Hello and welcome! It is with a happy and emotional heart that I have officially finished Kingdom of Ash, the final book in the Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Mass. This book series was quite the journey! Let’s jump right into what I thought were 25 memorable quotes from Kingdom of Ash!

1. Once upon a time, in a land long since burned to ash, there lived a young princess who loved her kingdom…”

2. “You do not yield.”

3. “Live Manon. Live.”

4. “There is a better world out there. And I will fight for it.”

5. “We are Thirteen,” she said. “From now until Darkness claims us.”

6. “To whatever end.”

7. “I am here. I am with you.”

8. “She would not let that human darkness diminish her, no matter what form it took.”

9. “But just remember this fear of yours? It means you have something worth fighting for, something you care so greatly for that losing it is the worst thing you can imagine.”

10. “Hope was a force of nature. No matter the odds, it would always find a way to push back the darkness.”

11. “There is no one way to be strong. It was not always about brute force, but the strength to keep going even when everything seemed to cave in around you.”

12. “Let’s make this a fight worthy of a song.”

13. “You do not face this alone.”

14. “”Be here,” Aelin said simpy. “That is enough.”” 

15. “In every land, every battle, he had never seen anything as glorious as Aelin before the throat of the siege tower, holding the line.”

16. “Thank you for all you have done for me.”

17. “I knew you would. I knew you’d do it”

18. “Who do you wish to be?”

19. “The world will be saved and remade by the dreamers.”

20. “We will see each other again.”

21. “Aelin looked at Chaol and Dorian and sobbed. Opened her arms to them, and wept as they held each other. “I love you both,” she whispered. “ And no matter what may happen, no matter how far we may be, that will never change.””

22. “Even in the darkest hours, we must not give up on the light within us.”

23. “I wish you every happiness.”

24. “Her mother placed a phantom hand over Aelin’s heart. ‘It is the strength of this that matters. No matter where you are, no matter how far, this will lead you home.”

25. “I hope you found peace, my brother. And in the Afterworld, I hope you find her again.”

There you have it, 25 of my favorite quotes from Kingdom of Ash. This series has my heart and I am so happy that I read it. I would love to hear your favorite quotes from Kingdom of Ash or the Throne of Glass series below! 

Jenna

Have you read Throne of Glass and wondered is it worth the hype? I have been in the Sarah J. Mass universe with the ACOTAR (A Court of Thorns and Roses series). All throughout 2023, I kept running into the Throne of Glass Series as a recommendation. Well it’s 2024 and the time is now! Let’s jump into my review and thoughts about the first 2 books in the Throne of Glass Series and the prequel, The Assassin’s Blade. 

This review will contain spoilers from Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, and The Assassin’s Blade.

My Ratings:

These are my ratings before I have read any further into the Throne of Glass Series. 

Throne of Glass: 3.75 stars

Crown of Midnight: 3.5 stars

The Assassin’s Blade: 4 stars 

Spice Level: 2 (so far books 1 and 2 as well as the prequel I would say are suitable for those 15+)

Book Reading Order:

If you are considering reading the Throne of Glass Series then you probably already know there are conflicting opinions about what order to read this series in. This series includes 7 books and 1 prequel (The Assassin’s Blade). I haven’t finished this series, however I feel okay with my current reading order choice! 

1. The way I plan to read this series was Throne of Glass > Crown of Midnight > The Assassin’s Blade > Heir of Fire > Queen of Shadows > Empire of Storms > Tower of Dawn > Kingdom of Ash 
2. Recommendation two I have heard is to treat Assassin’s Blade as a true prequel and read it first before reading the remaining books: Throne of Glass > Crown of Midnight > Heir of Fire > Queen of Shadows > Empire of Storms > Tower of Dawn > Kingdom of Ash 
3. Some people also put the Assassin’s Blade after Heir of Fire

I will definitely post an update once I am through with the series on if I am still happy with my reading order choice!

My Current Thoughts on Throne of Glass:

Currently, I have read Throne of Glass, Crown of Midnight, and The Assassin’s Blade. So far, this series has been a slow build up. When I began Throne of Glass, I was surprised that I had actually started this book before and did not finish it! 

This time around, Throne of Glass was enough to draw me in. If you have read other Sarah J. Mass books you know that sometimes the first book can be slower. I thought Throne of Glass overall kept my attention and the story of her competing to be the King’s Champion helped push the story along. Once I began Crown of Midnight I thought it started to move a lot slower until about midway through The Assassin’s Blade. 

