Love is Red (Nightsong Trilogy #1) by Sophie Jaff

I always thought great story telling is better than a great plot. I haven't met a book that proved me wrong. Take this book for example. Some parts were told in first person and some in second. Yes, second person. I mean who does that?! In fiction no less! I understand how the book is told in different perspectives and for some books that can work. The story telling has to be full proof, though. And whose voice does the second person story telling belong to? If that's not enough there are a couple of chapters towards the end that were told in third person. I blame artistic freedom. If you can get over the constant switching of voices you might like this.

Or not. Because Love is Red had such great potential if it didn't try to put so many ideas in one book. The birth of Jesus Christ and the alien wise man (I SHIT YOU NOT), some Wiccan tale which didn't really relate to the ... colors (don't even get me started with this), and of course the main mystery. This is the first book of a trilogy, if I might add. I got more questions than answers when I'm done. I'm hoping these will be clarified in the next two instalments, not that I'm holding my breath for those. Okay sorry but the colors ... the colors should've at least been mentioned at the beginning not in the middle with no explanations whatsoever. I'm not saying the writing isn't good.

It is ... for the most part. I wouldn't finish it if not. And I also kind of understand why this is in first and second person because there are a couple of chapters written in 3rd person and this is how one sounded like: 

Chapter 28: The woman opens her eyes. Her eyes are open in the darkness. It is too dark in here.

I rest my case.

Winner's Kiss (The Winner's Trilogy 3) by Marie Rutkoski

Can't get into the God of Death bits. Or I should say chunks, there were a lot of that going on. I think that was what killed this for me. I'm not saying it's awful. I still like it. I just couldn't get past the God of Death bits. Wait I already said that. 

What's in this book? War. Fight scenes. Not a lot of plotting and spying anymore because that was so books 1 and 2. Lol. A lot of kissing and making up towards the end ... it's a love story in a war setting, what do you expect? OH! A lot of Roshar! YAY! I think he made this whole book a lot more enjoyable.

3.5 stars.

PS: Does anyone else think Jafar when reading Roshar? Probably just me? Like this but without the nose?

K maybe a bit hotter? But again without the nose.

Okay never mind.

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

I haven't read a book I wanted to stay up late for in a long time. Here's one. I was devastated to find out the last of the trilogy won't come out until next year so now my problem is do I read the second book or do I wait a few months and suffer. Tough decisions.

See, it's books like this that got me into YA. The last YA trilogy I read wasn't so much of a much so I stopped reading YA for a bit. I mean, it was good but I didn't as excited about it as this one. I think this book just killed my YA reading slump. I like the story telling and its prose best. As far as the made-up world, clan wars and forbidden love, it's all been done before. It's the story telling and writing that makes a difference.

Okay I think my EQ is low today so I'm gonna go read the 2nd book and then suffer longer until the last installment comes out. 

Five stars.

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

I guess the hardest part to writing fantasy is introducing the new world you created? Despite the non-complicated prose and simple language, I had a slow start reading this because I couldn't follow the rankings and description of ... mostly everything. Of course, it could just be my slow brain, heh. It was easy once I got through the introductions. 

I loved the fast-paced story, most of all. I thought it didn't drag at all. I haven't decided if I like the main character yet but I like the story enough to read it. I'm not sure this should be under YA, too. Maybe just fantasy romance. I think it's a bit too twisted and ... romancey (I totally invented that word) for young adults but, oh well. There's a lot of fantasy, love triangle trilogies out but I like how the main character is sort of in love with the antagonist. However, I think part of its charm is lost for me because I already know the ending; someone accidentally told me because she thought I was done (she's evil, I know); but I'd still read it. 

This is a 3.5 at most.

Dreams of Gods and Monsters (Daughter of Smoke and Bone) Laini Taylor

This is beautiful. It's one of the few trilogies that I think is beautiful from the first book to the last one. Except for the Eliza parts. It kinda dragged. I had to admit I was happy how she turned out. Actually I was HOPING I would be happy about how she would turn out. Otherwise I have to give this a 3 and I REALLY don't want that. I took off one star because of the Stelians. Not the Stelians as a whole or individually but the explanation of who they are and how they are and how this "issue" with them should be dealt with. It's kind of hard to explain the same way I don't feel the explanation of the Stelians and their Anake and yoraya and that other thing was enough. Well, at least it would be hard to explain without giving spoilers. I had to say it was anti-climactic but not totally so that was good. I loved the fact that when I was reading all three books I wasn't so focused on the Karou/Madrigal-Akiva love angle. The war, the friendship, the alliances, the twists are a whole different stories apart from the love angle and that's cool. It revolves around the original plot, yes, but it can stand on it's own. I mean I love the love story too The book is ambitious, too, in a way that it tried to discuss science and religion and its impact on the society. It was pretty evident in the Eliza parts but in Zuze and Karou's parts I'd have to say it was a bit subtle (yes i know the whole thing talks of war but it's just different! lol). So yeah, pretty happy about this ... and sad since there will be no more smoke and bone books so I guess I have to read other Laini Taylor books now.

World After (Penryn and the End of Days 2) by Susan Ee

Previously on Penryn and the End of Days lol ... I gave 2 stars to the first part of this trilogy because, among other things, I only liked the last 25% of it and it was a hanger. I was expecting something of the same sort here but was surprised I liked World After. I'm glad I read this even if I gave 2 stars to Angelfall.

It's still a hanger (lol) so that part's annoying but the dialogue exchange that I found trying-hard to be sarcastic before isn't there anymore. I was happy it didn't take forever before Penryn and Raffe found each other again but I have to say I still didn't gush. Lol. I do admit to chuckling at some point. 
I liked the story and the story telling better here. What's up with the angel swords, eh? I still stand by my "predictions" on my Angelfall review about Penryn's ... abilities. That's what I've been hoping to find out but I guess I have to wait until the last installment.

I read reviews saying Angelfall was better. I think World After is better. Waaaaaay better, actually. So there.