Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas – Review

Title: Throne of Glass

Author: Sarah J. Maas

Synopsis (from Goodreads): In a land without magic, where the king rules with an iron hand, an assassin is summoned to the castle. She comes not to kill the king, but to win her freedom. If she defeats twenty-three killers, thieves, and warriors in a competition, she is released from prison to serve as the king’s champion. Her name is Celaena Sardothien.
The Crown Prince will provoke her. The Captain of the Guard will protect her. But something evil dwells in the castle of glass—and it’s there to kill. When her competitors start dying one by one, Celaena’s fight for freedom becomes a fight for survival, and a desperate quest to root out the evil before it destroys her world.

Rating: 4/5 stars

This review is spoiler free.

Welcome to the first review of my 2023 challenge! (If you don’t know which challenge I’m talking about, you can read it in this article) I finally had the chance to start reading the Throne of Glass series and I’m so happy to say that (as you can see from my rating) I really enjoyed it! I can’t wait for February to come so that I can see what’s coming in the next installments. Without further ado, let’s take a better look!
First, let’s talk about the writing style. I have to admit that at the beginning I had some difficulties with it and I think that it was probably something related to my personal experience than the writing style itself. I don’t know why my mind struggled a bit to enter that world. But once I was inside, gosh, I couldn’t stop reading. Also, I have to make a HUGE PRAISE for the short chapters. I just love them, they make me read even faster and that’s why I was at the end of the book in just a few days.
The main reason why I was reading this novel so fast, apart from the interesting and well-developed plot, was its main character, Celaena. She is witty, she is sassy, and she is the best assassin of that world and I simply adored her in every single page. I so loved reading about her experience in this book and I can’t wait to see some of her past unravel in the future novels, I just can’t wait to know more about her. Also, I’d love to know more about her future love interests.
I think I’ll need to open an entire chapter just to explain how fond I was of both of them: Chaol and Dorian. I can’t pick a team, I’m sorry, whenever one of them conquered my heart, the other did something even more interesting in the next chapter and I was already sold. Not to mention the chapters focused on Yulemas. Those were my favourite chapters of the entire book and Chaol and Dorian were simply lovely. I also adore seeing them being jealous of the other, I just would like to be in Celaena’s place.
In conclusion, all I can say is that, even if at first I had some difficulties while trying to enter in this world, I had so much fun throughout the entire book and the story has so much potential. I can’t wait for next month to come so that I can read Crown of Midnight.

So, these were my opinions about Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Mass, hope you liked reading about them. If you would like to let me know your own thoughts about this book or what I said in this review, just leave them in a comment down below. Thanks for reading!

WWWednesday #14

Hey Readers! Happy New Year! I wish you a 2023 full of bookish surprises and mostly full of interesting readings. Now, since it’s the beginning of the year, what better occasion than to start it with a WWW? Let’s have a look at the books I have read and the ones I will read in the following weeks.

What are you currently reading?

Right now, I started reading Secrets of Blackthorn Hall by Cassandra Clare. What a surprise, even in 2023 I’m still talking about Shadowhunters. Anyway, I know it’s not an “official book” but still I wanted to read it nevertheless, since I think it will be interesting to get some glimpses from the various series written by Clare. And also, because I like to read everything about a bookish series, I love extra chapters and bonus contents. I’m so happy to see that I’ve finally arrived at the last piece before the final novel of The Last Hours series comes out later this month, I’m so eager to read it!

What did you recently finish reading?

The last book I finished reading is Chain of Iron by Cassandra Clare. I must say that I really enjoyed it! There were some parts that felt like “already seen”, but when it comes to this author, I can’t help myself but love what she writes. The plot was very interesting and I wanted to know so bad how things would turn out after that ending in Chain of Gold. Now I have more questions than answers after THIS ending and I hope that the final novel of this series will be as good as the previous instalments. I’m crossing my fingers and praying that Chain of Thorns won’t be a disappointment.

What do you think you’ll read next?

Well, here we are in the most random and crazy part of the article, in which I will tell you what I’m going to read and then I’ll change my plans last minute. Jokes aside, I think these first months will be straightforward and will go as I already planned. I don’t know which book I’ll read first but one thing is sure: my next readings will be Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas, as I already told you in one of my previous articles (that you can read HERE), and Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors, which is our book club pick for this month. I didn’t know anything about this last book so I do hope it will be an interesting read.

So, this was my WWWednesday, hope you enjoyed it! If you would like to let me know your answers to these questions, please leave them in a comment down below. Thanks for reading!

The Books I Hope to Read in 2023

Hey Readers! Today I’d like to do something different from my usual reviews and WWWednesdays. Since I’ve already planned most of the books I’d like to read next year (and it will be so amusing to watch me fail at all these tasks) I thought it would be a great idea to share with you which novels I put on my 2023 TBR. I don’t know how I will be able to read all of them, but I’ll try my best! Let’s take a closer look!

First things first, I’d like to start with something I have already said in one of our posts on Instagram. Next year I’ll challenge myself to read two series and one of them is The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater. The first book, The Raven Boys, was one of our book club picks of a couple of years ago. I remember I enjoyed reading this novel but not as much as I would have liked to and I didn’t have the chance to continue this series. Probably, I wasn’t ready for this series at the time, and that’s why I thought it would be a great idea to give it a second chance. I hope this will be the right time for me to enjoy it, I can’t really wait! Since this series gives me autumn vibes, I thought it could be the perfect read for the last months of the year and for this reason I decided to read one book per month from September to December.

