annishelf's reviews
225 reviews

4.5🌟

This book was BEAUTIFUL. Hannah did it once again. A gut wrenching, heartbreaking and very emotional love story between two people who had been together for a lifetime and then some.

I personally didn’t relate much to their romance because I don’t have a high school sweetheart so I’ve never known that kind of love (I wish!!!). But for me, it didn’t matter. Because Sarah and Caleb’s relationship was portrayed in such a realistic, raw and vulnerable way, that you couldn’t help but feel that you were part of their journey. I’m not usually a fan of flashbacks in books, but I think this time it was really necessary to put into perspective their story and how everything had developed throughout the years, to then fully comprehend the point where they were at in the present and the importance of it all. 

I loved their connection and how everything progressed naturally, between glimpses of comical situations that had me laughing out loud and fights that felt real and meaningful in order to help them grow into the couple and individuals they were meant to be. I also enjoyed the camping setting a lot! And the side characters brought so much life to the book. I especially adored Win and Bo’s appearances, they remain my favorite couple and this book reminded me why I love them so much🥹

What I found myself relating to the most was Sarah’s feelings about being stuck and not being able to move forward. There’s a specific quote that made me feel so seen: “I have a hard time being present, I’m usually either dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.” She had a hard time finding herself and being grateful for what she had because she was constantly worrying about what she had lost or what she could lose in the future, which made me resonate very deeply with her. It’s a struggle that paralyzes us, making us live in some kind of middle that seems to have no end. That made my connection with her more meaningful.

Another thing that I love about Hannah Bonam-Young is the way she talks about sensitive topics. Grief and ALS are not easy subjects to write about, but Hannah did it so perfectly. My heart broke for Sarah and her mother. No one should ever have to go through that kind of pain and it made me feel so proud to witness her personal growth as time passed, to see how she looked back and kept honoring her mom with her purpose in life and her accomplishments. All was good in the end.

I enjoyed how everything turned out (even though I really suffered reading those last few chapters😭😮‍💨). I think it wrapped up very nicely and, although Out On A Limb will always be my number 1 favorite book of Hannah, this one was a very beautiful, reflective, sad and special love story that needed to be told🩵

WELL. AFTER TWO DAYS OF GATHERING MY THOUGHTS, I’M HERE.

5. FREAKING. STARS. OR 6. OR 7. 

Oh, OH. WE’RE SO BACK. Iron Flame was not exactly what I had hoped for but this one??? ONYX STORM DELIVERED, ATE AND LEFT NO CRUMBS. 

I’m still reeling from that ending and I had to take a walk because what the actual hell. I’m empty inside. I was so confused and shocked. This book answered so many questions but opened a whole new box full of them too, and I love Rebecca’s mind for it! The complexities and intricate details of the political and magical system, the mysteries revealed that were jaw dropping and the action that never got dull, made me feel in awe of this author’s work. She really is THAT fantasy queen!!!

The story was fast-paced and got me hooked at all times. I had that constant hype full of excitement, nerves and joy that I felt in Fourth Wing, and that made me so happy. I just couldn’t put it down!!! It was an emotional rollercoaster of course, because this series wouldn’t be the same without us readers losing our freaking minds over the plot and the characters, feeling all kinds of sadness, rage, disbelief, love, laughter and wonder, but WOW. Just wow. 

Now onto the most important part: the characters. 

Xaden was TOP TIER in this third book. Every time he opened his mouth, a tear ran down my leg. He was such a loverboy in every sense of the word, making up for the whole miscommunication issue they had in Iron Flame. We were fed here, and I’m even more in love with this man now that I ever thought possible. He was the best version of himself in this book (in terms of romance) and also the worst (if you know what I mean😮‍💨), and the fact that he called Violet  “love” every two seconds had me SCREAMING CRYING AND THROWING UP. Their growth was something truly remarkable and special to witness, and I’m so proud of how far they have become in their relationship, but also as individuals.

