I truly didn’t have words when I finished this book! This was so beautifully written – the world-building was intricate and unique, and Raeve’s character pulled me in from the beginning.

I listened to the audiobook for this one, and it was really well-done. However, I would note that the audiobook was a little tough to follow along with because of all the world-building. I usually can keep up with audiobooks no problem, but even I was struggling with some of the terminology and names/places.

So, with that being said, I would probably recommend the physical or e-book for this one or in combination with the audiobook – that way you can reference the terminology as needed.

If you love an intricate fantasy realm with elemental powers, dragons, bad ass assassins, eternal love, and an impending rebellion, then this one is for you!

*** SPOILERS AHEAD – If you want the spoiler-free Goodreads synopsis, jump to the bottom of my post!

I was definitely shaken at that ending, and now I cannot wait for book two. I have to admit that Elluin’s mysterious ending and Raeve’s mysterious past were KILLING me though throughout the book – I’m truly an impatient reader. EVERY time Kaan was about to reveal her past, she would divert or the storyline would turn. I know the whole point is that Raeve can’t or doesn’t want to face the pain of Elluin’s past, but it was torturing me lol.

I think I’m most excited to see if Raeve bonds with Lirri in the next book (or maybe we get to see a healed Slatra?). The dragons are probably my favorite part of the book.

Now that we know Elluin’s downfall, will we get to see Raeve accept her truth early on in the next book? I sure hope so, but we at least now know that Kyzari is her (And Kaan’s) daughter. I am so proud of myself because I guessed that Nee belonged to Kyzari once we got to a certain point in the book.

I’m still unsure of how Elluin died – maybe I missed that – but I don’t think King’s betrayal was super clear besides that he blackmailed Elluin into marrying Kaan’s brother instead.

I’d love to know your thoughts in the comments!

Characters

Raeve/Elluin: I do love Raeve – it’s just her refusal to acknowledge Elluin’s past (or her current love for Kaan) is killllliiinnnnggg me.

The Other: I also hope we get further clarity on “The Other” within Raeve – is that part of her completely new since her rebirth or is it just a part of Elluin that remains hidden within Raeve because she doesn’t like to face the pain and flames? And okay, that last scene was amazing. Rekk deserved what he got.

Kaan: Wow, who wouldn’t love Kaan. The King of eternal love. The man literally spent years searching for every piece of Slatra’s shattered moon to piece her back together in honor of Elluin, his one true love. His love and respect for Elluin is just incredible to me, but it really shines through with how he treats and honors Raeve.

Veya: I think we have only just seen the beginning of Veya, and I really want to see her relationship with Raeve develop. I still want to know the mystery behind the bangal though and how she got it/why she got rid of it.

Quotes

Honestly, the writing in this book is so beautiful and emotional and moving and hilarious. But here are just a few:

“Chase death, Moonbeam. And I pray your bloodlust brings you the same sense of peace I feel just knowing you exist.”

“He’s fire and brimstone. I’m shattered ice. Our collision is steam and destruction, destined to dissipate, but I’ll gladly burn beneath him until the world comes crumbling down.”

“Sadness is like stones that stack inside you, making it harder to move.”

“I knew a female who died. Tragically. Whose lifeless body was sailed into the sky by the adoring beast at your back with my torn-out heart in her fucking fist,” he rasps, lifting his hand into a claw that he shakes in my face. “Her name was Elluin, and she laughed with the wind, cried with the rain. She angered with fire and bellowed with the ground.”

“but I’d die knowing I left something bright behind in this beautiful world sketched in so many shades of ugly.  I also like the idea of being able to fall from the sky and squash somebody if they piss me off.”

“So many assholes, so few fingers to count them all.”

GoodReads Synopsis

When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker

The Creators did not expect their beloved dragons to sail skyward upon their end. To curl into balls just beyond gravity’s grip, littering the sky with tombstones. With moons.

They certainly did not expect them to fall.

As a valued Elding Blade of the rebellion group Fíur du Ath, Raeve’s job is to kill. To complete orders and never get caught. When a renowned bounty hunter is employed by The Crown to capture a member of the Ath, Raeve’s world is turned upside down. Blood spills, hearts break, and Raeve finds herself at the mercy of the Guild of Nobles—a group of dual-beaded elementals who intend to turn her into a political statement. Only death will set her free.

Crushed beneath a mourning weight, Kaan Vaegor took the head of a king and donned his melted crown. Now on a tireless quest to assuage the never-ebbing ache in his chest, his hunt for a moonshard lures him into the belly of Gore’s notorious prison where he stumbles upon something that rips apart his perception of reality. A shackled miracle with eyes full of rage and blood on her hands.

