Author: Emily A. Duncan Pages: 385 Overall: 4/5 Setting: 4/5 Characters: 5/5 Plot and Themes: 3/5 Cheers Factor: 3.5/5 Pairing: Redrum I like this drink firstly because it has a kicker that you don’t expect and that’t the dark rum hence why I names it redrum. I also thought it was cheeky as it’s quite literally a red drink with rum. Also I think Nadya is woefully unprepared and naive for the world she steps into and doesn’t realize the danger she’s in until itr’s too late almost as though she’s looking at everything backwards in a mirror. Ingredients -1 ½ oz dark rum -1 handful of blackberries -¼ lime wedge -mint sprigs -ginger beer -ice "A boy made king of monsters for a kingdom of the damned." Instructions -Combine blackberries and lime wedge and mint in a glass and muddle -Add rum and dry shake to combine (without ice) -Double strain into glass -Top with ginger beer and add ice -Garnish with optional lime wheels -Enjoy responsibly "A future that could not - would not - be stopped. A future that had already been set into motion." Take a Shot: Nadezhda is a cleric. Or better said a person who is touched by the gods. She has a direct line to them and their powers when they grant them to her. The clerics have been hunted for their abilities by the Tranavians because of the war as well as their hatred of the gods. The Kalyazi need Nadya to fight their war against the heretical Tranavians. However, everything changes when the monastery Nadya is living at is raided by Tranavian soldiers and one among them is different. He is the Crown Prince Serefin Meleski. In fleeing she ends up teaming up with a ragtag band of young people with drastically different motivations and goals. With friendship, love and the safety of two countries at war on the line they will all soon feel the pressure of their individual missions.
"I would not want to be the cause of your pain, even if it may be inevitable." Setting I really like the whole Eastern Europe/Slavic region kind of setting. I think buy and large it’s a very underused setting in fantasy novels to really have something emulate the real world. I get Shadow and Bone vibes from the setting which I really appreciated. "If something happens tomorrow...I want you to know you are the only good thing that has ever happened to me." Characters This is by far a book about the characters. I feel it’s the biggest strength of the book aside from the writing and the writing is really good when the characters are speaking and naturally the characters benefit from this. I think despite other factors I’m severely invested in the characters in a way that I would not have expected given my thoughts around the other factors of this novel. I love the multiple perspectives and I think it’s a unique way to tell the story of the characters meant to be more elusive to tell them more minimally. A very distinct writing choice that works very well for the characters. "The understanding I had in mind was one that kept you safer than this, towy dzimyka." Plots and Themes This for me is the weakest part of the novel. I have to admit that half the time I’m a little lost. I understand broad strokes what is happening and that’s about it. It feels at times a little disjointed and important things are skipped over when the perspectives change. I think this is reminiscent oddly in parts to the Selection, but reduced in a way that feels like The Red Queen series. I love the Selection and actually do quite enjoy The Red Queen, but the stark difference between the two is the lack of continuity and disjointed overall feel of a relationship and complicated royal setting which is why I am throwing this one in line more so with the latter. For the most part the plot is bearable and at times understandable. I'm just not sure the execution is done well enough to do the characters justice. "Some gods require blood." Overall I said it in my characters section, but truly I believe this is one of the few series where I’m Immensely invested in the characters without really knowing what is happening. It’s a true strength of the book and again the writing is impeccable. I would recommend this book strictly because of those things. Reasons to raise a glass- a true dark love interest (like actually irredeemable but not in the way that you actually wouldn’t want the characters to be together IRL), the writing *chefs kiss* Too Strong- The plot is confusing and hard to follow, no urgency, lack of consequences that drive the story Warning! Spoilers ahead if you click read more. Proceed at your own risk.
