Category Archives: Book Reviews

Review of “A Court of Mist and Fury” by Sarah J. Maas

Posted on by
Reply

Title: A Court of Mist and Fury
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses #2
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 624
Published: 2016, Bloomsbury Publishing
My Grade: 5 out of 5 wings

GOODREADS’ DESCRIPTION

Feyre is immortal.

After rescuing her lover Tamlin from a wicked Faerie Queen, she returns to the Spring Court possessing the powers of the High Fae. But Feyre cannot forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin’s people – nor the bargain she made with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court.

As Feyre is drawn ever deeper into Rhysand’s dark web of politics and passion, war is looming and an evil far greater than any queen threatens to destroy everything Feyre has fought for. She must confront her past, embrace her gifts and decide her fate.

She must surrender her heart to heal a world torn in two.

MY REVIEW

Oh my god!! How is it possible for a book to be this good? I can honestly say that this is one of the best books I have ever read. This is Maas at her absolutely very best, it almost make you wonder what kind of doping she took after the first one, which was quite frankly, not much compared to this one.

First of all, the characters felt more real, they were way more intriguing and it was so much easier to relate to them. The relationships between the people were more fun, not  necessarily real, or at least those are not the kind of relationships with friends and partners I have experienced previously, but so interesting and entertaining and you wish you had those kind of relationships. The story-telling and environmental descriptions are still amazing and you almost get surprised when you look up from the book and realize that this is the reality.

I can’t write much more if I want to stay away from plot reveals. So I will wrap up with the grade. I would easily give it more than 5 if possible, it is just that good! It took me 9 hours to finish and sometimes i couldn’t put the book down, I would literally walk and read simultaneously! I would also promise myself to just finish the chapter before doing something productive (like writing my master thesis), but I ended up reading 3.5 chapters and then falling asleep with the ereader in my face on the couch. It is just that good! If you felt a little bit hesitant after A Court of Thorns and Roses, forget that feeling, read A Court of Mist and Fury. There will be zero regrets whatsoever!!

I am really glad A Court of Wings and Ruin (#3 was released today). I bought the book before work, finished #2 on my way to work and started #3 on the way home.

Review of “A Court of Thorns and Roses” by Sarah J. Maas

Posted on by
Reply

Title: A Court of Thorns and Roses
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses #1
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 421
Published: 2015, Bloomsbury Publishing
My Grade: 4 out of 5 flowers

GOODREADS’ DESCRIPTION

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she’s been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

MY REVIEW

I haven’t read this series yet because I was filled with scepticism. I LOVE Throne of Glass (Sarah J. Maas’ first book series) and I found it rather unbelievable that such a young author (she is 31 now) could produce two amazing book series simultaneously (because Throne of Glass is truly one of the best series I have read). I wondered if she could write anything as good. She could! Well, almost. A Court of Thorns and Roses only got a 4 from me, while every book in Throne of Glass series got a 5.

My first thought while reading was that I was unused to reading first person stories. I have read them and I do feel that they tend to be easier to relate to. However, I found it a little bit hard to relate to Feyre, the main character. Mostly I think because she was so unlike me and acted very differently than I would have in the same situation.

My second thought was that this book has drawn influences from several other stories. First of all, Beauty and the Beast. She gets taken away by a beast whom she very quickly falls in love with. It is an intriguing story and you kind of secretly wish it to happen to you, that your life would be like a fairytale. It was obvious beyond doubt that she would fall in love with him (I hadn’t really read the backcover so I actually didn’t know the story at all before reading it). It was obvious that he eventually would push her away and that she couldn’t stand to be away for too long, only to return shortly after and find everything in chaos. But at the same time, parts where surprising, like for example the character Rhysand and the actual end of the book also was surprising. While at the same time no I guess. That doesn’t make any sense but that is how I felt.

The world this book takes place in is gorgeously painted by Maas, exactly like Throne of Glass, or even more so perhaps. But the reason why it doesn’t get a full 5, is partly because of the sex scenes, which bothered me in the latest Throne of Glass book too (Empire of Storms). They fit well with this story compared to Empire of Storms, but it is a young adult fantasy book, sex doesn’t really have to be a part of it. It is possible to write about passion without descriptions of the act itself. The main reason It doesn’t really reach a 5 is because I don’t feel like it should get a 5. It is not quite up there as my favorite book series which have gotten 5’s (like Harry Potter for example), they are in different categories and therefore it gets a 4. I think I can say that if you enjoyed Throne of Glass, you might enjoy this too, which feels like a faster version of it with more fantasy.

