A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

Hey Guys,

So I'm back again with another review, this time it is actually our book of the month for May; A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas. Once again I was the first to finish this, in fact I finished this around a week ago, but I'm only getting around to reviewing it now.
So, don't forget to pick it up, and we will see you for the collab review at the end of May. Let's get on with the review...

At first when I started this I was unsure of what was going to happen, I was satisfied with the end of ACOTAR and I thought this wasn't going to be very good. I was very much wrong, I loved this book. The writing and the descriptions were beautiful, as well as all the new and the older characters. The whole book just pretty much blew my mind. As you can tell I loved it, and I recommend you go and give it a read.

It is the second book in a trilogy, the third isn't out yet. But, the book mainly focuses on the immortal Fae. There is a girl called Feyre who gets mixed up in all the Fae business. That's all I can really say, but I do recommend it, along with all of Sarah J. Maas's books.

So this is where I depart from all of the non-spoileries in the house. I, once again, will tell you that you should definitely pick this up, and stay tuned for the end of month collab review.
If you have read this and are interested in hearing my thoughts on more specific parts click Read more >> or just scroll down.

Passanger by Alexandra Bracken

Hey guys,

I know once again it's been a while but my excuses still stand, and I'm sorry if that's a problem but I am trying. So yes today I will be reviewing Passanger by Alexandra Bracken. Before we begin I quickly like to bring up our AIP book of the month, it's A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas and there will be a collab review at the end of the month. Moving on, I hope you enjoy...

The beginning was really well written and I enjoyed it immensley, it picked up really well, and set a fast pace with lots of adventure. Then towards the end, to me, it almost seemed rushed. I enjoyed the chracters, and there relationships. And, I liked very much how it was a little bit more family orientated, which isn't something you see much in YA.

It's basically about time travel. There's this girl named Etta who is thrust into the world of time travel, and along with Nicolas (another traveler) they go on a treasure hunt through time. I very much enjoyed it, and I'd recommend it.

So, once again I am the first to read ACOMAF and I personally really recommend you go pick it up, along with the first one, if you haven't read it. I have alot of ideas brewing so you should be getting quite a few posts in the future, fingers crossed.
But, this is where I say my goodbye's all the non-spoilery people, please do give this a try, even if it is because the cover is absolutely stunning...

An Infinite Philosophy April review // collab

Hey Guys,
This is actually happening, unlike last months fail. This is the book talk for the April Book of The Month; Me and Earl and the Dying Girl!
Maud and A successfully completely it but Emile found it too hard to finish as she was so bored. As you might guess, this is going to be a negative review from all parties. Apologies if you enjoyed it.

But first we will announce the May Book of the Month.
*drumroll please*

Have a great month reading this highly anticipated sequel and we'll see you at the end of the month for the book talk!

Anyway, onto Me and Earl and the Dying Girl (warning: this review is not meaning to offend it's just our opinions so enjoy :))

Maud
I got through this book within the space of about 24 hours as I didn't mind it at most parts.
I just really hate how Greg keeps saying that the book is so lame and stupid and that we shouldn't keep reading. I just really want him to get onto it. 
I really didn't like any of the characters and couldn't at all relate which made it extra hard to get into it. I especially dislikes Greg and Earl. Ear was really violent and although he was sad about Rachel, he told Greg that he wasn't loved etc and it was really horrible. The character building was really poor. The storyline of this book was pretty generic and quite like TFIOS but just with a really lame protagonist. I liked some bits of the book like the idea of making Rachel a movie but the way it was written was very disappointing :/ 
Overall, I think that the idea of what happens is nice but it was portrayed in a very uninteresting way.



A
I, as usual, was the first to read it, and at first I thought it was great, but slowly it got worse in my eyes. I was disappointed in the overall arc of the story, it started well but half way through seemed to just collapse. It irritated me, much like Maud, how he went on about how we shouldn't read the book, it inadvertently put me off it. Some of the humour did hit home, for instance at the beginning with the introduction to Greg's school. The dynamics between each of the families felt very unrealistic, the situation with Earl's family almost surreal. Though a lot of people say it's like TFIOS, to me it was like the opposite, if anything it felt like Paper Towns to me.
Finally, I feel the whole Rachel situation was so underwhelming, Greg left the hospital and became very self centred for a few chapters, then we find out she's dead. I'm just like; What!
So, overall, brilliant beginning, crappy ending.


