January Wrap-Up

    Hey guys!  I'm sorry for being MIA for awhile.  I just started online classes and I ended up having a huge work load.  That being said, I will most likely be cutting my posts back to just two or three times a month.  I need to put all my focus on my studies in order to get caught up, (because I'm already behind after one week), and I really don't want to screw this up.  I will be attempting to keep up with my TBRs and wrap-ups for each month until classes are over in May, however my reading has also been suffering due to my coursework.  I was only able to complete two books this month, not for lack of trying.  One of the books I wanted to read is still on hold at the library because whoever had it last still hasn't returned it...  So I'm going to also try harder to make time to read this month in order to curb my insanity.  I'm hoping I can still make time to discuss more Shadowhunters and other TV shows when I have the time, but for now this is what my schedule will probably end up looking like.  Anyway, let's get on with the books I read this month!

(goodreads.com)

    The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima was a book series I was so looking forward to reading, since I loved her Demon King series.  Unfortunately, this one fell a little flat for me.  It took me until well after 200 pages to get at least mildly interested in what was going on and even after that, my heart still wasn't in it.  I think the premise is similar to Riordan's Percy Jackson series, but not as well executed.  It was difficult to picture the setting and get attached to any of the characters.  No one stood out to me as "likable," except for maybe Will or Linda.  I was really disappointed that I couldn't get into it.  It took up a lot of this month's reading time, so I probably should have ditched it when I had the chance, but I like seeing things through to the end, even if it's not satisfying.  I gave this book 2.5/3 out of 5 stars.  I probably won't continue with this series.

(goodreads.com)

    Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes was definitely a more satisfying read!  This series has been on my TBR for awhile and I'm still on my fantasy kick, so I decided to pick it up in the hopes that it would tear me away from the Infernal Devices series, (still working on it).  I was hooked right away, which was a stark contrast to the previous book.  I loved all the different perspectives of all the different characters and I loved all the drama.  The settings were solid with their descriptions and even felt familiar.  The characters are what really drive this story and they were both likable and not likable at the same time in their own ways.
    -Poor Magnus!  I think I'm probably the only one who actually likes Magnus as a character.  I felt bad for him more than anything, mostly for everything that's happened with his father and between him and Lucia.  This is such a Jace/Clary situation, but with a very different, (and more realistic), outcome.  The abuse he's gone through, both mentally and physically, basically drives him to where he is at the end of the book, so I'm hoping that by the end of the series there's some redemption for him.
    -Jonas also seems like a poor, unfortunate soul.  I wanted to kill that noble bastard too, but I think Jonas is regretting his decisions about where he put his trust.  Obviously he's going to go looking for revenge where ever he can find it, and I don't blame him for that.  I also noticed his feelings regarding Cleo changing drastically from the beginning to the end of this book, which felt rather odd to me.  You don't hate someone and then dream about them all the time and wonder where they are.  I'm sensing a ship in his future.
    -Cleo is the most stupid twit I've ever read about.I basically couldn't even deal with her until the very end.  Cleo also reminds me of Clary in the sense that she's stubborn and will throw herself into situations without realizing how dangerous it is.  I do feel badly that she's on her own now, but maybe that will teach her to buck up and live a rougher life than she's used to.  Sometimes having everything taken away from you makes you a stronger person, so hopefully she matures...quickly.  Also, I never believed in the whole Cleo/Theon thing, although it was reminiscent of  a Celaena/Aelin and Chaol situation.  I don't think they developed that relationship enough to make me care about them in the end.  A lot of other literary connections in this book!
    -Lucia, my precious cinnamon roll!  She basically spent her whole life living a lie and then gets thrust into doing magic for everyone.  She seems a bit dim, but towards the end I could tell that she's actually smart, but maybe chooses not to speak too much of her own mind.  I can understand her not wanting her brother that way, but I still kind of hated her for pushing him away and making him so angry.
    Overall, I really enjoy this series and I'll be reading the next book this month.  I gave Falling Kingdoms 4 out of 5 stars.

    That's it for the books I read this month.  Pathetic, I know, but maybe I'll get to three next month.  I'm currently re-reading Clockwork Prince because I needed something to read while I waited for my new books to come in from the library.  I'm still posting my favorite passages to Instagram, so follow me there!  On Thursday I'm hoping to bring you my TBR for February.  Until next time, I remain your faithful correspondent.