Book Review: Ensnared by Rita Stradling

Title: Ensnared
Author: Rita Stradling
Publishing info: December 18th, 2017
Genre's: New Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Retelling
My rating: 3/5
Add to Goodreads: click here
Provided by: Received a Galley through Netgalley for an honest review.
Synopsis: A Near Future Retelling of Beauty and the Beast

Alainn’s father is not a bad man. He’s a genius and an inventor. When he’s hired to create the robot Rose, Alainn knows taking the money is a mistake.

Rose acts like a human. She looks exactly like Alainn. But, something in her comes out wrong.

To save her father from a five year prison sentence, Alainn takes Rose’s place. She says goodbye to the sun and goes to live in a tower no human is allowed to enter. She becomes the prisoner of a man no human is allowed to see.

Believing that a life of servitude lies ahead, Alainn finds a very different fate awaits her in the company of the strange, scarred recluse.

“Love didn't seem like something that could be organized or contained; it should be messy and emotional, like exploding and imploding with someone at the exact same time.”  

My Thought's

★★★

*I received a ecopy of this book from Netgalley for an honest review*

I absolutely love retellings of my favorite Disney stories, and when I saw Ensnared I was ecstatic to see it was inspired by Beauty and The Beast. With the movie coming out soon I was just in a B&B mood. Plus who doesn't love the romance of Beauty and the Beast. I mean it's a story of falling in love for what's on the inside not outside. It has always been one of my favorites.

In Ensnared they take a different aspect than a lot of fairytale retellings I've come across, except Cinder by Marissa Meyer. Instead of doing the classic past/historical romance setting, Ensnared takes a futuristic feel. It doesn't seem to be to much in the future. Life seems about the same as it is now except robots play a big part in everyday life. The whole IRobot feel with the IA robots was really cool, and reminded me of the Cinder book as well, but instead of some IA's being cool, in Ensnared they are all more IRobot devilish.

My favorite aspect of Ensnare was the sweet romance between Alainn and Lorccan, two very damaged people. In the beginning it was kind of slow and then it did feel rushed at times which was a weird to get the feeling of but they really gave me Beauty and the Beast feels, and they have some steamy moments that just make you have to fan yourself. *swoon*.
Ensnared really had a lot of aspects that gave it the opportunity to be really great but I ended up having to sadly give it 3 stars. I almost did 2 but I did enjoy it enough it deserves 3. The reason for the low rating is for the plot and world building. It really fell flat. There just wasn't enough details or build up that really made me connect with the story on that greatness level. There also seemed at times it would switch to another character's point of view that I just didn't see necessary but as a filler to make the book longer.

Rita Stradling had a really spectacular idea for Ensnared and while it was cute and sweet I just wish the story could have held up to it's potential.

-Amanda Margaret

Book Review: A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J Maas

Title: A Court of Mist and Fury ( A Court of Thorns and Roses #2)
Author: Sarah J Maas
Publishing info: May 3rd, 2016 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Genre's: New Adult, Fantasy, Romance
My rating: 5/5
Add to Goodreads: click here
Provided by: Bought hardback copy from Barnes & Noble
Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
Synopsis: Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two.

With more than a million copies sold of her beloved Throne of Glass series, Sarah J. Maas's masterful storytelling brings this second book in her seductive and action-packed series to new heights.

“The issue isn’t whether he loved you, it’s how much. Too much. Love can be a poison.”

My Thought's

★★★★★

Yea it's official I will buy any book with Sarah J Maas's name on it from now on! That women can create some epic characters and worlds! I absolutely loved A Court of Mist and Fury, and even more than the first, which is so rare! I can't wait to get my hands on book 3. By far one of my favorite series and top 5 books I read in 2016!

Sarah J Maas's writing is profoundly beautiful. She has a way of just sweeping you into her world and character's from page one until the last page which usually leaves you desperately wanting more. I am really glad I pushed this book back on my read list. If I had read it when it came out, it would have been pure torture waiting a year for the next installment. As it is, waiting the 5 months till May is horrific.

