Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas - Review

**A note on my notes: This review will be spoiler free if you have read Throne of Glass and Crown of Midnight.**

"Queen of Traitor? Only she can decide."

Heir of Fire starts off with Celaena in Wendlyn. She's desperate to find some answers regarding the Wrydkeys and how to stop the King from using them. In order to do so, she's forced to spend several months training with a Fae warrior called Rowan, and Celaena is not very keen on this at all. The novel also follows Chaol and Dorian back in Adarlan, as well as introducing some new perspectives.

The Good
This book introduces a lot of new characters, and I loved all of them. All of their voices were different, and it was very easy to tell when the perspective changed, which is always a sign of a talented author. Heir of Fire brings a lot (and I mean a lot) more information about the world the story is set in. There's a lot more backstory and a lot of new discoveries that answered some of the many questions I had after reading Crown of Midnight. The last 100 or so pages of this book just take it to a whole new level, and I read the end section probably twice as fast as I read the beginning.

The Bad Slightly Less Than Good 
It took me a lot longer to get into this book that it did for the first two. But the ending really made up for it, so I wasn't bothered at all by the extra time it took me. This book is also a lot longer than the first two, which again, isn't a bad thing at all... It just means that it takes a little longer to get through. Other than that, I can't really fault this book at all.

The Recommendation
Obviously, if you've read the first two books, then you should 100% continue on with the series. If you haven't read the first two books, you really need to. They're amazing. I've done reviews for them here and here. I've also done video review for all three books on my YouTube channel, which is linked at the end of each post. I've you're into any kind of fantasy, then you will really love this series.

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Reign Season One - Review

**A note on my notes: This review is spoiler free.**

Reign tells the story of Mary Queen of Scots' rise to power. The series begins with Mary returning to the French castle at age fifteen, and follows her as she tries to navigate her way through French Court with her four best friends and ladies in waiting. The show is very much a drama with many romances and betrayals.

The Good
I saw this show advertised on social media as Gossip Girl in the medieval era, which is why I started watching it. And I absolutely love this show! There is always so much going on; there are so many plot lines that begin before its preceding one concludes. I really enjoyed the acting for every character. The setting is always beautiful, as is the costumes (the dresses the girls get to wear are always so gorgeous). The episodes are easy to watch and the storylines are very easy to follow. This show is so addicting and the cliffhangers immediately made me want to watch the next episode.

The Bad
Like all good dramas, there is obviously a lot of dramatic elements to the show. There are so many betrayals, so many problems to be dealt with that sometimes the show can seem to be a bit repetitive. Characters sometimes make the same mistakes more than once, which can be frustrating for the audience.

The Recommendation 
If you're a fan of Gossip Girl or any drama that's similar, then I recommend that you watch this show. It's very addictive, so make sure you start it at a time where you can binge watch it if necessary.

Happy Watching

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Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas - Review

**A note on my notes: If you haven't read Throne of Glass, then you might be spoiled. If you have, there are no spoilers.**

"Before she was deadly. Now she is unstoppable." 

Crown of Midnight is the second book in the Throne of Glass series. I posted my review of the first book here, and a further discussion of my thoughts here. Crown of Midnight follows Celaena, the newly appointed King's Champion, as she does whatever she can to save the lives of those she's been ordered to kill. In doing so, she falls further and further into troubles and alliances that she never wanted to be a part of.

The Good
I loved this book a lot more than I loved Throne of Glass, which really is saying something because I gave them both five stars. Crown of Midnight really is a step up from the first book: there's a lot more action, a lot more Chaol and a lot more intensely interesting discoveries. The magic of the world and what happened to it is a lot more foregrounded in this book, which I really liked. I also loved the ending. And, Celaena is a lot more kickass in this one.

The Bad Not as Good
If you're team Dorian, then you might not enjoy this as much because it's Choal's time to shine. This book is also a lot more emotional than Throne of Glass, which really isn't a bad thing but it really does tug on your heart strings.

The Recommendation
Obviously, if you read Throne of Glass and you loved it, then you should for sure pick of this book. If you read Throne of Glass and you didn't think it lived up to the hype, then you should still give this book a go, because I think this one really steps up.

