War Storm (Red Queen #4), by Victoria Aveyard

Hey guys, this is Abi here,

And I am posting a review that- I have to admit- will be a relief to post.

War Storm. The review for the final book in the Red Queen series.

Enjoy!

Title: War Storm

Author: Victoria Aveyard

Genre: Fantasy

Release date: 15th May, 2018

Status: Book 4 in the Red Queen series

Pages: 657

Blurb: "Victory comes at a price.

Mare Barrow learned this all too well when

Cal's betrayal nearly destroyed her. Now

determined to protect her heart- and secure

freedom for Reds and Newbloods like her-

Mare resolves to overthrow the kingdom of

Norta once and for all... starting with the

crown on Maven's head.

But no battle is won alone, and before the

Reds may rise as one, Mare must side with the

boy who broke her heart in order to destroy

the boy who almost broke her. Cal's powerful

Silver allies, alongside Mare and the scarlet

Guard, prove a formidable force. But Maven is

driven by an obsession so deep, he will stop at

nothing to have Mare as his own again, even if

it means destroying everything- and everyone

- in his path.

War is coming, and all Mare has fought for

hangs in the balance. Will victory be enough

to topple the Silver kingdoms? Or will the

little lightning girl be forever silenced?"

My Thoughts

This was one heck of a book to get through. A matter of 657 pages, and the final book in the Red Queen series. Having enjoyed a book in this series, been underwhelmed by a book, and loved another, it was no secret that I was nervous as for how the series was going to wrap up. And even though it wasn't my favourite in the series, it was a close second.

Taking a look on goodreads, people are opposed on their opinion when it comes to War Storm. Some think that because it isn't explosive and amazing, that it isn't worth even a three star review. But I have to say, the characterisation and the plot development may have been subtle, but that does not mean it wasn't good. A lot of the character/plot development was a slow burner, but it wasn't so subtle that it wasn't easy to read. It was a 657 page book, and I finished it in a week. It may have been subtle, but it was definitely well written.

War Storm starts a couple of months after King's Cage finishes, but the events of the third book are still taking effect. Cal's decision is still hurting Mare throughout the book, which is an interesting point considering they have to work together. One character that I enjoyed reading about amid all the madness was Evangeline. She remains to be the kick-ass, sharp mouthed character she has always been. Mare has changed as a character, especially from the first novel, which was a good thing because, after everything she has gone through, it would be worried if she wasn't a little damaged. She reminds me of Katniss, who is willing to do anything for the people she cares about. Maven was the same vicious King he's always been, consumed with maliciousness and the desire to obtain Mare. The clear goals maintained in the novel meant that there was little character development that wasn't intertwined in the plot in some way. But then there's been enough of that in the previous books.

If there's one critique I have for this novel was that I was always waiting for the low point in the novel. You know, the point when it seems like the good side is going to lose, or some form of emotional turmoil for the character or something involved with them. But there is no point within the story when what the audience is rooting for seems impossible. And I was waiting for that throughout the novel.

On the other hand, at least there was more of a chance that the good side was going to win, so that was heart wasn't worried about what was going to happen.

My other critique is the ending. The ending wasn't the best. It was a bit underwhelming in the end, which is just my personal opinion.

So overall, this series has been an up and down. There have been books I've liked, hated and loved, but I don't regret picking up the series. I definitely think Victoria Aveyard has grown as a writer, and I'm excited to read what she releases next. She also has beautiful covers, some decent characters, and she came up with an amazing premise that did not go the way I was expected, which means she has promise!

Okay! That is my review of War Storm, the fourth book in the Red Queen series! I hope you enjoyed it, and let me know in the comments what you thought!

Right! I hope you have a wonderful day and I will see you all on Monday!

Byeeeee!

-Abi xxxxx

Crazy Rich Asians Film Review

Hey guys, this is Abi here,

And I'm now finally caught up on my film reviews!

I went to see this on Friday on a spur of the moment decision, and I can't wait to share my thoughts with you.

Enjoy!

