2025 Reading Challenge discussion
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Jamieson's 70 Books Reading Count
38:
The Raven Boys, by Maggie Stiefvaterdescription
"'There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark's Eve,' Neeve said. 'Either you're his true love...or you killed him.'"
It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.
Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them — not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.
His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.
But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can't entirely explain. He has it all — family money, good looks, devoted friends — but he's looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.
For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she's not so sure anymore.
Oh my god!! I loved this!! I've been moving it further and further up my TBR all year and this month I finally pulled it out and sat down and DID IT and I am so glad I did because I loved every minute of it. This is easily one of my favourites all year, and I've heard every book in the series gets so much better -- so I can not WAIT to get onto them.
MY RATING
( ★★★★★ )
39:
- Six of Crows, by Leigh Bardugodescription
Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone...
A convict with a thirst for revenge.
A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager.
A runaway with a privileged past.
A spy known as the Wraith.
A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums.
A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.
Kaz's crew are the only ones who might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first.
Honestly I'm just blown away by how freaking good this book was. It was absolutely gripping, with twists and turns at every page and a cast of amazing, cunning and interesting characters. This book gave me a kinda Peaky Blinders, Leverage and Now You See Me kinda feel which is great because those three things happen to be things I love. I feel like this was a book that really stands out in the YA genre, and Leigh Bardugo's worldbuilding and character creation was once again on display here. I loved the characters of the crew, and I loved the way the plot moved and developed. At each step even I wasn't sure of what was really going on and that made it so much more interesting. I want the sequel to this one right now !!!! (Too bad it's not out for aggesss)
I'm having a really, really good reading month! Five star after five star.
MY RATING
( ★★★★★ )
40:
- Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maasdescription
In the dark, filthy salt mines of Endovier, an eighteen-year-old girl is serving a life sentence. She is a trained assassin, the best of her kind, but she made a fatal mistake: she got caught.
Young Captain Westfall offers her a deal: her freedom in return for one huge sacrifice. Celaena must represent the prince in a to-the-death tournament—fighting the most gifted thieves and assassins in the land. Live or die, Celaena will be free. Win or lose, she is about to discover her true destiny. But will her assassin’s heart be melted?
Eh. It was okay - a little overhyped I think. I definitely did not hate it, but it's faaar from being the best book I've ever read, far from even being the best this year. It was very underwhelming and didn't really deliver in areas I wanted it to. I felt the premise was nothing like the book I actually got, and even though I really enjoyed the characters, the story felt a little weak.
This is the end of my 5 star streak *nelly furtado voice* why must all good things come to an end
MY RATING
( ★★★.5☆☆ )
41.
- The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvaterdescription
If you could steal things from dreams, what would you take?
Ronan Lynch has secrets. Some he keeps from others. Some he keeps from himself.
One secret: Ronan can bring things out of his dreams.
And sometimes he's not the only one who wants those things.
Ronan is one of the raven boys—a group of friends, practically brothers, searching for a dead king named Glendower, who they think is hidden somewhere in the hills by their elite private school, Aglionby Academy. The path to Glendower has long lived as an undercurrent beneath town. But now, like Ronan's secrets, it is beginning to rise to the surface—changing everything in its wake.
mmm man. MAN. I don't know how to explain how much this series actually resonates with me, just because it's come into my life at kind of a perfect time. But it sort of is meaning alot to me right now and I really, really love it. I loved this so much, it makes me a little emotional because of how much it actually meant to me. Sigh. Love this series so much.
MY RATING
( ★★★★★ )
42.
- Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvaterdescription
There is danger in dreaming. But there is even more danger in waking up.
Blue Sargent has found things. For the first time in her life, she has friends she can trust, a group to which she can belong. The Raven Boys have taken her in as one of their own. Their problems have become hers, and her problems have become theirs.
The trick with found things though, is how easily they can be lost.
Friends can betray.
Mothers can disappear.
Visions can mislead.
Certainties can unravel.
nice. These continue to be really, really entertaining and good for me? I just really love the elements of magic and mysticism. I love the relationships between the characters. I love the tone of these books. I love the individual scenes and I love the overarching plot and themes. I love the characters and their continued growth.
Also #squadgoals
MY RATING
( ★★★★★ )
43.
- Red Queen by Victoria Aveyarddescription
This is a world divided by blood – red or silver.
The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change.
That is, until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power.
Fearful of Mare’s potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess, now engaged to a Silver prince. Despite knowing that one misstep would mean her death, Mare works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and bring down the Silver regime.
But this is a world of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance – Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart.
whatever this was so cliche and boring and unoriginal. I honestly am just glad it's over. It had do many silly and boring characters and such a poorly developed world but at least it was short and at least there were a few characters for me to get behind even though the main 3 were so goddamn annoying
MY RATING
( ★★.5☆☆☆ )
44.
- Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, by J.K Rowlingdescription
The summer holidays are dragging on and Harry Potter can't wait for the start of the school year. It is his fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and there are spells to be learnt and (unluckily) Potions and Divination lessons to be attended. But Harry can't know that the atmosphere is darkening around him, and his worst enemy is preparing a fate that it seems will be inescapable ...With characteristic wit, fast-paced humour and marvellous emotional depth, J.K. Rowling has proved herself yet again to be a master story-teller.
I barely ever reread GOF which is such a shame because it's honestly so great!! I love so much about it. I mean, I love everything about Harry Potter in general but seriously GOF is some good shit. But also RIP Cedric he was so nice and genuinely good and always polite and kind and fair like I just wish he'd been in it more and I am so sad about him he deserved better
MY RATING
( ★★★★★ )
45.
