In My Mailbox #370

I have read three books this week. Eee. More than I have done in ages, haha. And they were three huge books; I re-read the Grave Mercy trilogy. Sigh. And I loved them so very much. Eee. Which means they are the first five star books I have read in ages and ages. Sigh. So very happy about that. I will be starting Courting Darkness next, and my god, I am so excited. Crossing all my fingers I will love it just as much as the original trilogy :D I also got some stunning mail this week, eee. <3 But no Queen of Air and Darkness. Sigh. Which I'm not even sure will arrive before Christmas. I mean, I will not be reading it just yet even so, since I must re-read the first two books first, but I want my copies, so that I can peek, haha :D I have seen no spoilers so far. And hoping it will continue until I can peek myself, lol. This week have been good and bad. I'm exhausted. But I have been able to do things too. I have read. And I have commented so so very much too. Still tons to go, but I have done a bunch. So yay for that. Also some new blog posts. I shared my third review of Grave Mercy. <3 This week I'm waiting on King of Scars :D Eee! And then my second review of Dark Triumph. <3 And my second review of Mortal Heart :D I'm exhausted, have no money, no room, but I'm happy. Haha. I love my books. <3 So I'm mostly doing okay. Just wishing I would stop being in pain all the time too. Hmph. Oh, well. I'm reading. Eee. And I'm so very thrilled about it :) It is the best.

Flashback. B&N special edition :D I had to have this one too, because of that awesome Fitz scene, eee.
The Raven Boys. Was missing 1 copy of this stunning UK paperback for my huge collection, haha. Love.
The Reckoning of Noah Shaw. UK paperback; because I had to have this one to complete my collection.
Wildcard Pre-Order Swag. Eee, thank you so so much for helping me get this Becky :D You are the best.
ARCs + Swag. Oh my gosh! AHH! Thank you so so much to GodofWax for trading all of this amazing with me :D I am so so very happy with all of it. Sigh. Archenemies ARC! The tote bag! The mask! All the pins! And three upcoming ARCs I have not yet read, and am super excited about :D Also Dreadful ARC to help with my awesome collection of books by Kelly. Eee. Thank you Becky for helping me get it all. <3 Hugs.

More Instagram photos here. <3

Review: Mortal Heart by Robin LaFevers

Reading these books again have possibly destroyed me a little. It have only been four years since I first read Mortal Heart, yet it turns out that I had forgotten almost everything. Which made this second read feel like a first read for most of the time, which was so very lovely. I loved this third book so much. Five stars always.

There is so much I loved about this book. And I do not know how to write it all down. It was slower than the other two books, yet I loved it just the same. Mortal Heart tells the story of Annith. She have spent her entire life at the convent for St. Mortain, as she was brought there as a baby. She's never been anywhere else.

There is so much to get to know about Annith. And though the beginning was slow, I did not mind it one bit. Because the book needed those pages to get to know Annith and her life. I loved reading about it so very much, because Annith is amazing. She is the best assassin at the convent, despite never having been sent out to kill someone. She is the best one at everything there. Always doing everything that needs to be doing. Never breaking the rules. At least, that is how it seems. But Annith is not that gullible. She is the sweetest person, yet so fierce too. She wants what she deserves, which is to finally get sent out to kill someone. But the abbess is not letting her. She wants her to stay at the convent forever, as their seer. This is so not okay with Annith.

And so Annith makes plans to run away. And I loved her so much for that. For wanting something else for herself, for being brave enough to do something about it. I loved getting to know this girl. How she did not have it easy growing up. It broke my heart. And made me care for her so much. I loved how she cared for the other girls at the convent, though I wish they had cared more for her as well. Hmph. Felt like we got to know new things about Annith from beginning to end, and I loved that so very much. She was awesome.

This book is all about Annith. And her learning to make things happen for herself. Learning to take control of her own life and future. She also learns the truth about who she is, how she came to be. And it was all kinds of heartbreaking and rude. But so very perfect as well. Annith was such an amazing character and I loved her to pieces. She learns so much in this book, and I loved that the most. She meets many people and they were all lovely to get to know. And she sees Ismae and Sybella again, and oh, that was perfect.

