Golden Dynasty Review

What did I think of...

The Golden Dynasty by Kristen Ashley

 

Description: Circe Quinn goes to sleep at home and wakes up in a corral filled with women wearing sacrificial virgin attire - and she is one of them. She soon finds out that she’s not having a wild dream, she’s living a frightening nightmare where she’s been transported to a barren land populated by a primitive people and in short order, she’s installed very unwillingly on her white throne of horns as their Queen.

Dax Lahn is the king of Suh Tunak, The Horde of the nation of Korwahk and with one look at Circe, he knows she will be his bride and together they will start The Golden Dynasty of legend.

Circe and Lahn are separated by language, culture and the small fact she’s from a parallel universe and has no idea how she got there or how to get home. But facing challenge after challenge, Circe finds her footing as Queen of the brutal Korwahk Horde and wife to its King, then she makes friends then she finds herself falling in love with this primitive land, its people and especially their savage leader.

 

 

Genre: High Fantasy/ Magic/ Paranormal romance/ Adult/ Supernatural/ ** Romance/
Series: Fantasyland

Published on: August 22nd, 2011

Pages: 485 pages

Format: ebook- Kindle

Source: Amazon Kindle

Average rating: 4.5 stars
My rating: 5 stars

 

Golden Dynasty was pure gold. Yes, I'm saying that because of the title, but I'm also saying it because its true. The writing, as usual, was so smooth, and so real, and so raw, enabling me to feel this book deep. \

 

Golden Dynasty had a lot of themes that I, and fellow readers, I'm sure, will struggle with. Such as men holding power over their women, rape, and other culturally and morally offensive themes.

 

When reading this book, you do have to remember that the culture of this book, Korwahk, is totally different in all ways and is meant to be more primal and animalistic, and in some ways, it made this book infinitely sweeter, and raw.

 

I'm writing this review some two weeks after I read the book, and I'm still having trouble getting my thoughts together, (and remembering things I wanted to say), but all I can really tell you with this one, is it is totally worth it. This is one of those books that you just delve into, neglect the world, and don't come up for air until its done (or your bladder demands you to). Some readers, I know, struggled with some of the context, but I was not one of those. I think some people need to remember, that these contexts are part of the book, and you and the character's struggle with them is the whole point of the story!!

 

This is definitely one of those magical Kristen Ashley reads, that I just can't even articulate how amazing it was...

 

I leave you with a few quotes from the book! Enjoy and read it tomorrow!

 

 This is my Circe by the way!! ;)

 

 

 

 

 

XOXO,

Kat 

 

 

Crown of Midnight Review

What did I think...

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

 



Description:  

"A line that should never be crossed is about to be breached.
It puts this entire castle in jeopardy—and the life of your friend."

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.

Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult when Celaena realizes she is not the only one seeking justice. As she tries to untangle the mysteries buried deep within the glass castle, her closest relationships suffer. It seems no one is above questioning her allegiances—not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a foreign princess with a rebel heart.

Then one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to give up the very thing most precious to her and decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie...and whom she is ultimately willing to fight for.

 



Genre: High fantasy
Series: Throne of Glass
Published on: August 27th, 2013
Pages: 418 pages
Format: ebook- Kindle
Source: Amazon
Average rating: 4.5 stars
My rating: 5 stars

Genre's:

 

 

This is the second time I've read Crown of Midnight, and it was almost as good as the first time, now that that "big twist" has already been revealed. 



In Crown of Midnight, Celaena Sardothien, Adarlan's resident Assassin and King's Champion, is serving the King's wishes, by offing his competition, but in her own way.
After dealing with the evil in the castle with Cain from Throne of Glass, something new and far worse comes to light... the king's plans and Celaena's deepest secrets are revealed... and someone close to her heart leaves Celaena forever, and the True, Darkest part of Celaena Sardothien is revealed. Through saving the kingdom, herself and the people from the King's plans.

 

Celaena Sardothien is probably one of my favorite character's I've ever read. She's so complex in her layers, such a contradiction and made more real in her flaws and emotions than any other I've read. Sarah J. Maas truly knew what she was doing writing Celaena, and must have uncanny knowledge of how people's brain think, what makes humans be humans.

There was the slightest attempt at a love triangle in the first book, Throne of Glass, but here, in Crown of Midnight, and I say slightest because you could tell romance was definitely on the back burner, there. Here, it was a little different (you'll have to read it, hehehe!). Chaol, the rugged, capable Captain of the Guard, of which Celaena feels inexplicit feelings for. Prince Dorian, the Crown Prince, and a Havillard, one of the name Calaena despises most, yet feels drawn to, nonetheless.

 

Did I mention I'm totally Team Chaol... with Dorian as the best friend.

