Crooked Kingdom (Six of Crows book #2) by Leigh Bardugo

 Title: Crooked Kingdom

                                                                   Author: Leigh Bardugo

                                                                  Published: September 27th 2016 by, Orion Children's Books

                                                             Series: Six of Crows book #2

                                                                   Genre: YA books 

                                                                   Stars: 5/5

Kaz Brekker and his crew have just pulled off a heist so daring even they didn't think they'd survive. But instead of divvying up a fat reward, they're right back to fighting for their lives. Double-crossed and left crippled by the kidnapping of a valuable team member, the crew is low on resources, allies, and hope. As powerful forces from around the world descend on Ketterdam to root out the secrets of the dangerous drug known as jurda parem, old rivals and new enemies emerge to challenge Kaz's cunning and test the team's fragile loyalties. A war will be waged on the city's dark and twisting streets―a battle for revenge and redemption that will decide the fate of magic in the Grisha world. 

Loved this book so much! It contained everything that a final book needs; drama, intensity, action, love, tears and justice. So sad that the series has ended with just two books. Click here to read my review of the first book.

Kaz, Inej, Nina, Matthias, Jesper, and Wylan will forever be my most beloved fictional crew.

First, let’s talk characters! The friendship forged between our beloved six outcasts remain my favourite thing. Not only do the characters have meaningful relationships with their respective romantic partners – they also share beautiful moments with platonic members of the crew. Crooked Kingdom is filled with character bonding and where friendships is one of the main themes in this duology.

Whilst each character has their quirky habits and personalities, the best scenes are the ones where six of them are together, bantering and scheming.

The amount of character development in this book is phenomenal. You get to understand them individually as well as a group and learning about their history and what they have been through throughout the story, just makes us even more so invested in their mismatch family that they have put together.

Aside from its diverse and charismatic cast of characters, Crooked Kingdom also boasts an arresting story line, filled with cunning tricks and plot twists. Leigh Bardugo does an amazing job in describing each scene (action and non action) that it seems like you are there witnessing/experiencing it all with the characters at first hand.

I would just love to have a look at Kaz’s mind! How he schemes his way around things and situations is just amazing even in scenes where you think there is no way out…..Kaz finds a way! And never seems to disappoint.

The plot of Crooked Kingdom takes numerous twists and turns – with alliances ever shifting and plans forever being foiled.

The Winner's Kiss (The Winner's Trilogy book#3) by Marie Rutkoski

 Title: The Winner's Kiss

                                                                                          Author: Marie Rutkoski

                                                                                      Published: March 29th 2016 by, Farrar, Straus and Giroux

                                                                                          Series: The Winner's Trilogy book #3 

                                                                                          Genre: YA

                                                                                          Stars: 3.5/5

Some kisses come at a price.

War has begun. Arin is in the thick of it with untrustworthy new allies and the empire as his enemy. Though he has convinced himself that he no longer loves Kestrel, Arin hasn’t forgotten her, or how she became exactly the kind of person he has always despised. She cared more for the empire than she did for the lives of innocent people—and certainly more than she did for him.

At least, that’s what he thinks.

In the frozen north, Kestrel is a prisoner in a brutal work camp. As she searches desperately for a way to escape, she wishes Arin could know what she sacrificed for him. She wishes she could make the empire pay for what they’ve done to her.

But no one gets what they want just by wishing.

As the war intensifies, both Kestrel and Arin discover that the world is changing. The East is pitted against the West, and they are caught in between. With so much to lose, can anybody really win? 

The Winner’s Kiss is a great conclusion to the series. Click here to read my reviews for book 1 and 2.

From the last time we left our protagonists, Kestrel and Arin, in this book we see them grow a lot, especially Kestrel, forcing her to learn and grow both physically and mentally.

The book contains very pressed romantic tension, causing utter desperation from the readers for Kestrel and Arin to just reveal their true feelings for each other.  Their relationship struggle was so real. Their differences in life just kept getting in the way and it was sad to see them tread around each because of this.

The plot line was really good. There was a lot of detailed battle scenes, which I did not expect whilst also containing the usual political manoeuvres.

In a roundabout way, everyone did get what their deserved. 

