Overall: 3.75/5 Stars Characters: 4/5 Setting: 3.5/5 Writing: 3.5/5 Plot and Themes: 4/5 Awesomeness Factor: 3.75/5 Review in a Nutshell: I went into this book with crazy high expectations, and while it didn’t quite meet all of them, it was still a great read.
“Mercy was more frightening than murder, because it was harder.”
“When a monster stopped behaving like a monster, did it stop being a monster? Did it become something else?”
Release Date: 10/01/2008 Publisher: Harcort Page Count: 471 Premise: Katsa is a Graceling. She was born with an innate gift. Except, while some people were Graced with fighting, telepathy, or music, Katsa was Graced with killing. Used as the king’s pawn, Katsa is sent across the kingdom threatening and torturing whoever the king tells her to, but what he doesn’t know is that she has her own missions, helping those who need it. On one of those missions, she meets Po, the youngest prince of a faraway kingdom. The two of them must work together to solve a mystery that threatens his family, but they didn’t expect to fall in love, or uncover a secret that threatens everything they know.
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: Capturing The Devil is an amazing end to a series that has captured the hearts of so many fans. While I’m sad it’s over, I couldn’t imagine a better finale.
“I had been stalked and hunted and had escaped thus far. I’d now be the one setting a trap for this monster.”
Release Date: 9/10/2019 Publisher: Jimmy Patterson Page Count: 448 Premise: Capturing the Devil is the final book in the Stalking Jack the Ripper series. Audrey Rose and Thomas now found themselves in America, where a series of disappearances has them on the hunt for an elusive murderer. The two of them must try to catch the killer, while also trying to hold onto their future together.
“Love is immortal. Death can neither touch nor steal it. Especially when it’s true.”
Writing & Setting
If you’ve read the first three Stalking Jack the Ripper books (which I really hope you have because this isn’t a series you can just pick and choose which ones you want to read), then you already have an idea of how Kerri Maniscalco writes, and the atmospheric settings she depicts. Her writing has only gotten better in each book. There are so many powerful lines and impactful quotes from this book. The setting itself is also really well done. With each book, Kerri Maniscalco manages to create a completely new setting but still maintains that overall creepy and unsettling tone. Capturing the Devil may have one of the scariest places in this series, which is saying something.
“The devil was here. He’d finally stepped out from my nightmares and had come to claim me.”
Plot
This book has some twists. I know, you’re probably thinking: “Of course it does! Every book in this series has some sort of twist at the end!” You’re right, but usually, I can predict where the book is going. Even if I can’t guess the twist exactly, I have an idea of what’s coming. Yeah, that didn’t happen in this one. I knew what to expect with some things (I was already familiar with the case this book is about before going into it– speaking of which, don’t expect completely historical accuracy here), but there were a couple of other things that surprised me. Because this book actually managed to blindside me with some of it’s twists, it was completely impossible to put down. I had some trouble with other books in the series being a little slow, but this one did not have that problem AT ALL. I was addicted from the start, and until the very last page.
“I was the queen of death. A princess of corpses. Everything I touch decayed” and she calls Thomas dramatic
Characters
Listen, Escaping From Houdini definitely hurt Audrey Rose’s standing in my ever-growing list of great protagonists. The decisions she made in that book weren’t great. However, Capturing the Devil seems to recognize that and was able to fix some of that damage. This book showcases all of the amazing character development she went through in this series, and by the end, I forgave her for how much she hurt Thomas in the previous book. Speaking of Thomas– he is just so perfect. He really is the perfect feminist love interest, even his flaws are compelling. I feel like in each book, we slowly see more and more of him, and every new thing makes me love him even more.
“Beyond life, beyond death. My love for thee is eternal.”
Pros- The twists really got me, the setting is amazing, and oh my god I would die for Thomas Cresswell Cons- Why does this series have to end? I’m not ready Overall- 5/5 stars. Capturing The Devil was a roller coaster. Full of twists and turns, this book is an epic conclusion to a series that has fully encased itself in my heart.
