Books

Cruel Prince: worth reading? *no spoilers*

March 14, 2019 — Leave a comment

Hi. I’ve been MIA for the longest time but, y’know exam season and stuff.

Cruel Prince is the first book in the The Folk of the Air series by Holly Black. Man, first of all, OH MY GOD. I live for this! It’s so good I can’t even emphasis it enough, like really. I’m not joking in any way, poker face. However before I get into this, all opinions are mine and are not meant to offend anyone. So, basically you’re free to disagree with me.

So the story revolves around Jude Duarte who is a mortal girl living in Faerie. Her parents are killed by the Grand General of Elfhame, Madoc. He literally, and I’m not kidding, kills her mother, who he was previously in love with and had a daughter with. Also, kills Jude’s father. So, fast forward, Madoc takes Jude and her twin and his daughter, Vivi, to Elfhame. Because faeries and Faerie is described as an exceptionally beautiful place, it also has a lot of evil lurking in. Faeries aren’t exactly the biggest fans of mortals and now that the Grand General has two bastard daughters, the Fae can’t really do anything but they can show their intentions—which they do. In some odd way, Jude and her twin love Madoc, which is understandable because throughout the course of the story he loves them very much. I know what your thinking, what? Exactly. It all makes sense when you’re reading it.

The book centers around heavy YA Fantasy in a Faerie world, politics, betrayal, character developments, complex characters, and a hint of romance. It’s incredibly fast paced and does not disappoint. It left me on the edge of my seat and all I wanted to know what happened next. The scene with Cardan & Jude in the Court of Shadows was vyhnsxdc ohmyheart. Cardan is the Crown Prince of Elfhame that hates Jude. Mainly because she’s mortal and other reason too. But mostly because she’s a mortal. Jude, is an exceptionally well developed character. You can practically see her evolve from the start to the end. She’s so headstrong and I love that in my heroines. I don’t need heroines that need saving or don’t know how to do shit themselves. She takes charge, she’s dangerous and a mixture of Celeana from ToG and Inej & Nina from Six of Crows, I looove.

Wicked King. Oh my GOD. OH MY GOD. OH MY GOD! Can you hear me screaming? The ending destroyed me, wrecked my senses, and I felt legit heartbreak. I was crying and I was incredibly pissed and I didn’t know what to do next because the third book comes in 2020. I am not ok. I can’t even function properly anymore. JUDE MY GIRL OHMYGOD. I wanna give some spoilers so bad, but I can’t do that. It’ll simply ruin it for someone who wants to read it. But, man oh man, you need to read this. This book tore my heart and all I can say is, Holly Black came hard. All I wanna say is, Cardan almost had my heart. Well, who am I kidding? I love him and practically live for humor.

YA Fantasy lovers, will definitely find this amazing, totally recommended. 💯

I also fail to understand how people can call this slow.. like help me understand. But that’s ok I understand, opinions and shit. *cries in the corner in faerie*

Here are some memes that i found last night so i wanted to share. I laughed so hard, they won’t spoil anything so, don’t worry xx

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH shit.

Red Queen: Is it really worth the read?

December 27, 2018 — Leave a comment

Let me start off: Totally. Don’t let my word play keep you from reading the series, although I highly doubt my opinion matters enough.

I remember I bought Red Queen in 2015, and I didn’t read it until the end of 2018, which is just about now. I’m the worse type of mood reader there is, I’ll have a book on my shelf which is appealing but I won’t pick it up and read. I’ve done it so many times it’s crazy. I’ve had the Fallen series by Lauren Kate on my shelf 2 years before I read it, (it happens ok, don’t judge), Vampire Academy and the same happened with Red Queen. Although I will read more and more books in 2019, so you can expect loads of book reviews, I hope so.

