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Krista

Cover

Love, Love! This cover. It’s got a great blend of colours, blacks, grays, and red: represents the feel and setting of the story.

Characters

Great combination of characters in this one. It balances well and even though there is a bit of a love triangle, this one was fun to watch.

Favourite

I have to say I loved the main characters Mal, Darlking and Alina. But it was the Darkling that appealed to me most.

Least Favourite

Besides her trainer who seems like she always has her panties in a bunch, I don’t have a least favourite.

Beginning

On her travels as a map maker, Alina and Mal (among others) get into some trouble crossing The Shadow Fold. Alina seems to have saved the troop, not knowing how, and she must face The Darkling and his interrogations.

Storyline

Alina is taken by The Darkling to be trained on how to use her discovered powers. Long time friend Mal is assigned to be the guard. Without him close, Alina is feeling vulnerable and in a strange place. Soon she is able to gain a friend and become closer to the mysterious and attractive Darkling.

Ending

The whole story builds up for the ending, so we have an idea where it’s going to go. But there is always a twist, and this is the first book in a series so we are left to wonder what will happen next.

Thoughts

I really loved the setting of the story. The world building is beautiful, dark, and magical. There are aspects to the story that are not new–love triangle and naive girl learning to become stronger and more confident. But I did not mind any of it. I thought the writing really made for a very smooth, entertaining, and constantly moving story. It was very well put together and a very enjoyable read.

Quote

“The problem with wanting,” he whispered, his mouth trailing along my jaw until it hovered over my lips, “is that it makes us weak.”- Darkling

 

Bel:

Cover

The book is a stony grey colour, title is raised in black with bright red highlights, which is really effective at drawing the eye. There’s a nod to the antlers of the stag … (Spoilers) and there’s a Russian-esque building at the bottom. The inside flap on my copy has all the praise from various magazines, authors, and bloggers. Everything they say is true.

Internally, the illustration on the introduction of each new chapter is intricate and beautiful.

Characters

The characters Bardugo has created are fleshy, real, and easy to sympathise with.

Favourite

Genya. Girl has skill and a kind heart. I’d love to have her at my back.

Least Favourite

The Darkling. You’ll find out if you haven’t read the book.

Beginning

Alina and Mal are orphaned by the Border wars and are taken in by Duke Keramsov they are both tested to see if they are Grisha (have special abilities).

Storyline

Turns out the tests results were wrong and Alina and Mal’s lives are forever altered by the events surrounding the crossing of the Fold (A place where magic has malformed the land and people in horrible ways).

Ending

Alina’s reality becomes a nightmare and it all feeds into an insatiable urge to move onto the second book, Siege and Storm.

Thoughts

I devoured this book in very little time. Luckily, I was forced to only read it on the way to work where the bus stops at the end of the line because I would most certainly miss my stop if I was to read on my trip home. That is how wrapped up in Alina’s world you will be to.

Quote

“What am I supposed to do with a girl who can’t call her own power?” she growled at me. “Even children can do this.” Baghra, speaking to Alina.

Lisa

Cover

Can we all just take a moment and truly savor this beautiful cover? AND the fact that the second and the third book match perfectly?! It’s simple, but yet so interesting and different! When I first looked at this cover, I didn’t really know what I was looking at besides the castle. But after reading it, I see that the white stick looking things are the horns, and the dark swirls are the Darkling’s power. LOVE IT!

Characters

This book was filled with a lot of AWESOME characters: not only main roles, but also smaller ones. Mal’s two good friends in the army were funny. Ganya was so beautiful and kind. And even Zoya and Baghra were interesting!

Favorite

My favorite is a tie between Alina, Mal, and the Darking. Alina because she kicks SO MUCH butt in this book. Mal because he finally opens up towards the middle and end of the book. And the Darkling because of his big twist!

Least Favorite

I don’t think I have a least favorite character. I wasn’t annoyed or irritated with anyone … so that’s good!

Beginning

The story actually starts off with a flashback of when Alina and Mal were younger and how they became so close. After this flash back, it jumps forward a few years when the two are in the army and one of the most dangerous missions–crossing the Fold.

Middle

Alina discovers her true self and her power. While she’s homesick for Mal, the Darkling and everything around her seems to be going well. She’s training with Baghra to become stronger with her powers and to be prepared to break down the Fold.

