Review of Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater

Status: read elibrary audiobook.
Rating: 3.5/5
Blue Lily, Lily Blue is the third book in the Raven Boys Quartet by Maggie Stiefvater. Since its birth, I have been a massive fan of the series. The books are very focused on a group of unlikely friends who cross paths at the eve of Blue's 16th year. She and her raven boys are looking for a sleeping king hidden on the ley line. In this book, the group encounters other sleepers on the line and get ever

closer to the discovery Gansey's king and the day of Gansey's predicted death. Full of twists, gorgeous writing and stolen moments when Blue and Gansey fall in love, this novel made me long for magic.

The book was enjoyable however I came away disappointed by a few things. Foremost, Ronan's storyline which was dominant in Dream Thieves practically disappeared from Blue Lily. You do grow attached to Stiefvater's characters so its sad when they stop appearing in the books. For instance Ronan's friend, brothers and Gansey's family make no appearance in this book. The male antagonist, though extremely prominent throughout Blue Lily, is taken out of the picture by the end of the novel. Maggie's character development though wonderful and unique seems almost unsustainable.

No one can fault the writing style however. There were many passages so delicious to read (or hear in the audiobook) particularly when describing characters or the magic. If you want a books you can truly savour I would recommend this series.


Favourite quotes:

Blue was perfectly aware that it was possible to have a friendship that wasn't all encompassing, that wasn't blinding, deafening, maddening, quickening. It was just that now she'd had this kind, she didn't want the other.

She stood on the ledge of his smile and looked over the edge.

They were not creating a mess. They were just slowly illuminating the shape of it.

Let me know what you thought about the book and any theories as to the last one. If this sounds interesting click the book title for its Goodreads page or if you'd like to read my review of Dream Thieves click here. Ciao!

Review of the Juliette Chronicles by Tahereh Mafi

I finished the Juliette Chronicles by Tahereh Mafi. This was one of those series that I liked as a whole experience rather than its individual parts. The fluency of the series including its novellas read extremely well and I highly recommend it.

The basic premise of the first book Shatter Me is that a girl called Juliette is in an asylum after the Revolution. Due to radioactive activity in the new world, she has developed the power to inflict pain on anyone in contact with her skin. Badass right? Wrong. Juliette starts off as a wimp, she is terrified of herself and of accidentally touching anyone. She sits on the ground the whole day and counts cracks in the wall or her breathing. This changes when she gets a roommate in her cell called Adam who so happens to have gone to her old school. Adam is a soldier sent in by sector 45's commander, Warner, on recon to see if the reestablishment by can use Julliette as a torture, if she is so far gone as to become part of Warner's army. Warner, the head of sector 45 as the privileged son of the country's commander, pushes Juliette to her emotional limits and finds her more intriguing than just another experiment.

I can't tell you anymore of the first book without spoilery but I can tell you that the plot and the world building skills were out of this world. The saving grace of the whole series was the complex and incredible character arc of these three characters. 

The novellas

I have high praise of how Tahereh Mafi used the novella structure to her advantage. I've found that in most series novellas have been used as little "extras" ie. non essential character background to the story. Both of these novellas are overwhelmingly powerful as they connect readers to characters we hadn't previously formed a huge connection with. Adam's story brought us closer to understanding his priorities so much so that I immediately knew he would not be the winning bachelor. Warner's story was so interesting and enlightening. He was unashamedly honest - a refreshing change. I empathised with both boys a whole lot more. 

The series as a whole

(Some spoilers included)

Adam remains the least developed of all three characters. His priority is keeping his brother safe. This is understandable and mature. His behaviour though was another story. As soon as he felt his relationship with Juliette weakening (bound to happen) he clung on to her like a life vest he didn't even need. I was so ready to be rid of him by the middle of book 3.

Warner is very interesting. He and Juliette are completely messed up but in a way that weirdly complement each others' flaws. I like how brave he is to say what he wants and express his feelings to Juliette. For instance the speech in Ignite me where he says, "I have been forced to do terrible things in my life, love, and I am seeking neither your forgiveness nor your approval." I was so proud! You tell her Warner! It was so refreshing to see how all the information in his novella plaid a HUGE part in the third book. He was perfect for Juliette. Now she just had to accept it.

Juliette was very Bella Cullen at the beginning of the series and I am SO PROUD of her finally growing into her own skin. The fact that by the end the sentences were far less rambly and crossed out allowed readers to see obvious change. Although I found it unlikely that she become a successful political leader, I was past the point of caring; in the end, I was just too excited for the moment when she would realise she and Warner were perfect. And the moment came. And it was beautiful and heartwrenching. I loved that she came to it on her own terms. Her elated talk with Kenji and him saying "Do what you gotta do" was so so.... it just made me really happy. And when her revelation made Warner so happy.... I was grinning like an idiot for ages. 

Favourite quote (Ignite me)

I've tripped over a planet and I don't know anything anymore - Juliette.

Needless to say her progression as a character was remarkable and incredibly natural. The author did a fantastic job at developing not only the protagonist but also the love interest. This was particularly important in light of the character's emotional and mental difficulties coming to terms with their past and with themselves. I would recommend this series to fans of character driven novels and to see some awesome romance and drama. 

Let me know what I should read next. Ciao!

2013 in Review Tag (Part 2)

Welcome to 2014! It feels completely unnatural to write that. We made it! Hooray! We survived the supposed apocalypse and everything! Huzzah! This is part 2 of my “2013 in review tag.” I hope you enjoy and have fun responding to some of these.

Me and my sister just before New Year's Day.

Best song

I See Fire by Ed Sheeran. Ed Sheeran also wins Best ginger.

Best TV show

As I don’t really watch TV anymore (Youtube addiction) I will have to say an old classic that our family watches on the holidays. The Cosby show.

Best novel (stand-alones only)

AHHH. Scrolling through my Goodreads, I realise this was a big year of books for me. Apart from The Fault in Our Stars- which we have heard enough about- I’m going to say The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephan Chbosky.

Best playscript

I only read one but screw it, I loved Macbeth.

Best series

In terms of the series I’m most excited for, it is definitely The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey or the Diviners by Holly Black. In terms of a complete series I read this year, my favourite was the Harry Potter series. I read it this year for the first time, no judgement.

Best last book/ finale

Ooooh there’s so many! I will go with Clockwork Princess, my highest anticipated read. I wrote the date in my calendar and that day after school went and got the last copies on the shelf. I even did my cramming session for my exam two nights before in order to read my book as soon as I got it. Dedication.

Best present (birthday or otherwise)

A graduation gift from my parents was to send me to Italy for 2 weeks. I’d never been overseas without my parents or to Europe and I had the greatest time.

Best movie

Catching Fire was amazing. If you haven’t seen it what are you doing with your life?

Best photo I took

Just Italy being beautiful. This was taken in the Basilica of St Francis, Assisi.

Best wake up

We woke up to the tinkling of a harp iPhone alarm, the smell of fresh croissants and a view of a Venetian grand canal out our window.

Best day

The last day of school. There were hilarious speeches, heartfelt captaincy handovers, balloons and hugging.

Best week

The week of Venice in Italy.

Best month

December. It is the only one I have clear recollection of :) Also... Christmas.

Link me some of your responses or post them here. Happy New Years again and ciao for now!