Book Review | Esme’s Wish

When fifteen-year-old Esme Silver sets out to search for her missing mother, Ariane, she is transported to the alternate realm of Aeolia: a world enchanted by the gods and steeped with myth and magic. With her newfound friends, Daniel and Lillian, Esme retraces her mother’s steps in the glittering canal city of Esperance, untangling the threads of Ariane’s double life. But the more Esme discovers about her mother, the more she questions whether she really knew her at all. 

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Having always been a fan of fantasy novels, I was excited to delve into this one. The book shows hints of Rick Riordan’s writing style with the world building techniques of George R R Martin

The word building would definitely have to be my favourite aspect. Everything from the beaches to the architecture is described in such precise detail.The author has blended real world locations such as Venice and Ireland and added fantastical elements to create this new world of Esperance. I find that with so many fantasy novels already out in the market it can be difficult to build a unique setting for your novel.

The plot was slow going at times but there was always an underlying mystery and intrigue that made you want to continue reading. It was set out in a logical sequence which meant that readers won’t get lost and won’t get too confused with the new vocabulary. I wouldn’t say the story line was predictable as you were discovering this new world with the protagonist so you had no idea what was coming next

In terms of the characters I found the character building to be quite interesting regarding the Gifts that each characters might possess and all the mythical creatures. I found it kind of a refresher that there was no direct romance in the novel as it becomes quite commonplace and cliche. The dialogue made sense. One thing that I really liked was how the author weaved the art form of painting into the novel, I don’t often read texts where there is such an appreciation of drawing and painting.

Overall, a very good read and I look forward to the upcoming novel Esme’s Gift in 2019!

Cover to Cover | The Night Circus

I’ve recently been in the process of reading this novel and it is quite possibly the coolest, most magical novel I have ever read.

The English Edition

This cover is absolutely stunning. The artistic grace and the attention to the detail is phenomenal! I love the whole abstract look it has going as well. Safe to the say the colour scheme while beautiful and simplistic holds symbollic value as well

The Other English Edition

This is the cover I own and I am not complaining. Again, very simplistic and abstract and artistic. It has a certain air of mystery to it too

The Spanish Edition

I think this cover is cute. While it might not technically go with the themes of the novel, it animatedly illustrates what the Night Circus is all about.

The Dutch Edition

Excuse the pixels. This cover again caputres the air of mystery that this book has perfectly. I like how this time a midnight blue has been used instead of black.

The Indonesian Cover

This cover reminds me a bit of Aladdin because of the clouds I believe. I actually quite like the red and gold colour scheme.

Which one is your favourite?

5 Sequels To Look Out For In 2017

2017 promises to be quite an exciting year for books especially YA. There are plenty of sequels releasing this year to  keep you busy and today I’m about to delve into some of them

Wayfarer (Passenger #2)

The sequel to passenger has already been released but I haven’t gotten around to it yet and I AM SO KEEN. Passenger was an incredible book for wanderers and the adventure types and I’m sure Wayfarer would be the same!

Always and Forever, Lara Jean (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before #3)

When I heard a third installment was coming into this series I screamed. These books are so light and fun and they take you back to being 16 and young and stupid

The Illuminae Files #3

The last two books in this series have left so many questions inside my brain. I am buzzing for the entire story to all come together and for some mad space time theories

A Court of Wings and Ruin (A court of thorns and roses #3)

So Sarah J Maas writes series that you get totally obssessed with and this is no exception. This has got to possibly be the most talked about sequel of the year

Throne of Glass #6

Following on with the SJ Maas trail. The sixth installment in her long standing series is also set to be out this year and I cannot wait for her to just deliver the amazing work that she does every year.

 

Pieces | Trojan’s War

Pieces is a new addition here on Infinity Reads where I share some fictional pieces of writing I have written. Happy Blogmas Day Six!

Trojan’s War was a spur of the moment writing adventure. The original story is five pages so I’ve decided to add only a little snippet

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“Watch your step, girl”

Spat a toned man as she bumped into him.

Probably another blood thirsty bastard from the fighting pits 

She could take him down. A jerk in the knee, a twist of the shoulder and a revolver to his head would bring the coward out in him.

