful, magical, innocent book, but it represents the good and the evil in a naive and creative way. It is an excellent for children who do not like to read, so that they can realize that reading itself is magical, but this is also perfect for adults who would like to be children again.
It’s a fascinating story and that delights for its simplicity.

Diapositivo16

Book review

Review: A Court of Thorns and Roses, by Sarah J. Maas (A Court of Thorns and Roses #1)

20160130_160951
THIS COVER IS SO BEAUTIFUL! I CAN’T EVEN!

 

Gooreads synopsis: A thrilling, seductive new series from New York Timesbestselling author Sarah J. Maas, blending Beauty and the Beastwith faerie lore.

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she’s been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it… or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

Perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and George R. R. Martin, this first book in a sexy and action-packed new series is impossible to put down!

REVIEW: Now, I know why there are so many people that love Sarah J. Maas! This book is so addictive! Maas created fantastic and credible characters and she has such a detailed writing, which is pure magic and somehow poetic. Also, it’s such a great “Beauty and the Beast” retelling!

P.S- There will be times that I will call this book as ACOTAR, to be easier for me to write my review ^^

Anoterh P.S- There may be minor spoilers! I just talk a little about the world Maas created, you know, I give some little details, but I don’t think they are really spoilers. Anyway, here’s a warning 🙂
Also, I’m sorry if there are mistakes! English is not my main language. ^^

Let’s talk about the writing first: Maas is an extremely talented author. As I said, it is detailed and even poetic, but her writing can also be concise. Maas shows all her splendour in the descriptions not only of the spaces or the environment, but also the feelings of the main character, Feyre, which is the narrator. Immediately in the first chapter, thanks to the clarity of speech and rich vocabulary, I connected, instantly, with Feyre, a 19 year old girl who does everything and anything to keepher family safe. It’s a mesmerizing writing! We just want to continue to “devour” the pages and learn more about the story. By the way, yesterday, when I finished reading, I could not believe it when it ended because I wanted more and I realized I should have read more slowly. So, congratulations,Sarah J. Maas, you can indeed write breathtaking Fantasy stories! Thank God I have Throne of Glass in my bookshelf!

Now, about the world-building: I was fascinated, despite the fact that there aren’t many details. All we know is that there is a world that is split into two: the humans and the Fae. Within the world of Faes, there are two distinct territories, Prythian and Hybern, but let’s focus on Prythian, which has seven Courts: Spring Court, Summer Court, Autumn Court, Winter Court, Dawn Court, Day Court and Night Court. Prythian should be ruled by the High Lords of each court, but in this first book, there is a woman who wants to rule the entire territory. This woman, Amarantha, declares herself as the Queen of Prythian and she controls everything and everyone from Under the Mountain. There isn’t much information about Hybern; we only know that it is also a Faes kingdom that is not divided into Courts or, at least, is ruled by a single king. As for Prythian courts, there isn’t mucn information either. We only know a little about the story of three Courts: Spring, Fall and Night. However, I believe there will be more details in the following books because when there is Fantasy series, the best thing to do is to split the information in every single book and not provide details all at once, in just one book. In some reviews I read, some readers criticized the lack of information about the worl Mass created, but I think they don’t understand that the author made the right choice by not revealing too much about this world of Faes in the first book of her trilogy.
So, it’s good that we only have the main details about this world. The author gave us basic information that could satisfy the reader and that information is interesting enough. Would you rather have a book that has too much info-dumping? I really don’t like when that happens and thank God it didn’t happen in ACOTAR! I mean, I know that you want to find out more about these new worlds that these fantastic writers create, but seriously? Chill, you’ll get the information eventually. I swear, I prefer to get it slowly rather than have info-dumping books.

Wow. Perfect gif.

Now, FINALLY, about the characters: All I can say is  that they were very well built and planned. The introduction of each was taken flawlessly, and the development was natural and, in some cases, surprising. I loved Feyre! I loved her altruistic side, I loved her passion for painting. She’s an honest, courageous and strong character who is able to fight and protect herself and others. I also liked the fact that she didn’t blame herself for falling in love in the middle of a serious situation. Often in YA books, the main character feels very guilty when she/he falls in love, since they associate the idea of  love to the idea of weakness. In Feyre’s case, I did not feel it. On the contrary, the love Ishe felt only made her stronger. Thus, I loved the fact that the author chose to create a character who thinks that love is capable of giving us strength.

Feyre | A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas:
I found this on Pinterest. Isn’t this amazing?

 

Then there is Tamlin. Well, he is a wonderful Fae, indeed. I also loved his character development evolution because, at first,  he seemed to be cold and distant, but he just created walls to protect himself from the world around him. Later, he turned out to be a kind, protective and selfless. He can be affectionate and he is against the perverse and cruel practices of his father when he was the High Lord. Tamlin is the High Lord of Spring Court now, but never wanted to hold such a position, but still, he is fair and cautious. As this is a retelling of “Beauty and the Beast”, I can already tell that he is the monster, but not for being bad. He may have his flaws, but he is not cruel. He simply can turn into a scary, big strong bear, which can kill anyone with his sharp claws and teeth. Speaking of the story, I can already say that I loved the way the curse was broken! But, anyway, I won’t say much more. I think there are enough (minor) spoilers already!
So, yes, I really liked Tamlin!

