Tag: #magic

Arc of a Scythe #2 – Thunderhead

Death must exist for life to have meaning.

Neal Shusterman, Thunderhead (Arc of a Scythe, #2)

Rowan has gone rogue, and has taken it upon himself to put the Scythedom through a trial by fire. Literally. In the year since Winter Conclave, he has gone off-grid, and has been striking out against corrupt scythes—not only in MidMerica, but across the entire continent. He is a dark folk hero now—“Scythe Lucifer”—a vigilante taking down corrupt scythes in flames.

Citra, now a junior scythe under Scythe Curie, sees the corruption and wants to help change it from the inside out, but is thwarted at every turn, and threatened by the “new order” scythes. Realizing she cannot do this alone—or even with the help of Scythe Curie and Faraday, she does the unthinkable, and risks being “deadish” so she can communicate with the Thunderhead—the only being on earth wise enough to solve the dire problems of a perfect world. But will it help solve those problems, or simply watch as perfection goes into decline?

Review:

The book starts right where the previous book ended. (Spoilers for book 1 ahead! )

Read the review of book 1 of the series: https://ahthebookfeels.home.blog/2020/09/08/arc-of-a-scythe-1-scythe/

The pain of my awareness is unbearable. Because my eyes do not close. Ever. And so all I can do is watch unblinkingly as my beloved humankind slowly weaves the rope it will use to hang itself.

Neil Shusterman, Thunderhead (Arc of a Scythe, #2)

Over these many years, I have observed both profound folly and breathtaking wisdom among humankind. They balance each other like dancers in the throes of a passionate tango. It is only when the brutality of the dance overwhelms the beauty that the future is threatened. It is the Scythedom that leads and sets the tone for the dance. I often wonder if the Scythedom realised how fragile are the spines of the other dancers.

Neil Shusterman, Thunderhead (Arc of a Scythe, #2)

This book provides insight into the Thunderhead itself, the AI that overlooks everything. It was extremely fascinating in the beginning and became boring after a while. The way it looks at humanity and how it separates itself from Scythedom is interesting. The best part was that even though it is an all knowing AI, it was created by humans and they knew that some things need to be done by human beings.

To deny humanity the lesson of consequences would be a mistake.
And I do not make mistakes.

Neal Shusterman, Thunderhead (Arc of a Scythe, #2)

The introduction of new characters were all good. I’m curious about where Rowan is headed as a character. Citra remains my favorite. The dynamics between the scythes perfectly represents the working of politics and power structures.

The first half of the book was amazing while the second half felt dragged and left me disappointed and dissatisfied because of my own expectations. The ending was unexpected, unpredictable and in one word, epic. That ending was worth reading the second book. It ends on a huggee cliff hanger!

I can’t wait to read the third one.

🌟🌟🌟🌟.2

Stay home, stay safe

Arc of a Scythe #1 – Scythe

What can go wrong in a world where everything is perfect?

Thou shalt kill.

A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery. Humanity has conquered all those things, and has even conquered death. Now scythes are the only ones who can end life—and they are commanded to do so, in order to keep the size of the population under control.

Citra and Rowan are chosen to apprentice to a scythe—a role that neither wants. These teens must master the “art” of taking life, knowing that the consequence of failure could mean losing their own.

Review:

If you’ve ever studied mortal age cartoons, you’ll remember this one. A coyote was always plotting the demise of a smirking long-necked bird. The coyote never succeeded; instead, his plans always backfired. He would blow up, or get shot, or splat from a ridiculous height.

And it was funny.

Because no matter how deadly his failure, he was always back in the next scene, as if there were a revival center just beyond the edge of the animation cell.

I’ve seen human foibles that have resulted in temporary maiming or momentary loss of life. People stumble into manholes, are hit by falling objects, trip into the paths of speeding vehicles.

And when it happens, people laugh, because no matter how gruesome the event, that person, just like the coyote, will be back in a day or two, as good as new, and no worse—or wiser—for the wear.

