The March Three

Hello everyone!

Sorry about my lack of posting lately. I started medical school this month and life has been hectic (believe it or not, becoming a doctor takes a ridiculous amount of work!)

I'm getting back into the swing of things by posting a "Top 3" list. I have added a link to the Goodreads page of each book so you can read the synopsis, or check out the other books in each series.

So, without further ado, here are the 3 March YA releases that I am most looking forward to :)

The Winner's Kiss (The Winner's Trilogy #3), by Marie Rutkoski
Goodreads

If you read my review on the second book in this trilogy, The Winner's Crime, you will know that I adored it. And you will also know that this was somewhat unexpected, since The Winner's Curse did not resonate with me particularly. I am sincerely hoping that this novel follows the upwards trajectory that Rutkoski seems to be following, because if The Winner's Kiss is half as good as its predecessor, I will be a broken, sobbing mess by the time it's over.

I would recommend this book to... people who are sick of conventional, boring romance plots. People who enjoy angsty romance with a couple who can't/won't be together for some reason (presumably to hurt my heart). People who enjoy conflict and political intrigue with relateable characters.

Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifices #1), by Cassandra Clare
Goodreads

I am mildly obsessed with Clare's second series, The Infernal Devices. I enjoyed The Mortal Instruments, but never found it to be as emotionally charged or intriguing as The Infernal Devices. I could take it or leave it, I guess. Between these series, Clare's writing seemed to improve in some intangible way. Maybe it's because I'm a sucker for historical fiction (especially steampunk novels). The Dark Artifices will definitively show me whether I liked The Infernal Devices because of its historical elements, or because Clare's storytelling is improving with each new series!

I would recommend this book to... people who have a lot of time to commit, because if you like this novel you will probably want to go back and read all nine of her other Shadowhunter books. People who enjoy urban fantasy novels with a focus on characterisation. People who like series that are set in the same world, but in different locations and times.

Frankie, by Shivaun Plozza
Goodreads

Contemporary is a very "hit and miss" genre for me - so when I find a book I like, I generally won't shut up about it. I was lucky to get an ARC of this novel from Penguin Teen Australia, and I could not put it down. Aussie contemporary fiction is obviously going to be a lot more relateable for me since I've always lived here, but I think that Frankie has some truly universal themes. It's also a novel with a main character from a lower socioeconomic background, and the plot does not revolve around her suddenly become a millionaire! Hurrah!

I would recommend this book to... people who are looking for a fresh take on the contemporary genre. People who like protagonists who are actually funny. People who want better representation of people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

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Well, that's all for now! Let me know what books you are most looking forward to next March in the comments :)

-Grace Lucy

"Kings Rising" (Captive Prince #3) by C.S. Pacat

Kings Rising by C.S. Pacat
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

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I only very recently read 'Captive Prince', meaning I have not had to wait anywhere near as long as some people to read 'Kings RIsing'. But still, every day this book was not on the shelves felt so long because I just had to know how Damen and Laurent's story ended. Also, mad respect to those of you who have been with this series since it first came out - that kind of wait would have killed my inner fangirl!

How do I describe this book? Is completely and totally perfect in every way allowed? I loved the first two books in this series, but 'Kings Rising' was somehow even better. Pacat wrote the most beautiful ending - it answered all my questions and resolved all the problems, but it never felt too easy or unrealistic. It left me happy with where Damen and Laurent were without knowing every minute detail about their future, or the futures of Vere and Akielos. I continued to love both Damen and Laurent throughout this novel (even though, at times, you will just want to shake them until they accept the truth).

What Pacat does exceptionally well (you know, besides creating painful/beautiful sexual tension) is world building. I have never questioned whether Vere and Akielos exist, because they feel completely real. Even the other neighbouring kingdoms are described enough to make them feel real, without overdoing it with unnecessary detail.

Someone (I can't remember who, sorry!) once described this series as "genre defying", and I think that is the perfect description. It has romance, action, fantasy, political and military aspects, but none of those terms fully encompasses the beauty of this series. And for the other Aussies amongst us who, like me, do not read anywhere near enough Australian fiction, C.S. Pacat is one of us! Yay!

Overall, this was a breathtakingly beautiful and poignant ending to a wonderfully painful and amazing series. If I could recommend just one series to you this year, let it be this one!

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"Sins & Needles" (The Artists Trilogy #1) by Karina Halle

Sins & Needles by Karina Halle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

3.5 stars!

My book resolution for the year was to read books outside my two usual genres of YA and fantasy, and that's how I ended up reading "Sins & Needles". It caught my eye because of the criminal aspects, to be honest. It's marketed as a romance, but there's a lot of crime, mystery, and suspense as well - to call it just a romance novel would be selling it short. I enjoyed "Sins & Needles" enough to finish it in one day, which is unusual for me outside of fantasy novels!