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Author: Shelby Mahurin Pages: 536 Overall: 3.8/5 Setting: 4/5 Characters: 3.5/5 Plot and Themes: 3.5/5 Cheers Factor: 3.5/5 Pairing: Healing Elixir In the book Coco, a dames rouges, is constantly having to help out our cast of characters by combining her blood with honey to help heal them of some ailment. While thankfully this cocktail is not that it’s sure to heal something. “There are none so dead as those who will not hear.” Ingredients -2oz tequila -1oz pomegranate juice -1oz lime juice -1/2oz triple sec/cointreau -Ice Instructions -Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice -Strain into a chilled glass over ice -Enjoy responsibly “A beautiful witch, cloaked in guis of damsel, soon lured the man down the path to hell.”
Take a Shot: After saving Lou from her mother Reid and the rest of the gang are on the run not only from the witches, but also from the Chasseurs. Grappling with the revelation of Lou’s parentage, killing the Archbishop and discovering his own lineage, Reid is well and truly struggling. Considering they have nowhere to go they reach out to Coco’s coven the dames rouges in hopes of making it back to Belterra to maybe get to witness the funeral for the Archbishop as well as gain alliances that may help them in going up against Morganne. “The snake and her bird. The bird and his snake, they take and they break and they ache and they ache.” Setting I was a little bored in the Hollow I won’t lie. I found it intriguing when they joined the circus performers and went along their way and was happy when they returned to Belterra. Overall the setting is not the main part of this book. It’s safe to say that here we get to see a lot of medieval settings which are definitely ones I like hence my high opinion of it, but there really wasn’t much to write home about. “There are few choices in life that can’t be unmade.” Characters Madame Labelle takes the cake for this book. She’s truly such a great character and I like her more than I like the rest of our cast. I also love the introduction of Claude Devereuax. He’s a great character and plays a large part in the end. I have to say I also adore sweet Ansel and think he’s a great character that shows the age range of our characters amongst what exactly is happening in congruence to how people handle certain events. I also really love Beau and think he’s a great little guy. However, my love of these characters does not entirely extend to either Reid or Lou in this installment. After truly loving them in the first novel I figured I would like them just as much in this next one but alas I do not. That’s part of the reason why i have given such a low rating because they are our supposed protagonists and I liked every side character more than them. “When a person brings you more hurt than happiness, you’re allowed to let them go.” Plots and Themes This book could have been 100 pages shorter. I appreciate the grief constant itilized in the story but can’t quite seems to feel overly pulled in by it. It felt overdone throughout the book and became almost an annoying crutch for the plot and I didn’t enjoy that very much. I have to say I really only liked the ending of the book from about the funeral to the end. I thought the action was good and obviously was full of twists and turns and surprise deaths which I did appreciate, but it kind of fell a little dead on it’s entire delivery given the beginning half of the book nearly lost me. “You are a snake. Shed your skin if it no longer suits you.” Overall I liked the book truly but not enough to really sell it too much for me. I think it kind of hit a second book slump that I was anticipating wouldn’t happen. I did enjoy the cliffhanger at the end and will be finishing the series, but can’t say I wasn’t disappointed with this installment. I sadly am not in a rush to finish the series even with the cliffhanger. Reasons to Raise a Glass: SIDE CHARACTERS - like seriously they are really good Too Strong: Reid needed to get over himself, Lou needed to know when to be a little less stubborn “Sometimes it hurts to remember the dead as who they were rather than who we want them to be.” Warning spoilers ahead if you click read more. Proceed at your own risk. Author: Julia Quinn Pages: 354 Overall: 5/5 Setting: 4/5 Characters: 5/5 Plot and Themes: 5/5 Cheers Factor: 4/5 Pairing: Say You love Me I think this drink is sweet and innocent and just the way that young love should be. I think it feels representative of the love that our protagonists eventually share in the novel and how it’s naive, precious and innocent before it becomes all consuming and a whirlwind affair that is true love and romance. Ingredients -2oz Gin -1 1/2oz lemon juice -1/2oz raspberry syrup -½ cup equal parts water and sugar with half a cult of raspberries bring to boil until fully combined strain out solids and voila raspberry simple -egg white -ice Instructions -Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice -Shake well -Strain into Coupe glass or glass of choice -Enjoy responsibly Take a Shot: Anthony Bridgerton is the eldest of the Bridgerton siblings making him Viscount Bridgerton as his father died many years ago. Anthony took his fathers death quite hard and was barely able to watch his mother and her grief over the loss of the love of her life. Henceforth, Anthony has sworn off finding love in marriage and he’s now wanting to choose a suitable woman that checks his boxes so that he may fulfill his duty as Viscount by marrying and starting a family and dying young just like his father. However, love may just be right around the corner in the most unlikely of places.
