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Book Review: The Ruby Circle (Bloodlines #6) by Richelle Mead

Feb 10, 2015

The Ruby Cicle by Richelle Mead

Pages: 348
Publish date: 10th Feb 2015
Publisher: Penguin Australia
ISBN: 9780670078691
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU

Sydney Sage is an Alchemist, one of a group of humans who dabble in magic and serve to bridge the worlds of humans and vampires. They protect vampire secrets—and human lives.

After their secret romance is exposed, Sydney and Adrian find themselves facing the wrath of both the Alchemists and the Moroi in this electrifying conclusion to Richelle Mead’s New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series. When the life of someone they both love is put on the line, Sydney risks everything to hunt down a deadly former nemesis. Meanwhile, Adrian becomes enmeshed in a puzzle that could hold the key to a shocking secret about spirit magic, a secret that could shake the entire Moroi world.

The Ruby Circle:

Holy Crap. Richelle Mead is just a beautiful person. Let me just say it’s going to be incredibly hard to review this book without giving spoilers. I’m going to try my absolute hardest to not spoil The Ruby Circle but let me tell you it’s going to be hard. But Warning there are going to spoilers from the Vampire Academy series and the other Bloodlines books.

Also please, no spoilers from The Ruby Circle in the comments please. You can email if you want or even direct message me on twitter or my Facebook page.

My love for Richelle Mead has just increased if that is even possible. The Ruby Circle is a step up from any other VA and Bloodlines book. The reader will not have any time to rest, from the very first chapter something exciting starts to happen. And every chapter after that, I was on the edge of my seat.

I do wish at some parts it was a little slower, maybe because I didn’t want it to end and just wanted to keep on reading and reading. It wasn’t all the time, but the ending before the epilogue, I think could have been just that little bit slower.

There are just so many things that we find out during The Ruby Circle. And damn Richelle Mead is good. We do find out who has taken Jill, I wasn’t stunned per say, but I don’t think a lot of people have guessed whom it really is. I found it fascinating, but like I said not surprising, if I think about it. Seemed pretty logical.

We do get a few surprise visits from some re-accruing characters. I wanted to jump up and squeal about. Some others I wanted to bash their heads on a wall. I really do wish that there was more Lissa and Christian. They do make some appearances in The Ruby Circle but I wanted more. But in saying we have this classic Christian in a scene that I loved.

“Just a demo, please,” Called the guardian wearily. “We don’t need to wipe our supply of dummies yet” – Adrian, page 71

Therefore one of the main things I prized about The Ruby Circle is that Richelle did tie up a lot of loose ends. It just made the whole thing that more perfect. Some of these questions we have asked, since the first book in the Vampire Academy series. I may or may not have been laughing and repeating Holy shit for one of those scenes. It was so good finally knowing this answer.

There are also many shocks for certain characters and I just wanted to hold one and tell them everything is going to be alright.

Spirit also got the better of some, at certain points and oh my heart just broke. There is still so much more to know about Spirit and controlling it, I just wish there was more to do about it.

One thing that I loved was the Sydney/Adrian and Rose/Dimitri my heart exploded and I could not stop laughing.

“Good thing we’ve got our own cowboy” – Adrian, page 132

Sydney and Adrian my heart for these two, the love that these two people have for each other, melts my heart. They have struggled to be together and when they do, they are on the run. But those moments they had together, were just sweet and loving that somehow made everything better for just that moment.

There were some highs and lows throughout The Ruby Circle. But Richelle Mead, the genius just made everything fit perfectly. With her Richelle Mead wit, to those heartbreaking scenes. This is probably Mead’s best work. Her writing is incredible, and moving. And it isn’t a Richelle Mead book without some shocks.

However let me tell you, there is 2 revelations are wow. I think every single fangirl/boy will melt. It’s just perfect. I was beaming like an idiot for hours after I finished reading. Mind you I did read it in under 3 hours and finished reading at 2 in the morning.

