Category: YA Review

Caitsbooks Reviews: A Curse So Dark and Lonely - 5 Stars

A Curse So Dark & Lonely (Cursebreakers #1) by Brigid Kemmerer – Im So Glad I Finally Read It!! (Review)

3 Comments

Overall: 5/5 Stars
Characters: 4/5
Setting: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Plot and Themes: 5/5
Awesomeness Factor: 4/5
Review in a Nutshell: A Curse So Dark and Lonely deserves the hype it’s been getting. This book is a refreshing take on a familiar tale with political intrigue, magic, and, of course, romance.

“I am always surprised to discover that when the world seems darkest, there exists the greatest opportunity for light.”

[ Related: 19 Best Debut Novels of 2019 (Recommendation Nation) ]

// Content Warning: Violence, Death, Suicide Mention, Suicide, Self Harm Mention, Rape Mention, Pedophelia Mention, War Themes, Mental Illness, PTSD, Kidnapping/Abduction //

Release Date: 1/29/2019
Publisher: Bloomsbury YA
Page Count: 484
Premise:

A Curse So Dark and Lonely follows Prince Rhen, and Harper. Prince Rhen was cursed, forced to live through the same fall again and again, with each season ending in him turning into a monster focused solely on destruction. The monster has destroyed everything, but, he could escape this curse if only a girl falls for him. Harper lives in Washington, D.C., with her brother and dying mother, that is, until she gets dragged into a fantasy world by a stranger. She isn’t going to be charmed by the prince, but when she sees how the people of his kingdom are faring, she decides to use her time in the enchanted land to help.

““Rhen,” she calls after me.
I pause in the doorway and face her.
“I’m not going to fall in love with you,” she says.
Her words are not a surprise. I sigh.
“You won’t be the first.””

Read more for all of my thoughts on A Curse So Dark And Lonely!

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Caitsbooks Reviews Dance of Thieves - 5 Stars

Dance Of Thieves (Dance of Thieves #1) by Mary E. Pearson – I Did Not Expect To Get This Obsessed (Review)

3 Comments

Overall: 5/5 Stars
Characters: 5/5
Setting: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Plot and Themes: 5/5
Awesomeness Factor: 5/5
Review in a Nutshell: Dance of Thieves surprised me. I knew I would enjoy it, but I never expected to become completely obsessed with it. This book is so fun, and full of so many of the best possible tropes.

“Choose your words carefully, even the words you think, because they become seeds,and seeds become history.”

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// Content Warning: Violence, Death, Assault, Torture, Rape Mention, Animal Death, War Themes, Murder, Illness, PTSD, Kidnapping/Abduction //

Release Date: 6/7/2018
Publisher: HarperTeen
Page Count: 491
Premise:

Dance of Thieves is the first in a duology that takes place in the same world as The Remnant Chronicles. But don’t worry, if you haven’t read those books, you will still get full enjoyment out of these. Kazi of Brightmast grew up a thief, alone on the streets after her mother was taken from her. However, her skills as a thief earned her a spot as a member of the Queen’s most elite soldiers, the Rahtan. When she is sent on a mission to another kingdom to find a missing war criminal, under the pretense of investigating treaty violations, she has no doubts that she will get the job done. Until she meets Jase. Jase Ballenger is the new Patrei, head of the Ballenger clan. While his lands may not be “officially” recognized as a kingdom, his family has a tight hold on them. However, he knows that his transition into power will be rocky. When Kazi and her friends come into the picture, Jase knows better than to trust her, but the more he learns about her, the harder it is to stop himself from falling for her.

“The ghosts, they never go away. They call to you in unexpected moments, their hands lacing with yours and pulling you down paths that lead nowhere.”

Read more for all of my thoughts on Dance of Thieves!

[ Related: Top 4 December 2019 Releases ]

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Caitsbooks Reviews The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black (5 Stars). There's a whole lotta snakes in the background of this image.

The Queen of Nothing (The Folk of the Air #3) by Holly Black – Did It Survive The Hype? (Review)

3 Comments

This Review Will Contain *Mild* Spoilers for The Cruel Prince and The Wicked King, but there will be NO SPOILERS for The Queen of Nothing.

Overall: 5/5 Stars
Characters: 5/5
Setting: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Plot and Themes: 5/5
Awesomeness Factor: 5/5
Review in a Nutshell: Listen, I’m trash for this series. The Queen of Nothing had a lot to live up to, but it did. It reminded me why this series is so hyped, it proved it deserves every bit of it.

“Let me be feared and never again afraid.”

