 Author: Laura Thalassa Pages: 422 Overall: 4/5 Setting: 4/5 Characters: 4/5 Plot and Themes: 3.5/5 Cheers Factor: 3.5/5 Pairing: Pompette Clementine Berry Hard Sparkling Water  “Most of all, I hate him because he is easier to hate than myself.”
Take a Shot: Callypso is a siren living amongst normal humans. She has a wonderful beaded bracelet that runs almost halfway up her arm and it might look beautiful, but it means she owes a favor to The Bargainer for each bead. However, she hasn’t seen him in seven years and he hasn’t ever attempted to call in one of his debts. Then he shows up in the middle of the night because something is terribly wrong in the Otherworld, the realm he rules in, and he needs Callie’s help. “I’m the one that can’t smother these feelings that have been festering inside me for years.” Setting I loved the combination of the real world with the Otherworld being the fae world. It reminds me of The Cruel Prince by Holly Black and from what I’ve heard Crescent City by Sarah J. Maas. I also love a good prep school, old english vibe and that’s definitely what I get from the Peel Academy. The combination of the real world with fae and supernatural is amazing. Characters I gotta admit I really like the characters. At first, I genuinely didn’t like any of the characters so be prepared, but once you read more about them you become greatly invested in them. I do struggle with the aggression that Temperance “Temper” is done in the way she is. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, I don’t like being treated like an idiot by an author and the way it’s pushed that Temper is a strong sassy black woman felt aggressive. Subtlety is a very nuanced art that sometimes authors struggle with. I wish that was the case with Temper because I promise as a reader I still would have gotten it. Plots and Themes The whole ominous scary character within a different realm that’s wanting to gather an evil army idea isn’t a new one; I’m not denying it. However, it really works in this book. The semi vampire children are also very interesting and I like the idea of there being a two dimensioned world. I’m intrigued to see where the story goes because it wasn’t amazing, although it suited my fancy, but it was intriguing enough to make it to book two. I also get Tamlin vibes from our main villain so we shall see what happens with that in book two. Overall I like the understanding of underage relationships and respect behind that. I like the resistance and reticence of the Bargainer to have a relationship with Callie before she’s of age despite being supernaturally “of age”. I also really loved the flashbacks at the beginning of each chapter. It was a unique a useful storytelling tool. Reasons to Raise a Glass: Sexy fae kings, new adult content, tall dark and broody, RESPECTFUL. MEN. Too Strong: The potential for an argument that the bargainer is a groomer, argument for cliche plot “Ten points to slytherin for the creepy answer.” Warning spoilers if you click read more. Proceed at your own risk.
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 Author: Faridah Abike-Lyimide Pages: 480 Overall: 4.5/5 Setting: 5/5 Characters: 4/5 Plot and Themes: 5/5 Cheers Factor: 4/5 Pairing: Aces This drink has one of my favorite gins. If you have been here for a while you know that's Empress so I naturally had to use it again. Ingredients -2oz Grapefruit Juice -1oz lemon juice -½ oz simple syrup -1 ½ oz Empress Gin -ice -Lemon Wheel for Garnish Instructions -Combine grapefruit juice, lemon juice and simple syrup in a shaker with ice -Shake and strain into glass with fresh ice -if using optional garnish of lemon wheel(s) place in glass with ice before adding gin -Gently layer gin -Enjoy responsibly  “Small, because the smaller the group, the less people know about you - and the more they want to know.”