End

There are just so many twists and turns in the end, which I don’t want to give away, so I’m not saying anything about the ending. I want you to feel exactly how shocked, unsure, and confused I felt. And then the love, warmth, and happiness as well, when things worked out!

Overall Thoughts

I really enjoyed Shadow and Bone! I wasn’t too sure how I was going to feel about it, but I soon came to enjoy the story and its characters! I hope you ALL give this one a shot! 

 

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Bel:

Cover

Male and female faces in shadow against a white backdrop sat above a beautiful star-scape, all done in pinks purples and oranges. Quite pleasing to the eye, and speaks volumes about the contents of the story.

Characters

There is a complicated mix of characters and each of them carries their own.

Favourite

Amy, though she spends some time feeling sorry for herself she eventually gets her butt kicking self into gear and makes it work.

Least Favourite

Eldest. Creepy character.

Beginning

Amy and her parents are preparing to be put into stasis for a rather long flight across the universe.

Storyline

Amy is woken up fifty years prematurely and the situation on Godspeed is odd to say the very least.

Ending

There is more to be read in the follow up books A Million Suns and Shades of Earth so to spoil the ending wouldn’t be nice.

Thoughts

I didn’t reread Across the Universe as I’d already reviewed it in August 2012, but this is what I said back then…

“The pacing of the novel was well-crafted, with much of the mystery remaining out of reach until effectively unravelled; also, as this is the first instalment in a series, there was the sense of ‘to be continued’ but never the infuriatingly feeling of details being purposefully omitted.

Beth Revis also does atmosphere superbly, and this is evident from the novel’s opening chapter, in which Amy is cryogenically frozen. She narrates each stomach-churning detail as it happens. Never before have I felt so incredibly claustrophobic while reading!!”

Quote

“More than the sound of my own beating heart, I miss the sound of a ticking clock.” Amy about the passing of time.

Krista:

Cover

The US hardcover has an interchangeable dust jacket. One side is a brightly coloured universe with blues and pinks, but if you flip the cover over it’s a blueprint of the ship in which you can see the different levels and areas that are explored in the book. I prefer to keep the blueprint as the outer cover on my book.

Characters

The story is told from different perspectives: Amy, as she explores the ship after she wakes up, and Elder, as he does his duties. We travel through the ship and more characters are introduced, some playing larger roles than others.

Favourite

Harley: The friendship that develops between Amy and Harley and Amy and Elder are strong and come from more than simple convenience. 

Least Favourite

Eldest: I have to agree with Bel here. C.R.E.E.P.Y.

Beginning

The prologue is detailed in describing the emotional and physical process of being put into stasis. I think it was a brilliant way to start the book and grab the reader’s attention.

Storyline

Amy is awoken from her stasis many years earlier than was originally planned. She is alone, scared, and misses her parents. What she finds aboard Godspeed is not what she expected. I loved the detail and world-building that the author puts into the history of the ship while she has been asleep.

Ending

As the first book in the novel, the story builds up at the ending with surprises that continue on through the other books in the series. 

Thoughts

For me this felt more dystopian than sci-fi. I loved all the twists the story took. This book got me thinking about individuality and the concept of leadership. The love story is more than just attraction; it’s companionship and trust. And I love the fact that Amy pushes Elder to trust his instincts and fight for what he believes to be right. It’s not a story about a girl that pushes a guy to see things her way, it’s about a girl that encourages a leader to become what he was always meant to be and to think for himself.

Quote

“We’re the ones who aren’t normal. People are supposed to be like that: obedient, calm, working together. It’s us—who can’t focus, who can’t work together, who can’t do the Feeder or Shipper jobs—we’re the ones who aren’t normal. We’re the ones who have to take the mental meds just so we don’t go loons.”

Lisa:

Cover

I absolutely love the original cover so when it went through a change, AFTER I purchased the first two instalments in this trilogy, my heart broke… into like a MILLION ZILLION pieces. I guess I just like the dorky romantic covers instead of the newer metallic ones.

Characters

I couldn’t get enough! I LOVED Amy and I LOVED Elder! They were so different, came from completely opposite worlds, but were just perfect for one another.

Favorite

If you couldn’t guess it, my ultimate favorite characters are Amy and Elder… duh! Amy was down to earth and unlike a lot of characters in the YA genre and didn’t just shrug when something crazy happened to them. Amy spent the entire book mourning the “loss” of her parents and never seeing them again – like any REAL person.