Emile

I am not a big fan of this book. My main issue with it is the protagonist, Greg. He is meant to relatable because he is chubby and apparently not very good looking and hates his life. Personally for me this is not relatable. Greg spent the entire book basically trying to persuade us not to read the book by repeatedly saying that it's "stupid" or "inane". When even the protagonist is telling you that the book is bad, it doesn't make you want to read it.

I found that there wasn't much character dynamic and I didn't really like any of the characters. Greg got on my nerves, Earl is a bit of an idiot and we don't even find out much about Rachel. His Dad was my favourite character because he's a bit of a nutter. I found the humour really weird in this book. It wasn't funny, or even so stupid it was funny, it just wasn't funny. When Greg starts explaining that his lunch looks like alien barf, or when he gets high because one of his teachers puts weed in his pho, I didn't laugh. I just wanted to hit my head against the wall. I didn't finish this book. Honestly there is nothing about it that I really enjoyed, but I didn't really really hate it either. It just isn't for me. I didn't finish it.

Feel free to let us know what you liked and didn't like about Me and Earl and the Dying girl, we would love to know
See you next month,
-A, Maud and Emile

My Favourite TV shows

Hey Guys,

So you may have noticed I've been absent for a long time. Most of April actually, and I'm very sorry. My life sort of just blew up. I had dance quite a few times, and then a dance show, my mum did something to the sciatic nerve in her back and it's causing her a lot of pain, so I've been helping a lot around the house and finally when I did have time to write something I went to upload it, my computer crashed and everything was lost. So yes, I did throw a little tantrum when my post disappeared, but I will have to re-write it soon. Also in the news section, soon we have the 'An Infinite Philosophy' end of month review, which I promise will happen this month.

Anyway, I've been meaning to do this post for a really long time, but because this is a book blog I was worried about it. Today, however I just thought 'screw it' and here I am. So I'm going to list, not count down, my favourite TV shows, most of these are on Netflix, but the rest are still on T.V, so let's get started...

1. Hustle...
This I started watching last year, my family bought the box set, and we watched all of them. It's about a team of con artists, and each episode is a different con. It's really interesting to try and work how stuff is happening. I'd recommend it.

2. Friends...
I feel like this has got to be on everyone's favourites list. I've been watching friends my entire life, and it still doesn't fail to make me laugh every time. The idea is really interesting because it's not outrageous it's just simple yet it is amazing. If you haven't watched it yet, please do!

3. Hawaii five-o...
This one is fairly new to me but I still love it. I began watching this around two years ago, season six is currently showing on TV. It's about a police squad in Hawaii called five-o, it's can be quite gross but also really funny, and the crimes are always more extreme than a basic robbery.

4. Vampire Diaries...
This is very new on my radar, but I am on season four at the moment and loving it. The name sounds really cheesy and very Twilight, but it's not. It is about vampire's but it's a different way of looking at them. I enjoy it though I don't think everyone would.

5. Reign...
Another new one, I like this because it's historical with a bit of mystery and magic thrown in. It's about Mary Queen of Scots and it's amazing. Like I mentioned, there is a very mysterious feeling to it, as well as being quite love and hate orientated. It's almost a fun way to learn about the royal affairs of the 16th century.

6. Dance Academy...
This one sounds a little stupid. I started watching this because it's mainly focused on ballet, and I love watching ballet dancers, they just make it look so cool. Anyway, after a while I just got really into it. It's about a girl called Tara who attends a school for dance in Australia, it's surprisingly good.

7. House...
This one's a little more adult than the rest of them. It's about a man named House who works in a hospital, he is the leader of their 'diagnostic group'. All the cases are more extreme than a cold, and House is an complete ass-hole. However, I really enjoy the show and it's interesting to learn about all the medical stuff.

Sorry the collage is so small but I hope you can see all the names.
So, I hope you enjoyed that, I know it was a little different, but I hope that's OK. Feel free to comment below if you watch any of these, or what your favourite TV shows are, I would really appreciate it. Also, once again, look out for the AIP collab review.

-A

A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab

Hey Guys,

I am finally back with another review, I know, it's been a while. I have been in the worst slump for a long time. I pushed through with Lady Midnight and then fell again, however I finally pulled my ass back up and finished A Gathering of Shadows. At the moment I'm toying between contemporaries, so I'd appreciate it if you'd tell me your favourite contemporary book down below. On with the review...