Now that I am through Assassin’s Blade, I can say that I am in it. I care so much about Celaena Sardothian, our main current protagonist. I understand her background and the choices she makes align with who she is. I’m ready to tackle the rest of this series! The slow parts were tough to get through, however I’m hopeful at the end of this series I will be screaming that it didn’t matter from the rooftops.

Throne of Glass: Book 1 Review

As I mentioned briefly, I was surprised once I jumped into this book that I had started it before (I believe after ACOTAR). This time around, the book sucked me in immediately. Celaena is a character that we are slowly learning more about throughout this book and her history. She has just left Endovier from being a slave and former assassin. She was a protagonist that I thought was easy to root for even early on during Throne of Glass. 

The world that Throne of Glass was in was fairly easy to understand, however similar to ACOTAR I would say that I have currently seen only a glimpse of what is to come. I thought overall, this was a great introduction of some of our characters for this book and an introduction to the story. I am quite enjoying reading about Celaena, Chaol, Dorrian, and Nehemiah.

Crown of Midnight: Throne of Glass Book 2 Review

This book has been the slowest so far for me in this series. It has quite the reveal at the end that was a jaw dropper for me. At this point in the story, it was nice to see Celaena able to be happy for parts of the story. It was also short lived, which sadly I also expected as I read this book. I loved the themes of friendship, discovery, and trust in this book. I know when I look back on it that this will be an important book in the series, but for now I’m okay to move on.

The Assassin’s Blade: A Throne of Glass Prequel Review

The Assassin’s Blade is technically a prequel to the Throne of Glass Series, however it was published after the first two books. As I mentioned before, the reading order is debated however so far I am quite happy with reading this book after Crown of Midnight. This book was a slow build up and very early on I was feeling fatigued with this series. 

Assassin’s Blade is essentially five stories/tales about Celaena and her journey. By the time I was reading the third story, it picked up so quick. The Assassin and the Dessert was when I began to become more attached to Celaena as a character. 

After reading the first two books, I knew where her story was going but nonetheless I enjoyed each step of the journey. Celaena is a fierce assassin who will stand up for what she believes in, experienced multiple betrayals, someone who is fighting for good, protective, brave, and carrying a lot on her shoulders. Unlike Celaena, I am slightly afraid of what is to come! 

Happy reading and feel free to drop your thoughts in the comments below! For now, I will tell myself I am not afraid and will keep reading this series! 

Jenna

It is the first week of 2024 and I am crying, smiling, and loving that I have found my first 5 star read of 2024, Powerless by Lauren Roberts. This fantasy romance book has my heart.I loved every moment of it. Let’s jump right into my book review of Powerless by Lauren Roberts. The hardback copy of this book is stunning and unfortunately or fortunately I will soon own both kindle and hardback copies of this book.

A Synopsis from Goodreads:

She is the very thing he’s spent his whole life hunting.

He is the very thing she’s spent her whole life pretending to be.

Only the extraordinary belong in the kingdom of Ilya—the exceptional, the empowered, the Elites.

The powers these Elites have possessed for decades were graciously gifted to them by the Plague, though not all were fortunate enough to both survive the sickness and reap the reward. Those born Ordinary are just that—ordinary. And when the king decreed that all Ordinaries be banished in order to preserve his Elite society, lacking an ability suddenly became a crime—making Paedyn Gray a felon by fate and a thief by necessity.

Surviving in the slums as an Ordinary is no simple task, and Paedyn knows this better than most. Having been trained by her father to be overly observant since she was a child, Paedyn poses as a Psychic in the crowded city, blending in with the Elites as best she can in order to stay alive and out of trouble. Easier said than done.

When Paeydn unsuspectingly saves one of Ilyas princes, she finds herself thrown into the Purging Trials. The brutal competition exists to showcase the Elites’ powers—the very thing Paedyn lacks. If the Trials and the opponents within them don’t kill her, the prince she’s fighting feelings for certainly will if he discovers what she is—completely Ordinary.

My Rating:  5 stars

Spice Level: 2.5 (this book is a slow burn romance, I enjoyed the romance but it was lower on the spice scale)

What I Loved About this Book:

Powerless is my first five star read of 2024. I absolutely adored the characters, story line, plot twists at the end, relationships, the world, and overall this entire story. I’m not ready for it to be over. This review will not contain major spoilers, however take caution if you are wanting a spoiler free reading experience.