What I enjoyed most about this novel was the characterisation. I felt that I truly knew and understood the main characters' intentions, and nothing they did ever felt out of character. Ellie's backstory is intriguing and well-written, and even though she's kind of a b*tch most of the time, I still empathised with her. She makes some, frankly, terrible decisions - but we all do (hers just tend to be a touch more illegal)! Camden was a good character (mostly because he was beautiful), but Ellie wins the most in-depth and interesting character award for this book.

Ellie and Camden's romance was well-paced and believable. One of the reasons I often avoid romance novels is because the characters fall in love two pages in, which is so ridiculously unrealistic it's laughable. Although Ellie and Camden have history, they don't fall head over heels straight away. The reader is given time to appreciate their platonic relationship before we are thrown into romance territory, which I greatly appreciated. Also, the few sex scenes the novel had were hot! I really hope that continues into the next novel...

One issue I did have with "Sins & Needles" was that Camden's motivations (outside the romance) were a little meh. Nothing about that aspect of the plot felt particularly innovative. Javier and his thugs were okay, but I did not know enough about Javier to truly fear him - I have a feeling that comes in "Shooting Scars". But Ellie's plot line and history more than made up for the average-ness of Camden's and Javier's, in my opinion.

Overall, this was a different and interesting romance with action, suspense and a strong protagonist. I would recommend it to anyone who likes romance, but wants more to a plot than just the romance!

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"Prince's Gambit" (Captive Prince #2) by C.S. Pacat

Prince's Gambit by C.S. Pacat
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I feel the most appropriate and eloquent way to express my feelings about this book is: AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHASHDFIASDIUFASIFHASILUHFLDUIASDSDJDSFKJDAESSJGXDOFXKOFDJVSDKLG
No, seriously.
This book is so amazing it can't actually be contained in real words.

I adored "Captive Prince" - but "Prince's Gambit" blew it out of the water. The intricacy of the plot, the brilliant detail of the politics, the beauty of the romance. Everything worked. You know, when the romance is amazing but the government makes no sense, or the politics are beautifully detailed but the romance feels hollow and rushed? This book beat this age-old problem. Nothing was lost to make way for some other aspect; the book was perfectly balanced.

Alright, let me be 100% honest - I would give this book 5 stars for chapter 19/19.5 alone. I know, I'm terrible. But I waited SO LONG FOR THOSE SCENES. SO. LONG. The relationship between Damen and Laurent felt so honest and beautiful - this was not just a physical attraction, but a true emotional connection as well. Everything about them made sense - even when it was maddening and I just wanted them to kiss already, I knew that was not true to their characters. Pacat gave me what I did not think I wanted, and I loved the story all the more for it.

Romantic aspects aside, the strategy and politics of this series are extremely well-constructed and intricately detailed. Every time a new part of Laurent's plans were revealed, I was taken aback by how brilliant his thinking was, and how silly I was to have missed it. The plot never felt contrived, overly detailed, or rushed. I loved every minute of it. Oh, and the King Regent, with his disgusting rape of young boys, is the perfect villain - a slimy git and absolutely abhorrent, but also smart and cunning enough for me to believe he could actually outsmart intelligent opponents.

Overall, this was a stunning follow up novel with great character development and political detail. I recommend this to anyone. Ever. (As long as you aren't too squeamish).

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"Captive Prince" (Captive Prince #1) by C.S. Pacat

Captive Prince Volume One by C.S. Pacat
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

4.5 stars!

Well, this is certainly a different sort of book to what I usually read. If you've read any of my reviews before, you'll know that I mostly read YA. Maybe that's why I liked this novel so much - it's different from my usual books and therefore feels fresh. Whatever the reason, this book pulled me out of a mini reading slump (hurrah!)

First and foremost, I loved Pacat's writing. 'Captive Prince' was such a well-crafted book - it was really easy to read, but used a lot of beautiful and complex language as well, making it feel like I was not even reading at times. This is a hard balance to strike, and I applaud Pacat on it.

I would not usually read a straight romance novel, but I do enjoy a well-constructed and believable romance within another plot as much as the next reader. Damen and Laurent definitely fit this category. They aren't even really involved in 'Captive Prince', nor did our narrator hint at more than a physical attraction for most of the novel. And yet, I found myself shipping them hard. Like, insanely hard. The angst is real, you guys. Anyway, that's the mark of a good romance in my opinion, so I am really looking forward to the next book, in which that will (hopefully) be developed further.

