A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

The novel, “A Court of Mist and Fury” written by Sarah J. Maas is the second book in the ACOTAR series. Previously, Feyre miraculously survived Amarantha’s tests and even completed the riddle which broke the curse, so now she is known as Feyre Cursebreaker. She soon returns with Tamlin to the Spring Court as a High Fae with a human heart, and because of it she can’t stop thinking about her actions to complete the final test, which was to kill innocents. Not only is that occupying her mind but so is her agreement with Rhysand, High Lord of the Night Court. Back at the manor, Tamlin keeps her locked up with nothing to do as he is scared she will fall into danger. Feyre can’t seem to paint anymore after this traumatic event and she feels like a prisoner in a cage with no way to leave. Rhysand, however malicious he may appear, helps Feyre when she can’t continue walking down the aisle on her wedding day by calling in the bargain. He never kept her trapped the way Tamlin did and allowed freedom as he understands; Under the Mountain he was forced to be Amarantha’s plaything. He teaches her how to read and write, basically occupying her mind with educational topics to brush away her feelings of despair and numbness and helplessness. Even though he helps her, she still thinks of Rhys as the bad guy though her thoughts betray her. During her time at the Night Court she discovers what it means to have true friends that never judge, a freedom that she never truly had at the Spring Court. She also discovers a city so beautifully cultured and preserved that a master will do anything to protect it. 

I loved this book and could not put it down. I had it with me everywhere I went. The story was so good and the plot twists were so unexpected. I laughed and cried and shrieked over surprising parts of the novel. I love Rhys and Feyre together; they are so powerful and the fact that Rhys wanted Feyre to grow instead of contain her powers that she received from 7 High Lords is just amazing. He is so caring and the love, the passion, you see it. I love that I was able to dig deeper into Rhys’s past and find out who he is under that facade. I love that I was able to see Feyre as a character bloom to become this warrior. I love that Feyre saved Rhys, because girl power and I love Rhys’s inner circle, they became Feyre’s family and that is so special. 100,000/10, Sarah J. Maas knows how to write!

Written by Julia, Teen Volunteer

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

The novel, “A Court of Thorns and Roses” written by Sarah J. Maas is the first book to the series ACOTAR (an acronym for “A Court of Thorns and Roses”). Nineteen year old Feyre lives with her dad and her two sisters. They are all utterly useless, leaving Feyre all the dirty and laborious work as their family, once rich, quickly becomes poor, leaving them to fend for themselves. Well, at least one person has to. Anyway, one day, Feyre goes hunting in the woods and encounters a wolf. It is a big wolf, which clearly indicates Fae, but she takes the risk anyway and kills the wolf as she hates Fae. This action lands her in some trouble when a High Fae comes storming into their little home and takes her away for disregarding the ancient treaty between the two species. The punishment is that she is required to spend the final years of her human existence in the faerie kingdom. But her only thoughts are on the promise she made to her mother, and however treacherous her family is, she is still worried about their well-being. But weirdly Tamlin, the High Fae has taken care of them. When Feyre arrives, she expects prison or some sort of labor but instead she has her own glamorous room with exquisite gowns and other things of that nature. Still, she wants to escape. Slowly, she starts getting drawn into the faerie realm, with its enchantment and intrigue, peril and despair, wonder and grandeur. And we can’t forget Tamlin and Lucien, two men also living in this estate; Tamlin as head of the household and Lucien as ambassador. The Spring court is where Feyre has been residing, but what she soon comes to find out is that this specific court has been cursed by a masquerade mask adorning the subjects’ faces for half a century. Not to mention that the court is being besieged by a swarm of terrifying animals and the countryside is infected with a disease they call blight. This plague will soon spread to the human realm, posing a threat to Feyre’s loved ones. Maybe her cold heart to Fae has changed over these past few weeks. 

I won’t lie, the first half is a letdown, but stick with it. There’s no avoiding it. Feyre is rude and obnoxious from page one to roughly page 200. I understand her emotions but it was to a point where it kind of got annoying; however after that the book had me. I finished the remaining chapters very quickly after her attitude changed. There were so many plot twists and holes, which automatically made this book extremely interesting and now I can’t wait for the second book to be free in the library so I can check it out and read it to find out what happens. And let me tell you the romance has me so intrigued! I would recommend this book to fantasy and romance lovers ages fourteen and up. 

