The long path to the throne has only just begun for Aelin Galathynius. Loyalties have been broken and bought, friends have been lost and gained, and those who possess magic find themselves at odds with those who don't.

As the kingdoms of Erilea fracture around her, enemies must become allies if Aelin is to keep those she loves from falling to the dark forces poised to claim her world. With war looming on all horizons, the only chance for salvation lies in a desperate quest that may mark the end of everything Aelin holds dear.

Aelin's journey from assassin to queen has entranced millions across the globe, and this fifth installment will leave fans breathless. Will Aelin succeed in keeping her world from splintering, or will it all come crashing down?

I want to preface this review with the fact that I was absolutely crushed by Empire of Storms. It was everything I wanted, and so much more, and it broke my heart! How does Sarah J. Maas do it? Actually, HOW COULD YOU??

This was a book of FINALLY!!’s and WHAT?!’s and why?!?!’s. The gang is all back, save for Choal who is off on Dorian’s errand from Queen of Shadows. Hopefully we’ll see him in the next installment.

I was so happy to see Aelin and Rowan together again doing what they do best – kicking ass and taking names. Aelin is a total BAMF and I’m not afraid to say that I want to be her when I grow up. She’s brilliant, always ten steps ahead of everyone else in the game, and not afraid to make sacrifices when necessary. Aelin and Rowan. Together. It made my heart ache. Aelin finally happy; them finally side by side. How can any couple be so perfect for each other?

We learn so much more about Elide and her character. She’s such a strong person and I love the way she doesn’t take Lochran’s crap. She's fierce, and loyal, and finally gets the appreciation she deserves. Lochran is back, terrorizing people and being loyal to his queen, yet we do get to see a different side of him. Oh, and I can't forget Manon, Aedon, or Dorian! Manon is quickly becoming another favorite. So much happens with the Wing Leader and her coven. I can't even begin to express how much happens in this book!

I am a huge fan of Maas’s writing and her characters. She writes strong, thoughtful women who aren’t afraid to stand up for themselves or their beliefs. Women who can think for themselves, as well as men who respect women. Men who aren’t afraid to stand by these women, and raise them up. This is an amazing thing and I love that it’s available for young adults to see and read.

I couldn't give this anything less than five stars. Did you know it's printed in extremely thin paper to accommodate the 800+ pages so it wouldn't be massive? I read it in two days. I couldn't put it down!! I’m already dying for the next book, but I guess I’ll have to satisfy myself with a re-read of the series until then because I’m not ready to say goodbye to these characters yet! I'm not even sure I've written a coherent review here as I can't express all of my feelings for this book. Despite spending the last 40-50 pages crying my eyes out, I still want more. I needs it... All I can say is read it for yourself and I hope you love it as much I as did!

I can’t believe September is already over and I’m going to start dating things as October. Am I alone? It’s the month of changing leaves, Halloween, and candy corn. Do you like candy corn? I do! I finally got a chance to slow down this month and get in more reading and stitching time. It was a nice change of pace.

I made some great progress on my Hogwarts Crest. Finally! I finished the middle left side and have officially begun the largest part of the pattern. I know most people start from the center and work their way out, but I stitch how I read - left to right, top to bottom. I’m just hoping this part doesn’t take me another 4 months to get through! My Griffindor lion has a butt :)

Not much to report here other than what you see above. I spent most of my free time either reading, stitching, or with my husband and fur family and I am perfectly happy with that. I needed the rest after running around non stop for months on end.
I had a rough couple of days in and out of doctors' offices at one point, so I decided to completely ignore my tbr pile and finally take time time to do a reread of Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone. It was worth it and, I felt, well deserved. This was my first time reading a version of The Philosopher's Stone, and truth be told, even though I've read The Sorcerer's Stone so many times, it's been so long I couldn't really tell how much of it was different slang wise. I just know I loved it.

My husband surprised me with the Game of Thrones coloring book, which was awesome! It has some great illustrations, but some are more like hand sketches, so I'm not sure how to color them in yet.
How was your September? Are you ready for fall and Halloween? Do you dress up? Have you read any of the books I read this month?

There are a lot of great books due out this month! Below are the ones that I’m most looking forward to releasing this September. I can’t believe Empire of Storms is finally here! I feel like I’ve been waiting forever to find out what happened to Aelin and I’m fit to bursting. What about you?

Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas - September 6
The long path to the throne has only just begun for Aelin Galathynius. Loyalties have been broken and bought, friends have been lost and gained, and those who possess magic find themselves at odds with those don't.

As the kingdoms of Erilea fracture around her, enemies must become allies if Aelin is to keep those she loves from falling to the dark forces poised to claim her world. With war looming on all horizons, the only chance for salvation lies in a desperate quest that may mark the end of everything Aelin holds dear.

The Masked City by Genevieve Cogman - September 6
book two in the Invisible Library series. Librarian-spy Irene is working undercover in an alternative London when her assistant Kai goes missing. She discovers he's been kidnapped by the fae faction and the repercussions could be fatal. Not just for Kai, but for whole worlds.  ||  My Review

Afterward by Jennifer Mathieu  - September 6
Two small town Texas teenagers whose lives are linked by a terrifying crime. When Caroline's little brother is kidnapped, his subsequent rescue leads to the discovery of Ethan, a teenager who has been living with the kidnapper since he was a young child himself. In the aftermath, Caroline can't help but wonder what Ethan knows about everything that happened to her brother, who is not readjusting well to life at home. And although Ethan is desperate for a friend, he can't see Caroline without experiencing a resurgence of traumatic memories.

Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova - September 6
Nothing says Happy Birthday like summoning the spirits of your dead relatives. Alex is a bruja, the most powerful witch in a generation…and she hates magic. At her Deathday celebration, Alex performs a spell to rid herself of her power. But it backfires. Her whole family vanishes into thin air, leaving her alone with Nova, a brujo boy she can’t trust. A boy whose intentions are as dark as the strange markings on his skin.   ||   My Review

Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake -  September 20
Every generation on the island of Fennbirn, a set of triplets is born: three queens, all equal heirs to the crown and each possessor of a coveted magic. But becoming the Queen Crowned isn’t solely a matter of royal birth. Each sister has to fight for it. And it’s not just a game of win or lose…it’s life or death. The night the sisters turn sixteen, the battle begins. The last queen standing gets the crown.

A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess -  September 20
Henrietta Howel can burst into flames. When she's brought to London to train with Her Majesty's sorcerers, she meets her fellow sorcerer trainees, young men eager to test her powers and her heart. One will challenge her. One will fight for her. One will betray her.

Vassa in the Night by Sarah Porter -  September 20
A modern retelling of the Russian folktale “Vassilissa the Beautiful”

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo -  September 27
Kaz Brekker and his crew have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn't think they'd survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they're right back to fighting for their lives. Double-crossed and left crippled by the kidnapping of a valuable team member, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz's cunning and test the team's fragile loyalties. A war will be waged on the city's dark and twisting streets―a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of magic in the Grisha world.


Are you looking forward to any of these? What’s your most anticipated release in September?

So this is my very late February recap! February was hectic for me, was it for you? The weather here in California was all over the place with some weeks in the 70s and some in the 40s-50s. Mother nature can't seem to make up her mind.

Bookish things
I managed to get quite a bit of reading done last month! 11 books total, and managed to review a handful.

1. Queen of Shadows 2. Defy 3. Someday, Someday, Maybe*   4. Rebel Belle* 5. The Enchanted* 6. Washington's Lady

7. Snow Falling on Cedars 8. Catalyst* 9. Shades of Milk and Honey* 10. Queen of Tomorrow 11. Boneshaker*

4/5 stars ⋆⋆⋆⋆

The second installment of the Stolen Empire series by Sherry D. Ficklin - can we take a moment to appreciate this gorgeous cover by the way? This trilogy has some seriously beautiful covers to be sure.

Queen of Tomorrow is an historical fiction about Catherine, Grand Duchess of Russia, the future Catherine the Great. It's a great, quick read full of conspiracies, spies, love, plotting, and trying to stay alive. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys losing themselves in a novel with a strong female lead, romance thick with plotting, jewels, and royal intrigue.
5/5 stars ⋆⋆⋆⋆⋆

Aelin has come to terms with her truth and herself. She's plotted and planned and will get back at everyone who had taken those she loves from her. And it gets dirty.

Queen of Shadows is the epic follow up to Heir of Fire in the Throne of Glass series by Sara J. Mass. I've blogged about the first two installments here and here. I never did get around to writing about Heir of Fire, but perhaps someday. I kept putting off finishing this one because I didn't want it to end only to be left waiting for book 5, but I eventually caved and oh gods was it good! SO MANY FEELS! Aelin, Chaol, Rowan, Dorian, Aedion, Lysandra, Mannon, Kaltain, Elide, I was rooting for all of them.


