Tag: #fiction

Book Review: A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas

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acomafTitle: A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses #2)
Author: Sarah J Maas
Pages: 640
Release Date: May 3, 2016
Genre: YA Fantasy, New Adult Fantasy
Summary: 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.

TRB Review – 4/5

I’m going to try my absolute hardest to keep this review spoiler free, but there’s so much to discuss and it’s hard to do that without delving into details, hmm this will be very difficult. Just in case, if you’ve yet to sell your bookish soul to the lovely Sarah J Maas and her Night Court (meaning you have not finished ACOMAF yet) – do not read beyond the “STOP READING HERE” warning I’ve set up for you below. Instead, skip to the comments and tell me whether or not you’ve started the series, and what you think!

A Court of Mist and Fury is the second book in the Court of Thorns and Roses series by Sarah J Maas. The hype that surrounded ACOMAF on Bookstagram is what lead me to reading series. I am very happy that I did, but like I mentioned in my ACOTAR review, I think the hype surrounding them was a little bigger than the truthful quality of the content. Before you start angrily thrashing your keyboard in the comments – I say this only because of how long it takes for the story to really get good. Maas takes some freedom in the buildup to the most important parts of the story, although in this second book the time spent in the first half is necessary because of the internal struggle that Feyre is facing and must overcome for the story to continue as it does.

STOP READING HERE
(skip to the comments if you have not yet finished ACOMAF, spoilers ahead)

Where do I even begin. While reading the first book I had a very hard time liking the main character, Feyre. She was a strong and tougher than nails, but the broken and hopeless girl from the first book transformed into a hardened and guarded Feyre moving into ACOMAF. After her trials Under the Mountain and the transformation that she experienced, she had some soulful healing to do and I think that Maas did an excellent job letting us into her head and heart and experiencing her pain and fears along side of her.

I immediately regretted my prior fondness of Tamlin. It was apparent very quickly to me why everyone was on “Team Rhysand” from the end of ACOTAR, I think I was just blinded by Tamlin’s High Fae glamour or something? It’s no excuse. I about hooted and hollered when Rhysand swooped in and saved the day, and I was very mad at Feyre for her ignorance. I really thought that Tamlin was out of the picture, but surprise surprise when he and his snot nosed court showed back up to ruin the day! Although to be fair, I did really like Lucien and still believe that he’s going to break away from the madness of Tamlin’s corruption…but who am I to interject my personal thoughts and opinions here. Actually, this has turned into more of a discussion than review anyway it would seem.

The unique way that Maas introduces her characters and builds you up to their full personality and character potential is very interesting to me, and I enjoyed learning about each of them (Rhysand’s right-hand ladies and gents) as Feyre spent more time in the Night Court. They continued to awe me event towards the end of the book, of course there is an air of mystery around them all anyway but as pasts are revealed the characters are really rounded out. I was thrilled that there was so much more going on in ACOMAF, the lack of action bored me before which was very well made up for this time around. Feyre continually grew and developed, a great improvement from her hopeless romantic persona in ACOTAR. She was so snarky, it made me laugh out loud more times than I can count on my fingers and toes!

It’s true, I have jumped on the Rhysand train and I refuse to look back. He’s the newest addition to my ever-growing book boyfriend list, and I mean, if he’s ever looking for a new mate…

I’ve definitely fallen in love with the world that Maas has created in this series. Velaris, really the Night Court as a whole, has stolen my heart and refuses to release it back to the real world. I am looking very forward to the next book, A Court of Wings and Ruin, which is set to release in May of 2017. Yikes, that’s so far away! I’m assuming if you’ve come this far you must have finished the book, I am really curious to know what other readers thought?

Comment below with your thoughts on ACOMAF. What did you think? I have so many questions that I hope ACOWAR answers next year, until then I will burn my Starfall & Rhysand candles and make irrational and unnecessary bookish purchases to hold me over.

