Series Review: The Remnant Chronicles by Mary E. Pearson (Spoiler Free)

“It can take years to mold a dream. It takes only a fraction of a second for it to be shattered.” 

Synopsis for Book One:
In a society steeped in tradition, Princess Lia’s life follows a preordained course. As First Daughter, she is expected to have the revered gift of sight—but she doesn’t—and she knows her parents are perpetrating a sham when they arrange her marriage to secure an alliance with a neighbouring kingdom—to a prince she has never met.

On the morning of her wedding, Lia flees to a distant village. She settles into a new life, hopeful when two mysterious and handsome strangers arrive—and unaware that one is the jilted prince and the other an assassin sent to kill her. Deception abounds, and Lia finds herself on the brink of unlocking perilous secrets—even as she finds herself falling in love.

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My Thoughts:
My faith in YA fantasy has been restored!
I bloody loved this trilogy! It was amazing from start until finish. I binged the whole trilogy, I was seriously hooked and obsessed. I haven’t been so dedicated to finish a whole series without a break in a long time. This series was seriously everything I expected and more! I am so glad I bought the whole trilogy at once. I had a feeling I’d like this series, based on reviews I’ve seen from people with similar taste as me, but I didn’t think I love it quite this much!

This was a slower pace than my usual preference but I was hooked! I usually like my fantasy fast-paced, as I tend to find a slower pace less gripping but it couldn’t be more wrong for this series. Everything was so well written and interesting that I couldn’t stop reading. There isn’t a huge amount of action but there is a huge amount of intrigue! I was instantly invested in Lia as a character and her life/safety and love interests!

The Worldbuilding:
The world is interesting but it’s slow world-building, especially in the first book. You don’t really get much insight into the world in the first book. It definitely got better as the books went on. I ended up loving this world. All three Kingdom mentioned/appeared were unique from each other and all fascinating!

This series features a lot of politics and religion – both of which are really well written and easy to understand and super interesting to learn about. The second book, in particular, is mostly political intrigue – if you aren’t a fan of political driven fantasy, this may not be for you.

The magic system isn’t the most ‘magical’ magic system but it was still cool and fascinating. It is very simple but well written – there’s no chance of being confused.

Characters:
I was instantly invested in all the characters and loved all their interactions. There aren’t many books where I don’t hate at least one character but I can honestly say I liked everyone.

Lia:
I LOVE LIA.
She is the strong, badass YA heroine I’ve been waiting for. My faith in YA fantasy has been restored. I loved everything about Lia and her character, journey, relationships, etc. She was just great. She is strong-willed, outspoken and a decent, caring person.

Rafe & Kaden: I’m not going to say who is who because of spoilers!! But both guys are really well written and great! I definitely preferred one over the other, won’t say who/why –  it would give a lot away.
Both have a great but bumpy relationship with Lia and they have a kind of rivalry between each other.

Ratings:
The Kiss of Deception ★★★★.5
The Heart of Betrayal ★★★★
The Beauty of Darkness ★★★★.5

Series Rating: ★★★★.5

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DISAPPOINTING Reread Review/Rant: Six of Crows Duology by Leigh Bardugo (Audiobooks)

Synopsis for SoC:
Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can’t pull it off alone…

A convict with a thirst for revenge

A sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager

A runaway with a privileged past

A spy known as the Wraith

A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums

A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes

Kaz’s crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don’t kill each other first.

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My Thoughts:

So… I actually didn’t enjoy the series as much as the first time around. I much preferred reading the physical books than listening. I love audiobooks but these did not do it for me. I felt less interested in the story, the majority of the narrators weren’t good – which really makes or breaks an audiobook for me.

First things first: None of the narrators sound young enough to play teenagers, especially Matthias & Jespers!! Get actual teenagers?! It would be so much better that way. But honestly, the characters are aged way too young to have done/ achieved some of the stuff they have. If the characters had been in their mid-20s it’d be more believable.

Six of Crows – Found this pretty boring.
I struggled to get into the story at first. It was slower/more boring than I remembered – I barely remembered any of the plot so it wasn’t boring because I knew everything. I just didn’t connect to it this time around. Sadly.

Crooked Kingdom – This was, again, slow but I was more interested this time. Maybe because I got used to the narrators by the time I got to this? I’m not sure. This is really a 3 Star read but I basically gave it an extra star because I like the characters and the ending! The ending was heartbreaking in some places and lovely in others. ALL THE FEELS.

Since I read this the first time, I have read SO many other YA fantasy and honestly, this is so overrated. Leigh Bardugo is overrated. I’m not sure whether to read more of her stuff or not. I kind of want to try King of Scars but who knows.

Things I learned from this reread:

• The story/plot is so unmemorable – it’s the characters that stick with you.
• Even though Leigh Bardugo’s writing is clearly better in these than the Shadow and Bone trilogy; I don’t think Leigh Bardugo is for me.
• The series is seriously overrated.
• Matthias is underrated.
• I still don’t think you NEED to read SaB before SoC – yes there are hints/ characters from the trilogy but it doesn’t add much.
• I’m not sure I enjoy full-cast audiobooks.

Characters:
Kaz: I love Kaz. He’s a complete psychopath but I like him. He’s such an interesting character. I wish there were more of Kaz POV chapters because I feel he’s the best/ more interesting character.
HIS NARRATOR IS THE WORST. God, I hated the lack of Kaz because he’s a great character but I don’t think I could cope with any more of his narrator. He sounded like a middled-age smoker.

Inej: Inej is a babe. I like her but she’s no longer my favourite. I just feel there’s a lack of her, especially in CK. I wanted more!! Especially more Inej and Kaz – their interactions were amazing in SoC but it was seriously lacking in CK.
Her narrator wasn’t bad, one of the better ones on these audiobooks.

Nina: I LOVE NINA!!! I thought Inej was my favourite dreg but from this reread I actually prefer Nina. She’s sassy, funny and has a great personality. I really connected with her character this time around. She’s now my fave from SoC! I love her and Matthias so much, too. Such great banter between them.
Her narrator was actually good – I feel like she captured Nina perfectly and got her tones and personality through.

Matthias: WHY does everyone hate Matthias?!! Seriously underrated character. I find him so funny and entertaining. His interactions with EVERYONE are amazing. He’s clueless and oblivious to some things and it’s funny. I don’t see the hate for him at all. I really enjoyed his part. MATTHIAS DESERVED BETTER!
His narrator had such an amazing, deep voice. It was dreamy to listen to.

Jesper & Wylan: Grouping these two together because reasons.
I like these two but there isn’t enough of them. I was NOT a fan of their narrators!! Wylan’s narrator was awful – especially when he did Kaz. OMG. Cannot even deal with Wylan’s narrator doing Kaz; he sounded like a witchy old woman. It was laughable. Jesper’s narrator was bad per se but he didn’t capture his happy/excitable nature, in my opinion.

Ratings:
Six of Crows ★★★.5
Crooked Kingdom ★★★★

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What are your thoughts on Six of Crows?

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