Written by Julia, Teen Volunteer

A Vow So Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer

The novel, “A Vow So Bold and Deadly ” written by Brigid Kemmerer is the last book to the “Cursebreakers” trilogy. Previously, Grey gave Rhen an ultimatum: either surrender the control of Emberfall in sixty days or else he will help Lia Mara take it by force. Rhen refused to give up his title and is working with Lilith. Lilith is issuing threats about Harper and since Rhen loves Harper, he is complying. Before he had nothing to lose but now besides his people he has Harper, someone who he loves and deeply cares about. Harper, however, is still mad at Rhen for his actions against Grey and Tycho, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t love Rhen any less. Grey on the other hand is in Syhl Shallow training the army. Lia Mara and Grey’s relationship is blooming but a lot of Syhl Shallow is skeptical of Lia Mara’s rule and especially of Grey’s magic. This book is just a journey before the war that may or may not occur. 

I do recommend this book because, like the previous novel, I finished this book in a day’s time. However I wish Lilith was just killed when Grey severed her head off her body. Somehow that enchantress managed to survive! I feel like the author just brought back the villain over and over again when she should have just stayed dead in my opinion. I do like the ending of this book because the author brought Rhen and Grey back together like they were in the beginning of this whole entire story. This novel is appropriate for readers aged 13 and up. It has elements of romance, magic, and a fantasy-like setting, although the blood and gore was not my cup of tea. 

Written by Julia, Teen Volunteer

A Heart So Fierce and Broken by Brigid Kemmerer

“A Heart So Fierce and Broken” by Brigid Kemmerer is the second book in the “Cursebreakers” series. Previously, Grey had disappeared to the other side (D.C.) to kill off Lilith and never came back. Obviously Rhen and Harper are worried about Grey. They don’t know whether he is alive or not, but in this novel we find out he is alive with a huge secret. He has gone off to work at a lower status as a stableboy by the name of Hawk. There he finds a fifteen year old companion by the name of Tycho who he confides in, which is surprising because normally Grey keeps to himself. While Grey is in hiding, there are rumours circulating that Rhen isn’t the true heir and that another magesmith has lived besides Lilith. Already Emberfall is divided, so these rumors just make this predicament for Rhen worse. While all this is occurring, Queen Karis Luran from Syhl Shallow is threatening to take Emberfall by force, although her daughter, Lia Mara (who is not the heir) sees that bloodshed is not the answer and wants peace. 

I would recommend this novel to ages 13 and up. It was interesting and there was a change of the main character’s point of view. Now we enjoy the perspectives of Lia Mara and Grey. There were a couple of things I did not like about this book. I didn’t like that there was conflict between Grey and Rhen because they were so close and now they are both at odds. This was frustrating because it puts Rhen in a bad light; in the previous book we supported him and now we support Grey. It’s for a good reason, but I just wish that things would have been different. Also, the finale made me feel a little betrayed since it sets readers up for one narrative only to rip it away at the last minute in favor of a poor plot twist. This is just my opinion but I read it in one day so that means something. There were a couple of things I did like. First, Grey finds his “little brother figure” and Lia Mara, who gave him the ability to love. This is high fantasy, back in the day with Kings and Queens, horses and swords, magic and suffering. 

Written by Julia, Teen Volunteer

A Curse So Dark and Lonely by Brigid Kemmerer

The novel, “A Curse So Dark and Lonely” written by Brigid Kemmerer is the first book in the “Cursebreakers” series. This novel is sort of a Beauty and the Beast remake, in the sense that a Prince by the name of Rhen is cursed to the same autumn of his eighteenth year until he finds someone who loves him as much as he loves him/her. But with this curse, the wicked enchantress implemented a catch, and that catch is him turning into a monster who kills and destroys. But Rhen doesn’t know that he is a body trapped. Through every season, his only companion is Commander Grey who is allowed one hour into the “human world” to try to find girls to break the curse. While in Washington D.C. Grey grabs a female in hopes of ending this horrid curse that is haunting not only Rhen but affecting the whole kingdom of Emberfall, when he is attacked by Harper who sees him trying to kidnap the girl. The attack catches him off guard and they both stumble back to Emberfall. During her time in Emberfall, Harper finds her place – she has created hope for Rhen and for his kingdom even though there are some rather dark and horrible events and villains. 

