*No spoilers ahead*
A Court of Thorns and Roses (#1) by Sarah J. Maas
This book was the gateway to start reading fantasy again. It has been a while since I read a fantasy book that hooked me like Feyre's story did. It is filled with Fae, survival, the Spring Court, horseback riding, mistery, and magic spells. The last quarter of the book is action packed with Amarantha's evil under the mountain quests. Think of a mix of Beauty and the Beast, Twilight, Hunger Games and Lord of the Rings and you only get a glimpse of where the series will take you.
A Court of Mist and Fury (#2)
Best one in the series. You follow Feyre regain her strength and learn the truth about the Night Court. You get to see more of the Faerie Realms, and get to know other characters in the story. Yes, you get to read the "only one bed left in the inn" situation.
A Court of Wings and Ruin (#3)
The world building keeps wonderfully expanding including new characters, places and magic. We get to see more of Feyre, Amren, Elain, Nesta, Rhys, Azriel, Cassian, Lucien and Mor. It builds up to a final battle with the King of Hybern.
A Court of Frost and Starlight (novella)
Enjoyable. It builds the platform for the next book in the series.
A Court of Silver Flames (#4)
In love with Nesta's path dealing with the consequences of the past, looking for the Dead Trove, realizing her power, and overall her relationships with Cassian and her friends Emerie and Gwyn.
It is believed the next book will be released 2025 and is about Azriel.
Favorite quotes:
"To the stars who listen and the dreams that are answered".
"Hello, Feyre darling".
"Ouroboros: the mirror of beginnings and endings, it shows the looker who or what they truly are".
Throne of Glass (#1) by Sarah J. Maas
The character development and world building in this series is just incredible. You start out knowing Caelena Sardothien (aka Aelin Ashryver Galathynius), a witty and skilled assassin, as she joins the glass castle for the tournament to become the King of Adarlan's champion. She is sponsored by prince Dorian Havilliard. You meet Chaol Westfall, head of the guard and Dorian's best friend. The series starts out interesting. But it gets great in book #3 when we meet Rowan Whitethorn and start seeing more of the fae world and what Aelin is really capable of. The reader follows multiple characters (most notably Lysandra, Aedion Ashryver, Elide Lochan, and Manon Blackbeack) throughout their journey around the whole map of Erilea. The characters are morally gray, meaning they are not all good nor all bad, they all have rough pasts, need to make hard choices and are all interconnected with the other characters. The series is filled with magic, witches, wyverns, secret plans, fae, wyrdmarks, grief, portals, fate, the Valg (aka demons from another realm), friendship, uncovering the past and fighting for the future of the kingdom. The story builds up towards a final battle against Erawan (one of the Valg Kings) and Maeve. With a nice little bow in the fight against the gods.
Crown of Midnight (#2)
We follow Caelena working for the King of Adarlan. She lives in the glass castle where she meets her friend Nehemia. She strives for freedom and begins to untangle riddles about her fate.
The Assassin's Blade (novella)
It gives you a lot of backup stories to continue reading the saga.
Heir of Fire (#3)
Aelin meets Rowan Whitethorn, and yes we love this. We start seeing more of the fae world as Aelin discovers what she is capable of and uncovers the true enemy.
Queen of Shadows (#4)
We follow Aelin back to Adarlan and the fight to restore magic.
Empire of Storms (#5)
Full of quests as the characters travel together on the verge of war.
Tower of Dawn (#6)
I did not expect it to be this good. I was engaged with the story throughout the whole book. It introduces Yrene Towers, a healer, and you get to know Nesryn and Chaol more.
Kingdom of Ash (#7) - finale.
Favorite quotes:
"You do not yield".
"I am not afraid".
"Fireheart".
A Crowns of Nyaxia Novel by Carissa Broadbent
"The Serpent and the Wings of Night" (1 of 6)
The book introduces a vampire kingdom rooted in bloodlust and fear ruled by all-powerful Vincent. We get to know Oraya, a brave and snarky human, as she joins the Kejari tournament in the hopes to reach her wish of being as strong as Vincent. You get immersed in the world. It is filled with god magic, gruesome challenges, betrayal, secrets, friendship, and the desire that only comes when enemies turn into lovers.
"The Ashes and the Star Cursed King" (2 of 6)
The book follows Oraya and Rhain as they untangle the consequences of the end of the first book. There is a new ruler of the vampire kingdom. You walk along Oraya as she sorts out her feelings about everything that has happened and the unanswered contradictions of her father. And you see her get stronger as she embraces the truth about who she is. And you walk along Rhain and the masks he needs to wear as he struggles to reconcile with his past. We get glimpses at other character's stories like Mische, Vail and Jesmine. The book is filled with blood magic, nobles, and battles. And we get to see more of the kingdom of Obitraes and the fight for its crown.
"Six Scorched Roses" (novella)
"Slaying the Vampire Conqueror" (novella) hardcover coming March 25, 2025
Book 3: The Songbird and the Heart of Stone is coming November 19, 2024
The series is planned to be 3 duets:
Books 1 and 2 are the Nightborn Duet, following the House of Night.
Books 3 and 4 are the Shadowborn Duet, following the House of Shadow.
Books 5 and 6 are the Bloodborn Duet, following the House of Blood.
Favorite quotes:
"There she is".
"Fear is a collection of physical responses".
"Fourth Wing" (#1) by Rebecca Yarros
Think dragons, Basgiath War College, friendship, survival, training, trials, bonds, betrayal, endurance, lightning, enemies to lovers and a lot of hidden secrets of the past as we get to know Violet Sorrengail.
"Iron Flame" (#2)
Think more dragons, cadets, more training, wyverns, gryphons, and journals. The College world of the first book expands. After Violet learns the truth about what is beyond the safety of the magical wards of Navarre, she joins the revolutionaries. It builds up to a final battle filled with action and sacrifice.
"Onyx Storm" (#3) coming January 20, 2025
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