The Wicked Will Rise - Book Review

The Wicked Will Rise by Danielle Page 

Published March 31st 2015 by HarperCollins

WARNING! This book is a sequel to Dorothy Must Die! The following synopsis and review may contain spoilers! If you have not read the first book you can read my review of it here! If you do not want to be spoiled you probably shouldn't read ahead.

In this dark, high-octane sequel to the New York Times bestsellingDorothy Must Die, Amy Gumm must do everything in her power to kill Dorothy and free Oz.

To make Oz a free land again, Amy Gumm was given a mission: remove the Tin Woodman’s heart, steal the Scarecrow’s brain, take the Lion’s courage, and then Dorothy must die....

But Dorothy still lives. Now the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked has vanished, and mysterious Princess Ozma might be Amy’s only ally. As Amy learns the truth about her mission, she realizes that she’s only just scratched the surface of Oz’s past—and that Kansas, the home she couldn't wait to leave behind, may also be in danger. In a place where the line between good and evil shifts with just a strong gust of wind, who can Amy trust—and who is really Wicked? (Goodreads)

My Rating

My Thoughts

This series is well on it's way to becoming a favorite for me! I loved the first book and I have rated both five out of five stars. It's just so much fun. These books make me happy and excited. I have completely fallen for Amy Gumm. I love this girl. I love the character development that we are seeing her go through. She is learning to understand and control her magical abilities. She is becoming powerful and I love her. What a combination. She is also an awesome character because of her wit and sassy personality. She is able to insert some comedic relief in stressful and tense scenes. 

Her companions are always a fun a time as well. In this book we get more Ozma. I love Ozma. People need to take her more seriously! 

I felt that the world development in this book was even better than in the last. In the first book Oz was close to the Oz we all know and love, just add darkness and corruption and a crazy Dorothy. In this book we get to explore parts of Oz that the movie never touched on. Danielle Paige has really broadened Oz in a way that makes sense with the Oz we all know but is beautiful and new and wonderful! 

I loved The Wicked Will Rise. I think these are fun books that don't require over thinking or a critical eye. They are just enjoyable. I liked The Wicked Will Rise more that the first. So if you weren't hooked by the first book I would encourage you to press on!

Wanna pick up the first book? Dorothy Must Die on Amazon!
Ready for the second book? The Wicked Will Rise (Dorothy Must Die Book 2) on Amazon 

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Red Queen - Book Review

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Published February 10th 2015 by Orion

The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.

To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.

Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the centre of
those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.

But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win? (Goodreads)

 

My Rating 

My Thoughts

I heard about Red Queen Weeks before it came out. Then I heard about so often that my interest was deffidenly peeked. There was so much buzz around this book that I even preordered it. I had such high expectations for this book. I have to admit that I was a little disappointed.

First let me say that I enjoyed this book. I liked it. That's as deep as my feelings go however. 

The world was unique. I enjoyed learning about the world and the way that this kingdom worked. The oppression that you see the reds enduring was heart breaking and the power and privilege the silvers had was infuriating. The Characters on the other hand may have been my major issue.

Half way through the book I just realized I didn't care much for any of them. I was not attached to Mare the was I like to be with the main character. I didn't connect with her. That was sad. Then there were the love interests. I wont get spoilery, but there are more than one that are kind of hinted at that they could potentially be our main characters love interest. I didn't like ANY of them. Couldn't stand most of them. I found them whiney.

Despite my lack of connection to the character, I did like the book. The ending would by far have to be the most redeeming part of the book. The conclusion did shock me. I saw a what was coming...because duh... but not quite in the way it occurred. I am pretty good at guessing the plots of movies and books so I do enjoy when a author surprises me. 

I look forward to the next book and honestly, I have high hopes for it. 

I would recommend this book. It has unique components and the ending is wonderful. It is a good book and a fun read. It was just over hyped for me.

If you wanna pick it up, you are welcome to use my affiliate link here. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

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The Darkest Part Of The Forest - Book Review

The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black

Published January 13th 2015 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers 

Children can have a cruel, absolute sense of justice. Children can kill a monster and feel quite proud of themselves. A girl can look at her brother and believe they’re destined to be a knight and a bard who battle evil. She can believe she’s found the thing she’s been made for.