- The Foxhole Court by Nora Sakavic description
Neil Josten is the newest addition to the Palmetto State University Exy team. He's short, he's fast, he's got a ton of potential—and he's the runaway son of the murderous crime lord known as The Butcher.
Signing a contract with the PSU Foxes is the last thing a guy like Neil should do. The team is high profile and he doesn't need sports crews broadcasting pictures of his face around the nation. His lies will hold up only so long under this kind of scrutiny and the truth will get him killed.
But Neil's not the only one with secrets on the team. One of Neil's new teammates is a friend from his old life, and Neil can't walk away from him a second time. Neil has survived the last eight years by running. Maybe he's finally found someone and something worth fighting for
mm LOVED THIS. I've seen heaps of hype about for it recently and it's really short so I just went for it (especially since it's said to give real good Raven Cycle vibes and I was cravin) Well glad I went to it because it was super entertaining and I was introduced to a host of interesting, dynamic characters.
I really love character driven stories. To me plot becomes irrelevant if the characters are interesting and I do love this book for that. The characters are soo intriguing and their interactions with eachother are so interesting.
I can't wait to finish the trilogy
MY RATING
( ★★★★.5 )
46.
- The Raven King by Nora Sakavic description
The Foxes are a fractured mess, but their latest disaster might be the miracle they've always needed to come together as a team. The one person standing in their way is Andrew, and the only one who can break through his personal barriers is Neil.
Except Andrew doesn't give up anything for free and Neil is terrible at trusting anyone but himself. The two don't have much time to come to terms with their situation before outside forces start tearing them apart. Riko is intent on destroying Neil's fragile new life, and the Foxes have just become collateral damage.
Neil's days are numbered, but he's learning the hard way to go down fighting for what he believes in, and Neil believes in Andrew even if Andrew won't believe in himself.
This series is a blessing. Everything about this was an improvement, it was so fast paced, so well delivered. So much character development and so much tension. I love these assholes so much I LOVE THEM SO MUCH.
MY RATING
( ★★★★★ )
47.
- The King's Men by Nora Sakavic description
Neil Josten is out of time. He knew when he came to PSU he wouldn't survive the year, but with his death right around the corner he's got more reasons than ever to live.
Befriending the Foxes was inadvisable. Kissing one is unthinkable. Neil should know better than to get involved with anyone this close to the end, but Andrew's never been the easiest person to walk away from. If they both say it doesn't mean anything, maybe Neil won't regret losing it, but the one person Neil can't lie to is himself.
He's got promises to keep and a team to get to championships if he can just outrun Riko a little longer, but Riko's not the only monster in Neil's life. The truth might get them all killed—or be Neil's one shot at getting out of this alive.
LOVED IT. So sad to see this series go so soon (Shouldn't have read it so fast!!) But I'm seriously so attached to these characters now there's no going back I'm invested for life. Seriously though, this series was amazing.
MY RATING
( ★★★★★ )
48.
- My Story by Julia Gillarddescription
On Wednesday 23 June 2010, with the government in turmoil, Julia Gillard asked then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd for a leadership ballot.
The next day, Julia Gillard became Australia’s 27th Prime Minister, and our first female leader. Australia was alive to the historic possibilities. Here was a new approach for a new time.
It was to last three extraordinary years.
This is Julia Gillard’s chronicle of that turbulent time – a strikingly candid self-portrait of a political leader seeking to realise her ideals. It is her story of what it was like – in the face of government in-fighting and often hostile media – to manage a hung parliament, build a diverse and robust economy, create an equitable and world-class education system, ensure a dignified future for Australians with disabilities, all while attending to our international obligations and building strategic alliances for our future. This is a politician driven by a sense of purpose – from campus days with the Australian Union of Students, to a career in the law, to her often gritty, occasionally glittering rise up the ranks of the Australian Labor Party.
Refreshingly honest, peppered with a wry humour and personal insights, Julia Gillard does not shy away from her mistakes, as well as detailing her political successes. Here is an account of what was hidden behind the resilience and dignified courage Gillard showed as prime minister, her view of the vicious hate campaigns directed against her, and a reflection on what it means – and what it takes – to be a woman leader in contemporary politics.
Here, in her own words, Julia Gillard reveals what life was really like as Australia’s first female prime minister.
Really insightful and interesting. Even though it was a political memoir, which isn't something I'd usually go for I found it really engaging and I really enjoyed Gillard's sense of humour ! I actually learnt so much from this and found it really interesting.
MY RATING
( ★★★★☆ )
49.
- Let the Sky Fall by Shannon Messengerdescription
Vane Weston should have died in the category-five tornado that killed his parents. Instead, he woke up in a pile of rubble with no memories of his past — except one: a beautiful, dark-haired girl standing in the winds. She swept through his dreams ever since, and he clings to the hope that she's real.
Audra is real, but she isn't human. She's a sylph, an air elemental who can walk on the wind, translate its alluring songs, even twist it into a weapon. She's also a guardian — Vane's guardian — and has sworn an oath to protect him at all costs.
When a hasty mistake reveals their location to the enemy who murdered both their families, Audra has just days to help Vane unlock his memories. And as the storm winds gather, Audra and Vane start to realize that the greatest danger might not be the warriors coming to destroy them, but the forbidden romance growing between them.
