November 7, 2017

October 2017 Round Up

Hi!

I want to talk about all the books I read, instead of just a couple of them, so this is something I’m going to try. It's also something I’ve wanted to do for a while, so here’s my first Read & Riot Round Up!


A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Why I read it: My friend loved it.
Where I heard about it: I'd loved Maas' other books, so I was paying attention to other books she was writing.
Read if you like: Strong female characters, easy and exciting reads, love stories
Final thoughts: I was wary to start this book, but I grew to love Feyre and became very invested in her choices and relationships. The last quarter of ACOTAR was completely different than I expected and that made the book even better.


A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
Why I read it: I enjoyed ACOTAR.
Where I heard about it: My own research.
Read if you like: Having your heart ripped out and healed by fictional characters, love stories, strong female characters, emotional stories, magic
Final thoughts: ACOMAF does not shy away from the pain that the characters feel and need to heal from. It was also so easy to get in the mind of the narrator, feel what they felt, and root for them. I fell in love with the new characters and the love that Maas created in this story.



A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
Why I read it: ACOMAF CLIFFHANGER
Where I heard about it: I know these things.
Read if you like: Magic, war, battles, love stories, strong female characters, characters fighting back
Final thoughts: I have not been so addicted to a series in ages! I found some faults in this final book of the ACOTAR trilogy, but overall I really enjoyed it. It was more of the characters that I had come to love, and I was happy with that.


That Inevitable Victorian Thing by E. K. Johnston
Why I read it: Loved the cover and the synopsis
Where I heard about it: Instagram
Read if you like: Multiple POV, love stories, LGBTQ, Canadian authors, books set in Canada, cottage country, cute stories, easy to read stories
Final thoughts: I'd never read anything like this with its mix of technology, nature, tradition and love; it was a breath of fresh air. The story was adorable and refreshing, but I couldn't wrap my head around the ending.


Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: Ship of the Dead by Rick Riordan
Why I read it: I'd read and enjoyed the previous books in the series
Where I heard about it: My own research
Read if you like: Adventure, mythology, Norse gods/myths/history, friendship, LGBTQ, sarcasm, quests, heroes, save the world stories
Final thoughts: It contained all the elements--fun, sarcasm, and danger--but I missed my favourite characters, and the plot wasn't as exciting as it was in previous books.

September 2, 2017

Review: The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue

Title: The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue
Author: Mackenzi Lee
Publisher: Katherine Tegan Books (an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers)
On-Sale Date: June 27, 2017
Length: 501 pages
Format: ARC paperback

Lord Henry Montague has one year left before he’s forced to grow up. His father thinks it’s high time eighteen year-old Monty take over the family estate and learn something about business. But before Monty throws his life away he’s going to enjoy it. So, he goes on Tour with his best-friend-turned-major-crush, Percy, and his much-too-sarcastic, knowledgeable little sister, Felicity.  Monty only has one year to drink all the booze in Europe and bed all the boys he wants, but he only wants Percy, and their chaperone’s not letting Monty anywhere near alcohol. Unfortunately, that’s the least of their worries when Monty sees too much, and gets them into a world of trouble.

If you want to read one book this year this should be it.
This book was so well put together, and so well written. It contained some of the most beautiful passages I'd ever read—including the middle paragraph on page 30. The words painted a picture of a world I could never have imagined.
Gentleman’s Guide was really action-packed, and allowed you just enough time to just get your bearings before something else happened. It was also really funny, and I laughed so hard at the situations that Monty got himself (and others) into.
Monty was sarcastic and, in my opinion, hilarious. Excuse my language, but he was a little sh*t, and I loved him for his pompous attitude. However, Monty needed to go through all the trials and turmoil in Gentleman’s Guide to admit to his shortcomings and to grow. Monty had his father’s voice in his head putting him down, and he had to change his way of thinking. He had a hard time opening up to others, and being honest with himself and those around him. When it came to his emotions Monty hid behind sarcastic words. It wasn't until the end that I, (the reader, well, and Monty too), realized that Monty was a very emotionally damaged character and needed to allow himself to heal.
Gentleman's Guide became much more serious than I expected compared to the many pure moments of hilarity in the beginning.
I loved Percy, Monty's best friend and the boy he's in love with. He and Monty were perfect for each other, even though Monty always said the wrong thing. They cared about each other very much and put the other first. I was so shocked that Monty and Percy were romantic with each other very early in the novel, but that was one moment and then there was tension hanging over them for the rest of the novel.
Percy lived through so much unfairness because of things beyond his control, and I was so upset on his behalf. Percy was simply one of the most likeable, selfless, loyal characters and he was such a good friend to Monty.
I also loved how much I learned about the time period that Lee wrote about. I would definitely not have liked to live in it. Although I very much enjoyed this trip into another era, it reminded me how much things have changed since then, and I'm very grateful for how they are now.
Gentleman’s Guide was and is so much fun to talk about, and my internal voice gained a British accent, which made me incredibly happy.
I couldn’t imagine a different ending. I thought it was perfect and fit exactly who the three had all become.

Rating
Premise: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Overall: 5/5


Disclaimer: I received an early review copy from Indigo Teen in exchange for honest feedback. This did not influence my opinion in any way.