But no. Trojan wasn’t here to attract attention, pulling her hood even lower she continued into an alley where it was hard to find ground amongst the sewage water. Trying to ignore the smell of shit she entered the first house on her right.

What was supposed to be a hospital had become the equivalent of an overflowing refugee camp. The sick lay on either side of her as she walked down the aisle trying not to step on a bleeding arm here or a disfigured face there. The only nurse in sight fed someone from a cup, she eyed Trojan suspiciously but by now she must’ve been used to the unexpected turnout of people so one more didn’t exactly matter.

But that wasn’t even the worst of it.

It was the wailing that drove Trojan mad.

Children wailing from hunger, men and women wailing to the Gods above for mercy, the old ones wailing for death to take them. So much sorrow and she couldn’t do a thing to help.

Because she was here to pick up a bomb.

“Within the storage room at the back, you will find a box of syringes, in there should be another box, wooden, you’ll know when you see it, and it’s very small but highly lethal”

Lord had given her those instructions while briefing her mission but as always, he’d forgotten to be specific enough.

It was a hospital which meant the storage room was full of syringes and with the welcome she’d received upon entering who knew however many sorts of diseases these things were carrying!

Using the folds of her robe as cover Trojan gingerly pursued from one shelf to another.

No. Wool gauges no. Ew was that blood. No. Oh wait yes

A dusty, transparent box full of syringes opened and unopened now rested in Trojan’s hands.  Instead of digging her hands into the horrifying stack she emptied it on the floor hoping the noise wouldn’t bring any attention.

It stood out like a thorn between roses, smaller than her palm and wooden as Lord had said, it was ugly.

But Trojan liked ugly, ugly meant anger and she had plenty of that

“Twist the knob on the bottom, give it ten seconds and boom”

Lord had gestured so wildly with his hands and the glint in his eyes had made even Trojan uncomfortable.

Ten seconds

“You know what that means right”

Lord had said, trying to look sympathetic but failing, no, he knew how this was going to go down all along.

“Suicide bombing”

Book Review | Kings Rising

Title: Kings Rising

Author: C.S.Pacat

Genre: Fantasy

Synopsis Damianos of Akielos has returned.

His identity now revealed, Damen must face his master Prince Laurent as Damianos of Akielos, the man Laurent has sworn to kill.

On the brink of a momentous battle, the future of both their countries hangs in the balance. In the south, Kastor’s forces are massing. In the north, the Regent’s armies are mobilising for war. Damen’s only hope of reclaiming his throne is to fight together with Laurent against their usurpers.

Forced into an uneasy alliance the two princes journey deep into Akielos, where they face their most dangerous opposition yet. But even if the fragile trust they have built survives the revelation of Damen’s identity – can it stand against the Regent’s final, deadly play for the throne?

I am so torn. My brain is having a difficult time comprehending what I just read.

Let me being by saying this was not my favourite book in the trilogy and I’d go as far as to say it wasn’t a particularly satisfactory conclusion either.

The book had a solid beginning with the two protagonists trying to work out their differences and the complications arising due to family history. The underlying hatred also was a form of entertainment. Then came the second half, everything was just thrown out of the window and the characters are embarking on this unexpected journey.

All these sub plots are introduced towards the end of the book and my head is having difficulty staying in one place, of course there is lots of betrayal.

The ending I believe was a bit abrupt but then again the author was probably trying not to make it appear too cliche.

Overall, the book seemed lacking, there is something that just isn’t pleasing me and maybe it’s the lack of witty conversation between the two protags that was present in the previous two books.

Rating

Book Review | Prince’s Gambit

Title: Prince’s Gambit

Author: C.S.Pacat

Genre: Fantasy

Series: Captive Prince #2

Synopsis: With their countries on the brink of war, Damen and his new master Prince Laurent must exchange the intrigues of the palace for the sweeping might of the battlefield as they travel to the border to avert a lethal plot. Forced to hide his identity, Damen finds himself increasingly drawn to the dangerous, charismatic Laurent. But as the fledgling trust between the two men deepens, the truth of secrets from both their pasts is poised to deal them the crowning death blow . .

