REVIEW: KINGDOM OF ASH BY SARAH MAAS.

Title: Kingdom of Ash
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: Throne of Glass #7
Edition: First Edition, Hardbound
Publication: October 23rd 2018 by Bloomsbury YA
Source: Bought from Fullybooked
Pages: 992
Genre: High Fantasy, Romance

Synopsis:
Years in the making, Sarah J. Maas’s #1 New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series draws to an epic, unforgettable conclusion. Aelin Galathynius’s journey from slave to king’s assassin to the queen of a once-great kingdom reaches its heart-rending finale as war erupts across her world. . .

Aelin has risked everything to save her people―but at a tremendous cost. Locked within an iron coffin by the Queen of the Fae, Aelin must draw upon her fiery will as she endures months of torture. Aware that yielding to Maeve will doom those she loves keeps her from breaking, though her resolve begins to unravel with each passing day…

With Aelin captured, Aedion and Lysandra remain the last line of defense to protect Terrasen from utter destruction. Yet they soon realize that the many allies they’ve gathered to battle Erawan’s hordes might not be enough to save them. Scattered across the continent and racing against time, Chaol, Manon, and Dorian are forced to forge their own paths to meet their fates. Hanging in the balance is any hope of salvation―and a better world.

And across the sea, his companions unwavering beside him, Rowan hunts to find his captured wife and queen―before she is lost to him forever.

As the threads of fate weave together at last, all must fight, if they are to have a chance at a future. Some bonds will grow even deeper, while others will be severed forever in the explosive final chapter of the Throne of Glass series.

PURCHASE THE BOOK HERE:

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This is my first review in forever so I am not really sure how to go about this but just express how I felt overall. Without going too much in to it to avoid spoilers.

We've all waited so long for this finale and I did savor each page of this beast - yes, up til the acknowledgements ("to whatever end" was literally the motivation haha). But to be absolutely honest, it felt like it dragged until about halfway through the book. There's a chunk of it that felt unneeded, it would eventually convey how it all ends but I am not complaining. I mean, I finished it. I just wish it clocked at around 500 pages so I could totally say I loved it so damn much and not just I liked it because it saddens me.

Aelin also felt like a stranger to me in KoA. Maybe because of the torture she endured and her "borrowed time" reality. There's so much lacking and at the same time so much growth in her character it made me rediscover what I loved and hated about her.

And then there's Manon. Damn, gurl. Why did SJM leave me hanging like that? There should be a separate book about this character and I am praying that she would be given enough time to feel things and heal. Damn, damn, damn.

KoA though is still the perfect ending to a series that saved me from despair over and over again. I am sad that this is the end for my Celaena (she will always, always be Celaena to me) but also happy they wouldn't suffer anymore.

My reviews:

The Assassin and the Pirate Lord

The Assassin and the Desert

Throne of Glass

Crown of Midnight

Heir of Fire

Queen of Shadows

Empire of Storms

Tower of Dawn

"Let's make this a fight worthy of a song."

REVIEW: TOWER OF DAWN BY SARAH J MAAS.

Title: Tower of Dawn
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: Throne of Glass #6
Edition: Hardbound
Publication: September 5th 2017 by Bloomsbury U.S.A. Children's Books
Source: Bought from Fullybooked
Pages: 672
Genre: High Fantasy, Romance

Synopsis:
In the next installment of the New York Times bestselling Throne of Glass series, follow Chaol on his sweeping journey to a distant empire.

Chaol Westfall has always defined himself by his unwavering loyalty, his strength, and his position as the Captain of the Guard. But all of that has changed since the glass castle shattered, since his men were slaughtered, since the King of Adarlan spared him from a killing blow, but left his body broken.

His only shot at recovery lies with the legendary healers of the Torre Cesme in Antica—the stronghold of the southern continent's mighty empire. And with war looming over Dorian and Aelin back home, their survival might lie with Chaol and Nesryn convincing its rulers to ally with them.

But what they discover in Antica will change them both—and be more vital to saving Erilea than they could have imagined.