He was so sure of his love for Violet, so damn verbal about it, UGH (I highlighted every quote to feel something when I miss them and I could do nothing but SIGH). His tender gestures, his excruciating attentiveness to every thought/move Violet had, his endless hotness, his sarcastic and witty remarks that got me grinning like a fool… I COULD GO ON AND ON UNTIL I PERISHED BECAUSE THAT’S HOW MUCH INSANELY AND MADLY IN LOVE I AM WITH THIS PERFECT MAN. 

And Violet my girl, I love her SO BIG. I’m incredibly proud of her development in this book. She had always been a fierce, smart, caring, loyal and strong willed warrior, but in this book she really learns what she’s capable of and shows how confident she is in her own abilities. Her power truly has no end, and I’m so happy to see how she knows that and how she fully embraced it. She’s one of my faves forever and ever and I’d follow her to the ends of the Earth!!!!

The side characters also SLAYED. Aaric??? I’m obsessed and super intrigued by him. He was such a nice surprise to the plot and I’m really invested in his story. Tairn (my overprotective dad I love him so much it’s insane), Andarna (my heart hurts so bad but she’s everything), Rhiannon, Imogen, Bodhi, Garrick, Cat, Sloane, Quinn, Sawyer, Jesinia… I have nothing but love for these people. I love every single one of them. Dain even got his redemption ARC and I loved to see it! This man got from annoying the shit out of me in the first book to slowly making my insides shake. Maybe Rebecca wanted to write an enemies to lovers between him and me because this development felt exactly like that! He’s a “talk you through it” kind of man and I’m already trembling in my boots to see how his power will unravel and how his story with Sloane will develop🙂‍↕️.

And last but not least, I have to give a special shoutout to one of them in particular because I’m irrevocably in love with Ridoc and his hilarious, sexy, and witty mind. He brought so much life and joy into this book, to me and to the rest of the squad. I was cracking up at every interaction he was in. I will not tolerate any slander towards him and I surely won’t stand it if he dies, so I won’t even entertain that thought. He’s perfect to me and honestly, at this point I’m just waiting to marry him. 

And now, after this long ass review (because I can’t seem to shut up about my favorite books and the characters that I love so much), I’m gonna try and recover from that ending because I’m still UNWELL. I was literally torn apart and now I’m obsessively watching and reading every possible theory to fill the void this book has left me and that only book 4 will be able to fix (or break even more considering the situation). But anyway, chef’s kiss!!! Every single thing!!! It was magnificent!!! Mind blowing!!! Perfect in every way!!! Will never recover!!!!😭🐉⚡️🖤

5 stars!!!!🥹

This book was everything I needed and more. After a long period of reading fantasy (which I have 0 complaints about) this beautiful romance appeared right on time. As a teacher myself who deeply loves her job, I found so many pieces of my own in both Emma and Jack’s passion for teaching, and that warmed my heart and soul.

The rival to lovers trope will always be one of my favorites, but it has to be done well. And Sarah executed it perfectly!!! The bickering between the two main characters had me laughing out loud constantly, looking forward to each encounter with so much excitement and giddiness. It was a top tier banter for me, and I loved it. The tension was also EXQUISITE, slowly and naturally unraveling between them as the story developed. It didn’t feel rushed, and I was literally swooning over every interaction. I also loved the found family aspect and the sisterhood we were given glimpses of. 

Emily was such a lovable character for me. As Jack once told her: “Loving you is the easiest thing I’ve ever done.” Well, I felt the same towards her. She was protective, genuine, loyal, funny, caring and kind. As the oldest sister, she always went out of her way to help her family, but sometimes that meant forgetting that she was allowed to not be okay all the time, and to ask for help too. She had experienced some losses in her life that made her terrified of loving someone just to end up losing them too, but also of being alone while everyone kept moving on. I found myself relating very deeply to those feelings in many occasions, and it made my connection with her much more special.

