obscurepages's reviews
374 reviews

(This is 3.8 for me.)

THIS BOOK IS SO FRUSTRATING BUT I LOVE IT AAAAHHH.

Okay. So first of all, this book is so different from the first one. I loved Snow Like Ashes because of the fast-paced, reckless, and action-packed adventures that the story followed. But this book, this book had little of that.

In the first book, we see Meira as a soldier; a passionate and strong-minded (stubborn HAHAH) orphan who's trying to fight a war, trying to fight for her kingdom. In this book, yes, Meira is still trying to fight for her kingdom, but this time not as a soldier, but as a queen. And we really see her struggle in this new role that was thrown at her. Hell, I was struggling with her. Her new role constricts her of a lot of things, and a lot of times it was almost like a trap. This is what I didn't like in the first parts of the book. It was missing the action that I came to love. But in a way, it showed me that Meira will never fit in that kind of role. It was frustrating, but despite this there are still things that I liked.
The culture of multiple kingdoms were shown in this book and I loved it! There may not be a lot of action but I got a taste of of the different cultures and history or different kingdoms in Primoria. Also, mystery is added to the vibe of the book, as we encounter the ever elusive Order of Lustrate.
And the plot thickens indeed. It was slow, but the plot continues to evolve as more questions present themselves, tensions arise, and the truth is uncovered. *cough* Angra. *cough* the Decay, *cough* the wicked Ventrallan Queen. *cough*

Also. As I read the book, I formed two theories. And those two theories turned out to be right! AAAHHH. I won't go posting about them here, though. Hahah!

The last 10% of the book was also frustrating because it was full of adrenaline, chaos, unanswered questions, tensions, plot twists, and the wicked queen Raelyn. I'm really starting to hate her.

Anyways, I have high hopes for the third book. I hope it finally solves the mystery, and I hope the plot will finally be resolved. I hope Meira does whatever she needs to, to save everybody she wants to.

"... I'm not alone anymore. I never was."

FIERCE MEIRA IS BACK.

Okay, so I did not love the second book as much I LOVED the first book. But this one, this third book, this finale, this conclusion, is everything I imagined! This is such a good way to end this wonderful series.

The action and suspense that I came to love in the first book is back! Meira feels the weight of the world more on her shoulders in this book, as she finally comes to terms with her conduit magic, the Order, and what is necessary to save not just the kingdom of Winter, but the entire Primoria.
I dreaded the last part of this book because I loved Meira and how she changed in the course of three books. I just wasn't ready to let her go. But my theory saved me! (Yep that's right, my theory was once again correct.)
I liked the alternating point of views as well. I was able to grasp what was happening in different places, in different perspectives.
I wish there was more story in the end, though. When the war was finally over, I hoped for a celebration, and even a proper mourning to those who were killed. (Okay maybe I'm still mad about the death of two minor characters here. I need some sort of closure.) And of course, how Primoria is healing after the wounds Angra and the Decay has caused.

It's safe to say this series has become one of my favorites now. The characters worm their ways into your hearts after a period of time. The story of course, makes you want for more as you read the pages one by one; full action, thrill, love, friendship, determination, and sacrifice.

I can't believe this is the last book, the end to this amazing journey.

If I had to pick a way to die, it would be this—to go out in a rainbow of life and energy. To know that my life was valued by others.
To know that I was loved.

*Vague spoilers ahead, please be warned.*

Dystopia. Magic. Love. Destiny. This was one hell of a ride! From the minute I opened the book to the last page I read just an hour ago, this was a fast-paced story full of thrills, suspense, and action.

I loved reading this one! Meira's journey to finding her worth and importance, the truth about their desolate kingdom Winter, and the struggle to freedom. Her perspective is something I came to love. You can see she's desperate to prove herself, and to reassure herself and the others that she holds some importance to their lost Kingdom and the battle to save it from the Spring kingdom. Deep inside, she just wants to know that she did good, and that she's doing good.
"Did you just—" My fist relaxes. "You just called me a soldier. A good soldier."

Not only that, I can see her emotions, her struggle, to separate her own want from the needs of her Kingdom. I saw the need to prove herself, her feelings for Mather, the fear of responsibility, and her desire to claim freedom, her maturity as she went on her journey and learned the truth. It's all there. The writing style of the author was good, indeed.

I also had a tiny suspicion of her real importance in some of the early parts of the book. At Chapter 8, on their way to Cordell, Meira asks Sir why he didn't go with Mather instead. He tells her his reason, but a tiny suggestion in my mind bloomed into a theory. Then I recounted some evidence that I had to support this theory: Sir wouldn't let her go into missions—dangerous missions, when she successfully retrieved the first half of Winter's locket, Sir was furious, then he banned her from future missions. There is little to no history about Meira's parents, whatsoever.
And then my theory strengthened more when Meira started having these weird dreams, visions. Then at the barn at Noam's palace, Mather was telling her about the Royal conduits and their bearers and how the Winter's locket is supposed to female-blooded. And then, it turns out, I was right! I had goosebumps as I was reading that part where the truth finally unfolded.