PURCHASE THE BOOK HERE:

Amazon ▴ Barnes and Noble ▴ Book Depository ▴ Fullybooked

Took me a week to finish reading Tower of Dawn because a lot of parts were too slow to the point of not moving at all. I may have skimmed some of those parts but I finally. finished. reading.

My reaction after reading that last chapter was indescribable. Pain and joy went hand in hand and I am unbelievably speechless right now, I am in awe. Sarah J. Maas has never undelivered. Tower of Dawn at first felt dragging to me but once the pace started to pick up, there had been no way for me to stop. It raised all the hairs in my body and I was at the edge of my seat, literally and figuratively.

There were debates about the cover when it was released that it didn't match the series. Well, it didn't and to be honest, I find it unimpressive at first. But hell to the yeah, the significance of it is enveloped in this story and looking at it now, I was so wrong to judge it and also super thankful I was given the chance to understand the symbol. The revelation connecting to the cover was just nerve-wracking and an absolute what-the-fuck moment.

Now that I've read this parallel installment, it isn't just a story of how Chaol is going to acquire the Khaghan's help in the war or how he is going to get healed but a story of discovery, friendship, loyalty and family. This book was called a Chaol book but it is way more than that. Here we get to see the lands beyond what we are accustomed to, their culture, their power and their people. We get to understand how important it is to reconnect with our roots and how unparalleled it is to experience - first hand - the beauty of learning beyond our differences and building relationships with that. Tower of Dawn gave me so many opportunities to rethink how vast a person's background could be and how that background could help you shape to the person you want and not want to be. There's a line in the book that says something about a soul-injury and Tower of Dawn touches that sensitive part and I could say it succeeded massively and in one way or another, helped me heal my own.

Chaol has grown into a character whose fragility got the best of him. Both physical, mental and emotional. It was so so hard to watch him break over and over and take it against those people who care for him (I wanted to throw the book out the window during one of his episodes) and at first, I couldn't understand. As he is being healed deeper and deeper, I started to see. I started to see how truly broken he was and it pains me because deep down in me I know I needed to be healed as well. Not only that, having friends who are physical therapists, Tower of Dawn is validating beyond measure.

The ups and downs of the novel would take me forever to list but I am absolutely delighted I get to meet: The ruk Kadara (I cannot wait for you to meet Abraxos), Falkan (you brave you), Hazar (a bitch but a loyal bitch), Kashin (you poor prince! I wish you were given more airtime so I'd get to know you better), Botek (an amazing woman) and Yrene Towers who stole my heart from the moment I read her name. It was all an enchanting experience and absolutely different that the other installemnts. This may be dark but not as brutal.

As always, I was in awe the moment I finished it and it may have triggered the need to re-read Empire of Storms. Also, that last chapter may have or may have not broken me.

Tower of Dawn is a beacon of light, hope, love and loyalty. It resembles with what Aelin is hoping to give her people - a better world.

"I will cherish it always.
No matter what may befall the world.
No matter the oceans, or mountains, or forests in the way."

"You must enter where you fear to tread."

"It was agony and despair and fear. It was joy and laughter and rest. It was life, all of it..."

MAY 2017 BOOKISH BABIES!

Hello, guys! So I have a ton of titles I'm super excited about this month and ughhhhhh money, where art thou? HAHA! We have such amazing titles hitting shelves this month and I am so so grateful to have been provided review galleys for some of the titles below!

Always and Forever, Lara Jean (To All the Boys I've Loved Before #3) by Jenny Han (2nd)

Eliza and Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia (30th)

The Love Interest by Cale Dietrich (16th)

Ramona Blue by Julie Murphy (9th)

I Believe in a Thing Called Love by Maurene Goo (30th)

A Million Junes by Emily Henry (16th)

Lord of Shadows (The Dark Artifices #2) by Cassandra Clare (23rd)

The Names They Gave Us by Emery Lord (16th)

Flame in the Mist (Flame in the Mist #1) by Renee Ahdieh (16th)

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon (30th)

A Court of Wings and Ruin (A Court of Thorns and Roses #3) by Sarah J. Maas (2nd)

These books sound super amazing and I heard nothing but fantastic things about them! I cannot wait to dive in to be honest and I'm forever gratefult to publishers for sending galleys my way! I am most stoked for ACOWAR and I cannot wait to get it tomorrow!