Jack was perfect. There isn’t another word that can fully capture everything that he embodies. He was hilarious, supportive, smart, empathetic, gentle, witty and sweet. He always said the perfect thing at the perfect time, and the way he slowly won Emma’s heart stole my breath every single time. He was always there for her, cherished her, encouraged her to pursue her dreams, but always respecting her times and needs. He never pushed her to do something she wasn’t ready for, he just helped her realize she had been capable of achieving everything she put her mind to all along, and also helped her learn that she deserved it all too.

The chemistry and relationship between these two were something truly precious to witness, and I loved how everything evolved and progressed organically, letting us see their growth as a couple but also as individuals in a realistic way. I’m proud of them for facing their insecurities and fears the way they did, and it meant a lot seeing how these were treated carefully and beautifully by the author.

If this didn’t convince you to read this book, I honestly don’t know what will. But believe me when I say this book felt like a cute little gift wrapped up in a nice little bow, and was magnificent in every sense🩷

5 stars. 6 stars. The whole universe if they ask me for it.

This book has become a very precious and valuable thing for me in just a few days. I honestly thought it would took me weeks to finish it because it has 780 pages, but don’t let that fact intimidate you, because I FLEW through them all without even blinking. It felt like the perfect romantasy for me, plus it had dragons in it so you don’t need to tell me twice. I knew it would alter my brain chemistry.

I was hooked and captivated by the immersive world building from the very start. Yes, it was a bit dense at first and it took me a minute to get used to the complexities of it, but the author gives us a glossary to explain the different concepts and characters of the story so that was really helpful to me!

The writing style was as beautiful as it was poetic, intriguing, whimsical and so magnificent. I was blown away by the vivid descriptions of every detail, making you feel like part of that world. Raeve was everything I love in a fantasy FMC: strong, badass, sarcastic, smart and resilient. Her guarded heart was what made me love her even more, making me grow to understand the depths of her pain and trauma in ways she doesn’t even fully grasp herself yet. It was an emotional rollercoaster to say the least, because her grief was so raw and hidden beneath so many layers of hard stone, that I couldn’t help but getting more invested in her story and wanting her to try and fight back against all of it. The way this was portrayed was something truly remarkable. 

And Kaan, oh. OH. This man is everything to me. He has become one of my favorites of all time, because I can’t even put into words how much I love him. I’ve become obsessed in a very insane, intense and powerful way, if you know what I mean. This attractive, brave, gentle, patient, intelligent and kind man made me feel like I was FLOATING. The tension between them was executed so perfectly I was literally swooning and screaming and smiling like a child (so, SO HOT😮‍💨). He also has the softest and biggest heart I’ve ever seen in a MMC, and seeing him loving Raeve in such a vulnerable and raw way was so painful at times that it literally broke my heart. This star crossed fate between them (which I loved) and this longing and suffering especially on Kaan’s side, made my soul HURT, but it also made their love story even more epic and beautiful. He deserves all the happiness in every single universe possible. I would go to war and die for him in a heartbeat, and that’s all I’m going to say for now.

What I also loved about this book is that everything was authentic and unpredictable. I never got bored, because I was always left needing and wanting to know more and more, as the secrets and mysteries of the plot slowly unraveled in front of me. There’s still so much to discover and I can’t wait to read the next book after that ending. It feels like the pain I’ve felt during this book was just the beginning of the end, and I’m scared, but also really excited, because I have no doubt it will absolutely blow my mind at least as much as this first one has.

OKAY I HAVE SOME THINGS TO SAY.

I’m debating on giving this sequel 3.75 or 4 stars. I honestly don’t know right now and I need time to figure it out. 

Did I like this book? Yes, absolutely. Was it better than Fourth Wing? In my opinion, no way. But am I ready for Onyx Storm? Hell yes!!!