On her second day after running away from the convent, she meets the hunt. The hellequin. Dead men searching for a way to free their soul. They are pretty scary, but not all of them. Which is how she meets Balthazar. And oh gosh, how I loved this dark and tortured man. Reading about him and Annith spending time together was all kinds of precious. She spends a few weeks riding with the hunt. Being protected by Balthazar, getting to know them all. I wish she had stayed with them always. They were simply awesome.

But she leaves them, and ends up at the place where Ismae and Sybella are. Annith ends up being a big part of trying to save the duchess and her lands. And I loved that so. Loved reading about everything that happened at court. I loved that Balthazar followed her there. That they got closer. And there is romance. And it was so very perfect. I shipped them the most. Eee. Full of complications, though. But they were so awesome. There is so much going on in this book, and I have not mentioned much of it. All was exciting.

I'm not sharing too much about this book. Simply because I do not know what else to say. This book was all kinds of stunning. I loved reading about Annith and her journey. And her romance. Sigh. So very good. Loved learning more about the previous characters too, and I loved how they all played a part in fixing the war in this country. So much happens, and I loved reading every moment of everything. I cannot describe enough how much I adore Ismae and Sybella and Annith. They all have such a special place in my heart.

This third and final book in this very amazing historical trilogy was all kinds of stunning. Mortal Heart was everything I wanted it to be. There are more of every character, despite this book being told from the point of view of Annith. The ending was all kinds of amazing. A bit rude, but so perfect. And the fact that Robin is writing more books in this world with some of the same characters is killing me. I cannot wait to get to read Courting Darkness next. Shall be so very good and I am both nervous and excited. I know I'll love it.

For real, though. If you have not read these books yet you are seriously missing out. They are all three full of amazing girls fighting for their lives. These girls are fierce and angry and full of justice. Also full of murder too. So much death in these books. Most of it deserving. These books are dark, yet not too dark. There is some stunning political parts too, not too much, but just enough. Getting to know these girls have been the very best. You all need to get know them too. Because they are perfection. Go buy these books.

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Review: Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers

I did not realize how much I had forgotten about this book since I first read it almost six years ago. I only remembered loving it so. Loving Sybella and Beast. It turns out I had forgotten almost the whole plot. And reading it all again pretty much ruined me. And I loved every moment of it. Once again, five star for this precious.

Dark Triumph is a companion to Grave Mercy. It takes place in the same time and same places. Some of the same characters too, only from a different point of view. And it is so very good. I loved the small scenes of Ismae and Duval included. But I very much loved getting to know Sybella better, and her whole story.

There is so much going on in Dark Triumph. I do not know how to write it all down. So I shall only share a little of it. As thinking too much about some of the things that happen only makes my heart hurt even more. Although I'm also so very happy with this book. Because it is full of hope too. So many dark moments and memories. But also hopeful. And it has the strongest ending too. This book tells the story of seventeen year old Sybella. She also spent the past three years at the convent for St. Mortain with Ismae and Annith. Where she trained to be an assassin, to kill men who had been marked by death for being traitors to the duchess. The nuns at the convent sent her back home as a spy six months ago. She has spent the last half year in the worst place.

Because her father, that she spent her fourteen years of her life with, is the worst possible man thinkable. He was horrible in the first book. And was ten times worse in this one. And worse than that even. I spent every moment of this book wishing for his death. Wishing it would be the most painful death imaginable. It killed me knowing that Sybella has to be at this place. She as there just hoping for the chance to get to kill him, waiting for a mark to appear on his body. Yet after six months, nothing had shown. Waiting killed me.

And it almost did kill Sybella. Because being at this court with her family was not a good thing for her. The castle was at all times filled with traitors and bad people. Even her brother was not safe for her. Learning about her past with him pretty much ruined me too. It was so so painful. Sybella went  through so much in this book. And I had forgotten most of it. Reading about it again was so good, but so painful. She doesn't have it good with her family, with forced to stay there, at their mercy, hoping for a chance to kill her father.