“If there’s one thing man cherishes above greed, it’s hope. Without it, people would cease to dream. Without dreamers, civilizations crash.”
“When I was adventuring between the pages of books, I wasn’t sad over things I was missing outside.”
“We didn’t need to complete each other; we complemented each other.”
“Death will come for us all one day. Worrying about tomorrow only accomplishes ruining today.”
“The present is more glorious than the future and all of it’s unknowns.”
“My love for you will be a constant in a sea on unknown variables.”
“The only thing that terrifies me is the possibility of living with regret.”
“Do not relinquish your grasp on hope. It’s one of the best weapons anyone possesses.”
“I long to live in a world where equal treatment is not something in need of commending.”
“Don’t condemn yourself for moving on, or for living.”
“The devil stood waiting for me. Silent and watchful as always, as he welcomed me back to his dominion of darkness.”
“To stop the devil, I had to be more wicked than he.”
“Now I’d seen enough of the world to know sometimes in order to fight the darkness, you had to become a blade forged of heavenly fire. The devil was a monster, but I would become his nightmare.”
“There was no greater force on earth, nothing quite as powerful as love. Neither hatred nor fear could ever hope to possess the same amount of strength.”
“I was capable of so much more than I’d ever imagined.”
“I would not go quietly into the darkness.”
“Beware of trusting beautiful creatures. They hide the most wicked surprises.”
“The world needed to be better. And if it wasn’t possible for it to be better, we, its inhabitants, needed to do better.”
Are you excited for Capturing the Devil? Have you finished it yet? If you have, what did you think?
Also, a kinda morbid question, but what do you think is the weirdest or most terrifying unsolved case?
Overall: 2.5/5 Stars Characters: 2.5/5 Setting: 3/5 Writing: 3/5 Plot and Themes: 2/5 Awesomeness Factor: 2/5 Review in a Nutshell: Bloodleaf is an okay read, but overwhelmingly so. Nothing about it is unique or amazing enough to make it stand out from the YA fantasies it finds itself similar to.
“The wolves howl, Aurelia, and there may come a time when I will no longer be able to hold them back.”
“I’m just as lost and confused and lonely as anyone else.”
Release Date: 3/12/2019 Publisher: HMH Books For Young Readers Page Count: 384 Premise: Bloodleaf is a loose retelling of The Goose Girl. It follows Princess Aurelia, a blood-magic wielder in a kingdom where witches are the enemy. With her people eager to see her burn, Aurelia is sent to the neighboring kingdom for her safety, and to meet the prince she has been betrothed to since childhood. But when she is betrayed, Aurelia is forced to disguise herself as a commoner as she uncovers a plot that could destroy everything.
*All quotes are from the ARC and are subject to change upon publication*
Overall: 4/5 Stars Characters: 5/5 Setting: 3.5/5 Writing: 4/5 Plot and Themes: 4/5 Awesomeness Factor: 4/5 Review in a Nutshell: The Lady Rogue is a funny, lighthearted historical fiction that
“Being enemies was easy. Falling in love was harder.”
“I’ve yet to hold the devil’s handiwork. Everything evil I’ve found was made by human hands.”
Release Date: 9/3/2019 Publisher: Simon Pulse Page Count: 384 Premise: Theodora has always dreamed of traveling with her father on his treasure hunts, but despite her knowledge of ancient relics, he refuses to let her go. Instead, he takes Huck Gallagher, the boy Theo used to think was the love of her life. But when Huck returns from an expedition for the cursed ring of Vlad the Impaler without her father, they must team up to rescue him. With only her father’s journal for clues, the two end up on a dangerous journey into Romania, where a dangerous society is also searching for the ring. And they’ll do anything to get it.
Read more for all of my thoughts on The Lady Rogue!
Disney is kinda my brand (outside of books, that is). I’m known at work as the girl who always wears Disney dresses, I cosplay as Disney Princesses, I’m a Disney Vacation Club Member and I visit Disney World almost every year, and my house was literally designed after Disney.