I am very conflicted about this. On one hand the plot was really good and I loved the concept of it so much. The worldbuilding and magic system were super interesting and I genuinely enjoyed reading about how the WindWalkers control the wind and talk to the gusts.
but on the other hand the insta-love was awful and the characters were so annoying. I couldn't connect to them at all and I was aggravated about the romance the whole time.
MY RATING
( ★★★☆☆ )
50.
- The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwooddescription
Offred is a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead. She has only one function: to breed. If she deviates, she will, like dissenters, be hanged at the wall or sent out to die slowly of radiation sickness. But even a repressive state cannot obliterate desire - neither Offred's nor that of the two men on which her future hangs.
I read this for school but I really, really liked it. I was so conntected to the story and the characters and I found it truly thought provoking and terrifying. The whole thing is so incedibly sad and I can't get over how upset I am about Offred and her situation, and I just thought this was so interesting and well written and TRUE. Like, even though it wasn't 'about' us, it still hit a little too close to home sometimes.
MY RATING
( ★★★★★ )
51.
- The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvaterdescription
Nothing living is safe. Nothing dead is to be trusted.
For years, Gansey has been on a quest to find a lost king. One by one, he’s drawn others into this quest: Ronan, who steals from dreams; Adam, whose life is no longer his own; Noah, whose life is no longer a lie; and Blue, who loves Gansey… and is certain she is destined to kill him.
Now the endgame has begun. Dreams and nightmares are converging. Love and loss are inseparable. And the quest refuses to be pinned to a path.
I'm so sad that this series is over. Choosing to finally pick it up this year was such a good idea. I've grown so fond and attatched to all these characters and their world. I honestly love each and every character so much, love their character development and their individual stories. I love the magic of these books, I love the mystery and the joy that infuses it. Maggie's prose is amazing and brings so much magic and richness to this series. I will miss it so much!
The Raven King, being the last book was definitely not a disappointment to me and I loved how everything turned out for Blue and her Raven Boys
MY RATING
( ★★★★★ )
52.
- Othello by William Shakespearedescription
In Othello, Shakespeare creates a powerful drama of a marriage that begins with fascination (between the exotic Moor Othello and the Venetian lady Desdemona), with elopement, and with intense mutual devotion and that ends precipitately with jealous rage and violent deaths. He sets this story in the romantic world of the Mediterranean, moving the action from Venice to the island of Cyprus and giving it an even more exotic coloring with stories of Othello's African past. Shakespeare builds so many differences into his hero and heroine—differences of race, of age, of cultural background—that one should not, perhaps, be surprised that the marriage ends disastrously. But most people who see or read the play feel that the love that the play presents between Othello and Desdemona is so strong that it would have overcome all these differences were it not for the words and actions of Othello's standard-bearer, Iago, who hates Othello and sets out to destroy him by destroying his love for Desdemona. As Othello succumbs to Iago's insinuations that Desdemona is unfaithful, fascination—which dominates the early acts of the play—turns to horror, especially for the audience. We are confronted by spectacles of a generous and trusting Othello in the grip of Iago's schemes; of an innocent Desdemona, who has given herself up entirely to her love for Othello only to be subjected to his horrifying verbal and physical assaults, the outcome of Othello's mistaken convictions about her faithlessness.
Don't love it, don't hate it. I quite enjoy Othello, but not as much as I enjoy Macbeth, Hamlet and King Leer so yeah. Although, I have a great love for Iago and think he's such a great villian so there is that.
MY RATING
( ★★★☆☆ )
53.
- The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseinidescription
The Kite Runner of Khaled Hosseini's deeply moving fiction debut is an illiterate Afghan boy with an uncanny instinct for predicting exactly where a downed kite will land. Growing up in the city of Kabul in the early 1970s, Hassan was narrator Amir's closest friend even though the loyal 11-year-old with "a face like a Chinese doll" was the son of Amir's father's servant and a member of Afghanistan's despised Hazara minority. But in 1975, on the day of Kabul's annual kite-fighting tournament, something unspeakable happened between the two boys.
I loved this beautiful story so much. Such a poignant tale about love and friendship and redemption and I'm so glad I finally read it. Everyone raves about this book and I can't hep but do the same because the whole thing is so moving and I love this story so much.
This makes me really wanna read A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini because I loved his writing style and I liked to see books portrayed in the Middle East that are actually written by authors who were born there
MY RATING
( ★★★★★ )
54.
- A Clash of Kings by George R.R Martindescription
Time is out of joint. The summer of peace and plenty, ten years long, is drawing to a close, and the harsh, chill winter approaches like an angry beast. Two great leaders—Lord Eddard Stark and Robert Baratheon—who held sway over an age of enforced peace are dead...victims of royal treachery. Now, from the ancient citadel of Dragonstone to the forbidding shores of Winterfell, chaos reigns, as pretenders to the Iron Throne of the Seven Kingdoms prepare to stake their claims through tempest, turmoil, and war.
As a prophecy of doom cuts across the sky—a comet the color of blood and flame—six factions struggle for control of a divided land. Eddard's son Robb has declared himself King in the North. In the south, Joffrey, the heir apparent, rules in name only, victim of the scheming courtiers who teem over King's Landing. Robert's two brothers each seek their own dominion, while a disfavored house turns once more to conquest. And a continent away, an exiled queen, the Mother of Dragons, risks everything to lead her precious brood across a hard hot desert to win back the crown that is rightfully hers.