Truthwitch (A Witchlands Novel book #1) by Susan Dennard

 Title: Truthwitch 

                                                                   Author: Susan Dennard

                                                                   Published: January 5th 2016 by, Tor Teen 

                                                                   Series: A Witchlands Novel book #1

                                                                   Genre: Fantasy, YA 

                                                                   Stars: 3.5/5  

In a continent on the edge of war, two witches hold its fate in their hands.

Young witches Safiya and Iseult have a habit of finding trouble. After clashing with a powerful Guildmaster and his ruthless Bloodwitch bodyguard, the friends are forced to flee their home.

Safi must avoid capture at all costs as she's a rare Truthwitch, able to discern truth from lies. Many would kill for her magic, so Safi must keep it hidden - lest she be used in the struggle between empires. And Iseult's true powers are hidden even from herself.

In a chance encounter at Court, Safi meets Prince Merik and makes him a reluctant ally. However, his help may not slow down the Bloodwitch now hot on the girls' heels. All Safi and Iseult want is their freedom, but danger lies ahead. With war coming, treaties breaking and a magical contagion sweeping the land, the friends will have to fight emperors and mercenaries alike. For some will stop at nothing to get their hands on a Truthwitch.

In short, ‘Truthwitch’ is a book about the friendship between Safiya and Iseult and this was something that was very refreshing. Normally, we have the lone strong female character overcoming whatever obstacles she has to face, but this book offered a different take on the female empowerment. Both characters definitely feed off from one another and actively put each other first before anything else.

It was a fantasy book enriched with elemental magic, politics and of course war. An empire of some sort merged with different lands all trying to live in peace. However, as you get with books like this, a lot of the sectors (or one in this particular case) suffer at the hands of the greedy and rich and then there is some sort of revolt or a desire for a change that takes place.

Nevertheless, I must admit that it took some time for me to actually get into the book and start liking it. The author tends to name drop a lot of things, and miss a few plot holes, especially in the beginning, when as a reader, who has been opened up to delve into this new world where nothing will make sense initially, a little background information would of been nice. It took me until 40% of the book to actually start liking and understanding it which is a very long time.

However, once I did start to like the book, I enjoyed reading more about the four main characters; Safiya, Iseult, Merik and Aeduan.

Safiya is a very firey character who acts before she thinks. She’s the muscle between the two girls, despite the fact that both of them have been trained in the arts of fighting. Safiya is the person that everyone wants, once they find out who she is and its her life on the line that shapes the story.

Iseult, as you can probably imagine, is the antithesis of Safiya. She is much calmer and is the brains of the duo. She sees threads from people, which is basically what people are feeling.

Merik is the Prince of the land that has been suffering, Nubrevna. He is a humble man who is trying to find ever possible solution to help alleviate the claimant that his people are in. He engages in a deal with Safiya’s uncle, which places him in the very heart of the story of romance between the two. He has a few issues with his manipulative, strong sister as well as controlling his own wind witch powers which sometimes has a mind of its own.

Now, it’s Aeduan that I found the most interesting character. His a blood witch, which basically means he can control people’s blood and something that makes him very dangerous and scary. Ever since he first laid his eyes on the girls (from problem that the girls encountered at the beginning of the story which I still don’t know what was about.....one of those plot holes) he has been trying to find them and possible kill them. His motive changes on various occasions and his morals are quite questionable on several other occasions but what I found intriguing is his slow relationship build up with Iseult. There’s definitely some connection between the two and whilst Safiya and Merik’s relationship is quick and uncontrollable, Iseult’s and Aeudan’s relationship is a slow sizzle. Something to watch out for I’m sure.

All in all, it was a good book. Not one of the best and not original, but it was good. There’s something there which I am sure the author can build up on. We just have to see where it goes. 

Frozen Tides (Falling Kingdoms book #4) by Morgan Rhodes

 Title: Frozen Tides

                                                                   Author: Morgan Rhodes

                                                                   Published: December 15th 2015 by, Razorbill 

                                                                   Series: Falling Kingdoms book #4

                                                                   Genre: YA, Fantasy

                                                                   Stars: 4/5

CLEO: Reeling after a bloody showdown in Limeros ending with Amara’s abduction of the water crystal, and a vacancy in the Mytican throne, Princess Cleo must cast aside her feelings and look toward her kingdom with the eyes of a Queen.