I recently reviewed the prequel here which I absolutely loved! this book was just an amazing as the prequel but everything was just amplified. From the mind games, to the politics, to the goriness and the sex.

I highly appreciate the consistency the sequel managed to have as I was unsure of whether the sequel would be able to live upto the standard of its predecessor.

The novels are highly focused on plot development yet that’s not to say the writing or the characters are lacking. The novel excels at every aspect I believe. The writing is straightforward avoiding confusion or being lost what with all the new names and places being tossed around. The plot is highly organised and the author doesn’t serve everything on a platter but lets the reader do their own figuring out which lends its own thrill to the book. The characters I can tell have been highly thought out.

The central relationship between Damen and Laurent developed further in this book with them getting more personal and intimate with each other. The conflict was made even more obvious and in terms of the way the book ended I CANNOT WAIT to see where it’s going. like I NEED THE FINAL BOOK NOW.

But we’re gonna have to wait until next year.

I highly highly recommend you guys to get into this series. Everyone needs to read it, like NOW.

Rating

 

Top 10 Books of 2015

It’s that time of the year again where we look back and pay homage to all the books that left me feeling awed, curled up in a ball crying or wondering what next I would do with my life since I’d finished the book.

In no particular order here are Infinity Reads’ Top 10 Books of 2015

NOTE: The book titles link to my reviews if you’re interested

All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven 

Perhaps the first book I’ve ever read that tackled mental illness and got me interested into reading diversity.  All the Bright Places was beautiful in all the delicate ways it handled mental illness and created unforgettable characters. And there’s a movie happening!

Winter by Marissa Meyer

The epic conclusion to The Lunar Chronicles series. It was 800 pages of every emotion I could ever imagine from pride to joy to hatred.

Heir of Fire by Sarah.J.Maas

This book was, with lack of a better word to describe it, on fire. There was so much adrenaline and character development.

The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly by Stephanie Oakes 

Another unique book that explored issues such as blind faith and painted such a brutal world in all its goriness.

An Ember in The Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

An epic fantasy read that was exotic, smart and a great start to what I believe will be an epic series.

Afterworlds by Scott Westerfield 

Another unique book. Gosh 2015 was a year of trying new things wasn’t it. I highly enjoyed the concept of a book within a book and the supernatural elements were very cool.

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margarot Atwood

Okay I need to stop saying this. But this book was also very unique. It evokes thinking in the reader about issues such as feminism and oppression and women’s place in society.

Am I normal Yet? by Holly Bourne

A recent read this also tackled mental illness but in a more honest, down to Earth manner. The protagonist has one of the most distinct and memorable voices that I’ve ever heard.

The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan 

Of course it won’t be a top 10 without Uncle Rick making an appearance. Back with the same old witty humour, education on mythology and unforgettable characters The Sword of Summer is the beginning of one epicly funny series about Vikings.

Queen of Shadows by Sarah.J.Maas

Another epic book in the Throne of Glass series with all its plot twists, unique characters and fantastic elements.

What are some of your favourite reads of 2015?

Book Review | Captive Prince

Title: Captive Prince

Author: C.S.Pacat

Series: Captive Prince #1

Genre: Fantasy

Synopsis:Damen is a warrior hero to his people, and the rightful heir to the throne of Akielos, but when his half brother seizes power, Damen is captured, stripped of his identity, and sent to serve the prince of an enemy nation as a pleasure slave.

Beautiful, manipulative and deadly, his new master Prince Laurent epitomises the worst of the decadent court at Vere. But in the lethal web of Veretian politics, nothing is as it seems, and when Damen is caught up in a dangerous play for the throne, he must form an alliance with Laurent to survive and save his country.

For Damen, there is just one rule: he must never reveal his true identity. Because the one man Damen needs is the one man who has more reason to hate him than anyone else . .

This book is unlike anything I have ever read before. I would have to say it resembles Game of Thrones quiet a lot. Going into the book I expected it to be about wars and dragons you know but it;s about..sex slavery. Yep.