A Clash of Kings transports us into a magnificent, forgotten land of revelry and revenge, wizardry and wartime. It is a tale in which maidens cavort with madmen, brother plots against brother, and the dead rise to walk in the night. Here a princess masquerades as an orphan boy; a knight of the mind prepares a poison for a treacherous sorceress; and wild men descend from the Mountains of the Moon to ravage the countryside.
Against a backdrop of incest and fratricide, alchemy and murder, the price of glory may be measured in blood. And the spoils of victory may just go to the men and women possessed of the coldest steel...and the coldest hearts. For when rulers clash, all of the land feels the tremors.
Alright continued on with THIS monster of a series and it was pretty solid as always. I think I enjoyed ACOK much more than A Game of Thrones. I really loved some of the scenes but in other moments it'd drag a bit and that was annoying. Overrall this series and these characters are so solid and it's good to read the series between seasons when I'm missing all my Stark babies (I LOVE THE STARKS SO MUCH OK)
MY RATING
( ★★★★☆ )
55.
- Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by Jack Thornedescription
It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children.
While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.
..... yikes. What a mess.
MY RATING
( ★★.5☆☆☆ )
56.
- United As One by Pittacus Loredescription
The Mogadorian invasion has come to Earth, and they have all but won the battle for our planet. Their warships loom over our most populous cities-like New York City, Tokyo, Moscow, Beijing, and New Delhi-and no army will risk making a move against them. The Garde are all that stand in their way . . . but they are no longer alone in this fight. Human teens from across the globe, like John Smith's best friend, Sam Goode, have begun to develop Legacies of their own.
The Garde have always known there is power in numbers. If they can find these new allies and join forces with them, they just might be able to win this war. The time has come for the Garde to make their final stand.
omg !!! my alien kids I love them I can't believe this series is over. I was SO DISTRESSED reading this bc I was worried for my favs but I'm so happy with this book and I'll miss this series so much. When I started this, only I Am Number Four was out and it's been years of me loving this series and I'll miss the characters and the story so much.
(s/o to Nine for being a bab tho I love him)
MY RATING
( ★★★★.5☆ )
57.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K Rowlingdescription
Harry Potter is due to start his fifth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. His best friends Ron and Hermione have been very secretive all summer and he is desperate to get back to school and find out what has been going on. However, what Harry discovers is far more devastating than he could ever have expected...
SECOND FAV HARRY POTTER. I love it so much, because so much Fred and George and the DA not to mention the Weasley Hogwarts escape I love it so much
MY RATING
( ★★★★★ )
58.
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K Rowlingdescription
It is the middle of the summer, but there is an unseasonal mist pressing against the windowpanes. Harry Potter is waiting nervously in his bedroom at the Dursleys' house in Privet Drive for a visit from Professor Dumbledore himself. One of the last times he saw the Headmaster was in a fierce one-to-one duel with Lord Voldemort, and Harry can't quite believe that Professor Dumbledore will actually appear at the Dursleys' of all places. Why is the Professor coming to visit him now? What is it that cannot wait until Harry returns to Hogwarts in a few weeks' time? Harry's sixth year at Hogwarts has already got off to an unusual start, as the worlds of Muggle and magic start to intertwine...
Mmmm getting closer and closer to finishing the reread. I loved Harry and Ginny alot more rereading this. And I loved Dumbledore alot in this one too. Onto Deathly Hallows now, which is my favouurite.
MY RATING
( ★★★★★ )
59. The Carrie Diaries - Candace Bushnelldescription
Before Carrie Bradshaw hit the big time in the City, she was a regular girl growing up in the suburbs of Connecticut. How did she turn into one of the most-read social observers of our generation?
The Carrie Diaries opens up in Carrie's senior year of high school. She and her best friends -- Walt, Lali, Maggie, and the Mouse -- are inseparable, amid the sea of Jens, Jocks and Jets. And then Sebastian Kydd comes into the picture. Sebastian is a bad boy-older, intriguing, and unpredictable. Carrie falls into the relationship that she was always supposed to have in high school-until a friend's betrayal makes her question everything. With her high school days coming to a close, Carrie will realize it's finally time to go after everything she ever wanted.
Hehe this was fun, and a nice winddown after reading a few books that make me emotional (cough cough, Harry Potter) anyway, was a fun read
MY RATING
( ★★★☆☆ )
60.
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowelldescription
Two misfits.
One extraordinary love.
Eleanor... Red hair, wrong clothes. Standing behind him until he turns his head. Lying beside him until he wakes up. Making everyone else seem drabber and flatter and never good enough...Eleanor.
Park... He knows she'll love a song before he plays it for her. He laughs at her jokes before she ever gets to the punch line. There's a place on his chest, just below his throat, that makes her want to keep promises...Park.
Set over the course of one school year, this is the story of two star-crossed sixteen-year-olds—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try.
it was okay plot/story wise. But fam, it was kinda racist
MY RATING
( ★☆☆☆☆ )
61.
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordandescription
Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can't seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse—Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. When Percy's mom finds out, she knows it's time that he knew the truth about where he came from, and that he go to the one place he'll be safe. She sends Percy to Camp Half Blood, a summer camp for demigods (on Long Island), where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea. Soon a mystery unfolds and together with his friends—one a satyr and the other the demigod daughter of Athena—Percy sets out on a quest across the United States to reach the gates of the Underworld (located in a recording studio in Hollywood) and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods.
Hmm well at least I finished it this time round. PJO is one of those series I really, really wanna love.Because everyone loves it, everyone loves it alot.
