Review: The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

Title: The Wrath and the Dawn

Author: Renee Ahdieh

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Retellings, Fantasy

Reviewed by: Cassie

Summary (from goodreads.com)

A sumptuous and epically told love story inspired by A Thousand and One Nights

Every dawn brings horror to a different family in a land ruled by a killer. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, takes a new bride each night only to have her executed at sunrise. So it is a suspicious surprise when sixteen-year-old Shahrzad volunteers to marry Khalid. But she does so with a clever plan to stay alive and exact revenge on the Caliph for the murder of her best friend and countless other girls. Shazi's wit and will, indeed, get her through to the dawn that no others have seen, but with a catch . . . she’s falling in love with the very boy who killed her dearest friend.

She discovers that the murderous boy-king is not all that he seems and neither are the deaths of so many girls. Shazi is determined to uncover the reason for the murders and to break the cycle once and for all.

I LOVED THIS BOOK.

There. I said it.
You know Those Books, where the writing is perfection, the characters are perfection, and you love basically everything about it? This was one of Those Books for me.

How can I describe it? The story was beautiful. It gave me tingles. You know, happy tingles! 

One of the greatest accomplishments this book achieves is its characters. Shazi and Khalid are fantastic. Shazi goes from despising Khalid, King of Kings, to slowly but surely learning to love him, and hating herself for doing so. If that ain't poetic, I don't know what is. Shazi is bold and "silver-tongued", and could probably bluff or charm her way out of anything. She was sassy, passionate, and all-together a character that made you want to root for her.
Khalid? God, what a character! I loved him! If beautiful angst had a physical embodiment, Khalid would be it. His dark, mysterious past makes him a serious and aloof boy-king who is- in many peoples' eyes- a murderous tyrant with no heart. Personally, I would have been entirely satisfied with such a character left at that (hello, Darkling #2. I love you already.) buuuuut Renee Ahdieh brings in the angst here. Because Khalid is not what he appears; he is a tortured boy of 18, who laments every wife he kills and has a terrible secret as to why he does it.

Oftentimes, this concoction is a heady but ultimately failing one. But what does Ahdieh do? She says, SCREW THAT. I'll write it so well that you can't hate it! In fact, you'll LOVE it. HA! BEHOLD MY AWESOMENESS.
Okay, maybe not. But there's something about him that's so un-ridiculous that it works. He's quiet and observant, unassuming and confident, conflicted and sweet.
Sigh. How nice.
The rest of the characters aren't as developed as these two, although I believe Tariq, Shazi's first love deserves a mention. Him and his beautiful blue-gray eyes, and his unmatched determination to get Shazi back. Sigh numero dos.

A lot of people had issues with the story, as in, it wasn't spectacular enough for them. Admittedly, it was a bit slow and it was mainly focused around the romance. So for a lot of readers going in who didn't want that, I can see why it was a disappointment. But me? I love romance. I'm a romantic at heart (I'll deny it 90% of the time) and I love a good romance story. Which this was.

Other people had issues with the romance, which I never understood. They say it was underdeveloped and lacked depth- for example, why was Shazi so special? What about her made Khalid spare her life, night after night? And what about the draw between the two? That sort of thing.
Perhaps it is because I'm inexperienced at love, but I found the romance enjoyable. I didn't get stuck on the logistics or the details, I saw what it was: a tragic love story doomed to fail, yet struggling to bloom.

As for the writing: I believe everyone has a different preference for styles, and so it's up to the reader to really decide. I might say that it was beautiful and lovely, but others may find it lacking.

I shall now leave you with models who resemble the characters!

Khalid

Shazi

Tariq

Also, that took me a super long time to find, so I hope you enjoyed that.

To end: this book is a re-read and on my favorites shelf. BOOYAH

Hugs and kisses~
Cassie

Review: An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

Title: An Ember in the Ashes

Author: Sabaa Tahir

Reviewed by: Cassie

Genre: young adult, fantasy, romance

Summary (from goodreads.com)

AN EMBER IN THE ASHES is a thought-provoking, heart-wrenching and pulse-pounding read. Set in a rich, high-fantasy world with echoes of ancient Rome, it tells the story of a slave fighting for her family and a young soldier fighting for his freedom.

Laia is a slave. Elias is a soldier. Neither is free.

 

Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.

 

It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.

 

But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.

 

There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

I wasn't too sold by the summary and cover, and went in skeptical. But then the chapters hooked me in and I was shocked by the quality of the writing!