“But love was the enemy of a dying man.” Setting I love the way that Quinn romanticizes Regency era London. Do not get me wrong I don’t think my ideal concept is using a chamber pot and having to use candlelight in order to do anything after dark. Truly Edison inventing the lightbulb is one invention I cherish in the modern day. That aside though I do love the way that we get to see the lives of these lovely and wealthy aristocratic characters at these lovely extravagant parties and balls. It makes the era seem like one you want to live in when in reality I would likely have been sleeping in a maid’s quarters instead of sleeping in a feather bed dreaming of the next masquerade. Characters I really do love the chance to get to see more of Anthony and being introduced to Kate. I like their enemies to lovers aspect we have going on. It’s a fun little vibe for them. I think the television adaptation took it and really ran with it, but I do appreciate that the book was a little more romantic in that it was quite clear they really did have feelings that were forming and we got to see them aside from just like huffing and puffing. “And there was Kate Sheffield. The bane of his existence. And the object of all his desires. All at once.” Plots and Themes I love a scandal and having to get married because of that. I think that was the best part of this book. Not to say that it hasn’t happened similarly in this series, but being caught by ones own mother is quite comedic and funny. It’s also nice that they aren’t particularly thrilled about being hitched to one another. I also loved the nuances that were there like Anthony comforting Kate during the thunderstorm. That was left out of the television adaptation for god knows what reason and it’s one of my favorite scenes of the entire book. I also really enjoyed that Edwina was quite literally not interested in the Viscount. In the show it seemed preposterous that sisters who are so close would have one not tell the other she’s in love with the man courting her sister and the other so blithely unaware of their feelings that they waited until they were at the altar to notice? But what do I know? “And it was stunning how he wanted to be the one to make her feel better.” Overall I really liked this book. I’ve said this about Bridgerton books before emphatically out loud and in reviews, but I love a good HEA (Happily Ever After) that you know is an HEA. There’s something really satisfying about reading a 300-400 page book and knowing what you are getting into. As someone who reads a lot of long series with twists and turns it was pleasantly surprising to find myself enjoying the predictability of the story lines. “And Anthony, who’d only just learned what it was to love, learned what it was to die inside. Reasons to Raise a Glass: Smut is good, Anthony is a good protagonist so is Kate, plays well with the series and is a great second novel proving Quinn can produce similar content without feeling repetitive Too Strong: Why are the main characters so silly and won’t admit they love one another? Personal preference it just bothers me Warning spoilers ahead if you click read more. Proceed at your own risk. Author: Cassandra Clare Pages: 485 Overall: 3.8/5 Setting: 4/5 Characters: 3.5/5 Plot and Themes: 3.5/5 Cheers Factor: 4/5 Pairing: The Plot Said What? This one is strong enough that if you have enough you forget that this book ends the way it does. If you haven’t read it…google exists, but just know I warned you so maybe have two of these first then come back. Ingredients 1.5 oz vodka 2 oz El Guapos Lemon Drop Mixer Instructions -Combine ingredients in a shaker with ice -Shake well and strain into chilled glass -Enjoy responsibly "The descent into hell is easy." Take a Shot
Clary Fray is a mundane living a mundane life, but is she? One night when out at a club she witnesses something only she can see which in turn opens her up to a world of Shadow Hunters, Demons, Warlocks and Vampires. Clary quickly finds herself immersed in the world when her mother is kidnapped and rumors are swirling of Valentine’s return and it turns out her mom might be more connected to Valentine than many thought. "I've always needed you more than you needed me." Setting I think it’s very fun to have a fantasy book that’s grounded in real life. They drive cars, have cell phones, take taxis, go to clubs, etc. I think it’s a fun way to be in a fantasy world that makes you feel as though it might actually be real life instead of a fully developed world. I also like that it takes place in New York, it’s cliche but I still enjoy when stories are set there especially fantasy stories. Characters I really like the characters, but their character development is just somewhat