Review: World After by Susan Ee

04/09/202103/21/2021 | CJRTB Books

Title: World After

Series: Penryn & the end of days #2

Author: Susan Ee

In this sequel to the bestselling fantasy thriller, Angelfall, the survivors of the angel apocalypse begin to scrape back together what’s left of the modern world.

When a group of people capture Penryn’s sister Paige, thinking she’s a monster, the situation ends in a massacre. Paige disappears. Humans are terrified. Mom is heartbroken.

Penryn drives through the streets of San Francisco looking for Paige. Why are the streets so empty? Where is everybody? Her search leads her into the heart of the angels’ secret plans where she catches a glimpse of their motivations, and learns the horrifying extent to which the angels are willing to go.

Meanwhile, Raffe hunts for his wings. Without them, he can’t rejoin the angels, can’t take his rightful place as one of their leaders. When faced with recapturing his wings or helping Penryn survive, which will he choose?

I absolutely am loving this series and I am still berating myself for not reading this sooner!

So we are back with Pen. Raffe is not with her after thinking she is dead. But she is reunited with her Mum and her sister, Paige, well for a bit anyway and they just need to survive.

Pen’s Mum is crazier than ever but I can’t help thinking there is a point to this that will be revealed? Whilst I’m here guessing, her Dad is also mentioned a bit so I’m wondering if he will feature anywhere?

Paige is changed and even more wild than before and poor old Pen is just a 17 year old girl who has had all this thrust upon her and has taken on the title of hero because she is desperately trying to keep her family together.

But she has her trusty sword, she has the fighting spirit of the human race and she sort of has the resistance.
One of my fave bits was when Pooky Bear shows her some amazing stuff and my jaw dropped! I want a sword like that!

Then another when the angels gruesome plans are revealed, my jaw dropped! It was just horrible and vile, I couldn’t stop reading!

But…..I cannot tell you the anticipation I felt waiting for some romance between Pen and Raffe….and it never came! I know it’s forbidden but we’ve had one kiss and I WANT MORE *stomps foot* paahahaaa!!!

I will leave you with my final thought before I run to get the next book….I need to get myself an angel!

Review: Angelfall by Susan Ee

04/08/202103/14/2021 | CJRTB Books

Title: Angelfall

Series: Penryn & the end of days #1

Author: Susan Ee

It’s been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. Street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back.Anything, including making a deal with an enemy angel.Raffe is a warrior who lies broken and wingless on the street. After eons of fighting his own battles, he finds himself being rescued from a desperate situation by a half-starved teenage girl.Traveling through a dark and twisted Northern California, they have only each other to rely on for survival. Together, they journey toward the angels’ stronghold in San Francisco where she’ll risk everything to rescue her sister and he’ll put himself at the mercy of his greatest enemies for the chance to be made whole again.

‘Men with wings. Angels of the Apocalypse. Supernatural beings who’ve pulverized the modern world and killed millions, maybe even billions, of people.’

Why oh why haven’t I read this before now? This book has been out since 2013 and I’ve only just read?

I read in a few hours because a) I couldn’t get enough and b) I couldn’t put it down. Anyway……

In this post apocalyptic world, the angels have wrought down their idea of vengeance on humans and now basically rule until they are given a ‘message’ to go elsewhere.

Pen meets Raffe, helps him and she basically seals their fate. She sets off with her mentally ill Mum and Raffe so she can rescue her disabled sister, Paige who has been taken and Raffe can get what he wants back from the angels.

Along the way they meet some interesting people, there is banter, there is blood, gore, cannibalism and scary things and I really enjoyed it. Also Pen and Raffe stole my heart!

TTT – Books I’d Gladly Throw Into the Ocean

04/06/202103/21/2021 | CJRTB Books

Top Ten Tuesday is featured by That Artsy Reader Girl. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Theme: Books I’d Gladly Throw Into the Ocean

So I didn’t like this subject, I just can’t do it, it’s just not me so I am changing it up to Books I’d Gladly Shout from the Rooftops Everyday of the Week!

From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L Armentrout

The House on Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Aurora Burning by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman

Skyward by Brandon Sanderson

Deviate by Jay Kristoff

The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna

Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

Cress by Marissa Meyer

The 20 Questions Book Tag

04/05/202103/31/2021 | CJRTB Books

I wasn’t tagged for this but I saw it on Lou’s Book Stuff and thought I’d have a go! Go check Lou out here, superb blog 😁

1. How many books are too many books in a series?
Well. Now this is a question! So I’ve read a romance series with over 23 books and wanted more in that world but then I’ve read trilogies where I thought it could’ve been a duology. So really I am dodging this question with a non-answer!

2. How do you feel about cliff-hangers?
I actually don’t mind a cliffy!!! Sometimes I think it keeps me more interested in the series as I NEED to know what happens next!

3. Hardback or Paperback?
I’m probably in the minority here, but paperbacks! They are smaller and less heavy so my bad wrist doesn’t hurt when reading and I can fit more on my shelves with them as space is at a premium in my house!

4. Favourite book?
What? Just one? I have many! If I have to pick one then….

5. Least favourite book?
I wouldn’t say that I have a least favourite book but there quite a few I’ve DNF’d.

6. Love triangles, yes or no?
NO! Non! Nein! Net!

7. The most recent book you just couldn’t finish?
I started listening to The Bear and Nightingale by Katherine Arden and had to stop. Not because I didn’t like it but because there was a lot of detail in there and I found I wanted to experience it by actually reading the words…..so I’ve got the ebook and I’m going to read that!

