I’ve done this before (find them here, if you’re so inclined) but this is basically just books that I don’t really feel like reviewing in any full or coherent sense, and that I also don’t have to review because I bought them!
End of Days by Susan Ee
Published by Skyscape on May 12th 2015
Pages: 435
Format:Paperback
Source:Purchased 
End of Days is the explosive conclusion to Susan Ee’s bestselling Penryn & the End of Days trilogy.After a daring escape from the angels, Penryn and Raffe are on the run. They’re both desperate to find a doctor who can reverse the twisted changes inflicted by the angels on Raffe and Penryn’s sister. As they set off in search of answers, a startling revelation about Raffe’s past unleashes dark forces that threaten them all.When the angels release an apocalyptic nightmare onto humans, both sides are set on a path toward war. As unlikely alliances form and strategies shift, who will emerge victorious? Forced to pick sides in the fight for control of the earthly realm, Raffe and Penryn must choose: Their own kind, or each other?
Quick & Dirty: Listen, I have to be honest here: I have a case of the sads. This book wasn’t horrible or anything, I mean, 3 stars is still a decent book, no? But it wasn’t exactly the epic, remarkable ending I’d hoped for. I was kind of bored for a lot of it, and then a whole bunch of junk happened at once, and then (not exactly a spoiler, but suggestive about the ending) View Spoiler »
Some things were too easy, some weren’t even answered, and some just bored me. I mean, it was really just okay. There were some good moments, and I do like Penryn, but not enough for it all to be redeemed. Sadness. I almost rated this book even lower, but I think that was just my own disappointment, and not really the book’s fault. Book, you owe Holly.
The Wrath and the Dawn (The Wrath and the Dawn, #1) by Renee Ahdieh Series: The Wrath and the Dawn #1
Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers on May 12th 2015
Pages: 388
Format:Hardcover
Source:Purchased
A sumptuous and epically told love story inspired by A Thousand and One NightsEvery dawn brings horror to a different family in a land ruled by a killer. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, takes a new bride each night only to have her executed at sunrise. So it is a suspicious surprise when sixteen-year-old Shahrzad volunteers to marry Khalid. But she does so with a clever plan to stay alive and exact revenge on the Caliph for the murder of her best friend and countless other girls. Shazi's wit and will, indeed, get her through to the dawn that no others have seen, but with a catch . . . she’s falling in love with the very boy who killed her dearest friend.She discovers that the murderous boy-king is not all that he seems and neither are the deaths of so many girls. Shazi is determined to uncover the reason for the murders and to break the cycle once and for all.
Quick & Dirty: This book… I am missing words. Because there are none to describe how much I adored this. In fact, my current Goodreads review should tell you everything you need to know: 
I mean… come on! The characters were freaking phenomenal, the world building stuff was so fun- and I feel like the stuff I don’t know already is for a reason, which always makes me excited. The romance… GAH. I ship it, and I ship it hard. And the book itself? Gorgeous.
Not too sure what I am supposed to do with my life until next who-knows-when for The Rose and the Dagger. I would like it now, kindly.
Nil Unlocked by Lynne Matson Series: Nil #2
Published by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) on May 12th 2015
Pages: 432
Format:Hardcover
Source:Purchased
On the island of Nil, the rules are set. You have exactly 365 days to escape—or you die. Rives is now the undisputed Leader of Nil City, but keeping the City united is tougher than ever.Raiders have grown bolder, supplies are dwindling, and non-human inhabitants have taken a turn toward the deadly. New arrivals cause rifts within the City, putting the Search system at risk, and calling everything Rives knows into question. Desperate for answers, he teams up with the only other person searching for them: Skye, a new arrival with a mysterious past of her own. Soon the duo find themselves locked in a desperate race to save all the residents of Nil—and possibly destroy the island forever. But at what cost? And who will pay the price?
