Uprooted by Naomi Novik

Description from Goodreads

Agnieszka loves her valley home, her quiet village, the forests and the bright shining river. But the corrupted wood stands on the border, full of malevolent power, and its shadow lies over her life. Her people rely on the cold, ambitious wizard, known only as the Dragon, to keep the wood's powers at bay. But he demands a terrible price for his help: one young woman must be handed over to serve him for ten years, a fate almost as terrible as being lost to the wood. 

The next choosing is fast approaching, and Agnieszka is afraid. She knows - everyone knows - that the Dragon will take Kasia: beautiful, graceful, brave Kasia - all the things Agnieszka isn't - and her dearest friend in the world. And there is no way to save her. But no one can predict how or why the Dragon chooses a girl. And when he comes, it is not Kasia he will take with him. From the author of the Temeraire series comes this hugely imaginative, engrossing and vivid fantasy novel, inspired by folk and fairy tales. It is perfect reading for fans of Robin Hobb and Trudi Canavan.

❄❄❄

When I saw raving reviews about Uprooted, I knew that I just had to read it. It was a compulsive need. And just like I expected, Uprooted just blew me away with everything. It was actually pretty fascinating, because when I finished this novel, I felt like I had just read a trilogy instead of a stand alone (I read the book within 36 hours of receiving it). And the reason for this is because it was immensely well thought, engaging from the first page to the last, and constantly surprising with the twists and turns! It's really rare for me to read a fantasy book as long as this one (approximately 400 pages, but it must have took me about 9-10 hours to read it, maybe?) in such a short period of time, but I just couldn't put the book down. The world of Agnieszka and the Dragon was too compelling for me to pause reading. 

There are only a very few things that I adore more than a well planned fantasy novel. The most obvious example of well-thought fantasy book series is of course J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter, and how she was, and still is, able to construct such a detailed world of magic yet never letting any loose strings come about. Naomi Novik's Uprooted was the same, and she was able to do it with one novel instead of a series! I cannot praise enough the fact that how Novik gave the readers these small hints of what's going on with novel and then (brilliantly) she gradually brought the all elements together in the end. It's so satisfying to read a novel when you can just immerse yourself in the novel and not constantly pick up certain oddities or holes in the plot. Thank you Ms. Novik!!

Also for once, the main character (Agniezska who is a 17-year old woodcutter's daughter), is realistic yet admirable character. She isn't the beauty queen of her town or the most talented in the traditional sense of her world, but she still has her amazing personality: kind, loyal, loving, creative, and very intelligent. Of course she isn't perfect with her occasional sharp tongue and a brave fool behaviour, but as those are the essential parts of her character - you just couldn't picture her without those traits. Also, the mysterious Dragon.. I don't want to go in detail about him, as I think he is one of those characters who are best read when known about as little as possible. But, let me just say that he evoked some serious emotions in me (not telling if good or bad though). 

There was a slight romance aspect to the novel, and I thought it was a very subtle and gradually done (but it also was hothothot). Which to be honest, is the only believable and heart-felt way to go, at least for me. The mutual respect and time spent together being the basis for something romantic is right up my alley - I loved how there weren't any insta-love, googly eyes, admiration of that sexy jawline and bursting biceps. The romance between the characters felt authentic. Even though I did kind of hoped that there was more romance in the novel (or maybe the author planned it that way so that the readers wanted constantly more... hmm..), I was still so pleased when the relationship wasn't rushed, but gradually built and the feelings were justified, not just conjured up out of thin air. Once again, thank you Ms. Novik.

Besides the incredible fantasy world and the small romance element, I loved that there were also themes of friendship, loyalty, and standing up for yourself and taking a stand. All the elements were knitted perfectly together as they were introduced bit by bit, not overwhelming the reader but instead growing the reader's knowledge and belief in the story and the world. The novel never was one dimensional and that's probably why I ended up liking it so much. And also because of the banter and the humour the characters contributed - it was fantastic!! Well, long story short, I loved everything about Uprooted. 

☆☆☆☆☆

Mistborn: The Final Empire (Mistborn #1) by Brandon Sanderson

Description from Goodreads

In a world where ash falls from the sky, and mist dominates the night, an evil cloaks the land and stifles all life. The future of the empire rests on the shoulders of a troublemaker and his young apprentice. Together, can they fill the world with colour once more?

In Brandon Sanderson's intriguing tale of love, loss, despair and hope, a new kind of magic enters the stage - Allomancy, a magic of the metals.