Needless to say, I was excited to do this Disney-A-Thon.
Especially because I was going to Disney this month.
However, I’m awful at sticking to TBRs, and readathons scare me, so I knew this would definitely be a challenge. Not to mention, I set up pretty high goals for myself for the month.
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: Serpent and Dove felt like it was made for me. From the characters to the setting, everything was well crafted and absolutely addictive.
“A witch and a witch hunter bound in holy matrimony. There was only one way such a story could end–a stake and a match.”
Serpent and Dove follows Louise la Blanc, a witch who fled her coven, and Reid Diggory, a witch hunter. After a chaotic second meeting, Lou and Reid must marry to save his reputation, and Lou would rather face the pyre than the enemies chasing her. However, when feelings grow, what was first a simple arrangement becomes infinitely more complicated.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions in this review are my own. Quotes are from the ARC and are subject to change upon publication.*
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: Well Met is just pure fun. This book is adorable, entertaining, and full of heart.
“I didn’t choose the wench life. The wench life chose me.”
// Content Warning: Insecurities around not being enough, depression//
“Birthday wishes were allowed to be lofty. I blew out the candles and let those wishes fly away with the wisps of smoke. The ones that were meant to be would come back.”
When Emily’s sister got in an accident, she dropped everything to help her and her niece. So when said niece needs an adult to volunteer with her at the Renaissance Faire, she agrees. However, what she didn’t expect was to make an enemy of the man running it, Simon, so quick. He has no patience for Emily and is quick with a critique, but once they get on Faire grounds, he changes completely. He turns into a suave pirate and flirts constantly with Emily’s character, but is it real, or is it just the characters they have to play?
*Quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change upon publication*
Overall: 3/5 Stars Characters: 3/5 Setting: 4/5 Writing: 2.5/5 Plot and Themes: 3/5 Awesomeness Factor: 3/5 Review in a Nutshell: Rage was a good read, but it may not be worthwhile if you didn’t really love Roar.
“I wanted to choose my own life, rather than having it chosen for me.”
“Life happens how it happens, and you can either move with the maelstrom or die wallowing about the change in the winds.”
Release Date: 8/27/2019 Publisher: Tor Teen Page Count: 460 Premise:
Rage takes place shortly after the ending of Roar. There isn’t really much I can say without spoiling the plot of the first book, but this one deals more with the politics of the world, including a rebellion that has risen up.
Overall: 3.5/5 Stars Characters: 4/5 Setting: 4/5 Writing: 3/5 Plot and Themes: 3/5 Awesomeness Factor: 3/5 Review in a Nutshell: Roar is a fun fantasy, with plenty of romance and a unique world. However, if you’re only a mild fantasy fan with a big TBR, I would understand skipping this one in favor of others.
“Perhaps death is all that waits for me across the great waters, but better to know death than to choose fear of the unknown.”
“If there’s one thing I know it’s that freedom shouldn’t feel like a noose around your neck.”
Release Date: 6/13/2017 Publisher: Tor Teen Page Count: 380 Premise: Roar follows Princess Aurora, who comes from a long line of powerful Stormlings, but holds no Stormling power herself. Desperate to protect her kingdom and her secret, Aurora agrees to her mother’s plan of marrying her off to a Stormling prince from another kingdom, but the more she learns about him, the more her future terrifies her. Disguising herself, Aurora flees the palace and joins group of storm hunters who promise her a way to gain storm magic for herself.
Wow, I haven’t done this type of book recommendation in a while. Which means I have so many books to talk about!!
Today, I want to focus on some early 2019 releases. Now, if you don’t know how this works, I’ll list 3 fairly hyped books, and pair them with 3 other books that are somewhat similar in tone, theme, or genre. If you like one of the books, you’ll probably like the one it’s paired with!
Alright, enough talking, onto the book recommendations!
Read More for my recommendation matches, and why I paired them together!
