Hey guys!
I've been rather off-kilter as of late, with too many things and plans about the apartment and the move as of late, and if then you add the Star Wars trailer that was revealed at the latest SW Celebration and the fact that the next Celebration in 2016 will take place in London... I have been a bit of a mess this week! I already got my tickets for Celebration London 2016, and I got news yesterday that I might be getting the keys to my apartment NEXT WEEK!
So yeah, probably the blog will go on a hiatus as soon as I get the date for my apartment keys confirmed, because I'm gonna be waaaay too busy!
Now back to the review at hand... this week's Friday Reads is also the book I am adding to my Alyssa Recomends category for the 105 Challenge and the book for April!
The Shattered Court by M.J. Scott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I saw this one on NetGalley and wondered about it, but once I saw my friend Alyssa from The Eater of Books's review for it, I knew I had to read this one, and it didn't disappoint!
I found the world building fascinating, even if we are left with many more questions about the history of the kingdoms and why in Anglion there are such restrictions on what kind of magic can be used and by whom. It's not that information is simply kept from us, it's that almost no one in the kingdom know the reasons behind why women can only use earth magic or why they have to be married off as soon as possible after coming into their powers, it just is... but I know we'll probably be getting more information as the series progresses, and I cannot wait!
Sophie was a great character, not very keen on simply accepting everything as is, and stubborn enough to trudge along even when she's scared and she doesn't like what's going on. She disagrees with the rules of the society she lives in, but she knows that she cannot disobey them too upfront if she wants to keep breathing. But she's more than willing to take risks and wants to find a way to control her power and her destiny.
Cameron... well, he's a very swoony guy after a while, but at first I wasn't 100% keen on him, he just seemed too dismissive and did seem too happy with the status quo and given that it includes women being married off and their powers being used and controlled... I was NOT keen on that!
Their chemistry was quite off the charts as soon as they connected, magically induced at first but once it all progresses we can see that they seem to be a very good match for each other, even if at first it seems more lust than anything, but then they start working together as allies to protect each other and to face the threats against Sophie coming from those in power. Be warned that this should not be considered YA because there's sex and not the fade to black kind at all!
The plot could be the weakest part of the book, because we aren't clear on why what's happening is happening or how things are relevant or what are we moving towards in here, but we do have loads of hints and info a few unexpected twists by the end that made me glad it was not what I expected at all!
The ending was open enough to make me really want to get my hands on the next book soon, but not awfully cliffhangery as to make me pull my hair out, so that's something!
A very intriguing start for a new fantasy series, one that I'll be sure to keep an eye on and plan to get my hands on the sequel as soon as possible! Well deserved 4 stars for this one!
View all my reviews
I've been rather off-kilter as of late, with too many things and plans about the apartment and the move as of late, and if then you add the Star Wars trailer that was revealed at the latest SW Celebration and the fact that the next Celebration in 2016 will take place in London... I have been a bit of a mess this week! I already got my tickets for Celebration London 2016, and I got news yesterday that I might be getting the keys to my apartment NEXT WEEK!
So yeah, probably the blog will go on a hiatus as soon as I get the date for my apartment keys confirmed, because I'm gonna be waaaay too busy!
Now back to the review at hand... this week's Friday Reads is also the book I am adding to my Alyssa Recomends category for the 105 Challenge and the book for April!
The Shattered Court by M.J. ScottMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I saw this one on NetGalley and wondered about it, but once I saw my friend Alyssa from The Eater of Books's review for it, I knew I had to read this one, and it didn't disappoint!
I found the world building fascinating, even if we are left with many more questions about the history of the kingdoms and why in Anglion there are such restrictions on what kind of magic can be used and by whom. It's not that information is simply kept from us, it's that almost no one in the kingdom know the reasons behind why women can only use earth magic or why they have to be married off as soon as possible after coming into their powers, it just is... but I know we'll probably be getting more information as the series progresses, and I cannot wait!
Sophie was a great character, not very keen on simply accepting everything as is, and stubborn enough to trudge along even when she's scared and she doesn't like what's going on. She disagrees with the rules of the society she lives in, but she knows that she cannot disobey them too upfront if she wants to keep breathing. But she's more than willing to take risks and wants to find a way to control her power and her destiny.
Cameron... well, he's a very swoony guy after a while, but at first I wasn't 100% keen on him, he just seemed too dismissive and did seem too happy with the status quo and given that it includes women being married off and their powers being used and controlled... I was NOT keen on that!
