The Winner's Kiss

Dearly beloved, the time has come to say goodbye. Goodbye to amazing characters, an amazing trilogy. Goodbye to an amazing story that now has come to an end. It pains me to say that we will close a book-series, one that I have grown to adore from the first few pages. One that I totally absorbed and got absorbed by. With the last book in the series, The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski, we will be left but not without a phenomenal ending. A review about the last book in a series that has become my favorite this year!

WARNING For the ones here that haven't read the first in this series, I recommend you not to read on since there will be further developments to the characters and to the plot. This will create a less pleasant read of The Winner's Crime because you know more information than you already should. Therefore, I recommend you not to read the review of The Winner's Crime but to read the review about the first in the series: The Winner's Curse. If you're interested in the second book, The Winner's Crime, I also wrote a review about that book. Just clicking on the title will open a new page with the review on the first book. 

War has arrived and it will not be easy to defeat. 

Arin is making strategies to defeat the enemy together with his new allies. Even though he tries to convince himself that he no longer thinks about Kestrel, his mind and heart often go back to those sweet times. Trying to forget about her for good, he throws himself into a battle that might become his death.
Meanwhile the woman in his heart is somewhere in the Tundra. As a prisoner for her betrayal to the empire and her own father, Kestrel has time to feel the pain. The pain of her father letting her go. The pain of losing Arin. Kestrel starts fighting to keep her conscious and tries hard to escape what might become her death. 

This book! This book! This book! I can't believe how the author keeps writing these amazing books. If you haven't picked up the first one... what are you doing here? This is going to spoil all of this fantastic series! Also instead of reading this, go pick up the first book! Hurry!

The thing I noticed about the characters and actually the whole book in general, is that our focus changes. In The Winner's Crime we really saw how Kestrel was protecting Arin but this time she can't protect him. Kestrel is in a prison and is now suffering. In The Winner's Crime we saw how Arin suffered through her actions and now she's suffering from her actions. I really love how the characters focus changes but still has this element that attaches the change to what we already saw before.

The thing with Kestrel is that I feel it's one of the first times we really see her suffer. Yes, we saw her feel bad and suffer but this is different. She's imprisoned. Her father let het get taken away because of his beliefs. We really see how the prison feels like and how everything works in the world Marie Rutkoski created. But most of all we see how Kestrel's feelings finally catch up with the past two books. Her heartbreak is ginormous and that makes her level of suffering far worse than what we have seen before. The once strong Kestrel now seemed like a totally different character, a person without the fight inside of her, a person without her strategies. I really loved to see this side of Kestrel because it brings more dept into her character and shows the readers that she's more than a strong strategist. 

Also what I really admired with this character is that she eventually will fight. The prison tries to make the prisoners calm and without any emotion so they work harder. The battle between wanting to forget everything because of her obvious heartbreak and the will to break free is therefore a big element that'll be important for this character. We'll really see how Kestrel is fighting to be strong again but also wants to give up the fight because she lost Arin and her father. A very strong character that gives us new insight in her personality. Even though we only see it in the last book, I didn't mind that too much because it was an amazing turn.

As for Arin, also he's changing more and more. I felt like in the first book, The Winner's Curse, he was just a boy. Now, in the third and last book, we really see how everything has changed him. He's become this new man who has been through so much. Also his past will be something that's discussed in The Winner's Kiss which I think is a big asset to his character because it makes us understand more of his past actions. 

His character seems older and more mature because of everything that has been going on during this trilogy. Above that there's also the obvious heartbreak on Arin's part, however I feel like the heartbreak with this character was already obvious in The Winner's Crime. How Arin feels and what he'll do with his broken heart will take interesting turns though which I think is a good thing, but I can't tell more about that!

What I can say about Arin's character is that I'm really impressed with him. When you look at the past three books, you really see that he has evolved the most and that his thinking has become deeper and more mature. His personality is also very likable and swoon-worthy which we all know by now! I absolutely adored him, his bad sides included!

As for the relationship between our two characters, we've seen a lot of that happening already. The first book really focused on them meeting and how their relationship and bond starts to form, the second book then really concentrates on Kestrel trying to protect him and Arin trying to get her back. So as I already mentioned each book changes it's view and starts to focus on a change. It's therefore really interesting to see what the third and last book, The Winner's Kiss, is going to do with our two characters and how everything will evolve. If we'll get a happy ending or if these two will see each other again is a question you'll have to find the answer to yourself! All I can tell is that I'm really happy that the author made this evolve and have certain turns I hadn't seen coming! 

Now the plot! The story finally starts with the war. In the first book there wasn't really any case of war. Everyone lived peacefully but then of course, there was the rebellion which had set things in motion. In The Winner's Crime we then saw how the empire and strategists were trying to overpower each other and get the best out of their situation. And then we finally arrive at the last book and it's really time for war! 

I actually have to say that I really looked forward to this. Especially now we have a new game piece: the east. Arin had been trying to make them his allies and also succeeded in doing so. The thing I really love about the east is that they bring other habits and also new views on war. I just really adored their influence on the story. It really comes together as one coherent concept that's very realistic: every land has it's own habits, own strategies and own views. That's no different in this book! And I really loved that because the habits and the things they wore are so much different from each other. 

However with every war there are allies and when everyone works together they start to take over their habits. This is something Marie Rutkoski also took into account and also wrote out for the readers. If there's anything I'm really happy that the author really made detailed sceneries that we could then read and really view with our fantasy. The fact that she also paid attention to those habits and spend time making these differences was therefore very appreciated. 