MAGNUS: With the kingdom in chaos, Princess Lucia still missing and quite possibly in danger, and a shocking realization about Cleo, the steely prince is once again torn between love and duty, leaving him wondering whether he’s strong enough to rule his people.

LUCIA: The young sorcercess has had her vengeance after the cruel death of her first and only love. Heartbroken and unable to trust anyone, she allies with the awoken Fire god, who also seeks revenge.

JONAS: After escaping death by the skin of his teeth, the defeated rebel—along with a mysterious stranger–leader reunites with Princess Cleo, only to find himself a mere pawn in a dangerous hunt for the elusive Kindred.

KING GAIUS: Abandoned by Melenia and betrayed by his own children, Gaius flees Mytica and sails to Kraeshia, where he attempts to ally with the famously brutal emperor across the Silver Sea.

This is the fourth book in the Falling Kingdoms series and it still produces the same goods as the previous books. Click here to read my review on book 1, book 2 and book 3.

The plot line is still the same but perhaps slightly a tad bit more confusing. It seems as the series go on and as the readers, we find out more, the plot line thickens and more ingredients are added to the bubbling potion that will erupt by the end of the whole series. 

Our four main characters: Cleo, Magnus, Lucia and Jonas are still in the midst of all the elemental, Kindred and Watchers business and none have found a solid answer as to how to end this all.

The four main characters are all set in their own journey but they do see each other along the way.

We see a whole new side to Lucia in this book. She simply does not care about anyone at the beginning of the book and wants everyone to feel the same level of grieve and hurt that she experienced. Her vision in this book did annoy me and what did not help was that she became all pally with the fire Kindred, who was let out from his globe in book 3 by Lucia. Both are vengeance seeking creatures and because of this they tend to create some damage wherever they go. However, near the end of the book, once Lucia finds out a little secret about herself, her vision become a little bit clearer and she realises the damages she has caused.

 Jonas. Ah, Jonas. Constantly failing in whatever he was doing that even his hard core fans were getting tired of him. Nonetheless, throughout this book he does seem to be making moderate steps at achieving a better world, or at least getting some worthwhile people on his side.

Cleo and Magnus. I put them together and for all of you who have read this book will understand. They are so similar yet so different from each other. One is literally like light, whilst the other is dark. They need and want each other and as the readers you desperately want the two characters to make up their mind quicker and just get together! No doubt that it is Magnus who is more afraid of revealing his true feelings even though his teasing and arguments with Cleo was comical at times.

As always with the Falling Kingdoms books, there are sudden deaths. I always have to remind myself never to get attached to these characters because they could disappear in a blink of an eye. 

Winter (The Lunar Chronicles book #4) by Marissa Meyer

Title: Winter

                                                               Author: Marissa Meyer

                                                                   Published: November 10th 2015 by, Feiwel and Friends

                                                                   Series: The Lunar Chronicles

                                                                   Genre: Fiction, YA

                                                                   Stars: 5/5 

Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mar her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana.

Winter despises her stepmother, and knows Levana won’t approve of her feelings for her childhood friend—the handsome palace guard, Jacin. But Winter isn’t as weak as Levana believes her to be and she’s been undermining her stepmother’s wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that’s been raging for far too long.

Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters?                                                       

Cinder (Cinderella): A cyborg mechanic, with a robotic hand and foot who falls in love with a prince called Kai.

Scarlet (Red Riding Hood): A spaceship pilot with a red hoodie who falls for a wild street fighter named Wolf.

Cress (Rapunzel): A brilliant hacker who meets the captain of her dreams named Captain Thorne (ha, I see what Marissa did there, clever woman).

Winter (Snow White): A beloved, scarred princess who is in love with her guard called Jacin, all the while dealing with her evil stepmother.

It is this group of eight mismatch fairy tale characters that ally together and form a team to save the kingdom from the evil Queen Levana who has shattered their dreams of a happily ever after before.

I have been waiting for this book for a very, very long time and let me tell you, it did not fail to provide the goods. The Lunar Chronicles series is one of my best book series ever and I just love how everything came together. Oh, there were numerous times where it seemed like the lovable characters were defeated but at the end, they truly did achieve their futuristic happily ever after. Click here to read book 1, 2 and 3.

