Author: Jennifer L. ArmentroutToday I am reviewing the Wicked Trilogy by Jennifer L. Armentrout as a whole. My favourite book in the series was Torn (Book #2). My least favourite book was Wicked (Book #1).
Source: Kobo Store
Buy: Amazon|Barnes & Noble|Rakuten Kobo|Book Depository
Rating: 4/5
Things are about to get Wicked in New Orleans. Twenty-two year old Ivy Morgan isn’t your average college student. She, and others like her, know humans aren’t the only thing trolling the French Quarter for fun… and for food. Her duty to the Order is her life. After all, four years ago, she lost everything at the hands of the creatures she’d sworn to hunt, tearing her world and her heart apart. Ren Owens is the last person Ivy expected to enter her rigidly controlled life. He’s six feet and three inches of temptation and swoon-inducing charm. With forest-green eyes and a smile that’s surely left a stream of broken hearts in its wake, he has an uncanny, almost unnatural ability to make her yearn for everything he has to offer. But letting him in is as dangerous as hunting the cold-blooded killers stalking the streets. Losing the boy she loved once before had nearly destroyed her, but the sparking tension that grows between them becomes impossible for Ivy to deny. Deep down, she wants… she needs more than what her duty demands of her, what her past has shaped for her. But as Ivy grows closer to Ren, she realizes she’s not the only one carrying secrets that could shatter the frail bond between them. There’s something he’s not telling her, and one thing is for certain. She’s no longer sure what is more dangerous to her—the ancient beings threatening to take over the town or the man demanding to lay claim to her heart and her soul.-Goodreads
My favourite thing about any of Armentrout's work is her characters. I absolutely adore Ivy, Ren and especially Tink. I wish there was more page time with Tink because he is funny, weird and geeky.
The one thing that stood out throughout the series was Ivy's character development in each book. I could pinpoint how she grew and developed throughout each book. I also could relate to her trust issues (albeit I never had to deal with evil fae in my past). I liked how Armentrout handled Ivy's trauma in Brave. I felt Ivy's actions in Brave showed how traumatized she was from the events of Torn.
In regards to Ren, I felt so-so about in him in the first book. However, by book 3 I was shipping him and Ivy as a couple.
I hated the antagonists...which means they were well written.
My only complaint, in regards to characters, is that I felt the side-characters could have been fleshed out more. I felt the Order, itself, and their members could have been fleshed out more. I had a hard time connecting with David.
The first book was very character-focused and heavy on the romance. I found the amount of romance, that was presented in book 1, to be a bit of a turn-off. I felt, in book 1, the romance overshadowed the plot and the world-building. The plot, in Wicked, was a slow build-up for the end.
I enjoyed Wicked's ending and it made me want to read Torn right away. Torn was plot-driven and fast-paced. I could not put book 2 down and I finished it within 48 hours.
The third book, Brave, was more character-focused. It was a bit slower in pace than Torn. I felt the climax of the Wicked Trilogy was a bit of a let down. There were three questions that I had throughout this series that were never answered. I do not want to spoil the ending but book 3, as an end to a trilogy, was a bit of letdown.
Overall, I enjoyed the characters and their journey throughout the series. However, I felt the side-characters, the order and the plot, in some places, could have been expanded on.
Author: Lori M. Lee
Publisher: Page Street Kids
Pages: 400
Source: NetGalley
Buy: Amazon|Indigo Canada|Barnes & Noble|Book Depository
Rating: 4/5
Sirscha Ashwyn comes from nothing, but she’s intent on becoming something. After years of training to become the queen’s next royal spy, her plans are derailed when shamans attack and kill her best friend Saengo. And then Sirscha, somehow, restores Saengo to life. Unveiled as the first soulguide in living memory, Sirscha is summoned to the domain of the Spider King. For centuries, he has used his influence over the Dead Wood—an ancient forest possessed by souls—to enforce peace between the kingdoms. Now, with the trees growing wild and untamed, only a soulguide can restrain them. As war looms, Sirscha must master her newly awakened abilities before the trees shatter the brittle peace, or worse, claim Saengo, the friend she would die for. Danger lurks within the roots of Forest of Souls, an epic, unrelenting tale of destiny and sisterhood, perfect for fans of Naomi Novik and Susan Dennard.-Goodreads
I received an E-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!! Thank you to Page Street Kids for this E-ARC!!
