ARC Review of "The Shadow Queen"

The Shadow Queen   

By C.J Redwine   

Stars: 5

Source: EW

Release Date: February 16th 2016 

Lorelai Diederich has a plan to get her kingdom back. With the help of her little brother and a loyal friend, she's been training, growing more powerful everyday, getting one step closer everyday to killing the evil queen and reclaiming her rightful throne. 

But when Queen Irina creates the perfect huntsman to track down Lorelai and kill her it throws a wrench in her carefully laid out plans. 

Suddenly she has Kol to worry about. A new King, a Draconi (DRAGON!!!) forced to make a deal to save his people from a gruesome Ogre attack that will surely wipe out his kingdom. 

Lorelai will do anything to get her crown back, Kol will do everything to save his people and Irina, she'll kill anyone who gets in her way. 

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This was my first C.J Redwine book and let me tell you, it did not disappoint! 

I was just on the edge of falling into a reading slump when I picked up this book. I made it about 6% into it and almost gave up and DNF it. Crazy! I know! But I'm so glad I kept reading. 

This book is pretty much everything you could wish for in a fantasy 're-telling'. 

I myself am not a fan of re-tellings because I always feel like you know where the story is going and there aren't any big surprises or plot twists. 

But I actually have a hard time calling this a re-telling because it is so unique and a story all it's own. 

I mean it has magic, dragons, family drama, revenge, did I mention dragons? 

Also, and I feel so dumb mentioning this, it has a gyrfalcon. Which up until, well today, I thought was a mythical creature... 

Thanks FaceBook for correcting me... 

Awkward. 

Anyway, Lorelai has a special telepathic connection with this (very real) gyrfalcon, Sasha, and honestly, their conversations were my absolute favorite. It added the perfect amount of... Lightness to the book without downplaying the darkness or the danger. 

I also adored Lorelai and Kol's slowing burning romance. It definitely wasn't your typical YA love story, what with him trying to murder her, and that's what I really enjoyed about it. 

It was refreshing to see a strong, powerful, female character who could stand on her own two feet and didn't go all 'damsel in distress' every time the love interest entered the room.

All in all this is one of my favorite books that I've read this year and I'm excited to get my hands on some more of C.J's books and discover some new favorites! 

Until next time, 

Ginger 

In compliance with FTC guidelines I am disclosing that this book was given to me for free to review. 

My review is my honest opinion.

Review of "Cruel Beauty"

Cruel Beauty By Rosamund Hodge

Stars:4 

Source: Purchased 

Well before her birth Nix has been betrothed to Ignifex, after all that was the deal that her father made with the ruler of their Kingdom. 

It was never even a choice between Nix and her twin sister. Her father would never give up Astraia. 

But Nix won't be a dutiful bride, she won't put on a fake smile and do as she is told. No. She has a plan. She will kill the evil ruler of Arcadia, she will kill Ignifex and free her land. She will prove to her sister and her father that she deserves to live just as much as Astraia.

Amazon - Barnes and Noble  - Book Depository

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"Cruel Beauty" is suppose to be a mix between Beauty and the Beast and Graceling. 

While I haven't read Graceling I'm think it must lean more towards that. While I could see how it resembled Beauty and the Beast (if I squinted and tilted my head) it wasn't enough for me to warrant the 'retelling' description. 

I'm not sure how to describe this book. 

First off I hate retelling's, I don't know why but they drive me crazy, if a book is marketed as one I tend to stay as far away from it as possible. 

But I'm trying to branch out a little bit and read books I wouldn't have previously picked up. 

So keeping that in mind I was very hesitant going into this book, but after finishing it I found myself surprised by how much I really liked it.

It was strange, I won't deny that, but strange in the best possible why. 

It has the perfect mesh of darkness and light, you're always wondering who Nix should trust and who she should run screaming from. 

The descriptions of the ever changing castle and it's vast rooms left me breathless and I found myself insanely jealous of a library filled with books that no one could read, which is crazy.

All through the book I thought it was going to be three stars. It was a good story, with good characters and a good plot but the second I finished those last few chapters I knew three stars just wasn't enough. 

I only wish the first 2/3 had been as enchanting and mesmerizing as the last 1/3.   

That being said I am planning on reading Rosamund's next book and hopefully this will open the door to even more retelling's. 

Until next time, 

Ginger