The Retribution of Mara Dyer Review

81YstLg924LI didn’t absolutely love it and I didn’t hate it either.

It was just kind of ok…. We definitely delved a lot deeper into the story and the reasoning’s behind the study of the defect, but I wasn’t really left with any overwhelming feelings after the ending.

This book really starts with a lot of tense, highly emotional scenes that set up the tone of the book very well. The stakes were very high throughout the first 100 pages or so and it really had me on the edge of my seat and turning the pages. But with that being said the rest of the book was just kind of mediocre for me. I like that the flashbacks are more in depth and we are getting the answers to a lot of questions but the direction that the book went with wasn’t a favourite of mine.

I started to question Mara and her decisions a lot in this third instalment of the series. Yes I know she was tortured and has had a lot of emotional and physical trauma happen to her a short period of time, but I didn’t really like who she became after she escaped. Sure she did save Stella and Jamie but I don’t feel like that justifies some of her actions since. I was wholly on Stella’s side after the incident in the subway and I fully supported her decision to leave and go home… I feel like I would of done the same. I think it was the fact that Mara took on the role of judge and executioner and really would of followed through had it not been for Jamie and Stella’s presence. It didn’t sit well with me and I thought she was very detached.

Daniel really shone for me in this book, his staunch support of his sister and commitment to finding the truth and uncovering the secrets of the trial was wonderful. I love the bond that they share and I really enjoyed his character and how solid and stable he is.

Noah didn’t do a lot for me in this book either. I know there was the whole mystery surrounding his death but I had no doubt that he would be making a reappearance. It was a little obvious and when he did finally show up it wasn’t all that impressive or shocking. He just kind of strolled in and it wasn’t impactful at all for me.

It was a very fast paced book and I did read it really quickly but I wasn’t satisfied with the ending. Everything was exposed and it made sense but it didn’t really answer all of the questions that I wanted and it was a very open ended conclusion. I wasn’t left awestruck or dumbfounded I was just like ok.

⭐️3.5/5 A little anticlimactic…

⚡️Harry Potter Update⚡️

9781408855928Earlier this month I completed Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire! I really enjoyed my reread of this book in particular. I think as the series progresses they books just continue to showcase how complex the plot is and how engaging and charming all of the characters are. The Goblet of Fire is among one of my favourites and I am still loving my experience rereading this series. I love the introduction of the students from the different schools and how they contrast to the students at Hogwarts. It really helps to expand upon the magical community and broaden the scope of the books. The way J.K Rowling introduces all the new characters and incorporates them all so organically into the storyline and makes all the elements come together are just spectacular and I was once again swept away into this magical world!

Happy Reading📚

Skyward Review

36642458Brandon Sanderson has done it again!

This story follows Spensa who lives on a world that is constantly under attack by aliens. In this world being a fighter pilot is deemed one of the most honourable and sought after positions in their society. Spensa’s father was a fighter pilot and was highly respected until one day when she was seven he deserted and was killed forever branding him as a coward. Now nine years later Spensa is trying to step out of her father’s shadow and become a pilot herself.

This is another example of how amazing Brandon Sanderson’s writing skills are. The world was built up wonderfully and the characters are flawed and highly developed.

Spensa is another strong female protagonist that isn’t afraid to speak up and voice her opinion. She has had to overcome so much adversity in her life, always having to defend herself and work so much harder to fight for what she wants because of what her father supposedly did. Her arc throughout the storyline was wonderful to read. She starts off as this cocky, overconfident cadet who is trying to prove herself worthy to a strong, self aware, more grounded (lol) pilot. The fact that she is able to acknowledge her flaws and express her emotions showed great growth in her character.

I also quietly enjoyed Jorgan as well. I thought he was a great contrast to Spensa, he was more rigid and by the book where she kind of flew off the cuff and was more spontaneous and prone to disobeying orders. I like that we get a look into his life and how different it was to Spensa’s, seemingly being handed everything to him on a silver platter as opposed to Spensa’s battle to belong. I like the subtle shift in their relationship as the story progressed and how it evolved into a more companionable and mutually respective friendship. Though the banter between them was fun and very entertaining to read.

The fact that the flight group kept dwindling really added a layer of urgency and pressure to the storyline. Every time they took off you didn’t know if everyone was going to make it and that really kept me engaged in the plot.

