I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

A Sorrow Fierce and Falling by Jessica Cluess
Series: Kingdom on Fire #3
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on October 16, 2018
Pages: 432
Format: Hardcover
Source: the publisher
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

It's time for war.

After suffering terrible losses, Henrietta and Lord Blackwood have led their warriors to Sorrow-Fell, a vast estate where only those invited by a Blackwood may enter--and the ideal place to plan a final assault against the Ancients.

It's time for a wedding.

Henrietta nervously awaits her marriage to Blackwood, but when the ritual to become his bride reveals a dark secret, she realizes that Sorrow-Fell is not a safe haven; it's a trap. Convincing the sorcerers of this, however, is not easy. So with Maria, the true chosen one, and Magnus, the young man who once stole her heart, at her side, Henrietta plots a dangerous journey straight into the enemy's lair. Some will live. Some will die. All will be tested.

In this stunning conclusion to the Kingdom on Fire series, Henrietta must choose between the love from her past, the love from her present, and a love that could define her future. While battles rage, the fate of the kingdom rests on her decision: Will she fall or rise up to become the woman who saves the realm?

It's time for Henrietta to make her stand.

Hey, everyone! I’m SO excited to be on the blog tour for A Sorrow Fierce and Falling by Jessica Cluess (October 16, 2018 – Random House Books for Young Readers)! Without further adieu, here’s my review!

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This entire trilogy has been absolutely amazeballs. This book has been particularly epic in its craziness and WTF moments! The revelations and discoveries have had me on the edge of my seat, and I’ve basically just been going “?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!” and “Well shit….!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” on my Goodreads updates.

Henrietta has grown sooo much from book one to book three. As I mentioned in my review of book two, she did have some stagnation in her growth; however, with this book, she really came into her own. I hate being super vague but spoilers, so let’s just say I loved her role in this story, the things that happened to her, and how her story ended. I was a little bit conflicted with two things that happened to her, but it worked out in the end, so it’s cool.

Magnus is literally my absolute favorite. He was THE BEST in this book for MANY reasons, but mainly one big reason. Again, spoilers – ugh – but.. READ THE BOOK AND YOU SHALL SEE! I love him, I loved his story arc, and I loved how his story ended. Like, it couldn’t have been any more perfect.

My love for Maria grew in this book. She was just absolutely brilliant – strong, fierce, powerful, etc. My only issue is, I thought she’d have a bigger role in the end game, and I’m surprised she didn’t. But I loved her character, and I’d kinda love to see a spin-off with her because I really want to learn more about her.

Blackwood… He had his moments, but overall, I didn’t really like him. And he did some especially awful things in this book. I don’t really think he redeemed himself in the end, but I think I understand him a bit better, and I’m.. at peace with him.. Mostly.. Another character I was meh on from the beginning was Rook, but I was shocked at how his story ended. Not sure I’ll ever get over that..

The deaths in this series have all been shocking and, for the most part, unexpected. I’ve mourned the loss of many great characters throughout this series, but this book in particular really “JK ROWLING-D” it. One death in particular broke my heart. Two other deaths shocked me because I didn’t see them coming at all. On the flip side, there were some characters that lived that shocked me, as well, because I fully expected them to die or (in some cases) remain dead.

The ending was insane and crazy and ridiculous and I still can’t wrap my mind around all that happened. Like I mentioned earlier, the revelations and discoveries were really mind-blowing in this book. I LOVED the ending, though some of it broke my heart. Yet I don’t think it could have ended any other way. I LOVED the “One Year Later” epilogue and the way it wrapped certain things up.

I highly recommend this amazing trilogy. The plot is beyond intriguing, the characters are epic, and the twists and turns will have you on the edge of your seat! I can’t wait to see what Jessica Cluess does next – she’s DEFINITELY going on the Auto-Buy Author List!

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess
Series: Kingdom on Fire #1
Published by Random House Books for Young Readers on September 20, 2016
Pages: 416
Format: ARC
Source: the publisher
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads

Henrietta can burst into flames.

Forced to reveal her power to save a friend, she’s shocked when instead of being executed, she’s named the first female sorcerer in hundreds of years and invited to train as one of Her Majesty’s royal sorcerers.

Thrust into the glamour of Victorian London, Henrietta is declared the prophesied one, the girl who will defeat the Ancients, bloodthirsty demons terrorizing humanity. She also meets her fellow sorcerer trainees, handsome young men eager to test her power and her heart. One will challenge her. One will fight for her. One will betray her.

But Henrietta is not the chosen one.

As she plays a dangerous game of deception, she discovers that the sorcerers have their own secrets to protect. With battle looming, how much will she risk to save the city—and the one she loves?

Hey everyone! Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for A Shadow Bright and Burning by Jessica Cluess (September 20, 2016 — Random House Books for Young Readers). I absolutely LOVED this book!!! It was a roller-coaster of emotions and I’m really excited to share my review with you Enjoy!

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ALL THE STARS!!! THIS BOOK GETS ALL THE STARS, YOU GUYS!!! This book was so epic and amazing, I don’t even know how to put it into words. The world, the world-building, the characters, the writing – it’s all epic beyond words and DEFINITELY exceeded my expectations!

Nettie is an epic, fierce heroine. I’m fascinated by her powers and backstory. I’m rooting for her!! Despite her extraordinary circumstances, she feels relatable. She definitely went through a lot and she had a TON of character growth from beginning to end. I can’t wait to see what book two holds for her!

I love Magnus – he’s cocky, hilarious and fiercely loyal to his friends and those close to him. I was definitely shocked at some of his revelations, though, and even hated him a few times. However, overall, he’s wickedly tempting and definitely on my Book Boyfriend list. I REALLY want something to happen with him and a particular person, but I know the obstacles to that and I’m not sure how things will go, but I’m excited to see!

Blackwood was incredibly frustrating and obnoxious, especially in the beginning. But I was shocked to find that, as time went on, I came to like him – a lot! Some of his revelations were INTENSE and CRAZY and I can’t believe the bond that formed between him and MAN I HATE SPOILERS SO JUST READ THE BOOK SO WE CAN DISCUSS THIS, GUYS!

I REALLY liked Hargrove, though I don’t think I was supposed to! But there’s just something about him that made him entertaining to read about. He’s hilarious and sarcastic and like the crazy uncle everyone wishes they had. I wanted to shake him a few times, but the revelations and explanations that had to do with him had me like !!!!!!!!!

I adored Agrippa in the beginning. He was like everyone’s grandfather. And then… things happened… and… SPOILERS SO I CAN’T BUT GRRRR!!!!!!!

This might be an unpopular opinion, but I wasn’t a fan of Rook and never saw him as being a potential love interest. I just never really liked him and I can’t completely figure out why. I just didn’t feel he was an important – or necessary – character.

The writing is gorgeous in this book. It’s descriptive and it flows. The book itself reminds me of a mash-up between The Imposter Queen by Sarah Fine and Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo. The plot was intriguing and only became more so the longer I read and the closer to the ending I got.

Overall, I loved this book so much, it physically pained me each time I had to put it down! I’m pretty sure this is my #1 favorite book of 2016 (so far)!!! I can’t wait to get my hands on book two and see what happens next! I HIGHLY recommend this one!!! You won’t regret it!!