First, the world that Powerless is set in was so easy to jump into and understand. Lauren does an impeccable job of just letting the world exist.There was not a lot of clunky world building and it was easy to become immersed in. 

This story is dual POV and that continues to be a favorite for me! We learn so much more of the perspectives of characters with the dual POV. Kai and Paedyn both have beautifully written chapters.

I adore who each of the characters are in this book. We have Paedyn who is an Ordinary trying to present with psychic powers. She has been fighting her entire life and as the story progresses it was great to learn more and more of her back story. Kitt, the future king, who has been raised to take over this kingdom. Kitt was so like able and to borrow from Lauren Roberts, I adored reading about his potential. He is a  future king with his future ahead of him to eventually make his own choices.

Kai the prince and future Enforcer to king (his brother), has had a different upbringing. Kai’s story was heartbreaking and beautiful to read about. He has been raised learning to kill, be tortured, torture, and do what it takes as the future Enforcer of the Kingdom. There are plenty more characters in this book, but these three in particular have my heart. At the end of this book, I understood how every character felt with the ending. 

The relationships that our characters experience are written with depth. One of my favorite relationships in this book is Kai and Kitt, two brothers with two very different purposes. One will be the future king and one will be much more deadly as the Enforcer to the king and kingdom. I found their relationship to be extremely heartwarming. It was so relatable to watch their interactions together all while there was further depth in the roles they both most play and take on. Despite their different roles, they love each other and are family. Lauren does an amazing job at writing their interactions to show us their relationship as brothers.

There was also the relationship dynamic between Kai and Paedyn as well as Kitt and Paedyn. Kai and Paedyn is the primary romantic interest we follow. This story is a slow burn with minimal spice (the characters only kiss far into the story), but every moment these two share is magical. I loved how this story arc developed. Kitt and Paedyn begin to develop a friendship that has romantic hints to it. It was enjoyable to watch how Kitt responds to Paedyn. 

Beyond our primary relationships and connections in this book, there are even more friendships and family dynamics that make this book rich and wonderful. Adena and Paedyn’s friendship, Kitt and Kai’s relationship with their father, and more enemies and friends that are between. Lauren’s writing style was a joy to read. 

This book also has a storyline with the trials helped to pace the story and make it easy to read. It does have similarities to Hunger Games, however picture a Hunger Games that has tasks broken up and more time in between for character development.

And to add a few more reasons I loved this book (because in case you can’t tell I loved this book): the quotes from Powerless, how this book made me feel, learning about everyone’s powers, and hope for the rest of this series.

My Review of Powerless Reading Experience:

Powerless was originally a book on my 2023 TBR, however it never felt quite right to read another fantasy book especially one that isn’t finished yet. I read this book with a book club and as my third book of 2024. This is a reading experience I wanted to slow down. I loved every moment. The build up was heartbreaking and so beautifully written. I can’t wait to read more. Thank you Lauren!

Should you read Powerless by Lauren Roberts?

I would recommend this book to almost anyone (15+) that enjoys fantasy or fantasy romance. If you enjoyed Serpents and the Wings of Night, the Hunger Games, ACOTAR, etc then I think this is a book for you! This is my first five star read of 2024! Give it a chance for your 2024 TBRs.

Happy reading and feel free to drop your thoughts in the comments below! 

Jenna

Jenna

The year was dwindling and I was frantically searching for what would be my final read of the year. The Ex Hex is a romantic comedy that was an absolute delight and fun ride to have for the end of the year! Witches, a curse to spite an ex, and an overall easy to read romantic comedy. My only regret is that I didn’t read this book for Halloween. Let’s jump right into my book review of The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling.

A Synopsis from Goodreads:

Nine years ago, Vivienne Jones nursed her broken heart like any young witch would: vodka, weepy music, bubble baths…and a curse on the horrible boyfriend. Sure, Vivi knows she shouldn’t use her magic this way, but with only an “orchard hayride” scented candle on hand, she isn’t worried it will cause him anything more than a bad hair day or two.