When we last left Feyre in book one, A Court of Thorns and Roses, she was madly in love with Tamlin and had just done an unthinkable act to save him and his people. Feyre will never be the same, nor will Tamlin. That unthinkable act under the mountain is about to drive a wedge between Feyre and Tamlin and pushes her right into the arms of High Lord of The Night Court, Rhysand. Believe it or not, but Tamlin's love for Feyre becomes toxic. Watching her die has broken something in him and the thought of her ever getting hurt again terrifies him so much he is willing to lock her up in the house, literally to keep her out of harms reach. His intentions may be honorable but he fails to see that keeping her sheltered is slowly killing her. Feyre deep at heart is a fighter, that's why she was able to do what she did under the mountain for those she loves. She can't just be sheltered as a damsel in distress. Rhysand sees that and so he rescues her from slowly dying and helps bring her back to life by showing her the badass she can be! I absolutely loved Rhys and Feyre's relationship in this book! In book one I really loved Tamlin and Feyre and didn't really want a love triangle but after this book I am totally ok with it and totally on board the Rhys and Feyre ship! I actually kind of liked the too much love can be a poison concept. It's one that isn't explored much in books but totally realistic.
We also get to see a bunch of new character's in this book. Rhysands squad is what I call them: Morrigan, Cassian, Raziel, and Amren. They were awesome sauce!!! I enjoyed them immensely and can't wait to see them in book 3! I am really really hoping for a Cassian/Nesta(Feyre's sister) ship! I can totally see it!

The one disappointment I had with this book was not enough Lucien. I really enjoyed his and Feyre's friendship and book one and I didn't see why he had to be so cold and distant in this book. After his events with Feyre's sister in this book though, which by the way totally took me by surprise, I am really hoping to see more of him in book 3.


Have you read this one yet? What are your thoughts? If you haven't yet, or book one, A Court of Thorns and Roses then pick it up now! You won't regret it! I highly recommend to all fans of YA Fantasy with epic romance twists!

Amanda Margaret

Book Review: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas

Title: A Court of Thorns and Roses ( A Court of Thorns and Roses #1)
Author: Sarah J Maas
Publishing info: May 5th, 2015 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Genre's: New Adult, Fantasy, Romance
My rating: 5/5
Add to Goodreads: click here
Provided by: Bought hardback copy from Barnes & Noble
Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
Synopsis: When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

"Be glad of your human heart, Feyre. Pity those who don't feel anything at all.”  

My Thought's

★★★★★

After reading so many raving reviews on this book I just knew I had to get my hands on it.I am ecstatic I did! it was FABULOUS! This was honestly my first ever book by Sarah J Maas and after devouring it very quickly I can see why she has such a huge fan base!

For me what makes a book the greatest is the character's. If you can make me love them so much I would read about their everyday lives forever, well than you are my new bestie author, and Sarah J Mass accomplished just that. I need more Freya, Tamlin, Lucien, and Rhysand now!!!!

Maas created a world I will never forget in A Court of Thorns and Roses. She took one of my favorite fairy tales, Beauty and the Beast, and changed it into something alluring, yet dark, and mesmerizing. Also her take on Faeries was epic. I haven't read a book centered on the Fey this great since The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa!

I'm not one for comparing stories, and I'm not with this, but in the beginning the story starts off with a Hunger Games/Katniss feeling. Freya is on the hunt, trying to provide for her family, whom she swore to protect. I think that's why I loved Freya's character so much. She reminded me a bit of Katniss but even more tough. Freya experiences fear like everyone but she doesn't show it.

The romance was all consuming. Almost too much at times but Feyre and Tamlin had major chemistry. Plus what girl doesn't like an all consuming love sometimes. It's nice to get lost in the romance. The only thing I would wish was that Feyre wasn't so much the damsel and distress when she's with Tam. I see such this strong girl behind her but when she is with Tamlin she is so lost in him. The things she does for his love is scary. I am all for burning the world down to save the one you love (like Daemon threatened for Kat in Lux Series by Jennifer L Armentrout), but damn Feyre crosses a dark side.

Now, I don't know if that's the route Sarah J Maas will take, but there's another character, Rhysand who seems to show interest in Freya and at times they share some pretty heated moments. I'm not sure if there's gonna be a love Triangle. Part of me actually hopes so, If done right I am a huge fan. Will, Jem, and Tessa from Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare being an example. Rhys is just so damn alluring and sexy too so there's that and I just can't help it! Another part just hopes they don't though because Freya and Tamlin's love story was so perfect I don't want it ruined so if it is done, Sarah better do it right. Hopefully Maas gives Rhys his own love interest or hey Just write me into the story! I'll take him! He is defiantly on my top Book Boyfriends list! So all you Tamlin ladies I love him too but he's yours. I'll take Rhysand ;)

I was hooked on this book from the first page until the last. Sarah J Mass's writing makes you feel like you are apart of the story as you follow Freya on her adventure in Prythian. The character's are all consuming to, never leaving your thoughts. There's a kick ass heroine, tense romance, magic, epic battles, and hott book boyfriends! What's not to love! I highly recommend!

Amanda Margaret