Liz* ~ Procrastinator Extraordinaire

I really was just going to let it go. I was. But he is starting to piss me off

I have a screen shot of this but it has my name on it so I'm just copying and pasting the message from him on GR

rom:	Tony McFadden
to:	Shelby
subject:	???
message:	What prompted the rash of 1-star reviews -- sorry, ratings (with no explanation) -- for every single one of my books?  Something I said? Pretty petty, considering you haven't read them. Happy New Year.  Karma's a bitch.

BWAHAHA.

I have read my share of mythology books, but never one with a table of content like this.

From: http://cheezburger.com/7890342144

IT WAS BARRONS!

Forgive me, father, for I have sin. 
Thinking of Barrons. 
Several times. 
A day.

Always.

How awesome this writer is? (Sorry, GR. I'm gonna talk about an author...) She's incredibly bold and I don't know... sadist? The enjoyable moments in this series are few, all I do is suffer and squeeze my head trying to predict what will happen next. I don't want to start the next book because I don't want this to end, ever. 

The first chapters of this book where un fucking believable and even if I didn't think right to enjoy them (she had been through a lot) it felt so right. Well, Barrons singing and dancing was a christmas present, GUYS... he was laughing, please, just kill me already.

“You're leaving me, Rainbow Girl.” 



You said it. You can not take this back, Barrons. 

I got answers but more questions. Dani was so cool, Mac was incredibly awesome and a revolutionary. The women in this book, guys... thank you, Mrs Moning. The final chapters... I never though we were gonna see the other worlds and stuff. And the cliffhanger. It was him...

The world was changing, becoming. 

I can tell you one thing about Karen Marie Moning: she's not playing games here. Yoda just said it.

First of all, how about that V'lane&Mac interviews? I finally understood what's going on. Why the walls were falling, the origin of the Unseelie, who was the Dark King and why he did what he did, what's the Beast and what role is almost everybody playing. Of course, one of the remain questions was and still is: what the hell is Barrons? but I'm not even mad. I appreciate how brilliant Moning was giving us a kickass start in the first chapters and how the excitement and suspense kept up 'till the very freaking end...

Dani, O'Duffy and Christian were fantastic additions to the series.Dani and O'Duffy were very likable and their stubbornness and courage would make them both excellent allies on the next installments. Christian has the potential to be even something more, just sayin'.

CJ and Mac's relationship is changing, I think after everything she went through in the second book, he is finally seeing her as a determined woman and not a whiny girl anymore. He's different around her, losing self-control and accepting her, I guess. But who knows? Barrons is not human so there's no way to really get him. I really liked the Voice training sessions. And the MacHalo scene was priceless...

"I smile sometimes. I even laughed about your... hat"

She's changing, she's accepting the darkness and loneliness of her reality and she's willing to do whatever it takes (cannibalism is on the list) to avenge her sister. Amazing how after three books our main character didn't forget the reason she's doing all this, not even with three hot men around, not even when life could be a little more easy if she just hid behind self-pity and fear.

“Who the fuck are you, Ms. Lane?”
Rage filled me. Rage at what had been done to her. Rage at him for bringing it up. The thought that no one could see or judge me was liberating. I swelled with grief and anger.
“Now tell me who you are.”
“Vengeance,” I said in a cold voice.

Finally, that ending. What am I supposed to do with my life now?

Or at least that's what I told myself. From day one she said, and let me quote it for you:
"When they are done with a woman, she's a mess. It gets in her blood. It takes a long time for her to recover-but at least she's alive. Which means a chance to fight another day. To help try to find a way to return our world to what it once was.
To send those Fae bastards back to whatever hell they came from." 

And you know what? Deep down, I kinda knew it but that doesn't help me from the fact that what we fear the most happened and now she's broken... is she? What will happen now? The walls are down, she'll die for him, someone betrayed the side-seer and I wouldn't bet on Barrons' innocence, not even for all his hotness.

I'm so excited about book 4 and I can't wait for another 5 star party!

4 *freaking solid* stars

It's our action that defines us. What we choose. What we resist. What we're willing to die for. 

I think I could describe Bloodfever as intense, fearless, brilliant, addictive, unputdownable and even then you wouldn't know how awesome this book is. 

The writing is addictive. Karen Marie Moning is a genius. The plot is there, I know it is, there must be... but here's the crazy thing: I have no fucking idea what the hell is going on and I don't feel betrayed at all, actually I'm so into this. I mean, she managed to capture my attention from chapter one and I just couldn't stop reading it. The best part? I'm satisfied. No complains about the lack of answers at all. The characters are incredibly complex and their development is amazing. Mac, once spoiled and annoying, is a total badass, funny, witty, flawed, resolved and so realistic I had to check twice if this was indeed UF material. Barrons is everything I want you'd ever wanted in a man if you liked incredibly strong, frustratingly enigmatic, impossible and dominating men. God, I do have issues... 

