A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings, A Storm of Swords By George R.R. Martin
5/5 Stars (all)
This is another series to add to my “favorite series” shelf (along with Harry Potter and Hunger Games). It’s epic. EPIC. It has everything a good (and very, very long) story should have; betrayal, heroes, good vs bad, lessons to be had, sex, triumph and defeat. It would take me days to truly explain all of the characters, from my favorites: Tyrion (known often and to his dismay as the Imp), Jon Snow (the bastard), Dany (the Dragon Queen and Arya (who is basically me as a little girl!) to my least favorites: Cersei (power hungry and selfish), Lord Tywin (Jerk) and my least favorite of all Joffery! And the one who always grows on you later in the series: Jamie (give him time!). They are all playing their part in the game of thrones, quite literally. I warn you though, try not to get too attached to anyone. If you want to get sucked in to another world, into characters you will love and hate and love to hate, it’s a great series to get swept up in. There is an accompanying series on HBO. Some people say you should read and then watch, or watch and then read. I always read and then watch and so far it’s been a good thing for Josh, as he has watched (but not read) along with me. I have had to explain a lot to him to help me understand the show because so much is left out and there are so many characters! I’m excited to read the next to and I’m hoping Martin comes out with the next book sooner than later.
The Problem with Forever by Jennifer Armentrout
3.5/5 Stars
After going heavy into GOT I had to find some easy reads, so I turned to the YA (young adult) section. This book definitely had a feel like most YA novels do, it felt typically…immature but still interesting. And for the most part it did follow the pattern of most YA novels I’ve read from the past 5 years. The characters, Mallory and Rider are pretty lovable though. They grew up together in a horrible foster home and find each other years later, as Mallory starts her senior year of high school at a new school. She has since been adopted while Rider is in a new (and much better) foster family. It speaks of the bond you make when going through the most troubling of times and how time doesn’t always change everything (or anything) and that distance does make the heart go fonder. Growing up, Rider had always been Mallory’s protector, her savior. But as time has changed and made her stronger, it hasn’t completely changed Rider. He has yet to see his true worth and how he is capable of a great future. It shows that sometimes we need someone else to help us find our own true self, to pick us up and carry us through the muck of life.
A couple quotes that rung true for me:
“Forever was something we all took for granted, but the problem with forever was that it didn’t really exist”
“Forever wasn’t real.”
Don’t count on forever, it’s not anyone’s reality. Count on today, right now. Don’t wait, to let time slip by.
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
3.99/4 stars
I waiver back and forth about how I feel about this book. It too is a YA novel but it certainly never felt like one. It had some mature content (but not too mature for a teenager) but it was really the syntax and overall feel to the novel that made it feel more like an adult fiction book. It’s set back in WWII as refugees are rushing to escape the war, both the Germans and the Russians, neither side very kind or generous and it’s based around true events (although not based on a true story itself). A ship called The Wilhelm Gustloff, existed and sunk and basically no one has ever heard about it despite it being a larger time maritime disaster (approximately 9,400 people died) than the Titanic (approx 1500 deaths). The story follows several characters (each chapter is from a different characters perspective) as they rush to the harbor in hopes of boarding a ship to take them away from the war and destruction. If you’re looking for a book of rainbows and sunshine, this isn’t it.
January total: 5