Ebonwilde by. Crystal Smith | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Ebonwilde (Blood Leaf #3)

Author: Crystal Smith

Format: ebook (owned)

Pages: 352

Publication Date: 4/12/22

Publisher: HMH Books For Young Readers

Categories: Young Adult, Fantasy, Magic, Romance

Get ready to be swept away, seduced, and swindled in the wickedly vicious third and final installment in the Bloodleafseries that Laura Sebastian called “enchanting, visceral, and twisty.”

Welcome to Ebonwilde. Come and find me.

Aurelia’s last words haunted Zan. Left with the task of finding and reviving Princess Aurelia, Zan sets off on his own adventure to find her and return the gift she sacrificed for him—her life. But not all is what it seems, and Ebonwilde is more dangerous than anyone can predict.

Content Warning: Death, Violence

I’m not sure what I was expecting with the end of this series but this one surprised me, sometimes not in a good way.

I love the twists and turns but that came mostly at the ending. I like how the story was resolved and loose ends were tied up. I even liked how everyone is separated but come together to defeat the villain and make everything right. Some people get happy endings, others get a bad deal.

The thing I didn’t really enjoy was the timeline jumping. I understand why it happened, because Zan can basically time jump in the Gray. So there are many things going on at one time, kind of like the webs that the Spinner has to deal with. I did like that parallel. But it could get confusing at times. There is a Then, Now, 1620, 1921 (10 days before Midwinter…etc…)…and it was hard to follow at times. I wish it was a bit more straightforward but that’s what happens with time jumping!

Also, the love triangle bit was breaking my heart. I refused to believe it was happening and was thinking, this cannot end this way! Why now? I was getting upset. There were people dying that I didn’t want to die. Of course you have to read and find out what happens in the end and it is beautiful how it ends but I think it took a confusing way to get to there.

The thing I love about this series is the mythology and questions about power and how it affects people. I found this particular book fascinating because it touched on present day issues like like when a virus ravages a community. Or when a radical figure uses his power influence a group of people and cause chaos.

It was always about Aurelia in the beginning and her choices. Now we know why but I did like that in this last book, it took all of them, a collective effort, not just Aurelia, to save humanity. I like that we get to see other characters and their relationships. I loved all the reveals – but they really did come all at the end.

Why you should read it:

to finish the series
great world building and the story did tie up loose ends
love how the characters are complex, each has a role, and our heroine isn’t perfect

Why you might not want to read it:

first part is slow because many different perspectives and timelines happening
a love triangle (but read it to find out what happens)

My Thoughts:

I loved that this book tied up the loose ends and really did a nice job ending the series. I just wish it wasn’t such a confusing timeline for me – but that could be my fault for not rereading book two. I recommend doing so, so you are reacquainted with the whole cast of characters. I didn’t like the love triangle because it was so sad and bittersweet. The ending of this book was an emotional rollercoaster with twists and turns and your faves are not guaranteed to survive. I’m glad I got to finish this series. Book two was my favorite of the three, but I really did love all the reveals in book three.

📚 ~ Yolanda

Quotes from the Book:

Hope was such a pernicious, perilous thing. A rope to promised safety that could lead instead to the brink of a chasm, with no quarter for retreat or net to catch your fall.”
– Crystal Smith, Ebonwilde

And I will keep choosing you, every day, every hour, every minute, for as long as I live.”
– Crystal Smith, Ebonwilde

Everything that had ever separated us, every lie, every loss, every hurt, mistake, and misunderstanding, now became what dragged us back to one another.”
– Crystal Smith, Ebonwilde

I don’t believe that who we are is ever set in stone. We are transitory creatures—every day, we wake up as someone new, changed just a little bit by the experiences of the day before. Who we were is always a part of us, but it doesn’t determine who we are, nor who we can still become.
– Crystal Smith, Ebonwilde

First Lines Fridays | 4/22/22

First Lines Fridays is a weekly feature for book lovers hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?

Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page
Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first
Finally… reveal the book!

“Father told me I’m broken.”

⬇️

Can you guess what book it is?

Did you guess it? Have you read this one? I’m reading this one right now and loving it so far!

📖 ~ Yolanda

Castles in Their Bones by. Laura Sebastian | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: Castles in Their Bones

Author: Laura Sebastian

Format: hardcover (borrowed)

Pages: 514

Publication Date: 2/1/22

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Categories: Young Adult, Kingdom Politics, Fantasy

A spellbinding story of three princesses and the destiny they were born for: seduction, conquest, and the crown. Immerse yourself in the first book in a new fantasy trilogy from the author of the New York Times bestselling Ash Princess series.