So, I’ve heard a tonne of hype for Red Queen and all over, saying everyone’s in love with it. Well, god damn it me too. (I’ve always wanted to say that)

It’s such a clever blend of a young fiction, action and romance. Minus all the sappy romance stuff, which you will not find in this series. And, I love that. Not everyone likes to read sappy love stories, and I admit I was tired of it and that was the main reason I stopped reading for a while. But, this storyline had me on the edge. It was such a good mixture of romance and action, it truly got me. More action than romance I have to say.

The storyline follows a divide between humans. Silvers and Red. Silvers are what you’d call, the kind of the X-Men. It’s the easiest to put it that way. All the silvers have powers like, controlling metal: magnetrons, controlling the mind: telkies, controlling fires: infernos. (My personal favorite) And in stark opposite are the Reds. They are common people who have no abilities and are forced to either join the century long war at the age of 18, or get a job: which is difficult. Hence, the population is controlled as Reds are sent of to a useless ongoing war, the Silvers, rule the country. The form a monarchy and consist of several noble high houses.

So, the story is about a Red girl, Mare. Who’s described as a good for nothing stubborn thief. In order to save her friend from being conscripted to the war, she steals and runs into the crown prince of Norta. Prince Tiberias Calore the VII. Yeah, I just had chills, if you can’t tell I’m absolutely in love with Cal. He’s called Cal in the books, so I’m sorry if I confused you. But, Mare doesn’t know he’s a prince and she tells him about her life and how its miserable, blah blah blah. So, he sends for her to be a maid in the palace. At the same time, there’s a festival going on to select his bride, where she falls into the pit with lightning flowing from her. This, is unknown and unheard of, because she’s Red and Reds aren’t supposed to have abilities.

However, shit happens and the evil Queen and her son, Maven plan a little something which directly effects and involves Mare. The King, Queen, Maven and Cal come up with a plan to shield this Red girl with a peculiar ability, and deem her as a Silver. Although her blood isn’t Silver. That’s a very long story, but my God it’s so fun to read.

Overall, the first book had a fast paced plot and I throughly enjoyed it. There was action, betrayal and a hint of love. Yes, there is a love triangle between Maven, Mare & Cal. Obviously.

The second book, Glass Sword was, however, kind of repetitive where Mare and Cal seek out new bloods, who are reds with silver abilities, like Mare. So, it’s basically just knowing a bit of what Maven is up to, and a lot about the stupid search that Mare has, which towards the mid end, makes her out to be a vicious monster. Actually. She loses focus of something that happens, and then has a justification for every messed up thing she does. She shows little care for other people, especially Cal. Knowing what he went through was absolutely traumatic and it’s downright selfish of Mare to oversee that and keep on whining about herself. She kinda reminds me of Elena Gilbert from Vampire Dairies when she does all that stuff. It got annoying. But the end was cool though, I sorta cried, I knew it was about to happen. I was sad and very excited.

I enjoyed the third book a lot, King’s Cage. I’ll admit the Cameron point of views were boring for me and did not seem interesting at all. She was whinny and all she cared was for saving her brother. I get it, but I really had to get through her chapters. Although, I wish there were Maven and Cal chapters because that’d be the best. Y’know where Maven kept Mare hostage and how Cal felt about all that. That would really have made the whole book so so so much better. However, this one had a lot of tension leading up to the climax and the ending, as before, got me. But in a very emotional—why would you do this kind of way. I was devastated. The little glimpses of Maven were amazing and it really made me got to know him better. Also, before you judge an evil character, analyze everything they’ve gone through. I wish there were more one on one Maven and Mare scenes, I would’ve loved it and they’d be hella interesting.