❄❄❄

Why on Earth did it took me so long to read Mistborn: the Final Empire? What's wrong with me?? Despite all the great reviews, the amazing blurb, the constant hype around Sanderson's books, what do I do? I WAIT. I really should have more trust on humanity when it recommends a book that has a rating of 4.40 on Goodreads. Because. Mistborn: The Final Empire was beautiful. I should probably warn you right now that there will be lots of rambling (probably incoherent), praise, and maybe even a couple of salty virtual tears on the screen. 

I don't think there was even one character who I didn't like. All of them were so well-written: they had distinct personalities, strengths and weaknesses, and they felt multidimensional. Vin, the main character found from the alleys of Luthadel, and Kelsier, incredibly talented Allomancer, were my favourite characters by far. Vin who is about sixteen-years old and Kelsier who is over thiry, were interestingly but probably not coincidentally, similar to each other, not only in terms of personality, but how they had experienced a very harsh lives. I'm not going to go in detail about that as it is part of the 'fun' to learn about these character's histories and what sort of tragedies they have gone through. In addition, Elend, a young nobleman from the House of Venture, and Sazed, a Terrisman, were really interesting characters and I'm very intrigued how they will be included in the future novels.

Sanderson is the king of world building: he has the most amazing imagination and he isn't afraid to play around with all the crazy ideas he has. First of all, even though Allomancy (or using the metals to give you magical powers) may not sound the most intriguing concept, Sanderson is able to make it absolutely fascinating by writing about it in so much detail and consideration that Allomancy comes alive on the pages and in readers' minds. Each specific metal gives you a specific ability and by using different metals you can have various different heightened senses or capabilities. Even though all the information was first a bit much to take in, the readers quickly learn what each metal does and what are its limits. The idea how the main character Vin, who is taken in by a rebel criminal group, (and other Allomancers too), is taught how to use the metals by Kelsier (the leader of the group) and how she learns to use them so beautifully, is really entertaining to read about. 

The funny thing is that I was expecting Mistborn: the Final Empire to be somewhat, well, more masculine in the traditional sense, for lack of a better word. The novel did have its gruesome scenes and very epic battle scenes, but there was surprisingly lot about dancing balls and etiquettes, dresses, and crushes. These a bit more lighter scenes were very welcome as they made the novel diverse in the sense that it didn't simply focus on Allomancy, but also explored the society of Luthadel and themes of love and friendship. There was a slight romance aspect to the book too, but the novel was never only about this romance. I really enjoyed this choice by Sanderson as otherwise the horrors caused by the Lord Ruler, the horrifying dictator, would have gotten less attention and so less emphasis and impact. 

But I have to make a confession. As I liked Mistborn: the Final Empire so much, I'm hesitant to start reading the second book of the series, The Well of Ascension, because I'm afraid it won't be able to live up to the first book. I know, it's silly, but what if the second book isn't as good and that kind of eats away my love for the series? But, fear not, I'm going to read the next book for sure, but I'm just going to need my time to muster all the courage and plunge into the world of Allomancy again. Most likely, I'll feel exactly the same after reading the second book as I after finishing reading Mistborn: the Final Empire: "What's wrong with me?? Despite all the great reviews, the amazing blurb, the constant hype around Sanderson's books, what do I do? I WAIT."

☆☆☆☆☆

Waiting on Wednesday (#26): The Weight of Feathers by Anna-Marie McLemore

Waiting on Wednesday is about sharing a book every week you cannot wait to be published. This week, I'm waiting on

The Weight of Feathers
by Anna-Marie McLemore

Genre: Young Adult, Magical Realism, Romance

Pages: 320

Expected Publication: September 15, 2015

Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books

❄❄❄

Description from Goodreads

For twenty years, the Palomas and the Corbeaus have been rivals and enemies, locked in an escalating feud for over a generation. Both families make their living as traveling performers in competing shows—the Palomas swimming in mermaid exhibitions, the Corbeaus, former tightrope walkers, performing in the tallest trees they can find. 

Lace Paloma may be new to her family’s show, but she knows as well as anyone that the Corbeaus are pure magia negra, black magic from the devil himself. Simply touching one could mean death, and she's been taught from birth to keep away. But when disaster strikes the small town where both families are performing, it’s a Corbeau boy, Cluck, who saves Lace’s life. And his touch immerses her in the world of the Corbeaus, where falling for him could turn his own family against him, and one misstep can be just as dangerous on the ground as it is in the trees. 

Beautifully written, and richly imaginative, The Weight of Feathers is an utterly captivating young adult novel by a talented new voice.