I don't think I loved this, I just liked it. It was okay, I don't know if it really excited me though.
MY RATING
( ★★★☆☆ )
62.
Leviathan by Scott Westerfelddescription
Prince Aleksander, would-be heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, is on the run. His own people have turned on him. His title is worthless. All he has is a battletorn war machine and a loyal crew of men.
Deryn Sharp is a commoner, disguised as a boy in the British Air Service. She's a brilliant airman. But her secret is in constant danger of being discovered.
With World War I brewing, Alek and Deryn's paths cross in the most unexpected way…taking them on a fantastical, around-the-world adventure that will change both their lives forever.
THIS WAS SO FREAKIN COOL. The worldbuilding was so good I loved the merge of fiction and history mixed in with all the steampunk honestly I enjoyed this so much more than I was expecting it was really good
MY RATING
( ★★★★.5☆ )
63.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontedescription
Orphaned into the household of her Aunt Reed at Gateshead and subject to the cruel regime at Lowood charity school, Jane Eyre nonetheless emerges unbroken in spirit and integrity. She takes up the post of governess at Thornfield, falls in love with Mr. Rochester, and discovers the impediment to their lawful marriage in a story that transcends melodrama to portray a woman's passionate search for a wider and richer life than Victorian society traditionally allowed.
With a heroine full of yearning, the dangerous secrets she encounters, and the choices she finally makes, Charlotte Bronte's innovative and enduring romantic novel continues to engage and provoke readers.
I loved this classic! Jane was such an amazing protagonist, honestly slay queen I loved her. Easily the best classic I've ever read
MY RATING
( ★★★★☆ )
64.
Summer and the City by Candace Bushnelldescription
Summer is a magical time in New York City and Carrie is in love with all of it—the crazy characters in her neighborhood, the vintage-clothing boutiques, the wild parties, and the glamorous man who has swept her off her feet. Best of all, she's finally in a real writing class, taking her first steps toward fulfilling her dream.
This sequel to The Carrie Diaries brings surprising revelations as Carrie learns to navigate her way around the Big Apple, going from being a country "sparrow"—as Samantha Jones dubs her—to the person she always wanted to be. But as it becomes increasingly difficult to reconcile her past with her future, Carrie realizes that making it in New York is much more complicated than she ever imagined.
this was so disappointing. I was expecting more after the charm of The Carrie Diaries but there wasn't much here and I honestly thought about dnf'ing it alot.
MY RATING
( ★.5☆☆☆☆ )
65.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K Rowlingdescription
Harry is waiting in Privet Drive. The Order of the Phoenix is coming to escort him safely away without Voldemort and his supporters knowing - if they can. But what will Harry do then? How can he fulfill the momentous and seemingly impossible task that Professor Dumbledore has left him?
I love it. Like there's not much to say except I love it. I adore Harry Potter and this is my favourite of the series like Harry Potter means so much forever
MY RATING
( ★★★★★ ) obviouslyy
66.
The Enemy by Charlie Higsondescription
In the wake of a devastating disease, everyone sixteen and older is either dead or a decomposing, brainless creature with a ravenous appetite for flesh. Teens have barricaded themselves in buildings throughout London and venture outside only when they need to scavenge for food. The group of kids living a Waitrose supermarket is beginning to run out of options. When a mysterious traveler arrives and offers them safe haven at Buckingham Palace, they begin a harrowing journey across London. But their fight is far from over-the threat from within the palace is as real as the one outside it.
These books are terrifying !! I did a reread because I really liked this series when I was younger, and I want to see if it's worth finishing them off. Anyway, enjoyed it more then I was expecting to be honest and still think these are pretty good books
MY RATING
( ★★★.5☆☆ )
67.
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugodescription
When you can’t beat the odds, change the game.
Kaz Brekker and his crew have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn’t think they’d survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they’re right back to fighting for their lives. Double-crossed and badly weakened, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz’s cunning and test the team's fragile loyalties. A war will be waged on the city’s dark and twisting streets―a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of the Grisha world.
Best book I've read so far in 2016. Seriously. Everything about it was amazing. The characters - incredibly developed, complex, masterfully crafted and each with their own development and failings and so unique from the other.
The world, the amazing way that Ketterdam is described and how vivid the picture of the Barrel is in my mind.
The plot, that genuinely had my heart racing, made me gasp and laugh and cry. I had to put this book down and walk around to work out some of my feelings ... multiple times.
This book keeps you on the edge of your seat and has you shocked and confused and amazed and somehow it was better then Six if Crows which was .... so good.
I love it I LOVE IT
MY RATING
( ★★★★★ ) + many many more this book deserves it
68.
Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoffdescription
One moment, Kady Grant and Ezra Mason have nothing bigger to worry about than each other. Specifically, avoiding each other in the wake of their messy break-up. In the next second, their entire world falls apart.
The year is 2375 and one of the mega-corporations that control much of deep space has just fired the opening salvo in an intergalactic war, destroying Kady and Ezra's planet. Forced to flee on a small fleet of crippled rescue ships alongside thousands of other refugees, the fear of enemy warships chasing them down is at first all-consuming but soon becomes the least of their worries. A deadly plague is ravaging the refugees on the ships; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be an enemy; and High Command is refusing to acknowledge that there may be a serious problem. As Kady plunges into a tangled web of data in search of the truth, she realises that Ezra is possibly the only person who can help her save the refugees before it's too late.
