THRONE OF GLASS by SARAH J MAAS

Throne of Glass
by Sarah J Maas
Published: August 2012
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Genre: YA, Fantasy

"Meet Celaena Sardothien.
Beautiful. Deadly. Destined for greatness.
In the dark, filthy salt mines of Endovier, an eighteen-year-old girl is serving a life sentence. She is a trained assassin, the best of her kind, but she made a fatal mistake: she got caught.
Young Captain Westfall offers her a deal: her freedom in return for one huge sacrifice. Celaena must represent the prince in a to-the-death tournament—fighting the most gifted thieves and assassins in the land. Live or die, Celaena will be free. Win or lose, she is about to discover her true destiny. But will her assassin’s heart be melted?" - taken from Goodreads 

This book was so epic that even after having finished it seven days ago I am still thinking about it. Celaena is one of the most arrogant and badass female protagonists that I've ever read about and I LOVED her. Honestly she has gone straight up into my top 5 favourite literary characters, she was completely brilliant, well-developed and had depth about her which many female protagonists in YA fantasy do not have. I loved that she could easily hold her own against anyone who tried to mess with her, she didn't need anyone else to protect her, but I also appreciated that despite this Celaena wasn't afraid of being feminine and appreciating clothes and typically girly things. She was also a massive bookwork, so thats always going to be a winner in my book! 

The 'love triangle' is something that I have usually come to dread in YA books because they are just so badly done and you end up hating both of the males. I am very glad to say that in Throne of Glass I honestly love both Dorian AND Chaol and I don't want to choose who was my favourite. They were both completely different but also so similar as they are both loyal and good and know how to hold a sword, they are both also very willing to protect Celaena when they really shouldn't. Nehemia was also a wonderful addition to this story and it was nice to see Celaena have a friend after everything she has been through and some of their conversations are hilarious. Although Nehemia is still somewhat of a question mark I think that only adds to her charm but hopefully we will find out more about her in the next book.

The world building in this novel was fantastic, everywhere felt threatening and you could never be too sure who to trust. I'm pretty sure I hate the King almost as much as Umbridge (and that's saying something) and all in all this is one of my favourite books of this year and if you have not read it yet THEN DO IT!

5/5 STARS

PERCY JACKSON SERIES REVIEW by RICK RIORDAN

Percy Jackson series:

by Rick Riordan
Publisher: Puffin
Genre: Children's, Fantasy

Wow, this series is incredible. I absolutely loved every book in this series, the writing is brilliant and all of the characters, even minor ones were wonderfully written and given backstories which made you actually care about what happened to them. The world building was phenomenal and there is a massive emphasis on Greek Mythology which I found incredibly interesting and added a unique aspect to this fantasy series that I haven't seen before. Although this is intended for children ages 9 and up, I honestly feel as if this (like with Harry Potter) can be read and enjoyed just as much no matter what age you are. If you are even a little bit interested in fantasy books or even Greek Mythology then I would recommend these books with every fibre of my body.

This series also comes with a kind of novella type book called 'Percy Jackson: The Demigod Files' which happens between the fourth and fifth books. Although it is not completely necessary for you to read this (I didn't know about it until after I was on the fourth book anyway, so I just read it after I'd finished the fifth because I wasn't sure where it fitted in) I think its a pretty cool addition to the series and has a three short stories that enhance the fifth book.

I'm definitely looking forward to the spin off series 'The Heroes of Olympus' which I will continue on with later in the year.

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief 4/5 STARS
Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters 5/5 STARS
Percy Jackson and the Titan's Curse 4/5 STARS
Percy Jackson and the Battle of the Labyrinth 4/5 STARS
Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian 5/5 STARS
Percy Jackson: The Demigod Files 4/5 STARS

The best of Youtube #3

This is actually becoming a fairly regular segment on my blog which thrills me no end. In this post (as I have with the others which can be viewed here and here) I will show you several videos that I have watched recently that have made either my favourites or liked playlist on YouTube.

Bradley James & Colin Morgan performing 'You're the Voice' \0/

This is my absolute favourite video of all time. It literally makes me cry because it just optimises their friendship. Even if you're not a fan of them or of the show, this video is guaranteed to crack a smile out of you.

Taylor Swift - 22 (Cover By The Vamps)
I saw The Vamps live when they were supporting McFly on their tour and so I decided after being impressed by them at the show to check out their YouTube channel. This happens to be my favourite along with the video underneath; I think that the songs show off their voices really well and to be honest I think I prefer their versions to the originals. Can't wait for their new album!

