"The princesses were always going to be sacrificed for the kingdom."
*clears throat* *sobs* So, uh, I never heard of this se-series. I never heard "The princesses were always going to be sacrificed for the kingdom."
*clears throat* *sobs* So, uh, I never heard of this se-series. I never heard of Melina Marchetta. Lit-literally never. Then a friend recommended me to give this book a go, after I told her I wanted books similar to Captive Prince. The title didn't seem promising, and it actually was the last on my recently made to-read list. But then I read the synopsis. And then I fell in love with the book. And then I read the book. And then I fell in love with the book again.
The members of the royal family of Lumatere were slaughtered in a gruesome act of treason, and the freshly appointed king banished all supporters of the previous queen from the realm. Friend of Balthazar, the heir to the throne, Finnikin of the Rock is summoned to meet a woman with a bold claim. At first, no one believes her when she says that Balthazar is alive, but then, her admittedly genuine words start making sense. Now, Finnikin and his group start their journey of finding the heir and regaining their honour and lands.
"The captain will not let any harm come to his son." "Sometimes fathers can't protect their children, Evanjalin. Did yours save you from harm?" Sir Topher asked, knowing the question was cruel. "No," she responded fiercely. "But my father would warn, 'Be prepared for the worst, my love, for it lives next door to the best.' And for that I thank him each day of my life."
However, what truly made this book great is the complexity of the characters. Finnikin wasn't born to rule, he always makes that clear to his friends. He was going to let Balthazar be king, and be Captain of the Royal Guard himself. He used to envy his friend, that's true, but he was not made for power. The man may have a thing for young girls, and he might also have some self sufficiency problems, but that's what makes him real. Heroes have issues the world won't remember them by. What they are is less important than what they do with the power, authority and influence they posses.
"Never underestimate the value of knowing another's language. It can be far more powerful than swords and arrows, Captain. I've listened to them long enough to understand a little."
Evanjalin, on the other hand, is a mystery. A novice with supernatural powers, a woman with ridiculous claims, a scarred person filled with angst and anger. She faked her death, wounding herself with an arrow in order to not get stabbed by invaders. She walks in Lumaterans' dreams, she feels their sorrow and their agony, and she won't turn away from her purpose for anything in the world. She is by far my favourite character.
"Most nights she is restless. There are too many people to worry about, and she wonders how she will be able to make things right. How can she be someone other than Beatriss the Beautiful or Beatriss the Beloved? But then, just when she's about to lose hope, she remembers what you would whisper to her, Captain Trevanion. That she was Beatriss the Bold. Beatriss the Brave. To all other she was a fragile flower, but you would not let her be."
The writing style is unique, that's all there is to be said about it. It felt like the author puts the reader in a desert and tells him stories of her past. The words seem... quiet, or as quiet as words can get. Simple, yet intricate. Beautiful, in the end.
Tears of joy still flow on my cheeks as I'm writing this, because that ending was so beautifully written, graciouslly put together, so fulfilling and even relieving. I can't gather my thought any further. Finnikin of the Rock is now in my top 10 favourite books. You should read it, then spread the hype and make everyone you know read it. You should. ...more
This is a collection of prequels, each telling a story about the main characters of 'Fables'. Flycatcher, Frau TotenkindeBeautiful. Charming. Superb.
This is a collection of prequels, each telling a story about the main characters of 'Fables'. Flycatcher, Frau Totenkinder, the Big Bad Wolf, even Snow White and Rose Red. Every chapter is creatd by a different artist, making it the most beautiful Fables-related book I've read so far.