When I first opened Forest of Souls, I was a little taken aback by the size of the glossary. My initial thoughts were that this book would be too complex and overwhelming. That I wouldn't be able to understand what was going on without the glossary glued to my side. However, that was not the case at all. Lori M. Lee does a wonderful job of introducing and getting readers comfortable with the world of Thiy. The author has created a rich and vibrant world. There was never a moment while reading this book, where I felt too much information was thrown on me. Instead, information is introduced at various stages and flows nicely with the story. The world-building doesn't only come alive in the places and their food but, also through their political hierarchy. I felt a deeper connection and understanding of the Evewynian people by understanding the role of the Queen and Prince Company. It is a society built on respect for hierarchies (age, year in school and status in society).
I enjoyed the strong friendship between Sirscha (the main character) and Saengo in the Forest of Souls. Their friendship and love for one another, really stood out throughout the novel. Sirscha is a strong female character with a determine personality. Once she has set her mind onto something there is no stopping her. She is especially motivated if it means protecting the ones she loves or making things right. For that, I find her a very admirable character. However, she isn't a black and white character. She has flaws just like any normal human being. She strives to be the best and prove herself to others, instead of accepting herself. We see this through Sirscha's character development which I won't lie felt a bit rushed towards the end.
I love how Saengo is a very loyal best friend. My favourite character is probably Theyen. I love his personality and how it clashes with Sirscha's personality. I enjoyed reading any scenes that involved Theyen. Whereas, I felt differently when it came to Prince Meilek. I did not hate Prince Meilek but, at first, I felt kind of "meh" about him. I felt his and Sirscha's connection was lacking, in the beginning, despite them both knowing each other before the book events. This gets better as the novel progresses and I'm curious to see more of Prince Meilek in the sequel.
I won't say much about the antagonists, but I wish the readers could have seen more of them. The one antagonist places such a figurative role in this book. We never get to meet them (which I hope changes in book #2) but, we hear about them all the time. The second, main, antagonist isn't given as much screen time as I hoped. I feel this person's role, as an antagonist, isn't that shocking when you find out but I wish the main character interacted with this person more.
The magic system in this world gives off the vibes of Avatar the Last Airbender mixed with Harry Potter (minus the wizards and the magical school). Some of the Shaman's abilities reminded me of the Avatar the Last Airbender. Whereas, the dark feel of the Dead Wood, and the idea of creepy crawlies, reminded me of Harry Potter.
The Dead Wood, by the way, is terrifying!! I would never want to visit there!! The horrors of Dead Wood are described beautifully. Readers can easily imagine this haunting place. For some odd reason, I kept thinking about The Haunted Forest (from The Wizard of Oz) whenever I read about the Dead Wood in Forest of Souls. The two places have nothing in common but being scary places.
The cover is absolutely gorgeous, and I definitely consider it to be a cover buy. It is designed by Charlie Bowater.
I really enjoyed this story. I will certainly be reading book 2 when it comes out. The plot kept me entertained with its action and curiosity about what was going to happen next in the story. The first book will definitely leave readers with some unanswered questions.
Author: Kate Cornell
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Pages: 400
Source: Netgalley
Buy: Amazon|Indigo Canada|Barnes & Noble
Rating: 4/5
Princess Kalista has known her role from birth. She's spent her entire life preparing to be the socialite wife of a prince from a peaceful kingdom. But on her big day, she is shocked when she is instead forced to marry the warrior prince of a cursed land, who is as cold as the wintry kingdom he'll one day rule. Carson has a throne no princess wants to share with him. An immortal beast ravages their land, and he’ll do anything to stop it, even marry a complete stranger on the day she was supposed to wed her betrothed. Let her hate him for it, but Kalista is his only hope for peace. Kalista knows she’s just a pawn on the chessboard of politics, but now she’s expected to kill an unstoppable creature because of some legend about her bloodline that Carson believes as truth. He trains her how to fight, and when lessons in swordplay lead to lessons in love, her destiny puts more than just her life at risk. How far is she willing to go to save the prince she never wanted…but can’t imagine living without?-Goodreads
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you Entangled Publishing, LLC and NetGalley for giving me the chance to read and review this E-ARC.
Live Like Legends was an enjoyable read by Kate Cornell. I manage to read this book in less than 12 hours. Normally, it takes me a week to read a book. Cornell drew me into the story from the very first chapter. I found the story flowed seamlessly together from one chapter to the next.
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