Review of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” by J. K. Rowling

Posted on by
Reply

harry-potter-07-the-deathly-hallows-j-k-rowling-2Title: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
Author: J. K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter #7
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 784
Published: 2007, Bloomsbury Publishing
My Grade: 5 out of 5 horcruxes

GOODREADS’ DESCRIPTION

It’s no longer safe for Harry at Hogwarts, so he and his best friends, Ron and Hermione, are on the run. Professor Dumbledore has given them clues about what they need to do to defeat the dark wizard, Lord Voldemort, once and for all, but it’s up to them to figure out what these hints and suggestions really mean.

Their cross-country odyssey has them searching desperately for the answers, while evading capture or death at every turn. At the same time, their friendship, fortitude, and sense of right and wrong are tested in ways they never could have imagined.

The ultimate battle between good and evil that closes out this final chapter of the epic series takes place where Harry’s Wizarding life began: at Hogwarts. The satisfying conclusion offers shocking last-minute twists, incredible acts of courage, powerful new forms of magic, and the resolution of many mysteries.

Above all, this intense, cathartic book serves as a clear statement of the message at the heart of the Harry Potter series: that choice matters much more than destiny, and that love will always triumph over death.

MY REVIEW

These past months have come to an end, all the Harry Potter books are read and I feel a little bit empty. Will the next book I take on be as good? Rereading these books was a really good choice and now I kind of feel like rereading other books I truly enjoyed when I was younger, like His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman.

I have written before that there were so many things I forgot from the books and was constantly surprised. In the first four books there were small things here and there, but as the story progressed, I remembered fewer and fewer things and when it came to The Deathly Hallows, I remembered probably no more than 5 things. I couldn’t remember why one of the chapters were called The Malfoy Manor for example. I also had no idea what the last three horcruxes where until it was written out in the book. It was like reading it for the first time, being on the edge of the chair or wherever I was sitting, all the time.

Everything is explained so well, and everything makes sense, and as before, Rowling is excellent at making everything coherent. The red thread is present. And The Deathly Hallows is the perfect ending to the story about Harry Potter. I can’t wait for the next time I will reread them. (Do I really have to write out the grade?)

Review of “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince” by J. K. Rowling

Posted on by
Reply

harry-potter-06-the-half-blood-prince-j-k-rowling-2Title: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
Author: J. K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter #6
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 607
Published: 2005, Bloomsbury Publishing
My Grade: 5 out of 5 potions

GOODREADS’ DESCRIPTION

It is the middle of the summer, but there is an unseasonal mist pressing against the windowpanes. Harry Potter is waiting nervously in his bedroom at the Dursleys’ house in Privet Drive for a visit from Professor Dumbledore himself. One of the last times he saw the Headmaster was in a fierce one-to-one duel with Lord Voldemort, and Harry can’t quite believe that Professor Dumbledore will actually appear at the Dursleys’ of all places. Why is the Professor coming to visit him now? What is it that cannot wait until Harry returns to Hogwarts in a few weeks’ time? Harry’s sixth year at Hogwarts has already got off to an unusual start, as the worlds of Muggle and magic start to intertwine…

MY REVIEW

The Harry Potter story is getting darker and darker and I definitely felt sad during the last two or three chapters. I knew what was coming, but still, I felt so unprepared for it when it happened and the events following. I am surprised at how little I remember from this book as well, I kept being surprised everywhere, only knowing what would happen in the end. The first four books have very clear separate stories, while the fifth, sixth, and seventh is all one long story and is only in different books because it would be a too big book to hold and read in one go. I think that is why I find it so difficult to tell them apart, mixing the stories together and remember even less than from the first four. It has been like reading the story for the first time, kind of. For example, R. A. B., I can’t remember who it is! I have a vague memory, but it doesn’t match with the initials. So exciting! I almost went to Google to look it up, but I decided that it would be a more fun surprise to read it.

The book is brilliant even though it is very dark, Harry has matured and is not whiny like he was in the fifth book, thank someone for that! There is surprisingly much love in this book, it feels a little misplaced but I guess that is the beauty of love, it happens when least expected. One thing that I thought about while reading (I think this question has popped up during previous books, but I just didn’t remember it) was the spells the Half-Blood Prince came up with. How do you invent a spell? And how can another person use the same set of words, without knowing what they do, but still come up with the same result? Are all spells registered somewhere? And how would Sectumsempra ever be allowed? I would very much like the answer to these questions if anyone knows them.

Even with the minor tears and horribleness at the end, I still enjoy this book very much! Highest grade!

