2021 Reading ListFor 2021, I have set my reading goal for 40 books. I'm hoping with everything going on with the virus that shall not be named/staying at home, this will help me breeze right through this reading list. So far, I have just over half my list of books I would like to read, still trying to figure out the rest. While I am mostly a fiction type of girl, who loves a good fantasy or YA novel, I am trying to branch out to explore the other genres. Who knows maybe I will even add in a non-fiction book, maybe I make no promises though! If you have any recommendations you would like to share, I would love to hear them! It doesn't necessarily have to be a new release either, a good book is a good book no matter its age. 2021 Reading List Read: 11/40
Currently Reading:
Re-reads and Thoughts MARCH No re-reads planned for this month, but you never know where the wind might take me. I just finished the the first two books in Jaymin Eve's Shadow Shifters Series (Booktok recommendation). The third and final book in the series is being released on March 30th, so I am looking forward to that one. Also, I received a KOBO reader for my birthday this month, so might try to look into some ebooks. Although I prefer physical books, borrowing books through my local library seems like a better option for my bank account right now.
JANUARY I am not planning to re-read any books or series this month. I received some books during the holidays and am eager to get through those first.
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A Court of Silver Flames by: Sarah J. Maas |
I finished this book a few days ago and wanted to have some time to think on it before writing this review. This is one of my favorite series, while it has its own faults and isn't perfect by any means, I do enjoy reading about this world and the characters Sarah J. Maas has created. Prior to reading this book, Nesta was not one of my top rated characters in the series. If I am honest, she wasn't even one of my top 10 favorite characters. Yet, after reading this big boy (all 751 pages) I have changed my tune and am Team Nesta all the way. I actually shed a few tears for this character, on more than one occasion throughout this book. I credit that to SJM's wonderful talent of portraying her characters in one way, and then magically weaving them into something so different that it is hard not to embrace them wholeheartedly. Hence my change of heart and my new adoration of Nesta. |
Going into ACOSF Nesta's anger, resentment and rage were the driving factors of her unique personality. However, we as the readers had little to no insight into her motives and inner dialogue, so it was difficult to really connect with her in the previous books. Apart from her unconditional love for her sister Elain, and hatred towards her father, there was nothing else presented to enlighten us to her true character. So unfortunately she faded into the background for me in majority of the previous novels.
Well, that was until this piece of beautiful work came along. Everything from Nesta's childhood, to her relationships with her family, friends, Cassian, and even her own mental health struggles were explored. At times it was hard to read, painful and sad even, but through her exploration of her pain transformed herself into someone filled with light and love. It was everything I didn't know I needed from the A Court of Thorns and Roses series, but am so thankful to now get to include. Nesta's POV is a real blessing and much needed reminder that everyone deals with physical, mental and emotional traumas differently. That regardless of how a person may present themselves on the outside, emotions like pain, guilt and regret, do not discriminate. They can latch on to a person's soul, bury themselves so deep that they can't even be recognized for what they truly are. No one can tell a person how to heal, but they can offer a helping hand, and sometimes sharing your own pain can helps others to cope with their own and begin the healing process.
Well, that was until this piece of beautiful work came along. Everything from Nesta's childhood, to her relationships with her family, friends, Cassian, and even her own mental health struggles were explored. At times it was hard to read, painful and sad even, but through her exploration of her pain transformed herself into someone filled with light and love. It was everything I didn't know I needed from the A Court of Thorns and Roses series, but am so thankful to now get to include. Nesta's POV is a real blessing and much needed reminder that everyone deals with physical, mental and emotional traumas differently. That regardless of how a person may present themselves on the outside, emotions like pain, guilt and regret, do not discriminate. They can latch on to a person's soul, bury themselves so deep that they can't even be recognized for what they truly are. No one can tell a person how to heal, but they can offer a helping hand, and sometimes sharing your own pain can helps others to cope with their own and begin the healing process.
Furthermore Nesta also proves to be one bad a** woman. She makes new friends, outside of the inner circle, trains like the warrior she is and finds her place in this new life she was thrown into. Furthermore, it is finally revealed what powers she stole from the Cauldron when she was made High Fae, and lets just say even Rhysand was scared of her when he found out. The book continues to further explore her connection with the Cauldron and any magical items made from it, which I suspect will play out in future novels in this series. Her romance with Cassian is a slow burn for the majority of the book, then all at once explodes. SJM doesn't hold back on their physical relationship in this book, she is very descriptive, even more so than in previous books. Yet, the emotional connection between the two isn't really explored until after Nesta is able to work through her own demons. Unlike its predecessors, this book falls into the genre of Adult Fantasy instead of Young Adult Fantasy (YA), and for very good reasons, this book is definitely 18+.
To help keep things fresh, SJM has added in some new characters to this tale, a reminder of how much social change needs to be done in the Illyrian camps, a new threat from the human queens in the mortal lands, an unknown devious player and a possible break in the peaceful alliances between the courts in Prythian. So just a sprinkle of what we can expect in any upcoming novels. Of course, she doesn't leave us without an update on one of our favorite fantasy couples, Feyre and Rhysand. This dynamic duo face a new development in their relationship, which once again proves that nothing comes easy for these two mates.
With that all said and done, the true star of this novel is Nesta and her journey. To ignore her pain and not highlight her triumphs feels like it should be a crime. So regardless of your feelings towards any of the previous books in this series, or the author herself, this book was fantastic. I would recommend this to anyone and everyone.