The other series I want to read so bad is Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. These books have always intrigued me so much and I’m so curious to know more about the main character and the world she lives in. I have read nothing by Maas, so this is going to be my first approach to her writing style and I have to admit that I’m very eager to dive into these novels. Given the fact that this is an 8-book series and that The Raven Cycle is already scheduled for the end of the year, I decided to read Throne of Glass from January to August, one book per month.
These two series will be my top priority and I will do my best to follow this task.

There are also two other novels that I would really like to read next year. These are not planned, I’ll try to read them whenever I have the chance to do so.
The first one is A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. I know, this novel is huge like no others and given that some Maas books are huge as well I don’t know when I will be able to read it, but I’m ready to sacrifice my sleep hours to accomplish this task. Many of my friends read and loved this story and I’m so curious to know more about it.
The other novel I’d like to read is The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune. Even this book is very beloved on the internet and I must say that I can’t really wait to see what the hype is all about. I would have loved to read it this year, but, unfortunately, my reading schedule has been very unstable and I wasn’t able to find a spot for it. Let’s cross our fingers for next year.

So, these are the books and series that I’ve planned to read in 2023, I hope you enjoyed reading about them. I would so love to be able to follow this TBR, it would be amazing, wish me luck! And what about you? Have you already planned which books you would like to read in 2023? Let me know in a comment! Thanks for reading.

Books as Songs from Midnights by Taylor Swift

 

We have new Taylor Swift music! It’s here, you guys, the world isn’t ready. And, as always, here I am with some books you could read if you liked a specific song from Midnights. I think this album is quite different from her other projects, but it will be a grower, I already have my favourite songs, and the ones that make me happy, and the ones that make me cry, a lot.
I’m sorry, this article is going to be very long cause you know, at 3AM she had the little chaotic surprise, but I hope you enjoy it, nevertheless!

1. Lavender Haze

“I feel the lavender haze creeping up on me
Surreal
I’m damned if I do give a damn what people say
No deal
The 1950s’ shit they want from me
I just wanna stay in that lavender haze”

Book: Book Lovers by Emily Henry

This song reminds me of Nora, the main character in this book. For sure I can envision a strong woman who knows what she wants, even in love. The lyrics really brought to my mind some moments between Nora and Charlie, the main love interest, that happened in the book. While, for now, this song doesn’t resonate a lot with me, I feel like this could be the perfect anthem for this couple. Also, the concept of lavender haze is so cute, and I could only pair it with a romance novel.

2. Maroon

“Laughing with my feet in your lap
Like you were my closest friend
“How’d we end up on the floor anyway?”
You say
“Your roommate’s cheap-ass screw top rosé
That’s how”
I see you every day now”

Book: Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren

Hi, Maroon is probably my favourite song on the album? Yeah, it for sure is, it’s a magnificent song, and I could only pair it with one of my favourite romance books. Also, if you know the story portrayed in this novel, you can see the similarities with the lyrics in this song. From what I could gather this song recalls a past love that didn’t end well, but that was important. Also, “like you were my closest friend”. Do I have to say more? She really said friends to lovers rights, and I love her for that. This song makes me cry, I have to admit it, it was one of the few songs in this project I clicked with right away.

3. Anti-Hero

“I should not be left to my own devices
They come with prices and vices, I end up in crisis
(Tale as old as time)
I wake up screaming from dreaming
One day I’ll watch as you’re leaving
‘Cause you got tired of my scheming”

 Book: Normal People by Sally Rooney

If I think about this song in relation to Connell from Normal People, I will start crying. I think this book is one of my favourites from the last few years, and Taylor herself declared to be a big fan of Rooney’s writing.
I think this book could be a good read, if you like Anti-Hero the most in this project. Of course trigger warnings are due, check them out, especially if you don’t want to read about anxiety and depression, but I think it could be a good choice if you search for a good literary fiction novel dealing with the overbearing feeling of growing up. Also, a fun easter egg, it gives me a lot of joy thinking about the fact that Paul Mescal, who plays Connell in the TV series, is a really close friend to Joe Alwyn, Taylor’s boyfriend. It’s really sweet, if you ask me.

4. Snow on the Beach (feat. Lana del Rey)

“I’ve never seen someone lit from within
Blurring out my periphery
My smile is like I won a contest
And to hide that would be so dishonest
And it’s fine to fake it till you make it
Till you do
Till it’s true”

Book: My Policeman by Bethan Roberts

Okay, listen, I know it’s a bit of a stretch, but I really wanted something with a beach setting, and of course My Policeman is set in Brighton, and it for sure depicts a sweet love story. What made me decide this was the right choice is the lyric “I’ve never seen someone lit from within”, which I think it’s perfect for the character of Tom. He’s a very silent and introverted man, but throughout the book his personality comes out and it’s very articulate, so I thought it was a good choice. Also, you could read the book and then watch the upcoming movie with my favourite small indie actor, my best boy Harry Styles, could be cute.

