After setting some things straight, mostly in my head and mostly with myself, it's been a week not from hell for a change. Nothing to alert the press about just yet…just, bearable. Things are still crazy, and life is still hard but at least every breath is not painful torture or maybe I had two glasses of wine too much at lunch, who knows. Might also be the fact that it's finally October and I've honestly been looking forward to ''Inktober'' all year. I didn't know before but there's also apparently ''Inktober 52'', meaning 52 prompts because there are 52 weeks in a year, so a drawing a week. Obviously I am joining that next year as well. Ink drawings might not be my go to medium but I love to try new things and try to grow and not suck at drawing in ink anymore. But seriously overly excited because I have so many ideas for Inktober and so many of my fave things to incorporate in the drawings!
All that aside, only thing you're getting today is another book review because I am damn proud of actually finishing another book. Only like 50 left to go. At the moment anyways. Honestly, to be fair, book buying and book reading should be separate hobbies. I mean I'm like obsessed, buying too many books, they are EVERYWHERE at this point and yet I'm slow or lazy in reading these days. Alright so I finished the second part in the Shadow and Bone triology ''Siege and storm'', by Leigh Bardugo.
I'm still a slut for the Darkling despite everything. Just saying.
Now, I have an account set up on ''Goodreads'', not to connect with people (ew) but to keep track of what I read and what I still want to read, mostly though because as I said books are everywhere and I tend to forget which ones I already have, then buy another copy. I'm looking at you Frankenstein. Now I avoid reviews on Goodreads at all costs. Why? Almost always reviews to books I want to read are fucking negative. Like I don't know is something the matter with people (what am I saying of course everything is the matter with people) or is something the matter with me? I guess I just don't like what everyone else seems to like. Everyone freaked out over 50 shades of Gray and honestly? Massive disappointment. Anyways reading negative critique after negative critique would only turn me off from reading a book and it would be a damn shame because I'd be missing out on something I actually end up liking. And not to mention spoilers. I tend to avoid those like the plague.
First things first, we meet Nikolai Lantsov in this book and he is just the coolest character, pretty, funny, charming, smart, sarcastic. A ''pirate'' gotta love him obviously. Btw I am extremely salty over the fact that someone like Prince Nikolai only exists in books and all we get are the boring Princes like Charles and William. Nobody makes pirate princes no more? Asking for a friend.
Second thing the line ''I have loved you all my life Mal, there is no end to our story'' killed me. Like for real killed me. Lines in books sound so different when you can apply them to your own lives or see them through things you yourself experienced at some point. They tend to hurt more because at the end of the day, the book may have a happy ending but life doesn't.
I gotta say though, the book felt a bit slow at times, like things weren't really moving forward or say fast enough, till you get to the last two chapters where everything literally explodes. I really liked the new characters introduced though, and the progress of where the story goes and how the ''plot thickens''. Now despite Alina and Mal sorta being a thing and then not and then sorta being a thing again, I'm still team Darkling. Listen to me if you didn't want us to be on his team why the hell would you cast Ben Barnes as the Darkling? Seriously! His smile alone soaks ladies panties. Omfg! You guys did you see he's a singer now? I died. A little. Okay a lot. Not my type of music at all but sweet cheeks you can sing me to sleep every night. just saying.
Mal Mal Mal. People don't like Mal. I don't really know why because my ''Darklina'' feelings aside I have no issues with him. He's a bit stupid at times admittedly but come on he's a guy, he can't help himself. He fucked up several times, I wanted to punch him in his stupid face when Alina reveals something really important to him and he just leaves. LEAVES! I hated him there but the other cute moments were really cute and y'all know I'm a slut for a little romance. Touch starved or love starved or how they call it. Sometimes I wonder if Mal and Alina are end game ( I'm guessing they are anyways, still have book nr. 3 to read ) because essentially they are all each knows. I mean Mal is all Alina knows and vice versa. It's always been them against the world and I can't but wonder, is that good enough reason to be together. Romantically anyways. And unrelated but do guys always have to get drunk and smash things when they get dumped? I mean I always wanna get drunk and smash things (or Henry Cavill) but after a break up I'd much rather wallow in my mysery with a bucket of Ben and Jerry's (this said Ben Barnes before I edited the post, my mind is obviously in the gutter) and Dirty dancing on replay.
Uhhhh the general feel of this book being more ocean themed made me miss the sea so much. I am like dying you guys, for that feeling of a sandy beach beneath my feet and the salty air and the gentle breeze in the heat. I miss the swimming and the sunshine and the annoying cheeky seagulls. When I was a kid we used to be at the sea side every weekend, I mean okay we had a sailboat and our best family friends owned a boat workshop where I used to spend more time than at home. My moms ex would teach me how to sail, he had a license and was a very good captain. I had no idea then that I'll miss those days so much someday. I think that's when I fell in love with the ocean, but lately don't get to spend as much time as I'd want there. The oceam view alone is so calming to the soul. Listening to the waves crash on the shore and look into the clear blue water. If that doesn't calm you down nothing will. I miss it so much.
Right, back to the book. I enjoyed it. Of course it's not ''A farewell to arms'' but it's a great book and clearly now, I can't wait to pick up part three and start reading. Sometimes thats all you need, a little push in the right direction with a good book. And you know what's best? I already have part three. Biggest issue is always the fact that I can't get a certain sequel (looking at literally 7 incomplete series in a book stand on the other side of my room).
Alright then, time to dig up my markers and start Inktober! So exciting. Be sure excitement will leave tomorrow already when ideas dry out but for todays theme (crystal) I already have an idea and a sketch.