Another element in the plot is that we'll also get some more action in this book. Although I think we already had some action in the past books, The Winner's Kiss' focus really is on the war between the Empire and the rest of the lands. With war I think we all expect more than one fight and more action than we've had before. The author came to our aid and also really brought us scenes of battle. Not only the good kind but also the loss and the new strategies! I've always been a fan of the strategies, and once again the author doesn't leave us without them.

The only thing we'll be seeing a lot less in this book is the betrayal and the games. This is probably because the war has already begun and everyone has taken sides. There's no need to betray people or to play games. Did I miss that aspect? Not really. I find that the book didn't really need it just because the war really takes up the plot and makes sure we've got enough elements there to keep us busy and entertained. 

Next to war we'll also see the two main characters be on their own path. Arin is already in the war, but Kestrel is imprisoned. I think it's an asset to the readers to also live through the sort imprisonment that the Empire sees fit. It really brings a lot of other and new details and characteristics that we can pin to the empire. As for Arin, as I already mentioned he's already in war but he'll make sure that the readers will get a good view on how the east will react and claim their space in war. Which is also a very nice thing to read about! Both characters will just make sure that more details and characteristics of other lands will become known. Even though it's the last book, I really enjoyed getting to know the other lands even better!

Another thing I absolutely adored in this book was the past of Arin that got a little bit more revealed. Arin will tell tales of his past and also his gods will be around. These little elements are things that really define Arin and make him who he is. Therefore reading into his past and getting to understand (at last) why he did the things that he did, is something readers will find amazing. Also the part of his gods will be more important in this book and really makes Arin's character even better.

As for Kestrel, we know her heartbreak and as I already said she's imprisoned. The Winner's Kiss is finally going to add more to the bond between her father and her. Some questions will be answered and readers will not be disappointed at all! Their relationship as well as both characters will be talked about and seen more so that we'll finally be able to understand what went wrong and why. I think that's a nice element to close this series off with because I think this was something that defined Kestrel's personality.

Does this mean that we won't be seeing some Kestrel and Arin action? Who knows. I can't really say much about that, especially because that's just the fun of the book. However I can really say that I'm absolutely amazed and happy with how the book ends and how the trilogy is closed off. After a long ride of 3 books with so much loss and games and betrayal, I think it's safe to say that readers will not be left disappointed. At least I really wasn't! 

And with this review, this series ends! I can't believe that it's over and it also really pains me to think of that! Marie Rutkoski has given me a new series to treasure and also and ending I never came close to. The Winner's Kiss has surprised me in many ways and the author has once again showed us that she can keep exciting us. This time I felt that the focus has changed once again and claims the war as theme. I have to say I respect the author a lot to refocus her theme in every book but still make it one coherent trilogy. As in all other books, we'll be able to enjoy strategies and see them being executed with it's effects as we get a closer look onto the war. 

As this is the last book in the trilogy, a lot of remaining questions get answers and new questions still arise which I think is an asset to the book. The author keeps making us guess and question certain characters but also certain situations. And speaking of characters, they surprised me even more! It's amazing to see them grow even further and play with their demons during the times of war. 

Lastly, there's still the part where the trilogy is written with an all-knowing-persona but once again the author won't give everything to us. There's still so much room to speculate or even to be surprised because things turned out totally opposite than what we might have expected. I absolutely loved that effect in this story. 

To conclude I think it's fair to say that this is an outstanding ending that's both thrilling but also very satisfying. Even after two books the author has given us a worthy last book that still gives us all the things we loved during the story. I am in tears! This book (and this entire series) is absolutely magnificent. A huge recommendation!

"Some kisses come at a price."

Hopeless | Audiobook

A book that's been on my to be read shelf for over two years has finally been picked up because I was going to Luxembourg! Yes, that sounds weird right? Let me explain: what do you do on a 2 hour and 45 minute drive that became a 5 hour drive because of traffic jams? You listen to an Audiobook because you can't read while driving without getting sick. So that's exactly what I did: I picked up the Audiobook: Hopeless by Colleen Hoover and listened for the entire drive to Luxembourg and back. My third book by this author and I have to say I'm not disappointed.

It takes one encounter with a total stranger for Sky to finally feel something real. It's the only boy she ever has had any attraction to. The one worst thing about it? The guy is hopeless and totally arrogant and strange. Feeling things she never has felt before for a guy, Sky is terrified that he has so much control over her. Yet he makes her feel fireworks and nostalgic, bringing up memories she wished wouldn't ever be revealed. But he has some secrets he hasn't been sharing either and Sky feels torn between the past and present while feeling so many things for this hopeless boy. The question is is he really who he says he is and why does he keep things from her? Totally hopeless herself Sky is in for the ride of her life finding out truths she never thought were lies before... 

Being a book that's been on my to be read shelf for so long, I have to say it was even more surprising as I had first thought it would be. I read two other books by Colleen Hoover by now so I like her style enough to dare and go into another book by her. I have to say it stayed on my shelf for so long because I didn't know if I would really like it as much as it seemed but having listened to it now I can safely say I'll read, or well listen better yet, the sequel!

