REVIEW: Rebel Spring By Morgan Rhodes

REBEL SPRING

By: Morgan Rhodes

Published: December 2013

Publisher: Razorbill

Pages: 401 (Hardcover)

Genre: Fantasy

Hello!

It's great to be back in the world of book blogging. 

I have no excuse for being absent for quite a while other than of being lazy. The idea of getting out of bed and powering up the computer and putting my bookish thoughts into coherent sentences and trying to be as unbiased as I can regarding my opinions feel like such a chore. 

But I'll try my best from now on.

After all, this is why I said I want to do with my life. 

Read books. Write about books. And maybe even write a book.

Anyway....

Before you read this full review, know that this is the 2nd book of the Falling Kingdoms series. 

If you have not read the 1st book, I suggest that you do not continue reading this post because even the book synopsis has spoilers in it. 

But if you're interested about this book, here's what you need to know about this series:

1. If you like Game of Thrones (TV show or books), then you may be interested in this Young Adult version of it.

2. There are 3 kingdoms named Limeros, Paelsia, and Auranos ruled by 3 different kings, have very different weathers, and have very distinct differences between the people and their ways of living.

3. There are princes and princesses.

4. There are magical creatures that roam around in the form of a bird (a hawk, specifically).

5. There is a search for magical crystals called the Kindred.

6. There are lots and lots of fights and deaths.

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Book Synopsis

The road to power... is paved with blood and magic.

Cleo is now a prisoner in her own palace, forced to be an ambassador for Mytica as the evil King Gaius lies to her people.
Magnus stands to eventually inherit the new kingdom but is still obsessed with his feelings for his adopted sister, Lucia.
Lucia is haunted by the outcome of the breathtaking display of magic that allowed her father to capture the kingdoms.
Jonas watched at the palace gates a troop of rebels behind him, waiting for him to tell them how he plans to overtake King Gaius.

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Bookish Thoughts

Writing Style

It's a huge deal for me to have even had the motivation to read this sequel because, honestly, I was not a fan of the first book.

It had nothing to do with the writing style of Morgan Rhodes, though! 

I actually enjoy reading her books because of how simple and direct it is. 

Most of the time, in fantasy novels like this, authors make it quite difficult to understand what the characters really want to say and makes the entire world very complicated. It's hard to keep up. But Morgan Rhodes made it as simple as can be and yet still make it sound beautiful and worth reading.

I especially love how she makes the characters' way of talking reflect their upbringing and lifestyle. 

Story

It's very much a continuation of Falling Kingdoms (Book 1). We pick up right where that ended. 

There were deaths that I did not see coming! I can't believe it. In the first book there were deaths, yes. But the deaths here made a little more impact because some of those characters. we've known from book 1. 

The reason why I was hesitant to pick this book up was because the first book was filled with character introductions and I felt the plot lacking. It focused so much on the characters and for a fantasy series, I felt like that's a big no no. Fantasy should revolve around the plot line and the world building. Leave the character-focused stories in the contemporary books.

For the first half of this book, it was the same. It focused so much on the character drama and characters were still being introduced left and right. 

Thankfully, by the 2nd half of the book, the plot and story actually took a turn and became the focus. 

It's quite ridiculous how it took us 1 and a half books to get to the story line. 

That's when I started to really read the book. It hooked me. I wanted to know what will happen to the kingdoms, to its people, and to our main characters.

We still don't know who the protagonists and antagonists are, though. 

Betrayals everywhere!

You can definitely see how divided Mytica is. 

Characters

Let me be frank and say that I find ALL the characters of this book (in particular) very stupid.

It seemed to me like they were all hell-bent on choosing the worst and stupidest choices thrughout the book. 

Here are my thoughts specifically for each character:

MAGNUS - I absolutely love him! He makes me think of Nico di Angelo of Rick Riordan's Heroes of Olympus series. He's all dark and mysterious. I know people hate the trope of bad-boy-with-good-heart but I don't think he belongs there because he really is just bad. I especially love how sassy and sarcastic he can be. I live for the chapters where we read from his point of view! 