An Ember in the Ashes is a riveting read, one thy I could not put down. Seriously, I finished it in a day. 

Is it without its flaws? No. The characters are somewhat predictable and lack depth at times. The scenery and world building could have used more details and work. The storyline was a bit cliche.

Yet despite all that, Tahir's writing pulls you in with instances of strangely alluring beauty- it gave me some shivers at times. Her style has a darkly romantic, slightly haunting feel to it at the best moments, and adds an intriguing trait to the more evil characters. 

Not only that, but her characters - though at times dull and predictable- often were enjoyable. Elias was a mystery- he had moments of stark cruelty, where his tyrant genes showed true- and other moments of shocking vulnerability and gentleness. He doesn't want to be evil or a killer, but realizes some part of him will always be that way. (Please become a Darkling, Elias. Please please please become deliciously evil.)

(You're welcome.)

Laia was more frustrating. She was shortsighted and ignorant... Or rather, she wanted oblivion and wouldn't face the facts. Sometimes she was so stupid my eye twitched, but all in all she was honest and a real person. If a bit cliche. The whole "I'm such a good sister I'm sacrificing myself to save my brother it's so hard and oh I'm gorgeous I have two fantastic lads vying for my attention" bugged me. Just... Something about her bothered me.

As for everyone else? Eh. Not very noteworthy. I should mention Keenan, Laia's other suitor, and Helene, Elias's best friend who's in love with him... But I didn't feel they were worth the effort. (AKA unspectacular.)

WAIT. I forgot!

The Augurs. They were like all-knowing and immortal Viseryses (from GOT) because they were always pulling strings, watching, and made you just a tad concerned for your safety. FANTASTIC. Even with their odd red eyes.

The world:

A bit underdeveloped but still fascinating, in a sense. I'm not sure I got "Ancient Rome" from the whole thing, but definitely some ancient civilization, what with the wars and emperors and enslavement. Could have used some backstory, maybe? 

The plot:

GOD. Cliche? Perhaps. So many young adult novels about rebellions that all the stories seem to blend together and I can never quite tell what's original and what's been used in  ten different books. Since I can't really tell with this one, I'm going to say it's not super original. But I mean, I really enjoyed the Trials. 

They were psychological and dark and made me so happy at times . . . And then other times they didn't, because something stupid would interrupt a pivotal moment. 

But all in all, I'm happy! Try it out. Even if it's just for Elias.

Kisses and hugs~

Cassie 

Review: Six of Hearts by L.H. Cosway

Title: Six of Hearts

Author: L.H. Cosway

Genre: New adult, contemporary, romance, mystery, suspense

Reviewed by: Cassie

Summary (from goodreads.com)

Step right up and meet Jay Fields: Illusionist. Mentalist. Trickster.

I think in triangles. You think in straight lines.

I show you a table and make you believe it's a chair.

Smoke and mirrors, sleight of hand, misdirection. I trick and deceive.

But most of all, I put on a good show.

The world thinks I killed a man, but I didn't. Bear with me. It's all a part of the plan.

Revenge is what I want. I want it for me and I want it for her.

I want it for all six of us.

She doesn't remember me, but she's the reason for everything. She'll be my prize at the end of all this-if I can hold onto my willpower, that is. Maybe I'll slip up a little, have a taste, just a small one.

So go ahead and pick a card. Come inside and see the show. Look at my hands, look so closely that you can't see what's happening while you're so focused on looking. I'll be destroying your world right here in the spotlight.

You'll never see me coming until it's too late.

I've only got one heart, and after I've pulled off my grand deception I'll hand it right to her.

So, sit back, relax, and let my girl tell you our story. You're in for one hell of a ride.

Well if that didn't pique your interest, I don't know what to tell you. It's a fascinating blurb and concept, so of course I couldn't keep my hands off it!!

Unfortunately, I didn't like it as much as I thought I would.

It's not necessarily that there was anything glaringly offensive... Rather, I was simply underwhelmed. I was expecting fireworks and heart racing emotions and I got sparks and tingles.

The characters:

Jay was . . . Well, Jay! He was (in a sense) charming and delicious and someone I'd very much like to meet. He's complicated in that dark broody way, yet also lighthearted, romantic, and idealistic to no end. Where do I find a guy like that??? (Answer: nowhere. They're probably rarer than adorable, attractive goofball nerds)

Matilda was sweet, and not memorable. I didn't hate her or whatever, but I do remember she was really naive and there was quite a few descriptions of her having something akin to "childlike wonder". 

