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Morningstar Review

February 26, 2020February 26, 2020by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment

*DEFINITE SPOILERS BELOW*

Morningstar continues about 9 months after that cliffhanging ending to Golden Son. Darrow has been betrayed and captured by the Jackal and has had to face endless months of torture at his hands. It’s up to the Sons of Ares to find a way to rescue Darrow and continue on their mission to break the Gold’s society.

It’s official Darrow is now one of my favourite male protagonists ever! The amount of growth he has displayed over the course of the series was in full effect in this novel and we really see the consequences of his actions catch up with him. He has really sunk to the lowest of the low when we are brought back into the story and to see him claw his way back up to the top was inspiring. He really sets himself apart from the Golds in this book and he really shows that they haven’t influenced him as much as they think.

Mustang did come through for me. At the start I was still a little hesitant towards her character and I was just waiting for her to stab Darrow in the back like her brother did, but alas she pulled through for me. I was a little peeved that she was still testing Darrow but again in hindsight it all made sense. There is so many layers to her character and she really showcases her many strengths over the course of the series.

Roque broke my heart, I truly thought he was going to come back to Darrow or he was still on their side and was just a spy. I’m glad he wasn’t forgotten by the Sovereign and she did kind of avenge him in the end with Adrianna. Sevro was a consistently loyal, crazy character that you just can’t help but love and one that Darrow could always rely on. I’m glad we get to see him happy and in love!

There were so many moments in this book that pulled on my heartstrings. Rangar in particular brought a tear to my eye. Pierce Brown really has no qualms about killing off key characters so I was constantly on the edge of my seat whilst reading this book. The pacing was consistently fast and they were always on the move looking for the next target.

Now there is no other way for me to say this… but that twist at the end with Cassius was fucking brilliant! I in no way saw that coming, I mourned Sevro for that excruciating 10 minutes and I was absolutely stunned with the way that it played out! With that epic battle with Aja and Darrow finally killing the Sovereign and then not giving in to Adrius and pulling out his tongue… oh it was sweet, sweet victory. I loved Cassius in the first book and I am glad we get to see him redeem himself in the end.

And if all of that wasn’t enough Pierce had to go and shock me again with Mustang. I had a feeling when she was sitting in the mess hall with Darrow’s family trading stories that something was going on, she just seemed a little too familiar. I honestly thought she was about to kill Darrow and start another war against the Reds but I was definitely surprised by what she presented to him.

It was honestly one of the best series I have ever read and I am itching to reread the whole thing again just to experience this epic rollercoaster of a tale again!

⭐️5/5 stars BREAK THE CHAINS! OMNIS VIR LUPUS!

Reviews

Starsight Review

December 20, 2019December 19, 2019by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment

44320715._SY475_ This was a great continuation to this series. Brandon Sanderson really took the foundations that he laid down in Skyward and continued to build depth and layers to the story that is just so entertaining and enthralling to read!

Spensa’s character remains quite consistent throughout most of the story until she has her epiphany moment towards the end of the book. She realises that she has judged some of these aliens based purely on her bias and minor interactions. I like that similar to the first novel she is able to reflect on her actions and accept when she has done something wrong and acknowledge her flaws and actively work towards shifting her perspective.

We don’t get a whole lot of Jorgen in this book, which made me a little sad, as he was one of my favourite characters. I think what little insight we gained from his experience with Gran Gran that leads him to a pretty astronomical discovery was still essential in terms of the overall plot line. I just wish we got a little more scenes between him and Spensa! That little taste at the start of the book wasn’t enough for me.

M-bot has definitely evolved in this book. I’m not sure I like the direction his particular plot line seems to be leading to. Hopefully he doesn’t fulfil all of those fears it seems his previous owners predicted might occur. All of the fail safes and programs written into his software prohibiting him from doing certain things seems reasonable to me and the fact that he’s even questioning those rules and asking Spensa is he is alive doesn’t bode well for me! I really like his character and I don’t want him turning into an antagonist.

The scope of the book is blown wide open in this instalment to the series. In Skyward even though Spensa is airborne they still pretty much revolve around what is happening on the ground. I like that we are given a completely different and foreign setting, but maintain a sense of continuity with the flight training Spensa has to undergo.

It boggles my mind how Brandon Sanderson is able to piece together such intricate storylines that still manages to surprise me at every turn. Characters and interactions that I dismissed as trivial and unimportant turn out to be vital to the continuation of the plot. You really need to pay attention to every little detail he puts in because somehow it will be revealed as a key piece of information that the whole story is revolving around.