There's so much hype around this book, I don't know if it lived up to all of it but I did enjoy Illuminae overrall. No doubt the format adds so uch to the story and really elevaties it above similar stories in the genre, thought it was really well done
MY RATING
( ★★★★☆ )
69.
Calamity by Brandon Sandersondescription
When Calamity lit up the sky, the Epics were born. David’s fate has been tied to their villainy ever since that historic night. Steelheart killed his father. Firefight stole his heart. And now Regalia has turned his closest ally into a dangerous enemy.
David knew Prof’s secret, and kept it even when Prof struggled to control the effects of his Epic powers. But facing Obliteration in Babilar was too much. Once the Reckoners’ leader, Prof has now embraced his Epic destiny. He’s disappeared into those murky shadows of menace Epics are infamous for the world over, and everyone knows there’s no turning back. . .
But everyone is wrong. Redemption is possible for Epics—Megan proved it. They’re not lost. Not completely. And David is just about crazy enough to face down the most powerful High Epic of all to get his friend back. Or die trying.
Glad I finally got to Calamity and ended this series ! It's by no means one of the most compelling or interesting series I've ever read, but it was entertaining and I was quite satisfied with the end.
I really was glad to have the old characters back in Calamity, I missed them in Firefight
MY RATING
( ★★★★☆ )
70.
Plague by Michael Grantdescription
It's been eight months since all the adults disappeared. Gone.
They've survived hunger. They've survived lies. But the stakes keep rising, and the dystopian horror keeps building. Yet despite the simmering unrest left behind by so many battles, power struggles, and angry divides, there is a momentary calm in Perdido Beach.
But enemies in the FAYZ don't just fade away, and in the quiet, deadly things are stirring, mutating, and finding their way free. The Darkness has found its way into the mind of its Nemesis at last and is controlling it through a haze of delirium and confusion. A highly contagious, fatal illness spreads at an alarming rate. Sinister, predatory insects terrorize Perdido Beach. And Sam, Astrid, Diana, and Caine are plagued by a growing doubt that they'll escapeor even survivelife in the FAYZ. With so much turmoil surrounding them, what desperate choices will they make when it comes to saving themselves and those they love?
For the last book in my 2016 challenge, I decided to revisit an old favourite and I'm so glad I did. Even though I've not read this book for 4+ years, I enjoyed it so much anyway.
The Gone books are so enjoyable to me, I love the plot and the characters and the gore. A great book to finish my challenge off !
I've officially read 70 books in 2016!
MY RATING
( ★★★★★ )
71.
Jasper Jones by Craig Silveydescription
Late on a hot summer night in 1965, Charlie Bucktin, a precocious and bookish boy of thirteen, is startled by an urgent knock on the window of his sleep-out. His visitor is Jasper Jones, an outcast in the regional mining town of Corrigan.
Rebellious, mixed-race and solitary, Jasper is a distant figure of danger and intrigue for Charlie. So when Jasper begs for his help, Charlie eagerly steals into the night by his side, terribly afraid but desperate to impress. Jasper takes him to his secret glade in the bush, and it's here that Charlie bears witness to Jasper's horrible discovery.
With his secret like a brick in his belly, Charlie is pushed and pulled by a town closing in on itself in fear and suspicion as he locks horns with his tempestuous mother; falls nervously in love and battles to keep a lid on his zealous best friend, Jeffrey Lu.
And in vainly attempting to restore the parts that have been shaken loose, Charlie learns to discern the truth from the myth, and why white lies creep like a curse.
My mum recommended this to me, she loved it. Alot of people call this one of the best Australian novels. I really loved this too. It was funny, sad, moving, disturbing, cute and spine-tingling, plus had great characters and honest messages
MY RATING
( ★★★★★ )
72.
Front Lines by Michael Grantdescription
1942. World War II. The most terrible war in human history. Millions are dead; millions more are still to die. The Nazis rampage across Europe and eye far-off America.
The green, untested American army is going up against the greatest fighting force ever assembled—the armed forces of Nazi Germany.
But something has changed. A court decision makes females subject to the draft and eligible for service. So in this World War II, women and girls fight, too.
As the fate of the world hangs in the balance, three girls sign up to fight. Rio Richlin, Frangie Marr, and Rainy Schulterman are average girls, girls with dreams and aspirations, at the start of their lives, at the start of their loves. Each has her own reasons for volunteering. Not one expects to see actual combat. Not one expects to be on the front lines.
Rio, Frangie, and Rainy will play their parts in the war to defeat evil and save the human race. They will fear and they will rage; they will suffer and they will inflict suffering; they will hate and they will love. They will fight the greatest war the world has ever known.
This altered history tells the story of World War Two if women were included in the draft. It's from one of my favourite authors ever and I really liked it. The three girls who tell the story are incredibly strong and hopeful women who's voices carry such a weight. I really enjoyed this!
MY RATING
( ★★★★☆ )
73.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgeralddescription
THE GREAT GATSBY, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s third book, stands as the supreme achievement of his career. This exemplary novel of the Jazz Age has been acclaimed by generations of readers. The story of the fabulously wealthy Jay Gatsby and his love for the beautiful Daisy Buchanan, of lavish parties on Long Island at a time when The New York Times noted “gin was the national drink and sex the national obsession,” it is an exquisitely crafted tale of America in the 1920s.
Reread this in preparation for my literature exam and I love it still. My absolute favourite classic, so iconic.
MY RATING
( ★★★★★ )
74.
