Synopsis:

France, 1714: in a moment of desperation, a young woman makes a Faustian bargain to live forever and is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets.

Thus begins the extraordinary life of Addie LaRue, and a dazzling adventure that will play out across centuries and continents, across history and art, as a young woman learns how far she will go to leave her mark on the world.

But everything changes when, after nearly 300 years, Addie stumbles across a young man in a hidden bookstore and he remembers her name.

Favorite Lines:

“Stories are a way to preserve one’s self. To be remembered. And to forget.”

“Small places make for small lives. And some people are fine with that. They like knowing where to put their feet. But if you only walk in other people’s steps, you cannot make your own way. You cannot leave a mark.”

“Nothing is all good or all bad. Life is so much messier than that.”

My Opinion:

I had seen this book around but dismissed it until I saw fan art for it on social media and that is what convinced me to buy it. As far as I know, this is a standalone novel by Schwab. It follows Addie as she lives an immortal life doomed to be forgotten by anyone who meets her. Until one day, someone recognizes her.

I had heard that this book was going to be kind of slow and hard to get into and I agree. I found myself wanting to skip the past flashbacks. But it did pick up about 150 pages in.  I also wish that there had been more about Luc and Addie’s relationship but that is just because I am a sucker for romances.

I didn’t think this book would get me that emotional but towards the end of it, my eyes were getting teary and when it got to the dedication part in the bookstore, I was full blown crying.

I don’t know how I expected it to end. I guess I wanted it to end differently. I was hoping for more of a happy ending, but I guess the ending was okay and artistic. I understand that not everything is about happy endings, and this was probably a more realistic ending.

Summary:

Overall, I enjoyed this book. I don’t know if I would ever reread it but it was definitely well written and interesting. If you like paranormal romances, historical romances, or fiction then this book is for you. Happy reading!

 

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

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Synopsis:

A Betrayal…

Everything Poppy has ever believed in is a lie, including the man she was falling in love with. Thrust among those who see her as a symbol of a monstrous kingdom, she barely knows who she is without the veil of the Maiden. But what she does know is that nothing is as dangerous to her as him. The Dark One. The Prince of Atlantia. He wants her to fight him, and that’s one order she’s more than happy to obey. He may have taken her, but he will never have her.

A Choice….

Casteel Da’Neer is known by many names and many faces. His lies are as seductive as his touch. His truths as sensual as his bite. Poppy knows better than to trust him. He needs her alive, healthy, and whole to achieve his goals. But he’s the only way for her to get what she wants—to find her brother Ian and see for herself if he has become a soulless Ascended. Working with Casteel instead of against him presents its own risks. He still tempts her with every breath, offering up all she’s ever wanted. Casteel has plans for her. Ones that could expose her to unimaginable pleasure and unfathomable pain. Plans that will force her to look beyond everything she thought she knew about herself—about him. Plans that could bind their lives together in unexpected ways that neither kingdom is prepared for. And she’s far too reckless, too hungry, to resist the temptation.

A Secret…

But unrest has grown in Atlantia as they await the return of their Prince. Whispers of war have become stronger, and Poppy is at the very heart of it all. The King wants to use her to send a message. The Descenters want her dead. The wolven are growing more unpredictable. And as her abilities to feel pain and emotion begin to grow and strengthen, the Atlantians start to fear her. Dark secrets are at play, ones steeped in the blood-drenched sins of two kingdoms that would do anything to keep the truth hidden. But when the earth begins to shake, and the skies start to bleed, it may already be too late.

Favorite Lines:

“He was the first thing I’d ever truly chosen for myself.”

“Let’s make a deal that we won’t borrow tomorrow’s problems today.”

“‘Always’ he whispered in the breath we shared. ‘Your heart was always safe with me. It always will be. There is nothing I will protect more fiercely or with more devotion, Poppy. Trust in that—in what you feel from me.'”

My Opinion:

Guyyyyyyyyyys. It has been a MINUTE since a book made me feel this hard. This is on par with Sarah J. Maas in terms of emotions. It is too early to tell if the plot will be as complicated. I am so, so happy that I started reading this series and I am so, so sad that the next one won’t be out until 2021.

A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire, is the second book in the Blood and Ash series. It follows Poppy as she tries to adjust to a life where she isn’t slave destined to sit in her room and be controlled until she is given to the Gods. Poppy and Hawke/Casteel are traveling to his home of Atlantia to be married in hopes that it will serve them both in being reunited with their brothers and prevent a full-scale war.

In this book we see a lot of romance, action, and self-growth from Poppy. I literally could not put this book down and read it all in a 24-hour period. I literally felt my heart clench and hurt multiple times throughout this book. I am so happy with how it turned out but also so mad that were left on such a big cliff hanger. I won’t spoil anything but lets just say there is so much that needs to still happen and hopefully this series will be more than just a trilogy because I need it in my life longer.

Summary:

Overall, I will be counting down the days until the next book comes out in 2021. The cliff hanger just made it clear that there is SO much more to come and I can’t wait. I hope you all enjoy this book and this series as much as I have. Happy reading!!!

 

A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire

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Synopsis:

A Maiden…

Chosen from birth to usher in a new era, Poppy’s life has never been her own. The life of the Maiden is solitary. Never to be touched. Never to be looked upon. Never to be spoken to. Never to experience pleasure. Waiting for the day of her Ascension, she would rather be with the guards, fighting back the evil that took her family, than preparing to be found worthy by the gods. But the choice has never been hers.

A Duty…

The entire kingdom’s future rests on Poppy’s shoulders, something she’s not even quite sure she wants for herself. Because a Maiden has a heart. And a soul. And longing. And when Hawke, a golden-eyed guard honor bound to ensure her Ascension, enters her life, destiny and duty become tangled with desire and need. He incites her anger, makes her question everything she believes in, and tempts her with the forbidden.

A Kingdom…

Forsaken by the gods and feared by mortals, a fallen kingdom is rising once more, determined to take back what they believe is theirs through violence and vengeance. And as the shadow of those cursed draws closer, the line between what is forbidden and what is right becomes blurred. Poppy is not only on the verge of losing her heart and being found unworthy by the gods, but also her life when every blood-soaked thread that holds her world together begins to unravel.

Favorite Lines:

“Fear and bravery are often one and the same. It either makes you a warrior or a coward. The only difference is the person it resides inside.”

“Some truths do nothing but destroy and decay what they do not obliterate. Truths do not always set one free. Only a fool who has spent their entire life being fed lies believes that.”

“When you listen to me, I think the stars will fall.”

My Opinion:

I don’t know how I ever overlooked this book. I didn’t know it existed until the night I bought it and devoured it in one sitting. I love Armentrout, she can do no wrong and this book is no exception. This is actually her first high fantasy novel and she had been sitting on the idea for years until some of her friends, including Sarah J. Maas (another favorite of mine), convinced her to write it; and I am so happy she did. I will warn you that this is definitely an R-rated book, so perhaps not the best for younger readers.

The story started out a bit slow and I was very confused because you are just thrown into the middle of a world and know nothing about the terms or how anything works. But somewhere along the way, I literally could not put the book down and stayed up half the night reading.

My heart literally ached multiple times throughout the story which is just the type of emotional torture I live for.

The plot was a bit predictable, but I still ate it up and could not stop turning the page.

Summary:

Overall, Armentrout out did herself; as always. I could not have been happier with the story and how it turned out. I cannot wait to read the next one. If you like action, romance, and adventure this will be perfect for you. Happy reading!

 

From Blood and Ash

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