Mundie Moms

Friday, August 18, 2017

CAGE OF DESTINY by Jennifer Anne Davis / Book Review #CageOfDestiny


By: Jennifer Anne Davis
Published by: Reign Publishing
To Be Released on: August 21st, 2017
Series: Reign of Secrets #3
Purchase from: Amazon
Add it to Goodreads
Rating: 5 Stars - I Loved It
Source: e-arc from author to review in exchange for my honest review

Destined from birth to be the next empress of Emperion, Allyssa grew up at court weighed down by the expectations of the crown. Kingdom and duty always came first.

Until now.

Having survived the brutal kingdom of Russek, she is given the choice to walk away and live a peaceful, quiet life. But it also means giving up everything she knows and everyone she loves. Before she decides, word reaches her about an assassination attempt. Donning her secret persona—that of a vigilante—she sets out to eliminate her enemy once and for all.

As Allyssa fights the demons of her past to save her future, she realizes she never had a choice. She can either embrace her destiny or be caged by it


The perfect ending! Davis delivers everything I had hoped she would and so much more for the conclusion of Allyssa's story. 
Cage of Destiny is easily my favorite book of the series. With strong themes of love, loyalty, friendship, and duty, once I started reading this book there was no stopping until I got to the end. Even then I wished this story wasn't over just yet.

I have loved reading this series. From Allyssa's character journey, to the action, romance, friendships  and shocking plot twists, it wasn't hard for me to fall in love with this series. There was a little bit of everything I love, wrapped into Allyssa's story. With each book the world building became more intricate, the plot twists became more complex, the action fierce, friendships were tested, the romance heats up (I loved it), and there was the perfect balance of good/evil. 


I've appreciated the natural progression of Allyssa's character growth, as well as each of the characters in this series. I like how layered they were. As the story has progressed, I feel like I've gotten to know them better. It's a growth that mirrored real life, and one I really enjoyed. It's not always been pretty, and at times it was a little awkward, but it's been worth it to see Allyssa as she is now. 

Everything Allyssa has been through out this series has made her into an incredibly resilient, strong character. I admire the person she is now. She's discovered who she really is, what's she capable of, and what it is she really wants, and where she stands. She's not afraid to take a stance. She's proven she can and will overcome anything. She's learned a lot about who she is, what it is she wants and values from life. I've loved seeing her grow into the incredible women and ruler she has become. 

The romance in this book is one favorite. I absolutely love Kerdan, and I didn't think I was going to like him any more than I did when book two wrapped up. I love all he offered Allyssa in this book. He offered her so much more than support, friendship, and being allies. I loved watching these two fall for each other. They had endured much, and while that bonded them, what grew between them was something so much stronger. No spoilers, but I'll just say I want another book with them in it. 


For as much as I loved Allyssa and Kerdan, I also absolutely loved Darmik. He about stole the show in this book. He is hilarious, and added just the right amount of humor to the story when it needed it. He's the kind of dad you'd except Allyssa to have. There's much that he reveals that was hinted at previously in the series *plot twists & shocking secrets, which I won't mention*. While I was miffed at how some things were handled, I understand the reasoning. Sorry, I'm being vague. Trust me, you'll get what I'm saying when you read it. 


I absolutely loved this book, and the way Allyssa's story is wrapped up. 
Cage of Destiny kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time I read it. When I finished it, I was tempted to re-read it again. I'm so glad there is much more to come with some of the characters in this book. I'm not ready to say goodbye to them all just yet. I highly recommend picking this book up! 

Shadowhunter TV Series, S2E20; BESIDE STILL WATER / Review #shadowhunters

Found on Freeform's Shadowhunters' website.

I have to admit that I love the people who do Freeform's Shadowhunters' website. I think they get it. It's over. The unevenness, the dashed hopes, the glimmer of maybe-this-time-it'll-reflect-the-characters-and-plot-lines from the books we love, it's all over, MMs. Let's try to break down this last episode, shall we?

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SOPHIE'S REVIEW

I feel like this is the new and improved Shadowhunters episode. Like a Costco-sized episode. It packed a ton of loose ends in and tied them all up (wait for it) rather nicely. I know! Who am I with the compliments? Where are the complaints for the director/producer? Honestly, I have very few. THIS is the episode we've all been waiting for. I'm just sad that it took 19 episodes plus an entirely awful first season to get here. But, here we are.

Image found here. 

So, let's do this.

Image taken from Freeform's Shadowhunters' website.
Our favorite bloodclot is alive!!! Sebbie-baby crawls up on a beach and does some sort of weird ritual , which summons Bloodclot Mama. I am hoping that this sticks close to the City of Fallen Angels plot and shows us that particular back-story (as painful as it is) because, it gives us some extremely interesting Shadowhunter mythology by bringing in Lillith, the Mother of all demons. So now that she's here (and I know you've all read the books), it's time to break out all your favorite stress snacks.



Meanwhile in the Seelie Court, the newly transformed Pretty Little Liar, I mean Seelie Queen, kidnaps Maia to ask her about Simon. Do they not have the equivalent of a Tinder app in the Seelie world?

Image taken from Freeform's Shadowhunters' website. 
Cool dragon-like, hydra-multiplying-like demons infiltrated the city. To be honest, the special effects were pretty darn impressive. As were the effects in the Seelie Court. I think the budget may have increased a bit in this finale episode. Everything looked other-worldly in the best possible way (by TV standards).

Image taken from Freeform's Shadowhunters' website. 
And then things move so quickly, Jace and Clary portal to Idris and discover that the Clave Consel, Malachi (for those keeping score, this is the Character Added to the Episode for No Reason at All and Killed Off Immediately), is the one who is working with Valentine. He is captures Jace and Clary and right before he's about to behead Clary (yeah, I'm not kidding, a beheading in TMI?!?!), Jace does the weird thing with his eyes turning golden, and he busts through his shackles freeing himself and then Clary.

Image taken from Freeform's Shadowhunters' website.
The Seelie Queen releases Maia, but you get the feeling that her obsession with Simon isn't done, yet. Jace dies, you guys. He dies pretty much the way he did in City of Glass, and it's sad and it makes you hate Valentine the same way you HAAAAAATED him in the books. In other words, this was a TV adaptation moment at its finest.

Image taken from Freeform's Shadowhunters' website
In another book-perfect moment, BigBadDaddyValentine raises the angel, Raziel, from Lake Lyn. The scene is beautiful and terrifying. Huge props to the director (and the producers for freeing up the budget):

Image taken from Freeform's Shadowhunters' website. 
And you guys know the rest -- Clary kills Valentine, Raziel grants Clary one wish, Clary wishes that Jace was alive, the Shadow World celebrates the victory. What was missing from the episode??? Jace's line about wanting "a brown, manly drink". He is, for the record, drinking beer in the scene, but what a fun nod to the fandom would that have been? Pretty easy and cheap to add it. But alas, missed opportunity although a very minor one.

Outside the celebration Jace collapses suddenly, demons are released, and the Mama o' Demons comes to pet her child. Welcome home, Lillith.

Image taken from Freeform's Shadowhunters; website. 
Phew. What an episode. What did you think? I gave it like 3.5-4 stars (out of 5) in my mind. It was the best episode of the season. A strong ending for sure. Am I looking forward to season 3? Hmmm, hesitantly, yes.

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So, MMs, what did you think? Did this last heart-thumper of an episode secure your loyalty to the show? Let us know in the comments. 

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