March 1-18 Update

Hi all!

March has already been a phenomenal month as far as reading goes, because I have read, so far, 5 books this month! As most of you know, my TBR for this month was very ambitious (with 13 books, total, on the list), and I didn't want to subject you to a very, VERY long post at the end of the month. So, I figured that I would break it up as best I could!

So, without further ado, here are the books I've read so far this month!

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Ingenue- Jillian Larkin

This is the second book in the Flappers Trilogy, set in Chicago, and New York City, in the 1920s. This series follows Gloria, Lorraine, and Clara. Gloria and Lorraine are high school girls from very affluent families, and are best friends. Gloria is engaged to be married, and is looking for ways to rebel before she gets tied down, and Lorraine is all too happy to oblige, and takes her to a speakeasy. Gloria's mother, however, wants to be sure that nothing gets in the way of her daughter's advantageous marriage, so she brings Gloria's cousin, Clara, to live with them and watch over her. Though Gloria and Lorraine think Clara is boring, no one knows the life that Clara is trying to leave behind, or that it's the kind of life Gloria and Lorraine want to get into.

I really like this series, and I really enjoyed the characters that Larkin created in the first book. However, I feel like all of the character development that happened in the first book, was completely reversed in this book. I remember liking this series way more when I was in high school than I do now. But, I don't remember how the series ends, so I want to stick it out and see.

The Traitor's Kiss- Erin Beaty

Sage is the farthest thing from a "proper lady," and has been deemed unfit for marriage (Which is totally fine with her). When the matchmaker, someone of great importance, offers her an apprenticeship, she is tasked with spying on the women looking to make a politically advantageous marriage, as well as the soldiers who are escorting them. The ladies do not know that they are being given a military guard because the General fears an uprising, so Sage is recruited by a handsome soldier to infiltrate society and gather information. Sage finds herself caught between what is proper, and what is right, and balancing the tightrope to do what's best for her country.

I read this book about a year ago, and I gave it 4 stars. And I can't figure out what was so wrong with it that I only gave it 4 stars. I really enjoyed this the first time around, but I absolutely LOVED it the second time around. I liked Sage as a character, and how she was so badass, and the romance was to die for. The second time around, knowing what the plot twist was, made it a little easier to read. But still, I love it, and I can't wait for the second installment to come out in a few months. 

Shadow and Bone- Leigh Bardugo

In the nation of Ravka, the Grisha are the "magical elite" used to assist the King, and led by the Darkling. But Ravka has been torn apart by this magic, split in half by the Shadow Fold, a fog of darkness with flesh-eating creatures. When Alina's regiment is assigned to cross the Shadow Fold and is attacked, she thinks they are doomed, until she discovers that she possesses the magic that the Grisha have been searching for for generations: the power to harness the sun. Alina is taken from the army and is trained as a Grisha at the royal court. But while she is awestruck by the beauty she finds in the court, she learns of the darkness looming behind it.

This may be an unpopular opinion, but I did not like Alina. She's one of those MCs that is just "oh so plain" and believes they're not anything special, even after her powers present themselves. However, that being said, I really liked this book. The world building was phenomenal, the character development (apart from Alina) was great, and the plot was so intriguing. I'm excited to continue on with this series!

Shadowland- Meg Cabot

Suze is a weird girl. In New York, she was always being brought home by the cops, sneaking out late at night, and mysteriously injuring herself. But, contrary to what her new step-brothers think, these things don't happen to her because she's in a gang: it's because she's a mediator. She can talk to the dead, and it's her responsibility to find out why they haven't crossed over. When Suze's mother remarries and the two of them relocate to Carmel, CA, Suze resolves to start fresh, and to focus more on being a teenager than being a mediator. However, she comes to realize that two ghosts won't let that happen: the snarky teenage girl who vows to seek revenge on the entire school, and Jesse, the hot ghost living in Suze's bedroom.

Meg Cabot is probably my favorite author of all time. She's one of those authors that is a comfort; one that I will read and know I'll enjoy. So it's not a surprise that I liked Shadowland (I read it in less than a day). However, as entertaining as this book was, it was certainly not my favorite. I would recommend The Princess Diaries series or the Abandon trilogy before this one. Still, I'll continue on with the series, because it was good.

The Cruel Prince- Holly Black

Jude and her sisters, Taryn and Vivienne, were kidnapped by Viv's biological father and taken to the High Court of Faerie, after he murdered their parents. 10 years later, Jude and Taryn are doing all they can to be accepted in a world that hates mortals. Jude, though she knows that she is living amongst murderers and bullies, wants nothing more than to earn a spot in society. Not through marriage, but through honor. However, in order to earn that spot, she must defy Prince Carden, the most wicked Faerie of all, the one who hates her the most.

This book was so hyped up for me, and I was incredibly excited to read it, but when I finally finished, I was just left feeling disappointed. None of the characters were very likable, and while I can appreciate a well-developed plot, it just felt like a flop. Plus, the romances seemed forced, and  *Spoiler Alert* one of them was literally with someone who abused Jude throughout the novel.

I ended up giving this 3/5 stars, and I think the only reason I even rated it that high was because I wanted to like it so much. I would be willing to give Holly Black another chance, because I didn't mind the writing style, but I will not be continuing this series.

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Well, there ya have it, folks! By the end of the month, I will post another review of the books read for the remainder of the month, including the books for the ReReadAthon! I'm excited to share my thoughts with each of you. Happy reading, and see ya real soon!