Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling // Book Reviews

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Today I’ve got a reread review of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling. This is going to be a spoiler free review just case there is someone out there who hasn’t read them yet and still needs convincing. Let’s begin!

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

Series: Harry Potter (#1)
Genre: Fantasy
Publication: June 26th 1997 by Bloomsbury Publishing
Pages: 223
Source: Bought

Harry Potter’s life is miserable. His parents are dead and he’s stuck with his heartless relatives, who force him to live in a tiny closet under the stairs. But his fortune changes when he receives a letter that tells him the truth about himself: he’s a wizard. A mysterious visitor rescues him from his relatives and takes him to his new home, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

After a lifetime of bottling up his magical powers, Harry finally feels like a normal kid. But even within the Wizarding community, he is special. He is the boy who lived: the only person to have ever survived a killing curse inflicted by the evil Lord Voldemort, who launched a brutal takeover of the Wizarding world, only to vanish after failing to kill Harry.

Though Harry’s first year at Hogwarts is the best of his life, not everything is perfect. There is a dangerous secret object hidden within the castle walls, and Harry believes it’s his responsibility to prevent it from falling into evil hands. But doing so will bring him into contact with forces more terrifying than he ever could have imagined.

Full of sympathetic characters, wildly imaginative situations, and countless exciting details, the first installment in the series assembles an unforgettable magical world and sets the stage for many high-stakes adventures to come.

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GENERAL THOUGHTS

I can’t even begin to express my love for this book, this series and the world in general. No review of my creation can comprehend its greatness but I’m still going to try. Also my infatuation with this series makes it difficult for me to recognise its flaws. The thing with this book is that every aspect is done so well that it’s difficult to pick out a stand out. The plot, the world, the characters are all so great and I think the weaving of it all is what made the reading experience so wonderful.

Hamilton Book Tag // Book Tags

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Hope you’re having a wonderful day. If not, maybe this tag shall cheer you up because HAMILTON! Firstly, if you don’t know what in the world I’m talking about, let me explain the awesomeness that Hamilton the Musical is. It is a “hip-hop” musical about the life of a U.S. founding father, Alexander Hamilton.

*Cue track 1*

Funny enough, I actually discovered Hamilton through watching this tag and have since been obsessed. I believe everyone should listen to the soundtrack – ALL the way through. It’s very accessible and a phenomenal lyrical masterpiece. You won’t get the entire hype if you don’t pay attention to the lyrics. Seriously. It’s so clever and witty and very catchy. Also Lin-Manuel Miranda (the genius behind it) is the most adorable human ever. Okay I’m going to stop raving and rambling and get into the part you actually came here for. This tag was created by Maureen from maureenkeavy – watch her video HERE. I wasn’t tagged by anyone but continue if you want to know my responses…

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas // Book Reviews

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I’ve got a very, very long spoilerish review for Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses. This means that the review has very minor spoilers scattered throughout and and spoiler section at the end. So if you haven’t read this book, I think it’s okay to read most of the review. Just skip the last section.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses (#1)
Genres: Fantasy, Romance
Publication: May 5th 2015 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Pages: 416
Source: Borrowed

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she’s been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

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GENERAL THOUGHTS

I really enjoyed the concept of this world and different courts that Sarah J. Maas has created. However, a lot of the events were way too unrealistically easy. I wanted to enjoy it but I just couldn’t fully.

10 YA book series to start in 2017 // Recommendations

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Today I’m going to be listing the YA series I want to start in 2017. I am always late to any trend and take a long time to get around to the iconic books of YA fiction, so I plan to start many this year so I don’t have to run away from all the imminent spoilers that circulate this earth. Also, then I don’t have to mumble something about not even starting the series every time someone asks of my opinion of these books.

The Fever Code by James Dashner // Book Reviews

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The Fever Code by James Dashner

Series: The Maze Runner (#0.6)
Genre: Science fiction
Publication: September 27th 2016 by Delacorte Press
Pages: 347
Source: Borrowed

Once there was a world’s end.

The forests burned, the lakes and rivers dried up, and the oceans swelled.

Then came a plague, and fever spread across the globe. Families died, violence reigned, and man killed man.

Next came WICKED, who were looking for an answer. And then they found the perfect boy.

The boy’s name was Thomas, and Thomas built a maze.

Now there are secrets.

There are lies.

And there are loyalties history could never have foreseen.

This is the story of that boy, Thomas, and how he built a maze that only he could tear down.

All will be revealed.

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GENERAL THOUGHTS

I found this book slightly better than its prequel: The Kill Order. However, all my expectations went down the drain and none of the questions I wanted answered actually were. A lot of the novel was repetitive with information readers would have gathered from reading the original trilogy. This could just be me. A few exciting scenes here and there. Perhaps this series has just lost its appeal for me.

January 2017 recap // Wrap Ups

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I’ve got my first wrap for 2017 for y’all today. Spoiler alert: it’s not a great start. So yay, starting off the year on an unproductive note. How swell.

Blood Promise by Richelle Mead // Book Reviews

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I’ve got my review for Blood Promise by Richelle Mead. This is going to be a spoiler free review for THIS book but you will be spoiled from previous books in the series if you haven’t read them. I do recommend this series. It’s lot of fun so if by chance you haven’t read the first 3 books, go do that then come back and we can discuss all the things!

Blood Promise by Richelle Mead

Series: Vampire Academy (#4)
Genre: Paranormal
Publication: August 25th 2009 by Penguin Razorbill
Pages: 503
Source: Borrowed

Rose Hathaway’s life will never be the same.

The recent attack on St. Vladimir’s Academy devastated the entire Moroi world. Many are dead. And, for the few victims carried off by Strigoi, their fates are even worse. A rare tattoo now adorns Rose’s neck, a mark that says she’s killed far too many Strigoi to count. But only one victim matters … Dimitri Belikov. Rose must now choose one of two very different paths: honoring her life’s vow to protect Lissa—her best friend and the last surviving Dragomir princess—or, dropping out of the Academy to strike out on her own and hunt down the man she loves. She’ll have to go to the ends of the earth to find Dimitri and keep the promise he begged her to make. But the question is, when the time comes, will he want to be saved?

Now, with everything at stake—and worlds away from St. Vladimir’s and her unguarded, vulnerable, and newly rebellious best friend—can Rose find the strength to destroy Dimitri? Or, will she sacrifice herself for a chance at eternal love?

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GENERAL THOUGHTS

I was so excited about reading this book after the thrill of the previous one, I’m completely let down. This book was more emotionally-based rather than plot-driven and expansive like Shadow Kiss. So this could be a case of it’s me, not you. Although it was an emotional read, I couldn’t fully immerse myself in the story and even the plot itself seemed a bit detached.