The first thing I really want to get into are the characters, especially because they brought a deepness and surprise I never thought would happen. To really be honest, I had never expected that the characters or even the plot would have turned out as it did. First we have Sky, she seems like a normal teenager when we first get to know her. The only thing that's "wrong" with her is that she doesn't feel anything when there's a boy around. She just feels nothing at all and watches her stars on her ceiling. I guess that was something that intrigued me with this character from the start. This just made me think that the story would be about Sky having to find her first true love to make her feel things but soon enough we'll notice that a lot more things are going on with Sky. The book makes time to let us know what she dreams. These dreams aren't even just dreams they're memories from when she was little and still lived with her biological parents who put her up for adoption. 

At the first memory we get we have this feeling there's a lot more to the story than we know. That Sky isn't only this teenager that doesn't feel anything but that something else is going on. However Sky's personality isn't one that worries a lot. She's very confident and tends to just go with the flow. The only insecurity she has is when she's with boys and doesn't feel anything. That all changes when she meets the second main (male) character in the book, Holder, and she starts to feel so much more. He brings a lot more memories at night which readers will immediately absorb into their minds and hold onto. It's also from that moment on that we see Sky turn into another part of her. From the beginning we knew she wasn't very emotional, she's strong and independent and most of all she's confident. The moment she meets Holder and her memories come more frequently, she becomes fiercer and stubborn. Especially when she sees Holder or is talking with him. I really loved to see this stubbornness and fierce part in her although sometimes I think both Sky and Holder were being angry for nothing!

However the more memories she gets and the more Holder makes her feel, the more insecure Sky is becoming and even though this seems like too big of a change, I really enjoyed seeing her turn into this Sky. It brought more softness to her personalty and didn't make her seem like she knew everything better and was so confident you couldn't get to her. It brought a deepness and even more understanding to this character and made the reader notice that something was going on with this character and it wasn't only not feeling anything for boys. Something in her past was haunting her and Holder is triggering things even she doesn't know anything about. It's also from that moment, where Sky becomes this more insecure and bomb of emotions that we start to question everything, starting with Holder.

Holder's very alike Sky, he's very confident and sure of himself. Although he always, from the start, had this softness that Sky didn't have. He was the gentler person and always knew when things weren't going the way someone else wanted them to. He's always there for them, even though he's that confident. It's not as if his confidence becomes arrogant and I liked that a lot. In the beginning I thought Holder would be this cocky character in the book but Colleen Hoover really surprised me with making him this soft person. Readers will also really notice how fast he can lose his temper which was also a surprise when he's such a gentle person, however I loved that he could also be so fierce about things. But as I mentioned before, sometimes I thought both got angry over the smallest things and I just wanted them both to get over it a lot faster than they did. 

The thing between these two characters is that they both are so much different when they're together and it brings Sky this nostalgic feeling and Holder is keeping things which obviously makes this combination as exciting as dangerous for the readers because we don't know enough to make a verdict. However I think both characters were very easy to love, especially together. They brought the best from each other, ones they stopped being angry for nothing. The combination of Sky's big personality change and Holder's softness but strength really made this amazing bond between the two that's both swoon-worthy and suspicious for the readers. 

Even though the memories triggered by Holder make the plot make interesting turns, I think everyone who read the book will agree with me that we wouldn't be able to hate or resist Holder at all. The characters were really well written with more dept and softness than I had expected and also were a lot different than I had thought and that's all because of the influence of the plot.

Why? Because the plot really turned my whole view on this book upside down. I thought this was going to be this classic romantic and predictable story well I was wrong all along. Yes there is something going on with Holder and how he's triggering all these memories of Sky's past but still the author keeps the reasons why and what has happened then so well hidden! It really leaves a lot of room for the reader to make wild guesses and maybe, just like me, be totally wrong about everything you thought this was about. 

I think it's a very interesting thing to see this story turn into something so much more deeper than I had expected and that's really all I can tell about it. What I first thought to be a typical romance about a girl finding a boy, them arguing, breaking up and getting back together, was totally not the case. Although this book also contains a high amount of sweet romance which really isn't anything that's going to bother the reader, this book will really start to fall apart. The plot line will start making sudden turns and reveal memories that open a way to memory lane. And boy, let me tell you that neither of the two characters had ever imagined that.

This book really contains a lot of mystery and when you think you finally know what's going on and what is linking these two characters together, there's even more! I have to admit that the author, Colleen Hoover, has really surprised me in a good way. I had never thought that a book could be so different from what I had ever expected! And that's not even all because when you finally know every part of the truth and people are ready to confront it and open up for it something happens that will leave you so speechless. Damn I wish I could tell but I absolutely can't. I can however say that once again Colleen Hoover made a surprising move and really turned all of our worlds upside down for the 100th time in this book.

The thing with the plot is that I think it really does a great job with influencing both the readers and the characters. The characters personalities and behavior will really vary on what's going to be revealed. Especially because there's a big part Sky doesn't even know anything about. These memories are all new to her as she doesn't even remember anything. This of course brings a lot more feelings and a lot more changes to her story and personality which I think was amazing to witness. How such a strong character can change so much due to the things she now learns, is also something that's a big part of reality. We also change a lot when things happen or when things we didn't know are revealed and I think that's a great asset to the book: the realistic part. 

To conclude I can say I was so scared to finally start this book, but heck I shouldn't have been! Once again Colleen Hoover really surprised me with her book by giving it an amazing twist. This book totally turned out different that I thought it would be and when I thought I finally knew how this was going to turn out, it surprised me with another twist! The characters were so well written and the book contained a deepness I hadn't thought to give it when I read the synopsis. So many elements of the past, present and secrets come together to create a plot line I absolutely enjoyed and couldn't stop listening to. If you're looking for a surprise read then this is absolutely your book. You'll be pulled into a world of a normal teenager who's world will be turned upside down because of secrets and her past. You'll be thrilled by all the twists and turns and fall in love with the character's amazing personalities and softness! A deep read that really made me feel so much and made me fall in love once more.