I see that poster, and it all just comes flooding back. I just have this deep love for this film because of all the qualities that it has. And all the things are combined into one big amazing film.

The attention to detail in this film is INSANE. The budget must have been huge for this film because I can't fault the different locations that made up this film. Everything was just so aesthetically pleasing to the eye, and absolutely perfect for the scene within the film. The decoration team did it's JOB in this film. And that's exactly what it needed to be.

Also, the dialogue was flawless. The dialogue and the script was what controlled the plot. The dialogue allowed the audience to feel what needed to be felt. Whether the purpose of the words was to make us laugh or to cry, it was super easy to laugh or cry or sigh because of something so beautiful (and this was happening so much.)

And the characters, OMG. There were just enough funny and loveable characters to compete with the mean and crazy ones, and there were plenty of those, let me tell you. The characters are basically what made this film. I have some personal favourites: Rachel, the middle-class girlfriend of Nick, who lives in New York. She was an instant favourite because she had no idea what she was in for with this mad family. I also loved her Uni roommate, who was the funniest character by far.

On the other hand, Nick's mother was the devil. She was ruthless and narcissistic and even though her intentions are good, she is hurtful and mean and does everything in her power to keep Rachel and Nick away from each-other. She is the character that you don't love to hate, but just hate in general.

Also, what I liked about this film is that you get the opportunity to see both sides of the argument, as much as you might not want to. You get to see Nick's family's side- the side of honour, of protecting your family, even if you might suffer as an individual. And you see Rachel's side, the side where you and your one family member are a team, protecting each-other, and it's Rachel's job to show Nick's mum that she would sacrifice for her family.

Overall, this was a brilliantly thought out film that I ended up loving so much more than I thought I was going to. I can see why the whole world is going mad for this film, and I am so glad that I got the chance to see it.

(Go see it if you think you'll like it- I think you will.)

Okay! So that is my review of Crazy Rich Asians! I hope you enjoyed it and I will see you all on Wednesday!

Byeeee!

-Abi xxxx

Birthday Book Tag (2018)

Hey guys, this is Abi here,

And I thought I'd do a second rendition of a book tag that I created two years ago because well, it's my birthday today!

Enjoy!

1. Count your birthday along your bookshelf and then subtract your birth month. What book does it land on?

I did the top shelf for the last one, so I'll go along the third for today's. It landed on Knife-edge, by Malorie Blackman, which is the second book in the Noughts and Crosses series, an absolute favourite. The second book is a book of hate, compared to Noughts of Crosses, a book full of love, quoted from Malorie Blackman herself. You get to know more about some very interesting side characters in this one, and I will recommend this series to anyone who will listen.

2. If you could spend your birthday with any fictional character who would it be and why?

This is an obvious answer, because I'm currently in the process of re-reading the series at the moment, but the Baudelaires, for sure.

3. Find a book that takes place in the season you were born in.

I was saying the other day, I haven't really read any books that take place in Autumn. Maybe I should write a book that takes place in that time of year, but until I can, I'll go with a creepy-ish read for October, which is Fathomless, by Jackson Pearce.

4. Find a book that is the colour of your birthstone.

My birthstone is sapphire, which is blue, and I will go with Strange the Dreamer, by Laini Taylor. I read Strange the Dreamer, which I read in January. Even 8 months later, this book is still on my Favourites list for the year. Muse of Nightmares is out in the next couple of months, and I cannot wait for it to be released!

5. Is there a series with the same number of books as your age? If so what is it?

Well, I'm 21 today so I honestly don't think so. I doubt I would read it even if I found one because 21 books is just, too long.

6. Pick a book set in a time period, world or country you would have liked to have been born in.

I'm going to choose the Infernal Devices for this one. Not just because it's the world of Shadowhunters, but also because I love the idea of living in London in the 1920s. (I hope that's the right time period at least.)

Okay! So that is my birthday book tag! I hope you enjoyed it, and I will see you all on Monday! As for who I tag, I'm tagging nobody because you all have birthday's so there's no reason not to do this tag!

Byeeeee!

-Abi xxxxxx