Empress Margaraux has had plans for her daughters since the day they were born. Princesses Sophronia, Daphne, and Beatriz will be queens. And now, age sixteen, they each must leave their homeland and marry their princes.

Beautiful, smart, and demure, the triplets appear to be the perfect brides—because Margaraux knows there is one common truth: everyone underestimates a girl. Which is a grave mistake. Sophronia, Daphne, and Beatriz are no innocents. They have been trained since birth in the arts of deception, seduction, and violence with a singular goal—to bring down monarchies— and their marriages are merely the first stage of their mother’s grand vision: to one day reign over the entire continent of Vesteria.

The princesses have spent their lives preparing, and now they are ready, each with her own secret skill, and each with a single wish, pulled from the stars. Only, the stars have their own plans—and their mother hasn’t told them all of hers.

Life abroad is a test. Will their loyalties stay true? Or will they learn that they can’t trust anyone—not even each other?

Content Warning: Death, Violence

This gave me Three Dark Crown vibes and sometimes The Bridge Kingdom but way less dark and intense.

I liked the three sisters and their back stories. They were born to be wives of Princes in neighboring kingdoms with plans of their mother taking over each kingdom. That is the plan, but when the girls are aways from their mother – plans start to change.

Sophronia, is the soft hearted one and already half in love with her Prince. Beatriz, is the pretty one and placed in the most extravagant kingdom. Daphne, is the cunning and cold one and she’s place in the most northern kingdom which lacks a lot of comforts and luxuries her homeland of Bessimia is known for. It did take a moment to get each girl and their personalities situated in my head. I had to make sure who’s perspective I was reading, by checking each chapter title.

I think the story moved very evenly between the three perspectives which was really nice but I think I wanted a bit more intensity. I wanted the stakes to feel high for these sisters but I didn’t quite feel it. They knew their duties and knew their own personalities, so it played out how their mom anticipated. There is very limited romance in the story, lots of political intrigue and betrayal.

I did like the magic system of the wishes but would like to learn more about it and the stardust. I was definitely captured by the story and kept reading to see what would happen next.

The twist in the end made me a bit sad but I feel liked Daphne’s story will be one to watch. Will she help her sisters or follow her mom’s plan? It ends in a cliffhanger of course so I feel like I have to read book two just to know what Daphne will do.

Why you should read it:

court politics
it’s got stardust magic, and sisters meant to infiltrate other kingdoms
entertaining story

Why you might not want to read it:

the story didn’t wow me – but try it out if you like court politics!

My Thoughts:

Perfect for fans of kingdoms and court politics. Like I said in the beginning it had the Three Dark Crowns vibe but with a little Bridge Kingdom (the sisters infiltrating other kingdoms). I loved the bond of the sisters and it was interesting to see how each would carry out their plans in the places they were sent. There is little romance, lots of betrayal and a cliff hanger ending. Will definitely be reading book two to see what happens next.

📚 ~ Yolanda

WWW Wednesday | 4/20/22

WWW Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Sam over on Taking on a World of Words.

The idea is pretty simple, every week you dedicate a post to the three W’s:

What are you currently reading?

What have you just finished reading?

What are you going to read next?

What are you currently reading?

What have you just finished reading?

What are you going to read next?

Gotta get through a few blog tour arcs that are coming up soon!

Happy Reading!!

~ Yolanda

Happy Book Birthday | New Releases | 4/19/22

Happy book birthday to these new releases!

Return to The Meridian with New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Roanhorse’s sequel to the most critically hailed epic fantasy of 2020 Black Sun—finalist for the Hugo, Nebula, Lambda, and Locus awards.

There are no tides more treacherous than those of the heart. —Teek saying

The great city of Tova is shattered. The sun is held within the smothering grip of the Crow God’s eclipse, but a comet that marks the death of a ruler and heralds the rise of a new order is imminent.

The Meridian: a land where magic has been codified and the worship of gods suppressed. How do you live when legends come to life, and the faith you had is rewarded?

As sea captain Xiala is swept up in the chaos and currents of change, she finds an unexpected ally in the former Priest of Knives. For the Clan Matriarchs of Tova, tense alliances form as far-flung enemies gather and the war in the heavens is reflected upon the earth.

