I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I've seen so many people gush over Alex and Henry for months and months now, and I totally get the hype. One thing I have yet to see gushed about though that spoke to my little news geek heart was all the political goodness in there too! I can't think of a better time in our current political atmosphere to have a book like this come out. It really ignites that hope you have inside, with it being so close and also so far away from what we live now, that if Alex and Henry and all the inhabitants of their little world can get there maybe we can as well, before too long.

This story managed to be painfully beautifully real and also somehow still kind of magical at the same time. I read it all in two sittings and if I'm being honest the only reason it was two was because I had responsibilities I couldn't shirk. I really look forward to seeing what this author comes out with next!

By far my favorite book I've read this year. I'm experiencing an amazingly wonderful book high right now and cannot stop smiling. Simon Spier's narrative voice is so distinct and it's impossible not to fall in love with his character, as well as his friends and family.  If you're looking for a feel-good story, please consider giving this book a chance.

This book was everything I wanted it to be, yet there are aspects of it that didn’t work for me as well as I had hoped they would. 

The first half of the book was gorgeously written but at the same time, there wasn’t much happening. We saw relationships being built, which is important, and worlds being developed, which is also important yet it was slow paced and sometimes, I would have to force myself to read on.

Tamlin was definitely a highlight of the book for me and he is just such a beautiful creature. I loved seeing Maas’ take on the beast and I loved the neat ways in which she made the re-telling her own.

I am not big on fae, so going in, I was worried that my own bias would affect my enjoyment of the book and while there were things I wish that could have been different, I also really enjoyed the aspect. It gave the re-telling a very original outlook.

What I also loved was the cast of secondary characters, from Lucien to the sisters, they were such a varied (in terms of personalities) group and I enjoyed reading about them. They all undergo development over the course of the book and I love seeing the relationships Feyre had built with these characters.

They, in their own ways, brought about Feyre’s own growth process which was a beauty to watch. It’s so realistic too. The change within her doesn’t occur overnight, although calling her cold hearted from the start would be a lie. She has never been cold hearted, but her childhood has caused her to harden up and can you really blame her? From a young age she became in charge of people older than her. She had to risk her life on a daily basis to put food on their plates and was that fair to her? I don’t think so.

She is such strong character and while there are times, especially in the last quarter of the book, where I became frustrated her, I think overall, she is a character I cannot help but admire for her strength, loyalty, determination and kindness!

The romance is so beautifully developed in this book. I ADORED seeing Tamlin and Feyre become closer and I loved seeing them grow to trust one another. In a relationship like theirs, there is always that question of believability. I mean, Tamlin is old so out of all the women he has probably met and had relationships with, what makes Feyre special? A lot of things. Their relationship is fantastic. There might have been things that would have bothered me had I not been shipping them so hard but they work beautifully as a couple. They can confide each other, help each other and just lean on each other and it’s beautiful.

My biggest problem in this book came in the form of a creature named Rhys. I despised him and my problem with that is that I am not sure we are meant to despise him. I worry about where the author may choose to go with his character and the role he plays in Feyre's life. It seems as though things are being set up for something but I believe in Tamlin and Feyre’s relationship too much and hopefully, all my worrying will be for naught.

Another thing that didn’t work so well for me is the way things ended. I want to be more specific but I cannot be. One of the resolutions just didn’t work for me. It isn’t a fault with the book itself but something I, as a reader, have never enjoyed so it made that aspect really hard for me to roll with.

I realize I am being a little vague here but you got to deal with it. How will you ever know what I was talking about if you don’t read the book? *hint hint*

This is a gorgeously written re-telling, that did the original tale justice. I love the originality of it and I cannot wait to see what else awaits us in the future instalments (hopefully only good things).

*No spoilers.

Give me a minute.



I just needed to marvel for a moment.

YA is not dead. At least, not if authors continue to churn out books like The Winner’s Curse. For starters, it’s beautifully and poignantly written. It also has not one, but two strong and likeable main characters. Full of suspense, action, and believable character interactions, yet devoid of the typical tropes and the usual angst found in most YA these days. This book is a real gem.

Kestral isn’t your typical TSTL YA heroine. Not by a long shot. She’s the daughter of a General and has a head for strategy, but the last thing she wants is to become a soldier. Instead, Kestral has a passion for music. Although her father relentlessly badgers her to join his army, she holds strong in her convictions. Music isn’t exactly celebrated amongst her people. It isn’t valued very highly and it’s seen mostly in a frivolous light. This doesn’t deter Kestral. She does her best to strategize a way to avoid giving in to her father’s demands, so that she can live the life she really wants. I really respected her for this. Having a particular skill shouldn’t be a life sentence to using it against your wishes. For example, I’m a Scrabble wizard (a humble one), but I’ll be damned if someone is going to force me to use my bountiful skills for evil. *fist shake

Having been a rebellious teen and having had a rough time dealing with my own father, made me feel an appreciation for the way Kestral and her father's relationship was portrayed. He was overbearing, but only as much as any stern, doting parent would be. He wasn’t overly and comically villainized simply for the sake of adding conflict and I applaud Rutkoski for that.

