| BOOK REVIEW | KING OF SCARS BY LEIGH BARDUGO

King Of Scars
Author : Leigh Bardugo
Series : Nikolaï duology
Genres : Fantasy, Yung Adult
Publication : January 29th 2019 by Orion Children’s Books

Synopsis : Nikolai Lantsov has always had a gift for the impossible. No one knows what he endured in his country’s bloody civil war—and he intends to keep it that way. Now, as enemies gather at his weakened borders, the young king must find a way to refill Ravka’s coffers, forge new alliances, and stop a rising threat to the once-great Grisha Army.

Yet with every day a dark magic within him grows stronger, threatening to destroy all he has built. With the help of a young monk and a legendary Grisha Squaller, Nikolai will journey to the places in Ravka where the deepest magic survives to vanquish the terrible legacy inside him. He will risk everything to save his country and himself. But some secrets aren’t meant to stay buried—and some wounds aren’t meant to heal.

This book takes place some time after The Grisha trilogy ending.I really enjoyed this book and I was happy to be back into this amazing world !

Stop punishing yourself for being someone with a heart. You cannot protect yourself from suffering. To live is to grieve. You are not protecting yourself by shutting yourself off from the world. You are limiting yourself.

Story

We follow Nikolaï dealing with the aftermaths. He is suffering from a pretty dark curse, a gift left by The Darkling. Zoya is helping him the best she can. Meanwhile, Nina is trying to cope with Mathias’ death while being on a very difficult and important mission.

It has been years since I read The Grisha trilogy and the Six Of Crows duology. I love Bardugo’s writing and the world she built and I am especially fond of the Six Of Crows duology.
So I had a pretty hard time remembering everything, what happened to whom, that kind of stuff.
But I was so happy to meet these amazing characters again. Nikolaï and his great sense of humor, his irony, his witty remarks, despite feeling himself getting darker. He hasn’t lost his good mood, at least in front of people.
Zoya became softer, somehow. She truely cares for him. I was also glad to witness Genya and David’s relationship, how easily it evolved. I really admired Genya’s character in the Grisha trilogy.

The plot is very interesting. Nikolaï being king and facing both his responsabilities and his demon. His crusade to defeat the Beast, his inner fight and his journey to be the one to succeed. His real motive is more about saving Ravka than saving his own life.

Most of us can hide our greatest hurts and longings. It’s how we survive each day. We pretend the pain isn’t there, that we are made of scars instead of wounds.

Characters

• Nikolaï is such a great character. His huge sense of humor, his tendency at being borderline with the laws, with the protocol. I’m very fond of this character.
• Nina is such a badass character and despite her grief, she helps saving many Grishas. She is so impressive ! She is amazing and has such a soft heart well hidden beneath her steel armor she wrapped herself in.
• Zoya is quite intriguing in this book. I didn’t particularly enjoyed her in the previous books but she forced my admiration in this one !

Overall I really enjoyed this book !

About the author

Leigh Bardugo is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of fantasy novels and the creator of the Grishaverse (coming soon to Netflix) which spans the Shadow and Bone Trilogy, the Six of Crows Duology, The Language of Thorns, and King of Scars— with more to come. Her short stories can be found in multiple anthologies, including the Best American Science Fiction & Fantasy. Her other works include Wonder Woman: Warbringer and Ninth House (Goodreads Choice Winner for Best Fantasy 2019) which is being developed for television by Amazon Studios. Leigh was born in Jerusalem, grew up in Southern California, and graduated from Yale University. These days she lives and writes in Los Angeles.

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| MEMES | TOP TEN TUESDAY – TOP TEN BOOKS TO READ IF YOUR BOOK CLUB LIKES FANTASY SERIES

Hello lovelies ! How are you ? I can’t believe we’re already in November !! Anyway, it’s time for another Top Ten Tuesday ! It’s a weekly meme hosted by The Brooke And The Bookish.

Let’s talk about my top ten books to read if your book club likes fantasy series !

This top ten couldn’t exist without the Harry Potter series ! This is such an amazing series ! I grew with Harry, Hermione and Ron.
The Daughter Of Smoke And Bone by Laini Taylor is such a great and compelling trilogy !! Speaking of trilogy, I had to talk about my favorite : The Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare.
Throne Of Glass is another amazing series that isn’t finished yet. I am waiting for Empire Of Storms to be released in US paperback so I can grab it !!