Although the content is mature, the central focus of the novel is the highly sophisticated mind-games that occur in a kingdom and a court, the relationship between two very complex yet alike characters and just politics really. And I love all those things oh my .

It is a short novel but every page is packed with adventure and I admire how systematically the plot is arranged. It’s graphic and brutal and ruthless and it will leave you turning pages.

I highly enjoyed watching Damen and Laurent’s relationship develop, it’s very amusing and almost like watching a game of cat and mouse.

The book leaves you on edge from the get go, I believe it’s very sophisticated fantasy with characters that I can see have been very well thought out.

Rating

Sound Reasoning As To Why YOU Need To Read Soundless

Hail the queen of puns. I know, I’m so funny (not). But I promise in this post to provide reasons that will hopefully incline you to read Richelle Mead’s brand new release and no it doesn’t involve vampires (unfortunately)

Only about 250 pages long Soundless is reminiscent of exotic tales I recall reading in my childhood. It’s simplistic which captures the essence and values of the people n the book I guess. One downside to being short is of course there wasn’t as much elaboration as I’m used to and I honestly thought this would be a series. But if you’re up for a quick and refreshing read Soundless is it.

Of course every YA novel is incomplete without love. Similarly Soundless had a cliche childhood romance type of situation but I believe as there wasn’t any space to build on a relationship, for convenience purposes Fei and Lei Wei were already in love with each other long before the novel began. Which I’m not complaining about as it was consistent with the traditional and cultural vibe the novel was giving.

I have a grudging respect for Fei because of how much she loves and protects her sister. Yeah it was a little frustrating but Fei’s bravery derives from her need to protect her sister and that is admirable.

The book has realistic struggles whether they be physical, mental or political. Richelle Mead does a good job of exploring the physical and mental struggles which makes the book realistic. However, the political conflict between Fei’s town and the Kingdom is resolved in haste through sudden introduction of these mythical creatures.

I think the forte of Soundless was the amount of diversity it captured. There was obviously the fact that all the villagers were deaf and sign language was used extensively throughout the novel. I was expecting a sort of muteness, a silence to be captured in the novel that would come from being deaf and I realize that’s a difficult task but hey, one can hope. The novel definitely did make me realize how much we take sound for granted though.

Soundless also explores another culture which YA novels don’t seem to be doing enough of in my opinion. It was a refreshing change to read about a world set in an Asian society rather than the typical Dystopian US.

So were my reasons Sound enough to convince you to grab this book?

Book Info:

Title: Soundless

Author: Richelle Mead

Genre: YA Fantasy

Source: Publisher

Goodreads      Buy Now 

Synopsis:For as long as Fei can remember, there has been no sound in her village. Her people are at the mercy of a mysterious faraway kingdom, which delivers food in return for precious metals mined from the treacherous cliffs surrounding them.
When villagers begin to lose their sight, their rations shrink and many go hungry. Fei’s home, the boy she loves, and her entire existence is plunged into crisis, under threat of darkness and starvation.
Then Fei is awoken in the night by a searing noise, and sound becomes her weapon . . .
Perfect for readers of THE HUNGER GAMES, this epic fantasy from the international bestselling author of VAMPIRE ACADEMY will have you instantly hooked and on the edge of your seat.

 

Favourite Maps In Books

Since fantasy is one of my favourite genres I encounter quite a few maps while reading and boy are they fascinating, but to be honest I usually tend to skip over them because I’m more concerned with the contents of the book than admiring the artwork which usually doesn’t make any sense to me.

But here are a few maps that I believe deserve recognition

We Were Liars by E.Lockhart

It’s a very simplistic map which is great because I can’t read maps. I like it because the island and its specific locations have such a significance in the book and just looking at the maps gives me chills.

Throne of Glass by Sarah.J.Maas

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfus

I find this map to be very eccentric. The name of the places are so exotic and just there’s so much detailing ahh!

A Song of Ice & Fire by George.R.R.Martin

Of course I was gonna include this! Game of Thrones maps are the best! the detailing and just the care that is put into them. Unfortunately there are too many to choose from but this is quite simple to understand so I chose this

I hope you enjoyed this rather interesting post (at least it was interesting for me okay) Have a great weekend!