lacking in my opinion. I think it’s hard to feel really connected to a character when they don’t feel as well rounded as you want. The hardest part being they are quite close to being stellar characters it’s almost as though they needed some more depth and I would have truly loved them. It’s possible we clearly get that in the remainder of the 6 book series, but you have to hook someone book one by really showcasing your characters for who they are especially given that we aren’t world building as much given so much can be grounded in reality. Plots and Themes It’s a really overdone trope to have the main character thrust into a fantasy world they know nothing about. Take for example Harry Potter where he has no idea he is a wizard then is literally shipped off to Hogwarts only to find himself in the middle of a war? Yeah well same thing here Clary has no idea about the world only to realize there’s an impending war and she’s finding herself at the center of it. I understand the trop and don’t have an issue with it, but it’s been done before and happens a lot. I’m also going to mention that I hate a very specific plot point. I’m not even going to write the word here, but you can google it and it will likely be easy to find. I just don’t really see the point in that kind of addition in a mainstream novel. I don’t really like it even in fan fiction, but I believe it should stay in that genre if it’s going to be in literature even at all and I will avoid it like the plague. "Half of your attention is better than all of anyone else's." Overall I do like this series, but it’s not my favorite from this era. It’s a good enough first book that hooks you into the story and makes you want to read more, but it’s an overall very YA novel series from the 2010’s so take that for what it’s worth. Reasons to Raise a Glass: There’s a movie adaptation with Lily Collins (it does lowkey suck, but I just love her if you couldn’t already tell), nostalgic for 2010’s YA lit Too Strong: YUCKY PLOT POINT (I will never not die on this hill that’s all) Warning spoilers ahead if you click read more. Proceed at your own risk. Author: Julia Quinn Pages: 384 Overall: 4/5 Setting: 4/5 Characters: 4/5 Plot and Themes: 4/5 Cheers Factor: 4/5 Pairing: Tea in the Drawing Room Ingredients 2 oz gin 1 English breakfast tea bag ½ oz Lemon juice ½ oz Simple syrup Club soda Ice Instructions -Take gin and pour into glass and steep english breakfast tea bag in it -Let steep for half an hour -Combine infused gin, lemon juice, simple syrup and ice into a shaker -Strain into chilled glass -Top with club soda -Enjoy responsibly “Simon caught her gaze, his eyes burning hot and intense into hers. A warning bell sounded in his mind. He wanted her.”
Take a Shot: Daphne is not the diamond in the start of her **third season being out** and is always seen as the friend. That is until a handsome Duke shows up in London who is also friends with her brother. He and Daphne devise a plan to pretend to have an attachment and as the best laid plans always go…they go awry. “If Anthony isn’t a rake, I pity the woman who meets the man who is.” Setting I love a period piece. I will never not like a period piece and will always feel fondy of them. That being said I read this after the lovely television adaptation by the incredible Shonda Rhimes so I love the setting in fiction. In reality it was a lot smellier and far less glamorous that we make it seem on the big screen. Nonetheless regency era London still sounds like fun if you were one of the ton and got to live in lavish mansion style homes with endless balls to attend in the lavish homes of your friends. Characters I really love Daphne and the Duke. I have to admit I liked their characters equally to the television adaptation which is hard to do. I think their slight variances in their story make them likeable in different ways. I think the books are obviously better because I love the character development we get when we see in both Daphne and Simon’s heads and getting to watch the events of their relationship unfold from their respective perspectives. Plot and Themes I think this book is a perfect example of a mass market paperback that is successful. I found such utte renjoyment out of a simple plot, that did have some unexpected turns, that was quick and easy. There is something to be said about reading a 300 some odd page book and getting a lovely bow on top at the end. I’ve made many a tik tok about this but it’s so rewarding. We get minimal investment, 300 pages, for a happy ending. That’s not to say an 8 book series across multiple thousand pages is not amazing but it’s so wonderful to just read a nice book with a nice easy plot. Overall I really liked this book. It was easy