Personally, I felt like this book was unnecessary too long at some point. The story dragged on for a long time until the plot picked up the pace, and that’s why the first time I read this I only got through half of it. The graphic audio is EXCELLENT though, and that’s what kept me going this second time around. It was like a movie was playing inside my head and I was really invested. Xaden’s voice was chef’s kiss and I was MELTING every time I heard his voice whispering dirty things in my ear like: “My house. My chair. My woman.” OH. MY. GOD YES TALK TO ME 24/7 PLEASE I’M YOURS😮‍💨🧎🏻‍♀️

Violet’s and Xaden miscommunication got me on my nerves for a huge part of the book, but I also understand where she was coming from. I would’ve loved to get more sweet moments of them together, because I seriously missed them in this book. Her feelings were so valid though, especially after distancing herself from her friends and carrying so much weight and responsibilities on her shoulders. There’s only so much a person can take and my girl needs a fucking break, but I’m proud of her and how she still manages to be the determined and fierce badass we all love and admire.

Xaden was just everything. He frustrated me a lot in this book, yes, but what can I say? I’m WEAK when it comes to him. He’s charming, sexy, intelligent, gentle, gets shit done like a true man, and is so down bad for Violet he would burn the entire world for her. The letters made my heart FLOAT I swear. For a morally grey MMC who has no problem telling everyone to fuck off, he certainly becomes a romantic softie for his woman and I’m so here for it every single time!!!

I also adored getting to know more of the side characters! I have so much love for Rhiannon, Sawyer, Ridoc, Brennan, Mira, Bodhi, Jesinia, Imogen and Sloane. They kept the story alive and made everything so much more fun and meaningful. I’m honestly not prepared to see them hurt so Rebecca, if something happens to any of them, I’ll be sending you my therapy bill. Even Dain kinda got his redemption arc for me, which is crazy to think about because I hated him in Fourth Wing. And even though there’s a part of me who won’t be able to ever forgive him for what happened to Liam (my baby I miss him so much😭), I also understand to a certain extent he didn’t know what his actions would cause (no excuse of course but at least he regrets it and shows remorse so that’s a start, we’ll see how he progresses from now on).

The second half of the book is what really got me hooked, and even though there’s a lot of things I still don’t understand because there’s too much going on and I feel like many stuff has yet to be explained, the tension was there and the plot was action packed towards the end, which always ends up working for me. I was sorry for what happened to General Sorrengail because deep down her intentions came from a place of love, but I also feel like it was something bound to happen and better her than my girl tbh. 


And finally, THE ENDING. What the fuck happened. How has Xaden become venin??? Wasn’t this book painful enough???!?! I feel like we haven’t even seen anything yet, and my heart won’t be able to handle it. This will only drift Xaden and Violet even further and that’s the last thing we all need!!!😮‍💨😭 I’m starting Onyx Storm right now but I must admit I’m terrified. 

See you on the other side because I most surely won’t survive this one!⚡️🐉🖤

5 stars. no words. if you are into books that completely destroy your sanity this is your sign to read this. I am writing this literally SOBBING while The Last Time by Taylor Swift is playing on my headphones at full volume. when I tell you this book WRECKED ME AND GUTTED ME IN THE WORST WAY POSSIBLE. oh my god guys I love them so much you have no idea. I need a moment.

okay here comes the review:

“To the world, they were a scandal. To each other, an obsession.” And to me, they were EVERYTHING. 

I can’t express enough the huge impact this book has had on me. When I first started it I never would’ve imagined I’d love it so much. The narrative style where the author mixed Kat’s POV with interviews of the people who came across her ice skating life was new for me, different from what I’d been reading my whole life, but I absolutely loved it. It made me witness the cruel truth of this sport, the life challenges of an athlete and what it’s like to go through all their training always in front of the public eye, facing their judgements and speculations. And on top of all that, growing up navigating your 20’s and 30’s, while also experiencing the complexities of messy relationships. I’d highly recommend reading this one on audio because the format was executed perfectly and the narrators KILLED IT. It made the experience a whole lot more immersive and captivating, without a single dull moment in it. 

The story between the main characters was messy, complicated, problematic, raw, real, full of angst, passion, and above all, ADDICTIVE. Kat and Heath got on my nerves 24/7. They went through the worst of betrayals, secrets, fights and traumas that one single person will experience in a lifetime. But that was what made me love them so much too. They felt human, real. And after all the losses, I celebrated their wins as if they were my own.