"The only thing that matters to me with you are the forevers."

The Winner's Crime

For the love of all the Book Gods, I am lost for words! I finally dared to open the second in a series. And when I say dare, I really mean it because I was so scared to start this book. I shouldn't have been! If I thought this book was going to disappoint me, I was absolutely wrong. I said it with the first book and I'll say it again: this is probably the best book I've read in 2017 so let's make this statement right: this will probably be the best series I've read this year. The second book in The Winner's-trilogy is ready for it's review: The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski. 

WARNING For the ones here that haven't read the first in this series, I recommend you not to read on since there will be further developments to the characters and to the plot. This will create a less pleasant read of The Winner's Crime because you know more information than you already should. Therefore, I recommend you not to read the review of The Winner's Crime but to read the review about the first in the series: The Winner's Curse. Just clicking on the title will open a new page with the review on the first book. 

Now Arin is free and has his country back, it's Kestrels duty to keep him safe and free. However everything comes with a price and Kestrel is paying it. Being the Prince's finance, she feels as if she's living in a cage going from one celebration to the other. All this time her heart is longing for someone else but she's made it her job to protect the one that lies closest to her. But with every day that day of the wedding approaching and every moment Kestrel has to live through the torture, she's aching to tell Arin the truth about everything and tell him how she sacrificed everything because of him and so he would be safe. 
Arin however tried everything to win Kestrel back and to make her tell him the truth, but the God of Lies loves Kestrel and all this time she tried to protect him. Some truths should have been told earlier and some lies should've never been said in the first place. Kestrel becomes the goddess of  deceit as she becomes a spy all the while Arin is fighting to keep his country's freedom. When the truth finally will come out, hearts will be cut open and left to bleed...

This book has left me speechless! The reason why I was so scared to begin the second is the series is because of the ending in The Winner's Curse. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely loved the first in the series and also loved the ending because it wasn't typical and as I had thought it would end. 

By now we all know that (SPOILER ALERT if you're reading this review and haven't read the first book!) Kestrel and Arin aren't together and left each other. We also know there's been made a deal and that Kestrel didn't get engaged because she was madly in love with the prince. All of us that read The Winner's Curse know that sacrifices have been made and that one of the parties doesn't know anything about it. My ship was totally wrecked at the end of the book because my love for Arin and Kestrel is too big for words. My thoughts immediately thought that The Winner's Crime would make sure that Arin and Kestrel would be far away from each other and that the book would begin to develop a plot where both don't or barely see each other. However the author really made sure that both characters were still linked to each other and would develop the plot while also coming across each other in different situations! 



So the thing that scared me to start The Winner's Crime was really nothing to be scared of and even though the characters will not be like they were in the first book, due to circumstances and lies, I still absolutely enjoyed the atmosphere they brought the book and how, independently, they twisted the story to what is has become! 

What I really feel with these characters is that each of them is growing on a rapid pace and have now fully stepped into the world of deceit and lies. Although The Winner's Curse also really focused on this, I felt like the second book did an even better job on this! Especially because the lies are the main thing that split our characters apart from each other and might keep them that way or might bring them together like this.

The role with deceiving and lying and being totally focused on the game was really Kestrels and I absolutely loved to see how she was going at it. From the first book we knew that Kestrel has a very strong mind that's smart and knows how to makes strategies. We wouldn't expect less of a general's daughter. However in The Winner's Crime, Kestrel did an even better job especially because she felt the need to. This need was very clear for the readers and also made it very pleasant. 

Once again we saw a very strong and determined Kestrel that always explained her motives to the readers but never let anything get obvious to the other characters that she was deceiving them. Her strategies were totally new and also amazing to see. The author really made sure that we could follow every step through her mind and that we knew her motives and which strategy she preferred over the other. The thing with Kestrel in this book was that I really felt like she was balanced out. Her longing to protect Arin was so strong that it made her mind games even better and her strategies excellent. 

The last thing I really want to say about Kestrel is that she might look very strong and of course, she is! However we really see her suffer in this book as well, because she can't have what she wants so badly. Her need to protect is bigger which I think is a trait from this character that came out a lot stronger in the second book than it did in the first. The things she wants and where she's currently at because of her protectiveness also really reflects how caged she feels and how it's making her rot from the inside out. Above that Kestrel doesn't only want to keep Arin safe by helping him and give information through someone else, she also wants her father to love her and respect her. 

That's something that Kestrel always has wanted, even since the first book and I have to say that my questions about if this was going to be resolved and how are now satisfied. The author will also concentrate on her inner conflict: getting the love of her Father and being with the man she loves. There's a lot in store for Kestrel and she'll be walking on a very thin line where she'll have to be careful not to make any mistakes. The verge of danger she's in and what her heart wants will really make this character amazing and magnificent!

As for Arin, I really felt that his character struggled a lot as well and was in an inner conflict just like Kestrel. Arin is also longing for everything in the past and that made it hard for him to move on and be a man. The plot will keep referring to Arin fighting between the little boy from the first book and the man that he's now in the second book. Arin does play well in the games at court, however he's less of a game player in The Winner's Crime. While Kestrel really is fighting for something close to Arin, Arin is trying to keep his land and busy with other political influences that can help him keep Harran. 