I like that she had feelings and was frustrated, and that she expressed that through the story. She needed time to absorb everything that was happening to her and going on around her, before she could move forward and decide what she was going to do next.

Elder, the soon to be new Eldest on Godspeed was dealing with his own issues. Not only are the humans from Earth being defrosted by someone, and left to die, but also he has the responsibility of becoming the leader of this massive ship on his shoulders.

He’s kind, sweet and really adores Amy!

Least Favorite

I don’t think I have a least favorite character. I mean there was a EVIL villain…but he was a good evil villain… if you know what I mean.

Beginning

Amy’s parents are asked to board Godspeed and travel three hundred years to discover a new planet for human habitation. Amy has a difficult decision to make: stay on Earth and say goodbye to her parents forever, or be frozen for three hundred years and leave behind everything she’s ever known. Is she willing to leave behind her home, and the boy she loves, to be woken up three hundred years later on a new planet?

Middle

Having unfrozen fifty years early, Amy is devastated when she is informed that she will most likely never see her parents again, or at least not until she is much, much older than them. Eldest and the doctor tell her that there is no way they can refreeze her, because there’s a HUGE risk she will never wake up again.

Now Amy is stuck on this ship with people who aren’t acting normal, who seem to be in a haze during “mating season”, and where the “crazy” people aren’t ALL that crazy. Things on Godspeed aren’t normal.

Elder is not only trying to keep up with his learning, and responsibilities, but is now also trying to comfort Amy and keep the ship under control.

And when frozen are being found open and left to thaw, Elder and Amy have to figure out who is doing this and how they even know that they existed! When one is found dead, and another is found half thawed, the pair knows they have to do something.

End

Broke my heart, put it back together again, and had my emotions all over the place! Across the Universe had me questioning every character, and everything they said and did. I would never have expected the ending, and who it was that was defrosting the frozens! SUCH a good twist!!

Overall Thoughts

I LOVE this trilogy! I have already read the second book, and really enjoyed it! I can’t wait to read the third one, to see how things end for Amy and Elder!

 

Hardcover, 398 pages

Published January 11th 2011 by Razorbill

original title

Across the Universe

ISBN

1595143971 (ISBN13: 9781595143976)

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Bel:

 

Cover

I believe I borrowed the first edition Aussie cover from the Library. It is a charmingly illustrated image of a waif-like girl beside a fire in a deep dark green forest. The title is embossed and Juliet’s name really pops in the bright red used on both the cover and the spine.

Characters

In this high fantasy setting there is no room for the weak of mind or the weak of will. Kind hearts are a plenty, though trying to figure out whose heart is true, is tricky.

Favourite

Mara. Mainly because she is making do in a horrible situation and loves her family anyway.

Least Favourite

King Keldec… though we haven’t technically met him. What a poop head.

Beginning

Neryn is put up as a prize and is lost in a gambling and drinking binge her father goes on.

Storyline

She is aiming to head to a place called Shadowfell, where people with unexplainable gifts are free to be themselves without fear of judgement by King Keldec’s cronies.

Ending

There is a book 2… and to be quite frank I want it in my hands right now!

Thoughts

It took me longer than it should have to finish Shadowfell, though I think it had more to do with life getting in the way than any disinterest on my part. I found grabbing a page or two on the bus in the morning was enough to get me through to lunch. I could spend all day in the world Juliet Marillier has created for Neryn. It is enchanting to say the very least.

Quote

‘I’m fond o’ banes’ the brollachan commented, noticing me looking.

‘I see that.’ My voice was unsteady

‘Ye thinkin’ I might eat ye up for supper?’

‘That did cross my mind, yes. I seem to remember that, in the tales, brollachans sometimes do that.’

‘Ye canna see yersel’, wee one. There’s hardly a scrap o’ meat on ye. Nae worth the trouble.

~ Conversation between Neryn and the brollachan

 

Krista

 

 

Cover

The US cover does represent the book, with the girl wrapped in the brown cloak in the forest. But I prefer the Australian cover with the young girl sitting by the fire in the forest.

 Characters

We follow Neryn throughout the story, but several characters come into play, both human and animal, as she travels across the land to get to a safe place away from the King’s men.

Favourite

The Good Folk. I really loved the idea behind them and the imagination that went into describing who they were. Since there was such a huge variety of them, it was very open to the imagination as to what features and abilities they had.

Least Favourite

Even though he didn’t actually show his face in this book, the King, and what he was doing to the people of this land, really did upset me. He is definitely somebody that you want to see taken down from power and taught a lesson by the end of the series.