This book was painful to say the least, but being part of Kat and Heath’s journey and watching their development has been something truly special. I’m so proud of them, especially of Kat and the woman she has become. They have consumed my every waking thought and now I just want to sit in a corner of my room and cry because of how much they have altered my brain chemistry. Going on walks listening to the audiobook was NOT therapeutic, it put me into a state of constant misery I couldn’t get out of, but at the same time I didn’t want to. It was the worst and the best of drugs, and from now on I won’t be able to exist without thinking about them, because nothing else can compare.

Go read this right now if you want to feel something, but I must warn you it will send you straight to therapy🤍

oh my god. oh my fucking god. what the hell was that ending. my jaw is on the floor. I need a moment to process my thoughts this was INSANE. I DID NOT SEE IT COMING HOLY SHIT

okay now that i’ve had a moment: a proper review.

5🌟

shock doesn’t even begin to cover what I’ve felt after reading the ending of this book. I had to quite literally go on a walk to touch some grass because I kept staring at a wall while I could feel my brain disassociating from my body. you could say I was NOT expecting that.

wow. where do I even begin? this book was thrilling, captivating, exciting, without a single dull moment in it. the way I was HOOKED from the very beginning, is not something many fantasy books can accomplish, mainly because the world building and the excessive information they dump on you at the start usually take us a while to fully understand and grasp. this was not the case here. the intricacies & mysteries of the territory, the political system, the plot and each character slowly unraveled as the story progressed, and it made it so easy to follow, but without expecting what would happen next either. I would’ve loved to have a map so I could immerse myself more into the story, but the pace was fast, so you couldn’t get bored at any second, and if you blinked, you missed important details! I just couldn’t anticipate any of the characters’ moves and that felt so intriguing and satisfying for me, that I could constantly tell this book would be a winner for me.

the romance between Brynn (Jovie) & Acker made me SWOON. it played a big part for the plot but I obviously didn’t mind because I think it balanced the fantasy side of it perfectly. the MMC was the perfect combination of cockiness, charm, playfulness and gentleness that would make every woman drop to her knees. the banter was excellent and full of tension, and I was dying of thirst for every moment they had together. 

the side characters were also a huge highlight for me. I personally loved Messer, Beau & Hallis. They were funny, charismatic, interesting and I feel like there’s so much more we still need to see and learn about them. I can’t wait!!!

what truly did it for me though, was that ending. it’s all I can think about. the cliffhanger completely SHATTERED my mind and I was left frozen in place trying to digest and process what was going on. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I was going back and forth between chapters, because my eyes couldn’t believe what they were reading. I was in a state of anger, disbelief and surprise that I hadn’t felt probably in years. now I need to reread it because I feel like I was not paying attention and there are crumbs and hints EVERYWHERE. I also need book 2 like the air I breathe because I seriously don’t think I can move on from this without an explanation. I need to know how the story continues, because this turn of events was MASSIVE and I will be talking about it for a very long long time.

5 FREAKING STARS🌟!!!

did i finish this book or did it finish me??? i am actually speechless. my jaw is on the floor. that ending had me SCREAMING. oh my god i have no thoughts right now it’s 2 am and i’m losing my fucking my mind all i can say is my friend Rut is a genius and i need a second book NOW. i’ll come back tomorrow once i make my brain function normally again. right now i feel like disassociating

*okay now it’s the morning after and i’ve had some time to sleep on it and gather my thoughts so here we go😮‍💨*

this book was everything i expected and more. i haven’t had great experiences reading ARCs in the past, but i had a feeling this one would entirely CONSUME me, and it did. i knew my friend Rut was talented and i trusted her with my life, i believed in her power and i knew she would blow my mind with this book based on the snippets and vibes she was giving us, but this??? oh this exceeded my high expectations and that’s not an easy task, especially considering this is HER DEBUT NOVEL!!! 