The Final Empire by Brandon Sandersondescription
In a world where ash falls from the sky, and mist dominates the night, an evil cloaks the land and stifles all life. The future of the empire rests on the shoulders of a troublemaker and his young apprentice. Together, can they fill the world with colour once more?
In Brandon Sanderson's intriguing tale of love, loss, despair and hope, a new kind of magic enters the stage— Allomancy, a magic of the metals.
I've been meaning to read this high fantasy for a long time, since everyone loves it so much and it seemed like something I'd really like. It included alot of story elements and tropes I really love so I was really excited to finally start this series.
I absolutely adored this first book and the characters and I am so glad I finally read this! Brandon Sanderson's worldbuilding shone, and his characters were beautifully written and I loved everything about this
MY RATING
( ★★★★★ )
75.
We Are the Ants by Shaun David Hutchinsondescription
There are a few things Henry Denton knows, and a few things he doesn’t.
Henry knows that his mom is struggling to keep the family together, and coping by chain-smoking cigarettes. He knows that his older brother is a college dropout with a pregnant girlfriend. He knows that he is slowly losing his grandmother to Alzheimer’s. And he knows that his boyfriend committed suicide last year.
What Henry doesn’t know is why the aliens chose to abduct him when he was thirteen, and he doesn’t know why they continue to steal him from his bed and take him aboard their ship. He doesn’t know why the world is going to end or why the aliens have offered him the opportunity to avert the impending disaster by pressing a big red button.
But they have. And they’ve only given him 144 days to make up his mind.
The question is whether Henry thinks the world is worth saving. That is, until he meets Diego Vega, an artist with a secret past who forces Henry to question his beliefs, his place in the universe, and whether any of it really matters. But before Henry can save the world, he’s got to figure out how to save himself, and the aliens haven’t given him a button for that.
I loved this so much. This book is beautiful and raw and made me so emotional. I loved the main character, and I loved the story and I feel it deeply resonated with me.
This book is absolutely amazing, with some wonderful prose and a great story and I just loved it so much. I borrowed it from the library but now I wanna buy a copy just because a bookshelf without this book is devastating to me
MY RATING
( ★★★★★ )
76.
Crow Moon by Anna McKerrowdescription
Danny is a fun-loving 16-year-old looking for a father figure and falling in love with a different girl every day. He certainly doesn't want to follow in his mum's witchy footsteps.
Just as his community is being threatened by gangs intent on finding a lucrative power source to sell to the world, Danny discovers he is stunningly powerful. And when he falls for Saba, a gorgeous but capricious girl sorceress, he thinks maybe the witch thing might not be such a bad idea...
But what cost will Danny pay as, with his community on the brink of war, he finds that love and sorcery are more dangerous than he ever imagined?
Wickedness and passion combine in this coming-of-age adventure.
dnf. could not. I really could not with this one. I actually hated it. The characters were boring and plain and cringeworthy, and there were too many cheating elements and not enough plot for me to even justify continuing.
I've not hated a book this much since I read The Young World all those months ago
MY RATING
( ★☆☆☆☆ )
77.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznickdescription
Orphan, clock keeper, and thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station, where his survival depends on secrets and anonymity. But when his world suddenly interlocks with an eccentric, bookish girl and a bitter old man who runs a toy booth in the station, Hugo's undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy. A cryptic drawing, a treasured notebook, a stolen key, a mechanical man, and a hidden message from Hugo's dead father form the backbone of this intricate, tender, and spellbinding mystery.
Sooooo cute ! I love the movie for this book, and while this was definitely aimed at middle grade readers, I still really enjoyed this cute story.
The pictures included throughout the book are so cute and bring such a special magic to the story. They are absolutely stunning and I enjoyed reading this immensely
MY RATING
( ★★★★☆ )
78.
Kiss of Fire by Rebecca Ethingtondescription
Joclyn Despain has been marred by a brand on her skin. She doesn't know why the mark appeared on her neck, but she doesn't want anyone to see it, including her best friend Ryland, who knows everything else about her. The scar is the reason she hides herself behind baggy clothes, and won't let the idea of kissing Ryland enter her mind, no matter how much she wants to.
The scar is the reason she is being hunted.
If only she knew that she was.
If only she had known that the cursed stone her estranged father sent for her 16th birthday would trigger a change in her. Now, she is being stalked by a tall blonde man, and is miraculously throwing her high school bully ten feet in the air.
Joclyn attempts to find some answers and the courage to follow her heart. When Ryland finds her scar; only he knows what it means, and who will kill her because of it.
This was much better then I thought it would be! I feel like the series has great potential
MY RATING
( ★★★.5☆☆ )
79.
The Dead by Charlie Higsondescription
THE DEAD begins one year "before" the action in THE ENEMY, just after the Disaster. A terrible disease has struck everyone sixteen and over, leaving them either dead or a decomposing, flesh-eating creature. The action starts in a boarding school just outside London, where all the teachers have turned into sickos. A few kids survive and travel by bus into the city. The bus driver, an adult named Greg, seems to be unaffected by the disease. Then he begins to show the dreaded signs: outer blisters and inner madness. The kids escape Greg and end up at the Imperial War Museum. A huge fire in South London drives them all to the Thames, and eventually over the river to the Tower of London. It is there they will meet up with the kids in THE ENEMY in Book 3, THE FEAR.
Aaah so much better then the first, the characters in the dead are so much more interesting then in the Enemy. These books are legit freaky and violent, but I love em' man
MY RATING
( ★★★★☆ )
80.