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// Content Warning: Violence, Death, Assault, Child Abuse/Neglect, War Themes, Murder //

Release Date: 11/19/2019
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Page Count: 309
Premise:

The Wicked King left off with the worst possible cliffhanger ending, with a plot twist I never saw coming. The Queen of Nothing takes place not too long after that ending- Jude has created a life for herself in the mortal world after being exiled, doing odd jobs for other Folk and living with Vivi and Oak. When her sister Taryn returns from Elfhame with shocking news, Jude must delve back into the world of courtly politics and war to help her, even if it means facing the man who betrayed her, the High King Cardan Greenbriar.

“Two paths are before me, but only one leads to victory.”

Read more for all of my thoughts on the conclusion to The Folk of the Air series!!

[ Related: The Wicked King by Holly Black (ARC Review) ]

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Caitsbooks Reviews The Sky Weaver by Kristen Ciccarelli - 5 Stars + Giveaway

The Sky Weaver (Iskari #3) by Kristen Ciccarelli – (Giveaway + Review) – An Epic (And v. Gay) Conclusion!

3 Comments

Before I get into the review- be sure to read to the end for information on my latest giveaway!!

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own! *

Overall: 5/5 Stars
Characters: 5/5
Setting: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Plot and Themes: 4.8/5
Awesomeness Factor: 5/5
Review in a Nutshell: The Sky Weaver is the f/f enemies-to-lovers pirate fantasy I’ve always wanted. This book is breathtaking, and an absolute must-read.

“There was something so soothing about chaos. Something almost beautiful.”

// Content Warning: Violence, Death, PTSD, Animal Abuse, Assault, Torture, Rape Mention, Racism, Kidnapping/Abduction //

Release Date: 11/12/2019
Publisher: HarperTeen
Page Count: 400
Premise:

The Sky Weaver is the third and final book in the Iskari series. It can technically be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading the first two books, The Last Namsara and The Caged Queen, as well! This time, we follow two characters. Safire (a familiar face if you’ve read the first two books) is the commandant to her cousin, the King. Her job is to maintain peace and order in Firgaard. Eris has an ability to walk through worlds, which helps her as a thief, but has also made her irreplaceable to the ruthless pirate to whom she owes a debt. Forced to work for him, Eris is sent to the palace to steal a royal jewel, however, when she meets Safire, she finds something more valuable– a worthy opponent in her games.

“You’re not that difficult to figure out, princess. Order, routine, control… these are the things that excite people like you. Not spontaneity. Not beaches and sunsets.”

Read more for all of my thoughts on The Sky Weaver!!

[ Related: The Caged Queen (Iskari #2) by Kristen Ciccarelli – (Giveaway + Review) – Everyone Must Read This Series!]

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Caitsbooks Reviews The Caged Queen, + a Giveaway

The Caged Queen (Iskari #2) by Kristen Ciccarelli – (Giveaway + Review) – Everyone Must Read This Series!

7 Comments

Overall: 5/5 Stars
Characters: 5/5
Setting: 5/5
Writing: 5/5
Plot and Themes: 5/5
Awesomeness Factor: 4.5/5
Review in a Nutshell: Did someone say enemies-to-friends-to-enemies-to-lovers? This book has all the delicious angst you would expect with that type of relationship at the forefront, but it also has so much more. From beautiful writing to beautifully complex characters, this is not a book, or series, you should miss.

“Once there was a girl who loved the sky almost as much as she loved her sister.”

[ Related: The Last Namsara (Iskari #1) by Kristen Ciccarelli – Review ]

// Content Warning: Violence, Death, Assault, Rape Mention, Sexual Harassment, Animal Abuse, War Themes, Murder //

Release Date: 9/25/2018
Publisher: HarperTeen
Page Count: 400
Premise:

Before I get into the plot of this book, I want to specify: This is not a true sequel. This book doesn’t follow Asha and Torwin, but instead follows Roa after the events of The Last Namsara. Also, you can technically read this book without having read The Last Namsara, but why would you do that when The Last Namsara is so amazing? However, if you plan to read The Last Namsara, please go do that right away because there will be major spoilers for it in this review (but don’t worry- no spoilers for The Caged Queen). Also, if you are interested in reading The Last Namsara, or just want your own copy, keep reading (or just scroll down to the bottom of the page to avoid spoilers) to learn about a giveaway I’m hosting!

Okay, let’s talk plot. Roa and her sister Essie were always together. However, tragedy struck when Essie died in a terrible accident. Years later, Essie’s spirit remains in the form of a hawk, but she grows weaker every year and won’t be able to stay with Roa much longer. Roa is desperate to keep Essie with her, but when she discovers a way to bring her back to life, she must decide how far she is willing to go. To save her sister, Roa must kill the one who should have died in her place, Dax, the new king of Firgaard and Roa’s husband. Roa and Dax may have only gotten married so she could save her people, and he could have the reinforcements he needed for his revolt, but is she capable of killing her new husband, even if he is her enemy?

“What are souls, but stars waiting to be born?”

Read more for all of my thoughts on The Caged Queen, plus information on my giveaway of The Last Namsara!

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