With that all said and done, the true star of this novel is Nesta and her journey. To ignore her pain and not highlight her triumphs feels like it should be a crime. So regardless of your feelings towards any of the previous books in this series, or the author herself, this book was fantastic. I would recommend this to anyone and everyone.
A Court of Thorns and Roses By: Sarah J. Maas
(A Court of Thorns and Roses Series Book #1)
Synopsis
Imagine a world where elements from Beauty and the Beast, The Hunger Games and Game of Thrones all meet. In that oddly dysfunctional yet intriguing land, you will find A Court of Thorns and Roses. Largely characterized as a Young Adult Fantasy novel, the story takes place in both the human and fairy worlds, where each know of the others existence but try their best to stay separated. Feyre Archeron is our main girl on this adventure, and it is through her eyes and experiences that we are navigated through the two worlds.
Without giving away any spoilers, let me tell you a bit about this tale. Feyre and her family are poor, like dirt poor. They once had wealth and influence, but it is gone and nothing remains for them to live a comfortable life. She is forced to take on the leadership role in her family (even though she has two older sisters and a father), or they will starve. They live in a small village close to the fairy border, which was created to keep fairies and humans in their respective worlds. The two lands have been separated for so long by this border, that legends and myths are all that remain.
Without giving away any spoilers, let me tell you a bit about this tale. Feyre and her family are poor, like dirt poor. They once had wealth and influence, but it is gone and nothing remains for them to live a comfortable life. She is forced to take on the leadership role in her family (even though she has two older sisters and a father), or they will starve. They live in a small village close to the fairy border, which was created to keep fairies and humans in their respective worlds. The two lands have been separated for so long by this border, that legends and myths are all that remain.
One day while hunting, Feyre kills a obscenely large wolf in the woods, and then is visited by a beast-like creature demanding she pay the price for killing his friend. The beast gives Feyre two choices, pay with her life or return with the beast to the magical land of fairies, called Prythian, to live out the rest of her life. |
It would be a very short story if she picked death, so our girl heads off to the magical land, armed with nothing more than the clothes on her back. We soon discover the beast has a name, Tamlin and he is no beast at all, but a shape-shifting immortal fairy, who is leathal, beautiful and cursed. As Feyre navigates her way through this beautiful and dangerous world, she soon discovers nothing is as it seems. Tamlin has secrets, and a wicked presence is casting its shadow over Prythian. Feyre must decide whether to find a way to stop it or escape back to her world dooming Tamlin and all his kind.
Review
Originally what attracted me to this book was the concept of a re-telling of Beauty and The Beast. I grew up on fairy tales, and even now there is something comforting about the stories. What kept me reading this book was Sarah J. Maas's carefully crafted worlds and characters. She has created two very different worlds (one human and one magic) that co-exist, mind you not in a peaceful and loving kind of way. While both are extreme in their differences, they share elements like the need for power, greed, jealously, prejudice, hatred and violence, just to name a few. Yet, it is not all bad. While Feyre is forced to deal with the negatives in both worlds, she also has to turn her focus inwards to do some self-discovery. In time, leading our heroine to understand what love, family and community are all about.
Feyre is a complex character, with a backstory that leaves her emotionally shut off to the world. She is a fighter in every sense of the word, and yet longs to know what it is like to be loved and taken care of. While Tamlin is every bit the beast. Rough around the edges, angry, intimidating, and dare I say awkward in social situations. He knows what it feels like to love and be loved, while also experiencing the loss of love.
Feyre is a complex character, with a backstory that leaves her emotionally shut off to the world. She is a fighter in every sense of the word, and yet longs to know what it is like to be loved and taken care of. While Tamlin is every bit the beast. Rough around the edges, angry, intimidating, and dare I say awkward in social situations. He knows what it feels like to love and be loved, while also experiencing the loss of love.
I really enjoyed reading this novel, it was a fun and easy read. Meaning that you could follow along without much need to overthink or analyze the tale, just enjoy the ride. While some parts felt a bit drawn out, I understand why Maas chose to give the time to develop the characters and their interactions in the first half of the book before going forward. Maas did a great job of creating a steamy romance in a fictional world where violence, death and torture run wild. |
My only issue with this novel, was preparing myself for the second installment in the series (A Court of Mist and Fury). I was excited to read what happened next in Feyre's journey, but also worried for Tamlin and Feyre's relationship. None the less, this book has become a staple by my bedside, and I have gone back to it a few times to just relieve the tale. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone and anyone. Young Adult classification or not, this book can appeal to the young and the old, and everyone else in between. It is a richly crafted tale, that is sure not to disappoint readers of Fantasy, Romance, Mystery or Suspense genres. Word of warning though, use discretion with younger readers, as this book contains scenes with violence and some sexual situations.
Thanks for reading, until next time book buds!
Thanks for reading, until next time book buds!
Author
Welcome Book Friends!
My name is Adrienne and I love to read and get lost in a good book. If I could read all day everyday I would, but alas real life calls.
Come follow along on my reading journey and lets share some thoughts.
I mostly read fiction and fantasy but will give any book a fair shot. If you have any good suggestions let me know!
My goal for 2021 is to read 40 books, I know it's not much compared to others but it's my goal and I'm happy with it.
Categories
All
A Court Of Thorns And Roses
Fantasy
Fiction
Romance
Sarah J. Maas
Young Adult