Not About the Love Story: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

I don't talk about this a lot, but I love romance. Fantasy is my favorite genre to read - but fantasy with a strong angst-ridden romance? My absolute weakness. So, why I am talking about this in relation to The Fault in Our Stars? Let me explain briefly. When this book shot up in the popular charts, many who talked about it focused on the tragic love story of Hazel and Augustus. The sob-inducing, Kleenex-clutching heartbreak of their relationship and its trajectory. Now don't get me wrong - I love Hazel and Augustus's romantic relationship. But what I noticed people didn't talk about as much was the very aspect that made this book one of my favorite books of all time: it's portrayal of illness. How disease affects both your own perception, and the way you're perceived by those around you.

I had a brain tumor when I was 17 years-old, which was accompanied by seizures and staph infections, and I have struggled with severe eczema my whole life. (I've fortunately never had to deal with anything as bad as cancer!) The way John discusses illness in this book gutted me the first time I read it. He was voicing the thoughts and feelings I'd had swirling around my brain my entire life. Things the healthy people around me couldn't always understand.

"Physical illness repulses."

"There is no glory in illness. There is no meaning to it."

"I wanted to not be a malevolent force in the lives of people I loved."

"The physical evidence of disease separates you from other people."

People often talk about physical health and mental health separately, but I think the two chase each other in a vicious circle. Dealing with a chronic illness changes your perception of yourself, and can leave you with long-lasting insecurities about your appearance and your inherent worth as a person, because you cannot do certain things that other people do or look the way that other people look. 

Gus's commentary on how you never see people dying heroically of illness in museums, and Hazel's casual references to hospital talk (rating your pain on a scale of 1-10), made me feel so seen. And as much as I love their love story, the reason The Fault in Our Stars shattered my heart is due to how well John understands and portrays the thoughts and feelings of someone dealing with serious illness. I could probably write an entire thesis on this topic...but hopefully this post/discussion made some sense!

Like That Movie/TV-Show? Read These Books!

If you're like me, then you enjoy getting book recommendations based on other media. Sometimes I feel like these kinds of comparisons are put together on merely a surface level, so I made sure to think long and hard about the following suggestions. Please let me know if any turn out accurate! Edit: I later realized that a lot of the "media" I chose are adaptations of other books. Not sure what that says about me. But alas!

1. Howl's Moving Castle/Even the Darkest Stars by Heather Fawcett

If you like the film adaptation of Howl's Moving Castle, then I think you'll also enjoy Heather Fawcett's Even the Darkest Stars. Not only do both stories deal with wizards and witches, but the magic systems share a similar atmospheric quality. Both stories also feature a curse that needs breaking and a fire demon who likes to strike bargains. I highly recommend both of these magical stories.

Bonus: If you love Howl's Moving Castle, book or film, I would also recommend Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White. Its two main characters strongly remind me of Sophie and Howl.

2. The Lord of the Rings/Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor

 

This comparison may not seem as obvious, but while I was reading Strange the Dreamer, something about the epicness of the story's scale reminded me of Lord of the Rings. In both, you've got a group of travelers who bond on a journey and face danger together. War plays an important role in both stories, and the authors place an emphasis on magical locations. Now, I am by no means a Lord of the Rings expert. (Like at all.) So some of you LotR fans may disagree with me on this one. But I definitely think you get the same vibe from both. I would also, of course, recommend you read the LotR books too if you enjoyed Strange. They're fantastic.

3. Game of Thrones/Falling Kingdoms series by Morgan Rhodes

 

To me, Falling Kingdoms feels like a lite Game of Thrones. And I don't mean that in a demeaning way - there are just as many (if not more) betrayals in Falling Kingdoms as there are in Game of Thrones. Both are fantasies with a large cast of characters and perspectives - some who are good, some who are bad, and many who are gray. Broken princes, political schemers, rebels, and avenging princesses all play a role in these war-waging kingdoms. Sidenote: The main ship in this series is slow-burn and GLORIOUS, and also reminds me of a certain pairing in GoT. If you're looking for a YA version of Game of Thrones, I highly recommend picking up Falling Kingdoms.

Bonus: I'd also recommend The Cruel Prince and The Wicked King by Holly Black if you dig bloody political vies for the crown and ruthless characters.

4. Hick/Sadie by Courtney Summers

I recently watched Hick (not just because it stars Eddie Redmayne...*cough*...) and it instantly reminded me of Sadie. Quick trigger warning that both stories involve pedophilia. Hick also includes an implied rape scene. If you like tough hitchhiking heroines, backroad country settings, and gritty topics, I think you'll enjoy both this movie and this book.