That is until Rhys Penhallow, descendent of the town’s ancestors, breaker of hearts, and annoyingly just as gorgeous as he always was, returns to Graves Glen, Georgia. What should be a quick trip to recharge the town’s ley lines and make an appearance at the annual fall festival turns disastrously wrong. With one calamity after another striking Rhys, Vivi realizes her silly little Ex Hex may not have been so harmless after all.

Suddenly, Graves Glen is under attack from murderous wind-up toys, a pissed off ghost, and a talking cat with some interesting things to say. Vivi and Rhys have to ignore their off the charts chemistry to work together to save the town and find a way to break the break-up curse before it’s too late.

My Rating:  3.5 stars. I will say even though this is only a 3.5 star read I still would rate it higher and as a must read during the Halloween season. This book was really fun and enjoyable! If you have the time to read it or are in a bit of a slump then I would give this one a go.

Spice Level: 3.5 (suitable for adult audiences only) I would still stick to adult only on this one

What I Loved About this Book and My Thoughts:

The Ex Hex was another palette cleanser at the end of 2023. I know I keep using this word, but this book was fun! It was incredibly easy to read and if you blink it’s over. I read this book on a plane and I give that a chef’s kiss for a quick flight across the country while just having fun reading about witches, a curse, and a love story. 

First, this story has dialogue and banter that had me smiling and at times laughing out loud. I highlighted 22 quotes on this while reading on my Kindle. Yes, that’s right….22 quotes. I was having a blast reading the Ex Hex. My favorite quote of this book is what I would consider a good general rule to live life by: “Never mix witchcraft with vodka”. 

The premise of cursing an ex was hilarious and definitely delivered what I wanted it to. We have all had an ex that we would have impulse placed a hex on (if we could). Our main character, Vivi, brings that dream and it’s implications to life. There were a few twists and turns with the curse that were somewhat predictable, however none the less I thought it was a really interesting and delightful premise for the book. 

The love story was enjoyable and I was rooting for them as much as I can root for any twenty year olds falling in love. I found the love story to be a bit predictable, but I was still enjoying every moment of it. Rhys and Vivi were both fun to follow on their journeys back to each other. 

This is a true romantic comedy. You will laugh, smile, and enjoy the ride that the Ex Hex will take you on. Is this a book I will come back to? No. But is it a book that I devoured in one sitting and would recommend to anyone for a quick easy to read and entertaining book series, yes!

Should you read the Ex Hex?

Are you looking for an easy to read, entertaining, and fun romantic comedy (especially during Halloween or Fall)? Then, yes! Absolutely read this book! It was an easy to read and overall fun time. I have zero regrets about reading this book. It is a great book to toss into your to be read list for 2024. What is next for this series? The Kiss Curse by Erin Sterling is currently out! I am adding it to my to be read list for 2024! Happy reading and as always let me know your thoughts below!

Jenna

I didn’t know if it was going to happen, however in the last week of the year I officially found my favorite romance book of 2023. Let’s jump right into a book review of The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston! This book took me by surprise and my kindle highlighter needs a break after this one.

A Synopsis from Goodreads:

Sometimes, the worst day of your life happens, and you have to figure out how to live after it.

So Clementine forms a plan to keep her heart safe: stay busy, work hard, find someone decent to love, and try to remember to chase the moon. The last one is silly and obviously metaphorical, but her aunt always told her that you needed at least one big dream to keep going. And for the last year, that plan has gone off without a hitch. Mostly. The love part is hard because she doesn’t want to get too close to anyone—she isn’t sure her heart can take it.

And then she finds a strange man standing in the kitchen of her late aunt’s apartment. A man with kind eyes and a Southern drawl and a taste for lemon pies. The kind of man that, before it all, she would’ve fallen head-over-heels for. And she might again.

Except, he exists in the past. Seven years ago, to be exact. And she, quite literally, lives seven years in his future.

Her aunt always said the apartment was a pinch in time, a place where moments blended together like watercolors. And Clementine knows that if she lets her heart fall, she’ll be doomed.

After all, love is never a matter of time—but a matter of timing.

My Rating: 5 stars

Spice Level: 3.5 stars (suitable for adult audiences only)

What I Loved About this Book:

The Seven Year Slip was such a delightful read at the end of 2023! I fell in love with it immediately and I think most readers will too. 

First, this story is whimsical and magical without any stress of focusing on in-depth world building. This is a romance book with fantastical/whimsical elements in it, specifically an apartment in Manhatten that at times just so happens to travel 7 years into the past. The magical elements were really fun, believable, and interesting. The mix of the fast paced New York setting and the magical apartment was a match made in book reading heaven. 

