Cursed by Slumber by Michelle Moras


CURSED BY SLUMBER BY MICHELLE MORAS


Review to my Goodreads: Beautifully written. Highly recommended if you are a fan of greek mythology (like I do!). The Cursed by Slumber is book 2 but can be read as a stand alone. Though the story will be much appreciated if read in order. 
Written in dual POV alternating between the love story of Thea and Hypnos. Love found due to forced proximity and yet fated love. Hypnos is a grumpy God while Thea is a good dose of sunshine - they fell in love while Hypnos holds Thea as a prisoner. Zeus requested Thea to be held captive by Hypnos because she wants to help her sister and destroy Zeus’ plans. (Read Cursed by Splendor for Thea’s sister’s story)



Title: Cursed by Slumber

Author: Michelle Moras 

Type: Fiction

Category: Young Adult

Publisher: 

Genre: Romance

Tropes: Forced Proximity, Grumpy VS Sunshine, Fated love

Total Chapters: 36 + Prologue and Epilogue

Total Pages: 166 (Ebook) 

Table of Contents: Yes (Ebook) 

Summary From The Book: (From Goodreads) 

In the Underworld of Greek mythology, a tangled tale of enemies to lovers unfolds. The god Hypnos, the embodiment of sleep, finds himself entangled in a tempestuous game of desire and power. When Hypnos is forced by Zeus to hold a goddess hostage, the solitude he treasures is dismantled. Consumed by suspicion, he accuses the goddess of stealing his coveted abilities. In order to uncover the truth of her similar powers, Hypnos tricks her into a bargain, forcing her to stay in the Underworld. Thea, gentle and kind-hearted, possesses a power unknown to Hypnos-a power that could heal and bring tranquility to the restless souls of mortals. Yet, trapped within Hypnos' cave, she must prove herself and guard her heart. As she unravels the secrets of her own abilities, Thea begins to question her true nature and the depths of her connection to the god who holds her captive. Caught in a web of conflicting emotions, Hypnos finds himself drawn to Thea's serene presence, an unexpected tenderness awakening within him. The lines between captor and captive blur as they discover a shared destiny that intertwines their fates in ways they never anticipated.Will Hypnos release his grip on suspicion and find solace in Thea's embrace? Can Thea unravel the truth of her power and help Hypnos become a gentler god? Prepare to be captivated as gods clash and passion ignites in a tale that will leave you breathless and yearning for more. In this romantasy Greek Mythology mixed with a Sleeping Beauty retelling, author Michelle Moras weaves a spellbinding narrative, weaving ancient legends with themes of love, trust, and self-discovery.


My Thoughts:

I love any books that are Greek Mythology related so I did not hesitate in reading this one and I am glad I did because it is beautifully written. 

The story focused on Hypnos, God of Sleep and Thea, Goddess of Relaxation with participation of famous gods/goddesses, Zeus, Hades, Persephone, Hera and so much more. 

The story revolved around Hypnos and Thea’s falling in love and their struggles. It all started when Zeus forced Hypnos to take Thea as captive. 

This is a quick read. The book makes me imagine of the unseen world of Olympus and the beauty of it all. I am also happy that the Titans and Primordials were included as they are seldom given focused on books.
Book has some sexual scenes and words, mentions of infidelity, rape, neglect and deception. Book is considered for young adult. 

The point of view is dual and alternates between Hypnos and Thea. 

My favorite character for this story is Thanatos - there is something about him that makes me laugh. He keeps some parts more interesting. 

Hypnos developed a character arc in the story but for me it is not that fully redeeming. 

The most memorable scene for me is when Hypnos took Thea to see his work. 

What do I think of the title Cursed by Slumber? The book’s title is perfect fit for the story. At first, I am thinking why is it Cursed By Slumber but it will all be explained in the end. 

The book is mainly romance and shows insecurities of both lovers. 


My Favorite Line/s:

"I’d much prefer a quiet existence." - Thea page 11

Rating: 4/5 The story plot is good and beautifully written. 

Spiciness: 2/5

Recommendation: To those who loves Greek Mythology and romance.

Verity By Colleen Hoover


VERITY BY COLLEEN HOOVER


Review to my Goodreads: Mindblowing! I am speechless! You know that feeling after you finished the book and realized, what did I just read that was so dark!


Title: Verity

Author: Colleen Hoover

Type: Fiction

Category: Adult

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Romance

Tropes: Forbidden love (A bit? LOL Depends on how you will view it)

Total Chapters: 25 + Epilogue

Total Pages: 341

Table of Contents: None

Summary From The Book: 

Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of best-selling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish. 

Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity's notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn't expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read - page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity's recollection of the night her family was forever altered. 

Lowen decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents could devastate the already grieving father. But as Lowen's feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife's words. After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue loving her.

My Thoughts: 

First question, are you Team Manuscript or Team Letter? I read the version with extra content.
So the story is about introvert Lowen, an author who is struggling financially but one day got hired by a handsome and kind Jeremy to be a co-writer and finish the remaining unpublished books of his wife, Verity. 