❄❄❄

I love magical realism. Period. So naturally I'm pretty excited that there are quite many magical realism YA books published this year, The Weight of Feathers included. 

Top Ten Tuesday (#23): Recently published books I desperately want to read

Top Ten Tuesday this week is about 

❄ Recently published books I desperately want to read ❄

(In no particular order)

1.A Court of Thorns and Roses (A Court of Thorns and Roses #1) by Sarah J. Maas. 

"A thrilling, seductive new series from New York Timesbestselling author Sarah J. Maas, blending Beauty and the Beast with faerie lore."

I was sold already when I heard that Maas was going to publish a new book from a new series. One of my favourite YA authors at the moment for sure!





2. Magonia by Maria Dahvana Headley.

"Maria Dahvana Headley's soaring YA debut is a fiercely intelligent, multilayered fantasy novel where Neil Gaiman's Stardust meets John Green's The Fault in Our Stars in a story about a girl caught between two worlds... Two races... And two destinies."

Recently I've been dying to read more magical realism (well, ever since I finished reading The Beautiful and Strange Sorrows of Ava Lavender..) and Magonia sounds just perfect.

3. Uprooted by Naomi Novik.

"From the author of the Temeraire series comes this hugely imaginative, engrossing and vivid fantasy novel, inspired by folk and fairy tales. It is perfect reading for fans of Robin Hobb and Trudi Canavan."

My absolutely favourite book reviewer from Goodreads (the intelligent and funny Emily May) ushered others to read this book, and the ratings on Goodreads are virtually 5 stars ratings. A must read then!


4. Bone Gap by Laura Ruby. 

"As we follow the stories of Finn, Roza, and the people of Bone Gap—their melancholy pasts, their terrifying presents, their uncertain futures—acclaimed author Laura Ruby weaves a heartbreaking tale of love and loss, magic and mystery, regret and forgiveness—a story about how the face the world sees is never the sum of who we are."





5. Tracked by Jenny Martin.

"The Fast and the Furious gets a futuristic twist in this action-packed debut!"

I haven't been able to spot any interesting sci-fi YA novels that have been/are due this year, but Tracked peaked my interest. Looking forward to read it at some point.




6. The Game of Love and Death by Martha Brockenbrough.

"Achingly romantic and brilliantly imagined, The Game of Love and Deathis a love story you will never forget."

I've read quite many mixed reviews of this one, but I'm still really excited to have a got at it myself. I love the premise and I think The Game of Love and Death has a lot of potential to be heart breakingly great.



7. An Amber in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir.

"Laia is a slave. Elias is a soldier. Neither is free. Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear."

Yessss, pleaseeeee. Sounds like forbidden romance and broken hearts.

8. 5 to 1 by Holly Bodger.

"This beautiful, unique novel is told from alternating points of view-Sudasa's in verse and Kiran's in prose-allowing readers to experience both characters' pain and their brave struggle for hope. "

This is apparently listed as a feminist book, so I'm really eager to see how this YA book has actualised it in the plot and with the characters. The novel also has the ability to be educating as well, which I think is pretty cool. 




9. The Wrath and the Dawn (The Wrath and the Dawn #1) by Renee Ahdieh.

"A sumptuous and epically told love story inspired by A Thousand and One Nights."

   This sounds one of those books which makes you sigh out loud and shed that perfect lone tear which will slide down your cheek. 

10. Made You Up by Francesca Zappia. 

  "Funny, provoking, and ultimately moving, this debut novel featuring the quintessential unreliable narrator will have readers turning the pages and trying to figure out what is real and what is made up."

The Girl at Midnight (The Girl at Midnight #1) by Melissa Grey

Description from Goodreads

For readers of Cassandra Clare's City of Bones and Leigh Bardugo's Shadow and Bone, The Girl at Midnight is the story of a modern girl caught in an ancient war.

Beneath the streets of New York City live the Avicen, an ancient race of people with feathers for hair and magic running through their veins. Age-old enchantments keep them hidden from humans. All but one. Echo is a runaway pickpocket who survives by selling stolen treasures on the black market, and the Avicen are the only family she's ever known.

Echo is clever and daring, and at times she can be brash, but above all else she's fiercely loyal. So when a centuries-old war crests on the borders of her home, she decides it's time to act.

Legend has it that there is a way to end the conflict once and for all: find the Firebird, a mythical entity believed to possess power the likes of which the world has never seen. It will be no easy task, but if life as a thief has taught Echo anything, it's how to hunt down what she wants . . . and how to take it.