The finale, War Storm, is what really got me. I absolutely loved the Maven and Cal point of views and I wish there were more. The pages seemed less when their POV came on, I was turning the pages wishing for more. I’m not gonna lie, I squealed like a kid every time Cal’s POV came. It was the best. Evangeline’s POV were good too, but Iris’s made absolutely no sense. It seemed like she kept on saying the same thing over and over, which was boring and absolutely useless to what was actually going on. I don’t really get why people were hating on the finale like, it isn’t perfect but it’s not your book to end. It clearly states that Mare wants to go back to Cal and she will. She just needs to spend time with her family, Clara and Farley. It’s been tough for her, and everyone in the war and it’s natural to heal from that. She didn’t say that she didn’t want to be with Cal. Although, I was disappointed in that conversation they had, but as I read the last sentence I knew what the ending was, and I was satisfied. Yes, it wasn’t perfect, but that’s what Aveyard was trying to convey. Life isn’t perfect and there’s isn’t also.

But anyone with half a brain, could say that it satisfied you. I mean, I know I was. I was devastated by the conversation Cal and Mare had, but when things slowly unfolded, it made sense and was realistic. Also, the fact that no one died except Maven, was the clear reason that they had healers so they could heal anyone, so the ‘loophole’, doesn’t really exist. I mean that’s my theory. And, also people hating on Evangeline for being in love with Elane is crazy. Yes, she’s her brother’s wife, but he knows about it and has another lover anyways so why does it matter? Also, they’re royals, and they all know what’s going on, and to all of you that think this is repulsive; don’t pretend nothing messed up happens in Game of Thrones. So, in a nutshell I have no problem Evangeline being gay for her brother’s wife. It’s not like she’s doing it behind his back, and that would be a completely different scenario.

It ties the endings and anyone who has a problem with the ending, clearly needs to read the end again. I read one or two reviews that said the finale absolutely sucked and I was scared to read it nonetheless. I didn’t want it to suck and it didn’t. I liked it and I’m sad to say goodbye. Especially Cal. He was kinda indecisive but I still love him. The fact that he controls fire is just enough for me.

I would totally recommend it to anyone who loves action, it has alot and ugh, i love it. You should definitely give it a read. I’m also obsessed with the covers. The best was War Storm, then Glass Sword.

This cover was so aesthetically pleasing i couldn’t stop taking pictures. I intended to take pictures with all the books, but i couldn’t. I got sick and didn’t feel like doing anything. Also, my lazy ass finished War Storm in three days. It was a pretty fat book, but i really enjoyed it. I finished King’s Cage in Murree and it was amazing to read surrounded by nature and it’s beauty. This is now starting to be, all over the place and i’m gonna go now.

PS: first series done of 2019! happy (nearly) new year to all of you! ❤️

Thankyou for reading! ❤️ XX

my darling brother.

December 8, 2018 — Leave a comment

I remember I couldn’t see you when you were born, you were born before your time. You were supposed to be small but you were a footlong. You were everything my parents hoped you would be. I wanted to see you everyday, to hold your tiny hand, and to see your beautiful eyes; but I couldn’t.

I remember so vividly— I took off my shoes, sanitised my hands and wore gloves. Heavy footsteps towards my brother lying on an incubator.

For the first time I saw this precious little human, begging for air, a machine giving it to him. It made me realise the importance of the air we take for so granted. It made me realise how selfish I am, how ungrateful. As this little human, was grateful for everything that he had. Little breathes he took so heavily. My heart ached.

I think it might have been broken a little. I couldn’t describe the feeling. Someone I love, grasping for air. No, I did feel my heart breaking. It was all real.

I couldn’t stay much longer, it hurt. I was 12, he was 17 days old. I left him. My heart broke a little.

24 hours later, you’d gone to heaven. You were free from the machines giving you life, God had other plans for you. He took you from earth, and to the place of eternal happiness. My heart broke altogether, there wasn’t a piece intact.

Happy birthday little brother, you would’ve been six years old today.

All my love Led Zeppelin.

—-

thankyou for reading ❤ xx

The forgotten beauty in our language.

December 6, 2018 — Leave a comment

This blog’s gonna be philosophical, so yeah. In times like these, where English is the universal language that every understands— other languages are getting grossly neglected. Including, mine.