And for Serapio and Naranpa, both now living avatars, the struggle for free will and personhood in the face of destiny rages. How will Serapio stay human when he is steeped in prophecy and surrounded by those who desire only his power? Is there a future for Naranpa in a transformed Tova without her total destruction?

Welcome back to the fantasy series of the decade in Fevered Star—book two of Between Earth and Sky.

#Wibbroka is back with another swoony YA–this time tackling long-distance relationships, in a novel based on their own romantic history.

If high school seniors Siena and Patrick were a superlative, they’d be the Couple Most Likely to Marry. They’ve been dating for three solid years, and everyone agrees they’re perfect for each other. But with college on the horizon, Siena begins to wonder whether staying together is the best idea. Does she really want to be tied down during possibly the most transformative years of her life? So she makes a decision to break up with Patrick, convincing herself it’s for the best. Before she can say the words, though, he beats her to the punch: his family is moving out of state. Caught off guard by the news, Siena agrees to stay with Patrick, believing their relationship will naturally fizzle out with time and distance. But over a series of visits throughout the school year, Siena begins to see a different side of Patrick–one that has her falling in love with him all over again.

Nami’s continuing adventures as she fights to free her friends.

It’s been ten months since Nami narrowly escaped the Four Courts and Ophelia’s wrath. Ten months since she was betrayed by someone she once considered a friend. Someone she poured her heart out to. And now her family here in the afterlife are gone, captured, and Nami is utterly alone.

On the run, only steps ahead of the AI forces pursuing her, and desperate to free her friends, Nami must take the allies she can find, even if she doesn’t fully trust them. And as she tests the limits of her own power, she must also reckon with the responsibility that entails.

Stakes are high as Nami navigates old enemies, unexpected allies, and an ever-changing landscape filled with dangers and twists at every turn. Along the way, she’ll learn powerful truths about who she can trust and the sacrifices that must be made in order to fight for a better, freer world for all.

Are you getting any new books this week? Happy Reading! ~ Yolanda

Bookish Merchandise I’d Love to Own | Top Ten Tuesday | 4/19/22

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. Please check out her website for more TTT topics!

This week’s topic is: (freebie topic)

Bookish Merchandise I’d Love to Own

So I saw this on instagram and on tiktok. I love the idea of scrapbooking the books I read plus I have SO much sticker paper when I was making stickers with my Cricut. I got the mini version first, which only contains 100 book spaces and it’s REALLY mini. This bigger one holds 1000 books so I think I could chronicle about 10 years of reading in this book! And it’s hardcover so…I think I will buy it and start it in 2023 since I already have the mini one.

You can find it at Amazon: CLICK HERE

I’m sorry but years of reading has really messed up my posture and neck! Lately because I’ve been reading more in order to have content to post for this blog, I noticed I get tight neck muscles and shoulders – which can lead to some mid headaches. I was a massage therapist for almost 10 years and I kinda miss getting monthly massages (for free from co-workers). Since I’ve been a stay at home mom, it’s been less massages because of less time to schedule them. So I’m eyeing out one of this neck massagers.

You can find it at Amazon: CLICK HERE

This looks amazing! And I’m going on 2 trips this year, back to back – hence why the massager appeals to me. But this book seat looks amazing too! You can carry a book or ipad in it and prop it up.

You can find it at Amazing: CLICK HERE

We need these to mark those special phrases and quotes or details you find in a book. I actually really need a bunch of these because my little post-its aren’t cutting it – even though they are cute.

You can find it at Amazon: CLICK HERE

I’m all about comfort at this age! This looks amazing since I read in bed a lot. But I feel like my kids would take it for themselves to use for their ipads lol.

You can find it at Amazon: CLICK HERE

How cute are these reading list bookmarks? And it’s a digital product so you can make it at home if you have a printer. It’s from WithLoveMelissaPrint on Etsy. CLICK HERE

I love this shop on Etsy called mysecretcopy. I’ve bought stickers on there before and her stuff is just so pretty and cute. I’m eyeing this magnetic bookmark set. It’s so pretty! CLICK HERE to check out the listing and her shop.

How amazing are these bookmarks from StephsBookTherapy on Etsy? It’s book boyfriend bookmarks!!! lol so clever. CLICK HERE to check it out.

I found this item at jaclynneanne on Etsy. What a wonderful idea especially if you are the type of reader who loves to be surprised! I don’t know if going on a “blind date with a book” would work for me since I’m such a mood reader but I love this idea. According to the listing it looks like you can choose the genre and look at that cute packaging. CLICK HERE

How cute are these soaps in the shape of books?! 🥰 I want it! I found this on Etsy from a shop called NewLeafCandleCo – these would make such good gifts for a book lover. I might have to try a few of these. CLICK HERE

What did you have on your TTT? ~ Yolanda

Weekly Wrap Up | 4/18/22

Aloha friends!

