The Hate U Give – Review

I don’t know how to start. This book sadly is reality, but it is also so much more: an encouragement for oppressed people to stand up, to demonstrate they have a chance, for people to realize this world hasn’t found a resolution for racism and for young people to cherish life and opportunities. 

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Crooked Kingdom – Review

Kaz Brekker – oh no you didn’t. How can anyone ever live up to your standards, I ask myself . How can anyone ever write a book as brilliant as this ever again? Leigh Bardugo, you took your writing to a whole other level. The second novel of the Six of Crows Duology plays only days after the first novel ended, leaving Kaz Brekker’s gang with nothing but their anger about Jan Van Eck’s betrayal and the worries about Inej, who got captured by nobody else than Van Eck. Determined to get his Wraith and money back, Kaz comes up with a plan so brilliantly minded no one is safe – making them the most wanted people in the world.

I have nothing to say about the fact that these novels are the most fascinating ones I’ve ever read. Leigh Bardugo writes in a way I haven’t seen anybody write, yet this is only a small part of why these books are my favorites. The dialogues are vivacious, the characters are lovely and the plot is the most epic one ever. Also, how does Leigh Bardugo can come up with these masterplans of Kaz’, I wonder?!

I fell in love with all of Kaz Brekker’s gang – obviously Kaz himself, Inej, Nina and Matthias, Jesper and Wylan (and Kuwei if you can count him). Therefore, one can imagine that the ending is very emotional of somebody loving each member of the crew – but no spoilers!

As mentioned in my Six of Crows Blog Post, there have not been many books I read where I enjoyed multiple characters telling the story, but Leigh Bardugo couldn’t change my mind more. All of these characters have their own interesting story and I would love to read all of them, if they are ever written.

SPOILER ALERT!!! Don’t continue reading this paragraph if you intend to read this book (which I highly recommend).

Especially, I’m a huge fan of Kaz and Inez and therefore loved the ending where he bought her her own ship and found her parents. I strongly believe they are off sailing the seas hunting slavers together by now.

I cried when Matthias died because he and Nina where soulmates. There have never been two couples in a book I love that much, so these book really were the exception as I both love Kaz and Inej and Nina and Matthias. Also, I can’t stop thinking about Nina’s last words to Matthias (“May Djel watch over you until I can once more.”). That kind of stayed stuck in my head.

SPOILER ALERT END

I don’t know how to ever love a book as much as I loved Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom as these books are rare masterpieces, in my opinion.

The Harry Potter Studio Tour in London

I’ve been a MAJOR Harry Potter fan for some years now – probably nine – and so I’ve not only read the books but also loved the movies as they are such a milestone in the history of filmmaking. As I’m in London with my family on vacation, my mom decided to surprise me with the Harry Potter Tour as she is a fan as well -not as huge as I am, sorry mum 😉 .

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Books I can read over and over again

There are some books you read which you throw in your bookshelf and never acknowledge again. Then there might be books you actually enjoyed but don’t feel the need to read again. Then, and those are the most important ones, you own books which are so brilliantly written you can read them over and over again! Here’s a list of books in my bookshelf which I can read OVRER AND OVER AGAIN: Continue reading “Books I can read over and over again”

WAR STORM – Review

I can’t express the feelings overwhelming me right now, the minutes after I finally finished one of my favorite book series ever. I’ve waited what felt like thousand years for Victoria Aveyard to finally tell the story of Mare Barrow – and she killed it. The fourth and final book of the RED QUEEN series is absolutely stunning, with great turning points, incredible dialogues and a fantastic ending. This book is probably the best I’ve read this year and the defiantly best of the series. After KING’S CAGE has not really won me over, this book has really made me cry – in so many ways.

After Cal has chosen his crown over her and the revolution, Mare has to protect her heart from everything that is coming her way. She is determined to overthrow the kingdom and ending the reign of the boy who has caused her so much pain: Maven. But the Scarlet Guard can’t end the long lasting suppression of the reds without allies, and so she must side with the boy who broke her heart: alongside Cal and his silver allies, she tries to overrun a kingdom that has caused the death of so many innocent.

The battle between Reds and Silvers, heirs and slaves, Mare and Maven. Victoria Aveyard has really made the impossible possible: with this epic conclusion to this heartwearming series she COMPLETELY convinced me!

SPOILER ALERT (anyone who wants to read this book do not read this paragraph):

At the end, Mare and Maven fight one on one and Mare survives, having no memory of what happened to Maven. I’ve always wanted to believe that somebody could still cure Maven and rip his mother’s part out of him, leaving his beautiful and carrying soul. But with the book ending, Maven can not be cured and dies at the end. Or does he, because Mare doesn’t know if or where he is still alive… I’ve heard that Cal could have helped his brother survive and is keeping him save and captive without Mare knowing…Epic Reads!!!  

Sooooooo, at the end, Maven MAY be dead – but deep in my heart I wanted him to be nice. Don’t get me wrong, I love Cal and Mare together and will always hope the lightning girl and the Chlore prince have a future – but Victoria Aveyard gave me the burgeoning hope that Maven could still have a heart – but nothing.

SPOILER ALERT END

However, she really gave this story an epic finale with Norta becoming a free republic, although the end of Norta isn’t really mentioned. Another thing that I really respect of Victoria Aveyard is the liberal perspective of sexuality:

Evangeline Samos is gay. That is a really cool thing to write, considering the homophobia in this world. Being able to live your sexuality in the free Republic of Montfort, Evangeline, Elane (her girlfriend) and her brother Ptolemus run away from their parents, turning their backs on Norta and the Kingdom of the Rift. I’ve hated Evangeline the first two books because she was such a devious witch considering Mare and the redblooded, with her silver pride and her “soon to be queen” perspective. But during this book, one becomes to see the human side of her – being controlled by her parents, living a life that is forbidden in her country – loving a girl – and having to marry a boy she doesn’t love.

Do you know the principle of many people telling a story – each person tells one chapter – but there is actually just one main character. Am I the only one who wants to skip the chapters with the boring people and just wanting to read what the main character has to say? Well, this book was different. I still love Mare’s story the most but this book was the only book that didn’t bore me when Evangeline and Iris were telling their story.

So – all in for one – this book threw me over in the best possible way and I recommend it to everyone who likes a strong female character, a revolution and fighting for their rights!

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The Penderwicks at last

If someone would ask me what has most influenced my early years (but I doubt anyone ever will), I’d say this family. I have been reading Jeanne Birdsall’s Penderwicks since I was five years old and they have had a major impact on my life. This is the reason why I was so enormously thrilled to finally see the fifth book in store!

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