The characters in this book were relatable to a 20 year old version of myself and a 30 year old version of myself. I think many people including myself will find the characters to be relatable. I loved hearing the passion that the characters had and how they learned to nurture it and grow throughout the book. 

The love story between our two main characters. I hate to sound cliche, but I loved this love story. I was rooting for both of these characters throughout the book and their love story. It was so enjoyable to follow the dual timelines of the love story throughout the book. 

This book also has a storyline of grief for our main character and Ashely Poston does an absolutely phenomenal job of writing about it. Clementine recently lost a close family memer her aunt and it’s a part of who she is and what she is going through in this book. Grief can vary so much from person to person and reading this book, I felt Clementine’s grief. I related to her grief and I thought it added a lot to the story. 

And to add a few more reasons I loved this book (because in case you can’t tell I loved this book): the friendship and relationships that Clementine had, story lines of self discovery, absolutely beautiful writing and quotes, and fun dialogues throughout all added to this book even more.

My Review of The Seven Year Slip Reading Experience:

The Seven Year Slip was a book I kept seeing come up in recommendations from other readers, but it never felt like the right time to pick it up. Finally, at the end of 2023 and after a fantasy binge I was feeling ready for a stand alone book. I bought this book on Kindle for a book I hoped to read while on an airplane. From the first chapter, I knew I wouldn’t be able to put this book down. I happily finished this book on two plane rides and had zero worries about tearing up on a plane as I finished it.

Should you read the Seven Year Slip?

I would recommend this book to almost anyone (18+) for their 2024 reading list. If you enjoy romance books, then this book is going to be an amazing fit for you. There is some steam in it, however for the most part it was just a wonderful whimsical, romance, and fiction read. I feel grateful this book hit me at a time that felt just right. I hope it does the same for you! Please feel free to leave your thoughts below! 

This book was quite a stand alone for me for 2023! Next up on my Ashley Poston reading list is The Dead Romantics.

Jenna

2023 was the year that I fell back in love with reading. I read 93 books during 2023. Some were absolutely spectacular. Others were books I can say I read and are in my past. I wanted to share my top reads of this year, however I quickly realized it was a few book series that were my favorite and that I was quite in the fantasy romance mood for the year. Feel free to comment below with your favorite series that you read in 2023! 

My Eight Favorite Book Series that I Read in 2023

1. We Hunt the Flame/We Free the Stars: The Sands of Arawiya Duo by Hafsah Faizal

The first series in my favorite book series of 2023 is the Sands of Arawiya Duo! This series follows Zhafira a huntress and Nassir an assassin on their own respective journeys. Zhafira is on a mission to bring magic back to her land and Nassir is an assassin to the sultan with a mission to stop Zhafira at any cost. This book duo was one of the most beautifully written works I have experienced. It gave me pause, tears, heartache, hope, and more! The first book on this series, We Hunt the Flame, is on Kindle Unlimited for free!

2. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Mass

I think almost everyone knows about this book series by now (well except maybe me who felt like I was living under a rock when my sister recommended this series to me). This is a series where I can’t share much without spoiling it, however I will say it is a series I wish I could read again for the first time. I also agree with every fan that if you only read the first book you have seen only a glimpse of this world. If you enjoy fantasy romance books then this series should be at the top of your list. 

3. Fourth Wing and Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

A dragon war college, enemies to lovers romance, plot twists, and an insanely fast story. If any of those things peaked your interest then welcome to the Fourth Wing and Iron Flame family! I knew pretty quickly that this would fall into my favorite book series of 2023! This series begins with Violet as she begins her first year at Basgiath War College to become (hopefully) a dragon rider or as the book is described she could also fail which would mean death because in this college you literally ride or die. I couldn’t put these books down. The plot is so fast with lots of unexpected twist and turns. The writing style is not for everyone, however I will say every person I have recommended this book to comes out with something positive to say. When I looked back at my book list, I couldn’t leave this one out.

4. The Folk of Air by Holly Black

This series follows Jude who is a human living in the fae world while trying to find her place and navigate growing up. Her path is also quickly entangled with who you soon learn about as the Cruel Prince, Cardan. It has so many fun themes including enemies to lovers romance, family bonds/relationships, magic, finding your own path, and more. Unlike ACOTAR or Fourth Wing, these books are young adult and I really enjoyed the characters being depicted as their own age. The plot twists in this book!! This book series was quite the ride and I would absolutely read it again. 