Happy Reading!! 

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The Giver - Movie Review

**A note on my notes: This review is spoiler free**


"The worse part of holding the memories is not the pain. It's the loneliness of it. Memories need to be shared."

The Giver was originally a book published in 1993 (which I've posted a review on here). The story follows a young boy called Jonas who lives in a perfect world where everything is the same and everyone is equal. There's no war, no famine, no hunger and no hatred; yet, Jonas knows something is still missing. This film is a beautiful commentary on the importance of the freedom of choice and the value of love. 

The Good 

If you've read the book before going into this movie, then you won't be disappointed. There are several changes and a lot of things were added in, but I felt that these things only added to the story rather than taking away from it. I thought the acting was really good; even Taylor Swift did an alright job in this regard. The world building was done pretty well. The ending was so beautiful and it made me feel so warm and fuzzy inside. I also really enjoyed the soundtrack.

The Bad 

I didn't like the beginning of this movie. I found it boring and dragged on for a little too long. The same goes for the whole black and white thing... If you go to see this movie, don't stress!! Eventually things do become in colour, but I wish that there was some illusion to this in the beginning. The only other thing I didn't like was the characterisation of the Elder. In saying this though, it didn't take away from the movie's message. 

The Recommendation

If you read this book, no matter how many years ago it was, then I think you will enjoy this adaptation. If you haven't read this book, then you're not at a disadvantage because for the most part, everything is clearly explained. If you're a dystopian fan, then this world would be really interesting for you as well! 

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The Giver by Lois Lowry - Review

**A note on my notes: This review is spoiler free.**

"The worse part of holding the memories is not the pain. It's the loneliness of it. Memories need to be shared."

The Giver is a young adult dystopian novel that seeks to question the importance of choice and freedom. The story follows Jonas, a young boy who lives within a perfect community, a community with no war, no hunger and no pain, and Jonas couldn't imagine it any other way. Until, of course, he can.

The Good

This world was fantastic! I was so intrigued about the world that I could read books upon books that just described it, because I'm still desperate to know more. The story was also extremely fast paced, and the book is short so I got through it very quickly. The overall concept of this novel is extremely interesting and thought-provoking. I really enjoyed this read!

The Bad

I loved this world so much that I wanted to hear more about it, and there was just so much left unexplained. I also think the ending was a little too ambiguous; however, there are two companion novels and one direct sequel which were written over a decade after The Giver's first publication. I found that the novel did jump ahead in time a lot more than I liked, especially towards the middle and ending... The first third of the novel follows almost every day of Jonas' life, but from the middle onwards chapters sometimes jumped weeks ahead, which I found annoying because I just wanted to know more.

The Recommendation 

Everyone should read this book. Absolutely everyone, because it raises important questions and values that everyone can learn from. I would especially recommend this book to someone who was new to the dystopian genre, or if you've been reading a lot of dystopians and you want something from that genre that is a lot less violent. 

Happy Reading! 

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Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas - Review

**A note on my notes: This review is spoiler free.**

"Libraries were full of ideas - perhaps the most dangerous and powerful of all weapons."

Throne of Glass is a new(ish) young adult fantasy series that follows the life of Celaena Sardothien, an 18-year-old girl who was the very best assassin in the kingdom. That is, until she was captured. After spending a year in a salt-mine death camp, the Crown Prince of Adarlan, presents her with an offer she can't refuse: serve as the King's Champion for four years and she can earn her freedom. To become King's Champion, Celaena must compete for the position against twenty-three of the land's most accomplished soldiers and infamous criminals. Along the way, she forms unlikely alliances and interesting friendships and begins to notice that not everything in the castle is as it seems...

The Good
This book is absolutely fantastic! I loved the characters and thought they were all really well developed. Celaena is such a great heroine and I loved reading about her and learning about her life. I also loved this world! I've haven't been so invested in a fictional world in such a long time and I just found this world so interesting. The world-building was also really subtlety written so there aren't sections where you feel overwhelmed by the world-building. The plot is so fast paced that I could easily have read this book all in one sitting.