Although he might be busy with other things, Arin will still think of Kestrel a lot. And Kestrel's strength of strategy has been rubbed off on him in this book. The author really showed how much more Arin can do and how much he can think like Kestrel which I think was a great asset to the book because that was something that linked the two characters, now split, together. 

Speaking of the two linked together, both will see each other on multiple occasions through the book where we see their personalities develop and grow stronger. Kestrel being deceiving to protect but also being a source of information for Arin without him knowing and Arin being smarter, stronger and more developed. Both of their characters are going to be very strong and stubborn which will form multiple clashes between the two and the readers will be left with frustration because we know everything but they don't! 

A last thing about Arin though, is that I feel like he isn't only struggling with the whole past and present but also with seeing the lies and conspiracies. Throughout the book we'll see that Kestrel has the advantage because she has a stronger mind to make conspiracies, strategies and to lie. Arin is strong in that part too but not as strong as Kestrel which causes Arin to struggle a lot with seeing the truths when he thinks she's lying. Both play a very convincing role in pushing and pulling each other which will have different effects that will leave the readers with feelings all over the place! 

The relationship between the two isn't like we saw it in the first book which I think is an asset to the story. The plot has developed in many ways so we can't expect for them to be the same. However since it's written in an all-knowing-persona we do really see what they both long for but how things have changed and what made the change. Meanwhile we'll be left with feeling and wished we were the Gods of love so we could interfere! The characters really showed a big development that left me lost for words but really happy. Their personalities are just so much stronger, kind of the same, which makes it hard for them to interpret and understand each other like they did before, even if their feelings speak the same language. Absolutely outstanding once again!

As for the plot there's a game to play so make sure you're ready! Even in The Winner's Curse I noticed that the author had a gift to make these conspiracies and to trick the readers even if it was written in an all-knowing-persona. Also in the second book the conspiracies and games will play a major role. Especially because it's these games that Kestrel needs to protect the person she's wanted from the start. 

In the first book the author focused on the empire of Valoria and how Herran was colonized by them. Even then there were conspiracies and rebellion which caused the ending of The Winner's Curse as we all know it now. In The Winner's Crime the focus of war will be less on Herran and more on the East: Dacra. This doesn't mean that Valoria and it's players won't keep Herran in their sight. The book really has a higher political aspect than it had in The Winner's Curse but I actually loved to see that because it made sure that we could see our characters form strategies which I absolutely adore. Being that the focus of war has changed also brings Arin to the table. 

As I mentioned the eyes won't leave Herran because many Valorian people are not happy that it got it's independence. Kestrel will do anything to make sure it keeps it and therefore will also start playing an even more dangerous game. For the first time Kestrel changes her ways and will turn on her own nationality because of Arin. Even though he doesn't know, Kestrel will be feeding information and she'll be everywhere when it comes to the political games. Why? Because the emperor of Valoria knows how strong Kestrel is when it comes to war and making moves and he wants her to take over when she's ready. I really loved how the plot turned this story so much in the second book. Although The Winner's Curse also contained this political aspect, I feel like it didn't concentrate on it as much as it did in The Winner's Crime. The danger is real because Kestrel turned on her people and will now have to be extra careful. The author also really shows what happens when you do that and how dangerous it can get.

The plot really needed all these wars and strategies to make the plot evolve the way it did. I can't really tell more because that would spoil but just know it's not a boring thing at all! Many might think this will be dragging on but in fact it made things a lot more interesting and also a lot clearer. You really got to be in the character's head and see how every move is written out and why they chose things the way they did. The war is now everywhere. Valoria is turning onto Herran and Dacra which makes things very interesting for the main characters and will develop a lot of things.

The plot is one big game where the players have to trust their gut to see through lies and deceit. I think that was also the thing that made me love this book the most: even though our characters aren't close all times both still play the game to favor the other and to find out the truth. The lies are big and important and the reader really needs to read carefully which also makes us feel like we're into this book. It really gives a lot of freedom to think for ourselves and to search for motives of other characters such as the General, the emperor, the queen of Dacra and even old friends. 

Even though we think we know everything because of the all-knowing-persona we keep being presented with these unexpected turns that make us suffer or encourage the characters to go on and that's really what a book should do: be unexpected when it seems like we know everything. If you loved the first book and really fell in love and made Kestrel and Arin your ship, then you'll also be on fire when it comes to feelings. It's really as if we're part of this game where we see our characters go away from each other because of everything that's happening: the war, the upper hand in the game, the players and the conspiracies. It's easy to feel lied to in this book and to have to guess if you're right or wrong which adds to the feels in this book and made the characters as they are now! 

For short the plot is absolutely amazing: it's a big game where it doesn't only resolve around Kestrel and Arin anymore, many other characters will find their way into the story and play along with the game. You'll be lied to, you'll be seeing people disappear and deceive and you'll see how much people long for things they can't have. Above that the plot really influences the moves of the characters and made them develop as they did.

Once again Marie Rutkoski brought an amazing story that followed up on the first book in this series. I was so pleased with book one and finally got around to read the second. I have to admit I was scared to start The Winner's Crime, because I didn't know if I'd like to see my two main characters in a situation they got in at the end of The Winner's Curse. However I'm also really happy to admit that this book turned out to be even better than I had expected. The characters grew and fight against what they see as lies and truths. I really loved how the author played games with us and made us doubt these lies and truths. Above that this book is filled with conspiracy that still involved both characters and therefore kept them linked together even if they weren't near each other. It's an outstanding book that really keeps you on your toes, even though we know almost everything since it's written in 3rd person. I absolutely loved how the plot evolved and how the author played with the characters. A great book (and so far series) if you're in need of a game that's played with lies, conspiracy and so much more!