5. You’re on Your Own, Kid

“’Cause there were pages turned with the bridges burned
Everything you lose is a step you take
So make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it
You’ve got no reason to be afraid”

Book: Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

I admit to not having read this book, I only saw the movie when I was a kid and it destroyed me. Completely destroyed me, to be honest. And when I started to listen to this song I admit I started to think about this story. I know it’s a book for children, but it contains some really big feelings, and it is a story that deals in a great way with loneliness and friendship. Of course, I haven’t had the certainty of it, since the album only released two days ago, but I think that this song has the same feeling of this book. I want to read it for my own, now, even if I’m all grown up and stuff.

6. Midnight Rain

“He wanted it comfortable
I wanted that pain
He wanted a bride
I was making my own name
Chasing that fame
He stayed the same
All of me changed
Like midnight”

Book: Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

I know you saw this one coming, but I couldn’t do otherwise. Since I heard the intro (which by the way I LOVE) I could only think about this book, I mean “I was making my own name, chasing that fame, all of me changed like midnight” could only make me think about Daisy and her incredible character. This is one of my favourite books of the last few years, and I can honestly say that Taylor Jenkins Reid did an amazing job in depicting this wonderful and strong woman. Daisy really shines like midnight, and I find it very fitting, since she’s a singer just like Taylor. The aesthetic for this album also really gives me Daisy Jones vibes.

7. Question…?

“Can I ask you a question?
Did you ever have someone kiss you in a crowded room
And every single one of your friends was making fun of you
But fifteen seconds later they were clapping too?
Then what did you do?”

Book: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

Not my favourite song on the album, but it’s very cute, it has a juvenile vibe in my opinion, and for this I thought to match this with one of the most famous YA romance books ever. The chorus, with the crowded room, the friends making fun etcetera, really reminded me of the beginning of the relationship between Lara Jean and Kavinski. It is a very fun and cute book to read, also very fast, and I think it has some playful vibes, just like this song has.

8. Vigilante Shit

“They say looks can kill and I might try
I don’t dress for women
I don’t dress for men
Lately I’ve been dressing for revenge”

Book: Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas

Hello, I mean, this is one of the absolute best songs on the album. This should be everywhere; everybody should be talking about this. But other than that, I think this song could be the anthem for Aelin in the Throne of Glass series. She’s such a badass, and she for sure does a lot of things (not going to spoil), for revenge. She’s such an amazing character, and I think she could be the one singing this song. And the Throne of Glass series is one of my favourite fantasy sagas of all time.

9. Bejeweled

“I made you my world
Have you heard?
I can reclaim the land
And I miss you
But I miss sparkling
Best believe I’m still bejeweled
When I walk in the room
I can still make the whole place shimmer”

Book: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Two Maas’ novels in a row, that’s just how much I love her. I’m not going to spoil but this song strongly reminds me of Feyre, the main character in this series, and Rhys, and that man whose name I don’t recall and I don’t care to remember. You know which one. Jokes aside, Feyre really got away from a relationship with someone who didn’t deserve and didn’t cherish her. He did not see her worth, but Feyre can for sure make the whole place shimmer. You best believe she sparkles.

10. Labyrinth

“Uh oh, I’m falling in love
Oh no, I’m falling in love again
Oh, I’m falling in love
I thought the plane was going down
How’d you turn it right around?”

 Book: Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover

This song really reminded me of this romance novel. It’s on the heavy side of the romance genre, so I really say you should check the trigger warnings for this one, but in it we have people who don’t believe in love anymore, falling in love again, planes, pilots and elevators, just like in this song, so I’m proud of my choice.
Also, this is one of my favourite novels by Hoover, it’s just so raw and honest and it will make you cry your eyes out, I can guarantee you that. But it’s also an amazing read.

11. Karma

“’Cause karma is my boyfriend
Karma is a God
Karma is the breeze in my hair on the weekend
Karma’s a relaxing thought
Aren’t you envious that for you it’s not?
Sweet like honey”

Book: Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender

This song makes me smile, I don’t love it, but I love the message. Taylor is saying that it doesn’t matter what people say or have said about her throughout the years, she’s good and karma is on her side cause people shamed her and belittled her, but she didn’t do anything wrong and she was stronger. At the same time, I think Felix in this novel could say the same thing. This YA contemporary novel is one of my favourites of the last few years, because it is empowering and it will for sure make you smile while thinking about serious issues, just like this song does.

12. Sweet Nothing

“Industry disrupters and soul deconstructors
And smooth-talking hucksters
Out glad-handing each other
And the voices that implore
“You should be doing more”
To you I can admit
That I’m just too soft for all of it”

Book: From Lukov with Love by Mariana Zapata

One of my favourite songs of the album with the best book I’ve read so far this year.  In From Lukov with Love the two main characters are famous ice-skaters, the guy in particular, and both of them live under the pressure of perfection and voices that really say that they should always do more. And to each other they simply are people, and they value each other more than anything (even if it doesn’t seem so. Enemies to lovers perfection right here). This book had me in a chokehold for the whole time I was reading it. I loved the characters so deeply, I really had butterflies in my stomach while reading it. It was a joy for me.