I truly cannot fault The Ruby Circle. To me it was flawless. The best way to end a series even two. She fixed up loose ends, but left it open for more. Which I am hoping for an Eddie and Jill book. It doesn’t have to be soon, nonetheless hopefully in the near future. Just what a way to finish some amazing books. Everything is bittersweet.

Have you read The Ruby Circle yet? How are you feeling?

Other Richelle Mead Reviews;

– Bloodlines
– The Golden Lily
– The Indigo Spell
– Silver Shadows

Book Review: Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson

Jan 15, 2015

Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson

Pages: 449

Publish date: July 3rd 2014

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

ISBN: 1471122662

Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU

The Pre-Sloane Emily didn’t go to parties, she barely talked to guys, she didn’t do anything crazy. Enter Sloane, social tornado and the best kind of best friend—the one who yanks you out of your shell.

But right before what should have been an epic summer, Sloane just… disappears. No note. No calls. No texts. No Sloane. There’s just a random to-do list. On it, thirteen Sloane-selected-definitely-bizarre-tasks that Emily would never try… unless they could lead back to her best friend.

Apple Picking at Night? Okay, easy enough.

Dance until Dawn? Sure. Why not?

Kiss a Stranger? Wait… what?

Getting through Sloane’s list would mean a lot of firsts. But Emily has this whole unexpected summer ahead of her, and the help of Frank Porter (totally unexpected) to check things off. Who knows what she’ll find?

Go Skinny Dipping? Um…

Since You’ve Been Gone:

I received Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson from, Simon & Schuster Australia in exchange for a review. This has in no way influenced my thoughts and feelings on the book.

Since You’ve Been Gone is the second Morgan Matson book that I have read. A couple of years ago I read Second Chance Summer and absolutely treasured it to pieces. Let me tell you, I felt the same way about Since You’ve Been Gone.

I love Matson’s writing style. It draws you in and is entirely stunning – the way that she writes is incredible.

Since You’ve Been Gone shadows the story of Emily as she’s on her journey of completing the to-do list that her best friend, Sloane, left after she disappeared. Before Sloane, Emily was shy, didn’t do crazy things, and she barely talked to boys. Sloane brought her out of that shell though. With Sloane now off the face of the earth she leaves a list in her place, which would see Emily do some of the craziest things she has ever done.

I really do love Emily, and I really did connect with her more than I could have imagined. I found that Emily and I are really alike in characteristics, maybe it was just me and I could be all wrong but that really added to my reading experience.

I loved the whole concept of Since You’ve Been Gone. The idea pulled me in from the start and just kept pulling me further and further in. As soon as I started reading Since You’ve Been Gone, I could not put the damn thing down!

I loved going through Sloane’s list. The reader is able to witness Emily’s highs and lows, watch her as she becomes stronger and more independent. You were also able to see Emily not rely on Sloane like she did before.

I loved that we were able to see glimpses of Emily’s time with Sloane and how their friendship was weird but beautiful. It also showed that they really did rely on each other, Emily more than Sloane. You also get a little insight as to how Sloane transformed Emily and helped her let loose a little.

“I don’t think you have to do something so big to be brave. And it’s the little things that are harder anyway.”

Matson’s writing is incredible and it added so much depth and emotion to Since You’ve Been Gone.

Before Sloane, Emily didn’t really have any friends. Even then it was only Sloane and her, but when Sloane left her the list of things to do Emily made new friends along the way. The reader is able to see the journey that Emily travels, and making new friends is one of those stops.

Two of the people who befriend Emily through the story are Frank and Collins. Collins – oh how I loved him! Collins is a comical character that you just cannot help but laugh at pretty much everything he says. He would brighten up any situation. But one thing: he was very protective of was Frank. I adored the friendship between Frank and Collins.

“Real friends are the ones you can count on no matter what. The ones who go into the forest to find you and bring you home. And real friends never have to tell you that they’re your friends.”

The Romance! Gosh! My heart was pulled, and pulled, and pulled! It was slow and burning but completely adorable and beautiful.

