Review: Godsgrave by Jay Kristoff

For more than a year I had been dying to read this book. Then I learned some spoilers that I did not approve of, and I wasn't all that excited anymore. But I knew I would still read this, because I adore Jay, and I loved Nevernight oh so much. But I was worried. So worried. With good reason. Sigh. Have many thoughts about it.

I don't know where I shall start. I don't know what I will write about this book. I just know that I think there will be a lot. And I know that I'll be very honest about how I feel about certain things. Aw. Have decided to give this book three stars. I did enjoy some parts of it, but I didn't love any of it. Which was so depressing, to be honest.

I'm such a huge fan of book one, Nevernight. I loved it even more when I just read it for the second time. I loved it because of how amazing Mia was, how gentle yet fierce. And I loved it because of Tric. He made everything better. He made Mia a better person too. And he made things fun as well. I loved him oh so much. And I loved beyond words reading about him and Mia slowly falling for each other. But then that was ripped away. That ending of book one still kills me. And I think that is a big reason for why I knew I wouldn't enjoy this sequel. I mean, that very last page is awesome, but that was only the last page. Hmph. And not having Tric in this book, well, it made me not like it as much. Mia was changed. More than a year had passed. Just, depressing. Sigh.

But even without Tric, I did think that maybe I would still like the story, and like Mia. But sadly I had so many issues with all of it. I don't know where to begin. Like Nevernight, this book is so long. But unlike Nevernight, I didn't want this book to never end. Instead I wanted it all to be over with. Aw. Which is the worst feeling to have. But I couldn't help it. Everything felt weird, compared to Nevernight. First that it takes place so many months later. And so I never got to read about Mia grieving for Tric, if she did that.

And so many other things not to know. The book starts with a smut scene. Which I normally like, but this one I didn't like at all. Sigh. I just felt nothing from it. Maybe because I was missing Tric, and not wanting Mia with anyone else. Or just felt like the writing was different. I don't know. Just didn't enjoy it. And it sadly didn't get better from there. Aw. Because just about all of this book takes place inside a prison for Mia, sort of. She sells herself to a gladiator sort of place, as a slave. Almost every moment is about that.

And while it was interesting to read about, and I grew to care for some of the characters a lot, it grew to be boring too. I wanted so much more. There were tons of plot things and shadow things that could have been focused on, instead all of it is getting showed over to book three. I hate waiting. Felt like more of it could have happened in this book too. Sigh. So rude. But even so, it was exciting at times to read about this new place Mia ended up at. Such horrible people. And learning more about the horrible law and such.

Most of this book was just heartbreaking, to be honest. There is a lot of death. So so much murder and blood. I enjoyed it, somewhat, but some of it felt a bit too much too. Bitter about a death that happened early in the book. So wasted. There is a lot of fighting and learning to fight like a gladiator. Mia did way too much cheating, tbh. Well, if she hadn't, she would be dead. But still. And oh, all the characters. I hated and liked Leona. She was interesting at least. Arkades was sort of interesting too, but not much.

Then there was that Furian person. He was another darkin, like Mia. And she spent all the book being hungry and full of lust around him. Always. And that last part just made no sense and it bothered me so much. Sigh. The rest of the shadow stuff was so interesting to read about and I wanted more so badly. But her wanting to fuck that man at all times? No. Made zero sense. Like her want to fuck Adonai as well. That was just weird. But nothing happened with either of them, though, so I'm thankful for that at least.

But ah. Then there was the biggest reason for why I hated parts of this book. Ashlinn. She is in it a whole lot. This girl murdered Tric. Hurt Mia. Murdered many others. I hate her like I hate no other. But oh, Mia is quick to forgive her. Even quicker to fall for her. Which made no bloody sense at all. I'm so angry about it. She seemed to forgive her after she told the truth about one thing. Felt pity for her when she heard her father was dead. Just, I'm so angry. I hate this girl. I hate Mia for not hating her. So disappointed in her.

Sorry for the spoilers. Shrugs. But I couldn't not mention this one part. Because I can't stand it. I can't stand it at all. Mia and Ashlinn grows so close. Not once did I witness them talking together or spending time together or Mia forgiving her for real. Or talking to her about Tric, hating her for it. It did not happen. None of it. Their whole relationship screams false to me. Yet it's supposed to be love, or whatever. I'm so fucking angry and hurt about it. Never forgive. Never ever forget. I will never ever forgive these parts of it.

Gosh, I've already written more than I was supposed to about this book. And yet not nearly written down all of my thoughts. Sigh. I just feel really hurt by this book. Because Mia and Tric was the reason for why I loved Nevernight. She barely even think his name in this sequel. I feel so betrayed. Because she so very obviously loved him in Nevernight. And she knew he loved her too. Yet now she's pretending she's never felt like she feels with someone else. And gah. I'm angry. Anyway. Enjoyed some of the plot. Most times.

