Author: Stephanie Garber Pages: 451 Overall: 4/5 Setting: 3.5/5 Characters: 4/5 Plot and Themes: 4/5 Cheers Factor: 3.5/5 Pairing: Storm on the Horizon This is a Dark and Stormy which truly makes me feel like it describes a lot of the relationships in this book! Ingredients 1/2 oz Simple Syrup 1/2 oz lime juice Ginger Beer (to almost fill glass roughly a can) 2 oz dark rum (I used Bacardi) ice Instructions -Fill a glass with ice -Combine Simple Syrup and lime juice in glass and stir -Add ginger beer leaving enough space for rum -Layer the rum using a stirring spoon to dilute -Garnish with a lime wheel -Enjoy! Take a Shot:
After her sister won Caraval, Tella is left still owing a debt to her unknown friend. However, the terms have changed and her friend now wants Legend’s identity in exchange for originally helping her. It won’t be easy, but now Tella has to play in order to find out who Legend is in exchange for the one thing she wants more than anything. Her mother. "Love turned the world into a garden so beguiling it was easy to forget rose petals were as ephemeral as feelings, eventually they would wilt and die, leaving nothing but thorns." Setting The setting felt a little confusing to me between the city and Elantine’s castle. I liked the temple that Dante and Tella went into, but I feel that for the most part I was pretty confused about where the characters were and what exactly they were doing. The locations also felt very convenient to me. Characters I love Dante. At first I was royally upset that it wasn’t from Scarlett’s perspective because I love Julian and her relationship from the first one, but I’ve started to realize that we needed both sister’s stories in order to get to where we are. Plus meeting Jacks and getting to know Dante better was worth Tella’s perspective. Plots and Themes I liked the plot line between Elantine and Tella and how Jacks fit into that. I liked the addition of a second Caraval and the fact that it’s more intense this go around. I enjoyed the escalation of the real life aspect of the game. I also liked the addition of the storyline regarding the Dragna’s mother. Conclusion Overall, this was a really great book and I really liked it. It’s not my favorite fantasy novel I’ve ever read but it’s not bad and has strong writing and characters. It is a fun game type set up that’s intriguing and fun to read the events play out. Reasons to Raise a Glass: Tall dark and mysterious love interest, quick pacing Too Strong: I was lost in the setting at points, I miss Scarlett Warning spoilers ahead if you click read more. Do not click read more unless you want spoilers!
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Author: Leigh Bardugo Pages: 465 Overall: 5/5 Setting: 5/5 Characters: 5/5 Plot and Themes: 5/5 Cheers Factor: 5/5 Pairing: Old Fashioned This is a Kaz Brekker drink if I’ve ever seen one. It’s serious, hardcore and perfect for a gangster like Kaz to hold in one hand with a weapon in the other. Ingredients
1 ½ oz whiskey 1 teaspoon of simple syrup from raw sugar A few dashes of water 2 dashes Aromatic bitters 1 ice ball Orange peel Instructions -Add simple syrup, dash of water and bitters to glass and combine by stirring -Add ice ball to glass -Rub orange peel on rim of glass -Pour whiskey into glass -Pinch orange peel over drink -Garnish with fresh orange peel -Enjoy “‘That’s what he wants, not what he needs,’ Kaz said. ‘Leverage is all about knowing the difference.’” Take a Shot: There is a mysterious drug circling around that is intensifying Grisha power and then subsequently killing them. Kaz Brekker is hired to break the scientist who created the jurda parem and he compiles a ragtag team of his friends and accomplices in order to get the job done Ocean’s Eleven style. “The life you live, the hat you feel - it’s poison. I can drink it no longer.” Setting I love Ketterdam! It’s super cool and grungy and an intriguing place to be. Bonus points because the book has a map. I also love all of the different locations we get to see. I do love the Ice Court as well; it's a very fun journey our characters take to fun and exciting locations. Characters I love the multiple perspectives from all of our motley crew. It’s really a great way to read an ensemble novel and Bardugo does an amazing job of weaving the different perspectives together. I love how Nina is depicted as being a curvier woman and that is never compromised and it also isn’t demonized as well. The diversity of backgrounds of the characters is also amazing too. We get to see a lot of them grow and become Also shameless plug for Kaz and Wylan. They are my two favorite characters and I love them. Plot and Themes The Ocean’s series with George Clooney and Brad Pitt have been some of my favorite movies for a very long time. Additionally, I love the show Peaky Blinders and this book is a perfect mix of that. The heist aspect of the novel is truly so well written that the action just keeps