I would recommend this novel to ages 13 years and up, but with caution as this novel has some gory scenes. I have to say it took me a little more than half way to get into the novel. This could be because I just finished reading another book series, but honestly it wasn’t bad. I appreciated the character growth of Harper despite her condition with her foot (Harper has cerebral palsy and walks with a limp). I also appreciated Grey’s loyalty, and Rhen’s mind. I definitely had a strong disdain towards the enchantress because even though she wanted to hurt Rhen, she not only hurt his family but his whole kingdom and that was extremely unnecessary. Because the last half of the book is so interesting, I can’t wait to read the next novel in the series, “A Heart so Fierce and Broken”. I  really love these book titles!

Written by Julia, Teen Volunteer

Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth

Akos is the son of a farmer and an oracle on the nation-planet Thuve, where he and his family live in peace. When he and his brother are taken from their home by the Shotet – a nation of warriors led by a tyrannical ruler – he is taken prisoner and forced to attend to Cyra, the sister of the tyrannical Shotet ruler. Cyra’s currentgift brings her excruciating pain, but it also brings pain to anyone who touches her, making her into a cruel weapon to be used by her brother. Due to his own currentgift, Akos not only discovers that he is immune to Cyra’s power, but he realizes that he’s able to take away her own pain as well. As Akos works to free himself and his brother from the clutches of the Shotet, he and Cyra must decide whether to help each other, or to remain divided by their differences. 

I loved this book because of how well it built upon both the world and the characters. I thought that Veronica Roth created a very fascinating world that felt complex but not too complicated. I also liked how the characters developed throughout the book as a result of their environments as well as each other. I really enjoyed this book, and I would recommend it as an engaging science fiction/fantasy read.

Written by Aedan, Teen Volunteer

Divergent by Veronica Roth

In a post-apocalyptic Chicago, society has been divided into five factions, each centered around a particular virtue. When Beatrice Prior turns 16 she has to take a test to find out which faction she’s best suited for. Although she’s been raised in a family from Abnegation – a faction that values selflessness- Beatrice feels that the Dauntless – the faction that values the virtue of bravery – is where she truly belongs. However, Beatrice’s test brings unexpected results, and she’s shown to be suited for multiple factions – a Divergent. The woman supervising Beatrice’s test tells her that under no circumstances should she ever tell anyone, and although confused, Beatrice agrees. When the time comes for her to join a faction, Beatrice rejects her Abnegation upbringing and decides to join the Dauntless, but it turns out that just wanting to join isn’t enough. As Beatrice – taking on the name “Tris” – and her classmates struggle through the intense training required to become a member of the Dauntless, she begins to learn the hidden truth of her world and what it truly means to be a Divergent.

I enjoyed Divergent for a number of reasons. I loved the structure of the dystopian setting, with the factions and the Dauntless trials making for a fascinating storyline, and I thought most of the characters were well-developed and interesting. I also loved how shocking the story was, with a plethora of twists and turns, most of which were completely unexpected for me. I would recommend this book, especially for anyone interested in dystopian novels.

Written by Aedan, Teen Volunteer

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas

“Empire of Storms” by Sarah J. Maas is the fifth book in the “Throne of Glass” series. In this novel, there are flashbacks to Elena Galathynius and Gavin Havilliard, which is a new element. It continues with Elide Lochan trying to find Aelin and Celaena, as Kaltain Rompier has sent a stone and a message to her when helping Elide escape Morath. Aelin and her court have travelled to Terrasen to find allies so they can battle Erawan with some sort of fighting chance as Lord Darrow of Terrasen has not recognized her as Queen. Aelin is also trying to find how to destroy the three wyrdkeys. During this journey, the court crosses paths with Rowan’s cadre, Elide, and even Manon. But before that, Manon is faced with some hard choices regarding Dorian and Astrein and her loyalty to her grandmother. Aelin and her court have faced so many battles, all terrifying, but the one against Maeve is the worst one yet. 