I also loved delving into the world of Primoria. The eight kingdoms, the Royal Conduits, the cultures. Everything! I want to learn more about it in the next two books. I want to see how Primoria will evolve as Winter takes back their kingdom from Spring. I want to see how Winter will evolve, and how Meira will evolve as she copes to her new life and destiny.

What a great story. I can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy!

The first chapter of this book is what really won me over. It's different, and weird—good-weird (see what I did there? Hahah!).

The author was able to show different aspects of getting through life in two alternating point of views. It was so good and so real. It sheds light to people who are grieving; those who can't seem to accept the painful truth, and how they need to be stronger than they were before. It sheds light to people like David; people who have autism, and how they are not, in any way, less of a person. It sheds light to the hardships of high school; surviving it and what happens next. It also sheds light to people who are having midlife crisis, that even parents are able to feel loneliness even when they seem to have everything.


David Drucker is such a pure and brilliant individual. His point of view is really a breath of fresh air (I definitely agree with Kit on this one!) He's different, there's no doubt about that. But that doesn't mean we should shun him (and people like him), or look down on him just because he's not your typical teenage boy.

"And since when is normal a requirement for high school?"

It took an unfortunate event for Kit to take a seat next to David, for them to start talking, and for Kit to realize that David is actually a good person, and not the negative words he's been labeled with. With this, I believe Kit realized that these labels do nothing good, and that it only acts as a hindrance in getting to know people and seeing the beauty of different kinds of friendship.

"What if we took the time to get to know some of the kids in the other cliques, like the artsy types or the theater dorks? What if we all jumped out of our boxes and chewed up our stupid labels? Who would we discover?"

Also, the plot twist in the end was something I did not anticipate, but just like what David thought, it makes perfect sense.

That was why Kit was so emotional every time she thinks about the death of her father (not only because she loved him).

This book is really different from what I imagined it would be, but that makes me like it even more.
Also, can I just say that this book has such a gorgeous cover!

A 3.5/5 for this one.

Okay. I had a hard time trying to get into this book.
The synopsis is interesting enough; I thought it's going to be this adventure-and-mystery-filled story (that's how it sounded like to me). I've heard so many good things about it, and now, I'm disappointed that I didn't like it enough (I wanted to love this one to be honest.)

When I read the first few chapters, it seemed like a drag. Nothing's really happening and I'm not getting excited or interested. BUT. I willed myself to continue reading since I'm searching for that something that will really get me into it.
It got better as I progressed through the book, it was hard to pinpoint it, but as I read, I realized that I am liking it.

What I really liked, is how it discussed issues about mental disorders like anxiety and OCD; the truth about it, how it's like, how do do people cope with it. The author portrayed it really well. Every time Aza gets into her spirals, I could feel it as I read. It was raw, and it was real, and in a way, I could almost relate to it—to Aza and her anxiety.
This book offers us, the readers, an insight to mental health, a way to try and understand the people who are going through the same things as Aza. It offers us a new perspective about this issues, about family, and friendship, and in general, about life.

I wanted more of that mystery about Pickett, though. Like why did he ran away? What happened? Why was he there? What happened to him? That's a loose end I would have like to be tied up.

Oh and! This book had romance, yes, and no matter how hard I shipped Aza with Davis, I liked that the author didn't rub that romance part into the readers' faces. The romance wasn't overwhelming, rather, it was calm and understanding (if that made sense haha!)
I liked the way this book ended, too. For me, it seemed like the perfect ending for this story.

"...no one ever says good-bye unless they want to see you again."

I can't believe this series is over! Reading the first two books are a roller coaster ride of thrill, suspense, twists, and action! This book is no different.

The end of the second book messed up with me, I swear. And as I read the first chapter, I swear I was holding my breath and at the edge of seat!
The author has once again manage to send me into endless worlds of action and thrill, all the while making my heart ache for these wonderful characters!
One thing I realized is that I really looovveee how all the characters have their own inner battles individually. Yes, there's a threat to their universe—in which they're all trying to team up so they can save themselves from danger—but they're also fighting their own battles with their insecurities, doubts, and innermost desires. It shows both the light and dark side of each person, and sheds light to how ugly humans can be if we succumb to the darkness inside us.

"Only in these past few days...have I fully appreciated how the lack of love can twist someone inside."

"Pride can be as strong as love, and a hell of a lot crueler."

I also fell in love with plot twists in this series! And I must say, the plot twists in this book are genius! I mean, eight Marguerites, each from a different universe, all talking, trying to come up with a plan and just come together as a whole? I really loved it! I literally had to close the book and take a breath, because man, I did not see that one coming!

I'm upset about two small details though. One, Romola. I feel like there could have been more potential in Romola's cause. She could have been a bigger part of the plot. I'm glad not all Romolas are evil though. Another disappointment is that, WOW WICKED DID NOT DIE. I really wanted her dead. I mean, I know it sounds mean but wow, I think she just made it into the list of villains I hate.

I really love this book. I'm sad that it's finally over.
So, I've already said this once, but I'd gladly say it again; I love the idea of multiple dimensions! I really do! The idea of science, and fate, and destiny intermingling with another was shown perfectly in this book, and it just makes me fall in love with it more.