Neon Trees - Everybody Talks / Animal Mashup (Cover By The Vamps)

Accent Challenge with Marcus Butler | Zoella
This is one of the funniest videos I have seen in a long, long, long time. The first time I watched it I think I had tears streaming down my face, it is just hilarious. If you're feeling down and need something to have an innocent giggle at, then this is your video.

Imagine Dragons - Demons (Official Music Video)
I don't think I have put a video that is an 'official' video from a 'real band' on these lists before but this video truly couldn't go unmentioned. It is breathtaking, it epitomises the simplicity of how much a band/music/gig can bring a moment of solace to someone who seems completely fine on the outside but on the inside they are harbouring a world of pain: simply brilliant. The song is fantastic as well, but then it is Imagine Dragons so you can't really expect anything less.

17 Rants in 4 Minutes

Hank Green, ladies and gentlemen, need I say anymore? Other than this is the best VlogBrothers video ever made? Nope, okay then.

Lullaby - Luke Conard (Live) 

There isn't much to say about this video other than its a really beautiful tune.

and finally

My Drunk Kitchen: Pizza John

Just because My Drunk Kitchen is hilarious then you add John Green into the equation and you have a truly remarkable video.

and for the bonus video

How to take care of a FANGIRL

Because I think that this video is the best video to give to anyone before they meet me.

Favourite fictional characters from Harry Potter - Part 1

When I was writing my favourite fictional character in books and another in film and tv I realised that a lot of my favourite characters are from Harry Potter and so I said in that post that I would create an entirely separate post on these characters so that I could have some difference. Sorry for the delay on this post, only I wanted to put a lot of effort into it and with my current situation, it has proved difficult and also this is a pretty hefty post to write.

Anyway, I have already listed why Harry and Hermione are my favourites in this post so check that and then return for the rest!

Ron Weasley, of course has to be up here, because without him there would be no 'Golden Trio'. I feel that in the Harry Potter films that Ron is somewhat over shadowed by Hermione and in the books this is certainly not the case. Ron is Harry's best friend, the first one that Harry turns to when he has a problem (which lets face it is extremely often). He is not perfect and is a jealous character but his loyalty is what shines the best in Ron. I love that he tells Harry when he's being an idiot, instead of just going along with whatever he does just  because he is the chosen one: Ron doesn't care about that stuff. He is really quick-witted and is completely hopeless. I just love him.

Fred and George Weasley, technically this counts as two but seeing as you can't have one without the other (well.........every situation. I also respect the fact that they saved their money and used their witty humours to create their own business and break away from the stereotype of the 'poor Weasleys'. I will never forgive JK Rowling for killing off Fred, if possible I think this might be the worst death ever (in the film at least) I physically cannot watch it without my heart ripping out of my chest)

. I love that despite everything that goes on throughout the books, Fred and George always remain a constant source of entertainment and laughter. They are fantastic and completely make the books, I love how mischievous they are and how they find the good in

(I also love these two so much that I named my own two little hamsters Fred and George and James Phelps actually tweeted me back when I sent him a picture of them both!!!)



Ginny Weasley, yep another Weasley. Now I am going to pretend like film Ginny was never invented because I just do not like the way she is written in the film, nope, nope absolutely not. Ginny in the books is a fearless, independent, slightly sassy, completely brilliant and smart character. Her relationship with Harry is brilliant and incredibly moving, she is solid rock for him through everything, it is not awkward at all. She has inherited some of Fred and George's complete regard of the rules if it means that you can do something good instead which inspires one of my favourite quotes "The thing about growing up with Fred and George is that you sort of start thinking anything's possible if you've got enough nerve."

Next up is of course Albus Dumbledore. No Harry Potter list could be made without including the most powerful wizard of all time could it? Absolutely not. I love that despite the fact that Dumbledore is probably the most powerful (good) wizard in the wizarding world he freely admits that even he makes mistakes and is getting old, I think that this helps him seem more real and more likeable. I for one would love to have him as my headteacher! I also find a lot of joy through Harry and his relationship, it is slightly strange for a normal headmaster and pupil, but then again they aren't really normal are they? Dumbledore also says my favourite quote of all time"Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light".