Quick & Dirty: I enjoyed Nil Unlocked quite a bit. As it’s a sequel, I don’t want to say too much, but I will say that I liked Rives and Skye even more than Charley and Thad. I felt more of an emotional connection to them, and was very invested in what happened to them. As before, you never know what Nil is going to do, or who will fall victim. Lynne Matson doesn’t sugar coat, or leave the suffering to the minor characters, which I really admire. The only slight downside was that since it is very similar to Nil, there were parts that felt like repeats, because in a way, they were. But, the extra layer of trying to unravel the mystery of the island in general was fabulous! I cannot wait for Nil on Fire!!!
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir Published by Razorbill on April 28th 2015
Pages: 446
Format:Hardcover
Source:Purchased
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.
Quick & Dirty: This is a hard book to review. Mostly because I am scared of spoilers, which is why I am not fully reviewing it, but I shall just tell you some things you might want to know:
- This world is hell. Seriously, you don’t want to live here. You don’t want to vacation here. Hell, I’d be suspicious of a postcard from here, for fear it’d shank me itself. It’s brutal, and no one is safe.
- That said, it becomes very important in such a world to know someone’s true essence, and I enjoyed seeing that from all the characters in this book- main and side characters alike.
- It started off just a bit slow for me, but then when things get going… they do not stop.
- The romantic aspect is sparse but messy. And I think I ship the “wrong” couple, which will kind of destroy me down the line, I am sure. I just don’t feel the chemistry with the other couple. Maybe that’ll change!
- The writing was stunning. I think it helps when you have a very rough setting to have beautiful writing to offset it, and this was no exception.
Overall? I really liked it, and despite a few flaws, I found myself deeply invested. Bring on book 2!
I haven’t been able to review An Ember in the Ashes either. I loved it so much, but every time I try to review it, it comes out all gushy with the word amazing used in every sentence. I think I ship the wrong couple tooooooo! The Wrath and the Dawn is just incredible and the ending made my heart explode. Ugh, I need all the sequels to drown the angst. 😛
Seriously, how are we supposed to wait for all these sequels? I feel like every sequel I need is coming out next spring and I have no idea how my brain is supposed to cope until then! And yeah, there was no WAY I was writing coherent reviews for those books 😀
I really want to buy An Ember in the Ashes. All I read are positive things about it. The Wrath and the Dawn has a gorgeous cover and now I want it for myself! I hope you enjoy the second book, when it comes out 🙂 I love these multiple reviews thing. Im hopefully going to do some, especially now that the UBB was updated and you can add multiple reviews in one post!!!
UBB 3 is AMAZING. You have no idea how much easier it makes things! But of course, this is my 5th one of these, and I have 5 mini-review posts, which means they ALL have to be updated. So.. that kind of sucks 😉 You MUST buy Wrath. I mean, it is an epically fabulous book, PLUS it is gorgeous! And buy Ember while you’re at it 😀
THIS MAKES ME SO RIDICULOUSLY EXCITED FOR WRATH AND DAWN THOUGH. YAAAAAY. My copy is coming. But apparently it’s coming on the back of a tortoise trudging through mayonnaise with a limp. But one day I will hold it in my hands and probably weep with glee. Unless I scream, like Ember in the Ashes made me. *wails* THE ANTICIPATION IS HIGH WITH THE WRATH AND THE DAWN THO.
BWAHHAHA. The picture of the tortoise is making me laugh. Especially because I picture him wandering through the Australian Outback while ” been through the desert on a horse with no name…” plays in the background as he carried Wrath on his back. I am just hoping that the mayo doesn’t splatter on the book. THE HORROR.
I *think* you will like Wrath better. I mean, I did. It seems like a lot of people did? My fingers are crossed! No more disappointments!
Love the quick reviews! The Wrath and the Dawn I am super pumped for. Everyone has loved it. I just need to find the time for it AHH!
I feel you- the time struggle is such a mess! But it is definitely worth it, and I hope you love it!
I’ve been hearing so much about The Wrath and The Dawn recently! I didn’t even know what it was about at first, but now I must get my grubby paws on it. =)
Also, I’m with you on End Of Days… It just felt like nothing happened in the book and then it just ended. Loved your little spoiler part though, because it’s so true! Like, how did we even end up there??? =)
RIGHT!? What WAS that!? I mean, it made me insane! It wasn’t like this was only PARTLY bad, this was the end of the damn world! THE APOCALYPSE. Or you know, not? Stabby, it makes me stabby.