Tamlin | A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas:
This is also from Pinterest.

Then, there is Lucien, who is sarcastic, charismatic and loyal. I loved the friendship between him and Feyre, as the protagonist also likes sarcasm. But I really loved how much he cares about Tamlin! That’s why I said he is loyal because he really is! He would anything to help Tam! And, of course, I loved his sarcasm. He really loved to tease Feyre, and I loved that! I felt so bad about his past, tho. His family doesn’t deserve him! But no, I won’t say much more now! Ops!

Lucien:
Pinterest is a beautiful world, indeed.

 

Now, about Rhysand, the High Lord of the Night Court. For me, he is the most interesting character of them all. He is vain, arrogant and manipulative, but he also kind of have an affable side, like, I think is able to love, to protect and to make sacrifices for the greater good. For me, he’s the most mysterious character in the story and I am glad that we will know more about him in the next book! He is one of those “gray” characters. He is manipulative and cold, but he turns out to be protective and careful when it’s about Feyre. I believe that all his actions were based on his feelings for Feyre, something that will be explored in the second book. I mean, does he really feel something for her? I don’t know, but I think I’ll find out once I’ve read A Court of Mist of Fury!

Rhysand:
More from Pinterest!

By the way, my fancast for Rhysand is definitely Benedict Cumberbacth. I don’t care, he is my choice for Rhysand! I mean, look at him:

Beautiful eyes. Nice hair. One word: PERFECT

And, have you seen him has Khan? Because OMG:

 

He would freaking slay as Rhysand!

Also, another thing: this fanart of Feyre and Rhysand is so beautiful (I found it on Tumblr):

 

This was on SJM her ACOTAR pinterest board as Feyre and RhysFangirled so hard when I saw this
THE FREAKING COLOURS! AND THEY BOTH LOOK FANTASTIC! DAMN!

Ok, ok, let’s finish this review.

In conclusion, A Court of Thorns and Roses is an excellent Fantasy book filled with deep characters that have their own characteristics. It is a magnificent fairy story that was very well built and I love how the retelling worked so well! Don’t forget it’s a retelling “Beauty and the Beast”! To make the book even better, we have the phenomenal writing of the author that only makes us want to devour page after page.

I can’t wait for the second book, A Court of Mist and Fury, which will come out in the US on May 3 this year.

A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses, #2)
Cover and synopsis taken from Goodreads

Feyre survived Amarantha’s clutches to return to the Spring Court–but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can’t forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin’s people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms–and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future–and the future of a world cleaved in two.

With more than a million copies sold of her beloved Throne of Glass series, Sarah J. Maas’s masterful storytelling brings this second book in her seductive and action-packed series to new heights.

 

Diapositivo16

 

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Book review · Bookworm stuff

Review: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Harry Potter #4), by J.K. Rowling a.k.a THE QUEEN

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Yes, this is the newest Portuguese edition. And it’s GORGEOUS!

 

Goodreads synopsis: The summer holidays are dragging on and Harry Potter can’t wait for the start of the school year. It is his fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and there are spells to be learnt and (unluckily) Potions and Divination lessons to be attended. But Harry can’t know that the atmosphere is darkening around him, and his worst enemy is preparing a fate that it seems will be inescapable …With characteristic wit, fast-paced humour and marvellous emotional depth, J.K. Rowling has proved herself yet again to be a master story-teller.

Review:

J.K. Rowling, my Queen, you still amaze me with your brilliant mind! The writing is fluid and magical as always, the plot becomes increasingly engaging and the characters develop in a natural way, making us think they do not exist on paper but in the real world. I mean, c’mon, who wouldn’t like to have the Golden Trio as Best Friends Forever? Ughhh, stupid real world…
In this fourth book in the Harry Potter series, The Boy Who Lived deals with more dark and serious situations. Also, the story is getting more details and the characters develop as they deal with their obsctacles. I loved the Triwizard Tournament! Yes, it’s a dangerous contest, but I love the idea behing it: to establish links between international sorcerers. It’s a fantastic idea, and with it, the author has done a sensational job of showing that despite our cultural and social differences, union is crucial in dark times.

 

Whenever I see this, I get so emotional, you have no idea.

 

That’s why I think any reader wins a lot by reading Harry Potter. That is why children should read these books, since they will certainly learn a lot with this tousled-haired boy who wears weird glasses. For example, they can learn the unquestionable value of love and friendship, which, again, are very well reflected in this book. It’s amazing how Harry, Ron and Hermione go beyond the adversity that could weaken them, but once destroyed, it only strengthened their friendship. Another aspect I want to highlight is the first chapter. It is remarkable the differences between the first three books of this series and this fourth book. In previous books, the action was lighter and everything was solved more easily. Yes, there were problems but they always found reasonable solutions, to the point of also finding some peace. However, it is the first chapter of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire that show us that the adventures of Harry Potter will become more complicated and the little wizard and his friends will have to go through more devious paths. So there is another idea that Rowling wants to convey: in our life, we face many difficult times, but is it impossible to overcome them and overcome our fears? So, will our young hero, with the the help of his friends, be able to overcome his doubts and learn to believe in himself? Well, of course he does!

