Crown of Wishes, by Roshani Chokshi

Before I go into it, I have to tell you; Crown of Wishes is the sequel to another book by Chokshi, The Star-Touched Queen. However, I'll be reviewing it anyway because its one of those books where the plot has very little to do with the first book. It won't make any difference whether you read the first book or not. In fact, I haven't even read the first book yet!

It only took me two days to read Crown of Wishes, partly because it was a great book, partly because I had too much time on my hands. I tried to make it last, but it just wouldn't. I'm sure that many of you have had the same experiences. I didn't pay attention to how much of it was left, and I read the entire thing.

Crown of Wishes is about a prince, named Vikram, who is destined to become a puppet ruler despite his potential. He is called the Fox Prince by his people, due to his remarkable intelligence. The second main character is a princess, Gauri, who has recently failed to take the throne from her older brother Skanda, who is cruel. She is called the Jewel of Bharata, but her real skill comes from her fighting prowess. When the two meet, they become partners to compete in the Tournament of Wishes, a competition that takes place in the realm of Kubera, the Lord of Wealth. They'll undergo a trial of desire, a trial of fear, and a sacrifice, and if they win, they will each earn a wish. However, all is not as it seems in the Otherworld, a realm of magic and intrigue.

Crown of Wishes was an excellent book, with brain-twisters and interesting stories. I enjoyed how it was placed in a universe with a culture similar to medieval and mythological India, and how it toyed with the concepts of desire and stories. I'd recommend it for lovers of the supernatural and romance genres, as well as those who like the idea of a competition to achieve ones desires.

Graceling, by Kristin Cashore

Graceling was a book that, while it took me forever to read, was worth it. I got it at a bookstore called the Book Exchange, where you can buy both used and new books, for incredibly cheap prices, as well as signed books and other, more expensive things.

I had driven there (I don't live in that town) with my mother, little sister, and my little sister's friend. Even though it was a little less than forty five minutes, it was incredibly stressful for me. However, I had been determined. We were going to order my letterman jacket.

After ordering it, we went to a Chinese place, and then to the World Market. l. Finally, we arrived at the Book Exchange. My mom promised me that she would buy me one book, because they were so cheap, and I had twenty five dollars on my own. With her help, I bought six books, each around five dollars. They were put in an annoyingly flimsy pink bag, and all was right with the world. Due to a pileup of books (I splurge on them. A lot.), it took me several weeks to set to reading Graceling.

Graceling is set in an alternate, medieval-ish universe where there are people called Gracelings, who are always highly talented at something, be it dancing, art, fighting, singing, cooking, etc. You can tel them apart from normal humans because their eyes are two different colors. Gracelings, if their talent proves useful, are taken from their families and given to the king that rules them. The main character is a girl named Katsa, whose Grace is killing. She has been used to punish her uncle's, the King of the Middluns', so-called enemies. Then, she meets Po, a Lienid prince Graced with fighting, and they set out on a journey to find out who kidnapped Po's grandfather. Over the course of the book, Katsa learns many things about herself, and about Po.

Graceling is a great book by Kristin Cashore, about self-acceptance, love, and, of course, a little bit of violence. I wouldn't change anything about it, plotwise. I found one or two parts confusing, but otherwise, it was perfect.

Valkyrie, by Kate O'Hearn

Valkyrie is a novel that I really enjoyed reading. For all those bookworms out there, you know the drill: Wake up late on a Saturday, with absolutely nothing to do, so you browse the shelves and pick out the book that you've been meaning to read.

This was how my reading of Valkyrie worked. I woke up around 9:45 a.m. on a Saturday morning (no matter how hard I try, I can't sleep any later), and I ate breakfast. Then, I went downstairs, and I had nothing I could possibly do besides spend the Saturday with the love of my life, also known as my library. I picked out Valkyrie, and went and sat on my chair, not bothering to turn on the lights because the chair was right below the window. I sat there for hours, doing nothing else but read. I finished it a few hours after I had to get up and eat lunch.

Valkyrie is the story of Freya, a new Valkyrie for Odin. The Valkyries' job is to choose souls to reap and bring to Valhalla, the hall for the valiant dead. Freya has never much liked humans, with their bloody conflict and destruction, but when the very first soul she ever reaps, a soldier, asks her to help his family, who are in danger, she can't refuse. Breaking just about every Valkyrie rule in the book, she goes down to Earth and meets the soldier's family, trying to help them with their troubles along with making friends with a human boy.

I believe that Valkyrie is the ultimate fantasy/coming-of-age novel. I love how Freya discovers herself throughout the book, and makes friends. She's definitely one of the bravest characters I've witnessed in a long time, who was willing to sacrifice her wings and her eyesight to save the ones she cares about. I'd highly recommend it to anyone who likes a strong female protagonist. The only real flaw in the entire novel was that it didn't really follow mythology, at all.

Empress of a Thousand Skies, by Rhoda Belleza

Empress of a Thousand Skies is a novel that I enjoyed reading, though I put it off because I was really busy, once again. As I am still in education, I don't really have that much time to read, and am always hurrying to do so. However, once I squeezed out the time to read it, I was genuinely surprised.

I read the book one or two weeks ago (forgive me, I haven't had time to read a new book!), around the same time I read The Valiant. I read parts of it with my friend, who loves books almost as much as I do, and I have to say, sharing a book with someone else is the greatest feeling, like you're discovering a new world together. In our case, I was reading the book and she was reading over my shoulder, but I knew that we were both enjoying it.

Have you ever seen the Star Wars and Star Trek movies? Perhaps read the Insignia series, by S.J. Kincaid? I'd have to compare it to them. It's based in an unknown universe, and it's a masterpiece. I can honestly say I've never quite read anything like it.

Empress of a Thousand Skies is about two people, whose names are Rhiannon (Rhee) and Alyosha (Aly). Rhiannon is the last surviving member of a huge dynasty, who dreams of nothing but revenge for the man who she believes killed her parents. Alyosha is a war refugee and a celebrity, starring in a show that is run by the military. When someone tries (and fails) to murder Rhee, Aly is framed for it, and both are sent into a mad dash to save the galaxy from the clutches of a villain that no one suspected.

I loved the novel, though there were a few flaws, including how, throughout the entire book, the main characters only meet for one instant, and how there are omitted passages that I would have loved to read and witness the emotions from. I would suggest it to the lovers of the aforementioned Star Wars and Star Trek.