Review: Northern Lights by Philip Pullman

I've been meaning to start this series forever. Then yesterday a blogger said that Lyra is a part of the most tragic love story. And I didn't think these books had any romance, because it's middle grade. So I just had to read the ending of book three. And it broke my heart. And I knew I had to start this series right away. And I'm glad I did. Will be starting book two right away :)

I watched the Golden Compass years ago, the movie based on this book. I did enjoy it back then, but not enough to start the books. Now that I finally read this amazing book, I see that there is a lot of difference between the book and movie. Biggest part, movie ends when there is still one hundred pages left in the book. This book was just so much more than I expected.

I kind of knew before starting Northern Lights that I would love it. I just didn't know how much I would love it. It isn't the best book I have read, but I still loved every part of it. It made me cry. It made me smile. And it is just beautiful. The writing is perfect, and the story is just amazing. And amazing middle grade fantasy book. I'm so glad I read it. And if you still haven't done so, then you need to get starting :)

This is the story of Lyra, an eleven year old orphan girl. She's living at the Jordan College, and she have a pretty good life. I loved reading about her. Loved that the book is from her point of view, because yeah. She's just so good. Kind and sweet. And protective. She's also really smart. I just adored her. I also loved reading about her life at the college. The people working there, and her friend Roger :) It was all just amazing to read about. And I'm glad I managed to enjoy it, which I would not normally do ;p

I don't know how to talk about this book. And because of that I don't think my review will be too long. I hope. I'm usually wrong about that :) But oh. I just loved Northern Lights so much. It's an amazing story, a great adventure, and the tale of great friendships. We meet a lot of characters in this book. I loved them all. Well. Some I hated. I loved Ma Costa. I kind of loved the Master of the college. I liked Roger. I enjoyed reading about them all, though, because they play a big part in this book. Loved most of them.

The plot of this book is about Dust. For the most part. And I won't say more than that. But I loved reading about it, though I wished we had gotten to know more. The main plot is the dæmons. Every human being in this book have a dæmon. Some kind of animal, that they must be around at all times. It's a part of themselves. And I loved those connections so much. Lyra have Pantalaimon. Pan for short. And oh. He's adorable. I loved reading about him. Since she's a child, he can change form all the time.

And I suppose that is all I'm sharing about the plot. There is just so much happening, and I don't want to spoil anything, because I loved reading about everything. There is just so much amazing in this book. Lots of beautiful things. But also awful heartbreaking things. There is many bad people in this book. I hated it so. But I also loved it. It was just so perfect. This book made me cry a lot. Didn't know it would be that powerful to read about. And I'm glad. I'm glad because I connected with this book that much.

There is so many amazing characters in this book. Like Farder Coram. I loved him. He was really kind to Lyra. We also get to know the gyptians really well, and I loved reading about them all. They were amazing. Then there is Lord Asriel. I don't know how I felt about him. I didn't like him from page one. He just seemed evil. Sigh. And Mrs Coulter. I did not like her at all. But she has a huge part in this book, still, and I did enjoy reading about her, cause she's kind of pure evil. Most of them are. Love.

One of the characters I loved the most was the panserbjørn Iorek Byrnison. I loved him. We get to know him really well, and the other bears as well. They were scary, though. Really scary. And I loved them to pieces. Amazing plot twists. We also see many witches. I loved reading about them too. There is just too much in this book. And I'm doing a poor job of describing it all. But still. I loved it. All of it. Even that heartbreaking evil ending. Sobs. But it made me so excited for the sequel, and I cannot wait.

Northern Lights was an amazing book. And I'm just really glad I read it. It's perfect. I fell in love with all of it. The characters, the story, and everything. There is strength in this book. There is heartbreak and tears. Every moment is amazing. Will be reading book two tomorrow. I cannot wait. Then book three, which I know that the ending will kill me. I still cannot wait. Sigh. Haven't read this yet? Then do so. Please. It is an amazing fantasy book, and I loved it so much. You will too. I'm sure. Give it a chance :)

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Update: Newer and better review of the book can be found here.

Title Reveal: Divergent #3 by Veronica Roth

Early this morning we got more amazing news from the Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth. Title for the third book! And ahh. I'm just so excited. Divergent is one of the best books. I just love it so much. And I can't wait to read how it all ends. Also. The movie is coming soon :D I cannot wait for that either. I mostly approve of the casting. I think. We'll see once we get some official stills :) Do you like the title?