Now, about the characters: we learn a little bit more about Voldemort or Tom Riddle. We know a little bit more about his past, but not much, because Voldemort is a mysterious character. Again, we realize how mean and cruel Voldemort can be. We could tell that from the previous books, but it’s in this fourth installment that this characteristic of Voldemort is highlighted. Then we have more adventures of Harry, Ron and Hermione. As always, Harry, who couldn’t believe in his own magical abilities, gradually understands that he can be as competent as any sorcerer. In fact, he could be more talented than other colleagues. Then we have Ron, who is the “comic relief” of the story. Innocent but playful and smart guy, I love his jealousy crisis, but also his rage against the injustices he lives. Hermione is the one of got more developped. I saw another side of her: defender of elves and social equality, the young witch shows strenght and lots of energy when she faces injustice and she is a very astute for her age, and, in fact, she is also an excellent role model to be followed by younger people . She is not afraid to stand up for what is right, she does not like to give up and she is always ready to help. Determined, intelligent and brilliant, Hermione is everything a Gryffindor wizard should be!

Oh, Ron, just wait. You will how incredible she is. I promise 😉

Finally, about the Queen’s writing: J. K. Rowling charms and delights. J.K. Rowling is, for me, a role model, as Hermione is an example for the younger ones. J.K. Rowling is all I want to be: a successful writer who used the imagination she had and knew how to use her talent to create an extraordinary and inspiring story!

*claps* Oh, J.K. Rowling, you are amazing.

In conclusion, I loved the paths traced by the writer: a powerful introduction, action development with new awesome details, such as the World Quidditch Cup, the Triwizard Tournament and more details regarding Voldemort and his allies, and a phenomeal ending. My God, I stopped breathing for the last seven chapters! It was breathtaking!  I can not wait to read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix!

Diapositivo16

*calmly*
Book review · Bookworm stuff

Review: Losing Hope, by Colleen Hoover (Hopeless #2)

Yayyyy! This is the first Review I post here! And thank God it happened with this book because OMG, COLLEEN HOOVER! YOU DID IT AGAIN! YOU BROKE MY HEART AGAIN! CONGRATULATIONS FOR RUINING MY LIFE ONCE AGAIN!

 

 

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A ler...
I read it in Portuguese, so here’s the Portuguese cover.

 

(By the way, what do you think about the Portuguese cover?)

 

 

 

This is the second time I read a Colleen Hoover novel and, once again, she left me in shock. I just fell in love even harder with her fascinanting writing. I think this book is as good as Hopeless, which is the same story but told by Sky, the other main character. I can say that the first book is sadder and more tragic than this one, but Losing Hope is also intense. These books are not to be read lightly. They are both about harsh and unhappy childhoods and they are full of strong and deep emotions. There are sad moments, but also happy moments There are moments of pain, there are moments of joy. I will not talk about the plot because; however, I can say that the plot is an authentic roller coaster, raw and intense.

Writing: It’s amazing how the author easily shocks us, makes us cry, makes us laugh and sometimes all in one chapter. It is also magnificent how Colleen Hoover talks about such strong and complicated issues in a simple and, in a way, pure language. We go through in times of loss and grief in a very real way, but there are these fantastic, lovely moments that are described in such a beautiful way! Oh, Colleen, MY HEART, FOR GOD’S SAKE!

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Characters: I think I started to like them even more thanks to this book. My compassion for Sky grew. I loved seeing her  and understanding her through Holder’s eyes. Also I found fascinating this different side of him, because in the first book we see his romantic and rebellious side, but with his perspective we realize that he is also flawed. Sometimes he did not control his anger and his pain. Sometimes he did not accept other’s decisions. However, it was very nice to see him become a better person and he is the proof that love and hope can make a difference. These characters are very real and were very well built. The secondary characters in this second book, were not as well developed as in the first book, but Hoover knew how to fit them properly in Holder’s vision.

Oh, Colton Haynes… You would be perfect as Holder! *heart eyes*
I think Georgie Henley would be good as Sky. Of course that she would have to wear brown eye contacts, but I think she would do a nice job as Sky!

To sum up, I can only say that, although this review is somewhat far-fetched and has no decent details about the story, I loved the book and I am getting even more impressed with Colleen Hoover. There is also another book published here in Portugal,which is Ugly Love, a New-Adult novel. I think it would be a great Christmas gift for me!

Anyway, I think you should read Losing Hope, specially if you love YA Contemporaries and if you want a story filled with deep emotions and engaging characters, real and full of flaws, whose devastating and intense experiences are described beautifully thanks to Colleen Hoover’s amazing and fluid writing.

P.S- I think you should read Hopeless first, which is also magnificent and intense!

So, if you have read this book, did you like it?
What do you think about this review?
I hope you liked my review! BYEEEE!

 

Losing Hope (Hopeless, #2)
OMG, WHO IS THIS GUY? HE COULD PORTRAY HOLDER IN A BOOK-TO-MOVIE ADAPTATION!!!!
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