This novel truly brought tears to my eyes and from the five books I have read, this novel is the best one yet. Although it had heartbreaking parts it made me want to continue to see what happened next. All I have to say is that Manon and Aelin are so strong and they should be recognized for their bravery. I love how the novel is connecting some aspects from the previous novels which makes you sit down and say “ohhhh”. I definitely recommend this book for teens and young adults as well as anyone who is interested in fantasy regarding battle, kings, queens, Fae’s, Valg demons – the bad guys, and their pain, their truth, and their ambitions to protect their own, to fight for their lands, for their people.

Written by Julia, Teen Volunteer

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

The novel, “Crown of Midnight” written by Sarah J. Maas is the second book to the series, “Throne of Glass”. In the previous novel, Celaena Sardothien miraculously became the King’s Champion after defeating Cain, even though she was drugged. With this accomplishment she now has to bear the task of killing the King’s unfavorable companions/citizens. But she has a secret that she does not tell even Dorian, the Prince of Adarlan, or Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; She is not assassinating these people. How she brings proof of this is for you to find out once you read this book. She is given the name of Archer Finn, a guy she had past relations with, and decides to find out what he could have possibly done to anger the King and discovers that he is a part of a rebel movement. The rebel movement’s purpose is attempting to locate the missing princess Aelin Galathynius, Terrasen’s heir, as they believe she is alive and think that she is the key to the kingdom’s restoration to its former greatness. Along with this, Celeana and Chaol start to get close after Celeana breaks things off with Dorian in the last novel. What can I say? This book is very interesting, I couldn’t put it down and like before I read it in one day. 

I would recommend this novel to anyone, mostly teens and young adults who enjoy hard-core fantasy. I do have to warn that this novel has an increase in death that is very personal to Celeana, leading her to act in a very sadistic manner. She has a very good reason to act this way as the people causing her pain aren’t nice at all and their actions are just horrible. As you read the novel it just gets better and better because there are so many aspects of this novel that you start to see parallels and start to understand something that may have been in a previous book and then go “ohhhhh I get it”. I just have to say the plot twists are amazing, so unexpected that I quite literally screamed at the ending!

Written by Julia, Teen Volunteer

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

The novel, “Heir of Fire” by Sarah J. Maas is the third book in the “Throne of Glass” series. In the previous novel we find out that Celaena Sardothien is in fact Aelin Galathynius, Terrasen’s lost heir. I actually screamed at this part because it was so unexpected but now in this novel we know Celaena as Aelin, which is crazy! Aelin is devastated from Nehima’s assasination. It was horrible; her body was cut up in such a gruesome way meaning her death was not easy. She died through struggle, torment, and pain because that is the style of the assassin. In this book Aelin is in Wendlyn after Chaol sends her there for her protection without her permission. This makes her mad because she has to find answers regarding the wyrdkeys, wyrdgates, who the terrorizing creatures are, etc. after Elena Galathynius Havilliard helped guide Aelin to the knowledge of evil lurking about in the glass castle as well as keep her promise to Nehima. What Chaol doesn’t realize is that he is sending her to a place that contains her demons of the past. Now in Wendlyn, Rowan Whitethorn brings her to her aunt Maeve, the Fae Queen and Aelin have questions she wants answered about wyrdkeys since Maeve has the wisdom of age. Mind you, Maeve is cunning and wicked so she and Aelin don’t really see eye to eye, especially with the distrust her late parents showed around the Queen. Maeve is the type of person that wants something in return for information, so she wants Aelin to show her fire powers but she doesn’t know how to because the King of Adarlan banned magic in Erilea when she was a young girl. So Maeve makes a deal and says that Aelin won’t get her answers until she can master her powers with the help of Rowan and then she can enter Doranelle and get answers to her questions.

I recommend this book to 13 year olds and up who have interests in stories with enemies-to-lovers storylines, magic, plots dealing with the loss of a close friend, characters learning how to love and fight again, and fantasy. I really enjoyed Aelin finding herself as a Fae and digging into her heritage so we could explore some aspects of that, as well as her discovering her true magical strength and her vigilance to learn how to master her fire. She trains with Rowan like she trained with Chaol and she just keeps on becoming stronger and stronger but that doesn’t stop the Valg beasts from attacking so we learn about that too. Overall I loved the new features that were talked about in this novel!

Written by Julia, Teen Volunteer