Dunno. I just don't know many grown women who have managed to maintain that quality.

The plot:

Ehmmmmmmmm unspectacular. This is where it probably disappointed the most. I was seriously expecting fabulousness and mindblowing adventures. I seriously expected to finish the book and just have to sit on the couch for half an hour trying to figure things out. AND IT DIDNT HAPPEN. THEY LIED!!!! I was horribly mislead, I tell you! Seriously. When I read about magic tricks and illusionists and grand schemes, I fully expect something AMAZING.

And it didn't happen.

At all.

The romance:

I liked it! It was just the right pace-no instalove or anything. They start off as "friends" but there's definite sexual tension, and then they progress wonderfully. The only thing that I questioned was how premeditated it all was on Jay's part. It was a bit obsessive IMO to find the girl you crushed on when you were a child... Just me.

The writing:

Intoxicating! Okay, that was extreme. I lied. It's just really nice. It flows and sucks you in and makes you want to stay up too late to keep reading. 

So in conclusion:

It's good! Light, fun read that's pretty different than most of the other NA books out there. Thumbs up!

Kisses

Cassie

Review: Pressure Point by Olivia Luck

Title: Pressure Point

Author: Olivia Luck

Genre: romance, new adult, contemporary

Reviewed by: Cassie

Summary (from goodreads.com)

I know what you're thinking. It's unconventional to want a man nine years older than you. It's inconvenient to crush on your dearest friend's older brother. It's silly to pine after a man for six years. It's cliche to lust after a celebrity. It's pathetic to fall in love with a man who barely knows you exist.

I know what you're thinking because I've thought it all, too. And yet that hasn't stopped me from wanting Blake Campbell. Charming, gorgeous, brilliant, kind, selfless- Blake is everything I've ever wanted, but he doesn't see me that way. In fact, he hardly noticed me until one night.

When his eyes finally open and he finds out I've left, will it be too late?

I was hooked after reading that summary. It was like getting every possible romantic tension/problem and smooshing it into ONE AWESOME SITUATION/COUPLE. I REALLY WANTED TO LIKE THIS!

After reading it though, I was extremely disappointed. So many reviews complimented Olivia Luck on her artistic writing style, and said it was very beautiful, that the story was lovely, and blah blah blah. 

That's probably what got me so intrigued- not only was this storyline promising, but a writing style to drool over? Sign me up!

How it went down is another story.

I was expecting a dramatic and potent love story- forbidden love, a scorned woman, and a man who will do anything to get her back- but she won't let him because she's SCORNED!

Isn't that a delicious?!?!?! That's what I thought I was going to get after reading this.

I thought I was going to get a suave and devilish guy who was swoon-worthy and spicy and everything nice, and . . . I didn't.

What I got instead was this:

-a lead woman (Stella) who annoyed me to no end. She pretended to be confidant and loving and tried to be the "perfect woman" (imma stab someone for all that sexism). In reality, she came off as unrealistic, somewhat delusional, overly emotional, and weak. She did NOT stick to her guns. She was in no way BA. And she was way too accepting of Blake's jerkface ways.

Have a backbone, woman!!

-Blake. At first, I was interested. Detached yet sexy, cool yet charming. James Bond may or may not have come to mind whilst reading about him.

Then his immature and so, SO not cool personality came to the surface. No, he was not sexy. He was selfish and unapologetic and rude and annoying. If I was Stella, I would have taken my four-inch stiletto heel and stabbed him mercilessly while laughing my butt off.

THAT'S RIGHT.

-no plot, save for pointless melodrama

Basically, yeah. Blake/Stella's relationship did NOT give me the tingles or warm fuzzies or anything. I didn't think it was love, and I was SERIOUSLY DISAPPOINTED. It wasn't intense like I thought it would be, nor forbidden, and it wasn't even close to being cute or lovely or anything good.

Ugh. It makes me cringe knowing that there are relationships and couples out there just like this. Relationships should be a partnership, where both people equally contribute and share. I personally do not believe a relationship is good OR healthy where one person is continuously selfless and giving, while the other partner is taking and taking.

Therefore, I did not like the romance portrayed in this story in any way. I found it too traditional (in the sense that the male is overly dominant and alpha and the female just goes with it and likes it) and in no way appealing.

Hugs and kisses~~ 

Cassie