Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass #7) by Sarah J Maas

 

Synopsis :

Aelin Galathynius has vowed to save her people ― but at a tremendous cost. Locked within an iron coffin by the Queen of the Fae, Aelin must draw upon her fiery will as she endures months of torture. The knowledge that yielding to Maeve will doom those she loves keeps her from breaking, but her resolve is unraveling with each passing day…

With Aelin captured, friends and allies are scattered to different fates. Some bonds will grow even deeper, while others will be severed forever. As destinies weave together at last, all must fight if Erilea is to have any hope of salvation.

This is what I say :

Finally I reached the last book/title in the series.  A reading journey that took me almost 3 years starting with the first title Throne of Glass in November 2018 and ends with Kingdom of Ash in July 2021.

I didn't know what I was in for when I starting this series but I must say it's been an interesting reading journey, one which I really like.

Aelin started off as a thief and an assassin, going by the name Caleana Sardothien and by the series progress, she's Queen Aelin Galathynius.  There's more of her adventures in about six novellas about her time as a thief and assassin but I haven't read those yet.

It's not the perfect series. There are non and at times I really do not like some of the characters (even the good one and even the queen, there are moments which I think she's rather silly) but generally it was a good series.  I didn't like all the hype with the wyrdkeys but in the end, it's like misused in the hands of Aelin.

I didn't think much of Manon Blackbeak and the Thirteen at the earlier part of the series and kinda skip over them but surprisingly Manon became my favorite character towards the later part of the series and yes, the yielding of the thirteen was a very sad part in the book.

Lorcan and Elide became my favorite couple and Lysandra became my favorite hero together with King Dorian Havillaird.

Anyway, am glad I completed the series.

Goodbye Aelin and Rowan, Manon and Dorian, Lysandra and Aedion, Lorcan and Elide, Chaol and Yrene, Nesryn and Sartaq. 

The Year I Met You by Cecelia Ahern

Synopsis :

Jasmine know two things: one, she loves her vulnerable sister unconditionally, and will fight to the death to protect her from anyone who upsets her. Two, she's only ever been good at one thing – her job helping business start-ups.

So when she’s sacked and put on gardening leave, Jasmine realises that she has nothing else to fill her life. Insomnia keeps her staring out of her bedroom window, and she finds herself watching the antics of her neighbour, shock jock Matt, with more than a casual eye. Matt is also taking a forced leave of absence from work, after one of his controversial chat shows went too far…

Jasmine has every reason to dislike Matt, and the feeling appears to be mutual. But not everything is as it seems, and soon Jasmine and Matt are forced to think again… 

This is what I say :

Hello. I am back. Finally with a title that took me 1 month to read this.  I could have read in within a week but it took me 1 month as I wasn't as committed to reading as previously.  I am however, slowing picking up my pace.

The Year I Met You is a rather quaint title.  I quite expect that from Cecelia Ahern as she does write stories that are no the run of mill but in her own way.  If you are expecting this to be a love story between Jasmine and Matt, you will be quite disappointed.  However, there is a connection between Jasmine and Matt that's rather endearing and perhaps in another time and at another place and in the hands of another author, the story could have run differently.

The story span over four seasons starting with Winter and ends with Fall and the changes the Jasmine and Matt faces and encounter from being neighborhood strangers to rather neighborly friends.

If you are expecting plots, there's really none.  It's just a view of the lives of two rather lost individuals dealing with something they have never dealt with in their lives and learning about themselves and about each other along the way.

I didn't like it while reading it but only like it after I read it.

Taking A Break

 

With the world under lock down and with my area under MCO (Movement Control Order) for the past 14 days in attempts to fight the virus and with very high possibility of an extension and with the vaccine still not within my sight (still waiting for my turn), I have not been motivated to read.

With that, the blog seems to be taking a break too.

Hopefully, things (including reading for me) will be back to norm soon.

Take care all and stay safe.

God bless us all.

The Break by Marian Keyes

 

Synopsis :

'Myself and Hugh . . . We're taking a break.'
'A city-with-fancy-food sort of break?'

If only.

Amy's husband Hugh says he isn't leaving her.

He still loves her, he's just taking a break - from their marriage, their children and, most of all, from their life together. Six months to lose himself in south-east Asia. And there is nothing Amy can say or do about it.

Yes, it's a mid-life crisis, but let's be clear: a break isn't a break up - yet . . .

However, for Amy it's enough to send her - along with her extended family of gossips, misfits and troublemakers - teetering over the edge.

For a lot can happen in six-months. When Hugh returns if he returns, will he be the same man she married? And will Amy be the same woman?

Because if Hugh is on a break from their marriage, then isn't she?

The Break isn't a story about falling in love but about staying in love.

The is what I say :

I am still having the Marian Keyes feel so I though I check out this title The Break.  I believe it's quite a new title by Marian although it's not the latest.