I grew up watching English movies, cartoons and having an education; which primarily focuses on English. I’m ashamed to say i’m much better at english than in my own language. It isn’t something to boast, when you say “oh, i’m fluent in X language”, it doesn’t matter. Your language is your identity. And, somewhere along the way I grew out of touch.

I don’t know about other countries, but in South Asia, it’s a growing misconception that if you know English— you’re automatically more smart. It doesn’t matter what you say, it’s how you speak. Which is important, don’t get me wrong, but is also hypocritical. Bilingual people have two sides to themselves; it’s never the same with one.

More and more, i’m trying to get in touch with Urdu. Which is my language, it’s my mother tongue and i’m so proud of it. It’s such a simple and elegant language. Grateful to be bilingual. It’s easy to speak and it’s unique mixture of Arabic & Persian. I’m concentrating on my writing because that’s where I sometimes struggle, but just like English, I use similar techniques to get me through. I write my mom small notes just to get good.

It might seem weird to foreign readers but it’s pretty common in Pakistan. Hence, I wanted to revive the beauty that is my language. However, i’m part Kashmiri and I don’t know how to say a thing. Nor does my mom, so does that give me a margin? I hope so.

The note on my hand says: (roughly)

“We say other’s languages are beautiful, but we don’t know how beautiful ours is.”

PS: thankyou so much for the love on the previous post! Make up reviews are definitely what people like more. But that doesn’t stop me from doing the other things that I enjoy as much. Give me suggestions on what the next post should be!

Follow me on Instagram: @opaqueblues

Thankyou for reading and supporting! Xx ❤️

Heartbreak at 7am.

December 1, 2018 — 2 Comments

The newly painted orange sky with hints of pink, it seemed like the skies were angry. The only way to get their fury expressed was by painting itself a certain way.

Warm April morning, 7am.

They lay in peace, bodies perfectly in sync. It was God’s creation and He scared how in touch they were. Mortals weren’t supposed to be this perfect. It was as if they were made from the same atom, yet split; same heart, yet beating as one.

His golden eyes met her chocolate brown. She’d always seem to think, ‘this thing.. infront of me.. isn’t human.’ How he’d run his generous palm in her head, caressing her hair, making her shut her eyes in pure ecstasy. It was as if the angel himself had touched her. It was simply divine. She’d look at him and think, ‘i’d do anything for this man right here, infront of my eyes.’

He notices how she looks at him— the gaze of someone terribly in love. Yes, it scared him at first. It wasn’t that he wasn’t ready, but he never thought that she’d feel the same way about him. He’d picture this a thousand times, only different ways; the love of his life, laying in his arms with sunrise greeting them. Her smile made him feel like he was the only man on earth, she’d make him feel so special. How she blushed when someone mentioned him, or how her eyes light up every damn time she looks at him. The feeling never gets old. He’d do anything for her.

She looked into his ever welcoming eyes that shone brighter than any diamond, while making circles on his chest. He gulped and thought to himself, ‘it’s getting harder.’ He pushes her hand away as worry washes all over her magically sculpted face. She is a work of art. She should be in a museum. She doesn’t deserve a piece of shit like you.

“What happened?” Her honey dripped voice made it worse.

“I can’t do this anymore.” His heart stopped beating. The color from her face vanished, the life from her soul dimmed a little. She didn’t say anything, her eyes spoke for her.

“This was fun. It’s time to move on. Goodbye.” He turned so he couldn’t see her heart jump out her chest, tears filled his face; he picked up his stuff. It was real. This is real.

“Y-you can’t do this to me! I can’t live without you.” The pain in her voice was unbelievably earthshaking. He put metal chains across his heart, it took every living atom in his fibre to not go and tell her he’s an idiot. He doesn’t mean it, it’s something he has to do for her. He doesn’t know if he can live without his soul—her.

Shutting the door behind him, she breaks down hysterically crying. Screaming, yet silent. Unaware of what happened not two minutes ago. The image of him referring to her as an object was branded in her brain. She couldn’t escape the horror that was him. The beautiful horror that she loved with every thing she had. The most hated thing which she loved the most.