Beginning

The story starts off with a bit of action, as Neryn and her father are running for their lives, and eventually ending with Neryn being left on her own to make her way to the only place she knows of that is safe from the King’s men – Shadowfell. She is alone, and walking by foot and it’s several days/weeks travelling to get there.

Storyline

When King Keldec calls for all magical people to be brought to him, Neryn and her father go on the run. She soon finds herself on her own and with the help of her gift, Neryn must traverse the land to reach a safe haven.

Ending

Pretty powerful. I wasn’t expecting to be as moved as I was when the book came to a close. There were so many emotions built up during the story that the ending has an impact, really driving the urge to get the next book pronto.

Thoughts

Neryn was often “stuck” during her travels and that lead to a lot of down time. But it seems that the times that adventure was happening were really pumped up and so thought provoking that I had to stop and consider the story before I could move on. The ending really made the difference for me. I found that I was more invested in the characters than I realized. The story has stayed with me for days now, in a very good way, and won’t leave my mind.

Quote

“I understand that it’s hard for you to trust. Your not alone in that” -Flint

 

Lisa:

 

 

Cover

At first, after ordering this book online and getting to see it first hand, I wasn’t too excited about it. There just isn’t anything special about the cover, and there is no real meaning to it. There are no elements of the story in this cover. The one thing I do like about it, is that the background is a forest scene, but that’s about it.

A little disappointed, since I LOVED the story so much.

Characters

Really enjoyed them! I thought they had real emotions, and thoughts. They weren’t overly dramatic, and didn’t move or do anything too fast, without thinking about it. They weren’t superficial.

Favorite

I absolutely loved each and every one of the characters in Shadowfell. Neryn was going through so much; the death of her mother and grandmother, the murder of her brother, and the fact that her alcoholic father gambled her off to a stranger. She was smart and made decisions in a calm and realistic way.

Flint wasn’t just battling as a man of the king, and a rebel, but also within himself. He has had to do unimaginable things for both the abusive king, and for the rebels going against the king. He was very torn.

While the fairy folk weren’t mentioned too often throughout the story, I liked the idea of them. They’re much smaller than humans, they hide and blend into their background, and they stay as far away as possible from cold iron. I hope we get to learn and see more of the fairy folk in the books to come.

Least Favorite

NONE!! Not a single one!

Beginning

The first chapter had me sucked in! Within the just the first three pages, my eyeballs were glued to the book and there was no way I was going to put it down.

In only the first chapter, the reader learns of Neryn’s past and current situation. She’s been travelling, and hiding with her dad, barely surviving. He heads into a bar to gamble and try to get enough money to be able to afford a barn and a pile of hay to sleep on. He gets drunk and decides to put up Neryn for the win.

Middle

This part was a bit slower than the first chapters, simply because the author needed to build up the world. I still really enjoyed it and liked learning about the fairy folk as well as Neryn’s past struggles.

Ending

LOVED IT! It’s so intense, and beautiful. But the battle’s not over yet… there is still so much to do!

Overall Thoughts

I couldn’t get enough, and that’s why I plan on picking up the second and third books, Raven Flight and The Caller, soon! If you love fantasy and get the chance to pick up this book, I completely recommend it.

http://www.julietmarillier.com/  

Paperback, Australian edition, 349 pages

Published: July 1st 2012 by Pan Macmillan Australia (first published January 1st 2012)

original title: Shadowfell

ISBN

1742611346 (ISBN13: 9781742611341)

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Bel:

 

Cover

The cover was really what had me buying this book, not borrowing this book, from the library. The dust cover is a gloriously textured paper. The picture of a pretty young brunette with juicy red lips, blindfolded with a red ribbon, who standing on a coastline at dusk, drew me in. The title is embossed and the hard-cover spine has the title in foiled red lettering. Just something a little bit special. Thank you to Better World books for making the price that fits my budget.

Characters

I wasn’t overly fond of the parental/caregiver portrayal, but they needed to be the evil to counteract the teen characters.

Favourite

Nami, she was about the only character that kept true to herself.

Least Favourite

Faye, mainly because the little things she did irritated the heck out of me.

Beginning

Faye’s dad drops her off at Holbrook Academy as a last ditch attempt to get her to conform.

Storyline

Holbrook Academy, which is part mental institution, part juvenile detention centre is every bit of the nightmare that those two descriptions convey.