I laughed when he told Cleo "So many boys seem to be enamored of you, I'd need a ledger to keep track of them." 

Also, during their wedding (I can't believe it actually pushed through! Everything was so fast but I'm so glad that Morgan Rhodes decided not to keep making us wait for it to happen because it was thrown right at our faces that Cleo and Magnus are actually husband and wife now -- despite still hating one another) when the priest told them to hold hands and Cleo won't even reach for Magnus' hand and he said: "Come on, you're breaking my heart," in his sarcastic and very Magnus way. 

CLEO - I hate her so much. People keep telling me that her character will eventually improve the more you get into the series. But as for now, I still hate the living daylights out of her. I just find her whiny and very princess-y. She acts all innocent and yet actually plans the most devious of things. It's disconterting. She's also very fickle minded! I also hate it when somebody grasps her wrist or something and she'll whine "You're hurting me," even when they're not. Also, I don't care for what happens to her. So long as she doesn't break Magnus' heart. 

JONAS - I laughed so hard at how pathetic his character has turned out to be. In the first book I felt so bad for him because of how his brother died. But since then, he's been sold to us readers as someone strong and smart and heroic. However, all he does is sacrifice his rebels for the sake of rescuing Cleo from the hands of the tyrant king that he himself has helped be seated in that stolen throne! 

LUCIA - I have only two things to say about this girl: (1) I hate her for hurting Magnus, and (2) someone please stab me with a fork because she is turning out to be like Adelina of "The Young Elites" by Marie Lu (and I hate that girl with a passion). 

We also get to meet new characters like Lysandra. 

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Goodreads Rating

I would've rated it higher but the characters really annoyed me. Also, because it took too long for the story to focus on the plot rather than the characters. 

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Do I still want to read the next book? Yes.

Do I recommend the series? Yes.

Happy reading!

If you've reached this part of this post, thank you. 

For hearing out my bookish thoughts!

A.

UNPOPULAR BOOK OPINION: Loved Male Characters I Dislike

Hello!

Yes, I am back with this list of characters who are beloved to others but I find absolutely annoying or just simply put: dislike.

I'm not going to justify the reasons why I don't like them nor why I have the need to write about them and post it when I don't even like them.

I guess I just want you all to know that despite not enjoying these popular and well-loved characters as much as the majority of the bookish community, I actually went ahead and spent hours upon hours reading about them and appreciating the books they belong in.

I may not agree or see eye to eye with them (even if they're fictional), but know that I have reasons. It probably stems from my own personality and their characters' personalities clash with it, I don't know.

I just didn't and don't like them.

*in no particular order*

1. The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

Alec Lightwood

Calm down!

This isn't what it looks like. Alright, it is.

The thing is, I never liked Alec Lightwood. Not as a character.

Yes, I absolutely love him when he's with Magnus Bane.

But as an individual, he's not a good person. Or he wasn't.

I know he's got a lot going on in his life but that doesn't excuse the fact that he's an ass. 

Now, I don't like Clary and I'm not defending her but the way he's treated her is just no. Also, whenever he was the one who we were reading about in the first 3-4 books of the series, I can't help but roll my eyes at how annoying he is.

Thank the Angel that Magnus arrived and that Alec's character developed into someone worthy of being called a hero and actually someone likeable.

2. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Kilorn Warren

See? Nobody likes him enough to even be bothered to create a fanart of him! I found just one and he doesn't even have a face.

I have this issue with boys who grew up with our female leads and harboring secret crushes or love for them. Then some badass new guy comes along and suddenly being the best friend isn't enough and he goes alpha ape sh*t and causes trouble out of jealousy.

I feel like that's my most hated trope. I just realized now.

Also, thanks to being the best friend who obviously has no chance at our female lead but still important enough, our lead goes on crazy missions and life-threatening circumstances to get him back to safety. Doesn't matter who are the casualties so long as the best friend is safe.

Ugh.

And just because he knows her a lot longer, he automatically has a claim on her. 