WHAT BOOK/S ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO READING?

REVIEW: EMPIRE OF STORMS BY SARAH MAAS.

Title: Empire of Storms
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: Throne of Glass #5
Edition: Hardcover
Publication: September 6th 2016 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Source: Bought from Fullybooked
Pages: whooping 704!
Genre: High Fantasy, Romance

Synopsis:
The long path to the throne has only just begun for Aelin Galathynius. Loyalties have been broken and bought, friends have been lost and gained, and those who possess magic find themselves at odds with those who don't.

As the kingdoms of Erilea fracture around her, enemies must become allies if Aelin is to keep those she loves from falling to the dark forces poised to claim her world. With war looming on all horizons, the only chance for salvation lies in a desperate quest that may mark the end of everything Aelin holds dear.

Aelin's journey from assassin to queen has entranced millions across the globe, and this fifth installment will leave fans breathless. Will Aelin succeed in keeping her world from splintering, or will it all come crashing down?

PURCHASE THE BOOK HERE:

Amazon ▴ Barnes and Noble ▴ Book Depository

YOU CAN'T SURVIVE THIS, YOU JUST CAN'T.

There is no way for me to review this book the format I want to because I would really want to keep the spoilers to myself so kindly buy the book and devour it right away so we can talk. I need some support group because I am still way broken and I need to get this pain off my chest. Please. Send help.

Empire of Storms - up until I think around four hundred pages in - was terribly slow. I kid you not, I was tempted to stop reading and just pick it up someday when I have the patience and time. But this is SJM so there is no reason for me to NOT read it right away. I took my time, read word per word, and finished it then I DIED. Man, SJM was born to kill us fictionally. Empire of Storms just killed me and I don't know how to return to life anymore.

The the first thing I can say about EoS is SJM surely knows how to craft romance. The blossoming romancesesses (for plurality haha because there are plenty of ships I cannot wait to sail woohooo) are developed all throughout the series and if you have read ToG until EoS, you would now what I am saying. The characters grew up and developed perfectly and they were given ample amount of time to mature which for me, prepared them for such SWOONY commitments. Some ships took my breath away while some just literally made me squeak! These OTPs didn't happen intentionally or else I would sense they were forced but they did not so I am a happy camper here! The romance didn't only target the sexy times but help build trust, confidence and individuality between the characters. (Damn, I can't even name them!! But if you have been seeing some fan arts all over social media, you would now. And if you haven't read this series, AVOID THEM for they are beautiful arts but also major spoilers.)

World building and plotting (aside from character development) are SJM's forte and I give her that. However, I just find it annoying that in Empire of Storms, shallow things happened and were revealed that practically produced catastrophic results. These things could have been avoided.
A.) Instead of resting in order for Celaena and the rest of her court to regain strength/replenish powers, they all went batshit lustful and released their body heat in the most absolute despicable incomprehensible time!! Daaaaaaam! They could have waited until the storm has calmed but they just couldn't help themselves, could they?
B.) I love the quotes about stars but what is up with stars?
C.) Have you noticed that some parts felt like ACOMAF-ish? Mind-blown.
D.) Damn you to the realm you are in to the edge of your stupid soul Elena for being too selfish! I mean what the fuck is wrong with this character, all she had to do was ask but is she fucking stoned or something because she assumed she knows things, maintained her 'all-knowing' attitude, fucked up bigtime and let someone else pay for her mistakes. THE NERVE!!! DUH IN YOUR FACE ELENA DUUUUUUH! Grrr.

Let me catch my breath.

Just one minute more.

Okay.

