Review: War Storm by Victoria Aveyard

War Storm by Victoria AveyardSynopsis:

Mare Barrow learned this all too well when Cal’s betrayal nearly destroyed her. Now determined to protect her heart—and secure freedom for Reds and newbloods like her—Mare resolves to overthrow the kingdom of Norta once and for all… starting with the crown on Maven’s head.

But no battle is won alone, and before the Reds may rise as one, Mare must side with the boy who broke her heart in order to defeat the boy who almost broke her. Cal’s powerful Silver allies, alongside Mare and the Scarlet Guard, prove a formidable force. But Maven is driven by an obsession so deep, he will stop at nothing to have Mare as his own again, even if it means demolishing everything—and everyone—in his path.

War is coming, and all Mare has fought for hangs in the balance. Will victory be enough to topple the Silver kingdoms? Or will the little lightning girl be forever silenced?

In the epic conclusion to Victoria Aveyard’s stunning series, Mare must embrace her fate and summon all her power… for all will be tested, but not all will survive

Favorite Lines:

“Love can be exploited, I guess, used to manipulate. It’s leverage. But I would never call loving someone else a weakness. I think living without love at all, any kind of love, is weakness. And the worst kind of darkness.”

“It is cruel to give hope where none should be.”

“Strange that she is both the anchor against the storm and the storm itself.”

“Ignorance is a burden I do not intend to carry.”

My Opinion:

I went to a bookstore (which I normally don’t do because I always want to buy more books than I can afford) and I saw this book on the shelf. I didn’t even know it was out yet (what a bad fan I am). So, I immediately picked it up and knew I had to buy it; even though It was hardcover and therefore more expensive.

This is the final installment in Aveyard’s Red Queen series. The story, as always, follows Mare Barrow as she is still fighting to bring equality to her people in the middle of a war. What I really liked about this book was that there are multiple point of views offered throughout the story. Each chapter switches character point of views. This gives readers not only a look at what is happening in different parts of the world but also insight to how other characters think and interact. I always love seeing into other characters minds and seeing who we, as readers, would consider the main character and how the other characters view that main character; in this case, Mare.

The only thing I didn’t really like about this book was the ending. I can’t spoil it for you all just know that I am a super romantic and, while the ending wasn’t bad, I sat there thinking “this is some load of crap.” I could rant about it for another 10 minutes but like I said no spoilers so you will just have to read it and decide for yourself.

Summary:

Overall, I really really did enjoy this book. I am thankful that Aveyard slowed the pace but managed to squeeze in so many details and tie off all loose ends. Sometimes last books in series seem like the author had too much content to squeeze into the book and, therefore, certain scenes feel rushed. At the start of this series, I thought Aveyard’s writing style was somewhat confusing but this final book proved to be the perfect ending for the series (except for the literal ending of the book, you’ll see). If you’ve read the rest of the Red Queen series, you have to read this book. If you haven’t read the series at all, you should get on it! Until next time, happy reading!

 

War Storm


Review: Roar by Cora Carmack

Roar by Cora CarmackSynopsis:

In a land ruled and shaped by violent magical storms, power lies with those who control them.

Aurora Pavan comes from one of the oldest Stormling families in existence. Long ago, the ungifted pledged fealty and service to her family in exchange for safe haven, and a kingdom was carved out from the wildlands and sustained by magic capable of repelling the world’s deadliest foes. As the sole heir of Pavan, Aurora’s been groomed to be the perfect queen. She’s intelligent and brave and honorable. But she’s yet to show any trace of the magic she’ll need to protect her people.

To keep her secret and save her crown, Aurora’s mother arranges for her to marry a dark and brooding Stormling prince from another kingdom. At first, the prince seems like the perfect solution to all her problems. He’ll guarantee her spot as the next queen and be the champion her people need to remain safe. But the more secrets Aurora uncovers about him, the more a future with him frightens her. When she dons a disguise and sneaks out of the palace one night to spy on him, she stumbles upon a black market dealing in the very thing she lacks—storm magic. And the people selling it? They’re not Stormlings. They’re storm hunters.

Legend says that her ancestors first gained their magic by facing a storm and stealing part of its essence. And when a handsome young storm hunter reveals he was born without magic, but possesses it now, Aurora realizes there’s a third option for her future besides ruin or marriage.

She might not have magic now, but she can steal it if she’s brave enough.

Challenge a tempest. Survive it. And you become its master.

Favorite Lines:

“And hope broke more hearts than any man ever could.”

“I have lost count of the number of dead ends I’ve encountered in my long life. Each time, when I could see no future beyond a certain point, the future always came anyway.”

“What might seem a careless phrase for one can cut deep as a blade for another.”

My Opinion:

I think that I found out about this book from a sponsored post on Facebook when I was just mindlessly scrolling through and it sounded interesting, so I put it on my read list. When I visited the bookstore (someone really should have stopped me, I spent way too much money) I saw the book on the shelf and decided to buy it.

I wasn’t too sure about the book in the beginning because I have never read any of Carmack’s other work and the book is a less-known book. I was pleasantly surprised with the book. It was well written and had a really nice flow to it. It was also on a refreshing subject, if you took storm-chasers and put them in a magical world with kingdoms and romance, that would be what this book is.

The story follows Aurora Pavan as she has to flee her kingdom in order to find answers that might save it.  As the journey progresses, she learns that everything she thought she knew isn’t true and she must work to find a way to put new pieces together and solve the puzzle before the rising threat rips her kingdom from her. There is romance in here that is full of suspense and you’ll find yourself wanting more (I know I did).

I honestly don’t think there was anything I didn’t like about this book other than wanting my ship to get together. But that is just me being impatient (it better happen Carmack!).

Summary:

Overall, this book was much better than I had originally expected. I was disappointed to learn that the next book in the series, Rage, doesn’t come out until June 2019. That is almost a year away! Hopefully, I can distract myself with other books until its time for the next book to come out. Happy reading everyone!

 

Roar