Despite her flaws and missteps, I really liked Kestral. I love a heroine who stands her ground, who refuses to conform and who marches to the beat of her own drum. All of this despite living in a society that values military experience above all things and being constantly scrutinized because of who her father is. Falling in line is easy. I'd rather applaud a heroine who rebels and for all the right reasons.


Kestral is also not your typical slave master. Never having had any intention of owning a person, she's reluctant to abuse or even use her power over her new slave. He uses her hesitance to his advantage every chance he gets.


That slave is Arin. Strong, unruly Arin, who has been enslaved since childhood, when he was ripped from his family. Ungovernable Arin, who has watched his people be systematically torn down and torn apart. Full of justifiable, seething rage, he is more than a handful for Kestral, who purchased him only on a whim, likely because his streak of rebellion resonated with her.

I loved and respected Arin. He was of the mindset that one might be a slave, but one didn't have to play the role happily. He didn't always make the right choices, but given the hand he was dealt, it's difficult to fault him for thinking with his heart instead of his brain. Sometimes, your emotions overpower your rational thinking and you do things that aren’t in your game plan. Things like that made Arin even more likable. I felt for him and found myself warring with my feelings for him as the story unfolded. There was a lot of grey in this book and Rutkoski doesn't make it easy to take sides.

I loved Arin and Kestral together. I loved to watch their relationship grow and the slow burn with which it progressed made me swoon like a schoolgirl. I hadn't swooned in a long, long time. Usually, when I read books, I wish that I could cut the corny romance right out. This book just left me wanting more. Way more. Sigh.

I've seen mention around the way that there is a love triangle in this book. Allow me to refute those claims with a resounding hell no. Although, I guess it all depends on your definition of a love triangle. For me, a love triangle is when one person is sought by two other people and they entertain both of those people's affections. Yes, there is a second option for Kestral, but she isn't interested in him in the least. She doesn't lead him on and she wants nothing to do with him. That a love triangle does not make. IMO.

Side note: It was so refreshing to have the MC’s hands touch and for neither to have spontaneously combusted due to having felt an “electric jolt” or a literal “spark.” Corny things like that do not happen here.

But enough about romance. This is a story about politics, friendship, war, family and loss. This is why I enjoyed this so much. There is a plot here and there is a much bigger picture than just two teens falling for each other. I didn’t expect to do this book justice with my review and I haven’t, but I highly recommend this one.


I have a new favorite author. ^_^



Edit: DAT ENDING.

BLURB

The man of her dreams would give the orders. For him, she had two words that satisfied them both..."Take me."

For five years, Serena has run Fantasy Incorporated and has devoted her time to fulfilling her clients' fantasies. Never her own. Until now...

Her most secret desire is to give ownership of her body to a man. Someone who will command her, pleasure her, and have complete authority over her. So she seeks out Damon Roche, owner of an exclusive sex club and a man strong enough to make her do anything he wants. Anything.

Together they'll journey into a world she's only dreamed of. She's given the opportunity to immerse herself in a different life while her normal one waits for her to return whenever she wishes. Damon has no desire to let her go, however. Serena is the woman he's long searched for, and it's up to him to convince her to stay when the game is all over with. He wants their fantasy to become their reality and for Serena to remain his pampered, cherished submissive.

MY THOUGHTS

SEX. SEX. SEX. LOTS OF SEX.

Scorching hot. Like I've said before this kind of book is not my cup of tea but surprisingly I found it very enjoyable. But I still don't know how I would handle it, I always ended up blushing. Haha.

Yes! Damon Roche is a damn fine man, downright sexy. Hands down. Gosh, he's like a dream. He's perfect. He treated Serena like a queen (lucky woman) and he doesn't share. *swoon*

And I loved Serena she isn't afraid to explore her sensuality. The connection between them were undeniably explosive. The sex between them left me speechless and blushing from my toes up to the tip of my head. They did a lot of sex here, from anal to spanking and to using butt plugs. *cringe*

Another thing I liked in this book are the girls friendship. They made me laughed a few times especially Julie. The men were not only gorgeous but so undeniably sexy that pretty much made my day. I really can't wait to read the other books from this series especially Julie and Nathan's story. 

“Sweet Persuasion” is filled with hot, steamy sex scenes. But enjoyable nonetheless. If you don't have any problem with books filled with lots of steamy sex scenes, BDSM, bondage, anal sex with a sweet and romantic story line this is a great read. :)