13. Mastermind

“What if I told you none of it was accidental
And the first night that you saw me, I knew I wanted your body
I laid the groundwork and then just like clockwork
The dominoes cascaded in a line
What if I told you I’m a mastermind?
And now you’re mine
It was all my design
‘Cause I’m a mastermind”

 Book: The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

So, this was quite difficult, but I liked to associate this song with something clever, but cheeky and linked to something playful, like a game. And what better than this book, that literally has the word “Games” in the title? I’ve only read the first one in the trilogy, I finished it a few days ago, and I quite enjoyed it, but please don’t spoil the other ones for me. In the first one there was a hint of some romance, and I can very well see the two of them being connected with this song. Won’t tell you who I’m talking about though, since multiple options are on the line. This book was so fun and quite Machiavellian, like Taylor describes this song, so I hope it is a good fit, and I hope you enjoy both the song and the book.

14. The Great War

“All that bloodshed, crimson clover
Uh-huh, sweet dream was over
My hand was the one you reached for
All throughout the Great War
Always remember, uh-huh
Tears on the letter, I vowed
Not to cry anymore
If we survived the Great War”

 Book: The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons

Track 14. Nobody saw that coming, huh? Taylor did this for our Folklore bi****s, she really said, okay, you wanted to cry besties, there you go. So, by the way, she gave me the chance to bring to the table an historical fiction novel, and I would do ANYTHING to bring up an historical fiction, ANYTHING. This one isn’t my favourite, not gonna lie, and you have to check a lot of trigger warnings, but it was perfect for the song. I read it some years ago, but I remember that the couple in this one really has to go through some obstacles and fight some things for their relationship, a.k.a, a real, non-metaphorical war. It’s a really dramatic book, be prepared, but I think it could be the best choice.

15. Bigger Than the Whole Sky

“Did some bird flap its wings over in Asia?
Did some force take you because I didn’t pray?
Every single thing to come has turned into ashes
‘Cause it’s all over, it’s not meant to be
So I’ll say words I don’t believe
Goodbye, goodbye, goodbye
You were bigger than the whole sky
You were more than just a short time
And I’ve got a lot to pine about
I’ve got a lot to live without”

 Book: The Astonishing Colour of After by Emily X.R. Pan

This song is hard to listen to, there are a lot of theories on what this one is about, but I’m not going to join the speculations, it’s not fair, and it’s none of my business. But I think this song talks about grief, whatever the kind, not a love story. And this book by Pan is devastating, but it’s also full of hope. It follows a young girl dealing with the suicide of her mother, so yeah, check the trigger warnings for this one, too. But I think it deals with it in a very respectful and delicate way. If you’re in the grief stage, or if you lost someone you love, I hope you can find comfort in what and who you love, and I send you all my love.

16. Paris

“We drew a map on your bedroom ceiling
No, I didn’t see the news
‘Cause we were somewhere else
In an alleyway
Drinking champagne
‘Cause we were in Paris
Yes, we were somewhere else
My love, we were in Paris
Yes, we were somewhere else”

Book: One Day by David Nicholls

Can you believe I cried listening to this song? No, but listen to me, this is one of my favourite songs on the album, period, not just the 3AM tracks, but in general. And I wanted to associate it with a story I love so very dearly, One Day by Nicholls. This song talks about not caring about what happens around you, the insignificant things, because you are so in love with your partner, and it’s not like “I ditch everyone because now I’m with you”, but it’s like “those things that used to bother me a lot are not so important anymore, because I’m so happy”. And in this book the two characters are the best of friends (not only that), and when they are together, they forget about what’s wrong in their lives. And also, yes, they even go to Paris, together. I think it could be the perfect choice.

17. High Infidelity

“Do you really want to know where I was April 29th?
Do I really have to chart the constellations in his eyes?
You know there’s many different ways that you can kill the one you love
The slowest way is never loving them enough”

 Book: Regretting You by Colleen Hoover

For this one I had to ask for the help of a friend, God bless her, she listened to me talking about this album way too much ahah. But this book seems so fitting, I haven’t read it, but infidelity is one of the main themes in this novel, and also in the song Taylor sings “regret me” so I found it so fitting. Also, I so want to read this book, Hoover is a certainty for me. Also, this song is amazing, I don’t know why it’s so underrated.

18. Glitch

“I think there’s been a glitch, ah-yeah
Five seconds later I’m fastening myself to you with a stitch, ah-yeah
And I’m not even sorry
Nights are so starry
Blood moonlit
It must be counterfeit
I think there’s been a glitch, ah-yeah”

Book: Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett

I think Taylor had a glitch when she decided to put this song in the album. I’m kidding, you guys, but I don’t really like this song, I think I won’t listen to it ever again after the first few times. I like the lyrics, but it just doesn’t resonate with me. The book I decided to pair it with, on the other hand, is one of my favourite YA Contemporaries ever, it follows two best friends who fell apart, and then have to spend some time together in the wilderness. If you like the friends to lovers trope, this is top tier, I swear.

19. Would’ve, Could’ve, Should’ve

“God rest my soul
I miss who I used to be
The tomb won’t close
Stained glass windows in my mind
I regret you all the time
I can’t let this go
I fight with you in my sleep
The wound won’t close
I keep on waiting for a sign
I regret you all the time”

 Book: My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

No, guys, you don’t understand, the fact that this song is number 19 is a crime, I will call the police, this song is insanely good, “stained glass windows in my mind, I regret you all the time”? “Give me back my girlhood, it was mine first?” THIS IS INSANE, she’s crazy as hell for putting it as f**ing track 19, this has track 5 potential. Okay, I’m going to calm down, and I’m going to explain why I chose this book. I still haven’t read it, but it’s been on my TBR for years, and please check the trigger warnings for this one, but I think it could be the perfect choice. It talks about a woman who, when she was fifteen, had a relationship with her forty-two-year-old professor. Now, years later, a girl is coming forth with some accusations against him, and Vanessa has to decide whether coming forward and admitting that her fifteen-year-old self was in no way self willingly in that relationship, even if she always believed so. I don’t want to speculate on what this song is about, but I think it’s quite straight-forward.