What a weekend.

Started off last week Sunday with a Passover Seder meal for the kids at the Jewish Temple they attend for Sunday School. Our official Passover Seder meal took place on Friday – I went minimal with the preparation this year because our Easter Sunday Egg Hunt was taking up the bulk of my preparation. Saturday the kids and I cleaned up the house, hubby’s back was out again so he couldn’t really help, I was exhausted. Sunday was our Egg Hunt party and it was so nice spending it with family again! My daughter had fun with her girl cousins, they are around the same age (3-5). The boys are older ages 9-16 so they were more in their own worlds (on their phones 🙄 lol). Once upon a time years ago it was those group of boys running all over my yard in the Egg Hunt 🥲 – now they are too cool for it or whatever lol.

But honestly, 2 years of not hosting parties at my house and without full caffeine now…I was so tired last night and crashed at 8pm. 😳 My body aches today and I woke up with a headache (I was dehydrated from running around all day yesterday) – had to drink a lot of water this morning to get my headache to go away. But today is a school day, so it’s back to the grind for me son. But this means there is only 6 more weeks of school for him and then my first vacation in 10 years!! And our first real family trip after that to the East Coast. Wow…so many things happening. I hope all of you had a Happy Passover, and Happy Easter if you celebrate.

How was your week? Hope all of you are staying safe! Have a fabulous week!

Blog Posts This Week:

Books I Read:

Currently Reading:

Shows/Movies I Watched:

Games I Played:

My Singing Monsters

Music I Listened To:

Miley Cyrus – Attention (live album)
Camila Cabello – Familia Album

How was your week? Did you get a lot done? Watch anything good? Read any amazing books or books you didn’t finish? What are you reading?…Leave me a comment below!

💖 ~ Yolanda

How to Be the Best Third Wheel by. Loridee De Villa | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Title: How to Be the Best Third Wheel

Author: Loridee De Villa

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 336

Publication Date: 5/3/22

Publisher: Wattpad Books

Categories: Contemporary, Young Adult, Teen Readers, Romance, Enemies to Lovers, Coming of Age

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Wattpad Books for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

A clean teen romance comedy about figuring out where you belong when all the constants in your life begin to change.

It’s the last year of highschool, and everything has changed . . .

After spending summer vacation in the Philippines with family, Lara returns to school eager to catch up with her close knit group of girlfriends. But within minutes of reuniting with her friends, she learns that not one, not two, but all three of them are now in relationships that blossomed over the summer. And to make matters worse, Lara’s long time frenemy, James, won’t stop bugging her in class and eventually forces her into tutoring him everyday after school.

Surviving high school was never easy to begin with, but with occupied friends, a hectic Filipino family, and her annoying childhood enemy pestering her more than ever, Lara tries to juggle everything, while trying to figure out her own place in the chaos.

Content Warning:

First off, a warning – this book does not have a happily ever after. Also it’s definitely more for teen readers.

Lara is dealing with a lot of things, and most Seniors in high school do. Her best friends came back from summer break all with boyfriends, she’s tutoring her childhood crush but now enemy James, and she’s trying to decide what she wants to do after high school.

I love the diversity and how Lara is a second generation filipino immigrant that lives in Canada. She is fluent in Tagalog which is nice and we get the Tagalog translations in English as well. I’m Filipino American, but my family speaks Ilocano, not Tagalog so I needed those translations. I totally related to some of the Filipino family dynamics, and the mentions of food was fantastic. I love how she has that family bond and also the family enemy (her cousin, Eliza). Who doesn’t have family drama?

I thought Lara and James’ relationship was funny because honestly, Lara is so dramatic. But I felt that was perfect for her character, because I remember being a teenager, and how everything was a big deal in that moment of my life. As an adult reading this book, of course I had moments I was rolling my eyes and cringing but I had to remind myself how it was in high school. I feel like lots of teens will be able to relate to Lara’s worries about her path in life after high school.

Lara’s best friends in this book was always leaving her out to dry and that sucked. I get that dating also is such a big deal in high school as well but I felt bad for Lara. It did give her more time with James though but still, I felt bad when they kept flaking on her or lying. As for the ending – I am not someone into sad endings. Is it realistic? Sure, it is, but I want my romance stories to have happy endings even if it’s not realistic, so that didn’t work for me.