I am glad that I read Godsgrave. I'm just really sad that it was disappointing, like I thought it would be. I'm happy that I didn't hate it. Three stars is still good. Just, no love. I love the world, no doubt about that. I love Mister Kindly and Eclipse. Sort of love Mia, at times. But parts of the plot I hated so much. But still. I'm dying for book three. More than I can say. I fear it won't end like I want it to, sigh, but still dying for it. I need to know everything that happens. But oh, I must say that I won't re-read Godsgrave anytime soon.

Despite this, I'm still getting every edition of this book, like I did with Nevernight. And I feel happy about this. Because I still have that hope that book three will be everything I want it to be. Okay, fine, I don't think it will be what I want. Sigh. But my broken heart still hope. Oh, well. I'm prepared to be shattered. Godsgrave was exciting at times, but overall disappointing to me. Still, huge fan of Jay, and I did enjoy it some. Others will love it. Hmph. Thank you so much Harper Voyager for the ARC of this gorgeous book.

Goodreads - The Book Depository - Amazon

My Book Recommendation of Nevernight

Waiting on Wednesday #304

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

THE DEFIANT (The Valiant #2) BY LESLEY LIVINGSTON

Goodreads Description:

Gladiator Fallon and her warrior sisters must face off against a rival gladiator academy in this lush sequel to the highly anticipated historical fantasy The Valiant.

They call her "Victrix" now. Victory.

But winning the highest honor ever bestowed upon a gladiatrix in Rome has earned Fallon more deadly enemies outside the arena than she ever faced within it. And it is those dearest to Fallon who will pay the price for her success.

Now, Fallon and her warrior sisters are thrust into a vicious conflict with a rival gladiator academy, one that will threaten not only Fallon's heart - and her love for Roman soldier Cai - but the very heart of the Roman Empire.

Hardcover, 336 pages

Expected publication: February 13th 2018 by Razorbill

Pre-Order here and here

I wasn't in love with book one, The Valiant, but I'm still curious about this sequel :D And oh my gosh, that cover. Dying. It's awesome and fierce and beautiful. Love the colors too. Cannot wait to own a copy of this stunning thing. Hoping that I might enjoy the plot too. Fingers crossed. I'm curious about it, yes :)
What are you waiting for on this fighting Wednesday?

Book Recommendation: Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

I have been wanting to read this book again for so long. And now I finally felt brave enough to do so, lol. Nevernight is such an amazing book. And I have no idea how I will be able to describe the reasons for why I love it so. But I shall try my best. This second read was amazing. Probably even better than the first time I read it, in April last year. I've just been a little bit nervous about reading it again, since I know what will happen in book two. Hmph. And I am not very pleased. But even so, this first book is still perfection.

Though I don't think I will ever forgive this ending. And the person that ends up dead. Okay, so many ends up dead, but I only cared about one. And I'm not happy about it. At all. And the person who did the killing, well. I'm never forgetting. Never forgiving. Despite the fact that I know others are clearly forgiving this person for the murder. Hmph. I'm not pleased. And never ever forgiving. But still. I do think and hope that I will enjoy Godsgrave. For the plot. And the murders. And Mia, most of the time. Fingers crossed.

Okay. Enough about that. I loved Nevernight oh so much. The writing is amazing. And the characters are all stunning to read about. I loved getting to know them all. And I loved paying better attention to details this second time, when I knew everything that would happened. I noticed a lot more. About Mia's family. And some things about the plot too. I simply can't wait to know what happens next. Though, I must admit, that I'm a bit heartbroken that a person won't be in the sequel. Sigh. I wanted that person there. Sad face.

I think the biggest reason for why I love this is not because of how dark and bloody it is, but because of how it isn't. Well, it's a lot of dark and awful, but it's not all that. I would say that a lot of this book is about Mia and Tric falling slowly in love. Though it doesn't focus on it often, but when they are together, it is so clear. And it's breaking my heart into a million pieces. What I loved about Mia in this book is that she isn't all about revenge and killing. She also has a soft and gentle heart inside of her. But I loved all her sides.

I'm not going to mention that much about this book. Just that it's amazing. And that I loved every moment of it, except for that one murder. So rude. Okay, I got my heart broken over a lot of murders, but still. One hurt more than others. Hmph. Anyway. The story is simply incredible. I seriously loved reading about Mia and learning her past and her present. Getting to know what happened to her and her family in the past broke my heart so so much. And I loved it to pieces. Mia was such an amazing character to get to know.

This book is about young people who are learning to become killers. By studying and doing lots of awful things. It was all so so interesting to read about. And I loved that Mia made some friends too. I did like Ashlinn at first. As her friend. But near the ending, that feeling changed fully. And I loved Naev so very much. She was amazing to read about. There was just a bunch of characters in this book. All interesting and exciting to get to know. The mean girl was awful. Yet loved her scenes even so. Loved all the scenes.

Then there was Tric. Sigh. The person I loved the most in the whole book. Especially when reading it again. He was simply incredible. He has such a soft heart and is full of love. Yet he's brutal too, and he's a killer like them all. Yet so awesome. Sigh. I loved reading about him and Mia meeting for the first time, and him falling in love with her right away. And her liking him right away too. And them becoming friends were just awesome to read about. Didn't like all the time they spent apart, though. Wasted moments. Aw.