I enjoyed the world this novel is set in as well. It was not an overly complicated world, which is something you often find in the fantasy genre. I, personally, think that this worked in its favour. The sexual aspects of this book were a little strange and confronting, but I can see how they fit into the overall plot (side note: despite the terrible and many things wrong with Vere's sexual politics, it was nice to see a world where homosexuality is not demonised - and it was pretty original, to say the least). While this story did feature a lot of political aspects, it was largely about Damen and Laurent. I think this was a good thing, since their relationship is a unique and interesting one.

Overall, this was a brilliant novel featuring two intriguing and well-constructed main characters. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes their romance a little angsty, and enjoys fantasy that is not overly detailed.

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"Six of Crows" (Six of Crows #1) by Leigh Bardugo

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was beyond exciting - it was enthralling, thrilling, and satisfying all at once! I could not put it down, and I barely made any notes to refer to for my review, because that would have meant I had to stop reading for a moment... so sorry if this review is terrible, everyone.

I went into this book with high hopes - I loved Bardugo's first series, I personally love books featuring thieves, and of course, the hype surrounding it was palpable. That's a major part of why I put off reading it for so long, because so often when I read a book with such high expectations, I am let down... but not with Six of Crows! This book had me hooked from the first page, and barely let me breathe for its entire story.

First of all, the pacing was relentless in the best way possible. Six of Crows is action-packed, jumping from one scene to another with ferocity. It did not slow down for even two or three pages, which is saying something considering how long this book was. One thing I must say, though, is that while I think you could read this novel without having read Bardugo's first series, having read the Grisha Trilogy definitely enriched my experience of this book. I'd recommend reading those first if you can, as Bardugo has some fabulously detailed world-building in the Grisha trilogy which she builds on in Six of Crows.

Often times when there are multiple protagonists, I find myself groaning when I see one of their names at the start of a chapter - but I loved all the protagonists in this book. I definitely had my favourites, though (Kaz and Inej, anyone?) Bardugo's characterization was flawless, and I felt that I understood each of the characters and their intentions equally. This is an especially impressive feat considering just how many characters this novel follows. I also loved the tiny bit of romance in this book - there was barely any, but enough to make my heart hurt (sidenote: Jesper & Wylan better happen in the next book!)

Well, you are probably thinking "she seems to love this book - why hasn't she given it a 5 star rating?" Thanks for asking! This book was so close to a 5 star rating, but one thing held me back. The actual thievery plot did not feel particularly unique to me. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed reading it, but I was not wowed by its originality and ingenuity. For this reason, I only gave Six of Crows 4.5 stars.

Overall, this book was a stunning, fast-paced, and action-packed novel with a brilliantly imagined world and great characters. I would recommend this to anyone who is new to the fantasy genre or just loves a fast-paced novel.

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"Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy

Dumplin' by Julie Murphy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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I read this novel as a part of the BRTD Bookclub! Come join us for monthly YA reads and discussion :)

3.5 stars

Those of you who follow my reviews know that contemporary is a genre that I never get particularly excited about. However, I have recently had amazing luck with contemporary novels, so the times might be a-changin'! Books like All the Bright Places and Frankie struck a chord with me, and now so has Dumplin'. I was pondering why these books in particular resonated with me, and I think it's because they deal with important issues in a light(ish) way. There's a lesson, but you don't feel like you're being taught.

Anyway, I digress. Dumplin' makes a lot of great points about body image, which is an issue I have always struggled with, and perhaps that's why I enjoyed it so much. This is the kind of book I wish had existed when I was a 15-year-old, because Willowdean is a perfectly realistic combination of confident and insecure. Some days she does not care what people think of her appearance, and other days she cares far too much. Some days she defends people who are mocked, and other days she is just as judgmental as the bullies. That, in a nutshell, is what I liked about her. Protagonists that are either totally likable or totally hateable (I'm making up words now) feel unrealistic, because nobody is that one-sided.

While I definitely loved the body image aspects of this novel, Dumplin' was more than a little fluffy. The plot itself did not really excite me - "unconventionally attractive woman enters beauty pageant" has been done before. Even the romance aspects of this novel were a little 'meh'. Most of the characters (besides Will herself) were not that interesting. I enjoyed hearing Aunt Lucy's story, however. I think everyone has at least one image issue that causes self-doubt and stops us doing what we love, so this made me instantly relate to her.

It's hard to define exactly what it was that I liked about this book, beyond the body image stuff. I think it was the realism. Murphy never glossed over Will's self-doubt, and she did not end the book with everyone holding hands and suddenly accepting fat people. I especially enjoyed the ending because it was so open-ended - anything else would have been a disservice to Willowdean's character.

Overall, this was a light read with a poignant and realistic representation of body image issues. I'd recommend it to anyone who cares about this issue, and does not particularly mind if the plot is secondary to that.

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