And this:

"Yes, I have loved, Ms. Lane, and although it‘s none of your business, I have lost. Many things. And no, I am not like any other player in this game and I will never be like V‘lane, and I get a hard-on a great deal more often than occasionally." He leaned fully against me and I gasped. 
"Sometimes it‘s over a spoiled little girl, not a woman at all.” 

Yes, the emotional and intense Jericho's moment when I just knew there's no hope for me. I'm fascinated by Fever. 

“The wisest man is the silent one. Examine his actions. Judge him by them.” 

Oh, I'm judging you, Barrons... and I have some crazy theories about what you are, you sexy son of a bitch.

I  blame all of you for the high expectations I had for this book. I'm not sure why but I'm between three and four stars. 

Let me tell you one thing: Darkfever kick asses. It is indeed an awesome series, I can feel it. I'm excited about this flawless world-building. I'm even more excited about the Jericho/Mac relationship. I'm so intrigued about Mac's sister murderer and it's obvious we know nothing about what really happened. I can tell there's so much more to find out and Karen Marie Moning is one of those rare authors that won't give you a stupid, whinny MC or a douchebag for a love interest.

Now, why the hesitation? It's because of all the hype. I mean, I though Jericho was synonymous of sexy times, a steamy relationship or a forbidden love. In the end, they're building a dangerous relationship. The tension was there, Jericho's hotness and maleness was there but nothing calm the needs I had for something a little more explicit, if you know what I mean. I know, I'm always complaining about how easily UF's girls loose their pants but what do women want, right? I didn't feel that attracted to Jericho. Yeah, he was hot and I love how rude he was with her (that says so much about my loving life...) but I wasn't swooning for him. Something inside me says: NOT YET... I'm listening.

Coming back to the awesomeness: 50% of the book and still Mac was trying to be logical about this new paranormal world. Can you believe it? Not a TSTL Mary Sue, though at first I didn't like her, Mac proved to be a great character and her evolution was incredible. What's this sorcery? a story where things actually make sense? yeah. She lost her sister and you can tell she's not over it and she won't till she avenge her sister. Not for a moment, not even when V'lane was near, she forgot the emptiness and injustice of her sister's death.

I also love the POV. Mac tells the story a year ahead from and adult, mature POV. She knows exactly what went wrong before us and that made this so addictive."Why would she say that? What's she not telling me? Why would she regret that decision later?" I'm telling you, it only took me a few pages to feel excited about it and I've already started reading the second book.

Rose's Notes: I love this woman so much.

"Mercy breeds mercy as slaughter breeds slaughter.
We can't expect the world to be better than we make it" 

I'll keep this simple: If Daughter of Smoke and Bone was passion and tragedy Days of Blood and Starlight is hopelessness, horror and revenge. Karou is lost in grief, there's no light at the end of the tunnel for her. She thinks there's no way out of this chaos so she'll destroy the very dreams and hopes that once had been a reason to fight and die for. No peace, no harmony, no mercy. Everything is futureless. She chooses destruction. Akiva has found forgiveness in her brother and sister but that won't heal him. The loss and sorrow consume him but there's unexpected hope. He believes in a new world and he's willing to give his life for Karou's dream. He chooses redemption.

"It was brave," countered Issa. "It was rare. It was love and it was beautiful." 

It was, and it still is. No matter how much they try to hide or deny it, they love each other and I want to believe that in this times of war and chaos their love has the power to save both worlds and themselves. Of course, more sacrifices need to be made. Eretz will be lost if Akiva and Karou don't find a way to forgiveness and acceptance.

"Mercy, she had discovered, made mad alchemy: a drop of it could dilute a lake of hate." 

The writing keeps being as exquisite and aesthetic as in DoSaB. Even if the pain and darkness is everywhere, I feel this impossible hope and optimism that in the end both worlds will find peace. This book was incredibly beautiful and emotional and I'm 100% in love with Laini Taylor's writing.

Holy shit. Respect++.

This is probably one of the best High Fantasy books I've read this year, or ever. 

I'd been meaning to read this book for a long time and I'm so glad I finally gave it a chance. It was because I had just seen the TV show that I thought this would be a total waste of time… how wrong I was. I'm so glad I've heard you, guys, because I totally enjoy this +800 pages journey. In my opinion, one of the things missing in the TV show was the mystical element: Bran's dreams and premonitions. I can't believe how they missed that! 

The complexity of the characters and their dynamic was incredible. Ugh, what can I say of this awesome characters? Just to name a few:

Arya: Mother of God, this girl was a total badass. Only 11, you said? She was freaking amazing, brave, outspoken and unpretentious. All the contrary to her sister. Don't get me started.

Jon: Not just a poor bastard. He's brave, likeable and generous. He's smart, he can fight. He's good at his job and I can see great things waiting for him.*

Tyrion: Ty-fucking-ron! Man, this dude is awesome. One of my favorite quotes of the book was:
“A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge.” 