ALLEGIANT

I kind of love this title. Although at first I had no idea what it meant (A) But that's what google is for, lol. And now I think it sounds amazing. And oh. I just cannot wait to read Allegiant :D Hoping it will have the most perfect ending to this amazing trilogy. And tons of Tobias. Yeah. I need lots more of him :) I also cannot wait to see the cover. Hoping it's even more gorgeous than Divergent and Insurgent :D

What if your whole world was a lie?
What if a single revelation—like a single choice—changed everything?
What if love and loyalty made you do things you never expected?

The explosive conclusion to Veronica Roth’s #1 New York Times bestselling Divergent trilogy reveals the secrets of the dystopian world that has captivated millions of readers in Divergent and Insurgent.

Divergent. Insurgent. Allegiant. Veronica Roth. Official Reveal Post. Book Depository.

My book recommendation of Divergent. My review of Insurgent. Both really old :)

Mini Review: The Shattered Mountain by Rae Carson

After having read and loved The Bitter Kingdom yesterday I knew I had to read this novella right away. And I'm so glad I did. The Shattered Mountain is an amazing short story. Although it isn't that short, it is one hundred pages. Yet I wished it was longer. Because I loved reading about Mara, and her story. The writing is as beautiful as ever. And the world just as deadly.

My review won't be all that long, since the novella is short and I don't won't to spoil everything that happens :) The Shattered Mountain is told from the point of view of Mara, who we get to know in the Girl of Fire and Thorns books. This is the story about her life before she is the maid of Elisa. How she got there. And oh. It is amazing and heartbreaking and just perfect.

If you read the summary, you know what this novella is about. Mara is seventeen years old, and she's living with her Pa in a small village. I hated her father. He abuses her, and he didn't seem nice at all. Happy we didn't see too much about him. But she's also happy. Because she has a boyfriend; Julio. And oh. Julio just seemed so amazing, and I loved him, and it breaks my heart, because having read the other books I knew what would happen. Sobs. But so amazing. It is really heartbreaking. And I loved it all.

The same day that Mara and Julio is planning on running away their village gets attacked by the Inviernos. And oh. It is so heartbreaking. Because they are killing everyone with their fire and arrows. Yet I loved reading about it. So many things happen after that. Mara gets away with a bunch of children, where she is the oldest one and have to take care of them all. But it's hard. Because they don't have enough food, and they have to travel in the mountain for at least a week. I loved every second of it.

We get to meet many characters as well. Loved Julio. And I loved his brother, Adán. He was just so strong. And I loved reading about Raynaldo as well. Kind and strong, yet they are both young. But tiny Teena broke my heart. She was just so little and so strong yet broken as well. I just loved reading about them all. The plot in this book is also really, really good, and I could not stop reading. There is action, heartbreak, romance and just everything. It is a very exciting read, and I'm so thrilled that I read it.

I loved reading from Mara's point of view, and I just wish it had been ever longer. I also love these novella's that Rae writes. I hope she will write many more from this amazing series :) I think you all would love this short story. Especially if you have read The Girl of Fire and Thorns. But even if you haven't read those books I think you would love this one. Because it's amazing. And heartbreaking. But it have some hope. It is a truly amazing novella, and I simply cannot wait to read more from Rae Carson.

Goodreads - Buy it

Waiting on Wednesday #79

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

ELEGY (Hereafter #3) BY TARA HUDSON

Goodreads Description:

A stalker ghost, misguided Seers, and spellbinding wraiths—Amelia Ashley has faced them all. Now her greatest hope is to spend the rest of her afterlife with her living boyfriend, Joshua. But the demonic forces return to give her an ultimatum: turn herself over to the darkness or watch them murder one living person per week until she does.

Amelia fears she might really be doomed, until the forces of light give her another option. She can join them in their quest to gather souls, with a catch: Once she joins them, she can never see Joshua again.

Faced with impossible choices, Amelia decides to take her afterlife into her own hands—and fight back.

Hardcover, 400 pages

Expected publication: June 4th 2013 by HarperTeen

Pre-Order here.

It's been ages since I blogged about this gorgeous cover. And oh. I'm just really, really dying to read Elegy! I loved the first two books, but oh, I need to know what happens next. This summary is kind of killing me. I just cannot wait for June. <3 Wish it was out sooner, though ;p Still, I think I'll love it.
What are you waiting for?

Review: The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson

This trilogy is one of the best fantasy trilogies there is. All three books are amazing. I don't know how to talk about my love for these books. I just adore fantasy book so much, and these are incredible. The writing is perfect. The characters are amazing and strong and so loveable. And the story is perfect. Unique and special and all kinds of awesome. So glad I got to read this early. The Bitter Kingdom is the best one. So good.

