the_ya_assassin's reviews
377 reviews

This was such an amazing book! I can't say enough about it. I devoured it in two sittings.

The main character, Calla, and the side characters all felt so real to me - I truly cared for them. At first, I was confused about the world - I thought it was in a future version of the USA, but it wasn't. Once the name of the world was established, the politics all lined up, and the connections made sense.

Many YA tropes were used: missing/hidden royalty, the Chosen One, and romance everywhere. I'm pretty sure almost every guy that met Calla fell in love with her (not a bad thing, just unlikely).

This book was pretty straight-forward. It had a nice plot - not too much romance, hilarious scenes, and an intriguing story. I can't wait to get my hands on the sequel!

Please do NOT bash me for having an opinion. You are entitled to disagreeing with my opinion, but I would appreciate it if you would leave me and my thoughts alone.

I know this is a classic, but I didn't enjoy it nearly as much as the Hunger Games (as it is suggested for). Perhaps if I had read it on my own time and not been forced to read it at school, I might've enjoyed it more.

That being said, there was a lot of confusing parts for me. The way it was written . . . old English does not read well for me. I understand that it was written in 1954, so it is NOT Golding's fault, but for me, it just isn't my style. I got confused in places and had to reread the same section over and over to understand it.

I have read past reviews who have also given this book 2 or less stars. I would have to agree, this book would've been more interesting if it had been females. However, it was also very interesting with the male POVs. I did see advances and development in characters, I just wish there had been more. Maybe if we had more information from before they were ship- (plane-?) wrecked, it would've helped distinguish the differences in their characteristics.

The plot moved very slowly, however, I do disagree with other low-grade reviewers opinions. This book DID have a plot - there was an exposition, a rising action, a climax, a falling action, and a resolution. The resolution might've been short, but it was there. I just found that each event in this book, while scary and supposed-to-be thrilling, I found myself not liking it. I just needed less . . . hunting.

Also, I found that the constant bickering for dominance between Jack and Ralph petty. I mean, they could've (Heaven forbid) worked together. It also didn't really matter WHO was leader, as long as there was one that would be responsible for caring for the boys.

In addition to that, Jack was kind of cruel. I mean, I know that was kinda the point, but . . . really? Who in their right mind would think that by having a mask on (especially a painted one) there would not be consequences for their actions? I realize the theme of this whole book is humankind's capability of evil, but still.

And don't even get me started on Piggy's and Simon's deaths. I mean, sure, they moved the plot a little bit, but they weren't really turning points. Ralph didn't act on Jack when Simon was killed, and when Piggy was killed by Roger, he only felt sadness. Ralph just kinda let it go and was like "oh well, he's dead (too)." and cries.

I DID enjoy the suspense layered throughout the book. I also appreciated the descriptions of the island. Golding has also accomplished the near-impossible: the WORST CHARACTER Award goes to: JACK MERRIDEW!!! It used to be Dolores Umbridge from Harry Potter, but I have never wanted to slap a character as much as Jack.

The ending was not enough for me. It was also EXTREMELY obvious and unsurprising. Did the boys return to England safely? Was Roger/ Jack punished for his crimes (murder)?

Spellbinding. I can't get enough of Caraval. It's so magical and breath-taking. With enough romance to fill and the adventure of a lifetime, this book was just the YA fantasy I needed to read. Every step of it leads you down another tunnel with so many twists and turns, it should be considered a roller coaster.

****Spoiler on the next line:
I can't wait to see where the next book, Legendary, leads Scarlett, Julian, and Tella. What will happen with Scarlett and Julian? Where will the sisters go - separate ways or together? What will the REAL Legend do next?

A fabulous, magical ending to Caraval! I was honestly surprised that Julian didn't get killed off - most books that I've read had at least one of the characters dead by the end of the book. I was ecstatic that Legend and Tella ended up together, and that Scarlett became empress. I hope that maybe Stephanie Garber might eventually write another book perhaps detailing Tella's and Legend's next adventure. One day.
However, the book didn't have the same flair as the first two books. Perhaps it's because the events in the book didn't take place during a Caraval.

*4.5 stars*

This book was an awesome read! I was genuinely surprised by it because I literally paid nothing for it. I almost want to go buy an actual copy of it now.