Percy Jackson And The Olympians by Rick Riordan is another great and funny series ! I laughed SO MUCH while reading these books !
The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare is one of the very first series I read in English. It strengthened my choice of reading in English !
The Grisha trilogy is an awesome series I didn’t want to read for so long ! How wrong I was !

The Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson talks about such a complex world where magic is based on metal ! I found it brilliant !!
The Sword Of Truth by Terry Goodkind is another complex fantasy series ! I only read the first 5 books so far but I highly liked it !
The Shades Of Magic trilogy by V. E. Schwab is not finished yet but I loved the first two books and I can tell you that A Conjuring Of Light is one of my most anticipated releases for 2017.
Finally, the Fever series by Karen M. Moning because it’s such an addictive read !!!!

That’s it ! What was your TTT about ?

| BOOK REVIEW | RUIN AND RISING BY LEIGH BARDUGO

Ruin And Rising
Author : Leigh Bardugo
Series : The Grisha
Genres : fantasy, Young Adult
Publication : August 18th 2015 by Square Fish (first published June 17th 2014)

synopsis : The capital has fallen. The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne.

Now the nation’s fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army.

Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives.

Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova’s amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling’s secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction–and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for.

This is the final installment in the Grisha trilogy. I really loved this book !

Plot

So much happens in this final book !
At first, Alina is like a ghost, the Apparat cut her from all her friends. She is weak, weaker than she was before she became the Sun Summoner.
Mal, on his side, is determined to dedicate his life to Alina’s survival.

I will strip away all that you know, all that you love, until you have no shelter but mine.

The plot is really amazing ! It took me by surprise multiple times. The numerous plot twists were really well thought ! Especially the one about Mal, I mean what the hell !

Ruin And Rising is a well balanced dance between laugh, witty banters and moments that will make you cry !
Leigh Bardugo really shows off her talent as story crafter !

I care so much for these characters that now I’ve finished this trilogy, I miss them. A lot.
The story was really gripping, I was surprised so many times by how the story developed ! And there’s a brilliant character’s development !
Truly, there’s nothing negative to say about this book !
The relationships are really intricate and they feel real, you know ? Not everything is perfect, there are betrayal, tears, angst and that’s what I need to believe in it !

In this moment he was just a boy -brilliant, blessed with too much power, burdened by eternity.

Everything was perfect : the plot, the characters, the world building !

Characters

• Alina really is an amazing character : her situation made her mature faster than she should have ! She is selfless, compassionate and whole. Her relationship with The Darkling is complex and intriguing. She can’t help but feel attracted. They are a lot alike. And yet she is now fully committed to Mal. I also loved how she acted with Nikolai, she never led him to believe that she could love him.
• Nikolai is an interesting character. He wants what’s best for his country and he also deeply cares for Alina. And the rest of his posse, they’re more like a family !
  What happened to him showed how strong his will is. He is one of my fav !
• The Darkling is one of my favorite villains ! He is really intricate. He is doing bad terrible things for initially a good purpose.
  He wants a world where the Grisha, HIS Grisha, are safe and well treated. That’s probably why it’s impossible to hate him and not to love him.
• Mal changed in this book. He is ready to fight for Alina but knows he’s not the best one suited for the Sun Summoner. Tricky situation !
• Zoya surprised me. She was a little more friendly in this book !

Beauty was your armor. Fragile stuff, all show. But what’s inside you? That’s steel. It’s brave and unbreakable. And it doesn’t need fixing.

 

In my opinion, this trilogy is a must read for all fantasy lovers !

About the author

Leigh Bardugo is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Grisha Trilogy (Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, and Ruin and Rising).

She was born in Jerusalem, grew up in Los Angeles, and graduated from Yale University, and has worked in advertising, journalism, and most recently, makeup and special effects. These days, she’s lives and writes in Hollywood where she can occasionally be heard singing with her band. Her new book, Six of Crows, arrives Fall 2015.

| BOOK REVIEW | SIEGE AND STORM BY LEIGH BARDUGO

Siege And Storm
Author : Leigh Bardugo
Series : The Grisha
Genres : Fantasy, Young Adult
Publication : June 17th 2014 by Square Fish (first published June 4th 2013)

This is the second book in the Grisha trilogy. This review will spoil you if you haven’t read Shadow And Bone.