But she is waiting for nothing. Which she soon realizes, when she gets a new message from the convent, asking her to free a prisoner that her father has taken. Beast. And Sybella ends up with all sorts of plans. None of them good for her. But all of them the only thing she can do. I will not share that much about this book, only that my heart broke for Sybella at every moment. Yet she is so strong. And fierce. And brave. And also loving and kind. Only one of her maids was kind to her, and I loved that girl very much for that.

This book is all about Sybella and her life. And her mission to kill this one man. And also about how she saves Beast from the prison he is in. How she has to help him get away and then ends up getting stolen away with him. She must help him not die, as Beast is badly wounded. It is a book about her facing her demons. Remembering her past. Trying to get passed it. And it is the most heartbreaking story possible. But also so very beautiful and hopeful too. As Sybella is so strong and brave and I loved her to pieces.

It also helped that this book has the sweetest romance. Eee. Beast is huge and ugly, which is mentioned often, but he has the biggest heart. And the best smile. And he is so kind and fierce and protective and loving. A little scary, but so good. I loved Beast to pieces. And reading about them getting to know each other and falling for each other was the sweetest thing. They fit together so well. Both with demons in their past. Both caring for each other despite that. I shipped them so very much. They were the cutest.

There is so much going on in Dark Triumph. And I have already shared too much about it, yet not nearly enough. Though most of this book only focus on Sybella and her life, there is also more political things about the world and the duchess's war with the french and all of that. It was so interesting to learn more about everything. Sigh. This book was so very good. And everything I wanted it to be, once again. I'm so happy with how much I loved this one. Everything about it was perfection. Even the parts that ruined me.

Like with the new paperback for Grave Mercy, Dark Triumph does also have a short epilogue included at the end. It takes place right after the ending of the book, but it is a little more about the ending. And it was so very precious. And I wanted more, haha. I am so not done with these characters. Sigh. And re-reading Mortal Heart next will be all kinds of perfect. I simply cannot wait to read Courting Darkness after that. I'm so very excited. For real, though, if you haven't read this book you are truly missing out. It was perfection.

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Waiting on Wednesday #373

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

KING OF SCARS BY LEIGH BARDUGO

Goodreads Description:

Nikolai Lantsov has always had a gift for the impossible. No one knows what he endured in his country’s bloody civil war—and he intends to keep it that way. Now, as enemies gather at his weakened borders, the young king must find a way to refill Ravka’s coffers, forge new alliances, and stop a rising threat to the once-great Grisha Army.

Yet with every day a dark magic within him grows stronger, threatening to destroy all he has built. With the help of a young monk and a legendary Grisha Squaller, Nikolai will journey to the places in Ravka where the deepest magic survives to vanquish the terrible legacy inside him. He will risk everything to save his country and himself. But some secrets aren’t meant to stay buried—and some wounds aren’t meant to heal.

Hardcover, 528 pages

Expected publication: January 29th 2019 by Imprint

Pre-Order here and here

I feel like I have already waited forever for this book, haha. And now it is almost out, EEE :D I cannot wait to read King of Scars. Sigh. It shall be so so very good. I have loved every book by Leigh. Mal has been my favorite character, though, always. And I'm so very excited to get to be back in this lovely world again, eee :D I'm a bit nervous about Nina, sigh, because of my precious being gone. Sobs. But hoping it will not be too painful for me to read about :) Still think I will love this book the most. <3 Cover reveal post here :)
What are you waiting for on this impossible Wednesday?

Review: Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

It has been way too long since I last read this book. This was my third read, but it has been almost six and seven years since the last time I read Grave Mercy. And I had forgotten how very much I loved this book. This re-read simply killed me. So so good. And I'm now even more beyond excited to re-read the next books too.

I do not know where to begin. Because every single part of this book was perfect. And I am beyond thrilled about it. I had a small fear that I would not love it when I read it again, since it has been so many years, but I should not have worried. Since I truly loved this book even more this third time. Every part of it was so good.