8. A book you’re currently reading?

9. Last book you recommended to someone?
Probably The House on the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune. It’s a feel good masterpiece!

10. Oldest book you’ve read?
I’m sure it was Harry Potter so 1997? I obviously read books before that but I can’t think! I know I read Flowers in the Attic but didn’t read when it first came out as I was only 2!

11. Newest book you’ve read?
Rule of Wolves by Leigh Bardugo

12. Favourite author?
This sort of links in with question 4, probably Sarah J Maas or Kristen Ashley.

13. Buying books or borrowing books?
Buying most defs. My poor bank account.

14. A book you dislike that everyone else seems to love?
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novak. It’s not that I disliked it, I just don’t think dark academia is my genre!

15. Bookmarks or dog-ears?
I’m sorry who heck dog ears their pages??? That’s criminal!

16. A book you can always reread?
Ride Steady by Kristen Ashley

17. Can you read while listening to music?
No. I like the quiet (or as quiet it can get with kids!!)

18. One POV or multiple POVs?
I don’t mind. I think both can be good if done well.

19. Do you read a book in one sitting or over multiple days?
It depends. I’ve devoured a near 600 page book in a day but then read a 300 page book over 3 days.
It also depends on what real life stuff I have to do and I guess also on how invested I am in the book (because you make time for a fab read!)

20. Who do you tag?
I won’t tag anyone but please fell free to do!

Happy Easter!

04/04/202101/23/2021 | CJRTB Books

Happy Easter! 🐰🐣

Hope today is filled with love, family and chocolate!!!!

‘Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life.” — S.D. Gordon

Happy International Pillow Fight Day!!!

04/03/202104/02/2021 | CJRTB Books

It’s true!

Yes it really is a day!!!! It made me so happy!!!

So what’s better than a bookish pillow (or cushion)??!!

2 bookish pillows!

The Crescent City cushion cover was from Fairyloot and look how bright and lovely it is!

This really is the cushion of champions! Again, from Fairyloot and its a Red Rising pillow. It is just phenomenal!

I also have another Sarah J Maas one and an Oscar Wilde quote but thought it might be pillow overload to put them here as well!

Do you own any bookish pillows/cushions?

🎧 Review: The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

04/01/202103/21/2021 | CJRTB Books

Review1

Title: The Song of Achilles

Author: Madeline Miller

Greece in the age of heroes. Patroclus, an awkward young prince, has been exiled to the court of King Peleus and his perfect son Achilles. By all rights their paths should never cross, but Achilles takes the shamed prince as his friend, and as they grow into young men skilled in the arts of war and medicine their bond blossoms into something deeper – despite the displeasure of Achilles’ mother Thetis, a cruel sea goddess. But then word comes that Helen of Sparta has been kidnapped. Torn between love and fear for his friend, Patroclus journeys with Achilles to Troy, little knowing that the years that follow will test everything they hold dear.

Profoundly moving and breathtakingly original, this rendering of the epic Trojan War is a dazzling feat of the imagination, a devastating love story, and an almighty battle between gods and kings, peace and glory, immortal fame and the human heart.

Review2
I ate this story up and it consumed me! My heart strings are truly twanged!

I listened to the audio and was surprised that the narrator pronounced names differently to me and I wondered if I’d always said them wrong!

Patroclus early life broke my heart. But I guess it was lucky as he was exiled where Achilles was and they strike up a friendship and then more.

Patroclus and Achilles are beautiful together. Their bond! I was gleeful! But jeez this tore at my heartstrings! The rest of the story was tragic to listen to. That’s all I can say. You need to experience this.

The ending, that last paragraph made my heart soar.

Closing the Chapter: March 2020

03/31/202103/21/2021 | CJRTB Books

Welcome to Closing the Chapter! I hope you had a great reading month?

End of March is here and we are slowly opening back up here after lockdown in the UK. My son went back to school on the 8th March and I am looking forward to hairdressers reopening on the 12th April. I could give Hagrid a run for his money on hair do’s at the moment!!!

I read 11 books which is a new record for me, I’m amazed!

📚 Physical/E-book

Chase the Dark by Annette Marie
See my review here.

The Dawn of the End by Kristen Ashley
See my review here.

Wild Wind by Kristen Ashley
See my review here.

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
See my review here.

Angelfall by Susan EE
World After by Susan Ee
End of Days by Susan Ee

See my series review soon!

The Iron Raven by Julie Kagawa
See my review soon!

🎧 Audio

One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
Buddy read with Maria from @TheEuphoricAffair
See my review here.

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
See my review soon!

sfg

Set Fire to the Gods by Sarah Raasch & Kristen Simmons
See my review soon!

What did you read in March?

TTT – Places In Books I’d Love to Live

03/30/202103/10/2021 | CJRTB Books

TTT
Top Ten Tuesday is featured by That Artsy Reader Girl. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Theme = Places In Books I’d Love to Live

Gaaaah I love this prompt! I had such fun going over my books and remembering the world’s!!!

The Red Church – Nevernight by Jay Kristoff
An odd choice I know but imagine how interesting it would be!

Prague – Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
I fell in love with the description of Prague in DOSAB and wonder if it’s like that in real life (minus the magic of course!)