Synopsis : Darkness never dies.

Hunted across the True Sea, haunted by the lives she took on the Fold, Alina must try to make a life with Mal in an unfamiliar land, all while keeping her identity as the Sun Summoner a secret. But she can’t outrun her past or her destiny for long.

The Darkling has emerged from the Shadow Fold with a terrifying new power and a dangerous plan that will test the very boundaries of the natural world. With the help of a notorious privateer, Alina returns to the country she abandoned, determined to fight the forces gathering against Ravka. But as her power grows, Alina slips deeper into the Darkling’s game of forbidden magic, and farther away from Mal. Somehow, she will have to choose between her country, her power, and the love she always thought would guide her–or risk losing everything to the oncoming storm.

Usually the second book in a trilogy is the weakest one. It was not the case with that one ! I really enjoyed this book !

When people say impossible, they usually mean improbable.

Plot

This book introduces us to new characters, including one I really like : the privateer Sturmhond.
There’s also Tolya and Tamar. I have to be honest, I had a hard time telling who was who between those two !
I love the story around Sturmhond, he brings humor to the posse.

The first part of the book is really dynamic, fast paced and full of surprises ! The author knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat !
The story around Morozova is really captivating ! I loved learning about it as the same pace as Alina !

The ending was explosive ! Another epic battle with a lot of deaths and an unknown future for some characters !

I came here for you. You’re my flag. You’re my nation.

Alina gets another suitor in the person of prince Nikolai. He is so swoon worthy and interesting ! He cares a lot about her !
The rivalry between the two princes was kind of funny to read about. Nikolai is a real leader, he only wants what’s best for Ravka and his people. That’s why he is the perfect match for Alina.
Vasily on the other hand is only interested in fame and power. He is also a competitive one. He wants to beat his brother.

Oh, and the easiest way to make someone furious is to tell her to calm down.

I really enjoyed how The Darkling evolved. He grew more powerful, and in a dark, twisted way. There’s no coming back from it. He gets darker (haha), more remorseless than he used to be. He doesn’t care for the casualties. Despite his darkness, I can’t help but love him. Sorry not sorry !
His loneliness tore my heart ! He really makes me think of Loki !

The only thing that annoyed me in this book is Mal’s behavior.

Characters

• Alina is such a strong character. She realizes that Ravka’s need is more important than what she wants.
  She knows she’ll need all the power she can gather to confront the Darkling. And she is well aware that she may not survive it.
• Mal really annoyed me in that book. All he wants is to get Alina just for himself. He doesn’t try to understand Alina’s strange behavior at times. Instead of fighting for her, he just gives up and drown his problems in kvar and fights. He doesn’t accept her great destiny.
• The Darkling is getting stronger in this book. But despite all his power, he needs Alina, he doesn’t to be alone.
• Nikolai is adorable ! He is witty, funny and dead serious, sometimes at the same time ! He is what the Darkling fears the most : progress. But he wants to mix technology with the Grisha’s abilities.
• Tolya and Tamar are a bit of a mystery to me until the very end !

And there’s no way I’m leaving you alone with Prince Perfect.”
“So you don’t trust me to resist his charms?”
“I don’t even trust myself. I’ve never seen anyone work a crowd the way he does. I’m pretty sure the rocks and trees are getting ready to swear fealty to him.

Overall I loved this book ! A GREAT sequel to Shadow And Bone !

About the author

Leigh Bardugo is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Grisha Trilogy (Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, and Ruin and Rising).