“If you won’t be my friend, you’ll regret being my enemy.” 

The Struggle

As every summer for the past two years I've posted a review about a book in a series that I absolutely adore. And when I say adore, I really mean lots more than that word can ever describe. The book I want to talk about today is also one of that series and also written by one of my most favorite authors! If you followed around on my blog, you might already know how much I love this author and her books: The Struggle by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

WARNING For the ones here that haven't read the first in this series, I recommend you not to read on since there will be further developments to the characters and to the plot. This will create a less pleasant read of The Return  and The Power because you know more information than you already should. Therefore, I recommend you not to read the review of The Struggle but to read the review about the first in the series: The Return or the second in the series: The Power. Just clicking on the title will open a new page with the review on the first book. 

This book series is also a sequel to the Covenant series by Jennifer L. Armentrout. If you haven't read that series yet but plan on reading it I also suggest to not read any of these books first, since they reveal details of the ending of the Covenant series which comes before these books! If you're interested in finding out what the Covenant series is I also wrote review on those! By clicking on the title of the first book a new page will open and reveal the review: Half-blood. 

Everyone is doubting of what Seth has become. Only one person trusts him with her life and she's the only one willingly to seek him out and this time help Seth to become who he really should be. Believing that Seth isn't a monster, Josie starts to seek him all over the world. However this won't stop the Titans from attacking and getting what they've always wanted: absolute power and control. As they strike their battles against Josie and her friends, the other demi-gods are still in danger and Josie being one of those gods the Titans want doesn't mean anything good. Running from the titans and meanwhile searching for the person she loves, Josie will be in complicated situations where she has to choose between her own life or his. The question is, will she ever find Seth before it's too late?

As always we'll start with the characters and start with Josie! I really have to say that I admire Josie so much. I've always thought she was a very strong woman, especially with how she handles everything and because her world totally got turned upside down and she kept going. This book really brings another facet to that, in the other books I felt like the focus was on her not being able to defend herself physically and her learning that she could do this on her own. This time around you really felt the emotional part where she was strong and independent for someone else she felt really strong about. Josie really is the only one who wants to help Seth now he is what he is, which we don't even really know. I really admired Josie being strong for someone else and willing to fight for others and not just think about the greater problem which were the titans. 

Once again we really saw another side of Josie's strong character which I think is a great asset to the series in general as well. It's really amazing how the author can still make us see new facets and parts of a character, and Jennifer L. Armentrout really did that with Josie. As always I admire her in every way possible and grow to love her even more. Especially because she'll have to endure a lot more during this book than she has in every other book before. And it doesn't only stays with physical strength or mental strength, the author really does make sure that Josie can prove to be a strong female character in every way possible. An amazing well written character she is, she really amazes me each time around!  

As for our other main character Seth, I really was feeling so happy when he finally got into the book! The author really leaves us in suspension at the beginning of the book, making us wait on SETH! Although I have to say this really gave a big boost to my excitement of seeing him and also brought mystery to where he was and what he was doing, I was so happy to finally see him! 

Seth really will be a big mystery for most of the beginning of the book which I think is marvelous when you think about it. The author gave us such a strong character that changes so much from how we once knew him in the rest of the books. He's such an amazing person to Josie and his friends, very protective but gentle and still has this cockiness from time to time. However last time around in The Power, Seth changed and nobody knows if it was for the better or not. We only know he left Josie which is a big thing for the both of them and will have major impacts. 

I can't really say much more than that because that would totally ruin the read. All I want to say is that whatever happened to Seth will become clear during the read, but the author really made us wait for it which I think isn't a bad thing but really adds to our mystery and excitement. When he does come around though I really loved Seth, as usual, and really was glad to see him in the picture again. More I won't say because that might give away how his change affected everything around him, his relationships and his personality. Just know: I heart Seth, okay?

What I can say more about the relationship between Josie and Seth is that Seth being gone and being whatever the heck he's being really will affect their relationship. In what way I can't tell since that's something for you to find out, but I can say that it reaches another level and deepness I never thought was possible between the two. Once again the author made sure we could see more and root even deeper for these two and I think that's the best thing she could ever give us! Above that the author has this major surprise during this read that involves both of them and you guys cannot even guess how exited I am for that!

Now the plot because oh wow the plot. Of course there's this big problem that the book will focus on: the Titans. This is a problem that's been overshadowing this whole series and what it really is about. Defeating them will therefore be a major thing in this book. Last time in The Power, they were already searching for other demi-gods which now will continue. I have to say that these demi-gods really will give an impact that leaves you chilled and feeling things you never thought you'd ever feel. I personally hadn't seen coming what will happen with them as it also involves one of the characters we've been looking at closely during the books. 

The titans will also be involved with this situation of the demi-gods which really gives it a lot more suspicion and thrill. The thing with the titans is, is that in The Struggle they will really start to come forward and will be more involved. We'll see more of them, their behavior and their motives, than we did in any other book before this. This is something I really enjoyed because they're the enemy and being able to situate them was a really good thing during this read. It also gives way to thinking about how we can defeat them and how they'll approach the rest of our characters. A really good plot part in my opinion to boost the series!