Why you should read it:

friends to enemies to lovers story
diversity, Filipino-Canadian rep

Why you might not want to read it:

cringe inducing, eye rolling moments
feels like it’s written for younger teens

My Thoughts:

I did enjoy the filipino representations and that’s why I requested this book. I feel like the story definitely fulfilled that part of my expectations with the Tagalog translations and familiar family dynamics I saw in Lara’s interactions. Those parts were great. I wasn’t really into her friends ghosting her all the time. The romance was funny and cute but there was no happily ever after, which left me sad – I want a romance to leave me happy. This one would appeal more to teens and younger who can relate to Lara’s coming of age challenges.

📚 ~ Yolanda

I Must Betray You by. Ruta Sepetys | Book Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: I Must Betray You

Author: Ruta Sepetys

Format: hardcover (borrowed)

Pages: 321

Publication Date: 2/1/22

Publisher: Penguin

Categories: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Communism, Romania

Romania, 1989. Communist regimes are crumbling across Europe. Seventeen-year-old Cristian Florescu dreams of becoming a writer, but Romanians aren’t free to dream; they are bound by rules and force.

Amidst the tyrannical dictatorship of Nicolae Ceaușescu in a country governed by isolation and fear, Cristian is blackmailed by the secret police to become an informer. He’s left with only two choices: betray everyone and everything he loves—or use his position to creatively undermine the most notoriously evil dictator in Eastern Europe.

Cristian risks everything to unmask the truth behind the regime, give voice to fellow Romanians, and expose to the world what is happening in his country. He eagerly joins the revolution to fight for change when the time arrives. But what is the cost of freedom?

Content Warning: Death, Violence, Torture

It’s 1989 and the Berlin Wall has come down (I remember watching that on TV), and all around Romania it seems that the Iron Curtain is coming down. As a young kid I only knew what I saw on TV but this book right here gives me an insider view that is really amazing. What I love about this author is her research – it is always so in depth. It’s one of the reasons I love adult historical fiction but as a young adult fiction, she really does such a fantastic job of capturing historical events through the eyes of young people.

Cristi or Cristian is just a 17 year old kid living in Romania. His whole community, the whole country in fact is under surveillance of the government. Say anything bad about their leader and the Securitae will come after them – just like how they were coming for Cristi’s grandfather who is very outspoken about their leader, Nicolae Ceaușescu. But the way Romania is under surveillance is the sad part – it is country men informing on one another – but they do it so they can survive the dire conditions in Romania. Can you imagine living somewhere with barely heat in freezing winters and not being to trust anyone around you? The outside world doesn’t know how they go to school six days a week, how everything they watch on tv is state run, or how they are barely surviving on scheduled rations. To get any good services or products in the community you have to barter with a pack of Kents cigarettes! And Cristi loves his grandfather, and he wants to do anything to help him out even if that means betraying someone. But Cristi finds out the truth about who is betraying who in his life.

I liked Cristi and glad he had the influence of his brave grandfather. I loved the hopeful message of first love with a girl at school Lilliana, even in such tough times. You can feel Cristi’s despair and frustration at the government and his yearning to do something impactful, even at the cost of his life. I think this story resonates so much because of current events happening between Ukraine and Russia.

The only issue I had was the ending part when the revolution started and then it ended – I thought it was too fast. The story is a build up to it with the distrust around Cristi, it’s a slow beginning but I’m glad we got a sense of how dire it was in Romania but I would have like more of the revolution part because it is so inspiring. The epilogue is fantastic as we learn about the secret files the Securitae kept on all the surveillance going on in Romania. It is truly astounding the lengths the government went through to keep people in line, keep people in fear and separated from the outside world.

As always with historical fiction we get a bit more extra information from the author in the notes. I always love seeing that in the author’s notes.

Why you should read it:

learn about Romania in 1989, know how they lived – it’s an important story
it’s inspiring and relates to current events
you love historical fiction and beautiful writing

Why you might not want to read it:

not into historical fiction

My Thoughts:

Ruta Sepetys is a must read author for me because I learn something every time I read one of her books. I was so young when this moment in time happened in Romania so to look back now and read it as an adult, it makes me realize that I missed a lot of information or was too young to understand what has happening thousands of miles away from me. It’s important to hear these stories and she does a great service by telling them with her beautiful writing.