Anyway, the pacing picked up past four hundred pages and at this point, I tell you, you wouldn't be able to put it down anymore because things are happening so fast you can't cope! I was originally going to rate it four stars but then the ending had such impeccable impact which deserves another star. My anxiety didn't calm the fuck down until an hour after I finished reading because I was always on the lookout because gurl, I have no idea who would SJM kill! Action scenes are one page after the other so I needed to be focused because who knows, SJM might have beheaded one of my fave characters at the back of the fight for all I know! I wanted to see every little detail and gurrrrrrl I'll tell you right now, THERE IS NOTHING IN THIS WORLD THAT COULD HAVE PREPARED ME FOR WHAT SARAH MAAS DID IN THIS BOOK. NOTHING!! SO MUCH PAIN AND BLOOD AND HEARTACHE AND TEARS and respect and love - just tremendously emotional last two hundred pages and I still couldn't accept how well-thought this has been. Seriously. The feels just kept on flowing and there is no stopping it.

Empire of Storms rattled the universe.

"The world will be saved and remade by the dreamers."

"There was no force in any world that could keep her contained."

"Do not be afraid of what makes you shine brightly."

"It was all borrowed time anyway."

REVIEW: A COURT OF MIST AND FURY BY SARAH J. MAAS.

Title: A Court of Mist and Fury
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses #2
Edition: Hardcover
Publication: May 3rd 2016 by Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Source: Bought from Fullybooked
Pages: 640
Genre: New adult, Romance, High-Fantasy,

Synopsis:
The #1 New York Times bestselling sequel to Sarah J. Maas' spellbinding A Court of Thorns and Roses.

Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two.

With more than a million copies sold of her beloved Throne of Glass series, Sarah J. Maas's masterful storytelling brings this second book in her seductive and action-packed series to new heights.

PURCHASE THE BOOK HERE:

Amazon ▴ Barnes and Noble ▴ Book Depository

Took me a while to finish this because why does adulting have to ruin everything?

My friends were right, ACOMAF felt like a totally different series. Like, you're starting a new one. SARAH J MAAS made a GLORIOUS 360 DEGREE-CHANGE. It was totally not the sequel I was anticipating but I believe, she did this to make the story much compelling. I DUNNO, HATE ME ALL YOU WANT BUT I LIKED THIS SEQUEL AND I LIKED EVERYTHING IN IT EXCEPT FOR THE FIRST 200 PAGES WHERE NOTHING HAPPENED. I ALSO OFFICIALLY SWITCHED TEAMS AND I AM NOW TEAM RHYSAND BECAUSE SJM IS SO CRUEL TO MY HEART, TO TAMLIN HAHAHA. I ALSO HAVE THIS LOVE AND HATE RELATIONSHIP WITH FEYRE BECAUSE I INITIALLY FELT HOW BROKEN SHE WAS AND I ADORE HER FOR PULLING THROUGH AND AT THE SAME TIME I FELT HER RAGE FOR BEING LOCKED UP I WANT TO PUNCH EVERYONE IN THE FACE WHEN THEY DID THAT UGH BUT SOMETIMES SHE'S JUST SO FULL OF HERSELF IT MAKES ME HEAVE.

YOU WOULD UNDERSTAND THOUGH WHY TAMLIN DID WHAT HE DID RIGHT? AND WHY FEYRE'S FEELINGS WENT SOUTH BECAUSE WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK IS WRONG WITH TAMLIN I KNOW HE'S SCARED TO LOSE HER OR THERE'S A REASON BEHIND THAT WOULD BE REVEALED NEXT BOOK OR SOMETHING, I DON'T CARE I MEAN COME ON MAN YOU HAVE THE GIRL WHY IMPRISON HER? THERE SHOULD BE LIKE, FUCKING TRUST THERE TAMLIN WHY DID YOU HAVE TO BE SUCH THE DOUCHIEST DOUCHE BAG, I LOVED YOU TAMLIN BUT YOU FUCKING PUSHED ME AWAY

IT ALSO FELT LIKE THIS IS ALL ABOUT JUSTIFYING EVERYTHING RHYSAND DID. HELLO???????? HE TERRORIZED THE ENTIRE REALM FOR AS LONG AS SJM CAN REMEMBER AND THEM BAAAAM BEFORE YOU CAN EVEN SAY 'RHYSAND'. HE'S SUDDENLY THE WHAT, THE ------- ONE?? YOU GET ME? BUT WELL, I AM TOTALLY OKAY WITH THAT WTH GIVE ME MORE RHYSAND I'LL TAKE IT BECAUSE I AM NOT JUDGEMENTAL AND EVERYBODY DESERVES A SECOND CHANCE RIGHT ---