Immortality has turned us all into cartoons.

Neal Shusterman, Scythe (Arc of a Scythe, #1)

This is one of the best dystopian series. It explores what immortality and perfection would mean to human beings and the world as we know. I really don’t want to give away any spoilers.

If you think about what a perfect world would mean for humans, we definitely think about a world with no war or conflicts, no hunger, no problems at all. But what about the problems in a perfect world? How would a human being spend infinite amount of time on earth without any problems?

The book also explores religion and how beliefs are important and what a robot ruling over us would mean. The first book in the series starts off by introducing us to the world and the scythes. It talks about necessity of death and the randomness of death.

Citra, Rowan and Scythe Faraday are well developed characters. I wonder what would happen if Citra was in Rowan’s place in the second half of the book and vice versa. The plot twist involving Faraday was unnecessary but I see that it is important for the coming books. The dairies of scythes were so so good and provided all the info dump without seeming too much.

Now that I’m writing the review, it is becoming increasingly difficult not to giveaway anything crucial. All I can say is the story, especially the world building, is totally worth your time.

If you have liked the Hunger Games, you will definitely like this. I can see why people call it the successor to the Hunger Games.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Reading dystopian in *2020*!

2020 has been stressful to everyone. I honestly think it is a cursed year.

To escape this reality, I have turned to books with harsher worlds and bigger fights. Dystopian ks one of my favorite genres. According to Wikipedia, dystopia means “an imagined state or society in which there is great suffering or injustice, typically one that is totalitarian or post-apocalyptic.”

Here are some of the best dystopian novels I have read.

1. The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is three part series : Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay. A prequel has also been released recently (check out my review of the prequel https://ahthebookfeels.home.blog/2020/07/20/the-hunger-games-prequel-review/)

You really have to read these atleast once. Keep a lookout for the detailed review of all books in the series.

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“I'm coming back into focus when Caesar asks him if he has a girlfriend back home. Peeta hesitates, then gives an unconvincing shake of his head. Handsome lad like you. There must be some special girl. Come on, what’s her name?" says Caesar. Peeta sighs. "Well, there is this one girl. I’ve had a crush on her ever since I can remember. But I’m pretty sure she didn’t know I was alive until the reaping." Sounds of sympathy from the crowd. Unrequited love they can relate to. She have another fellow?" asks Caesar. I don’t know, but a lot of boys like her," says Peeta. So, here’s what you do. You win, you go home. She can’t turn you down then, eh?" says Caesar encouragingly. I don’t think it’s going to work out. Winning…won’t help in my case," says Peeta. Why ever not?" says Caesar, mystified. Peeta blushes beet red and stammers out. "Because…because…she came here with me.” ― Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games . Currently rereading the Hunger Games series! What do you think about the prequel coming out this year? I’m interested to know the story of President Snow but disappointed that it’s not about Haymitch. . Stay home, stay safe ✨ . Qotd: Would you ever volunteer for Hunger games? OR What are you reading currently? . #hungergames #bookstagram #books #bookstagrammer #bookstagramindia #green #bibliophile

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Blurb of book 1:

WINNING MEANS FAME AND FORTUNE.
LOSING MEANS CERTAIN DEATH.
THE HUNGER GAMES HAVE BEGUN. . . .

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and once girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weight survival against humanity and life against love.

2. The Giver

This is my all time favourite dystopian book ever. It is a short book and leaves you with a lot to think about. The world building is so good. I finished the book in one go. I also made many of my friends read it and everyone loved it. I’m sure you will love it too.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3mdcIsAU4R/?igshid=bfbiidsweg5z

Blurb: Twelve-year-old Jonas lives in a seemingly ideal world. Not until he is given his life assignment as the Receiver does he begin to understand the dark secrets behind this fragile community.

3. Arc of a Scythe series

I’m currently reading this and loving it so much. I have finished book 1 and can’t wait to read the next one. The series has three parts : Scythe, Thunderhead and The Toll. Expect all reviews soon.

