The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle #1) by Maggie Steifvater

RATING: 4 STARS

Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue never sees them--until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks to her.

His name is Gansey, a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can't entirely explain. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul whose emotions range from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She doesn't believe in true love, and never thought this would be a problem. But as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she's not so sure anymore. 

This book was truly something else. The background story of each of the characters was truly fascinating and really made the readers feel like a part of their lives. It's intimate, enchanting, eerie, and mysterious all in one. Maggie did a wonderful job of creating the atmosphere in this book and every choice of words, writing style, and twist built this into a beautiful story. I would definitely recommend this story. 

Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler

RATING: 3 STARS

Once upon a time, Hudson knew exactly what her future looked like. Then a betrayal changed her life, and knocked her dreams to the ground. Now she’s a girl who doesn’t believe in second chances... a girl who stays under the radar by baking cupcakes at her mom’s diner and obsessing over what might have been.

So when things start looking up and she has another shot at her dreams, Hudson is equal parts hopeful and terrified. Of course, this is also the moment a cute, sweet guy walks into her life... and starts serving up some seriously mixed signals. She’s got a lot on her plate, and for a girl who’s been burned before, risking it all is easier said than done.

It’s time for Hudson to ask herself what she really wants, and how much she’s willing to sacrifice to get it. Because in a place where opportunities are fleeting, she knows this chance may very well be her last...

At first, I had a hard time getting into this book, couldn't find much going for it except for making me crave cupcakes all the time. I kept going through though, and got really into Hudson's story of self discovery. Hudson is a very relatable character and I think this story ended up being a great story of discovering who you are and how to recover from impactful moments in life. Overall a decent read! 

The cupcake recipes each chapter were also a cute touch!

Jackaby by William Ritter

Rating: 3 STARS

“Miss Rook, I am not an occultist,” Jackaby said. “I have a gift that allows me to see truth where others see the illusion--and there are many illusions. All the world’s a stage, as they say, and I seem to have the only seat in the house with a view behind the curtain.”

Newly arrived in New Fiddleham, New England, 1892, and in need of a job, Abigail Rook meets R. F. Jackaby, an investigator of the unexplained with a keen eye for the extraordinary--including the ability to see supernatural beings. Abigail has a gift for noticing ordinary but important details, which makes her perfect for the position of Jackaby’s assistant. On her first day, Abigail finds herself in the midst of a thrilling case: A serial killer is on the loose. The police are convinced it’s an ordinary villain, but Jackaby is certain it’s a nonhuman creature, whose existence the police--with the exception of a handsome young detective named Charlie Cane--deny.

Doctor Who meets Sherlock in William Ritter’s debut novel, which features a detective of the paranormal as seen through the eyes of his adventurous and intelligent assistant in a tale brimming with cheeky humor and a dose of the macabre.

When I found this book I was so excited, especially being a fan of Doctor Who and Sherlock. He really wasn't kidding when he said it's a mix of the two... it was practically a fan fiction. I enjoyed this book, and it was really fun and fast paced. It was also pretty short so it was a nice, fast read that was easy to put down but easy to pick back up. Perfect for those who like mystery, paranormal, and historical type stories. 

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Rating: 4 STARS

Two misfits.
One extraordinary love.

Eleanor... Red hair, wrong clothes. Standing behind him until he turns his head. Lying beside him until he wakes up. Making everyone else seem drabber and flatter and never good enough...Eleanor.

Park... He knows she'll love a song before he plays it for her. He laughs at her jokes before she ever gets to the punch line. There's a place on his chest, just below his throat, that makes her want to keep promises...Park.

Set over the course of one school year, this is the story of two star-crossed sixteen-year-olds—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. 

So... this book... Well for starters I heard from so many people that this book is amazing so I figured to give it a try. It started off really slow to me, I wasn't a huge fan of the characters to start with and the writing was a bit slow, but eventually Eleanor and Park both really grasped you and you ended up falling in love with them and the entire story, finishing off with a heart-wrenching ending that left me breathless. Overall was a really good book, it just takes some patience to get into it!

The Servant of the Crown by Melissa Mcshane

Rating: 2.5 Stars

Alison Quinn, Countess of Waxwold, is content with her bookish life—until she’s summoned to be a lady-in-waiting to the Queen of Tremontane’s mother for six months. Even the prospect of access to the Royal Library doesn’t seem enough to make up for her sacrifice, but Alison is prepared to do her service to the Crown. What she’s not prepared for is Prince Anthony North, Queen Zara’s playboy brother, who’s accustomed to getting what he wants—including the Countess of Waxwold.

When the fallout from an unfortunate public encounter throws the two of them together, Alison has no interest in becoming the Prince’s next conquest. But as the weeks pass, Alison discovers there’s more to Anthony than she—or he—realized, and their dislike becomes friendship, and then something more—until disaster drives Alison away, swearing never to return.

Then Alison is summoned by the Queen again, this time to serve as Royal Librarian. A threat to Tremontane’s government, with her treasured Library at stake, draws Alison into the conflict…and into contact with Anthony once more. Can they work together to save the Royal Library and Tremontane? And can she open her heart to love again? 

I was quite excited to read this book, Alison seemed like a really relatable character (especially to us book junkies), and at least that much was true. This book was all over the place though, I feel that the plot wasn't really set well and was actually a bit boring. There was really no purpose behind this book and it was a bit of a waste of time and money in my personal opinion. I won't be reading the rest of this series. 