MY FEELINGS went a little bit south as well during that ridiculous cave scene with the King LIKE, FUCK, RHYSAND DIDN'T SEE THAT ONE COMING? REALLY? OF ALL THE THINGS HE ANTICIPATED, THIS ONE HE MISSED? UNFUCKINGBELIEVABLE. BUT HE'S STILL THE CLEVER ONE, LIKE I DUNNO MAN, I JUST HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS I COULDN'T FIND THE ANSWERS TO LIKE WHY DIDN'T HE MANIPULATE THE QUEENS' MINDS IF HE'S THE MOST POWERFUL HIGH LORD OF ALL AND WHY IS IT ALWAYS FEYRE LIKE WHY NOT UNLEASH WHATEVER MONSTER AMREN IS AND WIPE THEM ALL AAAAAAH SEND HELPPPPP

A Court of Mist and Fury is TAUNTING, HAUNTING, AND IS SO FUCKING PAINFUL YOU WOULD WANT TO THROW IT OUT THE WINDOW. SJM MASTERED TOYING WITH MY FEELINGS AND ACOMAF LEGIT DESTROYED ME. I CANNOT ANYMORE WITH THIS LIFE

"To the stars who listen— and the dreams that are answered."

MEETING THE AUTHOR: SARAH J. MAAS IN MANILA 2016.

Where I relive the experience and share all the feels before, during and after meeting these fantastic authors WHO ARE BASICALLY LIFE.

Yesterday, March 13 of Twenty Freaking Sixteen, was the day when one of my ultimate bookish dreams came true. I've been wishing for years for this author to grace the Philippines shores with her presence but all I could only do was wish and be envious of those people who met her. While I was writing THIS POST, my heart was swelling with joy because SARAH J. MAAS is coming.

The Bookaholic Blurbs, The Soul Sisters and Stay Bookish!

Blogger, vloggers and Kate Evangelista at the forum.

After grabbing a cup of coffee from Starbucks, Greenbelt, we headed to Powerbooks and the the fan flailing began. When we saw her coming upstairs, OMG my heart just exploded from happiness that this is really happening. Sarah J. Maas was literally a few feet away from me and OMFG! SHE'S MAGESTIC! She's so elegant and funny and talkative and emotional and beautiful and amazing and humble and kind and everything I hoped she would be and more. SHE IS QUEEN AFTER ALL. This Q and A is the longest I've listened to and I drank every word that came out of her sexy mouth (I am stating to sound so creepy, I am so sorry). This was also the first time I asked a question after a long time BECAUSE I WOULDN'T PASS THIS OPPORTUNITY UP. Here goes my question:

"My question is a little bit personal. Now that you're a New York Times Bestselling Author, what are some personal changes it brought you as opposed to when you were just starting up? Have you experienced, like, being chased by fans and all that?"