Although, Winter is 824 pages long, you will finish this in no time. You will relish in all the romances, the plot twists and action. It was such a worthwhile wait! I just adore a series where there is mission and each book adds an additional character to the cause.

There are many things to applaud Marissa on and one of those things is that the book did not get confusing at all. There are nine main characters in this book (including Levana) and each of them, at some point in the book, have their own chapter, but Marissa made sure the book still kept to its clear plot line and that each character still had their own distinctive personalities. It did not blur together which I really, really liked.

Did you know that the story Cinderella was actually originated in China, The European version of Red Riding Hood was first published by a French writer and Rapunzel is a type of lettuce and so is Cress. It just shows that Marissa’s researches on the fairy tales were very good and it helped her write the prefect story line for all four books.  

The story opens with Princess Winter (Snow White), stepdaughter of Luna’s Queen Levana and the last edition to the gang. Known for her unfailing compassion and unparalleled beauty, Winter continues to lose her grip on reality as Lunar sickness pervades. Meanwhile, Cinder and the gang are ready for a revolution. Each of the characters have gone through some sort of struggle all by the hands of Levana and they are ready to get vengeance.  

The classic poison apple makes an appearance as well as the seven dwarfs (albeit not in a version you would think off). The ‘mirror, mirror on the wall’ does not however, make an appearance but with mirror being forbidden on Luna, it’s something we can write off.

Fans of the series will love every tension-filled second, as each character races toward their own happily ever after. Although each character goes their own way at the end, I really, really hope they stay in contact and meet more often than the supposed annual ball. I will truly miss this series and all the characters *sigh*. 

Six of Crows (Six of Crows book #1) by Leigh Bardugo

Title: Six of Crows

                                                                    Author: Leigh Bardugo

                                                                    Published: September 29th 2015 by Henry Holt and Company

                                                                    Series: Six of Crows book #1

                                                                    Genre: YA books

                                                                    Stars: 5/5

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone...

A convict with a thirst for revenge.

A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager.

A runaway with a privileged past.

A spy known as the Wraith.

A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums. 

A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes. 

Six dangerous outcasts. One impossible heist. Kaz's crew is the only thing that might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first.

This book was absolutely amazing!!! It deserves all its stars.

I was very surprised at how good this book one, especially after my dislike at Leigh’s previous books on the Grisha novels (which you can read the review for book 1 here and book 2 here). However, boy is the Six of Crows something different altogether.

As the blurb shows, it is about a criminal heist (reminds me soooo much of Ocean’s 11...or 12....or even 13.....well minus the whole magic/dark background but you know whatever).

Each character has some sort of secret/hurt/dark past that they want to escape. Leigh has given each character great depth and personalisation by their past, despite them being criminals. It just makes you root for them. 

Kaz’s past, the leader of the group, has made him become who he is. He’s 17 years old and literally runs a gang. He is feared, ruthless but yet so lovable. He is the anti-hero of the story and I can’t stop loving him! Especially when he tries so hard to show his feelings to a particular girl. But yet he’s so stubborn on improving on his ways. He is quite literally, a broken man, but one who is very clever and conniving.  He reminds me so much of Thomas Shelby in Peaky Blinders. His cartoon caricature actually looks like him too. 

The plot line was thrilling from beginning to end. There definitely were times where I wasn’t sure what was going to happen, especially the ending. And I still don’t! It left the readers wanting to know what happens next (I know it certainly left me like that!). The poor misshapen group is plunged into another heist and they didn’t even get what they wanted from the first heist! All I know if that you do not want to make yourself an enemy of Kaz. There is a lot of unopened secrets and questions, which I hope will be revealed in the second book. 

It's In His Kiss (The Bridgertons Series book #7) by Julia Quinn

 Title: It's In His Kiss

                                                               Author: Julia Quinn

                                                               Published: June 28th 2005 by, Avon

                                                               Series: The Bridgertons book #7

                                                               Genre: Romance 

                                                               Stars: 4/5

IF IT'S IN HIS HEART ... IT'S IN HIS KISS

MEET OUR HERO...