I started off not liking it. I just hate what Hugh and Amy are doing to each other and I ended up being curious as to how they would fare. At the end of the day, I was rooting for them but I can't actually say that I warm up to either of them.

I am actually quite surprised to read something like this from Marian but I dont know. I guess if one delves deep into the subject, there's a lot to discuss and point fingers at but no one is perfect and one just has to try as best as one can, embrace the imperfection and move on. 

The Break will not be a title that I would recommend.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (book #1) by J.K. Rowling

 

Synopsis :

Harry Potter's life is miserable. His parents are dead and he's stuck with his heartless relatives, who force him to live in a tiny closet under the stairs. But his fortune changes when he receives a letter that tells him the truth about himself: he's a wizard. A mysterious visitor rescues him from his relatives and takes him to his new home, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

After a lifetime of bottling up his magical powers, Harry finally feels like a normal kid. But even within the Wizarding community, he is special. He is the boy who lived: the only person to have ever survived a killing curse inflicted by the evil Lord Voldemort, who launched a brutal takeover of the Wizarding world, only to vanish after failing to kill Harry.

Though Harry's first year at Hogwarts is the best of his life, not everything is perfect. There is a dangerous secret object hidden within the castle walls, and Harry believes it's his responsibility to prevent it from falling into evil hands. But doing so will bring him into contact with forces more terrifying than he ever could have imagined.

Full of sympathetic characters, wildly imaginative situations, and countless exciting details, the first installment in the series assembles an unforgettable magical world and sets the stage for many high-stakes adventures to come.

This is what I say :

Actually, what can I say?  This title is so well know all over the world and read by millions since it was first published in year 2003....a good 18 years. 

Nothing much to say actually. I think this is my second or third time reading this title but my first time time giving it a space in this little universe of mine.  Since I have all the books in my collections, I though I revisit the titles once again.  However, it wasn't an easy visit as I have a lot of distractions along the way.  I think it will take me a long time to complete all seven titles.

The magic of Harry Potter is still very much captivating the attention and imagination of  readers all over the world.  However, I would love to have a chance to visit his world in land of the rising sun one of these days when travels are allowed..  I can't wait to "Expelliarmus!!" someone!

Second Time Around Books Comes Around Again

Image taken from organiser's FB page

 Second Time Around Books will be making its round in my city once again after the unfortunate break caused by the pandemic last year.  If I am not mistaken, the last time they made an appearance was in year 2019 and early 2020 and they were not able to do so for their annual end 2020 sales due to C19.

Well, starting yesterday and for about 6 weeks, they will attempt to tempt you with many titles of novels, paperbacks, hardcovers, children's book, non fictions like self help book, cookery books and many more genre and titles.

There will be folks making their way there and pick up titles that interest them or titles that they want to just try reading or even titles that just attracts their attention but of which they will never read.

I used to look forward to this yearly sales that had been making their rounds in the city yearly for the past 10 years or so.  However, in recent years, my interest in going to the book sales waned and I don't think I went at all the last round they were here.

Partly because I still have a lot of TBR at home, partly due to me being more selective in what I buy and read now and partly I prefer to purchase my read from local individuals who are selling from their personal collections.

Anyway, to each his or her own. So, if you are keen to check out these second hand books brought for you all the way from the states, do make your way to The Hills at the date stated above.

 

 

The Other Side of The Story by Marian Keyes

 

Synopsis :

Jojo Harvey is a dead ringer for Jessica Rabbit and the most ferocious literary agent in town. A former NYPD cop, she now lives in London making million-dollar book deals while trying to make partner at her firm . . . all the while sleeping with the boss man.

Lily Wright is an author who believes in karma, and is waiting for the sky to fall after stealing her former best friend's man. Though her first book failed to sell, her life turns upside down when her most recent book becomes a huge bestseller.

Gemma Hogan is an event designer extraordinaire, but her personal life is nonexistent after losing the love of her life and her best friend in one fell swoop. To make matters worse, her father has just left her mother. While taking care of her mother, she e-mails a close colleague about her frustrations, who in turn forwards the hilarious e-mails to a famous literary agent named Jojo Harvey, who just happens to represent her former friend, now enemy, Lily Wright. . . .

This is what I say :

Yes, I read this at the same time as I read The Mystery of Mercy Close.  I can't remember when did I buy this copy of The Other Side of The Story but as I read it, I do realise that it's not my first time reading it.  I probably read it years ago but I quite forgot. 

Anyway, this story portrays a totally different set of characters from the Walsh family. However, the style of Marian's writing shines through and it was an enjoyable book through and through.

It is indeed a fun read and while the issues were not fun issues, Marian made it light and enjoyable, the way a chic lite should be.

What other titles by Marian should I read next or should I read again?