Since You’ve Been Gone is a book about self-discovery, growing, and changing. It’s about taking chances and making new friends. It’s simply a fun summer, cuteness overload read. The friendships are beautiful, with a hint of an adorable romance. It will pull a string in anyone’s heart.

Have you read Since You’ve Been Gone? What did you think of it? If you haven’t read it will you dig your hands into it?

Book Review: The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski

Aug 10, 2014

The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski

Pages:368
Publish date:July 3rd 2014
Publisher:Bloomsbury
ISBN: 1408858207
Purchase: Book Depository – Amazon UK – Amazon US – Amazon AU

As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions. One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction.

Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin. But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined.

The Winner’s Curse:

First Line: She shouldn’t have been tempted.

I received a copy of The Winners Curse from Bloomsbury Australia. This in no way has influenced my review.

I love this book. I cannot explain how much I love this book. It is even more beautiful than the cover and which is simply divine.

Just everything about this book is amazing. The world – how much I love the world created by Marie Rutkoski. It is so intriguing and striking. Rutkoski created something that is new and refreshing but still sticks to a ‘guideline’ for fantasy/historical fiction novels. It was interesting to see the world that Rutkoski created. She formed a world that is complex, but quite easy to get your head around.

The characters that she creates are even more intriguing than the world. You cannot trust anyone and they are multi-layered which adds so much depth to the novel.

Kestrel, the main protagonist, is so intriguing and different a character than. I have read before. She is strong and builds up all these walls, but they are brought down slowly by someone she doesn’t expect to affect her the way he did.

Kestrel is the daughter of general and she is given two choices: join the army or get married. As you can guess Kestrel wants none of those.

There are many reasons why we won…but the fundamental reason is simple. They were weak. We were not.

Rutkoski’s writing in The Winner’s Curse is simply beautiful and captivating. It draws you in and you just can’t seem to put the book down. If I tag could put sticky notes in the whole book I would, because there are just so many beautiful moments. There are many beautiful quotes that I want to remember.

Aria, the slave that Kestrel brought, is very interesting. We don’t know too much about him expect what the slave says to make someone try and buy him. But as the novel goes on we get to see more about him and, man, he was fascinating.

Kestrel’s father is also an interesting character. He is the army general, but when it comes to his daughter, he will do anything even if he doesn’t realise it. Kestrel and her father have interesting relationship that I actually didn’t mind at all. Because he may be all tough on the outside, but deep down he loves his daughter with everything.

Happiness depends on being free, and being free depends on being courageous.

I fell in love with the romance. Oh, it was just so beautiful. Slow, but just so gorgeous and breathtaking. I just swooned half the time. Both Kestrel and Aria don’t even realise how they feel about each other, but it’s beautiful to watch. Rutkoski is a mastermind. The combination of forbidden love between a slave and someone of high standard and the blissful moments are perfect.

She saw him and didn’t understand how she had ever missed his beauty. How it didn’t always strike her as it did now, like a blow.

Some might say that the first half of the book’s pacing is slow, but I think it is the perfect type of slow because the second half? Well, I just could not put the book down. It was thing after thing and it was amazing.

The ending…Wow. What a way to leave a book. You shouldn’t end a book like that, but Rutkoski did and damn I sobbed. I need the The Winners Crime now! I just cannot handle it.

Everything in war hinges of what you know of your adversary’s skills and assists…but how you negotiate the strengths of your opponent is more likely to decide the battle than anything else.

The setup of the whole book is just as amazing as the book. The gorgeous cover that I simply adore. The first pages that are fully black and the way that the chapter numbers are written add as much individuality as the novel does.

The Winners Curse doesn’t disappoint. An outstanding fantasy with relatable characters, beautiful romance, flawless world building and an enthralling storyline. Rutkoski has started the trilogy off with a mighty bang and if anyone asks for a book suggestion it’s going to be The Winners Curse without a doubt.

Have you read The Winner’s Curse? What did you think of it, did you love it as much as I did? Will you read it?