20. Dear Reader

“Dear reader
If it feels like a trap
You’re already in one
Dear reader
Get out your map
Pick somewhere and just run
Dear reader
Burn all the files, desert all your past lives
And if you don’t recognize yourself
That means you did it right”

Book: Looking for Alaska by John Green

I interpret this song as someone who feels deeply lonely but refuges themselves in books, don’t know if that’s the right interpretation or if it’s just my take. I want to point out that this is not a hopeful book in any way, shape and form. I loved this book when I first read it as a teen, but you will not find comfort there (as always in this article, check the trigger warnings out). Alaska, the main character, feels very lonely and loves books where she refuges herself, but like I said this is not a happy book, so you choose if it’s something you might like.

Okay guys, we have come to the end of this very long (say your thanks to Ms. Swift) article, I really hope you enjoyed it, and I really hope you liked Midnights. Comment down below with your favourite song from this project, 3AM edition considered, of course, I really want to know.
Thank you so, so, so much you guys for reading, I really hope you enjoyed.

Talk to you soon,

The Emoji Book Tag

Hi guys, today I’m here with a fun book tag, and its purpose is to connect a book with the five most used emojis in my phone. I can’t seem to find the original creator, but of course all of the credits go to them.
So without further ado, let’s get into this lovely tag.

😂

This one for me is strongly connected to a book that made me laugh, and what better option than “Carry On” by Rainbow Rowell? It is so funny and cute, and it just matches well with my sense of humour. Also, he doesn’t believe so, but I believe that Baz is the pinnacle of comedy in YA Fantasy. I loved the first and the third book a lot, and I would for sure recommend them.

🦾

For this one I decided to choose a book series that I think features a lot of strong female characters and I’m thinking about the “Throne of Glass” one by Sarah J. Maas. The female characters in this one are the strongest ever, they go through so much but nevertheless they persevere and they always give the best of what they can offer to the world. I will forever be bound to these books, no matter what.

✨

I mean. I mean, what can I say? “We had the stars you and I, and this is given once only”. The word “stars” will always make me think about “Call Me By your Name” by André Aciman and the tender love story between our two main characters, Elio and Oliver. It also reminds me of summer nights under the stars in Italy, so I think this is the best fit I could come up with.

❤

Of course, with this one, I decided to go with a book that in my opinion has a lot of heart. “People We Meet on Vacation” by Emily Henry is my choice for this one, because this book follows two friends who fall in love with each other. The feelings portrayed in this novel span from affection to love, to familial love, and I think it well encompasses this emoji.

🛫

Don’t ask why this is one of my most used emojis, I think I could only explain it to you in Italian and I don’t think that’s the case, but, literally, I decided to go with “The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight” by Jennifer E. Smith, since this story is for a great part set on a plane. I read this book a few years ago, but I remember really liking it.

Okay guys, thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed this article, let me know your most used emojis in a comment, and I’ll talk to you soon,

The Unpopular Opinions Book Tag

Hey there you guys, how are you? Hope you’re doing well in the madness of this particular time. Just so we can think about something a little bit lighter than the current events I would like to do a quite fun tag in my opinion, the unpopular opinions book tag.
I’m always very curious to read about other people’s unpopular opinions, and I hope it will be the same for you.
This tag was created by metalphantasmreads, check that blog, it’s pretty amazing.
Let’s just keep in mind that these are my opinions, and if you don’t agree with me it’s totally fine, these are just my thoughts.
All right, let’s get started.

 

1. A popular book/series that you don’t like.
I’m sorry you guys okay? I know it’s well beloved, but I just could not connect at all with Illuminae by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman.
I can like Sci-Fi books, even if they’re not my cup of tea generally, but this one was a mess, I don’t think the writing style is something so innovative, and the main plot seemed like something Kubrick did already and better a lot of years prior. Sorry, machines taking control of humans? Machines wanting to be humans? I’ve already seen it before, so yeah the hype is completely unjustified to me.

2. A Book/Series that many people don’t like but you love.
I completely, a hundred per cent, will always be a Twilight stan, no doubt about that. It got me into reading, it has an addictive plot, got millions and millions of young people into fandoms, communities, and it basically renewed the YA marketing.
The characters are top-notch, and yes, it can be cheesy at times, but it has a clever plot and great twists and turns. I will always love it no matter what.

 

3. A love triangle where the main character ended up with the person you didn’t want them to end up with/an OTP that you don’t like.
MAJOR spoilers from the Throne of Glass series.
I don’t want to dig too much into it because in the end they found happiness with people I love and respect, but Chaol and Aelin (Caleana, whatever you want to name her) were the best ship in Throne of Glass, at least in my opinion. He was so in love with her, he basically was the only one who wanted her to survive in the first book, and that “fight back” and that scene in the second book where she sails away and he falls to his knees. Ahh, my feels.
(This is prior Aelin becoming an irritating character and a bit of a brat, is that an unpopular opinion too? Sorry, but I’m glad Chaol found Yrene).