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

RATING: 4.5 STARS!

From the author of the New York Times bestseller Eleanor & Park.

A coming-of-age tale of fan fiction, family and first love. 

Cath is a Simon Snow fan.

Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan...

But for Cath, being a fan is her life—and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving.

Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.

Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words... And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this?

Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories?

And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?

I truly did love this book. Especially since I was going into college in a new environment, and felt lost, Cath was potentially one of the most relatable characters I have read about. The story was fun, easy going, smart, and relatable.  There was such a variety of characters that I think readers can relate to any of them. The only reason that I don't give this 5 stars was that it may have been a bit long and drawn out, but it was still so clever and witty that it didn't feel boring at least! Definitely recommended!

Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass #4) by Sarah J Maas.

RATING: 5 STARS!!

Everyone Celaena Sardothien loves has been taken from her. But she’s at last returned to the empire—for vengeance, to rescue her once-glorious kingdom, and to confront the shadows of her past…

She has embraced her identity as Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen. But before she can reclaim her throne, she must fight.

She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die for her. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen’s triumphant return.

The fourth volume in the New York Times bestselling series continues Celaena’s epic journey and builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world. 

YAASSS QUEEN! SARAH (and Aelin). IS. BACK. AND. KICKING. ASS. By far superior! Aelin- previously Celaena- is back in black and is ready to take her crown, and is ready to unite her supporters against the wretched King. This book was amazing and was in a league of it's own. I loved it and the new formed relationships in this book, although seeing some old ships sink was certainly hard (forever shipping Chaol and Celaena), but nonetheless, this book was amazing and I'm dying to get my hands on the next one! 

Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3) by Sarah J. Maas

RATING: 4 STARS

Celaena Sardothien has survived deadly contests and shattering heartbreak—but at an unspeakable cost. Now she must travel to a new land to confront her darkest truth...a truth about her heritage that could change her life—and her future—forever.

Meanwhile, brutal and monstrous forces are gathering on the horizon, intent on enslaving her world. To defeat them, Celaena must find the strength to not only fight her inner demons but to battle the evil that is about to be unleashed.

The king's assassin takes on an even greater destiny and burns brighter than ever before in this follow-up to the New York Times bestselling Crown of Midnight.

Despite my undying love for this series, this book certainly wasn't as good as the original two. The book started off a bit slow and Sarah changed it up a bit this time by switching between Celaena's, Dorian's, and Chaol's, and a new character's perspectives which was interesting and needed, since the character's were all split up, but it made it harder to get into since the stories kept changing from chapter to chapter. The change of pace was a bit hard too, but eventually it caught up and ended very dramatically, making readers want more. Overall, still well done Sarah!

Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2) by Sarah J. Maas

RATING: 5 STARS!!

"A line that should never be crossed is about to be breached.

It puts this entire castle in jeopardy—and the life of your friend."

From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul as black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown. She hides her secret vigilantly; she knows that the man she serves is bent on evil.

Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult when Celaena realizes she is not the only one seeking justice. As she tries to untangle the mysteries buried deep within the glass castle, her closest relationships suffer. It seems no one is above questioning her allegiances—not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a foreign princess with a rebel heart.

Then one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to give up the very thing most precious to her and decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie... and whom she is ultimately willing to fight for.

Sarah once again succeeded a work of art and a beautiful addition to the Throne of Glass series. After the major plot twist at the end of the first book, I couldn't wait to devour the sequel and the ending of this book just made me starving for more. Just reading eveything about Celaena makes you feel like a complete and total badass even though you're probably laying in bed eating chocolate to get through the tears that will come. MUST READ!!

Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas

RATING: 5 STARS!!

After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin.

Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for four years and then be granted her freedom. Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. But she's bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best.

Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another. Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined.

It's not everyday that you find a book that transports you to a complete opposite season from the one you're in right now. There were times where I looked out my window expecting to see snow even though it's Summer... that's how wonderfully written this book is. Maas not only manipulated my senses, but made me feel as if I was living in every single moment with Celaena and feeling her emotions. Everything about this book was perfect and is TOTALLY  a must read!

A Court of Mist and Fury (A Court of Thorns and Roses #2) by Sarah J Maas

Rating: 5 STARS!!

Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two.

And here I thought, that nothing could be better than the first book... oh how I was wrong. Maas' addition to the ACOTR series was action-packed, sexy, heart wrenching, and was by far superior. It was like starting a whole new story! This book introduced a slew of new and lovable characters and also expanded on past ones... some that were loved are now hated, and some who were once eerie are now... hot. If you haven't started this series yet you HAVE to!

MUST READ

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas

Rating: 5 STARS!!!!

A thrilling, seductive new series from New York Timesbestselling author Sarah J. Maas, blending Beauty and the Beastwith faerie lore.

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it... or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

Perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and George R. R. Martin, this first book in a sexy and action-packed new series is impossible to put down!

The best way I can describe this book is a mix of The Hunger Games, Beauty and the Beast, with a dash of Faerie lore. As a sucker for romance and fantasy stories (and anything with Sarah J. Maas' name on it) I dove into this book with high expectations.... expectations that were GREATLY exceeded. With the use of beautiful imagery, Maas pulls you into this world with a story you won't be able to put down. MUST READ!!