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Star Daughter by Shveta Thakrar // Night Markets, Star Courts and Desi goodness

GOODREADS // AMAZON // BOOK DEPOSITORY The daughter of a star and a mortal, Sheetal is used to keeping secrets. Pretending to be "normal." But when an accidental flare of her starfire puts her human father in the hospital, Sheetal needs a full star's help to heal him. A star like her mother, who returned to the sky long ago. Sheetal's quest to save her father will take her to a celestial court of shining wonders and dark shadows, where she must take the stage as her family's champion in a competition to decide the next ruling house of the heavens--and win, or risk never returning to Earth at all. This gorgeously imagined YA debut blends shades of Neil Gaiman's Stardust and a breathtaking landscape of Hindu mythology into a radiant contemporary fantasy.   ( A huge thank you to the  HOV Tours  and HarperTeen for the eARC and the opportunity to be a part of this blog tour.  ~When a book sees you~      Yes I am absolutely going to s

Review: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.

Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.

Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha . . . and the secrets of her heart.

I'm the kind of person who reviews a book the moment I finish reading it. Recently when I read some books I loved (ie; books that broke my heart) I realized I was incapable of writing a review immediately. I came to the conclusion that when I read a book I LOVE, the feels are so much that writing a review is impossible. But today I learned that when I read a book I REALLY REALLY LOVE, the feels are so so much that I need to write a review IMMEDIATELY so as to not be suffocated to death by the feels. So here goes...

Alina is the kind of protagonist I love. I admit that she does come off as a cliched character but Leigh Bardugo being the wonderful writer that she is has crafted Alina pretty much perfectly. I found myself connecting with her and loved seeing her character development throughout the book. I felt her second hand embarrassments, fears, sadness and happiness as my own. Also, great sense of humor girl!

The Darkling. Oh now I know why everyone talks about the Darkling. I can't even say anything without spoiling stuff for those who haven't read it but oh my!! The most interesting, and not to mention, the sexiest character in the entire book. READ THE BOOK FOR THE DARKLING.

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Mal, Genya and Zoya were characters I enjoyed reading but they didn't make as huge an impression on me as Alina and the Darkling. But they were epicly well written too!

I did my best to not be spoiled for this book and I'm proud to say I succeeded. So the TWIST (those who've read it you know what I'm talking about) had me reeling. I was torn and I'm guessing that's what Ms. Bardugo wanted us to feel. I was definitely not expecting that. I believe I looked like a fish out of water; shocked, gasping and ultimately, dead.

Also I want to say something here. This book is kind of trope-y. It has the chosen one (Kind of), A love triangle (sort of), and certain other things but to tell you the truth, if I'd just been a reader (and not a reviewer too), i might not even have noticed these. The writing and the way the plot is brought out to the readers is so fantastic that the tropes DIDN'T BOTHER ME EVEN A BIT (This has never happened before). I've come to the conclusion that Leigh Bardugo is a Magician...and no ordinary one.

FREAKING AMAZING!! I was hooked from page one. And the world building is utter perfection. It is oh so quotable. Loved the dialogue and the action scenes so much! The Palaces! I can picture every column and decoration in my mind from just her words.

- EVERYTHING


- Excuse me, What?


I'll be belting out the lyrics of Fifth Harmony's I'm in Love with a Monster while YOU go READ THE BOOK.




View all my reviews

Comments

  1. Oh I need this book! I just HAVE to start reading this author, her books look AWESOME!! And Shadow and Bone sounds incredible :)
    Great review Uma! Glad you enjoyed it!
    I NEED THIS BOOK <3

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    1. EVERYBODY NEEDS THIS BOOK IN THEIR LIFE!!! And Leigh Bardugo is a wonderful wonderful author!Yes Amy, the book is incredible <3 Thank you :) I'm so glad too!!

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  2. YAASSSSS, this review made me so happy! Leigh Bardugo is my #1 favorite author, and The Grisha Trilogy is my favorite everrrrr. In fact, the books in this trilogy get better and better, if you can believe that ;D I hope you love books 2 and 3 even more, and I can't wait to hear your thoughts :D

    Brittany @ Brittany's Book Rambles

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    1. YAY! I'm glad it did ^_^ She is now mine too!! Ooooo..Now am so excited to start book 2! I keep hearing about a certain amazing Nikolai :P I can't wait to read and review them!! Thanks for stopping by :)

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  3. I KNEW YOU WOULD LOVE IT. You know, from book 2, there is a love triangle... but still. The Darkling. Seriously read this book for him. I LOVE HIM, OKAY? Even if he is... um you know what I mean. But you shared the right song to go with this book XD I AM LAUGHING OUT LOUD. Thanks, Uma.
    Prabhleen @ Booksarelife987

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    1. I love the Darkling too!! He is frigging awesome :P Ikr! The song's been stuck in my head ever since I finished reading the book! TOTALLY FITS!!Hehhe You're welcome! <3

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  4. I am so glad to see that you liked this one! I've had a copy on my shelf for the longest time and I still haven't read it. Hopefully that changes this year!
    Krystianna @ Downright Dystopian

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  5. This book sounds amazing - we've heard so much about the Grisha trilogy from her. YES to I'm In Love With A Monster!!!! Ahhhh, did you hear the news about Camila leaving? Great review as always Uma! <3
    ~ Pendragons 

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    1. Thanks guys! And yes the book was pretty epic <3 I hope you get to read the trilogy soon!Yes i did! Somehow I feel it's for the best! Thank you <3

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  6. Oh My! Everyone raves about this book but I haven't gotten around to reading it... Well that will change because your review left me so curious that I need to do something about it!!

    Thank you dear!

    Lii @ Girl Hearts Book

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    1. Aww..I'm so glad :) It's awesome to know you made someone want to read a book! ^_^ I hope you love it as much as I do :)

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  7. Six of Crows is waiting for me! I can't wait to finally read Leigh Bardugo! Great review! Also I'm nominating you for the Mystery Blogger Award, but don't worry if these things aren't to your liking just ignore it :) I just thought maybe you'd like to participate. (Post will go up in about 5 minutes, I was just checking you haven't made one yet, then saw this review and now I'm rambling!)

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    1. YAY! Can't wait to see how you feel about her books <3 She is a wonderful writer *heart eyes* Ohh, thank you for thinking of me but I'm currently so so busy Olivia! AmyNikita nominated me too but I'm lagging behind on posts and reviews so I'm afriad I'll have to pass this one up :( So sorry though! And hehhee, I enjoy hearing ramblings! :D

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  8. Ahhh! I'm sorry I've been a useless blogger pal this year so far! Rectifying this week!

    This book is on my TBR and now I really, really need to read it sooner. I've never read a Bardugo but think I'm going to have to do Six of Crows first because... READATHON! I have no idea if that's even a good plan but... I don't know what else to do!

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    1. NO PROBLEMO!! I had disappeared for a while too! A luiterary fest was going on here and I had no time for reading and blogging!

      YES YOU HAVE TO!!! Oh I can't wait to see your Read-A-thon post <3 I see what you mean..You can definitely read Six of Crows before the trilogy!

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