The Well of Ascension (Mistborn Trilogy)

Title: The Well of Ascension (Mistborn Trilogy)

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Genre: Epic Fantasy, Magic, Adult, Politics

Format: Hardback

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Synopsis

Vin and the rest of Kelsier’s gang have successfully overthrown the Lord Ruler’s tyrannical government but they are now faced with a challenge of running a kingdom. This lead to Elend Venture becoming appointed King of Luthadel. He does his best to spread virtuous values and equality for all while preventing a potential war from occurring. Concurrently, Vin, notices the mysterious presence of a mist that continues to appear after the death of Lord Ruler.

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Uzumaki A.K.A. The Spiral

 

Author: Junji Ito

Genre: Horror, Mystery and Suspense

Format: Hardback

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

The story is set in a small town called Kurozu-cho located on the coast of Japan. Strange spiral shaped symbols started appearing everywhere inadvertently leading to the slow yet inevitable madness of the inhabitants.

The Final Empire (Mistborn Trilogy)

 

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Genre: Epic Fantasy, Magic, Adult, Politics

Format: Paperback

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis

In the Central Dominance was a region called ‘The Final Empire’, where a Hero rose up the ranks and dubbed himself as “Lord Ruler” and reigned with terror. In the heart of this region was its capital “Luthadel” where ash would unexplainably fall, and the pastures were lifeless and brown. People of different classes such as noblemen and the peasants also known as skaa accepted this way of life and even believed the lord ruler to be an omnipotent god. Frustration, misery and anger were masked by fear of executions, but hope illuminated one day when a half-skaa called Kelsier spread word of a future with a free humane government. Layers of truth started to uncover when it was revealed that he was a Mistborn, a being who had access to the power of Alomancy which was the act of becoming empowered by different types of metals. His existence was shunned by the current government but Kelsier hid his true nature and planned to recruit an army to topple lord ruler’s government. Political intrigue, the reminder of human vulnerability and hope ensue.

The Wicked King (The Folk of the Air Trilogy)

Author: Holly Black

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Politics

Format: Hardback

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis

The journey with the sequel of “The Cruel Prince” begins with five months having passed since our courageous lead Jude Duerte had played a role in crowning Carden as the High King of Faerie and has taken on the position of seneschal. Much to Carden’s dismay, Jude being assigned the role of seneschal came with a cost as he would be under Jude’s control for a year and a day.  This unusual companionship brought out the worst of one another as Cardan was not pleased to be controlled as a puppet. Meanwhile, Jude

The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air Trilogy)

Author: Holly Black

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Politics

Format: Hardback

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis

Watching the death of their parents at the age of seven and being stolen from the human world to the High Court of Faerie was a burden Vivian, Taryn and Jude had to carry for the rest of their lives. Adding to the pain was being raised by the murderer himself. Accepting her reality and the world she has grown attached to, Jude learns to 

Dry

 

Co-Authors: Neal & Jarrod Shusterman

Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopia

Format: Paperback

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Synopsis

California goes through a sudden shortage in water AKA the most consumable natural resource in the world. The everyday lives of a suburban town is struck with shock when taps start to run dry, an event addressed by the Government as the “Tap-Out.” As people are faced with the horrible reality of their situations, questionable decisions are made for the sake of securing water.   

Muse of Nightmares (Duology)

 

Author: Laini Taylor

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Format: Paperback

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

This sequel follows where we left off with the heart pounding climax of Lazlo discovering who he truly is and Sarai’s mortality coming to an end. In the midst of all this Minya, holds Sarai’s soul as hostage to manipulate Lazlo into doing her bidding in executing her long overdue vengeance upon the humans of Weep. Questions of what led to the Carnage, the missing children of the Citadel and the revelation of new worlds will all have answers.

I’m so honoured to have read both books in the duology this year. This sequel was thrilling and a lot more action packed than the first and in true Laini Taylor fashion, characters’ background stories have been fleshed out in depth and truths that have been veiled from us in the book one have been uncovered. The most intriguing characters were Minya and especially Nova, a newly introduced character who completely left us gobsmacked in her unexpected connection to the lost godspawns. Both characters share acrimonious personalities yet they fiercely love their family and will do anything to protect them.

All in all, this book has been far from amazing. It provided insight into the worlds hidden from the people of Weep, the life of heart break instigated upon the half-breed demigod children and concluding the heart-warming romance between our happy pairings. We are still not certain that this book is the end as Laini teased us with the mention of: “The End (or is it?)” so let’s see. Either way, I truly support annual publications of Laini Taylor books.

Hear Us Out

Authors: Amal Al Kooheji & Sajeda Al Asfoor
Genre: Self-help, Non-Fiction
Format: Paperback
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis
Our world today has paved way to a digital present and future so why is it taking so long for certain corporations to adjust to this new age and why is Generation Y aka ‘Millennials’ getting the the short end of the stick? Let’s find out as our two main characters Mrs. Hope (Generation X representative) and Saj (Generation Y representative) interact and attempt to understand each other’s generations especially the gaps that ‘Millennials’ need accommodating with, i.e. leadership skills, flexibility and impact.

Six of Crows

Author: Leigh Bardugo

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy

Format: Paperback

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

The synopsis is basically a survival story about a group of six criminals formed and led by crime mastermind Kaz Brekker, tasked to take  part in a dangerous heist which will result in unimaginable riches or death.

Circe

Author: Madeline Miller 
Genre: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction
Format: Hardback
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The story centres around Circe, daughter of Helios the sun god and Perse, an Oceanid nymph. Although she was a goddess, she was treated poorly by her family and relatives for lacking the appearance of a divine being. Her isolation led her to seek companionship from mortals and her actions led her to discover a power hidden and despised by the gods: witchcraft. She got sentenced to exile by her father to the remote island of Aiaia and in the course of time she spent there, she learnt to hone her gift of magic and ultimately meet different people: both mortals and immortals who aid in shaping the path she decided to pursue: embrace her divinity and the kin who discarded her or stay with the mortals she came to love.