Book Review: Godsgrave by Jay Kristoff

Release Date: September 5th, 2017
Read: July 31st-August 10th, 2017
Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books
Series: The Nighernight Chronicle, #2
Format: ARC, 448 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for honest review

Description from GoodReads:

   Assassin Mia Corvere has found her place among the Blades of Our Lady of Blessed Murder, but many in the Red Church ministry think she’s far from earned it. Plying her bloody trade in a backwater of the Republic, she’s no closer to ending Consul Scaeva and Cardinal Duomo, or avenging her familia. And after a deadly confrontation with an old enemy, Mia begins to suspect the motives of the Red Church itself.

   When it’s announced that Scaeva and Duomo will be making a rare public appearance at the conclusion of the grand games in Godsgrave, Mia defies the Church and sells herself to a gladiatorial collegium for a chance to finally end them. Upon the sands of the arena, Mia finds new allies, bitter rivals, and more questions about her strange affinity for the shadows. But as conspiracies unfold within the collegium walls, and the body count rises, Mia will be forced to choose between loyalty and revenge, and uncover a secret that could change the very face of her world.

Review:

   
   Memory is a traitor, and a liar, and a good-for-nothing thief.

   Oh my god, I'm literally a mess. Why is it that the books you love the most are the ones you have the hardest time finding words for?

   Jay Kristoff does it again with Godsgrave, creating a masterpiece. Having read Nevernight and Godsgrave back to back, I didn't have to deal with any pain of a cliffhanger, unfortunately I could not say the same for the ending of Godsgrave.

  Godsgrave was filled with murder, mayhem, and so much scheming. Nothing out of the ordinary for Jay Kristoff. The story takes place after a bit of a time jump. In a Nevernight like fashion, the book also goes back and fourth between two different times in Mia's life, slowly leading up to the periods blending together.

   Although I didn't need it after having read the books back to back, the book began with a refresher told from the perspective of the narrator. Going into detail about each character, and what kind of roles they played in Nevernight. It was refreshing to see, and I hope that more fantasy sequels will do the same in the future.

   Without giving too much away, I can tell you that readers will love Godsgrave just as much as they did Nevernight, and will be dying for the final book in the series.

   I highly recommend waiting to read the series until the final book releases, as the cliffhanger is BRUTAL for this one. But if you love pain and torturing yourself, please pick up this series as soon as you can. 

Rating:

Favourite Quote:

"The heavens grant us only one life, but through books, we live a thousand."

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Adult, New Adult, Fantasy, Murder, Magic, Shadows, Vengeance, Shadows, Assassins

Book Review: Unspoken by C.C Hunter

Release Date: October 27th, 2015
Read: October 10th-13th, 2015
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Series: Shadow Falls: After Dark, #3
Format: ARC, 416 pages
Source: Publisher in exchange for review

Description from GoodReads:

   Despite her superhuman strength and enhanced senses, Della Tsang's life as a vampire certainly hasn't been easy. Especially since she was reborn and bound to the mysterious, infuriating, and gorgeous Chase Tallman. 

   But if there's one thing that's always kept Della going, it's her dream of being an elite paranormal investigator. Her newest case is the opportunity she's been waiting for, but as Della tries to solve the twenty year old murder and clear her father's name. She uncovers secrets about the vampire council. And about Chase. 


   Feeling betrayed by all the secrets he's kept hidden from her, Della is determined to keep him as far away from her heart as she can. But she'll need his help to solve the case that will lead them into the darkest and ugliest vampire gangs in town and into the scariest reaches of her heart.

Review:

Contains Minor Spoiler:

   I would have liked the choice!
   Shadow Falls was one of my all time favourite series, when I heard of Shadow Falls: After Dark I couldn't have been more excited. The first two books definitely had a different feel than the original series, the same went with Unspoken. Where the original series was all about the supernatural, Shadow Falls: After Dark was more about the FRU, like I said in my Eternal review. The FRU being the supernatural investigation group in the series, so like the FBI but supernatural. If you enjoy'd the original series, and crime then this prequel series is for you.
   Della being the main character, we obviously saw a lot of her. Where I love Della, I had really hoped we'd see a bit more of Kylie and Miranda, especially them all together. After Della and Kylie have gotten their own series, I get this odd feeling that Miranda will be getting one soon.
   I became used to the investigation feel to the series when I started Unspoken, so I was able to enjoy the book to its full extent unlike Eternal. The investigation was finally solved in this final book and I couldn't have done it better myself. Especially with the way it ended, the truth coming out at the end.
   I really like how Hunter established the connection between Della and Chase, where I was always team Steve, I can see still admit to saying Hunter knew what she was doing with the two. In the end, I was okay with who Della ended up with.
   With Unspoken being the last book in the After Dark series, we probably won't be seeing the characters anytime soon. But with both endings that we got, I couldn't be happier with where we stand! If Hunter decides to write another prequel series, you can sign me up for that waiting list!

Rating:

Favourite Quote:

"She ... wanted to know what love tasted like." - Della

Recommend to People Who Enjoy:

Young Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy, Supernatural, Vampires, Shape shifters, Witches