She was born in Jerusalem, grew up in Los Angeles, and graduated from Yale University, and has worked in advertising, journalism, and most recently, makeup and special effects. These days, she’s lives and writes in Hollywood where she can occasionally be heard singing with her band. Her new book, Six of Crows, arrives Fall 2015.

| BOOK REVIEW | SHADOW AND BONE BY LEIGH BARDUGO

Shadow And Bone
Author : Leigh Bardugo
Series : The Grisha
Genres : Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult
Publication : May 7th 2013 by Square Fish (first published June 5th 2012)

Synopsis : Alina Starkov doesn’t expect much from life. Orphaned by the Border Wars, she is sure of only one thing: her best friend, Mal–and her inconvenient crush on him. Until the day their army regiment enters the Fold, a swath of unnatural darkness crawling with monsters. When their convoy is attacked and Mal is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power not even she knew existed.

Ripped from everything she knows, Alina is taken to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling. With Alina’s extraordinary power in his arsenal, he believes they can finally destory the Fold. Now Alina must find a way to master her untamed gift and somehow fit into her new life without Mal by her side. But nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. As the threat to the kingdom mounts and her dangerous attraction to the Darkling grows, Alina will uncover a secret that could tear her heart–and her country–in two.

I have to say, I wasn’t really eager to read this trilogy. I know it’s stupid but the covers weren’t that appealing. So I didn’t bother reading the synopsis. But I decided to read the duology set in the Grisha world and I wanted to read this trilogy before. And I’m really glad I picked this book up !

Plot

The Grisha universe is really interesting ! It’s inspired by the Russian folklore, culture, landscape and language. It’s really fascinating ! The world building is spectacular and it was very easy to picture everything ! And finally the book cover art makes sense !
The story is really gripping, even though the beginning was a little slow. But it was necessary to put the story into motion.
The story is intricate, with great plot twists !

The moment our lips met, I knew with pure and piercing certainty that I would have waited for him forever.

The only negative thing is that I saw the love triangle coming very early in the story. But it didn’t really bother me.
Another thing is how Mal only saw Aline when she became valuable.

The Grisha organization captivated me. At first I had to go and check the description page very often but that’s okay !
The author created an amazing army system ! Everything is so well thought !

This book was so fast paced, witty, annoying and definitely gripping !

The problem with wanting,” he whispered, his mouth trailing along my jaw until it hovered over my lips, “is that it makes us weak.

Characters

• Alina annoyed me at times. She was heels over head for Mal who wasn’t seeing her. She was so weak, so plain and didn’t really want her life to change. She’s got this amazing opportunity to become someone very important and all she can think about is Mal, Mal not answering her letters.
  But a few weeks at the little Palace finally took its toll : she changed, mature and grew more confident.
• Mal is far from being a swoon worthy character in this book. He doesn’t see Alina until she gets more value. And then he gets jealous because someone else is interested by her !
  But his character is really intriguing, he is a great tracker, too good for his own good.
• The Darkling quickly won my heart ! He is so mysterious, and kind to Alina. He takes care of her.He is sweet and clever and seems so innocent ! But you can totally sense from the beginning that he is hiding something, that he is not totally honest.
• Baghra is an amazing and complex character. She is so strong minded, clever and powerful, despite her age. And the plot twist concerning her identity blew me away !

The Darkling slumped back in his chair. “Fine,” he said with a weary shrug. “Make me your villain.”

Overall I really LOVED this book, and recommend it to every fantasy lover !

About the author

Leigh Bardugo is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Grisha Trilogy (Shadow and Bone, Siege and Storm, and Ruin and Rising).

She was born in Jerusalem, grew up in Los Angeles, and graduated from Yale University, and has worked in advertising, journalism, and most recently, makeup and special effects. These days, she’s lives and writes in Hollywood where she can occasionally be heard singing with her band. Her new book, Six of Crows, arrives fall 2015.

| MEMES | THIS WEEK IN BOOKS #8

Hello hello ! How is your week so far ?? It’s time for another This Week In Books ! It’s a weekly meme hosted by Lipsyy Lost & Found.

At the beginning of the week I finished Shadow And Bone by Leigh Bardugo. I picked up Siege And Storm, the second book in the Grisha trilogy right after !

Last week I was reading It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover and I also started Shadow And Bone.

I hadn’t planned that one in my August TBR but I will read Ruin And Rising by Leigh Bardugo, the final book in the Grisha trilogy ! If I finish it next week, I know that the next book I’ll pick up is After We Collided by Anna Todd, the second book in the After series.

That’s it ! What are you currently reading ??