Gilded

Title:  Gilded

Author:  Marissa Meyer

Series:  Gilded #1

Publisher:  Feiwel & Friends

Date Published:  November 2, 2021

Genre:  Young Adult, Retelling, Fantasy

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

My Thoughts:

-    Once upon a time there was a miller's daughter, and she was cursed/marked by a god. The villagers stay away from her because wherever Serilda goes, misfortune isn't too far behind. BUT a small group of children feel differently, they love Serilda's gift of storytelling. One day Serilda's stories get her into trouble. During one of his fabled hunts, Serilda crosses paths with the Erlking. Serilda spins a tale about her abilities to spin straw into gold. And yes, you guessed it, she is now ensnared by the Erlking and must spin straw into gold. During her time in the cursed castle, Serilda uncovers secrets and meets a devilishly handsome poltergeist. 

-    I am on a Marissa Meyer reading kick right now. I love her books, especially her retellings. I cannot get enough of them. I loved how Meyer mixed Rumpelstiltskin and mythology. The stories were recognizable, but she also created something so unique and amazing. 

-    I loved Serilda's moxie and snark. She made me laugh on more than one occasion. She was also a little dense at times, but that is what makes for a good story. I also loved all the side characters. They were delightful, even the evil ones. 

-    The story gets a bit intense, and I couldn't believe what Meyer did to her characters! What!? Craziness! 

-    I'm sad I have to wait for November to find out the rest of the story! Gilded ends in a maddening cliffhanger. Gah!

-    I kept going back and forth between 4 and 5 stars on this, so I think my true rating is 4.5 stars. 

My Thoughts in GIFs:

The Silence of Bones

Title:  The Silence of Bones

Author:  June Hur

Publisher:  Feiwel & Friends

Date Published:  April 21, 2020

Genre:  Historical Fiction, Mystery, Young Adult

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

My Thoughts:

-    Seol is practically a slave to the police bureau, but she has dreams of home and finding her long lost brother. When a wealthy woman is murdered, Seol becomes invaluable to the detective put in charge of the investigation. It turns out the Seol is brave, good at getting information, and clever. Besides solving a murder, Seol also has to deal with the struggles of her station. 

-    I loved Seol's character. She was easy to root for, and I just wanted her to get a happy ending. I loved how fear didn't stop her from doing things. She was so brave, and her curiosity was a curse and a blessing. 

-    I didn't know who to trust most of the time. I had no idea how the story was going to end. It was heartwarming and heartbreaking. The ending gave me all the feels. 

-    I loved the beautiful setting of Joseon Korea. It was such a beautiful time and place in history, but it also had it's low points. I loved all the politics and intrigue.

-    I really appreciated this book, and I hope there are a lot more Korean historical fiction books coming. 

My Thoughts in a GIF:

Instant Karma

Title:  Instant Karma

Author:  Marissa Meyer

Publisher:  Feiwel & Friends

Date Published:  November 3, 2020

Genre:  Young Adult, Contemporary

Rating:  ⭐⭐

My Thoughts:

-    I have been dreading this review. I usually love Marissa Meyer's books, but this one was a big disappointment. 

-    Prudence (a terrible name) is a self-righteous, judgmental, selfish, wound up so tight she should be on blood pressure medication perfectionist. She is constantly complaining about her lab partner slacking off, to the point of obsession. For some reason, the universe grants her the power to inflict karma, good or bad, on random people. After getting a subpar grade on a report, she is determined to redo her project, but she has to work with Quint, her lab partner. Prudence ends up volunteering for a sealife rescue shelter, and guess who's mom runs it? Yup, Quint's mom owns and runs the shelter. Prudence and Quint work together for a few weeks, and you get the picture. You know what happens.

-    Prudence annoyed me from the very beginning, but what really irked me was that there was no character growth. Prudence learns a few lessons throughout the story, but in the end, she is still a selfish, self-righteous, judgmental jerk. The only thing that changes is her opinion of Quint.

-    Quint is a sweet guy. I didn't mind him as much, but I feel like he was pretty dumb to pine after Prudence. He could do SO much better. 

-    I couldn't get behind the story because I didn't like the characters. 400 pages of Prudence is WAY too much Prudence. 

-    The only thing I liked about the story were the cute sea lions and seals. I am all about animal rescue shelters. Sadly, it wasn't enough to change my opinion of the book. 

-    I lied, I also liked the beach town setting. Meyer did an amazing job with the town and ocean. I had no problem visualizing the place. So there were two things I liked about the book.

