To Kill a Kingdom - Alexandra Christo

 When I think about the ideal comfort book with lots of action, my favorite tropes, and a lot of fantasy... I think of this book! To Kill a Kingdom is the ideal escapism dressed up as a fairytale gone rogue. It'll make you laugh, scream, and - let's be real- tear a little up at the end. A must-read for people who like a stand-alone book, but who still want to be taken into a world full of wonder. 

The story is about the Siren Princess, Lira, who steals and takes the heart of princes, and the Prince of the kingdom of Gold, Elian, who makes it his life's mission to track down and kill Sirens. 

When Lira disobeys her mother, the Sea Queen, she has to make amends to get back on her good side. Her punishment is becoming what she hates most: Human. Take the prince his heart out without her song to lure him. But along the way, she learns things about herself that make her doubt her actions.

"Then you should be able to steal the prince's heart even without your voice. Without your song."

Prince Elian is shocked to hear about the death of his friend, Prince Cristian, killed by the famous Siren: Prince's Bane. To avenge him and all the other people who were killed by these monsters, he decides to go on a mission to get the Crystal of Keto to eliminate the entire Sea Kingdom, although he doesn't know how to really get it. But when he saves a drowning girl in the middle of the sea, he doesn't know if he can trust her to help him find the most powerful object in the world.

THIS. BOOK. IS. SO. GOOD. I know, it's another reread - been doing this recently a lot -, but it brings me so much joy. It's one of these books that I read once and I remember was so good that now, after some time, I WANT to read again. 

Every scene has something unique that will keep you captivated by this book. The pacing is quick, fun, and action-packed so there's never a dull moment! The story is a fun take on The Little Mermaid story and is such a page-turner. You will have to finish it without taking a break.

The two main characters are such a joy to follow. Both of them are morally grey, and morally discovering what's good and bad. Will they trust each other? Is Lira going to kill him and redeem herself as a worthy heir for her mother? They both have their individual journey, and they learn a lot about themselves by watching the other. It's the ultimate enemies to lovers-trope and I'm all here for it! Nothing makes my heart happier than seeing the two of them bicker and fight, but then ending up saving each other's asses all the time! They're an underrated book couple that doesn't get enough credit on the online book platforms. I just love them so much... 🖤

This book is a masterpiece. One of the most fun retellings ever of a fairytale story that will leave every fantasy reader want to join this world. 

5/5⭐️'s, because this book is just everything I needed in this world right now.

The Night Circus - Erin Morgenstern

 Oh, the magic, the ambiance, and the characters. This book is everything I long for. 

Set at the end of the 19th century, a challenge between two gentlemen starts. A challenge of skill and endurance. The two candidates are Celia and Marco. They both grow up training for defeating each other and when the time has come to begin the competition officially; the Night Circus is born. Welcome to a magical world that makes you feel as living in a dream. 


All I can say is "Wow". I reread this book. The first time around I've already found it magical, but now I discovered more things that I hadn't before. Let's take a closer look at why this book is one of my favorite ones out there:

1) The atmosphere 
Erin Morgenstern brings a vibrant world to life in the way how she describes scenes. There are passages that will tell you all about the outlook of the circus. What certain tents look like from the inside, or there are passages that tell you the way how an interior looks like. Don't worry, they're not endlessly long. They're the right amount of length to keep you invested to discover the world and to feel the magic in the entire scenery. Amazing how she does it. 

2) The usage of time 
The book follows two stories that are set in a different timeline, but come together at the end in some way. You have to see it as a chain of reactions happening in the first timeline which will trigger the second timeline. You can compare it a little to a Christopher Nolan movie where he uses time often as an important part of his storytelling (think Inception in the dreams, Interstellar in the Black Hole, or Dunkirk with the 3 timelines - so yes, a lot like that last one). Just as in these movies, Time plays a pivotal role in this book. Timing is everything. You just have to be at the right spot at the right time. In the beginning, it won't make much sense, but when eventually it comes together and you will understand. Let the time guide you. 

3) The characters 
Waw. I l o v e all the characters. 

Celia and Marco are everything you need in a book: A slow-burn romance, a lovers-to-enemy romance, and a forbidden romance. It's enchanting and daring and both of them are so different but just drawn to each other, despite the fact that they compete against one another until a winner is declared. Both of them grew up in different circumstances and had different training, but the way they fit together is perfect despite their imperfections. Both make mistakes, both feel overwhelmed, and both feel infatuated with each other. Their entire lives have been about the other, creating a bond that even their teachers cannot deny. 

