To intro a bit, these are the new version of “Books I’m Never Reviewing”. I kept feeling like the connotation was that I wasn’t fond of said books, when often, quite the opposite was true. Also, the name was clunky. The bottom line is this: These are considered legitimate reviews by absolutely no one. Why? I don’t feel like it, nor do I have to. But apparently, my ego dictates that I still think you care whether I liked them and/or I feel like shouting about them. And so, I shall.

These are all sequels, so that worked out quite well. Actually, they’re all (likely) series enders, too. So that is fun! Especially since this little format lets me keep things nice and spoiler-free 😉 

Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
Series: Six of Crows #2
Published by Henry Holt and Company on September 20th 2016
Pages: 546
Format:Hardcover
Source:Purchased

When you can’t beat the odds, change the game.

Kaz Brekker and his crew have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn’t think they’d survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they’re right back to fighting for their lives. Double-crossed and badly weakened, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz’s cunning and test the team's fragile loyalties. A war will be waged on the city’s dark and twisting streets―a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of the Grisha world.

So, I mean, I liked Six of Crows. It was fine. It didn’t blow me away like everyone else, but I was glad I read it. So when it was time for Crooked Kingdom to be released, I was kind of excited. I mean, I pre-ordered it, but I do that a lot. Anyway. This was sooo much better for me! I liked the characters in Six of Crows, but in Crooked Kingdom, I fell in love. I mean, sure the plot was interesting enough, but I was there for the characters, and they delivered on every level. It is often hard to connect to six separate main characters, but in this book? NOPE, loved them all. Also, the cameos were kind of everything. I still felt that it dragged a tiny bit in certain parts, but that is a minor gripe. Basically, this was a win for me, and I am so glad I stuck with the series!

 

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Frost Like Night (Snow Like Ashes, #3) by Sara Raasch
Series: Snow Like Ashes #3
Published by Balzer + Bray on September 20th 2016
Pages: 496
Format:ARC
Source:Traded

Angra is alive, his Decay is spreading—and no one is safe.

Meira will do anything to save her world. With Angra trying to break through her mental defenses, she desperately needs to learn to control her own magic—so when the leader of a mysterious Order from Paisly offers to teach her, she jumps at the chance. But the true solution to stopping the Decay lies in a labyrinth deep beneath the Season Kingdoms. To defeat Angra, Meira will have to enter the labyrinth, destroy the very magic she’s learning to control—and make the biggest sacrifice of all.

Mather will do anything to save his queen. He needs to rally the Children of the Thaw, find Meira—and finally tell her how he really feels. But with a plan of attack that leaves no kingdom unscathed and a major betrayal within their ranks, winning the war—and protecting Meira—slips farther and farther out of reach.

Ceridwen will do anything to save her people. Angra had her brother killed, stole her kingdom, and made her a prisoner. But when she’s freed by an unexpected ally who reveals a shocking truth behind Summer’s slave trade, Ceridwen must take action to save her true love and her kingdom, even if it costs her what little she has left.

As Angra unleashes the Decay on the world, Meira, Mather, and Ceridwen must bring the kingdoms of Primoria together…or lose everything.

When I reviewed Ice Like Fire, I talked about how I almost DNFed the damn thing, but that the end was so good that I knew I needed to read this final installment. And I must admit, I am glad I did! Here’s the thing- I still don’t understand all the magic in this world, and I don’t remember a huge chunk of the characters because it was just… too much. And I couldn’t quite get over the season thing- especially when only half of the world was the seasons and the other half seemed so random.

I digress. Yeah, those things irked me even in this book, but I liked Meira again, so that was a win. She was much less annoying and even likable at times! I shipped the romance a lot, so that was a big bonus. I legitimately was not sure what the outcome would be, and I liked not knowing. It was a solid conclusion to the series, I read through it quickly and eagerly. This is the strongest book in the series for sure, even though Past-Shannon rated Snow Like Ashes higher. She was confused. I honestly would have rated it at least four stars if I wasn’t so damn confused by the magic. I look forward to seeing what the author does next!

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Exist Once More by Trisha Leigh
Series: The Historians #2
Published by Author Published on December 5, 2016
Pages: 270
Format:eBook
Source:Purchased

After everything that happened last semester and so many of the people she loves depending on her, Kaia Vespasian knows the best thing to do is keep her mouth shut, her butt in her chair, and her head down. In a few months she’ll be a certified Historian, and with the position could come some leverage.

When the Elders announce that inconsistencies have been found in the holofiles—people disappearing and possibly reappearing, as well—Kaia worries that her meddling has made a mess of things in the past…and the present.

With her roommate Sarah still angry over the imagined betrayal of Kaia with her boyfriend, Oz, her options for cohorts are limited. She and Oz decide to team up to try to figure out what’s going on in the past, and whether the sneaky Elders and their Return Project have anything to do with it.

Kaia’s focused on the lives of her parents, her brother, and her best friend, but what if the lives of everyone in Genesis are on the line? First, she’ll have to figure out how to set the timeline right. If she can do that, Kaia will face an even harder task—putting the greater good above the lives of the people she loves.

This is one of those cases where I throw the book at you and yell “READ IT.”. Well, if you haven’t read the first one, I shall throw that at you and tell you to read it. I looooved the first book so much, and was so excited for this sequel (and, for now at least, conclusion). And you’ll be happy to hear that it made my favorite books of 2016 list! YAYY!

I can say nothing about this book without spoiling stuff so… if you like sci-fi and  time travel and romance and friendship and family all mixed in with relevant and timely messages (some so eerily timely that they straight up scared me)… this is a series for you. It also ends in a satisfying way, though the author stated that she hasn’t ruled out writing another installment, it is done for now- and I promise, it feels complete, too! 

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The Beauty of Darkness by Mary E. Pearson
Series: The Remnant Chronicles #3
Published by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) on August 2nd 2016
Pages: 679
Format:Hardcover
Source:Purchased

Lia has survived Venda—but so has a great evil bent on the destruction of Morrighan. And only Lia can stop it.

With war on the horizon, Lia has no choice but to assume her role as First Daughter, as soldier—as leader. While she struggles to reach Morrighan and warn them, she finds herself at cross-purposes with Rafe and suspicious of Kaden, who has hunted her down.

In this conclusion to the Remnant Chronicles trilogy, traitors must be rooted out, sacrifices must be made, and impossible odds must be overcome as the future of every kingdom hangs in the balance.

This book is like, scary big for me. I loved the series but I looked at this and was like “almost 700 pages? Really?” Here’s the great news: It doesn’t feel like 700 pages at all. It flew by for me. Completely in love, was I with this series. And I almost completely liked this finale. One of the bests I have read, really. And after a few letdowns earlier in the year, I was pleased with how much I enjoyed this. There was a bit at the end where things felt… too rushed, almost, and not quite as epic as I’d hoped, which in a 700 page book probably shouldn’t be the case. But, that is my only gripe.

The characters were awesome as always, and I loved the twists and turns. I loved the friendships, the romance, the political stuff. This was a book I was hoping to love, and thank goodness, I did!!

Don’t you just love when a series ends well? What are some of your favorite series finales? Luckily, not one of these disappointed me, so hopefully that can reassure someone out there to pick up one of these! 😀