Blurb of Scythe:

Thou shalt kill.

A world with no hunger, no disease, no war, no misery. Humanity has conquered all those things, and has even conquered death. Now scythes are the only ones who can end life—and they are commanded to do so, in order to keep the size of the population under control.

Citra and Rowan are chosen to apprentice to a scythe—a role that neither wants. These teens must master the “art” of taking life, knowing that the consequence of failure could mean losing their own.

4. 1984

The book 1984 is true dystopian classic. It is a must read for everyone. Review of the book coming soon.

Blurb: Among the seminal texts of the 20th century, Nineteen Eighty-Four is a rare work that grows more haunting as its futuristic purgatory becomes more real. Published in 1949, the book offers political satirist George Orwell’s nightmarish vision of a totalitarian, bureaucratic world and one poor stiff’s attempt to find individuality. The brilliance of the novel is Orwell’s prescience of modern life—the ubiquity of television, the distortion of the language—and his ability to construct such a thorough version of hell. Required reading for students since it was published, it ranks among the most terrifying novels ever written.

5. Divergent series

Unfortunately, I haven’t read the books yet. There are 3 books: Divergent, Insurgent and Allegiant. I have watched the films before books (this happens rarely) and loved them. The books are on my tbr. I’m going to read them sooonnnnn.

Blurb of Divergent:

In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can’t have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she’s chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she’s kept hidden from everyone because she’s been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

I’d also like to add The Handmaid’s Tales to the list even though I haven’t watched or read it yet.

Let me know if you read any of these. I’d love to hear how you felt about it.

Happy Reading!

Indian mythology! #2

Indian mythology book recommendations continues here. Checkout the previous post for some must read books.

https://ahthebookfeels.home.blog/2020/08/22/indian-mythology-1/

1. Ram Chandra series

Even though I dont like the characterization of Ram in the books, it’s impossible to cover Indian mythology without Ramayana! I’m waiting for the next books in the series. The three books all end on cliff hangers. Definitely recommended!

Ram Rajya. The Perfect Land. But perfection has a price. He paid that price.

3400 BCE. INDIA
Ayodhya is weakened by divisions. A terrible war has taken its toll. The damage runs deep. The demon King of Lanka, Raavan, does not impose his rule on the defeated. He, instead, imposes his trade. Money is sucked out of the empire. The Sapt Sindhu people descend into poverty, despondency and corruption. They cry for a leader to lead them out of the morass. Little do they appreciate that the leader is among them. One whom they know. A tortured and ostracised prince. A prince they tried to break. A prince called Ram.

He loves his country, even when his countrymen torment him. He stands alone for the law. His band of brothers, his Sita, and he, against the darkness of chaos.

Will Ram rise above the taint that others heap on him? Will his love for Sita sustain him through his struggle? Will he defeat the demon Lord Raavan who destroyed his childhood? Will he fulfil the destiny of the Vishnu?

Begin an epic journey with Amish’s latest: the Ram Chandra Series.

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Happy Gowri Ganesha festival! . 𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙜𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙨𝙩 𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙘 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨. 𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙝𝙞𝙙𝙙𝙚𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙣𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙣𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚. 𝙇𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝙗𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙗𝙤𝙩𝙝 𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙨. – 𝘼𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙝 𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙞, 𝙎𝙘𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙄𝙠𝙨𝙝𝙫𝙖𝙠𝙪 (𝙍𝙖𝙢 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙧𝙖 #1) . #indianmythology #supportindianauthors . Swagruhe Pujyate Murkhaha; Swagraame Pujyate Prabhuhu Swadeshe Pujyate Raja; Vidvaansarvatra Pujyate. A fool is worshipped in his home. A chief is worshipped in his village. A king is worshipped in his kingdom. A knowledgeable person is worshipped everywhere. – Amish Tripathi, Scion of Ikshvaku (Ram Chandra, #1) . I love this series although I feel that the character of Ram is too good to be true unlike Shiva trilogy. Definitely recommended 🌟🌟🌟🌟 . Qotd: Who is your favorite Indian author? (Or) What are your plans for the weekend?