This book has the perfect ending to this amazing trilogy. There is a lot of action. So many deaths. Heartbreak. Love. Romance. The Bitter Kingdom has it all. I never wanted it to end. But I'm happy with the ending. For the most part. I do want more; so much more. But it is also perfect, and I'm so thrilled about it. I know that I will re-read these books. After I get my hardcover :)

Since this is the end of a trilogy, you should not read my review if you do not want to get spoiled about the first two books. Because there will be spoilers. Lots of them. But hopefully not for this book ;) But there is a lot to talk about for me. Lots of characters I must mention. Well, only a few, but they are special to me. There is so much character love in this book. And I loved every part of it. Even all the heartbreak. It made me tear up many times. But it also made me smile and it filled my heart with warmth so many times. It could not have been better.

The Bitter Kingdom starts where The Crown of Embers ended. Elisa and her three companions are going after the kidnapped Hector; Elisa's love. At first there isn't too much happening, because they are mostly just trying to catch up to those who have taken Hector. But I loved reading about, still. Because Elisa is such an amazing character. I loved her so much. She's a lot stronger in this book. She kills people. She makes difficult decisions. And I loved her so much for it all. She's really a true heroine.

The book is told from her point of view. Which I loved. But we also get a few chapters from Hector's point of view! I loved those the most. It also made a lot of sense that we got to see his point of view, and I'm so happy about it. Even though his thoughts were mostly heartbreaking. But he is an amazing person. Loyal. Strong. Loving. He cares about Elisa so much. As a Queen, but also as a person. He loves her. And their love is just so damn amazing, and I'm really glad that I ended up loving it too, hih :)

I don't really want to give away more about the plot. We get to see a lot of running and traveling, and it is all amazing. We get to see a lot more of the Inviernos. Some of them are okay. Like Storm and his sister, Waterfall. But most are not. There are so many evil people. And I just loved reading about them all. Such an amazing plot. We also learn a lot more about the Godstone, and the power it have. It is awesome. I enjoyed reading about Elisa's Godstone in this book a lot more than I did before. I liked it.

That is all I'm saying about the plot. Well. It is an adventure. An amazing adventure. Full of danger and awful things. But also happy moments. And evil creatures. Like the scorpions in this mine. Shudders. So awful. And they are done so well, that I loved it all so much. The plot in this book is better than in the first two books. And it all makes sense. And I loved reading about it all. There is lots of conflict, but yeah. I loved that too. This story is just so amazing, and I couldn't have loved it any more than I did.

There is so many characters in this book. Have mentioned Elisa and Hector, who I love the most. They also have the most amazing love story. Swoons. But also, sobs. So good. I might have disliked that they didn't talk nicely about dead Alejandro.. Makes me feel I shouldn't have loved him in the first book. Still. Wish we had seen more of his son, Rosario. But he is still just as amazing as always. Love. We see a bit more about Ximena as well. Still not sure how I feel about her. Love and hate, like Elisa feels about her.

Mara and Belén is a big part in this book. And Storm too. They are the three people who are going after Hector with Elisa. I just adore Mara so much. She's an amazing friend. And I loved her relationship with Belén :) Although I wish it had been a bit more. Still, so sweet. We also meet another new character, Mula. Just a little girl. And she's so amazing. I adored her. We see a bit more about Alodia. Wish we had seen her and Elisa together more. Because I kind of love her a lot. And Storm is amazing! Adored him.

I think that is all I had to say about this book. The Bitter Kingdom is just amazing. Epic. It is the perfect finale. And I loved every part of it. Just wish it had been longer :) But it is perfect just the way it is. I loved reading about Elisa and everyone around her. I really loved reading about this amazing world. It is all done so well. Although I still don't approve of all that long traveling, lol ;p But it makes sense, still. I loved the fighting. The drama. But mostly I loved the romance. It is all kinds of perfect. I adored it.

You will all love The Bitter Kingdom. It is the perfect last book to this series. Even with all the heartbreak. It is just so amazing. So when it comes out in August, you need to read it right away. It is worth it. This whole series is worth it. And I'm so glad that I read them all :) Thank you, Rae, for writing a perfect fantasy series. <3 Thank you so much to the publisher, Greenwillow Books, and to Edelweiss for the chance to read and review TBK early. <3 I'm so, so happy that I were able to read it this early.

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