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chrissie_whitley's reviews
1547 reviews
The Wrath & the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh
4.0
I held off on reading this book because it seemed like one of *those* books - there's all this hype surrounding it, and everybody and their mother loves it, and it is *the* book. I'm stifling an eye roll as I type this, for the sheer reason that I shy away from that kind of book (or movie) because I rarely actually like them.
The exception proves the rule, this is not one of *those* books - of which there are many.
Easily a favorite of 2016, I really fell in love with this book and its setting. The setting and the emotions that you could lift off the page from the poetic descriptions were simply otherworldly. This is one of those transport-you-somewhere-else books. Poof.
This book is heavy with romance. Not insta-love, but actual romance. Not lusty, teen passion. Romance. Enjoyable, honest to goodness romance. But, wait. That's not all. There is a mystery element, betrayal, vengeance, and more. This was such a well-rounded tale, and it's so well-written that I could not wait to read the sequel, [b:The Rose & the Dagger|23308084|The Rose & the Dagger (The Wrath & the Dawn, #2)|Renee Ahdieh|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1443797156s/23308084.jpg|42862750]. So, I suppose, in a way, I'm glad that I delayed reading it because I only had to wait two months before the sequel came out.
The main characters, Shahrzad and Khalid, were so multi-dimensional and fully fleshed out that I could not put the book down. I think you fall in love along with them - with the two of them separate, the two of them together, and the world in which they live.
The one gripe I have with the book is that there is *one* little decision made at the end of the book that I thought felt out of character and made me a touch dissatisfied with the ending, which, in turn, is unsettling for the beginning of the second book. But, we shall see.
The exception proves the rule, this is not one of *those* books - of which there are many.
Easily a favorite of 2016, I really fell in love with this book and its setting. The setting and the emotions that you could lift off the page from the poetic descriptions were simply otherworldly. This is one of those transport-you-somewhere-else books. Poof.
This book is heavy with romance. Not insta-love, but actual romance. Not lusty, teen passion. Romance. Enjoyable, honest to goodness romance. But, wait. That's not all. There is a mystery element, betrayal, vengeance, and more. This was such a well-rounded tale, and it's so well-written that I could not wait to read the sequel, [b:The Rose & the Dagger|23308084|The Rose & the Dagger (The Wrath & the Dawn, #2)|Renee Ahdieh|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1443797156s/23308084.jpg|42862750]. So, I suppose, in a way, I'm glad that I delayed reading it because I only had to wait two months before the sequel came out.
The main characters, Shahrzad and Khalid, were so multi-dimensional and fully fleshed out that I could not put the book down. I think you fall in love along with them - with the two of them separate, the two of them together, and the world in which they live.
The one gripe I have with the book is that there is *one* little decision made at the end of the book that I thought felt out of character and made me a touch dissatisfied with the ending, which, in turn, is unsettling for the beginning of the second book. But, we shall see.
The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski
4.0
I don't even know where to begin. This book was delicious. There were very few light moments, and most came from small slits of hope or reprieve, but altogether, it was quite a thoroughly hopeless book. I mean, there's a third book (why do I not have this book now?), so I have hope, but the realism and the resignation of the two characters, Arin and Kestrel, is just believably heartbreaking.
Arin and Kestrel are so real and so complex, and are so easy to know. You know these two. Even their miscommunication, hidden agendas, and secrets that boil beneath the surface when they do met is so multi-dimensional and realistic that it (surprisingly) isn't frustrating to read at all. It only served its purpose in the story and made me want to continue to devour the book as quickly as possible.
The pacing and writing style is set as such that you barely notice as the pages fly by. Like eating a piece of delicious chocolate cake, you find yourself at the end of the book, and your fork scrapes an empty plate. I cannot wait to start the third book.
Arin and Kestrel are so real and so complex, and are so easy to know. You know these two. Even their miscommunication, hidden agendas, and secrets that boil beneath the surface when they do met is so multi-dimensional and realistic that it (surprisingly) isn't frustrating to read at all. It only served its purpose in the story and made me want to continue to devour the book as quickly as possible.
The pacing and writing style is set as such that you barely notice as the pages fly by. Like eating a piece of delicious chocolate cake, you find yourself at the end of the book, and your fork scrapes an empty plate. I cannot wait to start the third book.
The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski
4.0
Kestrel was written so beautifully tragic in this book. I love how broken she was and I enjoyed going on the healing journey with her. Arin carried his mental density around for so long, but it was thrilling when he finally realized all his mistakes and that all his instincts had been correct, that he should've listened to them. Wonderful ending to a perfectly delightful book trilogy. I got a little impatient towards the end when I felt it hit a bit of a lull, but nothing that wasn't handled by reading more.