QUEEN SJM: "Umm, you know it's amazing to me how the fandom has grown in the way that it has and I said this earlier this morning actually, but I feel like a lot about this is because of the Filipino readers. You guys has been so vocal, so supportive of this series. Umm, and like going online and talking about it and making like, beautiful edits and stuff, you guys have played such a big role in the way this has grown on a global level. Umm, and since becoming a New York Times Bestseller, you know, things have changed and also not changed. I mean, at the end of the day, like, I still sit at home and write my books and like, walk my dog and like pick up her poop. I have not become the glamorous-celebrity type at all. But then when we go to events, it's been like, amazing.. Like I had some events when I was first starting, what we had like, five people in the audience and now, we have to cap events. Otherwise, you know, I would be signing for 18 hours - which is amazing, there's that many people interested in the series - but its just been umm like, crazy to see this happen in just a span of a few years. From a very early age my dream is just to see my book on a shelf in a book store. That was the one thing that like ,at the end of the day, the end of my life and if I accomplished that? Like, I told myself that was all I wanted, that was the only thing I wanted, anything else will just be you know, icing on the cake. Umm so to get the call that I'd become a New York Times Bestseller, umm that was the dream I, like, quietly, secretly hoped for - is I think most writers do - but it was also something I didn't see coming. And my parents have always been really supportive of my writing. But when I was in college, I was saying, "I wanna be a full-time writer" umm you know, they saw me living in a cardboard box under a bridge. Umm and I'd get to these fights with them about you know, "you have to get a full time job" and I'd be like, "you don't understand my dream, I wanna be like a full-time writer" and my parents were absolutely right to be concerned like that but when I got the call, that I was a New York Times Bestseller, and I finally got to like, call my mom and tell her the news, uhh the first thing my mom said to me was, "I regret ever telling you to be realistic about your expectations for yourself". Which like meant, it still means the world to me uhh that my mom said that, that she admitted that. Umm so becoming a bestseller, you know, it's been amazing but it also has not changed like, like who I am uhm, you know, getting to get on tour around the world like, that blows my mind! Sometimes I'd be on a plane like, like going to somewhere and I will start crying because that's like.. everything that's happened it's just been beyond what I ever ever hoped for. And I had to set new goals for myself because once I reached that dream of seeing my book published like, what then? I had to set new expectations and you know, I like to think that I have not changed. To be honest, the publishing industry is tough. It is a really hard industry. I've known some very very talented writers who wrote brilliant books, the other one didn't get picked up by a publisher or their first book came out, you know, nothing really came of it. So I know how tremendously lucky I am to be here, to be able to write full time. There's not a day, not even an hour that goes by that I do not remember, that I am not phenomenally grateful. So being a Bestselling author, having that on the book, that is some kind of a security in a way, that is something that writers hoped for I think because it means it might get a little less hard to like, be able to do this for a living. Every moment of every day, I just can't believe that this has happened and I don't think I'll ever stop being grateful for you guys and for all of it."

Hardest Selfie v14 with SJM! Thanks for the photo, Jesselle!

True story: I was teary eyed while listening to her. I felt her sincerity. And since I was legit in front of her, I was just staring at her, memorizing her face and all that, I could sense the feels behind all her answers. Truly, Sarah J. Maas is a person you would want to be BFFs with. She's not just all face and brain -- but heart as well.

You can check out the other questions from recaps here:

- I'll add them once available mehehe -

If you listen to the recording and heard someone sneezed, that's me. I tried to hold it. Sorry.

Now on to the signing part. Since National Bookstore posted the mechanics that only three books are allowed, I didn't bother buying the rest of her books. I thought it just wouldn't make sense having multiple copies if the second set would be all signed. My Maas books are all US hardbound (first ed) copies bought from a different bookstore. As a sign of respect, I didn't bring anything. (CAN YOU HEAR MY HEART BREAKING) The only thing I got signed were the Throne of Glass paperback, a Post-It, my question and the poster. Then took a ton of photos and I told Sarah I've been waiting for this moment, I thought it would never happen, I couldn't believe she's in front me and all other awkward reader-author convos. I slightly embarrassed myself because aside from I sneezed while she was talking, I cannot stop flailing and I was so hyper and I even asked Papa Maas for a selfie! This is freaking SARAH J MAAS HOW COULD YOU BEHAVE YOURSELF LIKE THERE IS NO WAY TO STOP plus she hugged me, I think she hugged me the longest and I don't wanna ever let gooooo.

MY QUEEN. I PRAISE THE ROAD YOU WALK ON.

The public signing was packed! I was able to get a photo of the cosplayers (here) and they were all amazing! The fans just couldn't wait to meet Sarah (here's a vid, listen to the screams!) and even though the event was capped to 350 persons, I could say that this signing was one of the events I've ever went to. The stress was all worth it because this is all about SARAH so I do not regret anything. No hate, just bookish love and massive respect.

Group shot with the Maas Royalties. Thanks Jesselle for the photo!

 

I bought the frame and this one is now hanging on my wall.
Those swag are from Louisse aka Throne of Glass PH.