Have you read any of these books? What did you think of them? Do you agree with any of my thoughts?

Crown of Midnight is part two of the Throne of Glass series by author Sarah J. Maas. If you read my review of Throne of Glass, you'd know that I had to race to the library to pick this up because I couldn't wait to find out what happened to Celaena. Putting this into words without spoilers is going to be tough!

From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul as black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown. She hides her secret vigilantly; she knows that the man she serves is bent on evil.

I think that synopsis sums up things succinctly. Celaena has survived the competition and has become the King's Champion. She's  still living in the castle and has been able to feed her expensive tastes once again. Though she's sent on various missions by the king, she has her own agenda, *obviously*.

In Crown of Midnight, we learn more about Celaena, bits and pieces of her past, small parts of why she's afraid to get close to anyone. We see her relationship with Dorian turn from comfort to true friendship, Choal turns from irritation to infatuation, and Nehemia is still her closest friend and confidant. Celaena's continues to delve deeper into the mystery of what happened to magic in Erilea, the depths of evil the king of Adarlan is capable of, and figuring out what she can do about it. In the midst of this, her world is turned upside down one night by a horrific event that changes things forever.



My heart broke for Celaena. And Choal, and Dorian, and Nehemia. Seeing how far Choal would go to protect Celaena even after what they go through, and how Dorian and Choal grow apart. UGH! OH! AND TALK ABOUT BOMBSHELLS! If you're clever and paying attention to Maas's hints along the way, you might be able to figure it out ahead of time, but there's some serious, life changing facts dropped on you at the end.

Maas continued to surprise me with her ruthlessness when it came to her characters. She pulls no punches and her attention to detail is amazing. Just look at that map of Erilea! I had 50 pages left in Crown of Midnight when I put it down long enough to see which of my closest libraries had a copy of Heir of Fire on the shelf, drove over there, checked it out, and finished this one so I wouldn't waste a minute wondering what happened. I guess I'm lucky I got into the series later than most so I didn't have to wait on a list 20+ long for the next installment!

The story is fast paced and I never felt a dull moment! If you enjoy epic fantasy, bad ass leads (male and female), great writing, and/or love/hate relationships with characters, this series is for you.

I'd heard a lot about this series on the interwebs and was hesitant to start it, afraid it wouldn't live up to the hype. In November, when Amazon had a 30% off 1 book coupon, I figured, what could it hurt. If I don't like it, I'm only out $6 and I can donate it to my neighborhood Little Lending Library.

It sat on my tbr pile for a few weeks, until right before Christmas. I'd finished my cross stitch Christmas gift and was itching to get back into a book. I was enthralled from page one and only put it down for obligatory family time. I finished it in 4 days and had to make a special trip to the library to pick up Crown of Midnight because I had to know what happened next.

I don't know if I've ever been so glad to be proved wrong and disappointed that I hadn't started reading sooner.

Throne of Glass stars Celaena Sardothien (aka Adarlan's Assassin), 18. She has spent the last year as a slave, doing hard labor in the brutal salt mines of Endovier, serving out a sentence for her crimes. One day she's sprung by the captain of the king's guard, Choal Westfall, and Adarlan's Prince, Dorian, on the condition she be Dorian's champion in a competition to become the King's Assassin.
She is brought back to Rifthold to live in the castle with the other champions over the course of the trial. Things seem to be going okay until one of the champions is murdered. Then another. While trying to win the competition, Celaena is navigating the dangerous world of the palace, discovering dark secrets, and trying to keep herself together.

I'm leaving a lot out to avoid spoilers, but I loved Maas's world building and characters. You learn about the kingdom of Adarlan, how it used to be a land full of magic - that mysteriously disappeared 10 years ago, the corruption of the kingdom, and the minds of those residing there.

Celaena is extremely complex and has lived a hard life in her first 18 years. There are hints about her past throughout the novel so pay attention. She's hard, witty, and fierce, but she's also an 18 year old girl with fears and anxiety.

Choal and Dorian are both easily taken with her, as is usually the case with female heroins, but it's not some cheesy teenage romance that I typically roll my eyes at in YA.

Basically, I say if you like fantasy, magic, and/or strong female characters, you'll enjoy.