The echo of the past sings louder than the Creators themselves, and even Raeve can’t ignore the truths blaring at her from a warmer, happier time.
However.
There’s more to this song than meets the eye, and some truths …
They’re too poisonous to swallow.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The post When the Moon Hatched appeared first on Earth and Ink.

I promised a blog post on my thoughts of Variation, so here it goes! Just a warning, this post has all spoilers ahead! Jump to the bottom of my post to read the Goodreads synopsis with a link to the book!

*** Spoilers Ahead ***

I think it’s safe to say that I will never see what Rebecca Yarros has coming for me in any of her books! To start at the beginning, I really wasn’t sure who I disliked more – the Rousseau sisters’ mother or Caroline.

I knew something was up with Allie’s mom from the first encounter, where we see her yelling ballet positions instead of truly conversing with Allie and Anne. But despite that suspicion, it was obvious how she treated her children (poorly, let’s just go with poorly) before that moment in the book. Allie didn’t know love besides her obvious dedication to her sisters. It makes you wonder how her father played a role (if he did, really?) but I’m also not here to dive into any plotholes. I’m here for the vibes.

Anywhoo you know a character is well-written when they get on your nerves to the point you want to throw the book. For me, that was Caroline Ellis, no doubt. It was already hard to get past her stigma for ballerinas, but it was even harder to listen to her be such a well, you know, to Allie at Juniper’s birthday party. Of course, we come to find out that Caroline had really valid reasons for not letting Juniper dance. BUT I still think she let her prejudice against the Rousseaus get in the way of initially meeting Allie.

“Dreams aren’t stagnant, Allie. They grow.
They shift.”

I absolutely adore Hudson Ellis. I said this in my post on Instagram, but I just love that he supports and shows Allie his love no matter what. She obviously hasn’t had much of that in her life, so it’s really awesome to see her have a cheerleader who’s there just because they love her and not because of her talent as a ballerina.

I will admit that I didn’t see any of the twists coming – Rebecca keeps me on my toes! I could not figure out the big secret of Allie’s memory loss from the accident, but I was really worried that Hudson caused it or something. Of course, it ended up that Hudson pulled Allie out first and didn’t get to Lena in time. It was really hard to see Allie hear that truth, but I did appreciate how she pretty immediately realized her mother was the culprit of that secret, not Hudson. I didn’t see Juniper’s daddy reveal coming AT ALL, so good for you if you guessed that one! And of course we come to find out that their mother is sick. I’m not saying we should condone yelling at sick people, but I’m also just saying that that scene FELT. SO. GOOD. I was also totally expecting Hudson to move to NY at the end, so that one threw me for a loop – BUT I loved it!

As far as romance books go, I’m loving Rebecca’s. They are giving me Nicholas Sparks vibes – and yes, I love Nicholas Sparks – and I’m here for it. If you’re looking for something different for your Onyx Storm Book Hangover, I would definitely recommend it!

Have you read Variation yet? Let me know in the comments!

Quotes

“Messy is good, love. Messy is where the best parts of life happen.”

“Why are you brave for everyone but yourself?”

“You need to stop hiding behind what everyone else wants, because you’re the only one responsible for your happiness.”

“I didn’t want to be some anonymous, fleeting, erasable guest in her life like the others who had come before me. I wanted to be engraved, etched, and carved so deeply into her soul that she’d never get me out.”

“This wasn’t chemistry. This was combustion.”

Goodreads Synopsis

Variation by Rebecca Yarros

Elite ballerina Allie Rousseau is no stranger to pressure. With her mother’s eyes always watching, perfection was expected, no matter the cost. But when an injury jeopardizes all she’s sacrificed for, Allie returns to her summer home to heal and recover. But the memories she’s tried to forget rush in and threaten to take her under.

As a Coast Guard rescue swimmer, Hudson Ellis knows that hesitation can mean the difference between life and death. He’s always prided himself on being in the right place at the right time, especially when it came to Allie Rousseau…until the night he left for basic. After the biggest regret of his life, the secrets he keeps mean he can never be with the one woman he wants more than his next breath.

When Hudson’s niece shows up on Allie’s doorstep, desperate to find her birth mother, Allie finds herself in an unimaginable position. Allie and Hudson’s past and present might be endlessly complicated. The thread that tied them to each other all those years ago may have unraveled, but the truth could pull them back together, or drive them apart forever.

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The post Variation by Rebecca Yarros appeared first on Earth and Ink.