"After You" by Jojo Moyes

After You by Jojo Moyes is the sequel to Me Before You and picks up six months after Will killed himself.  Louisa is having a hard time dealing with that, but she has carved out a life for herself.  When someone from Will's past shows up, her life goes just a little bit crazy.

After You is not as good as Me Before You. That being said, I thought this book was pretty good.  Louisa is great and the new characters are pretty good as well.  The story line is just okay though, not great.  Still, if you liked the first book, you should read this one too!
(Gerard's review, 4 stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"Ice Like Fire" by Sara Raasch

Ice Like Fire by Sara Raasch is the second book in the Snow Like Ashes YA fantasy series.  In this book, Meira strives to act like a queen even though she prefers being a warrior.  The story is told from Meira's perspective and Mather's perspective.  This book has much less action than the first and focuses on inner struggles and the trip to find some magical keys and how to open the magical chasm found in Winter's mountains.  Theron wants to open it but Meira doesn't so tries to find the keys first and the Order of the Lustrate.  Finally, about the last 50 pages had some action and got really good.

This book was not as interesting as the first but was okay.  I still like Mather best and didn't understand some things.  The plot seemed dull to me and it moved along slowly.  The only reason I finished this book is because it is the second in a series and I plan on finishing the series.  It isn't gripping but it's still worth reading.  This has mostly introspection, politics, betrayal and travel in it.  
(Karen's review, 3- stars)

Now see what Gerard thought of it:
Ice Like Fire by Sara Raasch is the follow-up to Snow Like Ashes, which I loved! Meira, the new Queen of Winter, is on a mission to get Winter out of the rule of the King of Cordell and she needs help to do that.

This book is nowhere near as good as the first. The first half of the book I had to plow through because nothing really is going on. The second half has some action and I was able to get into it more. The ending was just okay and not the big “wow” I hoped for. I will read the third book in hopes that it will be better and see how it all plays out.
(Gerard’s review, 3 stars)


See our review of the first in this series:  Snow Like Ashes

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

Teaser Tuesday

Gerard's:

I want to speak, to open my mouth, but my voice emerges muffled and nonsensical.  I think I have bitten my tongue.

From page 24 of After You by Jojo Moyes.



Karen's:

You believe your father would use more magic for good?  Maybe in Cordell's eyes, but how will it affect my kingdom?

From page 44 of Ice Like Fire by Sara Raasch. 

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of A Daily Rhythm. Anyone can play along, so I thought  I  would play for fun! Just pick two sentences from the book you are reading. 

Happy Reading!

"Queen of Shadows" by Sarah J. Maas is Fantastic! (Writer's Workshop)

Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas is the fourth book in the Throne of Glass series of 6 and all are great!  These books get better and better in my opinion.  Aelin a/k/a Celaena is her usual "bad ass" self and outwitting and outfighting everybody.  She also has a new girlfriend that is also tough like her and the two of them together are just amazing!  Rowan is back as well as Dorian and Chaol.

There are many "wow" moments in this book that I did not see coming!  This book flows so well that there are not any dull moments.  If you read the first three, you must read this one too!
(Gerard's review 10/30/15, 5++ stars)

Karen's review 11/15/15, 5 stars:
Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Mass continues to provide lots of intrigue, adventure, suspense and romance in this Throne of Glass series. Celaena is now going by Aelin and is reunited with Aedion (her cousin), Rowan, Lysandra, Arobynn and Chaol. She fights another witch, Manon, and is amazing at both fighting and plotting. Even the reader is not informed of all her activities and plans which makes for some surprises and jaw dropping moments along the way. She is such an interesting character who has grown so much since the first book. She is a class act! It is good to see others step up and join forces to help her rescue her cousin, get her revenge on Arobynn and kill the king.

I enjoyed this book and found myself cheering for her a lot. I also liked the parts with Manon and Abraxos. I was confused with Lorchan’s part, but other than that was able to follow what was happening for the most part with the exception of all the rings which got me puzzled somewhat. I’m sure Elide will meet her queen in the next book and look forward to that. Also, I am anxious to see Aelin set up her kingdom in Terresen with her court. If you started this series, I encourage you to continue on with this book which is very good! I strongly suggest, however, that if you haven’t read The Assassin’s Blade yet, that you read that before continuing on with the series. It is so good and provides the background that is referred to in the Throne of Glass series. (5 stars)

Linking this review up to Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop this week.

See our reviews of the previous books in this series:
Ambassador's Blade
Throne of Glass
Crown of Midnight
Heir of Fire

If you've already read this book, click on "read More" below to see the parts I liked a lot!

"The Rose Society" by Marie Lu

The Rose Society by Marie Lu is the second book in The Young Elites series so you should read that one first.   Adelina is on the run and is now known as the "White Wolf."  She is feared and you better not mess with her!  Her goal is to strike down the down the inquisition.

I thought this book was so much better than the first one.  There is much more action with a great ending and I enjoyed it a lot!
(Gerard's review, 5+ stars)

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!