AMAZING!
“To Yelena, our newest food taster. May you last longer than your predecessor.”
I absolutely devoured this book - pretty much in one sitting, which of late is pretty impressive for me.
For me this book is what Throne of Glass attempted to achieve but just couldnt quite reach. Im not sure if its because Yelena started off low in life as we entered the book and worked her way up tooth and nail, (i think the rat talk synced it for me)
“I did what any good rat would do. I bit down on the guard's hand until I tasted blood.”
or because i just preferred her personality more, or maybe it was even the side characters? (who were fucking amazing! - pardon my french). Or maybe it was just the fact that i spent a good portion of this book laughing my ass off?
"i swirled the amber liquid and inhaled the sharp odor. Taking a small sip, I rolled the cognac around my tongue, then spat it onto the floor. Gagging and retching with the effort, I tried to expel every last bit of it from my mouth. Valek stared in alarm.
I chocked out, "My Love."Valek knocked over the other two glasses, spilling their contents on the table. As my body reacted to the poison, I watched Valek turn into a black ink spot, and the walls run with blood.
I floated on a crimson sea, colors dancing and whirling around my head. The sound of broken glass raining on stones created an odd melody in my mind. I drifted on a raft made of curly white hair, carried along by a strong current. Irys's soothing voice spoke amidst the tempest of colors, "you'll be fine, just hold on to your life raft. You can ride out this storm."
This book to me was just simply amazing.
I loved Yelena's spunk, she had been defeated, in soul and heart, Yes. but every now and then this wonderful rebilious streak popped up and when it did i could never help but smile and cheer her on more.
“I balled my hands into tight fists to keep them from wrapping around Mr. I-Know-Everything's superior neck.”
Now the side characters, Janco and Ari.
Now these guys just warmed my heart nearly everytime they popped up, especially Ari - i have a major soft spot for that big guy. I have no doubt without these two on Yelena's side she wouldnt had made it. plus who could resist Janco dorkiness?
“One, and two, and three, four, five. Keep fighting like this and you will die," Janco sang.”
"Why, Janco, I didnt know you could read," I teased. My voice was hoarse, my throat sore and a dull ache resided deep in my head.
"I'm a man on many unknown talents." Janco smiled. "Welcome back."
"Janco scratched at his goatee. "Well, they and Ari. He had his eye on you all night, so when you went down, we were on our way. We slipped behind the head table during the toast and he carried you here. He'd still be here, but i forced him at knifepoint to get some sleep."
Ah, that explained my curly-haired raft.[...]"
I only have one remark. that was the end between Yelena and Valek. Their relationship slowly and painfully (in a good way) became something special, you just got hints here and there of something more, a lingering look, a certain facial expression.
“Besides, thinking kind thoughts about Valek could be extremely dangerous. I could admire his skills, and be relieved when he was on my side in a fight. But for a rat to like the cat? That scenario ended only one way. With one dead rat.”
and that was a slow precious build up that i was immensely enjoying than all of a sudden BAM! declaration of love.
“Yelena, you've driven me crazy. You've caused me considerable trouble and I've contemplated ending your life twice since I've known you." Valek's warm breath in my ear sent a shiver down my spine.
"But you’ve slipped under my skin, invaded my blood and seized my heart.”
“That sounds more like a poison than a person,” was all I could say. His confession had both shocked and thrilled me.
“Exactly,” Valek replied. “You have poisoned me.”
I was like 'wait what?' and in a god damn dungeon for christ sakes! i get it the end kind of seemed like it would need it just to give it that extra something.... but seriously? couldnt of it been done... smoother than that?
I'm pretty sure Valek is about 32 (no idea how old Yelena is, pretty bloody young though, my best guess being 17/18??) surely he's had partners in the past and wouldnt be so overcome with emotion all of a sudden just to blurt it out like that? though to be fair he did it way smoother than Yelena did. lol. maybe he's usually such a hard cold bastard he didnt understand he had emotions till they swamped him?? nah im not believing that. Valek is suave, i just think he would of handle it with more... class?
otherwise thats my single and only objection. Fantastic job Maria V. Snyder < i have loved many of your books and i believe im now ready to declare my love for you ;)
So yea obviously this book is amazing, and i have MANY more praises but i doubt you want to be here forever so if you havent read it yet i would HIGHLY recommend doing so... like right now!! go go, read my pretties!
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