This book was absolutely fantastic! I am so grateful to Fairyloot for including this book in their monthly box! Adrienne Young wove an interesting story that had me asking for more.

Fable had me constantly questioning what happened to the crew of the Marigold and Fable. It had me very curious to see what was going on with them and where all of their allegiances really lay. The world was immersive and the characters were real to me. I wouldn't mind crewing on the Marigold with them. There was just enough detail in the setting to or appease me without over-doing it. A little bit of romance and plenty of high stakes action left me sad that it was over.

The conflicts going on in this book definitely drew me in. I mean, starting off with our main character on an island full of cutthroat thieves. Especially since Fable was left there by her father. I loved the rules of the world (don't show who you care about) and the overlying high stakes with the chance of being caught by the guilds.

I deeply enjoyed Fable and can't for its sequel, Namesake, in 2021!

I absolutely loved this book. It was slow at first, and I struggled to get into it, but I'm glad I forged on!

I love the idea of the Bone Criers and the story surrounding them. The world was a little shaky - it didn't feel as real to me as I would've liked. I loved the story, each event leading to the next, and nothing unneeded. The obvious romance (and enemies to lovers trope is used) between Bastien and Ailesse mixed in took my breath away and had me chanting:
KISS! KISS! KISS!

Despite the issues I did have, I thoroughly enjoyed this read.

This book was . . . not what I'm used to, nor expecting.

When I first got into this series, I was in 4th grade. It's been years, and I've mostly been reading YA, save this series and School for Good and Evil. It's definitely not my style anymore, but I want to know what happens to Sophie and the Elven world!!

That being said, this book was kind of a disappointment. Since I'm used to YA, usually there is a LOT more character development. Even though it only took place over a few days, there should've been a little development!

I knew this book would be different, with it being "8.5" and all, but I didn't think the actual story would only be 200 pages. I knew there was going to a lot of information given, but I didn't think it would take up 500 pages!!

What I liked:
1. Sophie FINALLY realizing what she had to do to beat the Neverseen
2. Sophie doing what has needed to be done for a LONG time
3. Sophie working with Glimmer

Also, this book had the WORST cliffhanger in all of KOTLC history. I hated it! I wanted to cry, especially since the next book probably won't come out until December 2021, November at the earliest!

However, the artwork is STUNNING! I mean, better-than-Fairyloot-Book-Box artwork stunning! And the guide in the first half of the book, while not what I really wanted, was pretty cool! I especially loved that she shared the recipe for Cinnacreme, the second best desert in the Lost Cities next to Butterblasts.

I received an ARC from the Charleston YALL Fest 2019.

Deka . . . how to describe the inspirational heroine of this tale?
Deka is strong. She is rebellious. She is brilliant. She is powerful.

My Summary:
Deka was living a normal life as a girl in Otera before she was found to have the cursed gold. The golden blood of demons. She is imprisoned and tortured for months before a savior comes: "White Hands" as Deka calls her. She is given the option to remain trapped or to become a weapon for the king. She chooses life. White Hands delivers her to the Jor Hall, which leads Deka to Wathu Bera, a training camp for alaki like her. Or so she thinks until she begins changing and has unusual powers, even by gilded ones standards. They send her on missions to kill the deathshrieks, a terror threatening the kingdom. She begins to understand them and questions this. She is sent to the campaign against them and learns that all isn't the same as the girls were taught.

The characters are original, all girls of great power and potential (let's go strong female heroines!). The world-building could've been more explicitly explained, like the history of Otera (rulers, places, etc.) The theme, I believe, is: Don't believe everything that you hear, because it's a story that teaches you of a common belief system that is actually based on incorrect facts. The plot is your usual story with a Herald (the one that brings change), an Ally (or multiple), a hero (obvi), and a shapeshifter (a person that seems good but works closely with the enemy/ is the enemy).

My favorite quote:
"'Kill them all, Deka,' she whispers. 'Kill every last one of those bastards.'
'I intend to," I reply."

In my opinion, this is one of the best books I've read in awhile. It doesn't follow the YA Fantasy standard exactly, and it brings a little bit of a whole new concept of a oppressed-women world. It is a spell-binding, binge-worthy read.

If you're a fan of this book, I recommend "Children of Blood and Bone", which is similar in the fact that there is an oppression against a ethnic group (this time, people with magic).