4. A popular genre that you hardly reach for.
Science Fiction and Thriller/Mystery books. It’s not that I don’t like them, I simply prefer to read other genres. To each their own.

 

5. A Popular or Beloved Character that you don’t like.
Okay, don’t get me wrong it’s not that I don’t like him. Before the whole Internet begins to curse me. I like Ron Weasley just fine. I just don’t see the appeal. I don’t find him particularly fascinating to read about or particularly interesting, and I think there are far better characters in the Harry Potter series. I also don’t agree with a lot of his decisions throughout the books, I just don’t vibe a lot with him.

 

6. An Author That You Can’t Seem To Get Into
I honestly don’t have an answer for this one, because if I don’t like a book by an author it is really rare that I give them another chance. The only one I can think about is Leigh Bardugo because I read the first book in her “Shadow & Bone” trilogy and it felt really flat to me. But I would like to read “Six of Crows” and “Ninth House” so I don’t think she’s the best answer for this question.

 

7. A Popular Book Trope You’re Tired of Seeing.
I like clichés very much but as time went by I really became very tired of all “the chosen one” trope. I don’t particularly like to give all the merit in a saga to someone only because he or she has the right blood, the gods chose them etc etc. I like to see a hero or a heroine just fine but I don’t think that you can focus all of your attention on a single character, especially in fantasy books.

 

8. A Popular Book/Series you have no interest in reading.
I don’t have any interest in reading any of the Shatter Me books. I think this could be something I could have really enjoyed back in high school, but right now I kind of grew tired of dystopian YA books. They all seem really the same to me and it’s not a genre I reach for anymore. It is very rare I read a dystopian book nowadays.

 

9. The Saying goes that “the book is always better than the movie”, but what movie or TV Show adaptation is better than the book?
It was hard to decide, but I think ultimately I like the “To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before” first movie a lot more than the book. I liked the book just fine but it’s not my favourite of the series, whereas the first movie is my favourite from the ones released until now. I’ve watched it a lot of times, but I hardly reach for the book as a comfort read. I think it’s a cheesy story that works way better for the screen than in book format.

 

Okay, you guys, these were my unpopular opinions. I hope I wasn’t too harsh, and if you don’t agree with me it’s totally fine.
Thank you so much for reading, see you next time.

The Little Women Book Tag

Hey guys!
I’ve recently re-read the first part of “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott, a book that helped me a lot in getting into reading when I was growing up, and I also saw the newest adaptation starring Saoirse Ronan, Timothée Chalamet and Florence Pugh (it seemed just right to mention her cause you know MY GIRL GOT AN OSCAR NOMINATION. Of course Saoirse is my girl too, but Amy would be so proud of Florence, I can’t even).
So, it only seemed just right to do a Little Women inspired book tag. You can find the original tag at this link on Kate Howe’s YouTube page.
Okay, let’s get started.

Marmee: A wise and nurturing book you read.
Is it cheating if I’m answering this question with… Little Women? I can’t think of anything else right now, because this book is the perfect definition of wise and nurturing. I love following these girls growing up, it always feels like coming home, and some of the “lessons” the author talks about in this book are surely very wise. So yes, Little Women lol.

Jo: A character you can’t live with/can’t live without. That’s like, the perfect definition of Jo for me. I can’t seem to be able to live without her, but when she’s on the page I find her so irritating sometimes, but I love her at the same time. I swear. And I have the perfect answer for this question. I’m talking about Celaena Sardothien from the “Throne of Glass” series by Sarah J. Maas.
God, I can’t stand her, but God I love her. I have mixed feelings okay? She’s obviously a queen and I admire her so much but I CAN’T STAND HER, but deep down (very deep down) I love her. I won’t say it again, it hurts.

 

Meg: A book that you accidentally damaged.
Poor, poor, poor “The Nowhere Girls” by Amy Reed. I was eating Nutella and… it just kinda happened okay? It wasn’t my fault, believe me… pretty please?

Beth: A cozy book.
I have to go with “Red, White & Royal Blue” by Casey McQuiston for this one. That book for me is the definition of cozy and fuzzy feelings. I love the two main characters, they’re absolute babes and they’re so sweet. I had the best time reading that book, it’s truly a cozy and little gem. Think of summer days, cicadas, sunshine and all of your friends. That’s what this book feels like to me.

Amy: A pretty book.
One of my seven editions of “Wuthering Heights” or like, all of them. They’re my precious belongings and in my eyes they are so pretty on my shelf. Every one of them is cute and lovely for different reasons, and I feel so close to them. They’re just the prettiest.

Mr. March: A book you are embarrassed you forgot.
I don’t think I quite get this question. A book I’m embarrassed I forgot… in which sense? Because sometimes I forget “Wayward Son” by Rainbow Rowell exists, but I’m actually quite glad of it to be honest. Does that count as an answer? Sorry, I couldn’t quite grasp it, let’s go with “Wayward Son”, a book I actually sometimes really forget about.