5. Once Upon A Broken Heart Trilogy by Stephanie Garber)

A magical and whimsical story told by Stephanie Garber. The Once Upon a Time trilogy is set in the same world as her previous Caraval books. This series follows Evangeline who makes a deal with a Fate named Jacks also known as the Prince of Hearts. If you read the Caraval series then you will have more background about Jacks! This series swept me off of my feet. The writing is beautiful, the story is painful, magical, hopeful, and mesmerizing. This is another one that I can’t quite describe without spoiling Carval or this series. I will end by saying this is a book series that made me want time to slow down. 

6. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

This one is a change of pace for my current favorites on this list! It is a young adult mystery novel following Pip as she first starts trying to solve a murder that she believes was pinned on the wrong person. This book was like Veronica Mars on page for me. I loved Pip and although this is a young adult series the stakes throughout this book felt high throughout. I couldn’t get through the pages quick enough to find answers for the first book and then the next two the stakes were even higher.

7. Caraval Series By Stephanie Garber

The Caraval series is the original trilogy is where  you enter into a world of magic, mystery, games, stakes, love, and more with Stephanie Garber! The premise behind these books revolves around a game that happens once a year with a mysterious mastermind known as Legend. This series begins following two sisters who after years get tickets to participate in Caraval. As the book says, be prepared to be swept away! The third book of this series was by far my favorite, however especially for those hoping to read the Once Upon a Broken Heart Trilogy I think this is a must read.

8. The Naturals Series Series By Jennifer Lynn Barnes

I found this series before a quick weekend trip and I was so happy I bought them all at once because once you start, you will not put them down. The story follows Cassie and soon a group of young adults who have been recruited for the FBI for their special talents. Cassie is a “natural profiler” and quickly part of a group trying to help solve cold cases/mysteries. The characters in this book are really loveable and easy to root for. This was another young adult mystery series that was fast and kept me on the edge of my seat. I also read the Inheritance Games Series this year and for me this one came out on top! 

What is on your top reads list for 2023? I am always looking for book suggestions! Feel free to comment below with your ideas and thoughts!

Reading A Court of Thorns and Roses for the first time in 2023 was a wild journey! Am I happy I did it? Absolutely! Let’s jump right into my thoughts and a review of the first book in the series: A Court of Thorns and Roses.

A Synopsis from Goodreads

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

At least, he’s not a beast all the time.

As she adapts to her new home, her feelings for the faerie, Tamlin, transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie she’s been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But something is not right in the faerie lands. An ancient, wicked shadow is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it, or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

My Rating: 4 Stars

Spice Level: 2.5 out of 5

What I Loved About This Book:

If you have read the entire ACOTAR series then you will know this book is one I appreciated more after reading the entire series! During A Court of Thorns and Roses specifically, I really enjoyed the feeling that something was building up, the world building, our characters and their development, and the quick paced end of the book. This is a book that for me was more enjoyable on the reread once you learn more about the ACOTAR universe. It can also be read as a stand alone if you start to read it and feel that it just isn’t for you.

My Review and A Court of Thorns and Roses Reading Experience (No Spoliers)

I think there are many others in this boat! I started reading A Court of Thorns and Roses in 2023 following a recommendation from my sister. What did this mean? I had a guru to show me through the ACOTAR reading experience. This was my favorite reading experience of 2023! No spoilers will be found here, however if you only read A Court of Thorns and Roses without the remaining books then you have seen only a glimpse of the world that Sarah J, Mass has built. 

The first book is from Feyre’s POV as she is trapped in the Spring Court trying to navigate her new world, learn about Tamlin and his court, and overall survive. Feyre is a powerful main character. She is strong and capable in the human realm and it was fantastic to see her transition into the Spring Court and the world of the fae (fairies). This book is slower than the remaining ones in this series.
In this first book, you mainly experience the Spring Court with brief moments learning about the other courts in this fae world. I fell in love with multiple characters in this book and loved learning about things in the fae world. Feyre is consistently navigating challenges and the book goes by super fast. The plot really picks up around the 75 percent mark. At the end of this book, I felt happy that I read it. This book could also be read as a stand alone.