The Bad Not as Good
I didn't really have any problems with this book at all. The only thing that I wish I could change would be the detail that we're given about the tests that the contestants have to do to stay in the competition; however, in order for this to happen the book would have had to take place over a shorter period of time.

The Recommendation
If you're looking for a book that you know you'll love, then you should read this. I loved this book so much that I am recommending it to everyone, because I seriously think everyone will love it.

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A Subjective Guide to Genre - Choosing Your Next Book

**A note on my notes: This post is of my opinion only, and I'm not an expect.**

Choosing your next book is hard. 

We've all been there - when you have so many books that you haven't read, but you have no idea how to choose which one to read next. When this happens to me, I tend to choose a genre that I'm in the mood for and pick a book from it. These are the genres that I usually feel in the mood to read.

Contemporary
If you're searching for a light, easy read, then the contemporary genre is where you need to look. Often featuring cute romances and beautiful friendships, good books from this genre can easily make you laugh and cry within a few pages. If you're in a reading slump, then contemporary is usually a good genre to dive into because they're often short, stand-alone books that you can get through quickly. Some of my favourite contemporary author's are Rainbow Rowell, Nicholas Sparks, and I'd also 100% recommend Wonder by R.J. Palacio and The Simple Gift by Steven Herrick.

Fantasy
Fantasy books are often a commitment because they usually come in a huge series. Fantasy is split into two sections (that I read, anyway): urban fantasy and epic fantasy. If you're new to the fantasy genre or if you don't really feel like learning a whole new world, stick to urban fantasy (which is set in the world as we know it, but with fantastical elements, while epic fantasy is in an entirely different world). Some fantasy series that I love are the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, the Obernewtyn chronicles by Isobelle Carmody and the Infernal Devices trilogy by Cassandra Clare. If you're looking for some fantasy stand-alones, then I would recommend Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta or Stardust by Neil Gaiman.

Dystopian 
This is one of my favourite genres, and I think that it always is the most enjoyable when you hate the world. If you're feeling depressed about something that's happening in the world that you can't change it, or if you're reflecting on how shit people are or how nothing is fair, then you need a dystopian book. These books often come in trilogies, although there are several classic dystopian stand-alones that I really enjoyed. Of this genre, I would recommend The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins, the Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth and any dystopian I mention in the classics section.

Science Fiction
I love science fiction a lot, but it's not a genre that I read that often. I often find that sci-fi is a good cross between fantasy and dystopian, so if you're feeling like one of those genres but can't quick pick something, try looking in the science fiction genre. Some of my favourites include Ender's Game and Pathfinder, both by Orson Scott-Card, as well as The Host by Stephanie Meyer. 

Classics
It's not often that I'm in the mood for a classic, but when I'm feeling really smart (or that I need to be more well-read), I usually quite enjoy them. Most classics are a challenge, so don't pick them up when you're looking for something to read quickly. For me, classic dystopians are my favourite, and I'd recommend reading Nineteen Eighty-Four and Animal Farm by George Orwell, as well as A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess. Other classics that I've enjoyed have been Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (although don't expect to get through this quickly), To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee and The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett.

Historical Fiction
I don't read much of this genre either, but the books that I have read from it have been really good. Books from this genre often tug at your heart strings, so if you want an emotional book, something from this genre will give you that (especially some World War II fiction). My favourite historical fiction books are The Book Thief by Markus Zusak and Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen.

Hopefully, the next time you're stuck trying to choose your next book, you can come back to this list and make an informed decision. Happy reading!

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Top 5 Book Casts

Character development is essential for a novel to be successful. Often, I'll continue reading a book that I think is weak in terms of plot in order to discover what happens to the characters. As a reader, I love when a book has characters that I can invest emotionally in, because it only adds to the story. This post lists the books or series of books that have my favourite cast of characters.

5. Wonder by R.J. Palacio
This book is one that I've read in 2014 and I absolutely loved it. The characters in this book are just so perfectly developed and they are so realistic. If you haven't read this book, I would definitely read it (and I've done a review of it here if you're interested). This book has multiple perspectives, which enhances each character so much and hearing a different perspective on certain issues always manages to change your opinions somehow.

4. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Not only is this book narrated by an interesting character (Death), but it's filled with so many more complex characters that interact so well with each other. Mama and Papa are just beautiful human beings that are so realistically described and Liesel and Rudy are both incredibly accurate characters in terms of them both being children. These characters are just beautiful and I would read this book if you haven't already (and I've done a review of it here).

3. The Infernal Devices trilogy by Cassandra Clare
If you haven't read this series, you really should (I haven't done a review, but Google these books and you'll fall in love). It contains some of the most brilliant characters I've ever read. Magnus Bane is a hilarious gay warlock (which definitely makes him sound as awesome as he is) who brings a unique perspective to life due to his insane age (he's very, very old.). Then there's Will Herondale and Jem Carstairs, who have the most beautiful friendship and interact so well together. And of course, Tessa, who isn't my favourite character, but she works so well in this trilogy.

2. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
This book is easily one  of my all-time favourites (review), and the incredible characters play a huge part in this. Cath is so easy to relate to and has a million qualities that so many people can identify with. The same goes for all of the characters. The issues and struggles that each character has to overcome are so realistic. They all feel so personal. And they're all so loveable.

1. The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
(If you haven't read these books... what are you doing with your life?). I believe that part of the reason for the success of these books is the characters. Although they're all so unreal in that they are witches/wizards that are from a world that we know we can never visit or relate to, they are so easy to understand as human beings. Children from all over the world were able to identify with these characters because not only do they have to save the world, but they also have to deal with real-world issues, like being outshone by your best friend, falling in love and growing up.

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Favourite Book to Movie Adaptations

**A note on my notes: These are my opinions only and I'm not an expert on this subject (although I wish I was). Accept that perception is a real thing that exists and don't claim that I'm wrong or you're more right.**

I love books. I also love movies. I don't always love book-to-movie adaptations. So when one of my favourite books is about to be turned into a movie, you could understand why I get a little nervous. I mean, you saw The Hunger Games (or didn't see, with all the shaky camera...) or Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief (yes I know I haven't read the book, but the adaptation was still terrible) so you probably all know exactly what I'm talking about.

While book-to-movie adaptations definitely make me nervous, and I do end up hating a lot of them, there are some that just get everything right. Here is a short list of all the book-to-movie adaptations that I am truly grateful for. (Note: the list is in no particular order.)

1. Catching Fire
The Hunger Games movie was bitterly disappointing. Granted, it had a few moments where I was happy, but overall, the entire movie was a let down. Because of that, I really wasn't that excited for Catching Fire to be released, because I was preparing myself for a re-emergence of the bitter disappointment I'd felt with its predecessor. However, I didn't need to prepare for that at all! Catching Fire was such a beautiful movie, because it so accurately portrayed the book. I was completely happy with this movie. Johanna. That's all I'm going to say.

2. The Book Thief
Now I read this book after I saw the movie, so my opinion of the movie might be a little different had I read the book first... But I also highly doubt that, because I read the book straight after and noticed hardly any differences between the book and movie. I think the casting for this movie was perfection. The acting was just beautiful. I also thought the portrayal of Death as the narrator was done well, which would have probably been the thing I was most worried about if I read the book first. But I didn't need to worry because it was done right.

3. Harry Potter in general
This is kind of a hard one to judge for me, because the time between when I read the books and when I watched the movies was so huge that I mostly didn't even remember what was going to happen. Because of that, it's hard to judge whether the movies were accurate adaptations, but they're on the list because I do remember that when I watched the movies I loved them just as much as I loved reading the books. The whole Harry Potter universe is just incredible, so I would love anything that is a part of the Wizarding World.

4. Water for Elephants
This is another one where I read the book after seeing the movie, but in this instance it was a couple of years after. However, I remember that I loved the movie when I first watched it, and then I loved the book when I read it in July of this year. I can't say whether it was an accurate adaptation, but from what I gathered, the major details were the same and I did really enjoy both the movie and the book, which is why it's on the this list.

