So I’ve been trying to catch up on my backlog of reviews but I just don’t have motivation AT ALL. So today you are going to get two mini reviews from me from two books I read during wedding planning/on the honeymoon and honestly I feel like I can’t write a whole review at this point so you’ll just get my general thoughts!
Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver: This is the sequel to Delirium and I’m super excited to read Pandemonium, the final book in the trilogy, soon! I mean, you remember how excited I was when it showed up here? I know there was a lot of dissension (mostly Julian related) amongst lovers of this series and this book but I really enjoyed it. It was so much more of a page-turner for me than Delirium was to be honest. I loved learning more about the Wilds and what happened to Lena after escaping. Lots of interesting characters were introduced and I loved them! I really loved the way this one was set up as each chapter switched back and from between right after she escaped to where she was at the present. Lena’s story in the Wilds is definitely a lot more gritty and raw than in Delirium. It was an interesting contrast to me and quite the action packed, emotional one. Oh and Lauren Oliver just LOVES to slay you with her endings apparently as this one left me sputtering and squealing though I think in my head I knew it was coming.
The Girl of Fire & Thorns by Rae Carson: I don’t read a TON of fantasy so I’m very new to the genre for sure but I LOVED this one. I read this while on the honeymoon while sitting poolside and sipping drinks with fancy pancy umbrellas in them. This book definitely made me want to read more fantasy books because I was on the edge of my very slippery-from-tanning-oil pool lounger. There was lots of action and some pretty epic moments of battles and tense scenes. I was a little wary of Elisa at first because she was so whiny and WOE IS ME and never did anything but I grew to love her and cheered for her kickass-ness and growth in many parts of this book! ALSO, loved that there was a love story in this book but that it didn’t take away from the story and wasn’t the center of it. As a child I loved books about princesses and castles and battles and now I’m all OMG OLD JAMIE DOES TOOO! I’m definitely excited to read book 2 soon and will be hoping to read more straight up fantasy novel in the future!
Have you read either of these? Love them? Dislike them? Tell me why!
Annette says
Enjoyed both of these. I’m reading Crown of Embers right now, and really loving it too! So, yes, get on that!
elena says
I WANT TO DISCUSS JULIAN WITH YOU, whether you love or hate him. I knew the ending was coming too but it was still like eesh. Also, please read more fantasy. It’s my favourite genre after contemporary. <3
Steph says
I am so excited for you to read The Crown of Embers! I didn’t think it was possible, but I enjoyed it even more than Fire and Thorns and Elisa will totally rock your face off. So much love for this series!
Molli says
I SO need to read Pandemonium. I was so excited for it when it was coming out, then I failed, and didn’t read it. SIGH. I might wait until Requiem is out, then just re-read Delirium and go from there. Glad you enjoyed it! And can’t wait to see what it was about the ending that made you do that!
Tabitha S. says
I’ve been having the same problem, with the whole lack of motivation situation! But I think I’ve finally gotten over my review slump. But yeah, Pandemonium was amazing and I’m so glad that you liked it! And I’m not a big fantasy reader either, but I might just have to check out this book1
Great reviews! 😀
Erica says
Here are my two comments:
1. Julian is a wet blanket whiner and I hate him.
2. Your next fantasy book should be Throne of Glass! It has castles and princesses.
Cassie says
So I trust your opinion more than MANY and I dont read fantasy either.. but I’ve been contemplating The Girl of Fire and Thorns for a while now! Now… Ahh! I may have to.
Kate @ Ex Libris says
I loved both of those books, but I think that TGoFaT is one of the best series out there right now. I don’t think it gets the attention is deserves, to be honest….
Steph @ The Caffeinated Reader says
I actually loved Crown of Embers more than the first book!!! Amazing character growth and swooniness all around.
Lilian says
I agree about Pandemonium being much more of a page turner. What a relief, because I was prepared to be bored out of my mind. The writing was beautiful in Delirium, but the pace was so slloooowww. And I thought Lena was wishy-washy. She grew to be a stronger character in Pandemonium, and I began to like her.
As for Julian…I don’t mind him.
And I just borrowed Girl of Fire and Thorns from the library literally an hour ago. Perfect timing! I must be psychic.
Alexa Y. says
Eeek! I am looking forward to starting both of these series when the new year rolls around (since I sincerely doubt I will have the time or inclination to read them while I’m celebrating the holidays!). I’m glad you ended up enjoying them both though!
Jennifer says
I loved The Girl of Fire and Thorns *because* Elisa grew from whiny to kickass. I feel like some fantasy/dystopian books start out with a badass heroine who changes a little, but Elisa had to grow and understand herself in immense ways. Book 2 is even better!
Jasmine Rose says
Pandemonium: I’m not exactly sure when it happened, but I felt the ending coming in Pandemonium AND YET I was left so torn and teary. Oliver is a wonderfully horrible writer ;]
The Girls of Fire and Thorns: I think I’ll have to read this one. I’ve heard a lot of good things and the fact that you, as a new-to-fantasy reader like myself, liked it gives me hope :]
Amanda says
I read The Girl of Fire and Thorns about two months ago. I was not impressed by it at all. It was a melee of all kinds of genres I felt. It was definitely fantasy, but it pulled from so many things you see today such as the religion (which I found to be disconcertingly similar to the Christian faith). It was just different. I would like to read the rest of the books, but I just have to get my hands on them first.
J says
TESTING
Jamie says
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