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2. Ashwatthama’s Redemption

ver a hundred years after the Mahabharata War, an ancient power threatens to destroy the new Age of Men, by establishing the Age of Terror of the asuras, long believed to be extinct. the only hurdle in its path is Guru Dronacharya’s son, the mighty but accursed warrior Ashwatthama, who lost all his powers following Lord Krishna’s curse and who unwittingly finds himself drawn into the quest of the lost bow of Lord Rama, the Kodanda. As ghosts of the distant past return to haunt him and the line between friends and enemies blurs, Ashwatthama must fight his inner demons to emerge victorious. He undertakes a perilous journey—across the vast plains of the Ganges, to the snow-capped peaks of the Himavant where the price of failure is a fate worse than death and death is a privilege not granted to Ashwatthama. Is this all part of Lord Krishna’s great plan? Will Ashwatthama be able to regain his lost glory?

Checkout my review of this book!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2651845175

3. Palace of Illusions and Forest of Enchantments

Mahabharata is a story that never ceases to amaze me. The must read books of Ramayana and Mahabharata are the books by Chitra Divakaruni. Trust me, you’ll love the fresh female perspective of Draupadi. She truly is a feirce warrior. (Btw my name Krishne means Draupadi )

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"𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙩𝙝 𝙄 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙙. 𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙄'𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙢𝙮𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙢𝙮 𝙛𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙢𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙞𝙣𝙛𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙢 𝙤𝙣 𝙖 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙣𝙣𝙤𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙤𝙧𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙨𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙬𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢. 𝙄'𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙢𝙮𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙙𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙝𝙞𝙢. 𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙄, 𝙩𝙤𝙤, 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢, 𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙤𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙮 𝙗𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙙. 𝙒𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙄 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙𝙣'𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙞𝙩, 𝙣𝙤 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙖 𝙙𝙤𝙜 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙬𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖 𝙗𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩, 𝙨𝙥𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙝 𝙗𝙡𝙚𝙚𝙙." 𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙧𝙖 𝘽𝙖𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙟𝙚𝙚 𝘿𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙠𝙖𝙧𝙪𝙣𝙞, 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙖𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙄𝙡𝙡𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 . I've been fascinated by Mahabharata since childhood. (My name is Krishne which is another name for Draupadi) It was great to read it from Draupadi's point of view. Mahabharata has the most powerful female characters and a trans character for a story that was written millions of years ago. (I do believe it was true to some extent but not in the exaggerated way we hear it) . Qotd: Which trope do you prefer: Friends to lovers or enemies to lovers? . #books #bookstagramindia #palaceofillusions #mythology #India #bookstagram #bibliophile

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Who wouldn’t love Ramayana from the perspective of Sita? It is a tale of love, life, suffering, longing, hoping but most importantly it is a tale of endurance.

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𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠, 𝙄 𝙥𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙙 𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙧𝙚, 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙞𝙩 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙩. 𝙄𝙩 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣. 𝙄𝙩 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣 𝙗𝙚𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙠 𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙣𝙟𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙚. 𝙄𝙩 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙖𝙩 𝙪𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙖𝙨 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙨 𝙬𝙚 𝙠𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙡 𝙬𝙚 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙬 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢. – 𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙩𝙧𝙖 𝘽𝙖𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙟𝙚𝙚 𝘿𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙠𝙖𝙧𝙪𝙣𝙞, 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙁𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙀𝙣𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 . I forgave you a long time ago,’ I say to Ram. ‘Though I didn’t know it until now. Because this is the most important aspect of love, whose other face is compassion: It isn’t doled out, drop by drop. It doesn’t measure who is worthy and who isn’t. It is like the ocean. Unfathomable. Astonishing. Measureless. -Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni, The Forest of Enchantments . Qotd: Are you watching any show/series? Suggest some shows. . #books #bookstagramindia #bibliophiles #mythology #bookstagram #forestofenchantments

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Must read books if you ask me!

For me Indian mythology book recommendations check out my previous post.

https://ahthebookfeels.home.blog/2020/08/22/indian-mythology-1/

Stay home, stay safe. Happy reading!

