Review of FRAGMENTS (The Partials Sequence #2) by Dan Wells

(Blurb from Goodreads.com)

After discovering the cure for RM, Kira Walker sets off on a terrifying journey into the ruins of postapocalyptic America and the darkest desires of her heart in order to uncover the means—and a reason—for humanity's survival.












The way I read it ~

Fragments has left me bewildered.

The first book Partials left me so exhilarated that I was anxious to read the continuation. But alas, my exhilaration deflated like a party balloon losing its air slowing. You know eventually all the air's going to be out but yet you wait...



And, you wait some more...



I had high hopes, soaring hopes really. It is very rare that a book trilogy (And I do love me some trilogies) has left me so flabbergasted by the second book. I mean, W-T-H!



I never want to give up on a story. But I tried and Fragments failed miserably. I want to rename it: The never ending journey that wasn't. I totally get the reasons for the travelling. 

But Geewizzmotherofallthingstedious!!! I couldn't take the drawn out, unavoidable travelling!
And the switching back and forth from one set of characters to another set of characters didn't work for me. The main character's journey was overwhelming enough, being reminded constantly of how 'dire' and 'hopeless' her situation was without having to contend with a secondary set of characters being reminded of how 'boring' and 'insignificant' their reason for existing was.



Yeah.... I'm done spewing.

What I did like:

1) The concept of the story. The whole 'artificial race against their human creators' idea was what intrigued me from the beginning.

2) The potential, always hinted at, never actually culminating love story. It was there, lingering. I felt it. I wanted it. I never got it!

3) Heron. This badass Partial/Assassin chick was hilarious. I was quite eager to hear what she'd say next and how else she could piss off Kira. I imagined Actress Stephanie Jacobsen in my head.



With the Australian accent and everything!


Unfortunately......... DNF! @ 60%

RATED  BITTER: 2 out of 5 Sugar Cubes

Reviewed by Leelo

Review of PARTIALS (The Partials Sequence #1) by Dan Wells

(Blurb from Goodreads.com)

Humanity is all but extinguished after a war with Partials—engineered organic beings identical to humans—has decimated the population. Reduced to only tens of thousands by a weaponized virus to which only a fraction of humanity is immune, the survivors in North America have huddled together on Long Island. But sixteen-year-old Kira is determined to find a solution. As she tries desperately to save what is left of her race, she discovers that that the survival of both humans and Partials rests in her attempts to answer questions about the war's origin that she never knew to ask.

The way I read it ~

I blazed a blistering hot trail with this one.

It caught me off guard really. Had me wondering what the hell is going on, trying to guess where it was going and when I finally got there it blew my mind.



I love being surprised!

This was me for the last couple chapters (when the big shocker was revealed)




Yup! I LOVE BEING SURPRISED!!

RATED SWEET: 4 out of 5 Sugar Cubes

Reviewed by Leelo

Review of SNOW LIKE ASHES by Sara Raasch

(Blurb from Goodreads.com)

Sixteen years ago the Kingdom of Winter was conquered and its citizens enslaved, leaving them without magic or a monarch. Now, the Winterians’ only hope for freedom is the eight survivors who managed to escape, and who have been waiting for the opportunity to steal back Winter’s magic and rebuild the kingdom ever since.

Orphaned as an infant during Winter’s defeat, Meira has lived her whole life as a refugee, raised by the Winterians’ general, Sir. Training to be a warrior—and desperately in love with her best friend, and future king, Mather — she would do anything to help her kingdom rise to power again.

So when scouts discover the location of the ancient locket that can restore Winter’s magic, Meira decides to go after it herself. Finally, she’s scaling towers, fighting enemy soldiers, and serving her kingdom just as she’s always dreamed she would. But the mission doesn't go as planned, and Meira soon finds herself thrust into a world of evil magic and dangerous politics – and ultimately comes to realize that her destiny is not, never has been, her own.

The way I read it ~

This story picked up quite well. I had been excited to read it since I first discovered it.

Snow like Ashes lays the foundation for an intricate world of the eight kingdoms of Primoria. I say intricate because it was the tiny details that were the best for me. I will admit I'm a sucker for these types of books, where entire worlds are created, so amazingly detailed that initially they seem very daunting but nevertheless pique your interest and unexpectedly poke your curiosity. So I gave in to my spidey-book sense that this might be a good one. 

And good it was. 

It could be great... 