Moving on. WRATH- get your grubby paws on it ASAP 😀
I should so casually steal your brilliant ideas Shannon [; Cause I literally got books on goodreads that I have written “review to come” … yeah it’s been eons and I need to accept I’ll never be able to fully review them.
End of Days…ehhh. I LOVED Angelfall. But I honestly haven’t been able to make it through the sequel, and the fact I’ve been hearing so much disappointment surrounding End of Days?? Yeah I think I’ll just stick in my little naive bubble of love for Angelfall. Also I just don’t remember it at all so ;p
I’ve heard so many lovely things about The Wrath and the Dawn. I NEED to read it ahhhhh. And omg that cover and image is beyond gorgeous. Really what am I doing with my life right now? I should be out getting my copy of The Wrath and the Dawn because it seriously seems so amazing and especially so if it elicited such emotions from you.
… Still haven’t read An Ember in Ashes. Hahah ooops. I swear I’m the only person in the whole blogging world who hasn’t picked it up. I’ve heard a lot about the brutal world though, and for some odd reason that entices me??? I swear I’m not crazy LOL. I think I just need to experience Ember on my own, I’ve read so many differing views.
Lovely…not reviews Shannon [; Hahaa seriously, don’t be surprised if I do this sometime soon
Steal away, my dear! I don’t mind 🙂 Several others have too, so it’s fine!!
Also. YES- stick to you perfect Angelfall bubble. Because World After was decent, but not as good as Angelfall and End of Days… well, nope. Not even close.
Wrath is fabulous! FABULOUS! I was yelling and cheering and shaking and crying and laughing.. it was ALL THE THINGS!
An Ember IS pretty brutal- but I agree, I liked that part (we are clearly sickos) because it was just kind of reasonable considering the rest of the world? But yeah, it’s polarizing, so we need your opinion!
And I am so glad that you left a novel comment for me- it made my day 😀
I agree with you on End of Days, I felt the last book was the most disappointing out of them all.. It wasn’t terrible but it could have been so much with it’s feelings you know? I have yet to read The Wrath and The Dawn, it sounds really cute though. Beautiful mini reviews Shannon <3
It really was. By far, for me! And yes- that’s the thing, I just almost didn’t care? After the first book especially, I was expecting much, much more. And I got just so-so. Sadness. And YES, read Wrath- but it is most definitely NOT cute- well some parts are I guess, but most of it is insane and vicious! I hope you love it!
End of Days owes you big time.
I think it owes YOU more. I was ready to below-3-star it 😉
I was already looking forward to read The Wrath and the Dawn, but you just made me want to go and buy this ASAP! But sadly, I am on a book buying ban! 🙁 WHY DOES THIS HAPPEN TO ME! *Go sobs in the corner*
I am sorry to hear about End of Days! I read Angelfall years ago, but never had the chance to read the sequels, and I just gave up the idea of continuing the series. Looks like it was a good decision, I get really pissed off when the finale of a series disappoints me!
There is seriously NOTHING more sad-making than a finale disappointment. Nothing. Granted, I likely want TOO much out of them, but in this case, it really WAS just “meh”. ANd there were some things that just flat out made no sense, were too easy, etc. I wouldn’t bother, honestly.
And NOOOO book buying ban 🙁 But… you have to read it! Book buying bans are evil. I am on one myself but it’s more like “the zero dollars in your bank account preclude you from buying books” ban 😉
I can somehow understand why you don’t want to leave long reviews for the books that you love here. When you are so impressed by something, when you love something ao much, it never feels like you can write it the review it deserves. Which is pretty much why I refuse to review the amazing books I read by Brandon Sanderson haha. I am glad you found these books amazing, Shannon! Wasn’t a fan of neither Wrath or Ember but your enthusiasm is contagious!
Aww sadness that you didn’t like Wrath! I knew you didn’t like Ember, but the Wrath thing is saddening.