Bailey is an interesting young boy we get to follow. He's nothing special. No particular skills, no big ambitions, and no special life planned ahead of him. The only thing he truly - truly - has is his fascination with the Night Circus which starts at a young age. And when he breaks into the circus at a young age on a dare, he meets Poppet, and here starts his weird, but a magical journey with the circus. I love his inner dialogue and love that we get to see the magic of the world through his eyes as opposed to Celia and Marco who create the magic. Bailey shows us what it looks like from an outside perspective. 

Of course, there are many other characters who bring this book to life such as Isobel, Poppet, Widget, mister Friedrick Thiessen, mister Chandresch, and one of my favorites Tsukiko. So many more people should be mentioned, but this review would go on forever otherwise, and let's be real, I hardly doubt many people want to hear me ramble on forever about how amazing everything written in this book is. 

So yeah, this sums up my thoughts about the book that I adore with my life. Having all the aspects I need from a story. Romance, tension, and magic. 

5/5⭐️'s, but it deserves so much more.

Rule of Wolves - Leigh Bardugo

OMGOMGOMG. I just wanna scream with excitement! This book is everything I wanted from Leigh Bardugo. She just read my mind and was like, "Yeah, let's give Elke the freaking book she wants". The perfect story and twists and turns and wittiness and omg I cannot keep on raving about it! 

This is gonna be a review full of spoilers because there is just sooooo much to talk about that got me this pumped up!!! So apologies in advance for the use of capslock and the amount of explanation marks hehe.

Woooooow, what a story! I don't even know where to begin. So much to process. I loved A L L of it. In King of Scars, I wasn't the biggest fan of Nina, but oh boy did she bloom! Finally, I felt that she was still thinking of Mattias. I was afraid that she moved on so quickly, but when she encountered the boy who actually killed him I was so happy to see so much emotion in her! And then her confiding in Hanne and how brave she was. OMG, Hanne is just going through life now as a freaking prince? They're so good together. Yes, girls. You are so powerful!!! Nina's character development was everything I wanted from her and she delivered! I AM SO HAPPY WITH THIS. The perfect end for her. <3

And OMG. Can we talk about Zoyalai???? Zoya and Nikolai are just perfect together. 

"I would give you a crown if I could," he said. "I would show you the world from the prow of a ship. I would choose you, Zoya. As my general, as my friend, as my bride. I would give you a sapphire the size of an acorn."

This was some foreshadowing!!! I thought they would marry at the end of the book, or something when I read this quote. But oh boy was I surprised. Yeah, Nikolai is some sort of consort and will probably marry Zoya. BUT HE GAVE UP HIS CROWN FOR HER AND JUST HANDED IT OVER TO HER. Zoya is officially a queen. She already was one before, but now it's, like, legit??? He accepted being a bastard and the fate of not being a king anymore. Come on, how can you not love Nikolai??? Everyone should deserve a man like him. For real! Here is also my favorite quote from him when talking about his seducing skills that had me laughing out loud:

"I have a gift for persuasion. I once talked a tree out of its leaves."
"Nonsense."
"Well, it was autumn. I can't take full credit."

Thank you Leigh for this amazing character!!

Also, Alina and Mal made an appearance??? This book just makes me want to S C R E A M. Honestly??? How do I move on after reading all this???? The Darkling wanted to see her, and we really should thank him for that request because that's exactly the request every reader wanted???? 

Now, Let's move on to elephant in the room here. THE CROWS WERE IN THIS BOOK. All of them. How???? It was amazing to see Kaz, Jesper, and Wylan again! The little heist was so needed and made my heart all fluttery! I looooooved the interaction between Nikolai and Kaz. And Jesper being typical Jesper with Wylan being the voice of reason. Like, how much did all of us need to see them again??? And even though Inej was hunting slave traders and is not involved, we get a glimpse of her at the end and I just cannot. And the freakin' last sentence of the book is this??? 

"Get a message to the Crow Club," she said. "Tell Kaz Brekker the queen of Ravka has a job for him."

I sense a new book coming and this is gonna be the death of me. 

I think I'm gonna explode with emotions of happiness! This book is worth more than 5/5⭐️'s!!!!

Previous Reviews of Leigh Bardugo's books:

• Shadow & Bone
• Siege & Storm
• Ruin & Rising
• Six of Crows
• Crooked Kingdom
• King of Scars