5. The Perks of Being a Wallflower
This book was brilliant, and so was the movie. It was such a faithful adaptation and the movie really captured the essence and tone of the book and its story. I think the acting in Perks was perfect, and the casting was so accurate. I was extremely happy with the way this movie turned out.

6. Divergent
I really enjoyed the Divergent book series, but to be completely honest, I wasn't expecting the movie to amount to much. I thought that there were a lot of emotional scenes that just wouldn't work on screen as well as they did in the book. But I was pretty impressed with the adaptation! It's not my favourite movie and there were a few things that I wasn't happy with, but overall, the movie just made me so pumped. There was so much adrenaline running through me after seeing it, which is why I'm putting it on my list of favourites, because it captured the tone of the book.

Those are six book to move adaptations that I think were extremely successful. Let me know what your favourite adaptations are. Happy Reading!

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Favourite Villians

As a young adult and university student, I spend (or waste) a lot of time watching YouTube videos. Recently, I've been obsessed with the BookTube community - a significant group of YouTuber's who regularly upload videos that are book related in some way (for example, book reviews, book to movie adaptations, favourite books and authors and all that jazz). A few months ago, one of my favourite BookTuber's posted a video in collaboration with two other BookTuber's in which they discussed some of their favourite fictional villains, which has inspired this post. If you're interested in seeing the original video, here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHsaxDjSbzo

1. Professor Delores Umbridge - Harry Potter Series by J.K Rowling
If you don't hate on Delores, there's literally something wrong with you. Literally. She is one of the most ignorant fictional book characters that I've ever read. When Harry doesn't agree with what she's teaching and he stands up for what he values, Umbridge punishes him in one of the most cruel ways I've ever seen. I don't even think that she's an evil character, but her obsession with pleasing and being recognised by the highest authority drives her to commit any act, no matter how terrible. She desperately needs attention from who she sees as the highest authority and I just can't stand her.

2. Count Olaf - A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
It's been a while since I read this series and I never actually even completed all thirteen books, but Jesse sparked my memory of this character from his list in the video, and I completely agree with his argument. The three siblings all try desperately hard to figure out what's going on and to escape Olaf, but he always somehow manages to be one step ahead of them. No matter what they do, he has predicted it and figured out a way to stop their plans immediately. He's such a manipulative and sneaky character, and this along with the infuriating aspect of him being a mastermind are what make him such a good villain.

3. Alex - A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
This one's bending the rules a bit I think, because Alex is actually the protagonist of the novel, but he's a really bad person. He really enjoys raping women and any sort of violence, but the novel is written in such a way that you as the reader easily sympathise with him. So he counts.

4. Bellatrix LeStrange - Harry Potter series by J.K Rowling
I don't really know why, but I think Bellatrix is a great character. She's kind of pathetically obsessed with Voldemort and will do absolutely anything to please him. She's also pretty damn crazy, especially in the movies. I just love her childish behaviour and her total lack of empathy.

5. The Government - any dystopian novel ever written
If you've read a dystopian novel, you know what I'm talking about. The government always makes bad decisions that ruin the lives of so many people, and it's up to a select few to fix the entire world. They're a pretty cliché villain, but I think that having the government as an antagonist is a brilliant idea, because it's so easily relatable. And by that, I mean that no one will ever agree with every political decision ever made and governmental bodies sometimes screw up in our society.

So they're some of my favourite villains, and really, as much as I hate some of them they're a lot of my favourite characters. A good villain often makes for a good book. People are complex, and so are characters.

Top 5 Literary Couples

Valentine's Day. You either love it (because you're in a great relationship, or your a dreamy and whimsical person) or you hate it (because you're single, because you're in a relationship but struggle to find your romantic side, or you're unemployed and can't afford to waste money on sentiment). The grey area between the two teams for this 'special day' is limited. So I apologise if you're the latter, but I am the former, and what better way to celebrate my love for Valentine's Day then by sharing some of my favourite literary couples?