But some jobs aren't as straightforward as they seem. And this one might just set the world on fire. 

❄❄❄

Despite the fact that I had read so many mixed reviews of The Girl at Midnight, my gut told me: read it. Without even meaning to, I was a bit apprehensive when I started the book as I had heard that the book bears a lot of similarities to Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy and The Mortal Instruments series. Nevertheless, my instinct whispered: give it a chance. And I'm so glad that I did. I really liked this book! I absolutely fell in love with the elegant and pretty language the author writes, without even mentioning the likeable and funny characters (even though they were a bit already-seen, but it didn't really matter because they were so well-established).

Ah, where should I start? Maybe I'll start off with the characters since they were kick-ass without being shallow or superficial. Echo, the main character, is officially one of my newest additions to the independent and cool heroines list. Even though the majority of YA heroines are witty, funny, and smart, there was just something really cool and unique about Echo that made me instantly like her. Maybe it was because she didn't wallow in her sad history, or that she lived in the moment and enjoying the life as it came, but she felt such a real character troughout the novel. The emotions she felt weren't downplayed but processed and examined just in the perfect level of depth. Two other characters that I want to mention are Caius (the Dragon Prince) and Dorian (the Captain of the Guard). While Caius as well was the slightly typical hurt and misunderstood (and of course devilishly handsome) royalty, his character was well-established and stayed true and consistent. He was immensely charming and had a surprisingly strong moral values which I always find attractive in a guy, even though Caius wasn't exactly Mr. Perfect, either.. Dorian on the other hand was the brooding yet clear-eyed mysterious guy who has the potentiality to become one of my favourite characters in the series due to his complex and conflicted nature (and he also was included in some of the best scenes in the novel). 

I have to admit that while the book had quite a bit of similarities to other popular YA novels, I didn't find this off-putting (even though unoriginality often is a turn off for me). The author was able to transform something old/used into her own story with small yet brilliant additions. For example in the case of Avicien and Drakhain, the two unique societies which have been in a war for a century. While you can spot many contrasting cultures in YA literature, the current book's cultures were particularly fun to read about. Especially in the case of Drakhain as they appeared to be descendants of dragons with their elegant scales (I know it sounds a bit gross, but Grey is able to write the scales as very beautiful) and their accent with soft Rs resembling Scottish accent to some extent. The violence-proneness of Drakhain also was somewhat fascinating as Avicien came across as the more gentle ones with their tales and a Seer (sort of like a person who can see the future). I wish that these societies were explored more in detail as Grey has so much material to work with. 

Like I already mentioned, Grey writes very beautiful text. She isn't afraid to use a bit more sophisticated vocabulary which I love as it conveys that she isn't underestimating her readers. The author has the ability to paint a very atmospheric and beautiful scenes like when she is describing Echo's visit in Kyoto, New York, and in Strasbourg. The character and world-building was very subtle and sophisticatedly done, as it was done gradually rather than everything just being splurged at the reader. The fact that the book's world was part modern, part fantasy, didn't feel forced at any times as everything Grey had created felt very well-planned and thought-out. The integration of the fantasy element felt seamless and so effortless which made the reading experiences so joyful - urban fantasy at its best.

The book was so funny at times that I actually sniggered on the bus while reading. I highlighted a bunch of funny retorts, comebacks, and banters. I just went back to take a look at them and they still managed to bring a smile on my face. The humour mainly arises from the amazing personalities and dynamic interactions between the characters, often between Echo and Caius, while Jasper (Echo's friend, if you can call him that) makes the most hilarious, teasing remarks which are equally hilarious and piercing. I loved when Jasper made others (some more than others..) speechless. He is such a sassy guy. Also the fact that the author often makes impeccable Lord of the Ring references just increases my love for the occasional lightness of the book.

If I had to call out the book for one weakness, it would be that fact that the book was rather predictable. While the middle part of the novel was relatively mysterious to me, I always knew what was going to happen in the end. But strangely enough, it wasn't a too bad turn of events even though I knew what was going to happen. And this fact still puzzles me, because I constantly talk about how I hate predicable books. Maybe the predictablness didn't bother me because otherwise I really enjoyed the book. There was so much goodness included in the book like the humour, the best characters, adventure, a bit of romance, and the importance of loyalty and being brave in the right occasions. I have high hopes for the next instalment in the series (trilogy?) as I have often found that second books in series are often a lot better than the first ones, and when the first one was as good as The Girl at Midnight, what can we expect from the sequel??

☆☆☆☆