All the feels, I can't put into words how shocked I was come the end of the book. This is the sequel to A Darker Shade of Magic, and it was fabulous. It's been a while since I read ADSOM so it took me a while to learn the world and familiarize myself with the characters and the previous story; though once I did it was incredible.

Victoria has a unique way of writing that you might not pick up on, I feel like she focuses on the smaller things to make the bigger things feel more ominous and present in the book.
A Darker Shade of Magic centres around the idea that Kell, our main character, is one of the last Antari. An Antari is someone who can travel between the parallel universes dubbed as: Red London, White London, Black London and Grey London. That's all I'm going to say, though I recommend you read it.

So there we go, I hope you enjoyed this non-spoiler section, you can continue forth to read my thoughts on more specific parts of the book. Apologies for everything going on with the March collab review I promise it will be up soon. You can also pick up our book for April which is Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews.

HAMILTON!!

Hey guys,

So back at the beginning of March I wrote a post called 'The Colleen Hoover Book Tag' (linked at the bottom) in which I gave a brief mention to the musical Hamilton, well it's soundtrack. Since then I have become so wholly obsessed with the music. I recommend you listen to it if you haven't. Anyway, I've been meaning to do the Hamilton Book tag for weeks and just haven't gotten around to it, so here it is.
A part of the tag is miming along to the songs, as that is semi impossible in writing, I will just quote the song.

Finally for the intro, I would just like to say that the Lady Midnight 'collab review' will be going up today or tomorrow, we are sorry for the delay. Now on to the tag...

"I guess I'm gonna finally have to listen to you; talk less, smile more. Do whatever it takes to get my plan on the congress floor" - The Room Where it Happens
What book world would you put yourself into?
To avoid being generic and saying Harry Potter, I am going to go with Perculiardom from Miss Peregrines Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs. This is just a really cool world where anything is possible and I'd like to experience it first hand.

"Take Phillip Skylar, the man loaded. uh oh but little does he know that his daughters Peggy, Angelica, Eliza sneak into the city just to watch all the guys" - The Schuyler Sisters
Which female character do you feel is underrated?
For this I am going to say Emilia from Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys, this was our AIP book for February. I feel although many people love her, her efforts and intelligence are over looked. She did a lot for all the other characters as well as herself.

"So let me spell out my name, I am the A L, E X, A N D, E R we are meant to be a colony that runs independently" - My Shot
Name a character who goes after what they want?
For this I'm going to go with a TV character because I feel like I don't talk about TV enough. So, from Vampire Diaries I choose Katherine, I feel like she just won't give up. She's after the prize and nothings going to get in her way.

*Spoilers* (for All the Bright Places)

"Every one attack! Retreat! Attack! Retreat! What are you doing Lee? Get back on your feet. There are so many of them. I'm sorry, is this not your speed? Hamilton? Ready sir. Have Lafayette take the lead. Yes sir!" - Stay Alive
Again to avoid genricism (new word of the day) I am going to avoid the obvious (*cough* Half Blood Prince) and say Finch from All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven. I was quietly sad about this, but it slowly set in until I was in hysterics.

"Your words flooded my senses, your sentences left me defenceless. You built me palaces out of paragraphs, you built cathedrals" - Burn
The most devastating end to a relationship?
I have to incorporate Throne of Glass somewhere. Celaena and Chaol, even though I don't ship it, the events that went down surrounding there relationship were insane. Crazy, if you haven't read Throne of Glass reassess your life and go read it.

"You'll be back, like before. I will fight the fight, and win the war, for your love, for you praise and I'll love you 'til my dying days" - You'll Be Back
The sassiest of villains?
For this I'm going to say Holland from A Darker Shade of Magic. Even though he wasn't the sole villain, he was still pretty antagonistic (new word?) and the sass levels on that bitch. Jeez...

"Angelica, thank god! Someone who understands what I'm struggling here to do. I'm not here for you, I know my sister like I know my own mind, you will never find anyone as trusting or as kind" - The Reynolds Pamphlet
A book twist you didn't see coming?
For this I'm going to have to go with the betrayal at the end of Red Queen. This took me by complete surprise and I can imagine that I looked like a fish while trying to absorb it.