you guessing all the time. Conclusion This book made me fall in love with the Grishaverse and was truly a turning point in my love of Leigh Bardugo after finishing Shadow and Bone. It’s a great book for lovers of ensemble books with high stakes and great action. Reasons to Raise a Glass: STRONG. FEMALE. CHARACTERS., fast paced, good action, high stakes Too Strong: I wish it wasn’t YA so they could curse (like it would be so good) Click read more for more of my thoughts and spoilers! You have been warned spoilers are after the read more. Author: Stephanie Garber Pages: 401 Overall: 4/5 Setting: 4/5 Characters: 4/5 Plot and Themes: 4/5 Cheers Factor: 4/5 Pairing: Crimson This drink turns out a little purple but I think it’s how I see the color of Scarlett’s dress. “Like poison dressed up in an attractive bottle.” Ingredients
2oz whiskey (I used Buffalo Trace) 1oz chambord ¾oz lemon juice 2oz cranberry juice Blackberries (can be frozen or fresh) Ice Instructions -Combine blackberries (around 5) and lemon juice in shaker and muddle -Add whiskey, chambord, cranberry juice and ice to shaker -Shake well -Double strain over glass with ice -Garnish with blackberries -Enjoy “The words ‘I’d rather die’ passed Tella’s lips far too often.” Take a Shot: Scarlett has been writing letters to Master Legend of Caraval for years in hopes of getting a reply and somehow securing a ticket for herself and her sister. The last letter she sent she mentioned her upcoming nuptials to a secret Duke and Master Legend sends tickets for Scarlett, Donatella and Scarlett’s fiancé. However, this year's Caraval is different and Scarlett is about to find out just how much Master Legend likes to play games. Setting I thought the setting was quite cool. I liked the concept of a Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire style tent deal where Caraval takes place. I felt it was a little lacking in overall world building and my understanding of where everything was. I did however, love the names being in Spanish that was a nice touch to read those. Characters I felt annoyed at times with our protagonist and her naivety because it was slightly cumbersome. However, it makes sense with the story we are telling. I did really love Julian and the way that he was fleshed out. Overall, the characters are compelling and you do root for them. Plots and Themes I liked the main plot and the arc our characters follow. I did get a little lost by some of the sub plots as I was reading, but I have a feeling they will be addressed in later novels so I’m not knocking it too hard. Conclusion I really liked this book. It was a super easy read and didn’t take me very long at all. It was smooth in the way the writing is done. If you liked Panic by Lauren Oliver then you will definitely like this title. The stakes feel very similar between both novels. Reasons to Raise a Glass: sexy Julian, fun descriptive outfits, easy to read Too Strong: character’s are a bit naive, some plot points lost me. Click read more for more of my thoughts and spoilers! You have been warned spoilers are after the read more. Author: Rebecca Serle Pages: 255 Overall: 4/5 Setting: 4/5 Characters: 4/5 Plot and Themes: 4/5 Cheers Factor: 4/5 Pairing: Bright Side This is a light pairing that’s super tasty and reminds me of our main characters best friend Bella. It also reminds me of my best friend Bella with the light taste and possibilities for cute presentation. Ingredients 1 ½ oz gin (I used Breckenridge) ½ oz Aperol 1 oz lemon juice 1 egg white Aromatic Bitters Lemon wheel Ice Instructions
-Fill shaker with ice -Add gin, aperol, lemon juice and egg white to shaker -Shake for about a minute -Strain into a glass without ice -Garnish with bitters and lemon wheel -Enjoy “This is the thing she’s wanted forever. This right here. This is love.” Take a Shot: Dannie has it all. The boyfriend, the work ethic, and soon to be the job after her interview. On the night of her engagement she falls asleep only to wake up five years later in a bed that isn’t hers, an apartment she’s never been in, in a neighborhood she detests, wearing a ring that isn’t her engagement ring and with a man who isn’t her fiancé. The catch is, it’s five years later. After an hour in this future time, Dannie returns to herself in present time and can’t shake the thought of her night five years from now. “She is life incarnate. What would happen if we just pretended we’d never heard?” Setting I love the New York setting of this novel and it did a great job of not over explaining to the degree of becoming too minute in the details that I wouldn’t feel lost. Personally, I liked the details we were given and it was fitting Characters I didn’t love the characters individually, but I loved the relationships the characters had with one another. I loved the depth of the relationships that we didn’t see. It was reminiscent of Normal People to me which is beautifully private while still being a book. The