Ending

The title comes into play in an unexpected way.

I may have missed the point where the ending was justified, so it felt like a twist to me. I had a little trouble following some of the imagery, and some reactions seemed a little off. Not my cup of tea, but I LOVE the cover.

Quote

“Sweet dreams.” She said and shut the door. The lock snapped into place. Fay’s first night at Holbrook Academy

 

 

Krista:

 

 

Cover

I agree with Bel here. I was initially prompted to purchase the book because it was something I wanted for my shelves. It has all the major elements of the story and it’s beautiful.

Characters

I was surprised at the strictness of the Academy, at times wondering how it got to such a state. The caretakers and Dr Mordoch are at an extreme end of the disciplinary line. I also would have liked to get to know more of the students on a deeper level.

Favourite

I was a sucker for the love interest, Kel. He was flirty, dangerous and seemed to care for Faye on a deep level.

Least Favourite

My least favourite characters were the ones in charge of the Academy. Even at the very end, I was unsure about why they had to take a whip to the students and make outrageous rules. Their actions had me more upset than I have ever felt reading a book.

Beginning

When Faye’s parents discover that she has been collecting dead animal bones, they are concerned that she will never outgrow the “weirdness” that began in her as a young child. They return her to the Dr that has been consulting her family about her issues. It just so happens that she now runs Holbrook Academy, so Faye is left in her care.

Storyline

When Faye is dropped off at Holbrook Academy it doesn’t take her long to find out it’s run more like a prison. Each and every action the students make is closely watched; it’s very militaristic and nothing is tolerated. Faye is kept in a “Family” group of 5 other students with whom she grows a deep connection. They even begin to share nightmarish dreams. Faye seems to have a deepest connection to the land the Academy is on, and with Kel. She starts to see her powers as more of a positive thing than a punishment.

Ending

I really did not predict that the story would end up like it did. Though the novel does build on the visions, nightmares and history of the land, I just didn’t catch on quite that the story was going to put such an emphasis on what it did. I really should have seen it coming! I didn’t know it would be as potent as it was.

Thoughts

I do have to say I agree with Bel about the imagery in some parts being hard to visualise. I had to take the book slower than usual to try to really grasp it. It’s full of visions and nightmares and flashbacks that the reader has to picture in their minds in order to grasp the clues in the storyline.  In that way the story reminded me of  Michelle Hodkins’ books. In the end, I found that I enjoyed the imagery. I think this is a book that will stick with me for awhile and I would recommend it to readers who enjoy a lot of imagery in stories. (Of course, this novel takes on the darker, nightmarish side.)

Quote

” I wasn’t used to people meeting my eyes. And Kel didn’t just look at me. He looked into me, like he could see every thought in my head. And whatever he saw there now, he must have liked. He gave me a slow smile that made me blush. “

I chose this quote because it not only represents the first real encounter between Kel and Faye, but it holds the core of the story. ‘I wasn’t used to people meeting my eyes.” Faye’s insecurities and how she looks at herself as being damaged.

Book Trailer

http://www.sarawilsonetienne.com/harbinger

Hardcover, 309 pages

Published February 2nd 2012 by G.P. Putnam’s Sons BYR

ISBN

0399256687 (ISBN13: 9780399256684)

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Bel:

 

Cover

Two faces in profile and an electric-type air between them. Quite telling really.

Characters

Very Twilight-esque with the almost outcast girl being included into the new family to town. However that’s pretty much where it stops being anything like Twilight. Thank bleep.

Favourite

Claire. As with so many best friends of the main character in books I just want her all to myself. Even if she did push her BFF off a roof.

Least Favourite

Is it too clichéd to pick Lucas? Tough. He makes me want to pinch him.

Beginning

There once was a girl from Nantucket… okay I’ll stop there, however this is actually set in Nantucket so it fits. Helen meets the new kids to town and wants to eat their faces on sight.

Storyline

Helen finds out WHY she wanted to eat the faces of the new kids, then discovers everything she has ever known about her life has been a big fat Greek LIE.

Ending

There may or may not be incestuous thoughts.

Thoughts

I screamed through this one in 24 hours. Yep all 514 pages in under a day. So in short I LOOOOVED this book.

Greek mythology, love/hate relationships. Girl having a Rocky Balboa scene and food, lots and lots of food.