Laurie: A fun book.
I would have loved to say a book whose adaptation starred Timothée Chalamet, but the only funny thing in “Call Me By Your Name” was how unprepared for it I was and how much I cried so… for this one I’ll go with a cute book of which I do not forget about that is “Carry On” by Rainbow Rowell the famous standalone novel. I don’t usually laugh while reading books but I was just cackling reading about Simon and Baz, because they’re dorks and Baz is actually the funniest guy, he just can’t see that, but we all love him so much.

Professor Bhaer: The classic you are most proud of reading.
I would be very proud of reading a classic with Louis Garrel

No, like, being serious, all of them. I can’t choose a single one of them. Classics are what shaped me into a reader, what my parents advised me to read when I was younger, the reason I study what I study so I cannot choose one of them. Greek myths, English literature, modern literature, they all made me the person I am today, and they basically shaped my life, so no, even if I did not like some of them, I cannot choose.

John: A sweet character/book.
Let’s go with a sweet character shall we? What screams sweet more than contemporary books? I have to go with my boy Lennon from “Starry Eyes” by Jenn Bennett for this one. He seems a little moody and sometimes a little bit angry at life, but I can assure you he’s the sweetest ever, both with humans and with snakes, and I think that’s amazing. Teenage boys were not like this when I was growing up.

Okay, so this tag has come to an end. I hope you enjoyed it and if you want to let me know your answers to these questions please leave them in a comment, I would love to read them.

5 Books To Read in the Christmas/Wintery season.

Hi guys. I think the title of this article is pretty straightforward, but today I would like to chat with you about five books that, in my personal opinion, are perfect to read in Winter or at Christmas time. They aren’t necessarily set at Christmas or in Winter, but for me they just have that feel, you know? The kind of books to read under a blanket with a cup of cocoa. Yeah, that kind of feeling.
You ready? Let’s get started.

1) I will start with a book that in my humble opinion screams Winter and Christmas, and that is “Carry On” by Rainbow Rowell.
This book is set in a magical boarding school, that is like, the most Christmas-y thing ever if Harry Potter taught us well, and it follows a wonderful love story between two wizards roommates at their last year of school. If you read Drarry fanfictions back in the days, I assure you this is the book for you, but better (because Simon and Baz have nothing to do with Harry and Draco). I can assure you fuzzy feelings all the way.

2) Now I will recommend you a romance novel. And a book written by none other than the romance queen herself, and with that I mean Colleen Hoover. The book I will talk about in this article is “Maybe Someday”, my favourite book from her from the ones I’ve read. This novel talks about music, love, passion and it deals with a very important topic which is the relationship between a deaf guy and a hearing girl.
It is not set during Christmas time, but it surely will give you all the cozy vibes and maybe you will cry a little.

3) One Day In December by Josie Silver is a book of which I received an ARC last year from the publishing house, and I couldn’t be more happy to recommend it.
This is a classic Christmas novel, but I think it’s a lot better than some others I’ve read. It talks about a boy and a girl who lock eyes while she’s on the bus and he’s at the bus station, but they never see each other again until something happens and it will change their lives for the next ten years. If you’re a fan of stories like One Day and Where Rainbows End this certainly is a read you will enjoy.
The male main character is also definitely swoon-worthy so yeah, there’s also that.

4) A Bend In The Stars by Rachel Barenbaum is an historical fiction book of which I also received a digital ARC this year. I don’t know about you, but I really enjoy a lot more to read historical fiction books during the Winter time. It is one of my favourite genres so I kind of want to read them all year long, but I think there’s just something in the Winter season, maybe it’s the cold atmosphere, I really don’t know.
Anyway A Bend In The Stars is the best historical fiction book I’ve read this year. Set during the First World War in Russia, it follows a girl and her brother while he’s trying to beat Einstein in the discovery of the theory of relativity.
Also, the romance in this book is top notch, chef’s kiss level.
This book is really too underrated, please just give it a try.

5) Last, but not least, I’m going to recommend you another fantasy book and this is the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. I’m not going to explain what this is about, because it is famous worldwide and you probably already know about it, but just let me say that court fantasy is basically the most amazing thing ever and the eerie and medieval atmosphere is perfect for the Winter time.
Also, on a more serious note, I’m totally trying to create a Chaol Westfall fanclub all over the world and I already have badges, so yeah also that.
#MostUnderratedCharacterEver #HelpUsPreserveTheArt

Okay, guys we’ve come to the end of this article. I hope you enjoyed some of my recommendations, if you have others please leave them in the comments down below, I would love to know.
Have a very lovely day,

 

 

The Throne of Glass Fancast you never thought you needed (and maybe you were right)

Spoiler Alert: This fancast contains characters from ALL of the seven ToG books, so if you haven’t read all of them, please don’t read this article.

I think fancasts are a lot of fun, and I personally enjoy them a lot. But of course every opinion is my own. You’re more than free to think that a certain actor/model/singer is just not right for a certain character. I totally respect your opinion, just treat people with kindness.

So, without further ado, let’s get started.