to read and easy to get invested in. It was also easy to read a chapter and put it down then pick it back up a day or two later. While that is contradictory to my reading goal for the year, it’s nice to not feel so pulled in by a book that I can’t breathe without reading it. I think a balance of a book like this one with one like House of Sky and Breath is vital and this one was necessary to break up my routine. “I just don’t know whether to thank you or throttle you.” Too Strong - I know a lot of people take issue with Daphne taking advantage of the Duke and I don’t disagree. I negatievley support non consensual relationships, however, I do recognize that it was a different era and truthfully Daphne’s lack of knowledge about a lot of things can be seen as equally as bad. Sending a woman into a marriage not knowing what to expect is so dangerous because who is to say her husband is to be righteous and honorable in the interaction. I think in this story it is easy to see that as the sole transgression, but I think overall as it is a period piece we must all reflect on the progress that has been made not only for women, but for consent in all forms as well. Reasons to Raise a Glass- I love seeing inside the heads of our characters. It takes what we see on the silver screen and in my opinion amplifies it and expands upon it in ways that only literature can. Author: Sarah J Maas Pages: 805 Overall: 4.5/5 Setting: 5/5 Characters: 5/5 Plot and Themes: 4.5/5 Cheers Factor: 4.5/5 Pairing: Give Me Relief I feel like the name of this cocktail feels like how I wanted the characters to feel. The drink is refreshing and pleasant and absolutely calming. The cucumber mixed with the botanicals of the gin are great. But truly I wanted the characters to have some sense of relief and knowing Sarah we would get nothing of the sort for our band of characters and in her style she did indeed deliver. "And every horror, every nightmare...all of it had been worth it for her." Ingredients -2 oz empress gin -½ oz simple syrup -cucumber slices -mint sprigs -soda water -ice Instructions -Put 4-5 cucumber slices in a glass with simple syrup and a few mint leaves and muddle -Add in gin and stir with stirring spoon -To a rocks glass put ice and add optional garnish of cucumber slices to ice -Strain gin into glass and top with soda water -Add optional mint sprig garnish -Enjoy responsibly Take a Shot: After the shocking events of book one we catch back up with our cast of characters as they attempt to return to a normal life, however they are destined for anything but when a new Archangel is set to take control of Lunathion and Bryce ends up betrothed to a distant cousin. Things are never boring for our frat pack plus Bryce and Hunt and they certainly will continue to surprise.
"Team Survive at All Costs - that was her team. She didn't care if that made her a coward." Setting I love Crescent City. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again I love it. I also really loved the additions we get to see of Tharion’s lodgings and his court as well as some of the other locales we get to visit like the submarine type ship that our band of characters gets to travel on. ""You'd be surprised what people will stomach when they find their families threatened." Characters I absolutely love that we get more of the side characters. I knew it was going to happen similar to Throne of Glass, but was so incredibly excited to get more of Flynn, Declan, Ruhn, Tharion and Ithan. I also loved the new characters we got to meet like The Hellhound, The Harpy, The Hind and the rest of their crew. It was nice to get their introductions and to also see them interact in the same space as many of the characters we became accustomed to in the last book. "Wherever you're headed when this life is over, Quinlan, that's where I want to be, too." Plot and Themes I thought the book was a little slow at points I won’t lie. It took me a beat to really get into it. I did love the new storyline we got and the deeper we get into the Asteri and their story it was truly illuminating. I also loved the introduction of Cormac and all his motivations that bled into those of our main characters. It was very well woven to bring all the characters together in true SJM fashion. She is a master of melding plots and themes together and I cannot speak highly enough about the way she does all this and it is something to be admired and studied in order to replicate to the best of one’s abilities so that all books may feel as clever as her plots. "The dead have little reason to lie." Overall I did indeed feel shocked at the end even though I had been spoiled prior to reading it. I really loved this book and loved all the new antics our crew got up