i have to start by highlighting the beautiful, immersive and unique writing style she has. she portrayed the intricate details of the world building and the personality of each character like poetry, and it made me feel like i was part of the story. the images were vivid inside my head and i could picture everything very clearly. i was mesmerized by every line and the meaning behind every scene, and the plot felt so refreshing that it got me hooked 24/7, without being able to anticipate what would happen but needing to discover every mystery.

the found family aspect was also so whole and heartwarming, i loved the glimpses of the pirate life aboard the Rebecca, the unity and sense of belonging the characters made us feel, and it felt like you were also part of the crew (shoutout to Coco and Ela, you’re the real main characters here!🙂‍↕️🦜💘)

and now, the most important part of my review!!! the main characters. first, my brave, beautiful, softhearted and kind Donna Balboa, the woman that you are!!! i loved her from the very beginning, and i connected sooo much with her. i’ll be forever grateful for her and her vulnerability. she was courageous, and was not afraid to love with all that she is. i often struggle to find fantasy FMC that i strongly relate to, but she made it so easy! i found so many pieces of myself in her, in so many aspects. her pure and soft heart works the same as mine but that doesn’t make us weak, only braver. i felt an immense sense of protection towards her and i loved seeing her grow into the fierce pirate she was meant to become🩷

and last but not least, my dearest Captain Calico Pierce. oh man where do i start!!! he means the WORLD to me. he was all that you could ask for a man. i’m a huge fan of a good slow burn romance and this was executed PERFECTLY. the longing stares, the yearning, the stolen glances, the brief touches that made us feel like we were on fire… UGH!!! he made me blush and giggle and kick my feet like the seductive and charming man he is, and boy i never had enough of him!!! but what i loved most about him was that he had depth, and a complex background that was just really unraveled at the end (PAIN. PAIN. AND MORE PAIN), so now i’m left needing and wanting to know more because i was pacing around my room at 2 am blow minded and i might combust if i don’t read more of him!!!😭😭😭  

anyways, a HUGE thank you to my friend Rut S. Díaz for creating this beautiful and magical masterpiece and letting me be one of the privileged people who got to read it before its release. i cannot wait for the world to meet Donna and Calico’s story, and the rest of the crew as well. this story deserves to be read in every part of the world and i’m sure you will all fall in love with it as much as i did. now i’m going to try and figure out a way to exist in the real world without them in it. 

bye mates!🥹🏴‍☠️🌊🧜🏼‍♀️🪸🐚🫧🎀🪞💘

*might contain spoilers!!!*

okay this was really good! it was fast paced which got me captivated and hooked at all times, from the very start! there never was a dull moment and i got into the world building and the plot pretty easily. 

i loved the whole hunter/witch arc and i hope to read more books with that kind of story in the future. the enemies to lovers was executed well, although i’m a sucker for slow burn romances and this one felt a little bit rushed to me. personally, i would’ve liked to experience more longing and yearning from Rune and Gideon, and maybe also more glimpses of him??? i don’t know, i needed more, but that’s just me! i want to feel the tension like it’s a palpable thing, almost impossible to bear!!! i need brief touches!!! and stolen glances!!! and a constant sense of forbidden/rivalry romance that makes me squirm and pace around my room with excitement!!!! anyways, that’s mainly the reason why i didn’t give it 5 stars, but i enjoyed it nonetheless!!

other than that, i loved how this plot was authentic, refreshing, and entertaining. i saw the Verity/Cressida thing coming, but not from the beginning! it was fun to spend my nights plotting my theories about her, and there was always that feeling of expectation/nerves about Rune being discovered. i also loved Alex so much, i felt like him and Rune had a lot of chemistry too and it broke my heart what ended up happening because my baby deserved more!!! also, this ending was full of action and made me VERY excited to see what the second book has in store for us and how the story will develop. now that Gideon truly knows who Rune is and viceversa, i feel like we’ll be seeing a whole lot more the enemies to lovers vibes, and i’m gonna be SAT for it!🤭🤎