friendship between the main character and our best friend is just so sweet and the kind of friendship that I feel like I don’t read frequently enough. I love the love displayed outside of romantic relationships towards other characters. Plot and Themes This one hit me with the We Were Liars kind of feel and I really liked the plot. It was meant to be a quick short novel so it felt somewhat underdeveloped and I don’t entirely love all of the insinuations throughout. However, I think it’s overall very moving and as someone who has experienced a lot of similar experiences to those depicted in the book it felt very real and raw. Conclusion I would recommend this book to anyone who loved We Were Liars by E. Lockhart and Normal People by Sally Rooney. Reasons to Raise a Glass: friendship between main character and best friend, ending tie in Too Strong: the pacing, realistic factors of real life were ignored To read a more of my thoughts including spoilers click read more! Author: Richelle Mead Pages: 327 Overall: 4.5/5 Setting: 4.5/5 Characters: 5/5 Plot and Themes: 4/5 Cheers Factor: 4/5 Pairing: Prisoner Red Blend by Orin Swift This one is the same for the whole series! Take a Shot: Rose and Dmitri can’t be together for obvious reasons. Tasha Ozera comes into the picture and clearly has eyes for Dimitri however, Rose is intent to not let it get to her so she starts dating the loving and adorable Mason. However, things are starting to get weird and our characters are starting to learn the Strigoi are getting smart which could be life threatening for our favorite Moroi and Dhampir alike. “‘This changes everything doesn’t it?’ I asked. ‘Yeah,’ he said. “It does.’” Setting I like the setting of this title more than the first of this book. I enjoyed that it takes place more away from the school and we get to see our characters outside of the academic setting. Characters My favorite character of this series is introduced in this book so it obviously takes the cake for 5/5. There’s a really great broadening of characters that appear in Rose and Lissa’s lives and it makes it much more interesting. Plus I like a villain redemption arc and we start to get that with one character in this one so it’s nice. Plots and Themes I like the stakes of the plot more in this one than the first one. There’s a greater sense of urgency in this book behind all of the actions of our characters and the plot moves quickly with it to the ultimate ending. I do think occasionally it felt very convenient how a lot of the characters were able to solve their problems. However, I did love the obvious way the plot allowed Rose to become a true leader that people are willing to follow. I also appreciate the move Rose makes away from her forbidden love given that she’s still a minor. It’s a nice move that I think Mead executed well in order to avoid it becoming more problematic than what is originally implied as already kind of is. Conclusion I like the pivot this book takes from the first one and definitely recommend sticking around with the series even if the first wasn’t a favorite. Reasons to Raise a Glass: STRONG. FEMALE. CHARACTER., realistic stakes and consequences Too Strong: convenience of plot lines, questionable age gap relationship (it’s not aggressive, but definitely there and definitely something to consider) Spoiler review if you click Read More! Or check out the review of book one by clicking the button below! Author: Richelle Mead Pages: 332 Overall: 4/5 Setting: 4/5 Characters: 5/5 Plot and Themes: 4/5 Cheers Factor: 4/5 Pairing: Prisoner Red Blend by Orin Swift This is my pairing for the entire series because it’s such a quick read. I read the first 4 books in 2 days because I’m crazy so I literally only have one pairing. Also a good bottle of red is perfect for this series. It’s one of my favorite series and Prisoner is one of my parent’s favorite bottles of wine and is quickly becoming mine. Take a Shot: Rose Hathaway and her best friend Vasalissa Dragomir have been on the run for the better part of a 2 years after running away from their school. Oh and Lissa is a Moroi vampire meaning she’s technically not undead and has magic and Rose is a Dhampir which makes her half Moroi and half human. Upon being captured and brought back to St. Vladamir’s Academy strange things start to happen that scare even Dimitri, the sexy Russian Dhampir that’s Lissa’s new guardian seeing as she is the last Dragomir from one of the twelve royal bloodlines. Author: Alexandra Christo Pages: 344 Overall: 5/5 Setting: 4.5/5 Characters: 5/5 Plot and Themes: 5/5 Cheers Factor: 5/5 Pairing: Drag Me Under This deep blue cocktail reminds me of the ocean that Lira calls home and I think it feels deep when you look at it which was the goal. Ingredients 1 oz vodka (I used Kettle One) 1 oz white rum (I used Bacardi White Rum) 1 oz Blue Curacao 1 oz raspberry liquor (I used di’ Amore) Lime wedge Ice “That’s what a story is. A bunch of lies.”