It is only Book 1 of a trilogy. The pace was very slow at times though it never lacked in creativity and thus it kept me interested throughout. The 'Big Twist' was awesome! I kind of saw it coming.... But the shock of it was not dampened by the fact that I expected it. Surprisingly it made it more exciting to read. I love getting to know complex characters and learning of their quirks and anticipating their development throughout the entire scope of the story. I sense the potential here for an amazing literary journey.

I'm eager to read more.

RATED JUST RIGHT: 3 out of 5 Sugar cubes

Reviewed by Leelo

Review of RUIN AND RISING (TheGrisha #3) by Leigh Bardugo

(Blurb from Goodreads.com)

The capital has fallen.

The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne.

Now the nation's fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army.

Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives.

Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova's amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling's secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction—and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for.


The way I read it ~

Where do I even begin?

You'd think the answer to that is the first chapter but noooooooo Miss Leigh Bardugohad to go and punch me in the nose with that ending. What happens when you get sucker punched in the nose? Yes, you cry. You cry like a big baby....



I was like....



But cry I did.

So since I began with the ending which is just, just...



I'll backtrack:

Mal & Alina. The sweetest 'not realizing you were meant for each other till the eve of the massacre at the very end love you, need you, can't imagine life without you but I must live with not ever having you' story ever told. It was so sweet and the tender moments between them really touched my heart (even though I was rooting for the other guy). Mal redeemed himself in this last book. I must admit I was on the fence about whether I liked him or not for most of the first two books. I won't admit to wanting to reach in and throttle him.....



But in the end I loved him lots and lots. He sort of morphed from the arrogant, self centered tool who couldn't see what was right in front of him into the damaged second fiddle who couldn't stand a little competition from the other guy and then into the tortured soul who finally saw what was right in front of him and would sacrifice his love for something greater.




I enjoyed the progression of this book. Compared to the second, it read a lot faster. The action was spaced out nicely, giving ample time for breathers, respite from chase, tender moments and other moments of anguish, guilt, humour, despair, heartache etc.

Alina was much stronger in this one, even though she was physically weaker. Her mind had been resolved to the fact that she was destined for something extraordinarily tragic and there was a good chance she would watch all she loved die. She didn't annoy me as much in this book probably because of that fact. She had much more grit. And she had that same smart wit and sarcastic nature as throughout the first two books. She and Mal played well off each other. And the lightness of their banter made me forget that they were possibly doomed. Just as in the other books I clearly felt that pull Alina had towards the need for more power. It drove her determination and despite the odds and confusion and all the secrets that were finally revealed in this last book, I think she handled it well. She didn't morph into this miraculous bad-ass chick. Her true strength came in her realizing that she was in love with her best friend and she would do what she must to change his fate.

Enter the other guy...



Who knew so much bad could be so good?.....



I kept waiting for the Darkling to redeem his awful nature and swoop in to ravish and seduce the heroine till she stuttered and fell in a sloppy, messy, wanting heap of womanly swoons. Okay, so I was the one who stuttered and fell in a sloppy, messy, wanting heap but nevertheless, I wanted him to be good! But he was soooo bad. And I loved him in spite of it.



The sexual tension between him and Alina was riveting and I liked how she stood up to him instead of cowering. She was the one that goaded and teased and tempted this round and I was shouting "Hell yeah!" for all my neighbors to hear. You learned of the Darkling's past in this book. You got to see and maybe understand his nature, his passion, his complete and utter wickedness a little better. I say maybe because some of it may leave you reeling. I mean, how could you love a guy who says he'll kill all you love and leave you broken?



I hoped for redemption but alas it was not to be the Darkling's. Another thing you learned was his real name. *clears throat* Ladies? Prepare and behold the name that will decimate all sexy names for all Ravkan eternity....

I could tell you...



But, ummmm... yeah


The support characters aided well this time, as before. Tamar & Tolya, Genya & David, Bhagra, even Zoya and yes, Nikolai. You had to love him. You wanted to slap him with every other word that came out his mouth but you laughed at his jokes, applauded in ingenuity and you absolutely adored his romantic side, which often preceded a sarcastic comment which would make you want to slap him. There was a certain part. I mean, Leigh Bardugo How could you? That particular part made me break down in tears of conflicting emotions...


I'm not gonna spoil it.

Let this be your guide...












This is one of my all time favorite books/trilogies. 

For. Sure.

RATED TOO SWEET: 5 out of 5 Sugar cubes

Reviewed by Leelo