Minerva McGonagall is probably the most badass woman I have ever read. I love her bravery which I suppose is an obvious character trait, as you don't get to be head of Gryffindor house for nothing! I admire that she would put her neck on the line if it meant any of her students would remain safe and I love that although she doesn't say it out loud and in so many words, her affection for Harry is clear and a huge rock for him, although she doesn't just do what it is right by Harry and it teaches him the lessons that need to be taught. I also applaud the fact that McGonagoll doesn't really care if you're pathetic like Neville and see can see the potential. It makes me happy when she says to Neville (regarding his timetable) "It's high time your grandmother learned to be proud of the grandson she's got, rather than one she thinks she ought to have- particularly after what happened at the Ministry".

. 
Right now this is all the characters that I am going to do for now, but I will be writing another very shortly with some more of my favourite characters from Harry Potter!
But you can read why I love the franchise as a whole here

Trying to put into words my love for Harry Potter

For my English presentation I have decided to do it on Harry Potter, however, trying to put in to words how much you love something is hard. None the less I think I have started (or at least tried to) to put my thoughts on to paper (or in this case a word document.) This is is in no way finished and barely even a beginning but its something and I thought I would share it.

The books are primarily about an orphaned boy with a lightning shaped scar on his forehead has to deal with the pressure of a prophesy set before he was born and trying to find the ways of destroying evil or else the Wizarding world would be under the power of the darkest wizard of all time, Voldemort or He Who Must Not Be Named; the books show Harry growing up in a Wizarding school name Hogwarts where he meets his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger and his future wife Ginny Weasley, his faithful friends Luna Lovegood, Neville Longbottom, Dean and Seamus, Fred and George and the entirety or the Order of the Phoenix modern day answer of Dumbledore's Army. He gets taught by Professor McGonagall, Severus Snape, Remus Lupin and many others, he also finds a father figure in the shape of Albus Dumbledore and in GodFather Sirius Black, he also finds family comfort in the Weasley family who take him in as if he were their own. But he also learns that evil can take any form even in the place that you think you are the most safe people like Dolores Umbridge who will sneak in and create havoc, and that people are not all they seem and may not be an enemy but someone who will protect you in the duty of love, like Severus Snape did for the entirety of Harry's duration at Hogwarts and long before hand. All the while, Harry has to continue on with his studies of becoming a wizard and partaking in subjects such as a 'History of Magic', 'Transfiguration','Potions' and 'Divination' just to name a few. 

The books are essentially a plot of good versus evil, but also shows love and friendship is what essentially conquers all; it also explores diversity with the issue tackled for example, by the Malfoy family being ‘racist’ by thinking that Pureblood wizards are the best and should be treated better than those of Half Blood and especially of Muggle Born (wizards with non-magical parents) heritage, and she also shows that bigotory is never the solution and she shows the impact of living in a world where it is run by those who discriminate on your blood and heritage not on your own personal values and merits, by showing this when the Death Eaters took over the ministry and made all Muggle born wizards declare themselves and be stripped of the right of being able to use their wands. 

Death is a huge part of the series and shows the brutality and loss of innocence that come along with war, it also shows the mark that death and war brings and that even the survivors of war are never really untainted, JK Rowling shows this through Snape loving Lily and doing what ever he can to protect her son despite Lily never really being his love and even though Harry was a son of his school enemy he protected him because of the eternal love he had for Lily. The books show the importance of community and pulling together even when times are tough and finding the light in every situation. JK Rowling shows the handling of power and the problems that come along with it and the need for redemption and a happy ending. 

So I think that's all for now before I start quaffling (haha, see what I did there;-) I'm sorry I'm not good at jokes) but I could honestly go on forever, and ever talking about my love for Harry Potter. Long live Harry Potter, "Always"

Here's a nice song to make you cry, you're very welcome.

Books I'm going to read in the Christmas holidays

This Christmas I will read....

1. *re-read* The Hunger Game trilogy- Suzanne Collins

2. The Woman In Black- Susan Hill

3. *re-read* The Perks of Being a Wallflower- Stephen Chobosky 

4. To Kill a Mockingbird- Harper Lee

Ed Sheeran

This October I went to see my all time favourite singer, Ed Sheeran, I queued with my friend Molly for about 9 hours to get the the front of the barrier, and well, it was truly the best thing I have ever seen in my life, he is SO good live, the only problem that I face now is that I physically cannot listen to certain songs on the + album without just sobbing because of perfection (e.g. Kiss Me, Lego House,Parting Glass and Small Bump) ALSO can I just say that his merch manager said I was "lovely" (AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH) We also got Ed some lego and when I asked his merch manager if he had it he said he had it on the bus! 

Tweet from the merch manager 

I still haven't recovered from it at all and I would post the videos on here as well, but I think I will save your earlobes the trauma that is my 'singing' and screaming.