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review: queen of nothing

3.5 Stars

I really wanted to love this book. I really did. I mean, the ending of ‘Wicked King’ was just so heart-pounding-ly sinister I can forgive it for being a cliff-hanger. But, there are just some aspects that I have to point out.

The Plot

Queen of Nothing picks up exactly where ‘Wicked King’ left off, and is the much anticipated conclusion of the ‘Fold of the Air’ trilogy. Our protagonist, Jude is bidding her time to return to the treacherous Faerie Court as war is brewing in the horizon. And obviously, because we are dealing with faeries, there is a juicy smattering of politics and wicked deception.

The narrative was action packed while also playing into the complex political deception that is typical of the faerie world. Political intrigue was balanced quite nicely with the action. The stakes were high, and I found it to be a read that you can fly through - in other words, it was very binge worthy.

That being said, I almost feel there was too much going on while being not enough. Here is what I mean: There were too many loose ends and unresolved plot points that could have been epic.

I was also kind of disappointed at the final battle scene. In a way, it was almost anticlimactic compared to the build-up of stakes from the three books. Also, call me petty, but I am quite disappointed that the devastating cliffhanger from the second book was pretty much unnecessary.

Lyrical writing

Like the other two books, I loved the writing style. As the world is fae is full of whimsical and dark twists, the writing style perfectly mirrors it. There were so many quotes that I highlighted in this book to read again!

Characterization

Imma just going to put it out there: Grima Mog is the real MVP in this story.

You can fight me on this.

I think this book is hands down the most character develop for Jude. She has to figurative and literally confront the monsters of her worst nightmare. I wasn’t really a fan of any of the characters in the ‘Cruel Prince’ at all. I grew to like Jude’s characterization in this book. She was completely badass and unapologetic about how to get the upper hand while at the same time growing to consider the implications for her family.

Cardan. Sad face. I was really hoping to get more scenes with Cardan, and to understand his political cleverness. Instead, what we get is Cardan being a smear of feelings on the floor. Seriously, he is as gooey as a chocolate chip cookie. Now, it’s not to say that I don’t love a good chocolate chip cookie. But I mean, the boy was literally plotting her death in the previous two books. This kind of major transition needs some perspective. Where was his growth? What were his thoughts during Jude’s exile (and not just summed up as a sentence in the dialogue on one page of the story)?

ViVi and Heather. While, they have less of a starring appearance as in ‘The Wicked King’, I loved their ending. It was just the proverbial cherry on top.

World Building

I was LIVING for the juxtaposition between Faerie and the mortal world. It was so much fun seeing the stark difference between live in Faerie with all its decadent sinisterness to the mundane world with its own charm. And, to see the faerie navigating navigating ordering pizza with gummy worms was just adorable and the perfect slice-of-life amidst all the monsters.

To Conclude

It was a pretty good wrap up to the series. The whimsical nature and wicked political mechanisms were just so much fun to be immersed in. Ultimately, I liked the second book the most out of the three, which is quite rare for me. Word on the street is that there is a sequel or potential spin off, but honestly, I think the three books is enough. Less is more.

[academicpursuit]

review: lady midnight by cassandra clare

3 Stars.

Let’s be real; The Dark Artifices series is so hyped. And, I admit, I’m a little late to the party. But what can I say.

The Dark Artifices follows the shadowhunters of L.A. five years after what happened in the City of Heavenly Fire. Emma Carstairs and her parabatai Julian Blackthorn as well the rest of the Blackthorn fam are dealing with mysterious murders in the magical world. Julian’s brother, Mark, who was taken by faeries five years ago returns to his family, to a Shadowhunter world that is both familiar yet so unfamiliar.

The Plot and (that Snail) Pacing

Ok, prepares to dodge some tomatoes. I don’t love this book. But, hang tight, there are some aspects that I did like. The reason that it took me this long to pick up the book was that wasn’t a big fan of Emma and Julian in the City of Heavenly Fire, so you can imagine my enthusiasm when I heard that they were starring in their own series.

The first third of the book was quite a lot of slice of life moments. While I love the Blackthorn family dynamics, I felt like it dragged too much. I love me a long book, but this book could have been more succinct. I’m talking ‘City of Bones’ length.

As the murder mystery that we have going on, the intrigue and investigation was quite fun. And as per usual, the Clave is bureaucratic(!) and slow(!), so the kiddos have to take matters into their own hands. The ending of the book was quite action packed and fast paced. I flew through it.

How about that writing y’all

This book just wants to make me hop on a road trip and visit LA. The descriptions of the sea are so lyrical. Some of the places the characters visit are real or inspired by real places. The writing style is whimsical, and I have to say, it’s my favorite of all the shadow hunters world.

“I feel like I’m wandering through fog and I can’t see anything clearly.” It felt like there was something stuck in her throat, something hard and painful. Part of her wanted nothing more than to run out into the rain, feel it spill down over her. Walk or run down to the beach, where the sea and the sky would be melding into one, and let her screams be drowned out by thunder. “We are alike, you and I,” he said. “The storm calls you as it calls me, doesn’t it? I saw in your eyes earlier—you wanted to be out in it. To run on the beach, perhaps, as the lightning comes down.”

The romantic subplot

I am a sucker for that classic star-crossed lovers™ trope, but the JulianxEmma timeline is just a big ball of cliches (i.e., i am falling in love; what is wrong me?, cue dramatic music and about to kiss but InTeRruPtEd because of plot)

Please spare me.

The Characters

There is a lot of diversity in this book which I appreciate. The relationships are well thought out. Emma and Cristina’s friendship definitely passes the Bechdel Test. Most characters have strong character arcs with realistic struggles. Mark has to deal with the implications of returning to a world that he no longer feels at home in and reconnecting with his brothers and sisters who are vastly different than what he remembers. Jules has to reconceal with the fact that he had to grow up fast and act as a father figure in the family even though he was a kid himself. Every single adult who he thought he could depend on has let him down. The relationships are realistic and the characters are given their time to shine. (Heck, they better, given that this book is almost 700 pages).

Overall Impressions

It was a decent introduction to the shadowhunters of LA. Was it my favorite? No, but there are some strong elements in the story, like the diversity and the family dynamics. Will I read Lord of Shadows? Most likely.