to. I won’t say this is my favorite series of Sarah’s but I can say that if recency bias says anything it’s my favorite for the moment by way of both books in the series have both thoroughly enticed me. I recommend this series to anyone I come across and will continue to do so. Too Strong: Some slow pacing Reasons to Raise a Glass: RUHN. FUCKING. DANAAN. That’s all. I mean Hunt too, and Flynn but mainly RUHN. FUCKING. DANAAN. "Males will always try to control the females who scare them. Marriage and breeding are their go-to methods." Warning spoilers ahead if you click read more. Proceed at your own risk. Author: Sarah J Maas Pages: 803 Overall: 4.8/5 Setting: 5/5 Characters: 5/5 Plot and Themes: 4.5/5 Cheers Factor: 5/5 Pairing: Light it Up This drink will make you want to light it up both on the dance floor, in the club and then light it up alone so you can cry when you read this book. That’s not even me spoiling it because my friend who NEVER cries while reading sobbed at the end of this book and I sobbed when I read it and then when I listened to the audio book a week later. "Danika had died, and she was alone, and Bryce couldn't breath." Ingredients -2 oz tequila -3-4 cubes of watermelon -½ oz watermelon cranberry juice -1 oz lime juice -prosecco -lime slices -ice Instructions -Put watermelon and watermelon cranberry juice in a blender and blend thoroughly -Strain into stirring glass and add tequila and lemon juice and ice -Prepare wine glass with ice and garnish with optional lime slices -Stir thoroughly and strain into wine glass -Top with prosecco -Enjoy responsibly "Her goal was to protect you. Always. Even from yourself." Take a shot: Bryce Quinlan despite being half human half fae has the perfect life full of working hard and partying harder. Well had a perfect life until a demon murdered her closest friends and she was left to pick up the pieces two years later when it seems the demon may be killing again. In true Sarah J Maas style we get to see Bryce try to put the pieces together with more than one pieces of arm candy winged and not.
"Let someone in, give them the power to hurt you, and they do exactly that, in the end." Setting I love the way that Crescent City really feels like the real world. I love the old buildings with the new feel. I like the inclusion of modern technology like “electricity” the internet, cell phones and everything in between. It makes this novel a really interesting one she has written given her settings are normally far less real world and find themselves wholly rooted in fantasy, but truly I loved the new vibe. Characters GODS SPARE ME HUNT ATHALAR. Now I know it’s an SJM book so I’m trying to not get too attached to Hunt Athalar, but I think he has to be end game. Sarah otherwise would seem a bit cliche given her previous two series and the main love interest switches that happen so often. But seriously I think if a winged angel sat by me on the couch with a backward hat and wanted to watch football/soccer (sunball is never explained but I’m leaning toward the former), I think I would fizzle into a puddle. I also love the adult language. This book feels very mature and it’s meant to be that way and I appreciate it given I can’t tell you how much I wanted Aelin to be able to curse in ToG. Now we get Bryce and Hunt who get to do it with reckless abandon and it feels very comparable to ACOSF with the character maturity which is great. Plots and Themes This is the only part I had a slight gripe about. The beginning is very interesting. The ending is incredible and I will not lie I UGLY cried. But the middle, while good, just felt a little long at points. Like I loved the sexual tension build up and the true relationship building between our love interests. It was actually one of my favorite parts of the book, but this circumstance to me felt like the plot warranted a more phsyical relationship than we got given the nature of how the relationship develops and we did not get that sadly. Overall I’ve read this book then subsequently bought the audio book to listen to it the week after. I cried at the same points, was anxious and nervous at the same points and that’s a sign. I truly think this is one of my favorite books by Maas and cannot wait for the rest of the series to unfold. I think she’s so talented and love the way that she reveals new information that it truly feels like a shock to the reader. I am forever in awe of the entirety of this woman’s work and this book was no exception. I even like the slow burn even though I like a good sexy time moment I found myself respecting it the more I think about it. Too Strong - The book is a little long at some parts and feels a little like it should move on, but it’s not that deterring. Reasons