I found the writing to be all kinds of stunning. I fully connected to the main character and the world. And loved both so very much. This book takes place in the past, and much of it was historically real. Which I loved. Though I have yet to read anything about the real events, haha. But I very much loved that this was a historical fantasy. The history part worked so well, and the fantasy in it was fantastic. Sigh. This book just killed me with how perfect it was. I only wish there would be more of Ismae point of view, which I know there is not. But her part is complete. Somewhat. And I very much love the other girls that will be in the next books. Eee. Cannot wait to re-read those books too, then Courting Darkness after that. It will be so very good. I'm sure they'll all ruin me too.

This book tells the story of seventeen year old Ismae. It begins three years earlier, with her father having just sold her into marriage. She has just gotten married, and the awful man that bought her is very eager to sleep with her right after. Shudders. Thankfully, this does not happen. Because Ismae have a secret, that her new husband does not know yet. She is the daughter of Death. And because of this, she has a huge and ugly mark on her back. When he sees this, he fears her, but also beats her. Which was so sad.

But then he leaves her. And someone else helps her leave, which is how she ends up at the convent of St. Mortain days later. And that is what this story is about. Ismae fits in with these people so well. Others like herself, daughters of Death. They all have unique gifts. And they are all trained by nuns to kill men. If they are marked by Death, of course. Three years go by, and Ismae has been doing well there. Training to kill in all the ways. Being immune to poison, and making new ones. She has a new life. That she loves.

I shall not mention much more about the plot. But yeah. It is so very good. There is not that much about the convent, to be honest. A little bit to learn who Ismae is. And learn of her friends, Sybella and Annith, whom will both be important later on. I loved that they were all friends. Sigh. Ismae gets her first mission to kill a man at age seventeen. Then her second one right after. It goes well. But then she gets sent on a different assignment, far away from the convent. She is set to spy at the court for the Duchess of Brittany.

Which is where this story truly starts. I have already written way too much about this book, lol. But I could not help myself. Or stop once I started. Ismae is to stay at court, looking for traitors to the throne. Looking for new people to kill as well. She has to stay there with a man, to claim to be his mistress. Gavriel Duval. And sigh. This man killed me with how much I loved him. He was the very very best. And their enemies to lovers relationship was so very good and perfect and I shipped them beyond words. They were adorable.

This book is a lot about life at court. About Ismae getting to know Duval, and a few of his friends. Whom I adored too. She also spends much time with the Duchess, Anne. She is only twelve years old. Everyone is trying to marry her. Shudders. It was creepy. And some bad things happen. It was pretty heartbreaking at times, but so very good. I loved how Ismae protected her. I loved how they became friends. And I loved learning everything about the court and such. It was interesting and exciting. Not even a boring moment.

There is so very much going on in this book. And I have already shared so much, yet not nearly enough. Everything about this book was exciting. And I always wanted to know more. There is death and treason. Hate that turns into romance. It was the most perfect relationship. Ismae and Duval were perfect together. This book is also about Ismae growing as a person. Learning more about herself. And learning more of Death and her reason for being. It was awesome to read about. I adored this girl so much. Loved her so.

Gosh, I have written so very much about this book already. I simply can't stop. And I haven't even written that much about all that happens. Grave Mercy was simply perfection. And I am so so very happy that I read it again right now. It was just what I needed. So good. This whole world that Robin has created was all kinds of perfection. I loved it so much. The book is full of great characters too. I loved getting to know all of them. Duval was my most favorite one, though. He was simply way too precious. Kind. And loving.

If you have still not read this book, then you really must. I own all the copies of it, except for the ARC. Hmph. The original hardcover cover is all kinds of gorgeous. I also very much love this newly designed paperback cover too. It also has a bonus small epilogue, and a great deleted scene as well. Which was the most adorable thing, and made me see more of Ismae and Sybella and Annith together, which they had been for three years. It was sweet. And I adore these girls beyond words. Sigh. They are awesome.

Grave Mercy was everything I wanted it to be. And I am thrilled that I finally got to read it again. This book did not disappoint. Full of amazing characters and a stunning world. Full of danger and exciting moments and death. And the very most amazing romance. Sigh. This book was so very good. I loved every single moment of it. Simply cannot wait to start Dark Triumph next, though I fear it will break me, because I had very much forgotten some details that were heartbreaking. But I also can't wait to get started. So excited.

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