📚 ~ Yolanda

Quotes from the Book:

Paradise: If communism is Paradise, why do we need barriers, walls, and laws to keep people from escaping?”
― Ruta Sepetys, I Must Betray You

“Mistrust is a form of terror. The regime pits us against one another”
― Ruta Sepetys, I Must Betray You

How could we expect others to feel our pain or hear our cries for help when all we could do was whisper ?”
― Ruta Sepetys, I Must Betray You

Your father’s hungry, Cristian, literally and figuratively. Ration cards in the 1980s? We had more food during World War II,” complained Bunu. “Do you see the lunacy of all this? They’ve got us brainwashed, standing in lines for hours, grateful for rotten beans. But what is the cost of self-worth?”
― Ruta Sepetys, I Must Betray You

The Genesis Wars by. Akemi Dawn Bowman | ARC Review

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Title: The Genesis Wars (The Infinity Courts, #2)

Author: Akemi Dawn Bowman

Format: eBook (NetGalley)

Pages: 432

Publication Date: 4/19/22

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Categories: Young Adult, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Dystopian

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Thank you to Simon Pulse for giving me a chance to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Nami’s continuing adventures as she fights to free her friends.

It’s been ten months since Nami narrowly escaped the Four Courts and Ophelia’s wrath. Ten months since she was betrayed by someone she once considered a friend. Someone she poured her heart out to. And now her family here in the afterlife are gone, captured, and Nami is utterly alone.

On the run, only steps ahead of the AI forces pursuing her, and desperate to free her friends, Nami must take the allies she can find, even if she doesn’t fully trust them. And as she tests the limits of her own power, she must also reckon with the responsibility that entails.

Stakes are high as Nami navigates old enemies, unexpected allies, and an ever-changing landscape filled with dangers and twists at every turn. Along the way, she’ll learn powerful truths about who she can trust and the sacrifices that must be made in order to fight for a better, freer world for all.

Content Warning: Violence, Torture

In the sequel to The Infinity Courts, things get more dire for Nami. Book one left us with a big, shocking plot twist at the end and now Nami has to deal with the outcome of the events that occurred. She is in the Borderlands, trying to train hard enough to fight the Residents and trying to gather allies to help her get her friends. But she is at her wits end – everyone seems to be against her. Nami won’t give up trying to go back to the Courts to find her friends though, even if she has to infiltrate Caelan’s mind to do so.

Nami…what can I say about this girl? She is stubborn, rash, makes so many mistakes but she is fighting to save her friends because she carries guilt for trusting Caelan She blames herself for their capture and she’s heartbroken and angry because he betrayed her. Nami is hardened in book two, she is eaten up with guilt and anger. Her focus is only on saving her friends, and keeping the Borderlands alive so humans have a safe space to go to when they cross over. People like her sister Mei. Nami frustrated me because her plans took precedent over everyone else’s. But as it was reiterated many times in the story – she’s only been there for one lifetime whereas the others, have been fighting for many lifetimes. She’s a baby compared to everyone else there, she has a lot to learn and she does – the hard way.

I enjoyed meeting the characters in the Borderlands and learning about the different tribes. Kasia was a kind friend to Nami – bless her heart and Nix’s. Nami needs a friend and Kasia was gracious enough to extend that friendship to her. Caelan is back and I was wary about him as Nami was but we learn a few things about him that explains his actions in book one.

Once again this book ends in a cliffhanger. This series I will say, has some amazing plot twists and cliffhangers. The writing is wonderful, it just flows so well and the story moved fast. I like how the story tackled issues about leaders and their responsibilities to their people. Also there were questions about a person’s free will and sacrifice. It will be interesting to see what happens in the next book!

Why you should read it:

you read The Infinity Courts and need to find out what happens next after that cliffhanger ending
it has action, plot twists and a cliffhanger – writing flows so easily
Nami’s character growth – she suffers through guilt and anger in this sequel, she makes mistakes but she does not stop fighting to find her friends. There is a lot of room to grow for her.

Why you might not want to read it:

Not into sci-fi/dystopian set in the afterlife

My Thoughts:

This sequel gave us a chance to see Nami struggle with guilt, anger, making mistakes, and being rash with her decisions but sticking steadfast to her goal of finding her friends and keeping the Borderlands alive to help humans find a safe haven. She is challenged at every turn, she trusts no one and has to really keep her wits about her. Her character frustrated me a lot but I understood why she acted out the way she did. The story moves quickly and of course there is a cliffhanger that makes me eager for book three. This is a solid sequel that sets up for book three in a big way.

📚 ~ Yolanda