to Raise a Glass - HUNT. FUCKING. ATHALAR. He’s the new loml for book boyfriends and I now want a man obsessed with sunball to wear a backwards hat on my couch, Murder mystery, loss and death with purpose, great depression and PTSD traits and characteristics present with characters ina respectful, meaningful and realistic way "Momento Mori. Remember that you will die." Warning spoilers ahead if you read more. Proceed at your own risk. Author: Ernest Cline Pages: 375 Overall: 4/5 Setting: 5/5 Characters: 4/5 Plot and Themes: 4/5 Cheers Factor: 4/5 Pairing: Q*bert Okay I feel much more clever than I likely am with this drink but the famous video game was started in the 80’s and I didn’t even realize it worked with my drink and this book until I was writing this. Ingredients -Mango Sherbert -Prosecco -Cranberries This is so easy you put the sherbet in the glass and top with champagne then you garnish with the berries. If you wanted to spice it up you can always add a shot of vodka or dull the champagne with some club soda. Basically whatever works for you, but it’s super yummy and a nice way to drink your dessert.
Take a Shot: The Oasis is the future of virtual reality. Set in the year 2045 almost all of the real world has fallen to neglect. Many people spend their time in The Oasis attempting to escape it. Five years ago James Halladay died and before he left behind the ultimate contest, a chance to win the keys to The Oasis. Wade Watts is a Gunter, a person who is hunting for the clues that lead to winning the contest. Come along as Wade and his reluctant allies continue their quest to win the prize of all prizes. Setting The Oasis is genuinely any dork, nerd or 80’s fan’s dream. I loved how the author added such nuances. Like the funeral scene from The Heathers, a truly great movie if you haven’t seen it. Or all of War Games, also a great movie if you haven’t seen it. Truly it is imperative for a fantasy novel to explain its setting efficiently and in detail without becoming redundant. This book does it so well, I truly felt immersed the whole time. Characters The only reason the characters don’t get 5 stars is because they are so ADAMANT to be annoying and rude to one another. It’s similar to Normal People where you want to pluck the characters from the novel, give them a stern shaking and some choice words due to their inability to comprehend the counterpart's love and interest towards them. It’s aggravating beyond belief. Plots and Themes I love the dorky nature of this film, it only further reminds me that deep down I do have dorky tendencies. The structure of this film and plot was so similar to that of a video game that I commend the author. The central villain was ominous, but also not all too threatening. I liked the drawn out process of the film as well. It greatly contradicts the film in that it takes place across a few days as opposed to the novel taking place roughly over a year. Overall I loved this book. It has inspired me to go watch War Games, again a great movie Matthew Broderick is great in it. But seriously this book really made me contemplate my vast 80’s knowledge as well as my genuine inner dork. I did love that and wouldn’t want anyone else to miss out on this hence why it’s high in my rating. Too Strong - character that refuse to admit they love one another (a truly annoying trope) Reasons to Raise a Glass - DORKY 80’s FACTS that is all like just read it then we can talk Author: Kiera Cass Pages: 336 Overall: 4.5/5 Setting: 4.5/5 Characters: 4/5 Plot and Themes: 4.5/5 Cheers Factor: 4.5/5 Pairing: Something Blue I thought this cocktail matched the cover. I also think it’s a cute reference to marriage as the Selection is a competition with the ultimate goal being marriage to a prince and a future at being Queen. So we have something blue. Ingredients
-2oz vodka -1oz blue curacao -1oz lime -2.5oz cranberry juice -ice -lime wheel for garnish Instruction -Combine all liquid ingredients in a shake with ice -Strain into glass of choice -Garnish with lime wheel -Enjoy responsibly Take a Shot: America Singer is a 5. That makes her an artist in the Caste system of Illea. She’s musically driven whether it be through instruments or singing. However, because they are artists, they are unfortunately on the poorer end of society. They are far from being eights but much further from being ones. That is until the Selection begins because Prince Maxon Shreave is now of age for a bachelor style competition where women from different castes compete for his heart. America’s whole world changes when she herself is chosen and she’s taken on the journey of a lifetime. "I needed to hate him right now. That anger would keep me going." Setting I do really love Illea. And