~ Celaena Sardothien ~

{Barbara Palvin. I mean, it’s really just the hair. In Hollywood you can do almost anything. And certainly you can do a good hair dye.}

~ Dorian Havilliard ~

{Toby Regbo. It’s really just the hair 2.0 edition. Y’all know how f***ing good Toby Regbo looks with a crown. I know you’re sold, let’s not waste time. Just think of all the King energy he has. I can’t even.}

~ Chaol Westfall ~

{Daniel Sharman. I mean, LOOK AT HIM. No really, look at him. Chaol is my favourite ToG character, and one of my favourite characters ever, and Daniel is just so good for the role. Infinite heart eyes emojis }

~ Arobynn Hamel ~

{ Sam Heughan a.k.a Mr. Outlander cause I know he’s everybody secret fancast}

~ Sam Cortland ~

 {Shawn Mendes. Not an actor, still good for the role}

~ Nehemia Ytger ~

{The Queen Herself,  Aja Naomi King}

~ Aedion Ashryver ~

(Beware: This is really NOT for the faint of heart. I almost died when I was searching these pics. Look what I do for you.)

{Austin Butler. I can totally recognize a smoldering hot Fae prince when I see one.}

~ Lysandra Ennar ~

{Phoebe Tonkin, cutest little bean on Earth. Just imagine her turning into a freaking panther. I stan.}

~ Rowan Whitethorn Galathynius ~

{Christopher Mason. I’m going so far as to offer you a before and after the haircut. Don’t you feel blessed?}

~ Maeve ~

{Rachel Weisz.  Fantasy lovers everywhere will surely agree.}

~ Manon Blackbeak ~

{Gigi Hadid. My heterosexual self has the biggest crush ever for this woman. Just imagine her with a freaking crown of stars on her head. She could conquer the world. And imagine how hot her and Toby Regbo would look like together – yeah, the crown is still involved.}

~ Asterin Blackbeak~

 {Blake Lively. Sometimes you just have to hail the queen, am I right?}

~ Lorcan Salvaterre ~

{Jason Momoa. Not even trying to explain this. It’s just a truth universally acknowledged in this Fandom}

~Elide Lochan ~

{Anna Popplewell. Just imagine the good content between her and Jason Momoa.}

~ Yrene Towers ~

{Kat Graham. From witch to healer. And luckiest girl on Earth.}

~ Nesryn Faliq~

{ Lana Condor. Lara Jean did not come to play, guys.} 

~ Sartaq Khagan ~

{Avan Jogia. I think this was the most difficult ever. But I can see it. Hope you’ll see it too.}

~Hasar Khagan ~

{Emeraude Tobia. I mean, she’s our modern day Princess Jasmine, right?}

~Gavriel (The Lion of Doranelle) ~

{Chris Hemsworth. Again, not for the faint of heart. Chris Hemsworth would be Austin Butler’s father. Let that sink in.}

~ Fenrys Moonbeam ~

(Fasten your security belts boys and girls, we’re going for a ride)

{Rome Flynn a.k.a the most wonderful Greek God on Earth. The struggle of searching these photos was so very real.}

Okay, guys, we’ve come to the end. I hope I had all of the most important characters covered. I hope to hear your comments on this new format. Would you like to see more fancasts? Do you agree with my choices or not? Please let me know in the comments.
Have a good day,

Books I Want to Read in 2019

Yesterday was the most wonderful day of the year, Christmas, and that means we are 6 days away from the beginning of the new year!
People always think about making a list of good intentions for the upcoming new year, like to be kind, gentle, respectful and so on. On the contrary, I decided to make a list of the books and/or sagas I’d like to read.
Shall we begin?

 

My Winter TBR

For these cold months I picked some books that will surely melt my heart. These books are:
– What if It’s Us, by Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera. Since this book came out I have been looking forward to reading it, because it was one of my most anticipated books of 2018. I hope it’s worth the wait.
– Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz. This was one of my 2017 Christmas gifts and I’m unforgivable for still not having read it yet. I’m sorry.
– Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman. After seeing the wonderful and heart-breaking adaptation of this book I couldn’t help but decide to read the book, because the story is very beautiful. Also, there are some differences between the book and the movie and I’m curious to know all of them.

 

The Dark Artifices Saga

2018 was Cassandra Clare’s year for me. I read 6 of her books and now the only thing I’m missing is her last series (along with Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy and Ghosts of the Shadow Market, but it’s no big deal).
I’m really looking forward to reading these books, because I found her other works very beautiful. Well, maybe the fourth and fifth book of TMI weren’t as good as the others, but who cares.

 

The Book of Dust

I love Philip Pullman, he’s one of my all-time favourite authors and it’s such a shame that I haven’t read his last book yet. His Dark Materials was a masterpiece that left me in tears for many days and I couldn’t be more grateful to him for creating such a majestic trilogy.
Lyra and Will are still one of my favourite ships ever and I want so badly to read this new book (and the next 2 books) to know more about her and the world she lives in. May the odds be ever in my favour.

 

The Chronicles of Narnia

This saga has been on my TBR since always. I read the first three books and then I completely left the series. I’m so curious to know the entire story and see how it’s going to end.
The first novel, The Magician’s Nephew, was one of the first books I read when I was just a teenager and it’s one of the few I still remember very well the plot of.

 

Throne of Glass

Last but not least, the first book of the Throne of Glass series. I’ve heard nothing but good things about it and I still can feel the hype for the last book in the air. This saga is very very long and the books are huge AF, so I think that giving the first book a try could be a nice choice. And who knows, maybe I will read the second and the third one too!

 

So, this is my list of books that I would like to read next year and I will try hard to read them all!
I hope you enjoyed and if you want to let me know if you have already decided which books you would like to read in 2019, leave a comment here!