The pay is great so Lowen accepted but as she tried to understand Verity’s way of writing, she got an insight inside Verity’s dark mind. Lowen then fell in love with Jeremy which resulted to her getting tangled with their predicament. 

Reading this book gave me chills and a creepy feeling. Some scenes made me even gasp! It is all so dark that it makes reading it deeply engaging. 

This book is not for the faint hearted or easily triggered as it contains child abuse and neglect, self-harm, mental health problems, deception, violence, infidelity and possibly an abusive relationship. There are also some explicit sex scenes. Definitely suitable for adults only. 

The point of view is focused mainly to Lowen. It is not hard to keep up with the story because there are only a few characters involved. 

It is hard to choose which character is my favorite because I think none. No one impressed me enough to be a favorite and there are no character arc development to any of them. No redeeming qualities either throughout the story. 

The most memorable and creepiest part for me is when Lowen thought she saw Verity on top of the stairs, I think I was not able to sleep comfortably that night. LOL. 

What do you think the title Verity? The book was named after the character Verity but its meaning when you search online is how being truthful or honest you are. So the name suits the character of the book Verity because we do not know which is the manipulated truth with her manuscript versus letter.  

Basically, the book is mysterious, thrilling and so dark that it had my mind blown with all the questions in my head in the end, wondering if what is the truth -  The manuscript or the letter. 

My Favorite Line/s:

"It's natural, to assume the worst in people, even if that assumption is only for a split second." - Verity page 293

Rating: 5/5 because the story is deeply engaging for me. The story is simple but never bored me. 

Spiciness: 3/5

Recommendation: To those who wants to read a really dark story and a toxic type of relationship but it has a lot of triggers so check it out first.

War Storm By Victoria Aveyard



WAR STORM BY VICTORIA AVEYARD

Compared with all the books of the series and as this is the last book, I was expecting more. And it is a little dragging that I forgot to read about it for a while.


Title: War Storm

Author: Victoria Aveyard

Type: Fiction

Category: Young Adult

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Harper Teen

Total Chapters: 37 + Epilogue

Total Pages: 614 (Ebook)

Table of Contents: Yes

Summary From The Book:

(From Goodreads) 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 defeat 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 demolishing 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? In the epic conclusion to Victoria Aveyard's stunning series, Mare must embrace her fate and summon all her power... for all will be tested, but not all will survive.

My Thoughts:

For the last book, I was expecting more but I find that the previous books are more interesting. 

The political part of the book is dragging for me and I paused for a while there before I was able to finish the book. 

Mare as the main character - I wish that she had more development but I love how she stood up for her choices even if that means giving up love.

My favorite is still Evangeline - she has one of the best redeemed person for me. 

The ending was nice and more realistic, it is not cliche. 

My Favorite Line/s:

“We protect our own."

Rating: 3/5  …..

Recommendation: 

To those people who likes story with genetic mutations and a lot of action!

King’s Cage By Victoria Aveyard




KING’S CAGE BY VICTORIA AVEYARD

Finally, some action that I was looking for. Both war and love! You will get a glimpse of Cal and Mare's relationship! ❤


Title: King’s Cage

Author: Victoria Aveyard

Type: Fiction

Category: Young Adult

Genre: Fantasy

Publisher: Harper Teen

Total Chapters: 29 + Epilogue

Total Pages: 470 (Ebook)

Table of Contents: Yes

Summary From The Book:

(From Victoria Aveyard’s website) 

Mare Barrow is a prisoner, powerless without her lightning, tormented by her lethal mistakes. She lives at the mercy of a boy she once loved, a boy made of lies and betrayal. Now a king, Maven Calore continues weaving his dead mother’s web in an attempt to maintain control over his country-and his prisoner.

As Mare bears the weight of Silent Stone in the palace, her once-ragtag band of newbloods and Reds continue organizing, training, and expanding. They prepare for war, no longer able to linger in the shadows. And Cal, the exiled prince with his own claim on Mare’s heart, will stop at nothing to bring her back.

When blood turns on blood, and ability on ability, there may be no one left to put out the fire-leaving Norta as Mare knows it to burn all the way down.

Perfect for fans of George R.R. Martin’s Game of Thrones series, King’s Cage is the third high-stakes installment in the #1 New York Times bestselling Red Queen series.

My Thoughts:


Finally, this book has more action that I am waiting to happen and that Mare and Cal’s relationship became more open. 
There are just some scenes that I find a bit confusing specially in the details of the powers when used. 

My favorite character for this book is Evangeline, I love her character’s development and I want more!  

The scene that I love most is Mare and Cal’s battle. 

The book is about family, equality, friendship, betrayal and a bit of love!

My Favorite Line/s:

"I know now, I didn't know what love was. Or what even the echo of heart break felt like. To stand in front of a person who is your whole world and be told you are not enough. You are not the choice. You are a shadow to the person who is your sun." - Mare page 469

Rating: 4/5 This book is way better than Glass Sword. 

Recommendation: 

To those people who likes story with genetic mutations and a lot of action!