Review on Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

Haven't done this in awhile, but this book definitely deserves to be written and raved about!

It's the most perfect end to a trilogy that I've come across in a long while.  And I really can't type more without spoilers, so here goes.  The book ended the best possible way it could.  Was bringing back Mal a long shot?  Of course, but no one knew what to expect.  At first, it was like his sacrifice wasn't even going to work.  I was heartbroken for Alina at that moment.  I'm glad it was Alina who killed the Darkling, and without her power -- such a poetic ending to that whole situation.  He was convinced until the last that he would have her and win her eventually.  The whole concept of Mal being descended from Morozova's "regular" daughter is awesome, but poor Baghra....Poor Nikolai, too, though of course it does work out for him.  I don't think he was ever in love with Alina, definitely not as much as Mal.  I thought for sure she wouldn't end up with Mal because that's what I wanted from the beginning.  I always knew there was something special about him, and that moment with the firebird totally made sense.  I loved that they were both left to lead normal lives at the end, raising orphans at Keramzin.  When the whole adventure started in the first book, they came to realize that's all they had ever wanted and thought they'd never have.  (And Misha stayed with them, awww.)  I am curious as to who Nikolai ended up with, but it was enough to know that he visits them and sends the children presents at Christmas.

I devoured over half this book in one sitting, with many tears toward the end.  So many had to die, but their deaths weren't in vain.  No more Darkling or Unsea, and Nikolai on the throne.  Equal rights and choice for Grisha....just beautiful.

Some thoughts on Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

This book definitely lived up to the hype.  I loved the omniscient storytelling.  You really would have been clueless had the book only been one-sided.  Even though you pretty much know what's going to happen from the beginning, everything is so beautifully described that you melt and remember the first time you fell in love and did all the same things.  Really, this book feels too magical to actually review.  It has found a place close to my heart.

I love that Eleanor reached out to Park in the end.  I hate that it took her so long, but I'm glad she finally did.  I just would have liked to know what happened to her family.  I hope that when Park saw Richie toward the end, he was by himself because Eleanor's mom and the kids are living somewhere else...

Kindle Fire Giveaway!

http://us6.campaign-archive1.com/?u=e7591d0d8ffeb979aea95e39f&id=e91ac7b500

Short Review on The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson

Amazing, amazing book.  It will absolutely break your heart, and mend it too.  I loved how real it was.  I fell in love with Finn way before Hayley did.  What an awesome character.  He's got his problems too, but they're not really much when compared to Hayley's.  It's so sad to think about so many veterans like Andy who are trapped in their memories and can't function.  Anderson tackles extremely tough issues in this book unflinchingly.  Kudos to her for not shying away from anything.

new giveaway :)

http://www.thenocturnallibrary.com/2014/02/guest-post-by-mercedes-m-yardley-author.html

Cress giveaway

http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?post=2281695265&group=0&frame_type=a&blog=4448867&link=aHR0cDovL2ZpY3Rpb25mYXJlLmJsb2dzcG90LmNvbS8yMDE0LzAxL2NyZXNzLWJ5LW1hcmlzc2EtbWV5ZXItZ3Vlc3QtcG9zdC5odG1s&frame=1&click=0&user=0

another awesome one from Knox Diver

http://knoxdiver.blogspot.com/2014/01/ignite-me-giveaway.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+blogspot%2FYKBOh+%28Mary+Had+a+Little+Blog%29

another great giveaway

http://knoxdiver.blogspot.com/2014/01/cress-giveaway.html?showComment=1390264994327#c1834958155779499852

giveaway

INCIDENTAL COMICS: The National Department of Poetry

INCIDENTAL COMICS: The National Department of Poetry: Imagine a nation controlled by a vast, multibillion-dollar poetry bureaucracy. That's a country I'd like to be a part of. Y...

This says it all...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/12/31/i-would-love-to-teach-but/

Best of 2013 adult fiction....awesome giveaway:

http://www.thenocturnallibrary.com/2014/01/best-of-2013-adult-fiction-giveaway.html?showComment=1388877523427#c4181762348087110061