"Our destiny isn't some kind of mystical prophecy. Our destiny is what we do with that chance."

*There are some quotations from the book. Not exactly spoilers, but be warned.*

This has been an amazing read! I've heard so many good things about this book, and boy, halfway through it and it already surpassed my expectations!
I originally thought it was just going to be this simple historical, sort of coming-of-age story, but NO. It was more than that. So much more!

It tackled issues like sexism, racism and slavery, misconception towards medical illnesses, homophobia or simply the lack of knowledge and awareness regarding the attraction to same sex. There were also themes like family, friendship, adventure (this one was really unexpected for me but it has been absolutely amazing nonetheless!), and European history, and politics.
Despite the seriousness that these heavy topics/issues contribute to the story, it was balanced out by the humor and comedy that surround it. Reading the book through Monty's perspective was such a wild and fun ride. His thoughts and emotions conveyed in the book were so real and honest that I could almost grasp it with my own hands.
"Got to shut up that voice in my head telling me that I've just lost the only good thing I had because I couldn't get out of my own self. All this while I'd spent thinking we could never be together because we're both lads, but it's not—it's because of me."

Another thing I loved about this book is Felicity. FELICITY. She is brilliant; I'm convinced her character is a gift from the heavens. For the first few chapters, I thought she was just going to be that annoying little sister, but she became a character of her own—a fierce, intelligent, and independent woman who will fight against sexism in the most unexpected yet devious way:
"I've been stripping the covers off amatory novels and swapping them with medical textbooks for years so Father wouldn't find out. He'd rather I read those trampy Eliza Haywoods than study almanacs on surgery and anatomy."

I also loved the fact that kintsugi or kintsukuroi was mentioned here in this book, and was even the main topic that surrounds the last paragraph of the last chapter prior to Monty's letter to his dad.
"We are not broken things, neither of us. We are cracked pottery mended with lacquer and flakes of gold, whole as we are, complete unto each other. Complete and worthy and so very loved."

Also, let's protect Percy, and all of his adorableness at all cost! Oh and, Monty and Percy are my new OTP now.

All in all, this was such a great book! An amazing first read for the year 2018. Five stars and moooore! (Also, I just found out that this is going to have a sequel and will be released in Fall 2018, and well, there goes my money.)

(I was on a reading slump for a couple of days but I feel like this book saved me! A 4.5 for me!)

I LOVE THIS. Read the first chapter immediately after I bought it, and I was hooked. Murphy was able to portray the raw emotions of Willowdean (the protagonist) and those emotions really communicated with me. Reading through the perspective of Willow was both hard and easy at the same time. Her emotions and her thoughts spoke to me in ways I couldn't have imagined. Her thoughts are the same thoughts that have crossed my mind once in a while, but I never dared speak it out loud. Her insecurities, her doubts, everything. I resonated with those deep inside me. At the same time though, as I read through this book. I didn't feel so alone. Her words, her thoughts, they comforted me.

But the word fat, the one that best describes me, makes lips frown and cheeks lose their color.
But that's me. I'm fat. It's not a cuss word. It's not an insult.

Also, I'm beginning to realize that I am sucker for the friends-fighting-feeling-like-they-are-changing-and-drifting-apart-from-each-other-but-finds-a-way-to-make-up trope. Willow and El are no different. I love their friendship! And when they fought I really wanted them to make up as soon as possible. But alas, I had to wait for several chapters for that.

I also love how Murphy was able to portray this emotionally flawed character. Willow is confident and brilliant, but on the other side, there were moments where she was also selfish. The best thing about it is Willow trying to figure out all of that, she's trying to make her way out of all these new things, and new feelings to find herself and her happiness.

That ending though! I felt like there were a couple of loose ends. I wish there were more moments with Willow and her mom. I wanted to know more what will happen to her relationship with her mom after the night of the pageant. Will they be okay, will it be rocky? Will her mom ever be okay with her being fat?
And also with Bo! I really want to know what happens next. Will they be friends? Will they be more than friends?
Also that fiasco with Mitch! I wish there was a proper apology for him, and I want to know if he and Willow will be friends.

All in all, this was such a good book. It was all about embracing our differences and realizing that these flaws don't define what we could be capable of, they don't define what we should deserve or not. And most importantly, they shouldn't hinder us from aiming for our own happiness. Love this book, I'm so glad I bought it! Kudos to Julie Murphy!

"...you are beautiful. Fuck anyone who's ever made you feel anything less."

I definitely missed reading this book! The first time I read it was, I think four or five, years ago? I remember loving it and wondering why the hell isn't it known as much as the Percy Jackson series when it's also really good.

I'm really fascinated with mythology, so of course, it's no surprise that I would love it. 😂😂 But seriously, Rick has always manage to get me hooked in his books! This was a whirlwind of adventure, family, trust, and learning how to not fall into the chaos of immense power.

And even though I've already read it, the little plot twists still managed to shock me in some ways! (Or maybe my memory has been failing a little bit 😂 (I still love it though!))