Wow. I'm not sure how to describe this book. Schwab has described it as the most personal book she's ever written, and that is evident as you turn the pages. As with all her writing, it's lyrical and beautiful and functions as character in and of itself. Schwab doesn't write the same kind of story twice and Bones is different again to any other books of hers, yet this one is probably most similar to Addie LaRue (and Schwab has hinted that it exists in the same world as Addie). This story is not full of action and adventure and pace, and there isn't a huge amount of plot. Instead it is slow and steady, the story unfolding in layer after layer. It's a very raw and character-driven book, so if that's not your cup of tea, then you might not want to pick this one up. I loved it though, and I would highly recommend giving it go.
Instant No. 1 Sunday Times Bestseller No. 1 New York Times Bestseller The Radio 2 Book Club Pick
From V. E. Schwab, a genre-defying, unforgettable novel to sink your teeth into . . .
This is a story about hunger.
1532. Santo Domingo de la Calzada. A young girl grows up wild and wily - her beauty is only outmatched by her dreams of escape. But Maria knows she can only ever be a prize, or a pawn, in the games played by men. When an alluring stranger offers an alternate path, Maria makes a desperate…
Overall, I enjoyed book one of this series, The Unbroken, but did find parts of it a bit hard going, particularly the fact that I didn't find any of the supporting cast very likeable. The two protagonists, however, mostly made up for that, and the world building was incredibly rich and detailed. I enjoyed this second book in this series even more than the first. Luca and Touraine continue to be excellent protagonists, both distinct characters with very different motivations - and while Touraine is a character who's often very uncertain about what she wants, or what she thinks is the right thing to do, this aspect to her character works better in book 2. The pace of this one felt a lot faster too, with plenty of intrigue and machinations, and the world expanded in really interesting ways. Additionally, the supporting cast I didn't like in book 1 had much less screen time in this book, which I think really contributed to my enjoyment too. If you like character-focused political fantasy, I would definitely recommend picking up this series.
The rebels have won, and the empire is withdrawing from Qazal. But undoing the tangled web that binds the two nations will not be easy, and Touraine and Luca will face their greatest challenge yet.
Luca needs to oust her uncle from the Balladairan throne once and for all and take her rightful place as Queen. But he won't let go of power so easily. When he calls for a 'Trial of Competence' and Luca's allies start disappearing from her side, she will need to find a way to prove her might. And she knows someone who can help. .…
Haymitch was a character I loved in the original Hunger Games novels, and his portrayal in the movies by Woody Harrelson only made me love him more. So I was super keen to read his origin story in this book. It didn't disappoint. I enjoyed Collins' prequel novel giving us President Snow's story, but this was even better, because Haymitch is such a sympathetic character. Having said that, there's much more a sense of dread, or maybe hopelessness, in this book, because unlike the Hunger Games, or President Snow's story, you know things aren't going to turn out well for Haymitch or any of the fantastic side characters he goes into the Hunger Games with. That turns out to be the case, but unusually for me, I still really enjoyed this book from beginning to end. After finishing, I went and watched the movies again, and have a whole new appreciation for Haymitch's character. Collins also weaves in some cool links between Haymitch's past and Katniss, which make the whole story richer for me. I highly recommend reading this whether or not you're a Hunger Games fan.
"Sunrise on the Reaping is a propulsive, heart-wrenching addition to The Hunger Games, adding welcome texture to the cruel world of Panem . This is the project of dystopian fiction: to shine a light in tyranny's greasiest corners and show how people - ordinary, determined human beings - might take it apart" - New York Times
"Collins is an excellent writer, and there are moments of surprising lyricism . Sunrise on the Reaping contains enough both to snare new readers and to satisfy the most bloodthirsty fan" - Guardian
When you've been set up to lose everything you love, what…
One kingdom bound by duty. Another ruled by fear. And a woman caught between them.
Talyn Dynan was once the fiercest warrior in the elite Callanan guard—until the mission that shattered her.
Now she's trying to outrun her past as a reluctant member of the Kingshield, tasked with training the royal guards of a foreign kingdom. But Mithranar is no ordinary place. Its people have wings, its court is a viper's nest of politics, and something dangerous stirs in the shadows beneath its glittering halls.
In the middle of it all is the Shadowhawk—a masked rebel who strikes at the powerful and vanishes into myth.
As unrest brews and loyalties blur, Talyn must decide who she’s really fighting for… and whether the broken can still protect what matters most.