Should You Read A Court of Thorns and Roses in 2024? 

Do you love fantasy romance books? If your answer is yes to that then I would say absolutely. Do you prefer fantasy driven books? I would say maybe, check out this series but no hard feelings if it isn’t for you. 

I loved this book series and so far everyone I have recommended it to has had equal sentiment about it. My only other note is that this series is an adult series. It begins suitable for young adult, however quickly changes to adult.

Spoilers and What I Enjoyed After Reading the Entire Series

The last 75 percent of this book is one of my favorite chunks to reread. Learning about the rest of the Fae world, the night court, and of course Rhys adds depth to the last chunk of this book. I couldn’t stop flipping back through this book after the sequels. The Beauty and the Beast retelling unfortunately also surpirsed me. I have no clue how I missed it, but wow not one of my best moments. This book also got much darker in the last bit of the first book. Finally, Tamlin…..Tamlin. I fell for it and I thought Tamlin was our guy and boy was I wrong once again!!!

Looking for more fantasy romance? Check out the Sands of Arawiya Series and my should you read post here!

Thanks for catching up and checking in!

Jenna

Should you read the Inheritance Games Series, it is a yes for me but not an enthusiastic recommendation. This series was quite fun, but I could see how it isn’t for everyone. Let’s jump right in with five reasons to read this series and four reasons that it might not be for you.

What is the Inheritance Games Book Series?

The Inheritance Games Series follows Avery Grambs who inherits a fortune from a billionaire Tobias Hawthorne. Avery doesn’t even know who Tobias Hawthorne is or why she would inherit this fortune. There are also the Hawthorne grandsons who we quickly meet (Nash, Grayson, Jameson, and Xander) who have been all but written out of Tobias’s will along with a slew of other family members. Avery is thrown into a whole new world with the pressure of Tobias’s requirements to receive his fortune which include living in the Hawthorne mansion for one year. This series quickly jumps to a series of riddles, puzzles, mysteries, and games that Avery must solve with the help of a few Hawthornes. I won’t jump into any spoilers from the future books 🙂

Five Reasons I Think You Should Read The Inheritance Games 

1. Avery Kylie Grambs is a main character you are going to fall in love with and root for. She is incredibly smart and the whole story is somewhat of a Cinderella story moment. I was rooting for Avery’s happy ending throughout this series and cheering her on every time she solved a riddle or puzzle. 
2. The plot moves quickly and it’s easy to get through these books quickly. The events of the book all continue to move forward throughout the trilogy and every time I put the book down I could find a reason to jump back into reading it again. 
3. Mystery and a subplot of romance! I really enjoyed the minor role the romance played in the story and following along with all of the mysteries throughout this series. 
4. It is a book full of characters that are all extremely likeable. A lot of the characters have their background explained and shared throughout the series. I believed who they were as characters and the decisions that they made. 
5. It was fun and entertaining! When in doubt when recommending a book, I try to think about my reading experience and my reading experience with the Inheritance Games Series was really quite lovely. It was so fun to read this book!

Four Reasons to Not Read the Inheritance Games

1. This first one is a bit of a neutral point. This book is targeted for a young adult audience, which can be absolutely lovely. However, if you are looking for something with characters that are a bit older or targeting an older audience then this series is probably not for you. Some of the writing choices are absolutely perfect for a young adult audience. This series probably would have been one of my favorites in high school, however not quite now. 
2. The puzzles and games were a tad underwhelming. I was hoping that the Inheritance Games Series would feel like I could play along throughout the riddles and puzzles. Most of the puzzles and riddles are solved pretty quickly. 
3. The stakes never really felt real to me. There were serious things happening to the characters, however with the style of writing I never believed there were any serious stakes in this series. 
4. The story seems ready to conclude after the first two books: The Inheritance Games and the Hawthorne Legacy. The third book, The Final Gambit, had quite a bit of filler plot. 

Overall, should you read the Inheritance Games Series? I think this series is great for young adult or middle school readers looking for a fun mystery book. The Inheritance Games Series is also really great if you are wanting a quick, fun book that is going to be exciting to keep turning the pages with loveable characters. I would describe this series in three words as fun, mysterious, and fast! If you are hoping for a series targeted at an older audience, a more intense mystery/puzzle aspect, or a book series with more stakes then this may not be the series for you.

Let me know your thoughts on The Inheritance Games Series below!

Jenna