5. The Raven Cycle/The Wren Hunt by Mary Watson

Before you complain, I know this is cheating. Maggie Stiefvater's Raven Cycle is slated to become a tv show on SyFy, though, and the stories give off such similar vibes that I had to include it, okay? I had to. So I cheated a little. Just let me explain. The Wren Hunt opens with a girl named Wren being "hunted" by a group of boys in a deadly game played on St. Stephen's Day. Wren is secretly an Augur, a magic-user whose power is slowly being stolen by enemy magic-users called the Judges. Wren has to go undercover amongst the Judges to try and steal back her people's magic. Drama ensues.

The whole story takes place in Ireland and is infused with Irish mythology and history. The way Mary Watson interweaves folklore into the story feels strikingly similar to how Maggie interweaves Welsh folklore into The Raven Cycle. Both stories have a mix of fantasy and contemporary, with a underlying current of magical realism. Both also feature a group of prep school magic boys (though I'd say The Wren Hunt boys have a darker bent to them). Overall, I 100% see these stories attracting the same audience. If you love Blue, Gansey, Adam, Ronan, and Noah, then I highly recommend picking up The Wren Hunt.

Non-Spoiler Review: The Wicked King by Holly Black

4 stars. The Wicked King was a lot shorter than I anticipated, but boy did it pack a punch. I was fortunate enough to get my hands on an advance copy of this long-awaited sequel, and let me just say that I was completely unprepared for the emotional rollercoaster awaiting me.

The Wicked King kicks off not long after where The Cruel Prince left off and keeps a heart-pounding pace right up to the finish. I would say that you see a softer side of Cardan in this sequel, and I think readers who felt lukewarm about the first book will appreciate the turn Jude and Cardan's relationship takes. (Full Disclosure: I floated somewhere between lukewarm and obsessed.) Jude is just as stabby and conflicted, and I loved her even more in this book. The tension ramps up between Jude and Cardan, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing moody Cardan rule as king while Jude pulls all the strings. I will say, there's a section in the book where the setting shifts briefly and I found myself itching to skim a few pages. I'm not sure if it's due to a lack of world development, but that's my worst complaint.

For some reason the plot took a lot of turns I didn't see coming, and I had to reexamine my idea of what the story is. But, to be honest, I sort of enjoyed being blindsided by the twists. My absolute favorite part of The Wicked King was the ending. No spoilers, but let's just say it was as jaw-dropping/no-way-inducing/are-you-frickin'-kidding-me as the ending of The Cruel Prince. Perhaps even more so. I...still think about that ending months after finishing. I recommend this truly wicked sequel to both fans and skeptics. The wait for Queen of Nothing is going to be a long one.


Goodreads

Quick Review: All the Wandering Light by Heather Fawcett

4.25 stars. I loved last year's Even the Darkest Stars, much more than I ever anticipated, and this sequel was just as beautiful and atmospheric. A lot of plot happened in All the Wandering Light, and the story might've felt crammed if Heather Fawcett's writing weren't so clear and engaging. She is an incredibly gifted storyteller and knows how to draw a reader into a scene. My heart already aches knowing I won't be able to read more about Kamzin and River (I guess that's what rereading is for!). 

This book explores deeper into the dark magic of the Nightwood and the brewing war between witches and shamans. You learn more about the politics both at the royal court and within the witch community. Even though you're thrown a lot of new information about Kamzin's world, the story remains very character-driven and action-packed. Heather Fawcett has risen into my list of favorite authors, and I know I will enjoy anything she writes. I highly recommend picking up this duology if you love wintery fantasies like The Bear & the Nightingale by Katherine Arden.

Goodreads

Non-Spoiler Review: Wicked Saints by Emily Duncan

How many times can I whisper "Malachiaz you @#$%!" while reading this book? 

4.5 stars. This was one of my most-anticipated reads of 2019 and it did not disappoint in the slightest. Wicked Saints is full of everything I love - monster boys, bloody spell books, and blade-wielding clerics. Though dark, the story is also surprisingly humorous at times, and I immediately latched onto each of our protagonists. In summation: Malachiasz made me scream in frustration, Serefin made me cry, and Nadya became my new favorite role model. One of the elements I loved in this story was the found-family relationship that begins to develop between certain characters. Put that trope into any fantasy book and I'm sold.