He put his hands on his mouth. His heart was now on the floor, scattered. The red glass spread all across the white marble. He had left his life behind, hearing her cry was something he never wanted to hear. Breaking his heart— her heart was something he’d never dreamt of. It was something so scared he could never humiliate the very thought of it. He laid lifeless. As did she.

Even in their suffering, they were terrifyingly in sync.

—

Thankyou so much for reading! ❤️Xx

Worth reading: the sun and her flowers by Rupi Kaur

November 24, 2018 — Leave a comment

I picked up ‘the sun and her flowers’ by Rupi in late September. But, I got so busy I couldn’t give it the time it deserves. I remember so many people raving about, taking aesthetically pleasing pictures all over Instagram. It was everywhere.

I had bought this after I finished and loved milk and honey with every thing I have. Her words are so pure yet not so pure at the same time. There’s this thing in Rupi’s writing that makes you read it over and over again. It feels you feel evey emotion side my side.

Her poems are incredibly mesmerising. I couldn’t even put the book down. I actually forced myself to stop after I finished two parts in nearly 25 minutes. I wanted to enjoy it more.

I let the sun peek through my enormous window, laid down on the carpet and read the poems slowly. It was some experience. I had Zayn playing on my speakers and I read through poems about self love, building yourself and all the heartache.

I loved countless poems and I can’t pick a favourite. If you don’t read poetry, or haven’t started, or are thinking of reading— do it! Poetry is so unique and intoxicating that you can’t get enough of it. I’ll definitely try and read Rumi next whenever I get the chance.

I’d highly recommend giving this a read, i’m sure you’d be impressed. If you haven’t already, of course. If you’ve already read it, tell me how you like it.

PS: sorry if this is short, but what else can you talk about for a great poetry book? it speaks for itself.

Follow me on Instagram: @opaqueblues

Thankyou for reading loves. X ❤

Yellow withered roses in the midsummer rain.

November 5, 2018 — Leave a comment

She got yellow roses for him, wondering if he’d take them. Yellow; it represents the bond of friendship, the connection between two people, with similar souls and different bodies. Was this not the concept of soulmates?

She had wondered on different occasions if he was, infact, her soulmate. Fantasising about eternal love was what kept her up at night, it was that which taught her to forgive him; even when he’d upset her the most. When she’d see him with other girls—dancing to the song that she hoped they’d dance to, her waist aching for his gentle and safe touch; which was given to them.

“I’ll lose him if I don’t tell him,” she thought to herself. “You’ll lose him either way, sweetheart” whispered the pessimistic organ in her head. There she set out, wearing her best dress and the yellow roses in her hands. She knocked aggressively just as the heart inside her ribcage. Her eyes recognised him as one, she held out the roses and without any hesitation; “I love you.”

And there he stood, awestruck. It was as if he’d seen his mother die for the second time; the look she remembered way too well. He couldn’t manage to say the words but his eyes told every single emotion he was feeling, she had known him all her life. “I-I… I,”

And in that moment, she knew she had gotten her answer. It was as if, someone had her voodoo doll in their hand and sticking needles into her heart. The pain was uncontrollable, she had forgotten to breath. The sweet and salty mid summer rain fell on her face, as she grew blue by the second. She had forgotten to breathe, she didn’t have the will to take in the oxygen and the fresh earthy smell.

“This was supposed to be my time!” She cried out to the skies above; they raged with lightning, signifying their mourning for her unrequited love. Those precious yellow roses, that she bought with all the love that was beating in her heart, are now withered in the midsummer rain—along with her newly damaged heart.

Follow me on Instagram: @opaqueblues

Thankyou for reading loves. X❤️

How the Moon & the Stars plotted the Lovers’ Revenge.

October 25, 2018 — Leave a comment

“Forever?”

“Forever.”

