I'm officially done with the trilogy, but to be honest, I'm not satisfied with this final book. Not because of the story itself but I just wasn't able to fully enter the narration this time around. I usually love a multi-POV, but here I found it kind of difficult to follow, so many names, so many places, everything was just a bit too much. That said, I did really like that Tolkien showed "what happens next" after the main mission actually ended, instead of just cutting to credits.

My favorite parts by far were the ones dedicated to Frodo and Sam. Seeing how their relationship grew so strong and how they constantly helped each other was beautiful. Aragorn also had such incredible growth, and I loved every single bit of his journey.

In the end, The Two Towers remains my absolute favorite of the entire saga, followed by the first book, and then this one at the bottom. Still, I’m really proud of myself for experiencing this massive series without being scared off by it. And even though I finished it, I still feel like a total newbie in the vast sea that is The Lord of the Rings.

The Secret History is one of those books that slowly gets under your skin. At over six hundred pages, it's certainly a long read, but Donna Tartt's writing is so immersive and elegant that I never found it difficult to keep turning the pages.

The story follows Richard, a lonely college student who becomes fascinated by a small, exclusive group of Classics students. What begins as admiration gradually turns into something much darker, exploring obsession, morality, and the dangerous pursuit of beauty.

One of the aspects I loved most is that beauty is always present, no matter what is happening. Even in the darkest moments, there's an aesthetic quality that almost disguises the horror.

"There is nothing wrong with the love of Beauty. But Beauty—unless she is wed to something more meaningful—is always superficial."

The novel constantly blurs the line between beauty and decay, making even the ugliest moments strangely captivating.

Richard himself fascinated me. Although he's the narrator, he often feels like an outsider looking in. He desperately wants to belong to this group, yet he never truly becomes part of it. Instead, he lingers on the edges, often used more than appreciated, observing the lives of people who seem forever just out of reach.

What also stood out to me is how every character seems to be trapped by someone -or something. Their relationships almost form a pyramid, where everyone is controlled by another person's expectations, desires, or influence. Combined with the betrayals, jealousy, unhealthy love, ambition, and hunger for acceptance, the book paints an incredibly raw picture of human nature.

"After class [the first] I wandered [...] in a dream, my head spinning, but acutely, achingly conscious that I was alive [...]"

I think that's exactly how this book feels to read: like stepping into a parallel world where everything is slightly more beautiful, more intellectual, and more unsettling than reality.

I'm sure I did not completely understood the ending, as probably it should be; it makes you want to start over, revisit every conversation, analyze each character's motivations, and look for the subtle signs you probably missed. Few books leave me with that kind of lingering curiosity.

I would especially recommend The Secret History to readers who love art, literature, classical languages, and academic settings. Donna Tartt creates an atmosphere so vivid that, even after finishing the book, I felt slightly dazed, as if I'd just returned from a place that exists somewhere between reality and myth.

Review of advance copy received from NetGalley

Absolutely obsessed! A Tangled Magic is a dark retelling of Rapunzel that completely conquered me from start to finish. First thing I need to say is that the characters felt so alive and real, especially the protagonist, Netta. Watching her navigate a world she doesn’t know, where she has no clue who she can trust, was so gripping, and the level of introspection and self-reflection she goes through was just amazing. Patrick was lovely too, even when he was making the "wrong choices."

The magic system was honestly wild. I love the whole concept of having to sacrifice a piece of yourself to get something back—like a payment. ||The fact that the sacrifice has to be a literal part of your body|| gave the story that perfect sparkle of darkness and horror that I always love in a book. The world building was elaborated but not difficult to understand, and I do love politics and intrigues.

I also really enjoyed the writing style. The descriptions were totally accurate and the dialogues were sublime. I absolutely did not expect that ending, and I ended up devouring the last 30% of the book in a single sitting.

Oh, and Baldbeak is my favorite character—you'll understand why when you read it.