J K Rowling!

“I am what I am, an’ I’m not ashamed. ‘Never be ashamed,’ my ol’ dad used ter say, ‘there’s some who’ll hold it against you, but they’re not worth botherin’ with.'” – JK Rowling, Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire

There is nothing worse than to find out that the author of one of the best written fiction series ever is not a great person after all. It gets worse when she uses her platform to alienate a particular community. I can only imagine what trans people felt. Honestly, we should take away Twitter from her!

There is so much more than that. I highly suggest you watch the video discussing this by James Tullos ( https://youtu.be/UG4P04KTNN0) and the videos by Sarah Z on youtube. https://youtu.be/m-rh-N4eFDU and https://youtu.be/A6qJXLNL8Ik

This is probably the last time I will be posting pictures of Harry Potter books or buying things that will directly profit JK.

I might still read the books once or twice. I will definitely support the artists that make merch etc based on Harry Potter.

Authorial intent vs Death of author is a fascinating debate. I can’t decide where I stand mostly because it all depends on the context and varies everytime.

What do you think about this? Do you still support Harry Potter? Do you believe in Authorial intent?

The Hunger Games Prequel review

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is the newest addition to the amazing Hunger Games universe (I know I’m late and it’s been about two months since the release)

“Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor.”

Suzanne Collins, The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1)

When I first read the blurb, I was disappointed. I didn’t want another good guy turns bad due to something bad that happens to him. I wanted to know the story of Snow but not empathize with him.

It is the morning of the reaping that will kick off the tenth annual Hunger Games. In the Capital, eighteen-year-old Coriolanus Snow is preparing for his one shot at glory as a mentor in the Games. The once-mighty house of Snow has fallen on hard times, its fate hanging on the slender chance that Coriolanus will be able to outcharm, outwit, and outmaneuver his fellow students to mentor the winning tribute.

The odds are against him. He’s been given the humiliating assignment of mentoring the female tribute from District 12, the lowest of the low. Their fates are now completely intertwined — every choice Coriolanus makes could lead to favor or failure, triumph or ruin. Inside the arena, it will be a fight to the death. Outside the arena, Coriolanus starts to feel for his doomed tribute… and must weigh his need to follow the rules against his desire to survive no matter what it takes.

*Spoilers ahead*

The book is divided into three parts

Part I: The Mentor

This part of the book introduces us to life in the Capital right after the war. They have wont the war but they have all been through terrible things. Coriolanus Snow is trying his to best to keep up with his life when his family (his grandmother and his cousin) is being crushed by poverty, when he becomes the Mentor of the tribute of district 12, Lucy Gray Baird.

Seeing the Hunger Games in its primitive stages is fascinating. You can see how people from the Capital were slowly made to forget that they are actually watching children kill each other and die. The Games were not always entertainment. I wish Suzanne Collins had explored more of this in the book.

Part II: The Prize

Are we even surprised that Lucy becomes the love interest? Throughout Part I Snow views Lucy as someone he can profit from than a person in distress but suddenly she becomes a person. He also keeps trying to drive home the point that Lucy does not belong in the districts. This means that his biases exist from childhood but it grows into anger later on.

I think there’s a natural goodness built into human beings. You know when you’ve stepped across the line into evil, and it’s your life’s challenge to try and stay on the right side of that line.

Suzanne Collins, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (The Hunger Games, #0)

The Games were not really interesting this time. There were too many characters and no one was memorable. I could hardly keep track of all tributes and their mentors. The only surprising thing was that Lucy did not die in the games. I was totally expecting her death and his change. Although we expect Lucy to win, how she wins in unpredictable and interesting.

Part III: The Peacekeeper

Although Lucy wins the Hunger Games, Snow is sent to a Peacekeeper in district 12 for cheating in the games. Snows hate of districts only grows here. Snow is selfish and that is explored in this part.

I feel like Part I and Part II were unnecessarily long and Part III is rushed. Part III is really the only interesting plot point. The games were surprisingly boring.