Up to this point, my favourite character has to be Frau Totenkinder, with Cinderella being the second. The old witch's life is full of grief, agony and rage, and she's such a complex character that I can't have enough of her. I hope she'll have an even more vital role in the volumes to come. ...more
I just can't take this much action. I was used to some volumes being utterly amazing and some of them being incredibly dull, but this time, there's a I just can't take this much action. I was used to some volumes being utterly amazing and some of them being incredibly dull, but this time, there's a whole different thing. There are NO more boring issues. None. I'm enjoying the hell out of these graphic novels. ...more
This was one hell of a volume, especially that last issue. If it wasn't for the numerous different art styles, I'd have given it 5 stars, but lots of This was one hell of a volume, especially that last issue. If it wasn't for the numerous different art styles, I'd have given it 5 stars, but lots of artists' input is really not my favourite thing these comics could achieve. Some illustrations were clumsy at best, and others couldn't even handle making the characters resemble Bill Willingham's versions. On the bright side, i liked the story, even if there wasn't too much action. You can never have enough of Hansel and Frau Totenkinder. ...more
Such an awesome battle! I missed such action-packed war scenes, and this one was almost as good as 'All Out War' from The Walking Dead.
Fables is only Such an awesome battle! I missed such action-packed war scenes, and this one was almost as good as 'All Out War' from The Walking Dead.
Fables is only getting better and better. Plain evil witches, wooden soldiers, the Adversary's spies and main characters dying. What else can I ask for? A solid 5/5 stars....more
This is a god damn good fucking volume. I mean it. I'm impressed.
Homelands. Geppetto. The Adversary. Snow Queen. Boy Blue. D'Jinns. Foreshadowing to AThis is a god damn good fucking volume. I mean it. I'm impressed.
Homelands. Geppetto. The Adversary. Snow Queen. Boy Blue. D'Jinns. Foreshadowing to Aladin and Ali Baba. And that random mention of Lugoj and Timisoara, Romanian cities. This. This was the best volume so far. I pray to God that all the next books will be just as good, or even better. ...more
This was great, if it isn't compared to the first volume. I enjoyed the hell out of it, but it was missing something, that something that m3.5/5 stars
This was great, if it isn't compared to the first volume. I enjoyed the hell out of it, but it was missing something, that something that made the story whole. This is the best I can explain it.
Finally, Goldilocks was dealt with. I've been waiting for this moment since 'Animal Farm', but I didn't even hope for such a gruesome, gory ending. Also, I thought this volume contains 10 issues, not 8, so I got a bit of a sneak peek on Red Riding Hood, and I'm HYPED for the next volume. ...more
"A Vinchen warrior was balanced in all aspects, at one with his surroundings and at peace with himseRATING: yep, that's right. This is a solid 5/5.
"A Vinchen warrior was balanced in all aspects, at one with his surroundings and at peace with himself. When things became faster on the outside, he became quieter on the inside. He remained in the current moment, undistracted by memories of the past or thoughts of the future. Bleak Hope was none of those things."
Oh thank you, Jon Skovron, for getting me out of my reading slump with a great book.
"Her blade gleamed red in the moonlight. This was the first blood she had ever spilled. She had expected to feel something. Satisfaction. Regret. But all she felt was the same old darkness. Except now it did not frighten her. It strengthened her.
This is a story about an orphaned girl, who also happens to be(come) a disciplined, sword-wielding lethal warrior/assassin, a boy who wants to be the greatest thief in the world, some evil biomancers who won't give up on anything in order to develop their studies, and also lots of cursing.
If you ever want to read this, get ready for Throne of Glass vibes, Shades of Magic (especially A Gathering of Shadows) vibes, even some A Song of Ice and Fire vibes, and then some more awesome vibes.
Also cursing. And cursing. Piss'ell.
Oh, I forgot. GREAT CHARACTERS. Bye.
"Teacher, not again." Her eyes filled with tears. "Please, don't make me be the one to survive again." He placed his withered hand on her cheek and smiled sadly. "I am sorry, my child. You must endure."...more
This one wrecked me on a whole new level. I finished this a few minutes ago, but I can't stop crying. I always thought I knew every character death thThis one wrecked me on a whole new level. I finished this a few minutes ago, but I can't stop crying. I always thought I knew every character death that was going to occur in the comics, mainly because I watched the TV Show, but it seems that everything is different, take away the main plot. I did not think so many people were going to die in this volume.
These comics only get better and better. In the beginning, I was sure I was going to know everything that'll happen, thanks to the show. I thought thaThese comics only get better and better. In the beginning, I was sure I was going to know everything that'll happen, thanks to the show. I thought that there were only a few changed details, a bunch of additional characters and a lot more zombies. Initially, I didn't believe that I was ever going to be impressed, or that I would ever cry because of some sequential art. I was wrong. So wrong.
