These Books Among Us

Young adult literature has seen a recent influx of the superhero. Already within the realm of heroes such as Katniss, Harry Potter, and many seemingly normal children, these superheroes are shown as more than just ordinary students or children. They are more than just the “chosen one.” They are different. Outsiders. But that being said, though they do have extraordinary powers, many of them are relatable to kids now. They are orphans, adopted, from non “nuclear” families, something that is much more prevalent in today’s society. But this is not shown as a bad thing. These heroes are more than just super, they are people who come from different backgrounds and want to make a difference in the world. Books like this, as well as being an introduction into nerd culture as shown in last week’s post, show kids that it is okay to be different and to use their talents to help the world become a better place. Now I know that a few of these books have yet to come out, so I cannot say wh...

It’s pretty obvious that nerd culture has become cool, possibly for the first time. Now in style are the glasses, the board games, the fashion, and the comics, but how did this come about? Well, first of all, the emergence of the internet (and iPhones) allowed for the nerd to raise to a place of power in society. People, in their strive for power, will look to these people for fashion (for who knows what reason) to be more like them. Thus, the nerd culture is here and is, hopefully, here to stay. Being from a family that emphasizes the nerdy (love you Dad) I can completely get behind this trend. Comic books are resurfacing, cool story lines and characters are getting revamped. Movies and television shows are being made and (most) made well. But what’s better than that, is this trend is seeping into young adult and children’s literature. Not only does this allow for children and young adults to be introduced to these awesome storylines, they are being shown people from...

Empire of Storms by Sarah J Maas (736 pages) My Rating: 4.5 Stars Date Read: 20 September 2016 Synopsis: The long path to the throne has only just begun for Aelin Galathynius. Loyalties have been broken and bought, friends have been lost and gained, and those who possess magic find themselves at odds with those who don't. As the kingdoms of Erilea fracture around her, enemies must become allies if Aelin is to keep those she loves from falling to the dark forces poised to claim her world. With war looming on all horizons, the only chance for salvation lies in a desperate quest that may mark the end of everything Aelin holds dear. Aelin's journey from assassin to queen has entranced millions across the globe, and this fifth installment will leave fans breathless. Will Aelin succeed in keeping her world from splintering, or will it all come crashing down? My Review: This review will have a lot of spoilers for the books, so if you haven't read it, I suggest yo...

Throne of Glass Coloring Book by Sarah J Maas (96 pages) Date Read: 9 September 2016 My Rating: 5 Stars Synopsis: Enter the world of Throne of Glass Experience the vivid imagery of Sarah J. Maas's expansive world in her breathtaking New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass saga. Celaena on the rooftops of Rifthold, Chaol in the gardens of the glass castle, Manon riding her wyvern through the Crossing, and many other favorite moments, characters, and objects from the vibrantly detailed realm of Throne of Glass come to life. With stunning original black-and-white drawings, The Throne of Glass Coloring Book is a must-have companion for any reader looking to be swept up in the adventure of a lifetime. Awards for the Throne of Glass Series Queen of Shadows A Good Reads Choice Award winner for Best Young Adult Fantasy/Sci-Fi for 2015 Heir of Fire A USA Today bestseller Crown of Midnight A New York Times and USA Today bestseller Throne of Glass A Kirkus Best Teen B...

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas (646 pages) My Rating: +5 Stars Date Read: 8 May 2016 Synopsis: Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court--but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people. Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms--and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future--and the future of a world cleaved in two. With more than a million copies sold of her beloved Throne of Glass series, Sarah J. Maas's masterful storytelling brings this second book in her seductive and action-packed series to new heights. My Review: Wow. Just wow. There are going ...

Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas (404 pages) My Rating: 5 Stars Date Finished: 2 January 2015 Synopsis: The Crown Prince will provoke her. The Captain of the Guard will protect her. But something evil dwells in the castle of glass--and it's there to kill. When her competitors start dying one by one, Celaena's fight for freedom becomes a fight for survival, and a desperate quest to root out the evil before it destroys her world. My Review: In a land without magic, where the king rules with an iron hand, an assassin is summoned to the castle. She comes not to kill the king, but to win her freedom. If she defeats twenty-three killers, thieves, and warriors in a competition, she is released from prison to serve as the king's champion. Her name is Celaena Sardothien. Oh my god!! If you have not picked this up and you like fantasy novels, do it right now. Stop what you are doing and read this book!!! It is full of badassery, not too much romantic stuff, and magic...

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J Maas (648 pages) Date Finished: 17 September 2015 My Rating: 5 Stars Synopsis: Everyone Celaena Sardothien loves has been taken from her. But she's at last returned to the empire—for vengeance, to rescue her once-glorious kingdom, and to confront the shadows of her past . . . She has embraced her identity as Aelin Galathynius, Queen of Terrasen. But before she can reclaim her throne, she must fight. She will fight for her cousin, a warrior prepared to die for her. She will fight for her friend, a young man trapped in an unspeakable prison. And she will fight for her people, enslaved to a brutal king and awaiting their lost queen's triumphant return. The fourth volume in the New York Times bestselling series contrinues Celaena's epic journey and builds to a passionate, agonizing crescendo that might just shatter her world. Review: Warning, if you have not read this book or any of the other ones before this, this review will have some...

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Maas (448 Pages) My Rating: 5 Stars Date Finished: 29 May 2015 Synopsis: Celaena Sardothien is the king’s Champion—yet she is far from loyal to the crown, for the man she serves is bent on evil. But working against her master in secret is no easy task. As Celaena tries to untangle the mysteries buried within the glass castle, she can trust no one, not even her supposed allies Crown Prince Dorian, Captain of the Guard Chaol, and foreign princess Nehemia. Then, an unspeakable tragedy shatters Celaena’s world. She must decide once and for all where her loyalties lie … and whom she will fight for. An action-packed and romantic adventure that readers “will never want to leave” (Kirkus Reviews), the next chapter in this smash hit New York Times best-selling series is sure to please Sarah Maas’s enormous and ever-growing fan-base–and to set the stage for an explosive third book.  I am not going to lie, there are a lot of really intense moments in ...

The Assassin’s Blade Sarah J Maas (452 pages) Rating: 5 Stars Date Finished: 3 September 2015 Synopsis: Celaena Sardothien is her kingdom’s most feared assassin. Though she works for the powerful and ruthless Assassin’s Guild, Celaena yields to no one and trusts only her fellow killer for hire, Sam.When Celaena’s scheming master, Arobynn Hamel, dispatches her on missions that take her from remote islands to hostile deserts, she finds herself acting independently of his wishes–and questioning her own allegiance. Along the way, she makes friends and enemies alike, and discovers that she feels far more for Sam than just friendship. But by defying Arobynn’s orders, Celaena risks unimaginable punishment, and with Sam by her side, he is in danger, too. They will have to risk it all if they hope to escape Arobynn’s clutches–and if they fail, they’ll lose not just a chance at freedom, but their lives …A prequel to Throne of Glass, this collection of five novellas offers readers a deeper...

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas (418 pages) My Rating: 10/5 stars (yeah, I liked it) Date finished: 30 August 2015 Synopsis: A thrilling, seductive new series from New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas, blending Beauty and the Beast with faerie lore. 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. Perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and George R. ...