I really love the palace and America’s family home. I think there’s a really great mixture of contemporary technology and scenery. We get to see the palace and we see our ladies travel by air. I really love the way the palace is laid out as well and the ways that the women get to wander around the entirety of the scenery. Characters I’ve read this title several times and when I first read this I really think I fell in love with the characters. But I was also in early high school so take it with a grain of salt. I do still love the characters, but I think with a more mature presence I dislike aspects of them more and am able to pick out flaws in them more easily. I do really love them, but I think they have some flat aspects that lead me to feel they aren’t real people. At least in this first novel. Plots and Themes I love the bachelor-esque inclusion with a class system. I really think this is an incredible plot and theme concept. I’m not a huge fan of the “she’s not like other girls” trope which is seems America follows. It’s almost like we are trying too hard to make every female main character so far from the normal, when really she is just normal? I don’t know it really felt like Cass was trying to make America a Katniss. However, I think overall, I really liked the plots and I am a sucker for this trope even though I’d like to see something else reflected in popular works of contemporary literature. Overall This is one of my favorite series and this being the first one leads me to obviously like it. I’m very protective over this series as well. I read them in a very formative time in my life and I felt very attached so naturally as an adult they are near and dear to me. I’m a big girl, but I’m still young at heart and I don’t think I will ever be convinced that this is not one of my favorite series. Too Strong: “ShE’s Not LiKe OtHer GirLs.” trope Reasons to Raise a Glass: The bachelor plot line "After all this, I can only imagine what it would be like to see you actually try." Warning spoilers ahead if you click read more. Proceed at your own risk. Author: Katee Robert Pages: 380 Overall: 3.5/5 Setting: 4/5 Characters: 3/5 Plot and Themes: 3/5 Cheers Factor: 3.5/5 Pairing: Where Darkness Meets the Light This cocktail is super simple and has literally two ingredients, but the flavors all work really well together. It’s essentially a gin and soda with mango. Plus it has this really vibrant color contrast that reminds me of neon signs and I felt it worked really well with this title. Ingredients -1.5 oz empress gin -¾ of a can of Mango Bubbly -ice Instructions -Fill a short glass with ice -Add in bubbly leaving enough room for the gin -Using a stirring spoon gently layer the gin on top -Enjoy responsibly Take a shot: What if the greek gods lived today and Olympus was a place here on earth? What if Hades used a cellphone and had a Christian Grey style of interests? Well look no further you get all the spice with this Hades and Persephone retelling.
Setting Truly this was the best aspect of the novel. I think the setting was very interesting, setting up Hades as simply being in the lower city as the designation of Hell instead of traditional ways of showing where he resides. I also think the setting was very easy to see and create in my head. Characters I did like the characters oddly more than I do usually in this genre. However, I was quite annoyed with the repetition of things the characters did. I’m not a huge fan of the damsel concept anyway and it was so present in this. Like Persephone constantly needing to be taken care of by Hades because she forgets to eat or walks too long and over tires herself? It felt a little condescending and almost manufactured. I know everyone wants to be taken care of that way, but it just felt grating a little. Plots and Themes There was a real plot with a beginning, middle and end. That was a great addition because again in this genre plots can sometimes fall a little flat. I wish we had more resolution with the mother storyline, but I know there’s going to be more installments. I also wish there had been a little more elaboration on a number of small moments. It would have truly made a difference and I’m curious as to what future installments will bring. Overall This was a pleasant and quick read that I liked. It was an easy read and was paced well enough that I felt invested in the characters. Overall, I really liked it and will be reading future installments. Too strong - The character traits of neglectful damsel and overprotective male love interest Raise a Glass - Exhibitionism, dark and broody love interest, his name is Hades 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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