Gareth St. Clair is in a bind. His father, who detests him, is determined to beggar the St. Clair estates and ruin his inheritance. Gareth's sole bequest is an old family diary, which may or may not contain the secrets of his past... and the key to his future. The problem is—it's written in Italian, of which Gareth speaks not a word.

MEET OUR HEROINE ...

All the ton agreed: there was no one quite like Hyacinth Bridgerton. She's fiendishly smart, devilishly outspoken, and according to Gareth, probably best in small doses. But there's something about her—something charming and vexing—that grabs him and won't quite let go...

MEET POOR MR. MOZART...

Or don't. But rest assured, he's spinning in his grave when Gareth and Hyacinth cross paths at the annual—and annually discordant—Smythe-Smith musicale. To Hyacinth, Gareth's every word seems a dare, and she offers to translate his diary, even though her Italian is slightly less than perfect. But as they delve into the mysterious text, they discover that the answers they seek lie not in the diary, but in each other ... and that there is nothing as simple—or as complicated—as a single, perfect kiss.

I absolutely l loved this book! It’s been a while since I’ve read books that was set in the 19^th Century and Julia Quinn’s books are also so good. Check out my review for book 3 here of her Bridgertons series.

Firstly, one of the reasons why I love reading these kinds of books is due to the forbidden romance. During the 19^th Century, one couldn’t publicly show one’s affection to another....well not how people do in the 21^st Century. I the reason why I love her books, is because they always involve some sort of love-hate relationship! Eeeike. The best kind!!

So, the main heroine, Hyacinth is those typically sassy, smart and yet funny characters. She is so sure of herself and doesn’t need a man in order to go about her way. I really like her and she is her own person.

Gareth is a typical bad boy on the outside. He’s been with women and has a reputation. Yet, he can be sensitive and understanding on the inside. You just have to get to know him.

He has a secret and Hyacinth comes into his life (aside from being good friends with his grandmother) by agreeing to translate a diary, left by his grandmother from his maternal side, from Italian to English. There the secrets are unfolded and a romance blossoms.

It is a typical ‘chick flick’ book set in the 19^th Century and a lovely read. I especially love their big family. Always there for one another. 

End of Days (Penryn and the End of Days book #3) by Susan Ee

 Titles: End of Days

                                                                   Author: Susan Ee

                                                                   Published: May 12th 2015 by, Skyscape 

                                                                   Series: Penryn and the End of Days book #3

                                                                   Genre: YA, Fantasy, Dystopian 

                                                                   Stars: 4/5

After a daring escape from the angels, Penryn and Raffe are on the run. They’re both desperate to find a doctor who can reverse the twisted changes inflicted by the angels on Raffe and Penryn’s sister. As they set off in search of answers, a startling revelation about Raffe’s past unleashes dark forces that threaten them all.

When the angels release an apocalyptic nightmare onto humans, both sides are set on a path toward war. As unlikely alliances form and strategies shift, who will emerge victorious? Forced to pick sides in the fight for control of the earthly realm, Raffe and Penryn must choose: Their own kind, or each other? 

The review is going to be short and sweet.

Simply put, I like it more then I liked the second book. Click here to read my review of book 1 and here to read my review of book 2.

My opinions of the characters are the same. Pretty surprised at myself for still liking Penryn. Normally the heroine annoys me after book 2. However, she still has the same fire and stamina as she did in the beginning. She is still a rocking chick.

Raff.  AWWWW Raff. Yep, I’ve found my soul mate. Nuff said!

All in all, the book did seem slightly rushed, especially the ending and I have my theories on why that was. But it was good. Not amazing like the first book but not bad like the second book. There were the major action scenes and of course the romance scenes. I loved the part with the fallen watchers and I was kind of disappointed with what happens to Raff at the ending.

I also liked how Penryn’s mother and sister grew and became who they were. They didn’t reply on Penryn at the end by decided to make their own way in life. 

The Winner's Crime (The Winner's Trilogy book #2) by Marie Rutkoski

Titles: The Winner's Crime

                                                     Author: Marie Rutkoski 

                                                     Published: March 5th 2013 by, Farrar Straus Giroux

                                                     Series: The Winner's Trilogy book #2

                                                     Genre: YA

                                                     Stars: 4/5

                                                     

The engagement of Lady Kestrel to Valoria’s crown prince means one celebration after another. But to Kestrel it means living in a cage of her own making. As the wedding approaches, she aches to tell Arin the truth about her engagement... if she could only trust him. Yet can she even trust herself? For—unknown to Arin—Kestrel is becoming a skilled practitioner of deceit: an anonymous spy passing information to Herran, and close to uncovering a shocking secret.