"I trust my WIFE is the only one that is against CAPITAL PUNISHMENT at this point? We have to make an EXAMPLE of (view spoiler)[Thomas (hide spoiler)]--we have to make the statement ONCE and for ALL--WE DO NOT KILL. We DO NOT tolerate it. We WILL NOT allow it. THAT is our rule--our PLEDGE. YOU KILL. YOU DIE. NO exceptions."
Safety Behind Bars was a unique experience for me. So much emotional impact, so many plot twists, so many tense moments. I truly wailed when (view spoiler)[Tyreese embraced his half-turned daughter (hide spoiler)]. Because of this, I was out of tears when (view spoiler)[Hershel found his zombified beheaded children (hide spoiler)]. Finally, things that I don't expect start happening.
I am so thankful I started reading these graphic novels. What the TV Show lacks, the comics deliver, bringing new characters, events and themes. The only regret I have regarding the comics is that I started them too late, making me about 19 volumes behind....more
This book, people. THIS BOOK. How? How did Mark Lawrence manage to write such an exquisite novel? I am amazed. I"Is revenge a science, or an art?"
This book, people. THIS BOOK. How? How did Mark Lawrence manage to write such an exquisite novel? I am amazed. I literally couldn't put it down, from the beginning until the last chapter, that's how awesome it was!
"Fifteen! I'd hardly be fifteen and rousting villages. By the time fifteen came around, I'd be King!"
Jorg is now one of my favourite characters in literature. Reckless. Cunning. Subtle. Mad. Furious. Intelligent. Cruel. You can't use a single word to describe him. He's the bad guy, the villain every nobleman tries to avoid, maybe even an evil mastermind. Delicious.
"We'll be heroeth, Jorth?" Elban asked. He sounded uncertain as if all his years had yet to teach him that the end justifies the means. "Heroes?" I shrugged. "We will be victors. And that's what counts."
By the way, the titles of the sequels are ALL THE HYPE IN THE WORLD. Go, boy, become the emperor of thorns, rule over ashes and dust. I can't fucking wait....more
This means I'm done, I guess. How enchanting. I'll go and cry in a corner.
She shook her head. "I didn't think I was being cruel *sigh* x 1000000000
This means I'm done, I guess. How enchanting. I'll go and cry in a corner.
She shook her head. "I didn't think I was being cruel when I pulled that woman back from the ledge." Jacin lowered his eyes. "It has to be this way," said Winter. "I will accept this side effect. I will accept any amount of monsters my mind wants to give me, but I will not become a monster myself."
I hope 'Heartless' will be just as good as 'The Lunar Chronicles', otherwise I will be tremendously upset....more
"Every victory is someone's defeat," murmured Koll. "Just as every hero is someone's villain," said Ruff.
I am legit crying. Not necessarily because"Every victory is someone's defeat," murmured Koll. "Just as every hero is someone's villain," said Ruff.
I am legit crying. Not necessarily because there were some tear-jerking moments (however there were lots of them), but rather because I finished this trilogy. There are SO many characters I want to learn more about and honestly I was hooked in the Shattered Sea world, we can't just part ways like that.
This trilogy is a masterpiece. You should read it. You'll love it.
Skara took one last look at her father's howe. "I used to think the world had heroes in it. But the world is full of monsters, Sister Owd." She turned away from the dead, back towards Bail's Point. "Perhaps the best we can hope for is to have the most terrible of them on our side." ...more
One of the best dystopian novels I've read so far. The character development is impressing and every chapter is action-packed.One of the best dystopian novels I've read so far. The character development is impressing and every chapter is action-packed....more
Absolutely amazing. The magic system is almost as intriguing and mysterious as Mistborn's. The plot twists were sooo unexpected. And there's no need tAbsolutely amazing. The magic system is almost as intriguing and mysterious as Mistborn's. The plot twists were sooo unexpected. And there's no need to talk about the characters, because Sanderson makes you love every single one of them. However, it's kinda 4.5/5. The first 15% of the book didn't impress me that much....more
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