Review of “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” by J. K. Rowling

Posted on by
Reply

harry-potter-05-the-order-of-the-phoenix-j-k-rowling-2Title: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Author: J. K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter #5
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 766
Published: 2003, Bloomsbury Publishing
My Grade: 5 out of 5 prophecies

GOODREADS’ DESCRIPTION

Harry Potter is due to start his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. His best friends Ron and Hermione have been very secretive all summer and he is desperate to get back to school and find out what has been going on. However, what Harry discovers is far more devastating than he could ever have expected…

 

MY REVIEW

I have to say, that this is probably the book that I remembered least from. I was surprised everywhere. Maybe because the book is so thick and contains a lot of stories? I also might have put more focus on the other books since this one has a very sad ending. I knew what was going to happen, obviously, but I didn’t feel too sad when reading it, not like when I read the latest Throne of Glass book where I openly cried twice. The ending was written kind of emotionless honestly.

It is a great book which feels like the start to explanations. If I remember correctly, the 6th book is where Dumbledore uses the Pensieve to show Harry a lot of old stuff? Or is it the 7th? Anyway, pieces are starting to fall into place in the Order of the Phoenix.

One thing that actually bothered me was Harry in the beginning of the book, and some in the end. I have heard some friends saying they hate the Harry Potter series so much because Harry is such a crybaby. I couldn’t understand at all what they meant by saying that and up until this book I feel that Harry is very easy to sympathize with, it is easy to understand why he is acting the way he is because the situation he is in is very relatable. But then there is the Order of the Phoenix… In the first part of the book, up until he has spent a little time at Hogwarts, he is a crybaby! It bothered me so much. Why, all of a sudden did he have so much emotions to being mistreated and left out? That’s been pretty much his whole life so far, why now? Is it because he is now 15 and a teenager with a lot of emotions? It put a different edge to the story than the previous ones, but I didn’t like it. He could have continued to be the modest hero he was before and it wouldn’t have been boring, in my opinion.

This crybaby thing (I hope he is not continuing this in the last two books!) is still not big enough to drag the grade down from a 5. Rowling has an incredible imagination and is amazing at writing  and connects all things so well. Even if this book is super thick and full of so much information, everything is connected. It is a delight to read these books!

Review of “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” by J. K. Rowling

Posted on by
Reply

harry-potter-04-the-goblet-of-fire-j-k-rowling-2Title: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Author: J. K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter #4
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 636
Published: 2000, Bloomsbury Publishing
My Grade: 5 out of 5 dragons

GOODREADS’ DESCRIPTION

Harry Potter is midway through both his training as a wizard and his coming of age. Harry wants to get away from the pernicious Dursleys and go to the International Quidditch Cup with Hermione, Ron, and the Weasleys. He wants to dream about Cho Chang, his crush (and maybe do more than dream). He wants to find out about the mysterious event that supposed to take place at Hogwarts this year, an event involving two other rival schools of magic, and a competition that hasn’t happened for hundreds of years. He wants to be a normal, fourteen-year-old wizard. But unfortunately for Harry Potter, he’s not normal – even by wizarding standards.
And in his case, different can be deadly.

MY REVIEW

18 hours of reading doesn’t sound like too much. But this was a thick book. It feels like ages ago I read about when the Weasley’s picked up Harry through the fireplace at Privet Drive to bring him to the world cup in Quidditch (a very funny scene in the beginning of the book, which was something I didn’t remember at all from the first time I read it 14 years ago). More than 700 pages means a lot of content, lot of detailed descriptions which were not present in the previous books, at least not in the first two. The Goblet of Fire feels more alive than the previous ones. Although, I can’t really say that lack of descriptions in the Philosopher’s Stone didn’t make me picture everything which happened, it is a livid story and I have also seen the movies many many times, long time ago though. I guess this is a world which just stuck in my head like no other world would.

I am now 25 years old, I was 12 when I read it the first time. I don’t know if I go back to the age of 12 when reading it, or if the story is just so well-written that I still can relate to it. I understand it better as well, Rowling is very good at foreshadowing and small hints instantly makes sense, like for example in the end when Dumbledore asks Snape to do something for him. I got teary-eyed. It does not have to be mentioned, but she is an amazing writer who not only make the story alive, but the characters. She brings out so many emotions while reading, sympathy for Harry because you understand how hard certain situations can be if you had something similar in your own background. But also hate towards Rita Skeeter and Cornelius Fudge for example. I dislike Rita Skeeter as much as the writers for The Daily Punctilio newspaper of Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events. And that brings forth some feelings towards the media today in our society. I won’t go into it, but Rowling and Snicket’s representations of journalists are very much spot on today!

