RATING: A+

Finnikin of the Rock and his guardian, Sir Topher, have not been home to their beloved Lumatere for ten years. Not since the dark days when the royal family was murdered and the kingdom put under a terrible curse. But then Finnikin is summoned to meet Evanjalin, a young woman with an incredible claim: the heir to the throne of Lumatere, Prince Balthazar, is alive. Evanjalin is determined to return home and she is the only one who can lead them to the heir. As they journey together, Finnikin is affected by her arrogance . . . and her hope. He begins to believe he will see his childhood friend, Prince Balthazar, again. And that their cursed people will be able to enter Lumatere and be reunited with those trapped inside. He even believes he will find his imprisoned father. But Evanjalin is not what she seems. And the truth will test not only Finnikin's faith in her . . . but in himself.

- Good Reads

Anyone who likes fantasy MUST read this series! Each individual book would make it into my top books of all time, as well as the series as a whole. It is so well written, thoughtfully plotted and character driven. Every character is fully formed and flawed, just as you would expect from real people. They stay with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

Though this series has mostly young men at its center, they are thoroughly imperfect human beings, constantly surrounded by and confronted by strong, intelligent women. Many characters have their own gender biases challenged and it is so refreshing to read.

This may be fantasy, but at it’s core this series is about family. It’s about how family, community and identity are challenged by tragedy and loss, and about how human connection can be the key to overcoming hardship.

If you haven’t come across this series before, I highly recommend you check it out!

“The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.”   ―    Dolly Parton

“Well, I know now. I know a little more how much a simple thing like a snowfall can mean to a person.”  ―    Sylvia Plath, The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath

“Every particular in nature, a leaf, a drop, a crystal, a moment of time is related to the whole, and partakes of the perfection of the world.”  ―    Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Moonlight drowns out all but the brightest stars.”    ―    J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

“I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”    ―    L.M. Montgomery,  Anne of Green Gables

Parks and Recreation

April and Andy’s Wedding

“The moment a little boy is concerned with which is a jay and which is a sparrow, he can no longer see the birds or hear them sing.”  ―    Eric Berne

“A room without books is like a body without a soul.”    ―    Marcus Tullius Cicero

“Luxury is the wolf at the door and its fangs are the vanities and conceits germinated by success. When an artist learns this, he knows where the danger is.“  ―  Tennessee Williams

Me: I bought 2 books last week, so I should only buy 1 of the 5 I am thinking of buying right now. That’s reasonable.

Bank Account: Fucking stop.