 

I've never read a series quite like Throne of Glass, and now that I'm reading it for a second time, I agree even more adamantly.

 

This is how serious I am: I would trade Throne of Glass/Crown of Midnight/Heir of Fire for a Kristen Ashley book, any day.

Yes. I said it. I know. I might cry, too. Because I never thought the day would come.

 

 

Highly recommended!

 

XOXO,

Kat

 

 

Throne of Glass Review

What did you think...

Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

 

 

 

Description: In a land without magic, where the king rules with an iron hand, an assassin is summoned to the castle. She comes not to kill the king, but to win her freedom. If she defeats twenty-three killers, thieves, and warriors in a competition, she is released from prison to serve as the king's champion. Her name is Celaena Sardothien.

The Crown Prince will provoke her. The Captain of the Guard will protect her. But something evil dwells in the castle of glass--and it's there to kill. When her competitors start dying one by one, Celaena's fight for freedom becomes a fight for survival, and a desperate quest to root out the evil before it destroys her world.  

If I had to recommend one young adult series/book to a person, hands down I'd (most likely) recommend this book, Throne of Glass.

Main Genre: Urban Fantasy
Published on: May 7th, 2013
Pages: 404
Format: ebook- Kindle
Source: Amazon
My rating: 6 stars

 

Genres:
 

 

 

 

This is my second time reading it, and Throne of Glass still blows me away. The characters, the plotline, the writing... it's all amazing.

 

Celaena Sardothien is an assassin, known as Adarlan's Assassin, the most notorious assassin around (who is but a seventeen year old, lethal weapon). Betrayed by someone she know, Celaena was sent to Endovier, a death camp, where the average time people survive is two months. A year later, Celaena is still chugging along when the Crown Prince and his Captain of the Guard give her a proposition she can't refuse, a chance at her freedom. She shall compete in a competition to become the King's Champion. She will win (of that, there is no doubt) and after four years championing (is that even a word?) for the King, she will be given her freedom. Celaena agrees, and embarks on a perilous journey.

Celaena is a master at keeping secrets, ones that she even keeps from herself. Secrets she wants never to think of again. Her home, her parents, and her true self.  She tries everything she can to lock those memories away, but some memories won't stay hidden. There is evil in the castle, and it's up the Adarlan's Assassin to do the good thing... and rid of it.

 

Celaena is probably one of my favorite character's I've ever read. She's so complex in her layers, such a contradiction and made more real in her flaws and emotions than any other I've read. Sarah J. Maas truly knew what she was doing writing Celaena, and must have uncanny knowledge of how people's brain think, what makes humans be humans.

 

There was the slightest attempt at a love triangle here, and I say slightest because you could tell romance was definitely on the back burner, here. Chaol, the rugged, capable Captain of the Guard, of which Celaena feels inexplicit feelings for. Prince Dorian, the crown Prince, and a Havillard, one of the name Calaena despises most, yet feels drawn to, nonetheless.

 

I've never read a book quite like Throne of Glass, and now that I've read it a second time, but a year after the first time, I agree even more adamantly.

 

This is how serious I am: I would trade Throne of Glass for a Kristen Ashley book, any day.

Yes. I said it. I know. I might cry, too. Because I never thought the day would come.

 

Truly, if you don't read this book and enjoy it... well, I suppose you know what I'm going to say, now, don't you ;)

 

 

 

XOXO,

Kat

 

 

 

Burn for Me Review

What did I think of...

Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews

 

 

Description:

Nevada Baylor is faced with the most challenging case of her detective career—a suicide mission to bring in a suspect in a volatile case. Nevada isn’t sure she has the chops. Her quarry is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, who can set anyone and anything on fire.

Then she’s kidnapped by Connor “Mad” Rogan—a darkly tempting billionaire with equally devastating powers. Torn between wanting to run or surrender to their overwhelming attraction, Nevada must join forces with Rogan to stay alive.

Rogan’s after the same target, so he needs Nevada. But she’s getting under his skin, making him care about someone other than himself for a change. And, as Rogan has learned, love can be as perilous as death, especially in the magic world.  

 

Genre's:

 

 

 



But oh my gosh, this book was one of the best I've read to date! I'd say this series will rival Kate Daniels, Ilona Andrews' other stellar series.

 

Ilona Andrews, for me, at least, is known for her slow-burn romances. Mmm, it builds, and builds, and builds until you're squirming in your seat reading this, just the flirting, and YUM!

 

Nevada, besides the super badass name, is in a bit of a dither. Her arm has been twisted to go all bounty hunter on a Prime Magic Wielder (top level) fire Mage, who acts like a teenager. He's way powerful, and though Nevada doesn't have the manpower to go after the guy, she's forced to in order to not lose her business and her house. However, once she's kidnapped by a deliciously dangerous Prime by the name of Mad Rogan, things start to change... and heat way the hell up.