Some questions arose in my head though while reading. How did Hagrid’s dad manage to get a giant pregnant? How come Harry did not see the horses dragging the Hogwarts carriages at the end of the book when they went to the train to leave school? Or why didn’t he see them before since he faced death as an infant?

There is a reason why the Harry Potter series is a classic after only two decades. Or maybe it is not “only”? Maybe I am just getting old. This story is not old however, it will keep staying alive forever and ever! I can’t wait to read these books to my children in the future, or at least the first ones so that when they are old enough to read by themselves, they will continue to read the books. I love Harry Potter! One of the absolute best book series of all times. Do I even have to write the grade out? (Okey, FIVE, without a doubt!)

Review of “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban” by J. K. Rowling

Posted on by
Reply


harry-potter-03-the-prisoner-of-azkaban-j-k-rowling-2Title: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
Author: J. K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter #3
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 317
Published: 1999, Bloomsbury Publishing
My Grade: 5 out of 5 cats

GOODREADS’ DESCRIPTION

Harry Potter is lucky to reach the age of thirteen, since he has already survived the murderous attacks of the feared Dark Lord on more than one occasion. But his hopes for a quiet term concentrating on Quidditch are dashed when a maniacal mass-murderer escapes from Azkaban, pursued by the soul-sucking Dementors who guard the prison. It’s assumed that Hogwarts is the safest place for Harry to be. But is it a coincidence that he can feel eyes watching him in the dark, and should he be taking Professor Trelawney’s ghoulish predictions seriously?

MY REVIEW

The books are getting longer, that is noticeable now. It is also noticeable that J. K. Rowling is putting more focus on the descriptions on the environments. Still, lots of stuff are happening right after each other, but the descriptions of them are fuller and it is really nice! The longer environment descriptions also followed along with my own reading skills. I was 10 when I read the first one and it was a very easy read, I was 11 when I read the third and had developed my reading skills and could easily read the thicker book. And as the rest of the series was released I also got better at reading. And from what I remember, Rowling’s style of writing followed her maturing readers.

Something that does not change in the books is the connection of all the events. It is so clear that she put a lot of thought into the whole story, and now when I know (pretty much at least) what will happen, it is easy to spot the minor things that Rowling put in the story that connects one thing with another. I love reading something well-written and well-worked through.

I am glad I decided to do this project of re-reading all the books. Not disappointed at all! Like with the first two, there are things that I have forgotten about and was surprised while reading. I am not going to change my grade from 2002, it is still a solid 5!

Review of “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” by J. K. Rowling

Posted on by
Reply


harry-potter-02-the-chamber-of-secrets-j-k-rowling-2Title: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Author: J. K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter #2
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 251
Published: 1998, Bloomsbury Publishing
My Grade: 5 out of 5 snakes

GOODREADS’ DESCRIPTION

The Dursleys were so mean and hideous that summer that all Harry Potter wanted was to get back to the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he’s packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature named Dobby who says that if Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike.

And strike it does. For in Harry’s second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor, Gilderoy Lockhart, a spirit named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girls’ bathroom, and the unwanted attentions of Ron Weasley’s younger sister, Ginny. But each of these seem minor annoyances when the real trouble begins, and someone, or something, starts turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects: Harry Potter himself?

MY REVIEW

Still as good as I remember it from my childhood. Similar to The Sorcerer’s Stone in that sense that something is always happening. But not quite as much, because this book gives more environmental descriptions. Most of it I remember from reading the book and watching the movies countless times, but I still got surprised here and there. For example, I had completely forgot how Moaning Myrtle died or how Lockhart ended his time at Hogwarts as a professor or what happened to Mr. Weasly’s flying car.

It makes me happy that a story so well-known by me can still surprise me and entertain me like I was 12 again. I am so glad I decided to finally reread these books (in its original language). My original plan was to read one book, read another one between. But these are too darned good to be skipped. I will read all of them in one go! I should be done in the beginning of March or mid-March depending on how much time my master thesis will take. Now it is time for the Prisoner of Azkaban, a rather dark book if I don’t misremember.