"Gentlemen of the jury I'm curious, bare with me, are you aware that we're making history? This is the first murder trial of our brand new nation, the liberty behind deliberation" - Non-Stop
A series you marathoned?
I think the most recent full series I've marathoned was Percy Jackson and The Olympians I read all five of these books in a week during the summer with my friend. I recommend them, they're really fun and super quick to get through.

"I remember that night I just might regret that night for the rest of my days, I remember those soldier boys tripping over themselves to win our praise" - Satisfied
Your favourite book with multiple points of view?
For this I'm going to say Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. The level of enjoyment I got from this book (weird wording) surprised me to no end. I love all the characters individualy, to their own lengths. Plus Kaz is a total bae.

"Let me tell what I wish I'd known, when I was young and dreamed of glory" - Who lives? Who dies? Who tells your story?
A book that will go down in history?
This is what I was saving Harry Potter for. Harry Potter will be forever loved by all ages, anyone can read it, and anyone who does will fall in love with the wizarding world. So if you haven't read it, what are you doing on the internet? Go and read it

So there we go, I hope you enjoyed this. Please comment your answers to the questions if it pleases you. Before I go, I just wanted to add two to my 'Favourites' list: Stay Alive and Dear Theodosia. Once again I recommend you listen to the soundtrack, it's all over youtube.

- A

[Colleen Hoover book tag]

Unpopular Bookish Opinions

Hey guys,

A main post, I know, how exotic. Today I thought, as I am in desperate need to catch up on some tags, I would do the unpoplar opinions book tag. I was looking into some fun book tags and thought this one sounded interesting. Questions in black, answers in blue So with further ado I bring you...

                                                    The Unpoplar Bookish Opinions Tag
                                                                         *confetti*

Ready... set... GO!

1. A book or series you didn't like but everyone else did.

This is hard because I am such a book pushover, it doesn't take much for me to love something. But, I have an answer, please don't kill me; Carry On by Rainbow Rowel. Don't get me wrong, I love her contemporary books, I just didn't love her attempt at fantasy as much.

2. A book or series you like but every one else hates.

I guess I could pull twilight into this, but there are so many people who love it, it doesn't seem fair. I don't really have one for this, I mostly read books because of recommendations. The only ones I can think of would be books that in my opinion are unpoplular due to exposure, or lack of it. Sorry I'll just slowly back out.

3. A love triangle in which the girl/boy ended up with the wrong person.

I have an easy answer to this, Vampire Acadamy, Rose and Dimitri. I have nothing against their relationship I just personnaly way prefered Adrian. Enough said, moving on.

4. A popular genre that you hardly read.

Another farely easy one, I tend to stick to fantasy (high and urban), contemporary and now dystopian occasionally. For this I'm going to say Sci-Fi, I hardly read it. I know there are some great Sci-Fi books on the shelves I just never really pick them up.

5. A popular chracter you didn't like.

Umm Jace Wayland/Herondale/Morgenstern/Lightwood please don't shoot me. I don't dislike him, I just didn't reallt like him. That made no sense, I feel like he was alright, and I liked his relationship with clary, but I din't love him like very one else does. Also, I think the show has slightly tainted my feelings for him.

6. A popular author you can't get into.

Philip Pullman. He wrote the Northen Lights and the Ruby in the Smoke series's (umm... new word?). I just can't read his books. I can be quite impatient with books, it needs to grip me and fast or I'll put it down. I find Philip's writing to be quite dense and slow, and I just don't get on with it.

7. A popular book trope or movie trope that you tired of seeeing.

The reason I mentioned film as well is because the 'trope' I'm getting annoyed with is in film. Parctularly the book to movie adaptations. My problem is; stretching the last book into a two part film. It irritates me, not everything should be in two parts.

8. A popular series you don't plan on reading.

Another fairly straight forward one, The Maze Runner. I know there are tons of people that love this book, then there are people who don't. The mixed reviews have tainted my opinion and excitement, and I just have no real interest in reading it.

9. What movie was better than the book.

As the saying goes; the book is always better than the film, but which would you say is the other way around. Recently I have been extreme binge watching Vampire Diaries on the netflix, and I read one of the books. If you didn't gather from that what I was getting at, I way prefer the ampire Diaries show to the books (or book)

So that my friends in the unpopular opinions book tag. I hope you were thoroughly offended by my unpoplular opinions and I will see you soon.

-A