-    I will continue to read Meyer's books. I still think she is an amazing author. I'm just sad this one was a bummer. 

My Thoughts in a GIF:

Trigger Warnings:    Animal injury, Drinking

Daughter of the Pirate King

Goodreads Synopsis:   There will be plenty of time for me to beat him soundly once I’ve gotten what I came for.

Sent on a mission to retrieve an ancient hidden map—the key to a legendary treasure trove—seventeen-year-old pirate captain Alosa deliberately allows herself to be captured by her enemies, giving her the perfect opportunity to search their ship.

More than a match for the ruthless pirate crew, Alosa has only one thing standing between her and the map: her captor, the unexpectedly clever and unfairly attractive first mate, Riden. But not to worry, for Alosa has a few tricks up her sleeve, and no lone pirate can stop the Daughter of the Pirate King. 

My Thoughts:

-    I was so excited to read this book. I wanted a fun swashbuckling adventure. Instead, I got a frustrating flirting story.

-    The first chapter was brilliant. It introduced Alosa in the perfect way, and I really like Alosa's snarky and confident personality. I like Riden as well. I just wish their flirting hadn't been front and center to the story.

-    The ending had a little more action, and it was more enjoyable for me. 

-    I'm hoping the second book is more of a pirate adventure than a romance. 

Gone Rogue

Goodreads Synopsis:    Iko – an audacious android and best friend to the Lunar Queen Cinder – has been tasked with hunting down Alpha Lysander Steele, the leader of a rogue band of bioengineered wolf-soldiers who threaten to undo the tenuous peace agreement between Earth and Luna. Unless Cinder can reverse the mutations that were forced on them years before, Steele and his soldiers plan to satisfy their monstrous appetites with a massacre of the innocent people of Earth.

And to show he’s serious, Steele is taking hostages.

Cinder and Kai, Scarlet and Wolf, Cress and Thorne, and Winter and Jacin all feature in this epic new battle. But it is Iko who must face her deepest fears when she uncovers the truth about her own unusual programming.

My Thoughts:

-    I loved this book!!

-    I think this is the last book. It wrapped up all nicely.

-    I loved revisiting this world and all the characters in graphic novel form.

-    I loved that Iko got to be the star of this series, and I like how her humanity was questioned and realized.

-    It is hard to write reviews for books that you just love and want to gush about.

-    If you loved the Lunar Chronicles, this is a must read!! It is awesome!

Previous Book

Wires and Nerve

Goodreads Synopsis:    When rogue packs of wolf-hybrid soldiers threaten the tenuous peace alliance between Earth and Luna, Iko takes it upon herself to hunt down the soldiers' leader. She is soon working with a handsome royal guard who forces her to question everything she knows about love, loyalty, and her own humanity. With appearances by Cinder and the rest of the Rampion crew, this is a must-have for fans of the series.










My Thoughts: 

-    It is always exciting when a beloved series is brought back to life, and I love that The Lunar Chronicles is making a come back in graphic novels!

-    I have always loved Iko. Her snarky optimistic personality captured me from the beginning. I'm SO happy that she gets her own series to star in. 

-    The illustrations were great! I loved all the expressions and action. The way I pictured these characters in my head is pretty close to how they are depicted in this book. 

-    I love the way Iko gives back story and explains things. Her view of the world and her friends is so innocent and funny. 

-    I can't for the next book!

Heartless

Goodreads Synopsis:    Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland and a favorite of the unmarried King, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, she wants to open a shop and create delectable pastries. But for her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for a woman who could be a queen.

At a royal ball where Cath is expected to receive the King’s marriage proposal, she meets handsome and mysterious Jest. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the King and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into a secret courtship.

Cath is determined to choose her own destiny. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.

Book Trailer:

My Thoughts:

-    I didn't love this as much as The Lunar Chronicles, but it was still good.

-    The ending is predictable, but I think it is meant to be. Even though I knew what Cath's fate was, I enjoyed the journey. 

-    I never fully trusted Jest. I wanted to love him, but I just couldn't. I wish he had been a more swoon worthy guy. I always felt like his ulterior motives were hanging over his and Cath's relationship. I just couldn't get behind this romance. In fact, I felt a little sorry for the king the whole time. At least his intentions were honorable and true, even though he was an idiot.

-    The story was pretty slow in the middle. I feel like 100 pages could have been edited out.

-    This book made me crave baked goods really bad! I recommend having lemon tarts, cookies, cupcakes, and macarons on hand while reading. 