As Arin enlists dangerous allies in the struggle to keep his country’s freedom, he can’t fight the suspicion that Kestrel knows more than she shows. In the end, it might not be a dagger in the dark that cuts him open, but the truth. And when that happens, Kestrel and Arin learn just how much their crimes will cost them.

The author had written yet another brilliant book and more so on the topic of impossible choices and broken hearts. And the lies! So many lies!!!  Click here for my review on book 1

My opinion on Kestrel is the same as book 1. She is brilliant, smart, cunning and strong. The sacrificed she has made and has to make is enough for any person who root for her. The innocence of her from the first book is gone and she has now understood what world she’s living. If you want to make a change, things have to be kept secret.

I still love Arin and I love it that he’s the emotional one (not in the soppy, sad, crying kind of way) in the relationship. Poor guy is always receiving mixed messages. But he wants Kestrel so badly, it hurts! He’s been fed one lie after the other and whilst he is trying to keep the freedom of his country and make new alliances, he is still trying to understand Kestrel and her reasons. He can’t seem to keep away, even when he thinks she hates him.

The romance is definitely still there but the story does begin to focus more on the political dialogue and the treason. Compared to the first book, where the world was just centred on the two of them, book 2 opens up to involve wider factors that have played a part or will play a part on the entire world.

I also like Prince Verex and it’s nice to see a slow friendship develop between the two. They both love someone else who they just cannot have and they both share those feelings of loss.

The story is full of twists and takes one’s breath away, especially the ending where the lies have created a tragic event. It’s both heart breaking and not just between Kestrel and Arin but between someone who is even closer to her.

Written in Red (The Others book #1) by Anne Bishop

 Title: Written in Red

                                                                   Author: Anne Bishop

                                                                   Published: March 5th 2013 by, NAL Hardcover

                                                                   Series: The Others

                                                                   Genre: YA, Urban Fantasy

                                                                   Stars: 4/5

As a cassandra sangue, or blood prophet, Meg Corbyn can see the future when her skin is cut—a gift that feels more like a curse. Meg’s Controller keeps her enslaved so he can have full access to her visions. But when she escapes, the only safe place Meg can hide is at the Lakeside Courtyard—a business district operated by the Others. 

Shape-shifter Simon Wolfgard is reluctant to hire the stranger who inquires about the Human Liaison job. First, he senses she’s keeping a secret, and second, she doesn’t smell like human prey. Yet a stronger instinct propels him to give Meg the job. And when he learns the truth about Meg and that she’s wanted by the government, he’ll have to decide if she’s worth the fight between humans and the Others that will surely follow.

I've read a lot of Urban Fantasy books with similar topics, that I was pretty happy to find something new within that genre. Whilst it does have the similar sub-categories seen in many books (vampires, werewolves, witches etc), these supernatural beings (or the Others, as they are called in this book) are on top of the pyramid. There’s not secrecy as to what they are and humans are afraid of them. They even have their own little communities within a city and humans are not really welcomed.

The Others and the humans have a very unstable and rocky relationship with one another. They don’t see humans as desirable as other books have portrayed, but they’re more likely to devour them there and then. However, when Meg enters the scene everything is turned upside down. She’s given a job within their community, just like a few humans are, but despite looking a human, she doesn't smell like a human and treats everyone the same; with kindness, that did not expect. It throws everyone off their guard.

I liked Meg. I think, albeit the horror she’s been through, she is utterly brave to work and live with the Others. She sometimes has a childlike mind and I guess is one of the many qualities that make the Others gradually like her and ultimately take her in as one of them. I especially liked her ability and the reactions of everyone when they find out what she really is!

In terms of the romance department, there wasn't much. We all know the Meg will end up with Simon as the series progresses. However, we can see Simon become more fonder of Meg within this book. Albeit I am still hoping that something might, just might, happen between Meg and the vampire!