My only tiny complaint - tiny! - is that during certain scenes I was so eager to find out what happened next that I literally read too fast and had to revisit some paragraphs to understand what was going on. But, hilariously, that's it. The story was so engrossing that I flew through the pages too quickly. I have no idea how I'm going to survive the wait for the sequel. If you're a fantasy lover like me, you want this book!

Clarifying Note: I say that first line with love. Malachiasz is wonderful and awful and must be protected.

TW: blood, self-harm

Release Date: April 2, 2019
Goodreads

Review: Muse of Nightmares by Laini Taylor

3.75 stars. Like Strange the Dreamer, this book is hard for me to rate. Objectively, the writing and scope of the story deserve at least 4 stars, but I have to dock off a bit in terms of enjoyment.

Strange the Dreamer left off with the plot running in full gear. Our characters were ambushed with shocking revelations and seemingly insurmountable odds. Strange's introduction had started slow, but now things were finally moving. Going in to Muse of Nightmares, I expected the plot to keep that same momentum we left off on. Unfortunately, while this installment moved at a quicker pace than its predecessor, I had to wade through nearly half the book before the story really held my attention.

Weirdly enough, I enjoyed the secondary plots in this novel more than the main one. While I love our two main protagonists, the romantic part of their relationship had me gagging a few times. Their dialogue was just a little too saccharine for my tastes. There is also a fair bit of waiting around that happens in this story, where you feel as if you're watching a timer slowly run down. Fortunately, Laini Taylor's writing is so evocative and lyrical that you enjoy the wait enough to see what happens.

Events do get a little crunched in the last third or so of the story, but I ended up happy with the turnout of the novel, and in awe of how beautifully and accurately Laini conveyed themes of revenge, hope, and forgiveness. If you're struggling to get into Muse of Nightmares, I encourage you to push through. This story is so rich and intricately woven that it's worth the effort.

Goodreads

Sequels that Slay the Sophomore Slump

It's no secret that sequels, particularly in trilogies, often suffer from what I call sophomore slump. The middle book has the daunting task of connecting a story's kickoff with its climax. Keeping up that momentum can be tough, and as a result, sequels can easily end up as filler books, lacking interest and a clear purpose. Here are some sequels I think totally slay that pitfall!

The Mime Order by Samantha Shannon

The Mime Order definitely differs from The Bone Season in terms of setting and plot, but the story is equally epic. You get to know characters who were only briefly introduced in book one, and the scope of the world expands significantly. It's hard to say which installment I enjoyed more, because I fell in love with the atmospheric shift in The Mime Order.

The Girl in the Tower by Katherine Arden

The Bear & the Nightingale won my heart the second I opened it, so I had pretty high expectations for its sequel. Normally that spells disaster, but The Girl in the Tower only deepened my love for this series. I don't want to spoil anything, but if you loved the first book, you only have good things ahead of you. And if you haven't picked up this series, and you love all things wintery and folklore, what are you doing? Run! Run to the nearest bookstore!

A Poison Dark and Drowning by Jessica Cluess

Oh my gosh, this book. I enjoyed the first book in this trilogy, A Shadow Bright and Burning, but this sequel was everything I wanted and more. I remember dancing around (internally) at the character revelations and then gripping the pages so hard my fingers ached. A Poison Dark and Drowning is probably my favorite book of this trilogy. You know when a story takes a surprising turn, one that you scarcely dared to hope for, and you're left feeling elated and giddy? That was me reading this book. 

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Do I even have to explain this one? I was assigned to read Cinder by Marissa Meyer for a literature course during freshman year of college. I had seen the series at the bookstore, but sci-fi fairytale retellings were not my thing, so I never picked them up. Even after reading Cinder, I wasn't terribly impressed. It was only when I found a signed copy of Scarlet at an independent bookstore that I decided to give the sequel a go. And...I promptly fell in love. Scarlet takes all the credit for my now boundless obsession with Marissa Meyer's Lunar Chronicles. This sequel is what made me fall for the characters and the story. If you're hesitating to give this series a go, please take this as a sign. Scarlet will hook your heart and not let go.

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

It's very difficult for me to talk about this one. This book means the world to me. Some stories pass through our lives like a beautiful autumn breeze, and others hit us like a hurricane, toppling down our whole foundation and leaving us at a loss for words, because everything has changed. I know that sounds melodramatic, but it's true. This sequel was the latter for me. It changed everything. A Court of Mist and Fury will always, always, be my ultimate sequel.