-    The ending was very captivating and a lot was going on. I really enjoyed the last few chapters. It was everything I hoped for.

Crenshaw

Goodreads Synopsis:    In her first novel since winning the Newbery Medal, Katherine Applegate delivers an unforgettable and magical story about family, friendship, and resilience.

Jackson and his family have fallen on hard times. There's no more money for rent. And not much for food, either. His parents, his little sister, and their dog may have to live in their minivan. Again.

Crenshaw is a cat. He's large, he's outspoken, and he's imaginary. He has come back into Jackson's life to help him. But is an imaginary friend enough to save this family from losing everything?

Beloved author Katherine Applegate proves in unexpected ways that friends matter, whether real or imaginary.

My Thoughts:

-    This book covers a tough subject, and it is pretty impressive for a middle grade book.

-    The overall feel of the book is kinda sad. There is hope, but I really felt sad and horrible for Jackson and his family. 

-    I'm surprised that the authorities didn't step in to do something about Jackson and his sister. They could have been taken away from their parents.

-    I never had an imaginary friend as a kid, and now I wish I did. Crenshaw brought a little humor to the story, but he is mostly there for moral support. I love how Crenshaw brings comfort and advice to Jackson.

-    I loved the idea of a giant cat for an imaginary friend. Mine would be a giant hamster or a red panda.

-    This book made me want to hold my kids. I'm feel very grateful that my husband has a good job, and our family is provided with all the things we need. 

-    This book also made me want to help other families in need. Children should feel safe and happy in their home. They shouldn't have to worry about when they are going to eat next or where they are going to live. It just breaks my heart knowing there are families out there like this AND in worse situations. STUPID MONEY!!

-    This was a great book, the kind that stick with you for a while, but it was sad. 

Stars Above

From Goodreads:    The enchantment continues....

The universe of the Lunar Chronicles holds stories—and secrets—that are wondrous, vicious, and romantic. How did Cinder first arrive in New Beijing? How did the brooding soldier Wolf transform from young man to killer? When did Princess Winter and the palace guard Jacin realize their destinies?

With nine stories—five of which have never before been published—and an exclusive never-before-seen excerpt from Marissa Meyer’s upcoming novel, Heartless, about the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, Stars Above is essential for fans of the bestselling and beloved Lunar Chronicles.

--
The Little Android: A retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid,” set in the world of The Lunar Chronicles.
Glitches: In this prequel to Cinder, we see the results of the plague play out, and the emotional toll it takes on Cinder. Something that may, or may not, be a glitch….
The Queen’s Army: In this prequel to Scarlet, we’re introduced to the army Queen Levana is building, and one soldier in particular who will do anything to keep from becoming the monster they want him to be.
Carswell’s Guide to Being Lucky: Thirteen-year-old Carswell Thorne has big plans involving a Rampion spaceship and a no-return trip out of Los Angeles.
The Keeper: A prequel to the Lunar Chronicles, showing a young Scarlet and how Princess Selene came into the care of Michelle Benoit.
After Sunshine Passes By: In this prequel to Cress, we see how a nine-year-old Cress ended up alone on a satellite, spying on Earth for Luna.
The Princess and the Guard: In this prequel to Winter, we see a game called The Princess
The Mechanic: In this prequel to Cinder, we see Kai and Cinder’s first meeting from Kai’s perspective.
Something Old, Something New: In this epilogue to Winter, friends gather for the wedding of the century... 

My Thoughts:

-    These short stories were fun and some of them really added to the series.

-    I loved the Michelle Benoit story. I've always found her past intriguing, and I love that we got this back story. It was a prequel to the whole series. Loved it!

-    I feel like the Carswell story wasn't really needed. I didn't learn anything new about him or his past.

-    The Little Mermaid Mech story was sweet and sad. I wonder if Meyer will ever create a full length novel for it.

-    I LOVED the last story. It was a little epilogue to the series, and I enjoyed every moment. I'm still unsure about how I feel about Wolf and Scarlet though. It is a bit on the brink of bestiality, and that is EW! Why did they have to mess with Wolf!?!?

Previous Lunar Chronicles Books

(click on the cover to see my thoughts)

  
 

Winter

Goodreads Says:    Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mar her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana.

Winter despises her stepmother, and knows Levana won’t approve of her feelings for her childhood friend—the handsome palace guard, Jacin. But Winter isn’t as weak as Levana believes her to be and she’s been undermining her stepmother’s wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that’s been raging for far too long.

Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters?

My Thoughts:

-    Amazing and very satisfactory ending to a great series! I loved each of these books! 

-    Winter was a very interesting and unique character. I loved her struggles and strengths. She defied Levana in her own way.

-    Very action packed book! I loved that this didn't sugar coat the chaos of war. There will always be casualties and heartache in war.

-    I'm not sure I'm okay with what happened with Wolf.

-    I loved that each of the main characters had their moment to shine. There were some great character developments for everyone! 

-    The world building was awesome! I loved visiting Luna. 

-    I loved that there were classic Snow White elements and moments, but this story is very unique. This series is one of the best fairy tale retellings out there.

-    Even though the reader is introduced to Winter and her story, the other characters are still very prevalent and contribute to the story as a whole. It is really awesome how she was able to do that.

-    This series has a wonderful intricate plot and amazing characters! You CAN have both!

-    I seriously can't gush enough about this series! GO READ IT! 

Previous Lunar Chronicles Books

(click on the cover to see my thoughts)

  

Fairest

Goodreads Synopsis:    In this stunning bridge book between Cress and Winter in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles, Queen Levana’s story is finally told.

Mirror, mirror on the wall,
Who is the fairest of them all?

Fans of the Lunar Chronicles know Queen Levana as a ruler who uses her “glamour” to gain power. But long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, Levana lived a very different story – a story that has never been told . . . until now. 

Marissa Meyer spins yet another unforgettable tale about love and war, deceit and death. This extraordinary book includes full-color art and an excerpt from Winter, the next book in the Lunar Chronicles series.

My Thoughts:

-    Levana is one messed up lady! I felt sorry for her about certain things in her life, but for the most part, she is screwed up and evil. The way she manipulates people is awful!

-    I can't believe how vein and stupid Cinder's mom is! Wow! Cinder must have gotten all her brains from her father, whoever he is. Thanks goodness she didn't take after her mom at all.

-    I felt SO bad for Solstice, Evret, and Winter. Levana really ruined their lives.

-    It was awful to see Levana start out as a not so bad person, but then she just kept getting more selfish and entitled, and she made some pretty horrible decisions. After a while, even her guilt went away. 

-    I loved the insight and info of certain events and things in the series, like the letumosis disease, the queen's hybrid army, side characters, etc. It was fun to read about the background story.

-    I can't wait to read Winter!!!

Previous Lunar Chronicles Books

(click on the cover to see my thoughts)

  

Cress

Goodreads Synopsis:    Even in the future. there are damsels in distress...

In the third installment of the Lunar chronicles, Cress, having risked everything to warn Cinder of Queen Levana's evil plan, has a slight problem. She's been imprisoned on a satellite since childhood and has only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress a great hacker. Unfortunately, she's just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice. 

When a daring rescue of Cress involving Cinder, Captain Thorne, Scarlet, and Wolf goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes as a high price. Meanwhile, Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.

My Thoughts:

-    I love how Cress had elements of the classic Rapunzel story, but Cress is still a completely unique story by itself.

-    I like how all the stories converge. We get pieces of everyone's story, but they all contribute to the plot as a whole. Meyer is a really great storyteller, and her books are very well thought out.

-    Cress makes me laugh. Her personality is so fun. I love how all the characters have very distinct personalities. There is never any confusion about who is who or who is speaking.

-    There was a lot more action in this book, and I loved every moment!

-    The ending was AWESOME!! The last 100 pages are so addicting and an emotional roller coaster. 

-    Love this series!! It is amazing! I can't wait to read the rest!

Previous Lunar Chronicles Books

(click on the cover to see my thoughts)

 

Shutter

Goodreads Synopsis:    Horror has a new name: introducing Courtney Alameda.

Micheline Helsing is a tetrachromat—a girl who sees the auras of the undead in a prismatic spectrum. As one of the last descendants of the Van Helsing lineage, she has trained since childhood to destroy monsters both corporeal and spiritual: the corporeal undead go down by the bullet, the spiritual undead by the lens. With an analog SLR camera as her best weapon, Micheline exorcises ghosts by capturing their spiritual energy on film. She's aided by her crew: Oliver, a techno-whiz and the boy who developed her camera's technology; Jude, who can predict death; and Ryder, the boy Micheline has known and loved forever.