⭐️4.5/5 stars This was absolutely fantastic 100% recommend!

Reviews

Impossible Times Series Review

December 13, 2019December 13, 2019by amyleighreadsLeave a Comment

This week I completed Mark Lawrence’s Impossible Times Series! Each book was only around 250ish pages so I figured instead of reviewing each book individually I would do a series review! I’m not going to go too in depth as I don’t want to give any spoilers!

39792427._SY475_ One Word Kill – This was probably my least favourite of the three books although it was crucial in terms of establishing all of the scenes that will eventually become so important later in the series. I found it a little hard to get into personally, especially with all of the science/time travel/mathematical jargon that is used frequently throughout the book. Being how short it actually is I think Mark Lawrence did an excellent job adding depth and personality to each of the characters. I was a little bored at times but I was intrigued enough that I definitely had to continue on! ⭐️3/5 stars

Limited Wish – I really liked that there is a jump in time and Nick is a little bit older now. The setting is a lot more interesting as well and I found it very easy to fall back into the storyline. This book went a lot more in depth in terms of all the science and mathematics behind the time travel. At times I did find myself kind of skimming most of those conversations and trying to stay focused on what was actually happening. I liked the introduction of the new characters and we are given a lot more answers in this book to some of the questions that are set down in One Word Kill. I highly enjoyed the new setting and the development of the characters and their devotion to each other and to D&D. ⭐️4/5 stars

Dispel Illusion – This was fantastic! I liked that we jump from the different timelines and see kind of behind the scenes of what Nick was actually seeing all those years ago. The intricacies that Mark Lawrence had to put together and seeing the seeds sown in the first book ultimately come to fruition was highly engaging and super satisfying! Definitely took a turn I did not expect but better than what I had imagined was going to happen. Completely unpredictable and so much more fulfilling in a way. All of Demus’s secrets come to light and there are so many twists that bloomed unexpectedly that you cannot put this book down! ⭐️4.5/5 stars

Reviews

Aurora Rising Review

September 13, 2019September 12, 2019by amyleighreads1 Comment

They’re not the heroes we deserve. They’re just the ones we could find. Nobody panic.

9781760295738 This was amazing!

Tyler is the best cadet at the Aurora Academy and he is about to recruit the best squad the academy has ever seen. That is until an incident occurs that forces him to miss the draft and he ends up with the dregs that nobody wanted.

I liked that the story was told in multiple perspectives; it really gave me the chance to get to know each of these highly distinctive characters individually. Granted at times I was a little confused as to whose perspective I was reading from but as I got a feel for each of the characters that went away pretty quickly.

I really enjoyed the whole premise and concept of the story, it felt really unique and original. I had qualms before reading this that it would remind me a lot of the Illuminae Files but I really didn’t get that at all. This is a completely fresh and creative plot that had me highly engaged throughout.

Aurora felt a little soft spoken and passive at the start of the book, but granted she had just woken out of being in cryo for 200 years in the fold so I wasn’t expecting her to come out guns blazing. I could really feel how lost and lonely she was, and how she was trying to come to terms with the fact that everyone she has ever known is dead basically. I like how she almost subtly evolves over the course of the story and she starts to get a feel for who she truly is.

Also the fact that even though Tyler is the one that saves Aurora they aren’t going to end up together. I thought for sure that these two are going to fall in love as they are the main male and female protagonists, but I don’t think that is going to happen, which was a nice twist I didn’t see coming. I like that the history between Tyler and Cat is valued and isn’t immediately dismissed because Aurora came into the picture.

I liked learning about the different species of Aliens and how they each have their own look and customs. I really took a shine to Kal; his broodiness and angst really captured my attention. I am a sucker for a bad boy! Finding out about his history and the different clans of the Syldrathi and how their whole species was nearly eradicated and how he bonded with Aurora was touching!

I for some reason didn’t think I was going to like this book. I thought maybe since Illuminae was so good they wouldn’t be able to top it, but I love me a ragtag group of misfits who somehow fit together and have to save the world. The whole dynamic between Tyler and Scarlett and how everyone else seems to fit in so well despite being so different really pulls me in and has me wanting to see them succeed!

⭐️5/5 stars blew me away!!!

Reviews

Skyward Review

February 22, 2019February 21, 2019by amyleighreads2 Comments

36642458 Brandon 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!!