Their chemistry was quite off the charts as soon as they connected, magically induced at first but once it all progresses we can see that they seem to be a very good match for each other, even if at first it seems more lust than anything, but then they start working together as allies to protect each other and to face the threats against Sophie coming from those in power. Be warned that this should not be considered YA because there's sex and not the fade to black kind at all!
The plot could be the weakest part of the book, because we aren't clear on why what's happening is happening or how things are relevant or what are we moving towards in here, but we do have loads of hints and info a few unexpected twists by the end that made me glad it was not what I expected at all!
The ending was open enough to make me really want to get my hands on the next book soon, but not awfully cliffhangery as to make me pull my hair out, so that's something!
A very intriguing start for a new fantasy series, one that I'll be sure to keep an eye on and plan to get my hands on the sequel as soon as possible! Well deserved 4 stars for this one!
View all my reviews
Oi. I'm really glad you liked this one, Pili, but sadly it didn't work for me. Mostly b/c there were obvious parallels between it an my favorite fantasy series of ALL TIME (Robert Jordan's WHEEL OF TIME), but I totally get how it could work for people who don't love WoT with the fire of a thousand suns like I do. BUT. One thing I will say for it: it was HAWT ;)
ReplyDeleteHAWT indeed! I must confess on not having read Wheel of Time yet, so I avoided being buggered by the parallelisms, so I guess I was lucky that way! *hides*
DeleteYou had me at magic and kingdoms! I don't know how I missed this on Netgalley. The cover is gorgeous, and the story really seems to be my thing. I love that there was such a strong chemistry between Sophie and Cameron and that they chose to work together.
ReplyDeleteYep, I'm in such a fantasy kick! I do hope you'll give this one a try, Maja!
DeleteI haven't read Wheel of Time so I bet I wouldn't be bothered by the parallels between this and that. And if it's a new fantasy series that doesn't feature fade-to-black sex, um, all the better in my opinion! I would kind of like to know why the world's constructed the way it is (tell me why women need to be married off as soon as possible and can only use a specific time of magic! these sound like things I would want explained early on, not to like ... unfold in the fullness of time).
ReplyDeleteBut I do love fantasy, so I might pick this up. Hmmm.
We do get some info but not much on the reasons or the history, so I was a bit annoyed at that too, I think that like you, I always want to KNOW!
DeleteLet me know if you do give it a try, Layla!
I never heard of this one until I saw Alyssa' review! It sounds really good and I'm so glad you enjoyed it too! I tried requesting it on NG but I think I'm still stuck on 'pending' stage ha.... Owell, it's almost out anyways ;)
ReplyDeleteI hope you'll get approved for it soon, Eileen!
DeleteYAYAYAYAYAYAY! I'm so glad to see that you've enjoyed this one, Pili! I wasn't the biggest fan of Cameron at first either, especially given his relationship with a certain you-know-who, but I came to really like him! I liked Sophie from the start, and it was lovely to see her grow as a character. I'm excited to see what Scott has for us in the future! NEED MORE BOOKS ASAP!
ReplyDeleteAnyway! I'm so glad you enjoyed this book, Pili! I hope you have a better week this coming week, and keep me posted on all things apartment and travel and life in general! :D
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
I am indeed very excited to continue this series, Alyssa! Thank you so much for putting it on my radar!
DeleteAnd of course I'll keep you updated on EVERYTHING!!
I am so so excited for you getting your apartment soon :D CANNOT WAIT TO SEE PICTURES. <3 You must share all the things, lol :) Hope you'll be tweeting, despite not blogging, then. <3 Anyway. Gorgeous review Pili :D I'm glad you mostly enjoyed this book a lot. I don't think it would be for me, but damn. That cover is pretty gorgeous :)
ReplyDeleteYESSSS!! Don't worry Carina dear, I'll be tweeting photos and keeping up to date on Twitter as much as my working on the apartment will allow for sure! *hugs*
DeleteI'm really excited for this one! I am all for adult fantasy and based on Alyssa and Nick's recs, it sounds like it will be up my alley! I'm glad you enjoyed this one, even though you didn't LOVE it. I'm looking forward to their chemistry though!
ReplyDelete4 stars for me is quite a lot of love, even if not MASSIVE love for it, so I still highly recommend this one Jessica!!
Delete