Some of these couples are straight from the books, while others are the characters I have shipped and would be together if I was their author. Also, I don't read a lot of contemporary novels (I have yet to read anything by John Green or Rainbow Rowell) so don't be shocked when I don't mention characters from the popular books in the genre most dedicated to love and relationships. If you hate being spoiled, stay away from this post if you haven't read The Secret Garden, The Simple Gift, The Book Thief or the Harry Potter Series. Finally, these are in no particular order; trying to pick only five was hard enough already.

1. Luna and Neville - the Harry Potter Series by J.K Rowling
I have a lot of respect for J.K Rowling and I usually accept her opinions of her characters, storylines and overall world as absolute fact. After all, it's her creation and who am I to say that she's wrong about something she created in her imagination? However, when I first discovered that Luna and Neville marry completely different characters I was horrified. To me, they are the perfect couple. Luna and Neville are both oddballs; they don't fit in and they probably never will. Neville, in the beginning, is so self-conscious, always nervous and lacks even the tiniest drop of confidence. He just wants to fit in and doesn't enjoy being the laughing stock. Luna, on the other hand, is intelligent, self-confident and happy with who she is as a person. She doesn't spare a single thought for how she could try and fit in or how other people might react to her. She is everything Neville needs to be. I believe that the transformation Neville goes through is partly influenced by his desire to be with Luna. These two will forever be shipped in my heart, no matter what J.K Rowling says.

2. Billy and Caitlin - The Simple Gift by Steven Herrick
Billy and Caitlin meet under peculiar circumstances - while working her shift at McDonald's, Caitlin witnesses Billy scavenging off other people's leftovers - which makes their relationship even more interesting. Billy is a character overwhelmed with struggles. After running away from his abusive father, he suddenly finds himself with nothing. No home, no money, no where to go and no one who cares. In a stark contrast to Billy, Caitlin has a privledged life. She comes from a wealthy background and is blessed with a large home and a prestigious education. The two make a good couple because they open the other's eyes to a totally different world that they've been taught to believe is less desirable than their own. Billy and Caitlin help each other to expand their narrow perspectives and to become better people.

3. Mary and Dickon - The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Mary goes through a massive transformation throughout the book, and a lot of that has to do with Dickon. Their relationship is an innocent friendship between young children and I don't think there are any romantic feelings from either party. Despite this, the two have so much fun together and just love the other's company. As well as this, Dickon is a good influence on Mary and helps her to understand what it feels like to be truly happy. Mary is extremely excited to see Dickon and as soon as she leaves him, she can't wait to see him again the next day. Dickon is so devoted to helping Mary with the secret garden and his loyalty and dependability is adorable. They are the best of friends, and I hope that they fall in love as they grow older or at least maintaining the brilliant relationship they have.

4. Ron and Hermione - the Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
There will always be people who ship Hermione with Harry. If you're one of those people. you're wrong. Ron and Hermione are perfect for each other. At the beginning of the series, Ron feels as though he isn't intelligent enough, courageous enough or just plain good enough to be in Gryffindor, while Hermione is a snobby know-it-all who is too smart for her own good. As their friendship grows from 'people who only hang out because they have a mutual friend' to 'people who are friends but not close' to 'people whose friendship with each other is equally as strong as the friendship they share with their mutual friend', they start to rub off on each other. Ron starts to be more confident in himself and isn't afraid to share his ideas and Hermione stops being so uptight all the time and occasionally even cracks a good joke. They make each other stronger, better and more comfortable in their own skin - the foundation of any above average relationship. I will always support Ron and Hermione, also despite what J.K Rowling says.

5. Liesel and Rudy - The Book Thief by Markus Zuzak
Technically, I haven't read the book; it's sitting on my TBR shelf and I plan on getting around to it soon (I know, 'that's what they all say', but I actually do. Promise.). I have seen the movie, and it is this medium on which I have based my opinions, so I apologise if they don't always accurately reflect the original text. Rudy helps to bring Liesel out of the grief-caused shell that she locked away her mind in. He provides comic relief both for her and the audience in a story/world where everything else is so completely dark. No matter what Liesel does, Rudy is there to support her and help her protect what she thinks is important. They know the other's flaws and imperfections and love them anyway, making their relationship so beautiful.

These couples are important to me because their relationships are so relatable and believable that they are more than just characters, they're people who live in their literature.