Instructions -Fill shaker with ice and combine vodka, rum and blue curacao and shake -Strain over fresh ice in glass -Pour raspberry liqueur over a spoon to layer on top -Garnish with lime wedge -Enjoy “Look at you. My monster come to find me.” Take a Shot: In this little mermaid retelling you get a sexy and dark side of both perspectives. It’s subtle and yet compelling and you want to see what will happen to the prince of gold and the future queen of death. Author: Sarah J Maas Pages: 757 Overall: 4.5/5 Setting: 4/5 Characters: 5/5 Plot and Themes: 4/5 Cheers Factor: 5/5 Pairing: Fire in My Veins If you’re heard anything about this book you know it sets something aflame. So this fun little drink is truly perfect not just in its coloring, but in the kick it brings. Ingredients 2oz silver tequila (I used Jose Cuervo) ¾ oz lime juice ¾ oz grenadine 4-5 dashes bitters Ice “She had the courage to tell me the truth.” Instructions
-Combine all ingredients in shaker with ice -Strain in glass with fresh ice -Garnish with lime wedge -Enjoy “And I have never hated you, Cassian.” Take a Shot: (18+ for sexual content and discussion around mental health) It’s been 18 months since the war and Nesta is on a downward spiral. Her sister doesn’t know what to do with her and no one not even Cassian or Amren can get through to her. So as a form of rehab she’s forced to start training and working in the library. Go along with Nesta as she heals wounds she never thought she could heal and starts to love those in her life and more importantly herself. Author: Sarah J Maas Pages: 700 Overall: 4.5/5 Setting: 4/5 Characters: 5/5 Plot and Themes: 4.5/5 Cheers Factor: 5/5 Pairing: The High Lady This is a really fun little drink that made me feel like a High Lady in all honesty. It’s pretty powerful and still packs a punch but is sweet and pretty to look at. Ingredients ½ oz Blue Curacao ½ oz Midori 2oz vodka (I used Kettle One) ½ oz simple syrup ¾ oz lemon juice Ice Instructions
-Add Blue Curacao to a martini glass -Gently layer the Midori on top using a spoon -Combine vodka, simple syrup, lemon juice and ice to a shaker and shake -Gently layer from shaker using a spoon -Enjoy “When do you come home to me?” Take a Shot: Feyre is in the Spring Court after being taken back by Tamlin so that she could save the Inner Circle and her sisters after Hybern nearly killed them all. Now they all must start preparing for a war that none of them feel all too equipped to fight given all the new wheels that are turning that are setting them behind in a way they weren’t in the previous war. Author: Emma Straub Pages: 356 Overall: 2.5/5 Setting: 3/5 Characters: 2/5 Plot and Themes: 2/5 Cheers Factor: 2/5 Pairing: Dirty Martini Because there isn’t something that seems more adult than basically drinking vodka straight with olive juice. Ingredients -2 ounces Grey Goose Vodka (any good quality works but I personally like Grey Goose the best) -1 ounce dry vermouth -½ ounce olive brine -2 olives -ice -toothpick Instructions -In a shaker combine the vodka, vermouth and olive brine together with ice -Stir together with a stirring spoon -Strain into chilled martini glass -skewer olives on toothpick and use for garnish -Enjoy Take a Shot: Astrid is a mother to her three grown children with budding families of their own experiences, a life changing event that has her questioning everything about the way she is living her life. In a weird series of events all of her children end up back in their hometown and confront the demons of growing up and the imperfections that life brings about and parenting.
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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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