The Queen of the Tearling Series - Erika Johansen

Quite a lot of time has passed since I actually read this series. I did intend to write up a review immediately after I'd finished it, but I actually think waiting was a good thing. I read the three books back-to-back, and very quickly, as you do when you're really into a series. And I absolutely loved it... except for the very end. If I'd written a review immediately, I would have been so wrapped up in the very end that I would have done it a disservice. Because really, I loved the plot, I loved the characters, and I loved the entire world that Johansen created. Everything came together to make for a fantastic trilogy; one of the best I've ever read. It helps having a strong heroine like Kelsea to drive the story forward, and I couldn't help but respond to her complexity. That she was supported by such a strong cast of other characters only elevated the book in my eyes, and I love how the author took so much care to plan every detail. Every plot point and every scene made sense in the wider story, and it has been a long time since I saw that level of attention to detail in fiction.

Fantasy fiction is right up my street, and this was a really great story to fall into. In hindsight, I still don't really like the ending, but it definitely didn't ruin the series for me as a whole. I can see exactly what the author was trying to do by pushing the plot in that direction; it just wasn't to my taste. However, altogether I loved the series so, so much, and I wish I could read it all over again for the first time.

Rating: ✫✫✫✫✫

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Kelsea Raleigh has been raised in exile, since the death of her mother put her life in danger. As she turns nineteen, Kelsea finds herself being escorted back to the Tear kingdom by the Queen's Guard, a group of fiercely loyal soldiers whose sole purpose is to see Kelsea ascend her rightful throne. Cautious and insecure, Kelsea is unconvinced that she can lead the kingdom. But when she arrives at the Keep, what she sees gives her the determination she needs to step up.

But Kelsea soon learns that every action comes with consequences, and that enemies are everywhere; not least the Red Queen, a sorceress and the tyrannical ruler of Mortmesne, a neighbouring kingdom. But Kelsea has a weapon. She carries with her the Tearling sapphire, a powerful jewel that unleashes magic when she most needs it. But while she learns who she can really trust, can Kelsea dodge the dangers of ruling a broken kingdom long enough to learn to control it?

*spoiler alert*

Bookish Feelings from The National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth

I visited the National Library of Wales a few weeks ago, and I couldn't not take pictures of these quotes that were printed on the walls.

I can't remember a time when I wasn't obsessed by books. For as long as I can recall, there were always piles and piles of books in my house. And that included a lot of books that belonged to me. I still find it strange that so many people don't read, and don't take enjoyment from books. It was always such a huge part of my childhood, and I just assumed that was the norm for other people too.

Dear Amy - Helen Callaghan

Rating: ✫✫✫

Well, it's been a little while since I've had the time to sit down and write a review of any books I've read (truth be told, it's been a while since I've had the time to sit down and read any books, much to my horror). But I'm back. 

I started reading Dear, Amy purely by chance. I was out and about and found myself with an hour or so to kill, and found this in the local library. I knew I had it at home, so started reading. Psychological thrillers have saturated the market recently, so it's difficult to find one that stands out. This one was good, but I'm not sure it was the greatest I've read. Admittedly this may largely be my own fault. I've been so busy with work that I haven't really had the time to commit to the story. I found myself reading it in small chunks, with long delays between them. I imagine that I would have enjoyed it slightly more if I had read it all in one go. 

Let me start by saying that I loved the idea behind the book. The way Margot receives letters to her column makes for a really imaginative way of telling a story that is not necessarily original, and I thought immediately that the plot had a lot of mileage. I was excited to see which direction the story went in. However, I found that our main character was a bit of a pain. She's nice enough, but I found her very difficult to really like, and so I wasn't as invested in the book as I normally would be. That being said, the twist in the story is very good, and I didn't see it coming. I just wish I could have experienced that shock that I would have felt if I was a little more into the book as a whole. 

✼

Dear Amy,

I've been kidnapped by a strange man.

I don't know where I am.

Please help me.

Bethan Avery

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When Margot Lewis receives this letter delivered to the newspaper where she is a part-time agony aunt called 'Amy', she assumes it must be a hoax. Bethan Avery went missing twenty years ago, so why would she suddenly be receiving these letters now? But Margot also works in a school, where a girl has been missing for only a few weeks. 

As more letters arrive, Margot realises that she can't ignore them. But as the circumstances become increasingly sinister, Margot is also forced to confront her own, troubled past, putting herself in the heart of the case, and right in front of a dangerous criminal.

*spoiler alert*