M-bot added a nice spark as well. The communication between him and Spensa was witty and light in comparison to some of the darker tones that the book was evoking. The same with Cobb, he really had Spensa’s back from the start and he was a great buffer to the Admiral. He kind of acted as a lifeline to Spensa’s father and added some insight to that day he defected, I like that he still honoured his friendship to her father by being her mentor.

All in all I was very much invested in the characters and the plot. The battles and the simulation were exciting and precarious. There were definitely rumblings of political schemes in play so I can see it really evolving and expanding a whole lot more in the books to come! Some of the flight jargon and manoeuvrings slowed me down and bored me a little but the overall plot and storyline was very captivating to read!

⭐️4.5/5 stars from someone who isn’t a great fan of sci-fi this was GREAT!!

Truthwitch Review

truthwitchI loved this!

Safiya is a Truthwitch and is able to discern truth from lies and Iseult is a Threadwitch, she is able to see the threads that are bound to everyone showing their emotions and bonds to those around them. Ever since Safiya saved Iseult’s life when they were children then have become bonded and will do anything to protect each other. Safiya’s powers are highly sought after, especially amongst the nobility in which she was born, so she has to keep it a secret or else she could be used as a political pawn. All they want is to live their own lives free of the war that is about to break out in the Witchlands.

It was a little hard to get into the book at the start as there are lot of facts and information and names thrown at you from the get go and it took me a minute to get established in the story. But after I found myself situated I was swept away into this world. I love the distinguishing characteristics between all of the witches and their different abilities and the varying levels of power and respect given. There are multiple storylines and POVs throughout the course of the book and it really kept me invested.

Iseult and Safiya are now among some of my favourite female protagonists. I love their companionship and loyalty that they share. You can really see the depth of their friendship and how much they mean to each other. They both value and complement each other perfectly in my opinion.

Safiya’s tenacity was soo entertaining to read. She really shone for me in this book and I love her single-mindedness in terms of Iseult’s safety and health. I also loved seeing her subtly evolve throughout the story as well. She realises some of her flaws and actively tries to adjust herself for the better.

Iseult’s backstory really captivated me as well. I found myself really engaging and empathising with her as she is quite ostracised from everyone because of where she comes from. She still holds her head high and really embraces herself, which made me like her even more!

I love that the story starts off pretty basic and continues to grow and become more convoluted and complex and the plot unfolds. We are introduced to a lot of different characters with different magical abilities with everyone really having their own political agenda’s and reasoning. It makes for a very fast paced and action packed story that I highly enjoyed!

⭐️4.5/5 slow start but a wild ending!

Netflix Book Tag🏷

I’ve seen this tag floating around a lot and it looked like a lot of fun so I figured why not give it a go!!

Recently Watched (The last book you finished reading)

The last book I finished was Truthwitch by Susan Dennard

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Top Picks (A book/books that have been recommended to you based on books you have previously read)

One I have been recommended heaps and have every intention of reading sometime this year is The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

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Recently Added (The last book you bought)

The Vanishing Stair by Maureen Johnson

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Popular on Netflix (Books that everyone knows about 2 you’ve read and 2 you have not read)

Two I’ve read are the Cruel Prince by Holly Black and Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare and two I haven’t read are Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo and The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas

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Comedies (A funny book)

I don’t remember actively laughing out loud to any books in particular but if I had to choose one I would have to say probably Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson.

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Dramas (A character who is a drama queen/king)

From what I’ve read recently I would have to say Lara Jean from To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

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Animated (A book with cartoons on the cover)

All I could find in my collection was Carry On by Rainbow Rowell.

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Watch It Again (A book/book series that you want to re-read)

I’ve just posted this recently but I want to get around to rereading the Grisha Trilogy again very soon!

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Documentaries (A non-fiction book you’d recommend to everyone)

I don’t read a lot of non-fiction and nothing immediately springs to mind…

Action and Adventure (An action packed book)

Kingdom of Ash by Sarah J Maas, definitely one of the most action packed books I’ve read in a while!

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New Releases (A book that just came out or will be coming out soon that you can’t wait to read)

Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi, highly anticipating this book!

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Max: Tag some people!!

I tag anyone who wants to give this tag a go it was a lot of fun!