What even is that?

3. The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

Again with the best friend going territorial when some new guy comes along.

How about proclaiming your love for her before someone new comes along?

We could have avoided a ton of trouble if that happened.

I'm all for Clace and yet this guy is wedging himself between them like a freaking mushroom at a crack in the pavement.

Thankfully, Cassandra Clare is good at redeeming someone's character (though I never got over my dislike for Clary). 

By the end of the series, I've come to appreciate this nerd. 

4. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Gale Hawthorne

Oh hey! Look at that... Another best friend who had a primal tendency to lay claim on the girl just because they've been best friends all their lives.

I hate this trope.

He was so jealous all the time. I got really angry when his name was on the page I was reading. 

And thanks to his jealousy and deep desire to prove something, he murdered children!

If you don't hate him for that, I don't even want to know you.

5. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

Percy Weasley

We all love the Wesleys.

I mean, how can you not? But of course, not even they are exempted to having at least one effed up kid, what with them being almost a dozen, someone's bound to come out wrong.

And it's this guy.

None of his siblings ever liked him. Sometimes I feel bad for him because all he ever wanted was to not be poor anymore and to not be ridiculed by being a Weasley.

But he's a jerk. I don't even want to talk about all the times he failed us as a Weasley.

6. Percy Jackson and the Olympains by Rick Riordan

Luke Castellan

\\

Again, please don't throw me to the deepest depths of Tartarus.

It's not even that he's succumbed to the evil Titans. It's the fact that the reason behind his being a traitor is because he was throwing a tantrum. 

He knows for a fact (or at least should've come to the realization) that all Greek gods don't come into contact with their mortal offsprings unless there's a dire situation.

But no. He just continued to harbour a grudge because his dad, Hermes, didn't stay to watch him grow up.

That's not an excuse when everyone else at Camp Half-Blood has the same story about their godly parent!

What a cry baby!

Toughen up. I thought you're a warrior?

7. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Dorian Havillard

I'm laughing right now because I can honestly feel the rage boiling off of you, people.

You see, Dorian is a weak character. Doesn't matter if he's strong in the magical sense. His character or personality is weak.

Yes, he loves reading. Yes, he gives his girl a puppy.

But he doesn't stand up to anything or anyone. He hides when he's troubled. He doesn't speak up. He's just there hovering.

He's a whatever kind of character for me.

8. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Jacob

The bane of my Twilight-obsessed self.

This boy is almost literally a dog for feeling like he had a claim on Bella just because he knows her father well and that said father approves of him.

All those times, you know what lacked? Him physically peeing on Bella to keep her and Edward apart.

Ugh.

He is ridiculous. I don't even remember what he did. All I know is I never liked him.

9. The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater

Adam Parrish

I loved all the Raven Boys by the end of the series.

But during the first 2 books of the series, I cannot stomach Adam's character.

All he did was mope around because he isn't rich, be angry because his friends are offering to help him out, and just be a jerk. 

I know he's gone through a lot especially with his pathetic excuse of parents. But it was really hard to like him at first despite all that.

I didn't feel sorry for him (which I personally think he would've been grateful for if her was real). I just got really annoyed when reading about him.

Thankfully, his character was redeemed. 

I love him now. Especially after The Raven King.

What is a proper way to close this post?

All I know is, even if I don't agree with, like, or love some of these characters, I loved the books they belonged in.

And to be fair, there isn't a book where I don't like at least one character. 

That's just the way I am: I judge the characters.

I mean, the point of why I'm reading is because I want to escape real life and just relax for a while. So I don't appreciate it when a couple of people I read about are causing me stress.

**Credits to the owners and creators of the photos/fanart used in this post**

UNPOPULAR BOOK OPINION: Loved Female Characters I Dislike

Hello!

I have just posted a short blog post on my Books Amino account regarding a certain well-loved female character that I find insufferable, whiny, and just outright annoying.

And not surprisingly, I received quite a lot of defensive comments about said character. Be it that a character has been through a lot, has PTSD, is a strong representation of what females go through in real life yet people like me undermine, etc.