Aisuru by Anma Natsudescription
“You told me before that you’d never regret meeting me. Do you still feel that way now?”
Eighteen-year-old Sakura has spent her high school years living in self-imposed isolation. She’s carefully perfected her role as a cold, stuck up snob at school to keep her classmates, her teacher, the world at a distance so they will never learn the truth: about the night her father’s mental illness tore her world apart, leaving her an orphan and living on borrowed time.
To help her get through the pain, the kind man who adopted her would spin fantastical stories about his childhood friend Kazuki, a magical yokai from another world. Harmless fairy tales to take her mind off things, or so she always thought…
Until the night she finds Kazuki lying wounded in her garden. With the handsome yokai now sharing her house, a jealous young tengu living in her cherry tree, and new friends pushing their way past her walls, Sakura’s stoic acceptance of her fate is slipping.
But is she only opening herself up to further heartache and regret or is she opening the door to a happiness she never imagined possible?
I just ......... no
I liked the setting alot, and the rest I mostly did not like much at all
MY RATING
( ★.5☆☆☆☆ )
81.
The Fear by Charlie Higson description
“The sickness struck everyone sixteen and over. Mothers and fathers, older brothers, sisters, and best friends. No one escaped its touch. And now children across London are being hunted by ferocious grown-ups who are hungry, bloodthirsty, and not giving up.
DogNut and the rest of his crew, in search of the friends they lost during the fire, set off on a deadly mission from the Tower of London to Buckingham Palace and beyond, as the sickos lie in wait. But who are their friends and who is the enemy in this changed world?
These books are getting better and better !!!! This was the best one of the series so far
MY RATING
( ★★★★☆ )
82.
Unhinged by Chani Lynn Feenerdescription
The Underworld is real.
Spencer Perry knew it was a long shot when she started searching for a way into the Underworld, the ancient Greeks resting place for the dead. But three months ago her boyfriend died and now she’ll do anything to get him back, even make a deal with the devil himself. Only, Hades isn’t what she expected, and neither is the proposal he offers. In exchange for Micah’s resurrection, all she has to do is spend every night for the next year down below. From the very first meeting the god makes her feel things she shouldn’t, but she takes the deal anyway, knowing in the end it’ll be worth it. Except, as soon as their bargain begins, strange things start happening. People are being attacked by invisible forces, and all signs point to the God of the Underworld being responsible. Has Spencer inadvertently unleashed hell on earth?
I was sent this book by the author and was sadly disappointed ! I went into this thinking I'd enjoy it, but I couldn't get into any of the characters. I spent a long, long time rolling my eyes at them and/or cringing.
On top of that, the plot was boring and very little actually happened. I don't think I'd bother with any of the sequels I just didn't like this much at all
MY RATING
( ★.5☆☆☆ )
83.
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambersdescription
Somewhere within our crowded sky, a crew of wormhole builders hops from planet to planet, on their way to the job of a lifetime. To the galaxy at large, humanity is a minor species, and one patched-up construction vessel is a mere speck on the starchart. This is an everyday sort of ship, just trying to get from here to there.
But all voyages leave their mark, and even the most ordinary of people have stories worth telling. A young Martian woman, hoping the vastness of space will put some distance between herself and the life she‘s left behind. An alien pilot, navigating life without her own kind. A pacifist captain, awaiting the return of a loved one at war.
Set against a backdrop of curious cultures and distant worlds, this episodic tale weaves together the adventures of nine eclectic characters, each on a journey of their own.
This book is a fucking delight !!! It's an incredibly charming space story, featuring a diverse cast of aliens and humans. The entire system of aliens and space is complex and detailed and this was just such a cool, positive and delightful world to immerse yourself in. I truly loved this book arrgh
MY RATING
( ★★★★.5☆ )
84.
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahirdescription
Laia is a slave. Elias is a soldier. Neither is free.
Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.
It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.
But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.
There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.
Wasn't too sure at first, and it took me about 100 pages to get into but ended up really, really enjoying it. I especially loved Laia as a character, I loved the development she underwent throughout the book. !
MY RATING
( ★★★★☆ )
85.
World After - Susan Eedescription
When a group of people capture Penryn's sister Paige, thinking she's a monster, the situation ends in a massacre. Paige disappears. Humans are terrified. Mom is heartbroken.
Penryn drives through the streets of San Francisco looking for Paige. Why are the streets so empty? Where is everybody? Her search leads her into the heart of the angels' secret plans where she catches a glimpse of their motivations, and learns the horrifying extent to which the angels are willing to go.
Meanwhile, Raffe hunts for his wings. Without them, he can't rejoin the angels, can't take his rightful place as one of their leaders. When faced with recapturing his wings or helping Penryn survive, which will he choose?
It was okay, but I didn't like it as much as Angelfall. I think the plot was a little vague and meandering but didn't have a point at times. I will finish the series since I only have 1 to go, but I am a bit disappointed with the quality of this book compared to the first
MY RATING
( ★★.5☆☆☆ )
2025 Reading Challenge
Books mentioned in this topic
The Well of Ascension (other topics)Three Dark Crowns (other topics)
World After (other topics)
An Ember in the Ashes (other topics)
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet (other topics)
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description
Second best book in the series, I love this one so much. It really tugs at the old heart strings. I love the way so much of Harry's parents is wove through this book, and I love the plot and the characters so much. I honestly wish this book was longer.
MY RATING
( ★★★★★ )