Hazel lives with her brother, Ben, in the strange town of Fairfold where humans and fae exist side by side. The faeries’ seemingly harmless magic attracts tourists, but Hazel knows how dangerous they can be, and she knows how to stop them. Or she did, once.

At the center of it all, there is a glass coffin in the woods. It rests right on the ground and in it sleeps a boy with horns on his head and ears as pointed as knives. Hazel and Ben were both in love with him as children. The boy has slept there for generations, never waking.

Until one day, he does… (Goodreads)

My Rating 

My Thoughts

This was my very first Holly Black book. I had heard great things of her writing and I can say I was not disappointed. I was worried that this book would leave me wanting more. I do not read many fantasy stand alone novels. I don't think I even know of many actually... Usually a good fantasy novel comes with at least two more books in the series if not way more. 

This book was so satisfying. I flew right through this book. I enjoyed the world. Holly Black did an awesome job of building a world quickly but in a way that didn't feel rushed. I never felt like I was drowning in world building information. She made the woods in this town really come alive in my head. I could literally imagine it in great detail. That really got me hooked right away.

Next the characters were great! I loved Hazel. I loved her bravery and her awkward kissing addiction. Ben, her brother, is also great because he is also brave even though he is completely terrified. I love how he always did what was necessary despite his fear or lack of preparation or capabilities.

The Darkest Part Of The Forest was action packed and full of emotional twists and turns. I thoroughly enjoyed it, especially the ending. I loved the finale of this novel. It ended in such a beautiful way and was completely satisfying. 

I highly recommend this book. I plan to read more Holly Black ASAP! and by ASAP I mean as soon as that darn TBR shelf of mine shrinks substantially. :p

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The Longest Ride - Book Review

The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks

Published September 17th 2013 by Grand Central Publishing 

Ira Levinson is in trouble. At ninety-one years old, in poor health and alone in the world, he finds himself stranded on an isolated embankment after a car crash. Suffering multiple injuries, he struggles to retain consciousness until a blurry image materializes and comes into focus beside him: his beloved wife Ruth, who passed away nine years ago. Urging him to hang on, she forces him to remain alert by recounting the stories of their lifetime together – how they met, the precious paintings they collected together, the dark days of WWII and its effect on them and their families. Ira knows that Ruth can’t possibly be in the car with him, but he clings to her words and his memories, reliving the sorrows and everyday joys that defined their marriage.

A few miles away, at a local rodeo, a Wake Forest College senior’s life is about to change. Recovering from a recent break-up, Sophia Danko meets a young cowboy named Luke, who bears little resemblance to the privileged frat boys she has encountered at school. Through Luke, Sophia is introduced to a world in which the stakes of survival and success, ruin and reward -- even life and death – loom large in everyday life. As she and Luke fall in love, Sophia finds herself imagining a future far removed from her plans -- a future that Luke has the power to rewrite . . . if the secret he’s keeping doesn’t destroy it first.

Ira and Ruth. Sophia and Luke. Two couples who have little in common, and who are separated by years and experience. Yet their lives will converge with unexpected poignancy, reminding us all that even the most difficult decisions can yield extraordinary journeys: beyond despair, beyond death, to the farthest reaches of the human heart. (goodreads)

My Rating

5/5

My Thoughts

I jumped on the "Nicholas Sparks has a new movie coming out?!" bandwagon and picked up The Longest Ride. I was in the mood for a lovey dovey romantic contemporary book and man did this book deliver?! 

I really enjoyed this book. I fell in love with both of the couples and their love stories. I loved reading about Ira and Ruth's vintage love. I loved how they weathered different storms life and the war through at them. Even though it is heart breaking I loved how Ira coped after the passing of his wife. It is so sad but so beautiful that they had created a love that strong. I cried multiple times throughout this book.  I was emotionally invested to say the least. I also enjoyed Sofia and Luke's blossoming love. I loved the rodeo aspect. As a huge Garth Brooks fan I am always fascinated by rodeo cowboys and the bizarre lives they live with their dedication to the rodeo. 

I was worried the book would drag on but it diffidently did not. The book is told from multiple perspectives so that kept me in. While I did guess the ending about half way through I could figure out how it would happen until the bit. Guessing how it would end didn't ruin it for me at all because it was how I would have wanted it to come to a conclusion. 

Overall it was a very satisfying read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I would recommend this to anyone who is pumped to see the movie, loves Nicholas Sparks or The Notebook, or just wants a great contemporary romance. 

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