Take a Shot: Chiamaka and Devon are two students at Niveus Private Academy. They are also the only two black students and when a suspicious anonymous online bully by the name of Aces starts spreading the secrets of both Devon and Chiamaka we start to find that it might have more to do with the color of their skin than we originally thought. Setting I loved the private school aspect that we get from this title. I think that the idea of a private school is always illustrious to those of us who never went to one. I also like the combination of a US private school using british private school concepts like Head Prefect and Head Master. Characters I really loved the characters of this with the exception of Chiamaka at most times. I felt her to be wholeheartedly mislead in a lot of her beliefs and I wanted to shake her when it became wildly apparent what was happening. As such an intelligent character it took her far too long to figure it out and discover that her friends would be the first to betray her. Plot and Themes I loved the truth to the story and the authenticity of the plot. I knew it was written so well when I felt angry and frustrated enough to want to put the book down. Kudos to the author for such an enthralling tale of injustice. Conclusion If you like Gossip Girl mixed with the evil A from Pretty Little Liars then this is the book for you. The author even mentions both of those concepts as inspiration for Aces and I had said that before even finishing so it hit the nail on the head. Reasons to Raise a Glass: Stellar writing, easy emotional investment, stand alone, LGBTQ+ BIPOC!!! Too Strong: Chi annoyed me sometimes with her optimism “I lose parts of him constantly. This was bound to happen someday.” Warning spoilers ahead if you click read more. Proceed at your own risk.  Author: Stephanie Garber Pages: 478 Overall: 5/5 Setting: 4/5 Characters: 5/5 Plot and Themes: 5/5 Cheers Factor: 5/5 Pairing: Long Story Short Sauv Blanc 2020 This pairing felt like it was important to use for this title because it felt like I finished the book and explained it to someone by saying long story short they all fall in love. “Every story has four parts: the beginning, the middle, the almost ending, and the true ending. Most people give up at the part of the story where things are the worst, when the situation feels hopeless, but that is where hope is needed the most. Only those who persevere can find their true ending.”  Take a Shot: In the final installment of the Caraval series we get a dual perspective look at the Dragna sisters story. Now that the Fates are freed and are wanting to destroy Legend and take his powers the world has never been more unsafe. However, both Tella and Scarlett are grappling with their love over the two men who they have fallen hard for. The question is whether that love is enough and can be reciprocated.
“Fear was a poison that people mistook for protection.” Setting We are back in the same locale as we were in Legendary where we are near Elantine’s Castle and at times we are in one of the Fate’s residences so that is interesting and new. I think the setting of these novels is very interesting, but at times it feels confusing to know truthfully where you are and what exactly everything happens. It’s the only gripe I really have with the series in general. Characters I loved the dual perspective. It was a really great tie in from Scarlett’s book and Tella’s book. I love getting to see both their love stories from their own eyes.I also really loved legend in this book and the juxtaposition we still get between Jacks and Legend. The concept of the immortal beings being unable to love is such a cool concept to see play out with them all. I enjoy seeing their lust and their obsession being the main topic between both of these characters. I also selfishly love seeing more of Julian. I’ve loved him since the first book and naturally knew he loved Scarlett (Crimson) so much more than she believed him to love her. Plot and Themes There was a slight lack of urgency in a lot of the plot if I’m being honest. It isn’t the kind of action that keeps you on the edge of your seat, however that is the style of these books. I did like the nuances we get with the relationships in this book as well as the plot twist that was apparent, but never called out enough that it felt spoiled before we knew it. Conclusion Overall this last book made it worth reading the first two. It was definitely my favorite installment of the series and it did a great job of tying everything in and giving closure to all of our characters. I love a good fantasy based story and this was grounded in more realism than a high fantasy even with the magical aspects so I did appreciate that. Reasons to Raise a Glass: Perspectives from both Dragna sisters, clever plot twist Too Strong: I got lost on where we were and where we were going, I lowkey wish it wasn’t so young adult cause that would have been fun “Dazzle was a lot like romance- fantastic while it lasted but it never lasted long enough.” Warning spoilers ahead if you click read more. Proceed at your own risk. |
Cheers FactorEach book here at Cheers&Chapters is rated based off of certain categories that are genre specific, however every book will get a Cheers Factor. The Cheers Factor is how much we wanted to raise our glass while reading it. So get your glasses ready and cheers! Archives
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