He replied with his warm breath close to hers, tucking her golden waves behind her eyes. She didn’t know what lies the universe had fed the lovers. Laughing in contempt the mighty moon, with the help of mischievous glowing stars; they thought to themselves, “look how the mortals love.” Cried one in irony.

“It’s pitiful that they think they’ll last forever.” Stated the other while scoffing and awaiting the destruction to slither it’s way into their lives.

Many moons passed, but the lovers stayed strong. They proved their undying love for each other, in every obstacle they faced. Each stone in their journey was thoughtfully put— to test them, to see if they could endure it. The moon and the stars scoffed, while God playfully put them together, as He, is the puppeteer and they were His puppets.

While one gloomy full moon night; God stopped playing and moved to the other puppets, while the moon and the stars plotted the lovers’ revenge.

“How about they fell out of love?”

“What happens to the other if one dies?”

“Let’s make them hate eachother.” One after the other made rational decisions to destroy them, but the moon was eager on one thing alone.

There stood the love of his life, white dress with her father giving her away. He couldn’t control himself; it was if he was given an ecstasy pill. Tears of happiness in his eyes, the smile he was crazy for before he even knew her. The very person he’d seem in his dreams. She was now his. He was her’s to keep for all eternity.

“Now’s time, boss,”

He’d seen her in every aspect; happy, sad, terrified, angry— but he’d never seen her like this. It was as if his soul had been taken from him, there was no desire to breath nor any wish to be alive. As he held the love of his life in his arms, lifeless. “Darling,” he cried out; “my love”, but she didn’t respond to anything. Was it him? He couldn’t tell what had happened to her. And in that moment, he knew, that there was nothing left in the world for him.

Seven heavens above, God cried and cried that very night. The earth shattered and suffered lightening, thunder and hail. There seemed to be no remorse that could calm Him down. “I’ve let the Moon and the Stars take away the love from two people who loved each other more than their being..”

That night showed God’s fury and sadness to the earth as it joined in mourning.

“Forgive me for I have let two lovers slip.”

———

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Thankyou so much for reading. X

My honest thoughts on Yesterday I Was The Moon..

October 5, 2018 — 1 Comment

Everytime I when I’m writing a blog post, I feel like the most dramatic person on the planet. But we all have our roles to play, and I guess mine is being dramatic online. I ordered yesterday i was the moon from Liberty books, which is written by Noor Unnahar. I have absolutely no idea how to pronounce her last time, so I don’t even try.

I got to know about Noor through my instagram explore page in 2017. I remember scrolling through her account an seeing all the extremely aesthetically pleasing pictures. I always used to look at her account just because it made me happy. However, unlike many other instances in my life, I forgot about it.

Then, again recently, when I stumbled onto her page, yet again. I scrolled through it again, looking at the perfectly captured pictures with the awe-inspiring poetry, distorted yet, extremely mesmerizing art. I feel in love all over again. I saw her poetry in a couple of her own pictures and immediately, without even thinking; went straight to Liberty. I typed in her book and ordered it without even thinking. Legit. It was a windy Sunday night an I fell prey to online shopping. *sigh*

Fast forward, I received my book and grinned like a child on Eid. I also had a signed book! Which seriously made me so happy and I put it on my insta story in a blink.. but also got a message from Noor! That was so crazy for me. Once I picked up the book, I couldn’t put it down.. it was so addicting. I literally had to stop myself because I wanted to give it time, and enjoy it. I did not do that, but I read 75% of it in the same night.

The poem which spoke volumes for me was the one that basically said not to be so hard on yourself, and take inspiration from phoenixes who rise from their ashes. That was, hands down, the best poem in the book. I sent snapchats to all my friends that they need to read it, and basically not shutting up about it.

So, in a nutshell; if you wanna skip all of this, let me tell you.. YOU need this. It is absolutely beautiful, and of course, if you love poetry, you’d love it. I know I did.

Show some love to Noor, @noor_unnahar on instagram.

@opaqueblues, if you wanna follow me on instagram. ❤

Thankyou so much for reading and supporting. ❤