But oh, how I loved this boy. He was everything. And when he and Mia became more than friends, eee. It was awesome. And a lot of smut too. I loved it so so much. And I ship these two beyond words. And I'm beyond heartbroken over that ending. Sigh. Never forgetting. A bit upset about the fact that Mia didn't make things better before that ending. Think that will haunt me for ages. Hmph. But anyway. I loved Tric so so much. And I want more of him. So badly. Do not want Mia with anyone else. At all. My poor heart.

Totally forgot to mention my favorite scene of the book. There is this awful whipping scene. Heartbreaking and painful, yes, but it's so good to read. Because it happens to Mia and Tric, and they are both trying to save the other. Tric because he so obviously loves her. Mia trying to pretend that she doesn't love him. But she does. She so clearly do. And this scene just broke my heart, because I feel that they cared so much for each other. And oh, learning about the Tric's past. Broke my heart the very most. So so good.

Okay. I'm not going to say much more now. Just needed to write a little bit about how I loved this book. Sigh. It's perfection. Yet so heartbreaking and rude. This book is dark and brutal and bloody and full of murder. Yet Mia isn't a dark person. She's sweet yet fierce yet brutal. She's amazing. And this story is incredible. Didn't mention much of it at all, but it's so good. I love Mister Kindly. And everything else too. Nevernight is perfection. And so worth reading. Read it now, if you haven't done so already. It's worth it.

Tension crackling between them, curling the edge of her lips. She could feel it thrumming in her fingertips. Pulsing beneath her skin. Desire. Her for him. Him for her. Nothing and no one between.

Nevernight. Godsgrave. Jay Kristoff. The Book Depository. Amazon.

My Review of Nevernight. My Nevernight Collection.

In My Mailbox #300

This week have gone by so fast. Went on a roadtrip Monday morning, to Oulu, Finland, and arrived back home late Thursday. It was all kinds of exhausting for me, but I had a good mini vacation. Bought lots of snacks, lol, and got to bath a lot in the hotel pool area. It was a fun family thingy. But right now I'm just thrilled to be back home again, yesss. Because yesterday I got my first spa bath after fifteen days without out. It was perfection. So excited to be back to this daily thing, lol. Because my newest wound have finally stopped hurting. It's much smaller, but still not fully healed, but no pain, so yay. But my stomach is being a bitch, though, ugh. So just waiting for more medicine next week. Only blogged twice this week; as I have been gone all week long, and haven't been able to read. But I did read a graphic novel on Sunday, so yay. Posted my preview review of The Prince and the Dressmaker. <3 And this week I'm waiting on The Cruel Prince :) Also got a bit of mail this week too :D Not many books.. aw. But getting something gorgeous next week, I hope, eee, and I'm excited. <3 Love what I did get this week, though. All gorgeous. Anyway. Health is a bit bad lately, but wound is healed, so yay. Going to start my re-read of Nevernight today, ahh. I'm still not ready for Godsgrave. Ugh. Don't want it :\ But will do my best to read it. Hmph. Hope it won't be as bad as I think it will be. Ahh. Anyway. This week was pretty good :D Yay for spa bath.

Tales from the Shadowhunter Academy. Lovely US paperback edition :D I must read these stories soon.
The Steep & Thorny Way. I loved this book so so much. And ahh, new paperback cover :D It's stunning.
Beauty and the Beast. Finally own this movie :D Which means that I can finally watch it. Ahh. Soon :D
Plushes + Cat. Couldn't resist getting these while in Finland, lol. Cute plushes. And gorgeous cat. Love.
Pop Figures. Ahhh. I bought three in Finland, the rest from a new shop I found, where I ordered some of the Comic Con special ones :D Eee. Can't wait for those to arrive in around a month. And oh, all of these are so gorgeous. Special ones that I haven't been able to find elsewhere. Very expensive.. but worth it.

More Instagram photos here. <3

Waiting on Wednesday #303

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

THE CRUEL PRINCE BY HOLLY BLACK

Goodreads Description:

Of course I want to be like them. They’re beautiful as blades forged in some divine fire. They will live forever.

And Cardan is even more beautiful than the rest. I hate him more than all the others. I hate him so much that sometimes when I look at him, I can hardly breathe.

Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King.

To win a place at the Court, she must defy him–and face the consequences.

In doing so, she becomes embroiled in palace intrigues and deceptions, discovering her own capacity for bloodshed. But as civil war threatens to drown the Courts of Faerie in violence, Jude will need to risk her life in a dangerous alliance to save her sisters, and Faerie itself.

Hardcover, 384 pages

Expected publication: January 2nd 2018 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Pre-Order here and here

I haven't read that many books by Holly yet, ack, but own a bunch of them, and I adore her as a person. I have seen so many people excited about this book. And so I had to read the summary too. And ahh. Now I'm pretty excited about it too :D It sounds exciting and awesome. Curious. I do love faeries a whole lot.
What are you waiting for on this cruel Wednesday?