I don’t even know what to tell about the ending. It was unexpected, rushed and abrupt. The relationship between Lucy and Snow was underdeveloped. Ah, this book had so much potential. It is nice that the narcissistic traits of Snow is always lurking in the background even when he is with friends or his lovers or even his family.

You can blame it on the circumstances, the environment, but you made the choices you made, no one else. It’s a lot to take in all at once, but it’s essential that you make an effort to answer that question. Who are human beings? Because who we are determines the type of governing we need. Later on, I hope you can reflect and be honest with yourself about that you learned tonight.

Suzanne Collins, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (The Hunger Games, #0)

Many times in the book, the main conflict is Snow’s life and it is pointless because we already know he will live. When you write a prequel for a known character, the primary goal should be character building or world building. The book tried to do a bit of both and failed (in my opinion!).

In the end,

Snow lands on top

Suzanne Collins, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (The Hunger Games, #0)

I just wish the story covered the part of Snow actually becoming the dictator we saw. It is an interesting book but I was not hooked and definitely expected from the prequel of the bestselling series, Hunger Games.

There were also many songs in the book which I kind of skipped over. The

Even though I’ve mostly negative reviews, uiu have to read it yourself and decide. It is still a good read for all Hunger Games fans.

🌟🌟🌟

Have you read the book? What did you think? If not have you read the Hunger Games?

Shades of Magic series #3

Please be warned, this review has spoilers for book 1 and 2, A Darker Shade of Magic and A Gathering of Shadows (check out my review of both).

https://ahthebookfeels.home.blog/2020/07/07/shades-of-magic-series-1/

https://ahthebookfeels.home.blog/2020/07/09/shades-of-magic-series-2/

I really don’t know how to review this AMAZING book. It had everything to be the perfect book. I love this book so much. The ending left me wanting more from the characters and the world.

Blurb of the book:

Witness the fate of beloved heroes – and enemies.

THE BALANCE OF POWER HAS FINALLY TIPPED…
The precarious equilibrium among four Londons has reached its breaking point. Once brimming with the red vivacity of magic, darkness casts a shadow over the Maresh Empire, leaving a space for another London to rise.

WHO WILL CRUMBLE?
Kell – once assumed to be the last surviving Antari – begins to waver under the pressure of competing loyalties. And in the wake of tragedy, can Arnes survive?

WHO WILL RISE?
Lila Bard, once a commonplace – but never common – thief, has survived and flourished through a series of magical trials. But now she must learn to control the magic, before it bleeds her dry. Meanwhile, the disgraced Captain Alucard Emery of the Night Spire collects his crew, attempting a race against time to acquire the impossible.

WHO WILL TAKE CONTROL?
And an ancient enemy returns to claim a crown while a fallen hero tries to save a world in decay.

Review:

If you read the blurb, I can guarantee you would want to read the book. The book picks off right where the last book ends. The city is falling and death and destruction is in the air.

What are we drinking to?”
“The living,” said Rhy.
“The dead,” said Alucard and Lila at the same time.
“We’re being thorough,” added Rhy.

V.E. Schwab, A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3)

I will not talk about the plot in this review because I don’t want to spoil the experience of reading the book. V E Schwab is my new favourite author!

Lila is the best female character written ever. The characterization was done very well. You can see why all the characters do what they do. The love part of the story is handled very well. Kell and Lila.. Alucard and Rhy.. Ah my heart! They’ve all gone through so much and you will be so happy for them for even the smallest of happy things in the world of despair.

She was a thief, a runaway, a pirate, a magician.
She was fierce, and powerful, and terrifying.
She was still a mystery.
And he loved her.

V.E. Schwab, A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3)

The book made me laugh and cry, all at the same time. The ending was good but I wanted more and more of the story.

As the characters said Anoshe, I said Anoshe to the story with tears in my eyes!