Now, you must realize that I didn't write the things I wrote to undermine any real-life issues because I'm not that disrespectful of others. 

I was talking about how I find just this one specific FICTIONAL character annoying because of all her complaints. 

That's it.

But people get their panties in a bunch all the freaking time!

You got your own opinions, so do I.

That's when I realized that most (if not all) of my bookish thoughts usually categorize as unpopular book opinions.

And I don't care. 

I'm still going to write about it, post it, share it. 

Here's the list of Loved Female Characters I Dislike.

*In no particular order unless specified*

1.The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Adelina Amouteru

This girl is legit numero uno on my list of disliked (I may even say hate) female characters I've ever had the misfortune to read about.

Yes, I know she was written to be that way since it's an anti-hero series or whatever but that is not a good enough reason for me.

It didn't make my reading from her point of view or just reading about her any easier or less cringe worthy.

Killing, hurting, abandoning, and torturing people who looked at her differently, did not like her, or insulted her? And then getting all giddy with excitement as you hurt others? You are cuckoo, girl!

She was a nobody who thinks she deserves the right to  take revenge on everybody because her dad didn't love her. In my opinion, that's just throwing an ill-placed tantrum.

Grow up.

I literally gave away the 2nd book to the series without even opening the book because I made the mistake of buying it even if I haven't read the 1st book which I didn't know I'd come to hate so much. 

If there ever was a book that I'm willing to throw in a pit of fire, it's The Young Elites. Sorry, Marie Lu.

2. Falling Kingdoms by Morgan Rhodes

Cleo Bellos

Watching an innocent man get killed in front of you when you have the authority to stop it but didn't because you're afraid that people will find out you're no longer a virgin?

You are messed up in the head, girl.

In this series which I was super excited to read, we meet this spoiled princess who, of course, gets everything handed to her. Even the life of an old wine seller.

I don't care if she felt bad about it later on in the book. She just watched! Because gods forbid that her nation find out her drunken shenanigans with her fiance!

And all throughout the series, where people are dying and starving to death all around her, she had the audacity to whine and feel so depressed about her "sad miserable life" because she doesn't want to get married to the boy her father chose for her. Boo-bloody-hoo!

Thanks to her character, I am greatly hesitating on picking up the 2nd-5th book to the series.

3. Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan

Annabeth Chase

From the get-go, I never liked Annabeth.

Yes, you want to throw me to the deepest depths of Tartarus by saying or even thinking it.

I find her character insufferable and attention whore-ish.

Yeah she's smart and saved Percy and the mortal world lots of times... But I don't feel any love for her character. 

I don't get hurt when she gets hurt. I don't feel happy when she's happy. She's a whatever character if there ever was one.

Also, I didn't like the way she's throwing tantrums because Percy is too blind to see that she likes him. Speak up! Not everybody's as observant as you are, Daughter of Athena.

4. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

Hermione Granger

*dodges Avada Kedavra curses from readers!*

Stop it! I am entitled to my own opinions! No matter how unpopular they may be.

To quote Professor Snape: "Nobody likes an insufferable know-it-all, Ms. Granger."

I find Hermione very rude. Just because most of the people around her can't keep up with her intelligence, she feels like she has the right to look down on them and show off just to prove her point. Which she does all the freaking time!

If she was my classmate, I'd have spent a lot of detention time with Filch, we could've been best friends, that squib and I.

She is very rude. She is so dramatic. She is an attention whore. She is annoying as heck. 

Thanks for saving Harry and Ron's lives. You may go away now.

5. The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo

Alina Starkov

I feel so bad for the entire Grisha world because their future relies on this unstable and indecisive girl.

She is so desperate at times, I cringe when I read about her escapades. 

Also, she's one of the whiniest people I've had the misfortune to read about! 

How can this girl be considered the most powerful Grisha?

Whenever she comes across trouble, all she does is exclaim "This is it. We're done for! We're going to die. I haven't even ended up with my bestfriend yet!". Not exactly that but you get the drift. 