Of course next to the overshadowing problem of the series there's Seth being something we don't know what. As I mentioned before we really get to wait it out and drown in mystery! That's the thing I really loved most about this book: the big question about Seth. Him being this whole other thing really divides the group of friends he has and will also majorly affect everyone and the situation. Even if we don't know what he is and if he changed for the better or not, this will bring feels all over the place and that's what I really adored. The impact this will all have on his relationship is also something highly discussed during the book and also something I could really agree was necessary. I can't go too deep into this one especially because it's a big thing in the book, all I can say is that the author really wrote some major surprises during this book and really made sure we totally understood the situation.

Speaking of surprises there's this one thing that surprised me so much and involves our two main characters! Yes, I can't tell but know that surprise is waiting for you and the author did something I never thought would ever happen. Next to being in for surprises during this book and a lot of revelations, I really know that this book will give the readers all they wanted and were waiting for in this book. Once again it has so much thrill and new aspects that boost the book and never make it boring. It makes you exited, it makes you feel so many things and above that the titans will be more involved which will bring situations you never thought would happen involving Josie, involving the other demi-gods and even just the gods. I have to say I was not disappointed at all during this read and the things that will be revealed... oh holy book gods, be ready for it! There's another book after this one and we have to wait so long once again but the wait will be so worth it!

Such non real characters but such REAL feelings! Gah, just absolutely amazing!
As always I have nothing to complain about when it comes to Jennifer L. Armentrout. Her stories are filled with thrill and romance that makes your head spin and your heart race. And once again, even if it's the 3rd book in the series, she managed to present an amazing book that won't make you stop reading. I fell in love even more with the main characters as both really make life changing decisions and try to find out what's best for either of them. Of course we finally get answers to questions and get more thrill in this book than I had ever anticipated. The Struggle is also topped of with a lot of unexpected twists and turns I never thought we'd get to read in Seth and Josie's story and believe me when I say that I was that excited and scared that I probably needed medical help! I really couldn't get enough of this book as it contains surprise, romance, changes, decisions, action and of course amazing characters that might or might not make thrilling changes because of... things. I absolutely LOVED this book. If you haven't read Seth's sequal: BE ASHAMED! And pick it up. 

"A bloody path has been chosen. The Great War fought by the few is coming and in the end the sun will fall..."

My first poem book | Love & space dust

Something I'm absolutely thrilled about is that I took a book that wasn't YA-themed at all! This book has been on a special place in my heart ever since I came across it and also was very hard to find! However I did just finish it and I have to say... I'm in love! My ever first poem book: Love & Space dust by David Jones!

 "And in the end we are nothing more than love and space dust." Timeless poetry of feeling and emotion, Love & Space Dust carries readers on a journey through love, life and relationships, and then far beyond, into the stars and the far flung galaxies, where all that remains of the feelings we once felt and the lives we once lived is love and space dust.

Even though this is something I can't talk about a lot, I still wanted to post a little review on it because it's really something I feel needs to be read more! In my opinion it's a little bit underrated while it should be read by a lot more people. Especially because it has all these different facets and view on the themes!

As I already announced it's a poem book, and it's also my first ever poem book! The first time I came across poems from this book was on Tumblr. I remember hearting this post with a lot of quotes from it and reading that it was from that book. It wasn't until now, a few years later, that I really felt the need to read this book and all it's hidden secrets written in words and so my journey began...

Because finding this book was not an easy thing!

Eventually I found the book on Amazon, but we can't buy on Amazon so it was a whole disappointment! Until I found a loophole! It made sure I could buy this book and another book that was only available on Amazon! Using giftcards I bought online I eventually got the books in my mailbox! 

Love & Space dust was the book I started reading the same night it arrived. I wanted to take it very slow as this is my first poem book and I just wanted to be sure that I understood and really felt each and every word that was written in it.

And dammit I loved this book! It might seem like a very thin book, but there are so many quotes in it and each word meant something for me and it was a pleasure to try and figure out what the author meant by them. As the synopsis on Goodreads says the poems are each so differently from each other and have a big variety in theme: love, life, relationship, and far beyond about galaxies and stars! Above that each of these themes are being talked about in different perspectives which makes some of them more relatable than others but still... relatable or not each of them is just beautifully written and really touched my soul!

I really recommend this book if you're looking for a read that touches your heart with only a number of words. I also recommend it just because it's so beautiful yet so underrated so if you ever come across from it: pick it up! And see for yourself if you'd enjoy it just as much as I did! David Jones brings a lot of quotes that are each so different and look at a theme in a different perspective which makes sure that there will be a lot of quotes that you can relate to so much! My first poem book was a huge success! I'm already looking forward to reading others in the future and discover the meaning behind the author's words and feeling it right in my heart! 

"We are nothing but //  Space dust // Trying to find // Its way back to // The stars."

The Problem with Forever

It took me two months to finish this book and no it was not the book's fault. School has been really asking a lot of attention as I had my internship and then got into my exams so I haven't had a lot of time to read... That's why it also took me two months to finish this one. It's a real pity because this book actually is a page turner full of amazing facets of our lives. I have to say it: Jennifer L. Armentrout, you did it once again! The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

Mallory is not a big talker, she never has been. From an early age she learned to be silent and not be heard. That's until she's adopted and out of the hellhole she used to be in. Now ready to take a new step on her path, Mallory goes to a public school where she re-encounters someone from the past. 
From that moment on Mallory wants to fight harder against getting past her past and doesn't want to be stuck with her demons. The person who changed her life is with her once again making her feel strong. And this time around, Mallory hopes he'll stay forever. But sometimes forever is a lie...