Review of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” by J. K. Rowling

Posted on by
Reply


harry-potter-01-the-philosophers-stone-j-k-rowling-2Title: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
Author: J. K. Rowling
Series: Harry Potter #1
Genre: Fantasy
Pages: 223
Published: 1997, Bloomsbury Publishing
My Grade: 5 out of 5 owls

GOODREADS’ DESCRIPTION

When a letter arrives for unhappy but ordinary Harry Potter, a decade-old secret is revealed to him that apparently he’s the last to know. His parents were wizards, killed by a Dark Lord’s curse when Harry was just a baby, and which he somehow survived. Leaving his unsympathetic aunt and uncle for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry stumbles upon a sinister mystery when he finds a three-headed dog guarding a room on the third floor. Then he hears of a missing stone with astonishing powers, which could be valuable, dangerous – or both. An incredible adventure is about to begin!

MY REVIEW

It has been 15 years since I read this book for the first time. Now was definitely time to refresh my memory. And this time with the original version in English instead of the Swedish translation. But back then, when I was 11, I wasn’t too good at speaking or understanding any foreign languages.

First of all, it was great to read it in English. I have the whole series in hardback in Swedish and that’s what I read growing up. I got too tired to wait for the translation of the 6th, so I read it in English first, and then Swedish as soon as it came out. But that is the only one I have read in English until now. I guess it is good that the Swedish books translates the names on, especially, the animals and things, because it makes more sense to younger readers. But I loved that I finally got the real feeling of the things in this book. The names of the quidditch balls still makes no sense to me though, but I have 6 more books to get used to it.

Second, this book was only 230 pages long, and there were so many events in it! Going from reading a rather heavy book with long descriptions, it was a relief to read a very straightforward, but still very well-written story. It was noticeable that this is a children’s book, but 25-year olds can enjoy it as well, obviously. I wish I had more time to read so I can sit longer times at a time to read. It took me a week to read this. Too much else going on right now.

I grew up with this story, and I know it almost completely by heart, but I got minor surprises here and there (including the full first chapter, I remember the book starting right away with Harry in his cupboard, not following the Dursley’s before Harry joined them?), things I forgot or wasn’t included in the movies (which I saw more recently than I read the books).

This is truly a book everyone should read! And this is definitely something I will read to my kids when they are old enough to understand longer stories. Can’t wait!

Review of “Resan till Mörkret” (Into the Darkness) by Andrey Dyakov

Posted on by
Reply

Resan till Mörkret by Andrey DyakovTitle: Resan till Mörkret
Author: Andrey Dyakov
Translator (Swedish): Ola Wallin
Series: Metro Universe #2
Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopia, Post Apocalyptic
Pages: 398
Published: 2012, Coltso (translated 2015)
My Grade: 3.5 out of 5 heavens

COLTSO’S DESCRIPTION (translated to English by me)

SANKT PETERSBURG YEAR 2033.
A couple of decades after the big nuclear war the metro is threathened  by another war. People are desperately clinging to their miserable lives on the metro stations and in the underworld tunnels and labyrinths. Colonies on two islands in the Gulf of Finland was recently discovered, but when a nuclear bomb is detonated, only a few seamen survive and seek refugee in the metro. They accuse the metro inhabitants of the attack and threathens to eliminate all life on the stations. Taran, an infamous Stalker, gets the assignment of finding the guilty. But then his stepson Gleb dissapears…

The world on the surface is an unknown wilderness and faceless dangers can lurk anywhere in the city’s ruins where barely any human have set its foot in over 20 years.

MY REVIEW

This is so far the Swedish translations in this trilogy goes. I really hope the third one gets translated soon, I really want to find out what happens next. Like the first one, it is a really good book. It is slightly less good though, I only give it a 3.5 instead of a 4. And the reason for that, is because I felt that it was a bit spread out. There was a main story, but it was left behind after just a few chapters and it instead focused on so many other things. I guess you could say it was a bit messy. But, it wrapped up nicely in the end and answered almost all questions you had while reading it. One got unanswered and I doubt that it will be brought up in the third book (Beyond the Horizon), but I hope it will.

Compared to the originals by Dmitry Glukhovsky, Andrey Dyakov’s story takes place more aboveground, this one not so much as the first (Resan till Ljuset), but still more than Metro 2033. Lots of monsters and the author definitely has a lot of imagination when inventing all of them.

Something that also drags down the review by 0.5 points is that it sometimes felt like too much. Almost all the action-filled situations went to the worst case scenario, but always worked out in the end. This is sci-fi, I know, but it felt unrealistic, and yes, a bit too much. The characters doesn’t have to be on the brink of death as soon as something happens. It gets predictable after a while, “oh no, they are dead/almost dead, but it is okay, they will survive of course, because they survived everything else so far”.

But it is still a very good story! I really like the setting of it all and it was definitely worth reading even with the exxagerations. If you enjoyed the original Metro series, you will enjoy this series too.