So, yeah. he got me at the "I read books" speech. He may be one of the bad guys, but I really don't care. I think he's so complex, he's a man with many sides. I can see him doing the right thing in the future. But I can tell he's eager to receive his dad's approval too so… damn you, Lannister.

Finally, Dany: Well, this are my thoughts about her. She's a polemic character because of everything that happened to her, especially the rape. And I think it's outrageous, no matter how you want to explain it. But this is a fantasy book settled in primitive times, where rapes and brutality seemed to be not only a common thing but a matter of pride and might. However, Dany's character was so strong that she managed to not only survive this whole savageness but also overcome and prevail over that. And is because of that that I respect her. I don't like her because she was a victim but for the final chapters, were she raised from the ashes (literally) and became something more, something stronger.

There're so many hot topics in this book and I think George R. R. Martin did a great job mixing issues like incest and brutality without making me feel upset or offended. I couldn't tell who where the good guys or the bad guys. It was not that easy to recognize whose team I was: Dany's, Tyron's, stupid and honorable Edd's. Schimes and betrayals, friendship and love, honor and stupidity were combined (sometimes even in the same character) making this book incredibly enjoyable.

The Epic World-building: it was for me so much entreating and fun to read. I was a six year old kid with a new toy. The magic element, myths and ancient stories… The Houses of the Seven Kingdoms were terribly complex. Thanks god for highlights and notes, otherwise I'd been lost. And that ending! Are you kidding me? freaking dragons!

One last thing: Mr Martin is a gutsy writer. He really has the courage to get rid of one of the central characters of the story just like that. It's near impossible for me to make out where is this story going. I can't wait to read the next installment.

* SPOILER

I have this serious suspicion I know who is Jon's mother. I'm gonna write this down for posterity and you may laugh at me. Liz* won't care. I just enjoy predicting things randomly.  Jon's mom is Lyanna. She was raped by Rhaegar, so he's kinda prince? whatever... 

Buddy Read con Marina

Complications appeared, doubts of succeeding emerged, the villain was even more evil and our heroine evolved while a jerk ruined it all for everybody. A Love Rectangle managed to freak me out (even if it was technically a love pentagon) and the love interest had his little rant. There was a little twist and in the end, the heroine did the right thing and it costed her.

The Characters:

One of the things I really enjoyed about Siege and Storm was Alina's internal battle between Good (saving everybody, fulfill her destiny, be near Mal) and Evil (kissing the Darkling in the hunger for power and control). As an orphan, she had always been invisible and powerless. Now she was the Empire's only hope but she didn't know how to help them. There was gossip and scheme in the Palace but that wasn't the bad news: The Grisha weren't willing to recognize her just as easily. Alina proved to be ready to kick some butts and after a few weeks in the Palace she showed excellent leadership.

Mal was a much more complex character. If you don't put yourself in his shoes you may think he was just an annoying, insecure boy with a need to over-control Alina's moves. But I think I got to understand him. He was an orphan too, and all he had was his sense of purpose, being a solder, a tracker. After accepting his love for Alina, he not only gave up to his military rank but also his freedom. He was indeed just a small piece in a big puzzle and I understand his loneliness and helplessness. He loved Alina but he not only didn't know how to help her but he knew he was losing her as well. That sucked. I have to say that after reading this, I'm worry about this two, I think something extraordinary must happen if they want to be together. I'm not sure if they are really what the other one needs and even more, I'm not sure if love drama is what Alina needs right now.

I loved Sturmhond. I think he was one of the best additions here. If a clever-eyed, handsome and self-confident fox was not enough to charm me, he also proved to be loyal to his people and really care for the Empire. The Darkling had been my favorite in Shadow and Bone (The Grisha, #1) and even if we didn't get to see him as much as I'd wanted, every time he appeared things got interesting. And that's a shame, he is the best character in the series.

The Ending:

Well, I didn't see that coming. Alina couldn't stand the idea of being a Saint or savor but after everything that happened, the people they'd lost and almost giving up her own life she finally understood this was her fate. I think we're gonna see a so much strong Alina in the last installment, I can't wait to see what she's gonna do to save the Empire from The Darkling's terror.

Overall, I'm satisfied. Not thrilled, but satisfied. As the second act of a trilogy, it's not always easy to maintain a reader's high expectations. We readers, can imagine what's gonna happen and even venture a possible ending but is the writer who must give me a freaking-amazing-OMG cliffhanger exciting enough to trade my own mother for the next book but not too extreme so I decide to drop the series. Bardugo's writing was not only beautiful but her ability to describe this world, Alina's loneliness and struggle without losing some sweet and funny moments between characters was one of the thinks I really enjoyed.

In consideration of your health, I have to take the best course of action and wear a beige coloured one.

LOL

'Who are you?' said the Caterpillar.

Alice replied, rather shyly, 'I — I hardly know, sir, just at present — 
at least I know who I WAS when I got up this morning, but I think 
I must have been changed several times since then.'

'I can't explain myself, I'm afraid, sir' said Alice, 
'because I'm not myself, you see.'