This is my first book by Jennifer L. Armentrout that doesn't have any mythical creatures! I know, I'm shocked as well but for some reason I was just really intrigued and before you know it you have the book... it goes as fast as that. Also I was a bit scared that my expectations I had by Jennifer L. Armentrout wouldn't be fulfilled as this is something totally different from what I'm used to but damn... I'm still in love with her books! 

Especially because of the main character Mallory. I'm a sucker for books that have people in them that have a hard time or had a hard past. Mallory is one of those characters which made it very easy for me to get into the book and absolutely fall in love with the character.

Mallory is a very strong character in that way that she comes off very insecure and silent, because she doesn't know any better. Still when it comes to it can really stand up for herself. She's really learned from her past, even though she's still struggling with it and you really see her grow and become the woman she's always destined to be. I absolutely loved to see that happen with this character because you really were there to witness it and to see her grow into a very confident woman.

And it isn't all solved in this book. Mallory has had such a hard past and has been struggling so much with it, I'd find it really weird if it was solved immediately. Jennifer L. Armentrout therefore makes a really good vision of how the past can influence you and how much work it needs to be solved. The growth we see in Mallory is outstanding but she's still very realistic when it comes to her past and her being in it. She's still a work in process and I'm glad that the author made us realize that and stayed so close to that as I feel like that's a realistic thing. Nothing is solved in a few weeks. I really appreciated that as well. 

In general Mallory really is a gentle character who is really open for everyone around her and is prepared to give everyone chances. She's also a very loving and grateful person which made it very easy to relate to and also very pleasant to read. I really don't have any bad things to say to this character. She's realistic, she's well written and she's intriguing, what else do you need?

And then there's Rider. A boy I bet all girls are swooning for. A boy with a big heart. A boy who is just as lost as Mallory. I dammit loved him! He seems like the typical high school boy, very cool and attractive but when we look closer to him he has so many qualities that make him stand out. As always Jennifer L. Armentrout knows how to bring us a character that's still very unique and yet very relatable. 

What was really noticeable with Rider was very selfless. He was always wondering how others were, always noticing things from others and always there with a good piece of advice for others. In the beginning Rider stays a big question mark for us, we barely knew him and how he was handling his life. That also made sure that we really stayed curious to this character as we saw a lot of positive traits developing and see how much he cares about others.

Of course this selflessness and insecurities (which yes he has!) will make sure that he forgets about himself and that's when the reader finally notices the little things that are Rider his imperfections. His selflessness will eventually eat away at himself because he doesn't take care of himself. When we finally notice what's going on with Rider, so do the other characters and they will finally make him realize what's important and that's also the trigger for Rider. From that moment on we see him grow and become a little more self-conscious. It's truly a beautiful thing to see happening and of course will lead to a lot of things...

As for the plot this was a typical story yet still so special. A boy, a girl, they meet and they get along what more do we need? This story alone would be swoon worthy but of course our dear author made sure a lot of other interesting plots will happen.

My first opinion about this story is that it was very realistic. Looking at all other books I read by Jennifer L. Armentrout, which is logical I mean the books only had aliens and gods! However this story just really shows a development of teenage lives and the struggles that come along. A bit of drama, a bit of love and a bit of danger! 

Of course the drama and love will be things were all of us can relate. We all know the mixed feelings and the feelings of love and the author does a very great job with portraying those for us in a normal teenage and school context. What I also really loved about this book was the fact that there is adoption in it and how that plays out with the characters. Reading how that has developed and how much impact it really had on them, especially because of the hard past that's going to be a big influence on the relationship, made this even more interesting.

As for the danger well, this book puts a light onto the fact that some kids get caught in risky business and how that can influence themselves but also the ones around them. This really lead us to the author making this a big deal in the plot and also giving us a very big surprise near the end which sets also something in motion for Rider! I love how all of this was first something separate but at the end started to click together to form a big story that's setting in motion different things. It really made it coherent. And of course this danger also gave a lot more feels and a lot more thrill to the typical lover story. And so the author gives us, once again, an amazing story from beginning to end! 

Another thing and last thing I'd like to remark is that I really loved the vibe of trial and error in this book. Since our main character is starting over with a new family and has had a very tough past where silence was her only weapon, Mallory wants to try and be better and do better. This will lead to a lot of awkward situations but also a lot of situation that we'll feel so proud on. She's really trying it out and if it doesn't work, she tries again. Just as all of us are doing in life, Mallory keeps doing it better every time and I really loved to see that in this story and come back in a lot of situations.


Absolutely waw. And Jennifer L. Armentrout does it once again! This is the first time I've read one of her books that don't contain any mythical characters, but real characters that go through life. And what a life they have. I was absolutely intrigued by every character in this story as it shows so many realities at once that are all unique and influenced by one another. I absolutely loved to be in the head of our main character Mallory as she's trying to figure out what her forever is and what the past means to her. This book is absolutely amazing and yes, contains cuteness all over the place. But the most important thing is the lesson that Jennifer L. Armentrout wrote down for us. I wish this book could go on Forever but this book doesn't last Forever... I'm happy with it though. It's a real page turner with every facet of our lives. Once again, a great book by one of my favorite authors! 

“Forever was something we all took for granted, but the problem with forever was that it really didn't exist.”