THE AELIN TO MY CELAENA. THE CHAOL TO MY DORIAN. THE MANON TO MY ABRAXOS.
SARAJ J MAAS IN THE FLESH.
THE REALITY TO MY DREAM.

SARAH'S MESSAGE TO FILIPINO FANS!

GIVEAWAY TIME!

Just because I am feeling generous and I would like to give away the only book I got signed (it's pictured above). Oh, I'd also like to share the Sarah J. Maas love to people who weren't able to make it to the signing! This chance is for you! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

We've experienced so much stress over this signing and some people just won't stop saying hateful words toward us. But at the end of the day, I met Sarah J. Maas, got to hug her and talk to her and that's all I want to think about. She's the sole focus of this event and my gratitude to Bloomsbury UK for exclusively allowing posed photos for Manila event, National Bookstore for all that you've done and to Sarah for appreciating the warmth of the Filipino readers' love. Thank you. Thank you for giving us one of the best days of lives.

EPIC DAY FOR ALL PH FIREHEARTS!

Been a fan of Throne of Glass even before it was released (first post about it here). The synopsis of ToG just captured me and I knew then it would be my kind of book. And I wasn't disappointed. I was introduced to this whole new HF world that I immediately fell in love with. My experience with ToG was unbelievably good that it kind of set this standard when I am reading HFs. What I love most is that aside from Celaena, Sarah J. Maas is such a wonderful person that she isn't only a gorgeous queen but also very approachable on Twitter.

Reviews:

▲ Throne of Glass ▲ The Assassin and the Pirate Lord ▲ Crown of Midnight ▲ The Assassin and the Desert ▲ Heir of Fire ▲ Queen Of Shadows ▲

Thankfully, my lovely Lady friend Louisse of The Soul Sisters turned out to be a huge fan of SJM as well and she hosted a PH blog tour of ACOTAR April of last year. It was such amazing thing because we all had the chance to read ACOTAR in advance and some of the participants had the chance to interview SJM. Then Louisse went to BEA and met SJM in the flesh (!!!!!!!!!!!) and she was thoughtful enough that she sent the blog tour participants this:

SIGNED BOOK PLATE FOR ACOTAR!! Thank you so much, Louisse!
(This bookmark is now pasted on my ACOTAR copy)

Most of my blogger friends know how much I love this ToG and of course, meeting Sarah and getting my books signed are dreams I want so badly to come true. I think that is every SJM fans want to experience - to meet the queen. Then the gods of the publishing world suddenly cracked the entire PH bookish universe when National Bookstore posted this:

THE QUEEN IS COMING TO STORM MANILA. THE QUEEN IS COMING TO MANILA ON MARCH 13. I AM GOING TO FINALLY MEET SARAH J. MAAS. OH. MY. GOD.

I couldn't express my gratitude to National Bookstore and to all those people responsible for this event. SERIOUSLY. OMG. This is unbelievable. OMG!!!!!!

According to National Bookstore, they would post the full mechanics of the signing soon and HONESTLY, I AM SO FREAKING NERVOUS. All her UK books are available at NBS branches here and I don't see any US ones. I both like the US and UK covers and I honestly don't mind it, as long as the height's the same. I also hope there wouldn't be any limit on how many books we can get signed because I'm expecting a lot of fans attending the event so SJM/the publisher/NBS might limit it. Sorry guys, I am just trying to internalize everything HAHA and I don't want to get disappointed (just like what I felt during CoHo's signing) so I am preparing myself for the worst. I mean, I am not expecting SJM to sign gazillion of books in one event because she gets tired, too. But I am hoping - truly - for a no-limit signing. Because I want all my SJM books touched by the queen. HUHUHUHU.

Anyway, the registration starts at 10 in the morning on March 13th in Glorietta, Makati. I don't know why there is no event in Cebu, though. I will definitely be there so I hope to see you, fellow Firehearts!

Let us all look forward to having a blast in this event!

Thank you so much, National Bookstore! This means a lot to me (and us) and don't get tired of making PH bookworms happy and satisfied! I LOVE YOU, NBS!