Anoshe was a word for strangers in the street, and lovers between meetings, for parents and children, friends and family. It softened the blow of leaving. Eased the strain of parting. A careful nod to the certainty of today, the mystery of tomorrow. When a friend left, with little chance of seeing home, they said anoshe. When a loved one was dying, they said anoshe. When corpses were burned, bodies given back to the earth and souls to the stream, those left grieving said anoshe.

Anoshe brought solace. And hope. And the strength to let go.

V.E. Schwab, A Conjuring of Light (Shades of Magic, #3)

I hope I’ve convinced you to read the shades of magic series.

Happy Reading!

Shades of Magic series #1

This is one of my favorite fantasy series ever. It has a great world building, amazing character arcs, great adventures, magical tournaments and more!

The first book is A Darker Shade of Magic. We get introduced to Kell, one of the last magicians with the ability to travel between the parallel worlds, linked by the magical city of London. There are four worlds and four Londons. As Lila (aka the amazing Delilah Bard) says,

” Dull London

Kell London

Creepy London

Dead London”

Blurb of the book:

Kell is one of the last Antari—magicians with a rare, coveted ability to travel between parallel Londons; Red, Grey, White, and, once upon a time, Black.

Kell was raised in Arnes—Red London—and officially serves the Maresh Empire as an ambassador, traveling between the frequent bloody regime changes in White London and the court of George III in the dullest of Londons, the one without any magic left to see.

Unofficially, Kell is a smuggler, servicing people willing to pay for even the smallest glimpses of a world they’ll never see. It’s a defiant hobby with dangerous consequences, which Kell is now seeing firsthand.

After an exchange goes awry, Kell escapes to Grey London and runs into Delilah Bard, a cut-purse with lofty aspirations. She first robs him, then saves him from a deadly enemy, and finally forces Kell to spirit her to another world for a proper adventure.

Now perilous magic is afoot, and treachery lurks at every turn. To save all of the worlds, they’ll first need to stay alive.

Review:

If the blurb doesn’t interests you, I don’t what will. In one word, it is amazing. It has all aspects to be a perfect fantasy book. Lila is one of the best female characters I’ve read.

Every chapter is interesting. Every word is gripping. I just wished the book ended on a higher note so that we could immediately pick up the second book.

Some might feel bored in the beginning but the plot builds up slowly. I know this is less a review and more of me saying it’s the perfect book. But it is a perfect book, please pick it up!

I’m not going to die,” she said. “Not till I’ve seen it.”
“Seen what?”
Her smile widened. “Everything.

V.E. Schwab, A Darker Shade of Magic (Shades of Magic, #1)

Expect the review of book 2 of Shades of Magic, A Gathering of Shadows very soon.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I finished 2020 Reading Challenge! How to read more?

I have been trying to finish the goodreads challenge since 2017. This year I actually did!

I read 50 books in 6 months. It is not that big an achievement but I’m very happy about this because I managed to read 50 books excluding all the review copies and advanced reading copies. I spoke in a previous blog post about how Bookstagram affects my reading. (Check out that post https://ahthebookfeels.home.blog/2020/03/23/bookstagram-how-did-it-affect-my-reading/ )

How to read more?

1. Read books you love

Most of the times, I get influenced by all the books that the Bookstagram community talks about. I have found some amazing books through this. But, not all genres are famous here. Reading is fun when you read the books you like. You do not have to complete reading all the books you pick up. DNFing a book is totally okay.

2. Audiobooks!

I started listening to audiobooks this year. Let me tell you, it is so good to listen to a book while doing your work. It also helps you read multiple books at the same time. You can fall asleep listening to your favorite book. How cool is that?

3. Read multiple books at the same time

I love reading one serious book, one light read and an audiobook,  all together. I pick a book that suits my mood among these. Trust me and try this!

“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies . . . The man who never reads lives only one.” – George R.R. Martin

“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” – Stephen King

My next goal is to read 50 more books in 2020. I hope I can actually read a 100 books this year. Something good needs to happen this year *sigh*!

How many books have you read? What are your favorites?

Happy Reading!