But YES, I agree- sometimes it is because there is too much epic for words, and sometimes it is because I don’t even CARE what the flaws are because I liked the book, so why even bother reviewing it? 😉
I’m looking forward to An Ember in the Ashes so much – it’s on my TBR for so long, but things always seem to get into the way. First I had a horrible reading slump, and now there’s Camp NaNo…
Loved, loved, loved your mini review for the Wrath and the Dawn. GAH THAT BOOK IS SO BEAUTIFUL AND AMAZING T.T Great reviews! (Or mini-reviews XD)
Aww that stinks! I hate when you really NEED to read a book but can’t get to it- the worst! I have a few of those on my shelf right now 😉 I am glad you loved Wrath too! And good luck with Camp NaNo!!
lol dear, I’m watching House of Cards while I read this post!! xD YAY I’m so glad you loved The Wrath and The Dawn. I’m getting a finished copy soon, and I can’t wait to oooh and aaah over it!! I need book 2 so much…. Lovely reviews <3
Rachel @ A Perfection Called Books
I haven’t watched House of Cards! Is it on one of the premium channels I cannot afford? If not, let me know, I need something to watch 😉 I LOVED Wrath- the finished book is GORGEOUS!
I loved The Wrath and the Dawn, too. I am really intrigued by your non-review of An Ember in the Ashes. I swear if I see just ONE more person mention this book, I will be forced to break down and buy it. TBR overstock be damned!
Bwhahahah. It is a polarizing book! You almost need to read it just so we can determine where you fall 😉 I am so glad you loved Wrath too!
Hello again =)
I want t read “The Wrath and the Dawn”, I am going to check the web you said before.
Saludos from Argentina XD
Hi! I really hope you do read it- and love it of course 😀
I think it’s really nice when we can just read the books we own and decide afterwards not to write a full review! A review is pretty hard work, and just including some books in a post like this one is perfect, Shannon!
Aw thanks so much! I agree- I love just being able to give a few sentences with how I felt, and move on. Some books don’t require a HUGE review- especially super popular ones that seemingly everyone else has reviewed 😉
I have not seen a single less-than-stellar review for The Wrath and the Dawn. The genre is outside my comfort zone (I’m pretty much a contemporary girl) but I am sooo intrigued by this one that I may have to give it a go. Same with An Ember in the Ashes. Nothing but raves. This may become The Summer of Fantasy for me (because I also still need to read Crown of Midnight).
Uh-oh, series ender not living up to expectations strikes again (I have read a few reviews for End of Days, that were disappointed too, so I’m sad for you.) 🙁
Okay, I NEED to read The Wrath and the Dawn already, I bought it as soon as it came out because NEED and then…it’s just sitting pretty on my shelf because I’m intimidated, and really, I’ve been on a weird contemporary kick lately. But the deckled edges and endpapers. <3
BUT RIGHT? It's so hard to review An Ember in the Ashes, can you imagine what their postcards would look like though? Be all 'Wish you were here' no, no, I WISH I WASN'T HERE. But ha, yeah, I think your ship might sink (but then again), I don't think there's any official ship yet anyway, and I liked that it wasn't all about the romance, though it was like a catalyst. I didn't really like Helene though (that's her name, right?) I just thought she was more acting the way he would want her to act in parts, if that makes sense. Like, I mean, she's no sociopath or anything, but she didn't exactly think the way he did either. BUT YAY FOR THE SEQUEL!
I love this post! I’ve been thinking about doing something like this for a while now, as the books I don’t know how to review keep piling up. My review for Allegiant, for example, mostly consisted of flailing and pointing towards my reviews of Divergent and Insurgent. But I probably could have written two semi-intelligent sentences about it. 🙂 And I love posts that include reviews of multiple books — there’s bound to be at least one book that catches my attention!
I feel the same about Nil Unlocked! I liked the couple a lot more, and I liked the answers we were given. (Though I wish we were getting a different couple in book 3 again.)
I still need to read Wrath! I’m scared the hype has set up way too high expectations!
Never reviewing them? Mini reviews do just fine as well! I have a copy of The Wrath and the Dawn and YES it is a beautiful book. I can’t WAIT to start reading that one, especially as I see so many people loving it like you did. Oh, and it’s a shame that the ending of the Angelfall series wasn’t as awesome as you hoped it would be.