Legendary * Stephanie Garber

A heart to protect. A debt to repay. A game to win.

After being swept up in the magical world of Caraval, Donatella Dragna has finally escaped her father and saved her sister Scarlett from a disastrous arranged marriage. The girls should be celebrating, but Tella isn’t yet free. She made a desperate bargain with a mysterious criminal, and what Tella owes him no one has ever been able to deliver: Caraval Master Legend’s true name.

It's been a year since the last Caraval turned Tella's life upside-down and she should've forgotten what happened the last time she played.  

But Legend is back and that only means one thing. He needs all his players back for a second game, including Tella and her sister Scarlett.  Though things don't seem as simple as they were in the past game, for a start it's much more dangerous.  

Tella must win the game this time, she must find Legend's true name as well as her mother, who left her as a child and went missing ever since. Though it's not easy when you have no idea where to look for either on them. 

Fighting her way through creepy shops, dangerous games and not to mention her murderous new fiancé, Tella must race against the clock to find the things that to her the most.  

But is there anyone she can trust in this twisted world? 

Legendary by Stephanie Garber, is the second instalment in this spellbinding series. I have had this book on my shelf for a long time and since we're all in lockdown at the moment, what better way than to get down that never-ending TBR pile?

My problem with these books are that they take me so long to get into them, it was the same with Caraval. I find that the first section of the book is quite slow building, then towards the end it suddenly picks up and gets more interesting. I do end up enjoying the book towards the end, but wish there was some consistency throughout.  I also felt like the magic had disappeared that was in Caraval. 

With that said, I did really enjoy the new characters in this book as well as getting to know Tella more, I think I prefer Tella over her sister Scarlett. As for Dante, well, he's just a pure dream and I love him so much.  I will be reading the third and last installment in the series soon and I can't wait to see how it will end. 

I will be giving this book 6 out of 10

The Director's Cut - J.S. Taylor

Ready for your close up?... 

Issy and James have survived dangers and challenges to their relationship. But now the cameras are rolling, a new threat could ruin everything. 

With Isabella, sparkling behind the camera, and James smouldering behind it, life on set is sexy and explosive. So when a malicious press leak, could end filming, their chance of a real relationship is suddenly in jeopardy.

Issy and James have made it through the Lipstick Stalker trials, but not without a fight. With her safety still on the line, James decides to go off grid and film in not only a different location, but a different country. 

Being back in Barbados for a short while was like coming home for Issy. Back to her Spanish roots and childhood, she feels carefree and at home, but not without her childhood past lurking behind the corner.  
As each actor take turns to go through their traumatic experiences - a self help group to try to combat their issues as well as help them preform better under the spotlight, they soon find that there is another stalker in the background. Only, this one is a press leak and they're part of the crew. 

With Issy and James trying to find out who it is whilst trying to get the filming done, there's only a matter of time before their secret is out and their game will be over. 

Smouldering on and off the camera, can Issy and James manage to protect themselves as well as the film?

The Director's Cut by J.S. Taylor, is the third instalment in the 'Spotlight Series' and oh lord, I think this is the best one yet! Someone draw me a cold bath as I don't think I can feel my face anymore. 

I read this one so quick, I couldn't put it down! The who leak scandal was such a page turner and had you guessing every page on who it may be, and seeing as it's part of the crew there was no shortage on guessing. Though towards the end, I was still pleasantly shocked. 

The scenes, oh wow, don't get me started on them. They we're more romantic, yet much more erotic at the same time, in fact you could probably say that I may have blushed at one point - and I'm no prude! But yes, what a whirlwind of emotions. 

I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to start on the fourth and final book in the series. 

I will be giving this book an 8 out of 10

A Court of Mist and Fury * Sarah J. Maas

Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people. 

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. 

Feyre now resides in the Night Court with the over powering, over arrogant high lord, Rhysand and his fellow inner circle.

With the Spring Court on its knees, her wedding in tatters and her beloved Tamlin at his wits end, Feyre is at a loss. Trapped inside her own nightmares and the enemy's court, she must find a way to get back to her home and back to the court where she belongs.

Feyre may be out from Under the Mountain, but the mountain never left her and she most certainly left with more than she bargained for. As war rises, Feyre must learn to harness her newfound powers given to her by the seven high lords of the land, as well as control a passion burning so bright, that she has no idea how to stop.  

She is the huntress, the curse breaker and most of all an immortal so strong and powerful, waiting to pounce. 

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas, is the second instalment in best selling international ACOTAR series. With over a million copies sold, it's no surprise that this book has such a huge cult following behind it. Which I fully stand behind and back. 

This book. Oh this book, I honestly think this is the best book I have read so far is this year (Yes, even more so than Blood Promise - total shocker I know!) It's one of the most beautiful books in a series I have read ever, the romance, the love, the dedication and loyalty between the characters is beautifully heartbreaking.  

Mrs Maas, is one of the best story tellers I have had the pleasure of reading for a long time, the plot is very beautifully and cleverly written and it just flows so perfect. There's everything a YA book should need and most certainly more, and I feel that once I have finished the series (I know I'm quite late to the party) that once I reread it, it will be more heart breaking and just all click into place.  

You all know that I love greek mythology, so when I found out that this has traits of Hades and Persephone I absolutely died and I can 100% agree that it does, and it's just perfect.  I laughed, I blushed and I cried by absolute heart out through this book and it will always be a treasure to me.  

I will most certainly be giving this book 10 out of 10 - Though it deserves so much more than 10