You have powers, girl! Use it! Then shut your bloody mouth.

6. The Selection by Keira Cass

Eadlyn Schreave

Yet another princess who feels like she has it all bad just because her parents are forcing her to marry someone she doesn't love.

What's worse here is that she herself is a product of an arranged marriage. It's not even arranged because she's presented with choices! 

Boy, must it be so difficult to have a dozen of well-known and handsome men to choose from!

"I am my own person and I don't need a man!" says the girl who is sired by the king who paraded around with women and chose her mother in the end. 

Yes, nice speech.

I didn't even bother reading the last 2 books of this series. Reading about Maxon and America (her parents) was enough of a chore. I don't need a little whiny girl who took up from both her parents' worst characteristics.

7. The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater

Blue Sargent

Have you seen or heard the way she talks to people? 

She's very rude. 

She has this thing where she goes up to people's face, jab a finger, and yell at you.

I dare you to re-read the entire Raven Cycle series and count all the times that the author said "Blue yelled/screamed/exclaimed" instead of the usual and normal way of just wording "Blue said,". 

It's so exhausting to read from her point of view because she has a desperate and pathetic need of approval from everyone around her! You also have to acknowledge her because if you don't, you'll find yourself being jabbed by a finger to your chest and being dared to overlook her one more time.

She has so many issues with being short, with being complimented when it's so obvious that she's asking for attention.

If there's one thing I won't be missing now that the series is over, it's Blue.

8. The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

Clary Fray

There are only 2 things that Clary Fray keep on saying throughout the entire 6-book series of Mortal Instruments:

(1). "We have to find and rescue my mom!"

(2). "Jace!"

The feelings behind her constant struggles are legit heart-wrenching and well placed. But after 6 books (which are pretty long books), it's tiring. It just comes off as whiny and over-used.

I mean doesn't she have anything else to worry about? She doesn't even care that she's putting the entire world in danger so long as she gets those 2 people.

I find that selfish and irresponsible. 

Also, she is stubborn as heck. Tell her not to do one thing, she'll get out of her way to do it anyway.

Half of the series wouldn't have happened if Clary listened. But of course, she didn't.

She's as bad as Blue Sargent if you ask me. She's tiny and rude as well.

Thank the Angel that we're done reading about her! I will miss Jace, though. 

9. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Feyre 

The reason I started to write this post.

I know what a PTSD is. I know it's not easy to get out of it. I'm a first-hand witness to that.

But I can't get past her issues which she caused herself whenever I try to read A Court of Mist and Fury. 

I'm going to love it, I'm sure. But only when Feyre shuts up, probably.

I know you all love ACOMAF and it's the best thing you've read this year or forever. But that doesn't necessarily mean that everyone will agree with you. So maybe I'm that 1 of 100 who didn't like this character. That's fine.

All I can say is, I'm so sad I can't get into ACOMAF because Feyre is just annoying the crap out of me. I can't read from her POV. I just can't! 

10. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Cath

I understand why a lot of readers automatically like Cath when reading Fangirl. 

You get to connect with her in an instant because she loves reading and is an ultimate fangirl, like most of us!

However, I found her rude, selfish, and spoiled.

She tries so hard to attach herself to her twin. She literally looks down on people who have different taste in books, movies, and anything fangirl-worthy than her. She's annoying.

I could't find the strength to appreciate and love her as much as everybody else seem to.

I admit, though, I totally understand her obsession with Simon and Baz. That's it. That's the limit of my agreeing and liking her.

Although I disliked their characters, I am going to say that they're ALL beautifully written characters. 

I know it's just my own personal preference that I didn't particularly enjoy reading from or about these girls. But I won't deny that they belong in amazing books.

Each of them has and will probably develop their characters more but I just don't have the patience to read them anymore. 

There are far too many books to read out there and new characters to get to know and probably love, so why settle to reading about those you strongly disagree with?

**Credits to the creators and owners of the photos/art I used in this post**