Quote

“I’ve known you could fly since we were kids. I even pushed you off your roof once to make sure. Sorry about that by the way,” she said sheepishly. Claire talking to Helen.

 

Krista:

 

 

Cover

The US Cover has a lot of purples and blues. The dress is a nod towards Ancient Greece and the myths this story references. The combination of the stormy air and the ocean waters also ties together the setting. 

Characters

Although Helen is an only child, she has a best friend who’s part of the large Delos family. Although Helen is the main character, we get to learn a lot about each family member individually.

Favourite

This was a hard pick for me but overall I had to choose Claire, Helen’s best friend. She adds a lot of humor to the story, she’s cute, spunky and a good friend.

Least Favourite

Matt. He seemed a little too power hungry and frustrating for me to understand. I forsee his story continuing in depth as the series progresses.

Beginning

Helen is used to her somewhat dull life on Nantucket Island, working for her single father and hanging out with her best friend Claire. When the Delos family moves and transfer to her school, she cannot stop her desire to kill them upon sight.

Storyline

As Helen is just coming to terms with the Delos family and her strange new desires, she discovers that somebody is after her, possibly to kill her. And why she has started seeing visions of three women urging her to commit murder?

Ending

The ending is by far not a conclusion, but at least it’s not a cliffhanger! There are several storylines that are left open and I am personally interested in what happens next.

Thoughts

I really enjoyed the fact that the author was able to incorporate the stories of several different characters without being overwhelming; and how she she used the Greek Myths, Gods and history to tie them all together. There are some complicated family ties brought to the story that helped take some of the pressure off the head over hills romance. It’s very detailed and well researched and adds an interesting perspective on today’s world.

 Quote

“I don’t care how hard being together is, nothing is worse than being apart.”

 

Lisa:

 

 

Cover

One of my favourite covers in the world! I love the way the entire trilogy looks sitting on my white bookshelf. They’re just so shiny and really catch the eye!

Characters

Is it weird that I like, when characters don’t like each other right away? I mean we see insta-love in YA so much. And I always ask myself why do they like each other? How can someone “love” someone else so quickly? In Starcrossed, the two main characters absolutely hate each other, until they are forced to work together, and that’s what brings them so close. Love love love!

Favorite

I think I would have to agree with Bel and Krista when they chose Claire as their favourite character. She’s just funny, and brings a bit of humor to the story. She’s that friend, who is dorky, and goofy, even in the worst situations. But if I wasn’t allowed to copy Krista and Bel, I think I would have to pick Helen. I feel like there is just SO much going on around her, and in her life and she handles it… much better than I would. And even much better than I’ve seen characters handle situations in other books.

Least Favorite

I don’t have a least favourite but I have something to complain about, and it doesn’t really fit in any of our other categorie, so I’m just going to rant right here instead. Helen’s mom! REALLY? I know it’s only the first book, but I feel like we (the readers) deserved to know a little bit more about her mom, and why she left and what happened to her. Hopefully she’ll be mentioned more in the next two books.

Beginning

So there’s this really hot babe named Helen… JUST kidding. But there really is this beautiful girl named Helen who lives on an island called Nantucket. Besides her immense beauty, Helen is also extremely fast and strong. She runs track (beating everyone by minutes) and helps her dad at the general store (lifting heavy boxes). Life’s been good, and Helen has been trying to keep her powers to herself… that is until a new family moves to town, and the life she’s known is gone forever. Whenever she comes near one of its member, she feels anger and the urge to beat them to pulp.

Middle

Throughout the middle of the book, Helen discovers who she is, who her mother is, and that her life isn’t what she always thought it was. The beauty, speed and strength aren’t something that just happened. It’s something that happens to all people who are descendents of the original players in the Trojan War.

End

AHHH! No! That can’t be happening! Please tell me this isn’t true… Josephine Angelini, how can you do this to us? Do you want to break our hearts?!

Overall Thoughts

Okay, where can I begin? Angelini did an amazing job tying the historical and mythological aspect into this story. When reading YA historical fiction, many times the history is mentioned, or brought up, but not really carried along throughout the entire story. Angelini did a great job sticking to it, but also bringing in the future and her own twist to the characters and story. The book never had a slow moment. Once you started with the first page it was extremely hard to put it down. The characters are lovable and I adored Lucas and Helen. The ending broke my heart into a million shards and I’m still picking them up today. I’ll be reading the rest of the trilogy in January hoping Josephine will mend my heart again.

 

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