When a routine ghost hunt goes awry, Micheline and the boys are infected with a curse known as a soulchain. As the ghostly chains spread through their bodies, Micheline learns that if she doesn't exorcise her entity in seven days or less, she and her friends will die. Now pursued as a renegade agent by her monster-hunting father, Leonard Helsing, she must track and destroy an entity more powerful than anything she's faced before . . . or die trying.

Lock, stock, and lens, she’s in for one hell of a week.

My Thoughts:

-    Courtney said her book was like a video game, and she wasn't joking! There is even an epic boss fight at the end. 

-    I really enjoyed this story. It was super awesome and creepy! 

-    This is a must read for Fatal Frame fans!

-    The story is very fast paced. There really isn't a moment for the characters to stop and breathe. It is just go go go! And you never know what horror the gang in going to run into next.

-    The characters are all amazing! I loved Micheline and her crew. 

-    The romance was great. There was just enough to keep a reader happy, but it didn't overpower the meat of the story.

-    I don't know how Micheline stays sane after everything she goes through. Anyone else would need major therapy and pills. 

-    I loved how the Van Helsing and Stoker lines were part of the characters. It added a lot of nostalgia and fun. 

-    I've been looking forward to Courtney's book for a long time, and she didn't disappoint. I may be biased, but this one is a keeper!

Horde

Goodreads Synopsis:    The epic conclusion to the USA Today bestselling trilogy.

The horde is coming.

Salvation is surrounded, monsters at the gates, and this time, they're not going away. When Deuce, Fade, Stalker and Tegan set out, the odds are against them. But the odds have been stacked against Deuce from the moment she was born. She might not be a Huntress anymore, but she doesn't run. With her knives in hand and her companions at her side, she will not falter, whether fighting for her life or Fade's love.

Ahead, the battle of a lifetime awaits. Freaks are everywhere, attacking settlements, setting up scouts, perimeters, and patrols. There hasn't been a war like this in centuries, and humans have forgotten how to stand and fight. Unless Deuce can lead them.

This time, however, more than the fate of a single enclave or outpost hangs in the balance. This time, Deuce carries the banner for the survival of all humanity.

My Thoughts:

-    This was a great and satisfying ending to the trilogy! 

-    We finally get to find out why this is called the Razorland Trilogy. It didn't make sense until the very end.

-    Fade and Deuce have had quite the journey, and I really love how their story wrapped up. I loved the relationship between Fade and Deuce. They love each other, but that doesn't get in the way of their duties. 

-    I did get tired of Deuce pining for Fade so much. Fade had to deal with some PTSD, and she had to give him some space, but he pining got old!

-    This series is definitely 16 and up. There is some crazy violence! It was thrilling and exciting, but it was violent.

-    Prepare for some heartache, cause there is plenty! There is also a lot of hope and peace though.

-    Mama Oaks, Edmund, and Rex are the unsung heroes of this story. I love their unconditional love and support as Deuce's family. Mama Oaks is awesome!

-    I loved all the other character we got to meet in this book, especially Morrow, Tully, and Spence. 

-    I loved the range of emotions I felt through this series! The author did a great job of making the reader feel different emotions and get attached to the characters. 

-    Not my favorite series, but definitely a good one! 

Series Info:

Horde is the 3rd and last book in the Razorland series.  Click on the pictures to read my thoughts on the previous books.

 

Scarlet

Goodreads Synopsis:    The fates of Cinder and Scarlet collide as a Lunar threat spreads across the Earth...

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

My Thoughts:

-    Marvelous from beginning to end! I LOVE this book!

-    I kept picturing Scarlet as Red Riding Hood from Once Upon a Time...a red head version.

-    The story is so well thought out! It is so intricate but not confusing. I love how all the pieces came together and the two stories fit together!

-    The writing was really good. I like the way things were said, and I liked the word choice. Marissa Meyer is really good at storytelling and writing!

-    I really liked how different chapters were from different perspectives, and we got to get bits and pieces of the whole story. It was really well done and clever.

-    Each character was so amazing in their roles! I liked seeing the old characters from Cinder, but I loved all the new additions.

-    I liked Wolf a lot. He was like a mix of Four from Divergent and Wolf from The Tenth Kingdom. I loved it! He might just be my new literature heartthrob.

-    I was so hooked all the way through the book. It gives you just enough anticipation and info to keep to you intrigued and dying to find out what happens next!

-    This is one of those stories I had to know what happens, but I'm so sad it ended! This book has really picked up the momentum for the story!! I am eagerly awaiting the next book!!!

Previous Lunar Chronicles Book

(click on the cover to see my thoughts)