Book Review: The Cottage by Michael Phillips

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thecottage-ciTitle: The Cottage (Secrets of the Shetlands #2)
Author: Michael Phillips
Pages: 416
Release Date: October 4, 2016
Genre: Christian Fiction
Summary: When Loni Ford is informed that she has inherited property in the Shetland Islands, she laughs. She wants nothing more than to sell it and be done with it. But when she arrives in the North Sea enclave, she is stunned to find that “the Cottage” is not at all what she expected, nor is David Tulloch, the man most of the islanders believe to be the rightful heir.

The locals could hardly be more surprised that the heir is a woman–and an American. Loni, in turn, finds the islanders quaint and a bit behind the times. Expecting David to be as provincial as the rest of his clan, she discovers that there is far more to the man than meets the eye. And there is something about the peaceful atmosphere of the place–and the character of its most prominent citizen–that soon gets under her skin.

Beneath the peaceful surface, however, change is threatening the island of Whale’s Reef. David’s cousin Hardy Tulloch, whose claim to the inheritance now in Loni’s hands was backed by oil investors, has not been deterred in his aim to control the island. But his co-conspirators have plans of their own, plans that put Loni’s very life in danger.

TRB Review – 4/5 

The fantastic Scottish accents and gorgeous Shetland scenery combined with good hearted humor and a riveting storyline keeps you hooked from the first chapter!

I did not have the chance to read the prequel to this novel, Inheritance (Secrets of the Shetlands #1), but without any prior context I can happily say that it was a pleasant and compelling read regardless. I honestly don’t know that you even need to read the first book to follow the character development, but it’s always a good idea to go in order!

It took me quite a while to get to this review, which was a mix of my own and other sources faults. I am so glad that I read it though! It’s not often in an ever growing world of erotica and paranormal romance publications that we find a decent Christian Fiction novel. What I quickly learned to like about Michael Phillip’s writing is that he weaves a fantastic story while teaching valuable lessons, he takes the time to define and develop his characters, and keeps your wheels turning all the while.

“A wise man knoweth when he has contracted foot-in-mouth disease.” – The Cottage, Michael Phillips

Loni Ford really resonates with me because she is a kind hearted but very driven woman. She has a great career and has worked hard to get herself there, so when her life is turned upside down by the surprise inheritance in the Shetland Isles, her reaction is of no surprise to me! She develops beautifully, and is very easy to relate to. Her struggles are human, and her thoughts were way too similar to mine!

The story really gets gripping toward the middle/latter half of the book, so much builds on the struggles of the town and the new threats by Hardy Tulloch that you just want to keep reading! It was very difficult to put down, and it even has me considering starting from the beginning with book one and continuing with the third installment! This is a very lighthearted read that can be enjoyed any time of day, but prepare yourself for endless hours of not wanting to put the book down!

I received a complementary copy of this book from the Bethany House Blogger Review Program in exchange for an honest review.

About the Author:

michael-phillipsMICHAEL PHILLIPS (b.1946), one of many in a rising generation of spiritual offspring of C.S. Lewis, George MacDonald, and the legacy of the Inklings, has made it his life’s passion to promote the teachings of these giants of the past.

Michael Phillips is considered to be one of the most versatile and prolific Christian authors of our time. To those unfamiliar with his work, the question, “What kind of books does Michael Phillips write?” has no easy answer. He began his distinguished writing career in 1977 with several non-fiction titles.  Since that time, he has authored over twenty non-fiction books, most notably dealing with the nature and character of God and the Fatherhood of God. After turning to the writing of novels in the mid – 1980s, Phillips has penned some sixty fiction titles of great variety.  The enormous breadth of his faithful audience is testimony that his writings are universal in their appeal.  Most of his series have been best sellers in the Christian market.

To find out more about this author, visit his website and Facebook page!

You can purchase The Cottage from one of your favorite online retailers below:
Amazon, Baker Book House (Bethany House), Barnes & Noble, and Book Depository