 

Mad Rogan is probably the most powerful mage in the area, maybe even on the continent. There is no controlling a guy like him, wielding an inhuman magic, and the two team up to catch the fiery fugitive.

 

Burn for Me was chock-full of suspense, humor and passion--- and I highly recommend this fabulous read!!

 



Wildest Dreams Review

What did I think of...

Wildest Dreams by Kristen Ashley

Description:
Seoafin “Finnie” Wilde was taught by her parents that every breath was a treasure and to seek every adventure she could find. And she learns this lesson the hard way when they perish in a plane crash. But she never forgets and when she discovers there is a parallel universe where every person has a twin, she finds a witch who can send her there so she can have the adventure of a lifetime.

But upon arrival in the Winter Wonderland of Lunwyn, she realizes she’s been played by her twin and finds herself walking down the aisle to be wed to The Drakkar.

Thrown into inauspicious circumstances, with years of practice, Finnie bests the challenges and digs into her adventure. But as Frey Drakkar discovers the woman who is his new wife is not Princess Sjofn, a woman he dislikes but instead, his Finnie, a free-spirit with a thirst for venture just like him, without her knowledge he orders his new bride bound to his frozen world, everlasting.

But at the same time Frey plunges Finnie into a web of political intrigue that includes assassination plots, poison, magic, mystery and… dragons.  

Genre's:

Ohmigod, this book was sooo good! I was immediately sucked into the parallel universe of twins, with Finnie the Ice Queen and Frey the Drakkar.

Here's how it goes.
Finnie is always looking for the next adventure and can't keep still for long. Her parents, of whom she loved dearly, were killed when she was young and when she learns of a parallel universe where there are twins of every person in this realm... she jumps at the chance to switch with the twin of the other realm to see her parents. While Finnie was completely honest about the reasoning behind her wanting the switch, the other one was not. As soon as Finnie lands in the other realm, she is whisked off to marry Frey Drakkar. Very scary. Very hot. Very powerful. Very terrifying. He's is the leader of the elves, and controller of the dragon, and the marriage is to be an alliance, in order to put the true heir on the throne. However, the twin was gay.... and Frey thinks that Finnie is gay when is, well, not.
Very quickly, he discovers that something is amiss, using words like "cool" "dick-headed" and "straight from the movies", especially when she is aghast at the existence of elves and dragons.

However, Frey very quickly falls for Finnie, and hard, and Finnie does the same. Soon, however, there is assassination attempts, dragons, sailing and a little friendly cheating.

Wildest Dreams was beyond my, well, Wildest Dreams. I was so impressed with the execution of this novel, the writing, the characters... everything was just so. Finnie and Frey were so fun to read individually, but together, oh man. I hope the worlds that Kristen Ashley spins with her pen (rather, keys) really do exist, just the way that she tells them... and men like that, too! Can I say, yummy?

Anyway, Wildest Dreams was amazing, and I fully expect to finish this series within a week... if I didn't have four library books due Monday ;)

Currently Reading

What am I reading?

Wildest Dreams by Kristen Ashley

 

 

 

OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG. *Don't do shouty-captials, Kate* *Don't be the capital bitch* *Deep breath*. Wow. This is really good. Ready? This is how good it is... *MESMERIZED SILENCE*

 

Description:

Seoafin “Finnie” Wilde was taught by her parents that every breath was a treasure and to seek every adventure she could find. And she learns this lesson the hard way when they perish in a plane crash. But she never forgets and when she discovers there is a parallel universe where every person has a twin, she finds a witch who can send her there so she can have the adventure of a lifetime.

But upon arrival in the Winter Wonderland of Lunwyn, she realizes she’s been played by her twin and finds herself walking down the aisle to be wed to The Drakkar.

Thrown into inauspicious circumstances, with years of practice, Finnie bests the challenges and digs into her adventure. But as Frey Drakkar discovers the woman who is his new wife is not Princess Sjofn, a woman he dislikes but instead, his Finnie, a free-spirit with a thirst for venture just like him, without her knowledge he orders his new bride bound to his frozen world, everlasting.

But at the same time Frey plunges Finnie into a web of political intrigue that includes assassination plots, poison, magic, mystery and… dragons.

 

Kristen Ashley, my home girl, just gets better and better. Not only is she a fan-fucking-tastic romantic suspense-action writer, but she writes fantasy that is just as good if not better!

 

Currently at: 80%, and counting

Thoughts: Oh my god, Oh my god, Oh my God, Oh my God! Yeeeeeeeessssss!

 

Genres:

 

 

 

 

 

Wildest Dreams is a highly recommended read, of which I highly recommend!

 

XOXO,

Kat