Review: Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

What happens when America's First Son falls in love with the Prince of Wales?

Alex , the son of first female President of America , for some reason has a beef with Prince Henry which becomes an issue for both countries when their altercation reaches newspapers. So , begins a fake friendship which gradually grows into something that could change not just them personally but also has long lasting effect on their families and  politics of both countries. 


RW&RB is a enemies ( sort of ) to lovers story.  Both Alex & Henry are picture perfect men on surface level. Alex though is no fan of Henry and there is no chance where he lets his irritation show. At one event , their conversation though takes an ugly turn and ends up being reported in newspapers as an altercation. As damage control, Alex is ordered to spend a weekend with Henry to show the world an alternate reality. Once the misconceptions are cleared , there begins a friendship of Instagram pictures, comments , texts & emails that are so damn fun to read. Gradually , we come to know the story of Henry's family , Alex dreams , Alex's parents growth in their own area, the siblings and friends and some of the staff that accompanies them on all their (mis)adventures and journey to each other's life and heart.  

And then I was a careless fool, and I fell in love with you anyway. When you rang me at truly shocking hours of the night, I loved you. When you kissed me in disgusting public toilets and pouted in hotel bars and made me happy in ways in which it had never even occurred to me that a mangled-up, locked-up person like me could be happy, I loved you.And then, inexplicably, you had the absolute audacity to love me back. Can you believe it?Sometimes, even now, I still can't.”

In parallel, we also read about presidential election drama, the tricks and games people play in order to win. and then there is blessing of friendship that our main cast enjoys. Whether it is the phase where Alex & Henry are getting to now each other , or how "the gang" comes together - Alex , Henry , Nora , Pez & June together are superb. Their  love for each other and loyalty in face of any challenge is worth being envious. They have their own personalities and ideologies and each is a force to reckon - kind of setting the stage for future leaders and change makers  we need.

“On the map of you, my fingers could always find the green hills, Wales. Cool waters and a shore of white chalk. The ancient part of you carved out of stone in a prayerful circle, sacrosanct. Your spine's a ridge I'd die climbing.
If I could spread it out on my desk, I'd find the corner of your mouth where it pinches with my fingers, and I'd smooth it away and you'd be marked with the names of saints like all the old maps. I get the nomenclature now- saints' names belong to miracles”

But what actually shines most in the whole book is the letters that Alex & Henry write to each other once they accept each other's love. Those letters are so damn cute and intense and heart warming at the same time. The author's research and appreciation of literary quotes and written correspondence makes this part of the book such a joy to read. I lost count of the highlights I made on this book by the time I finished it. 



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#BookReview: A Violet Fire [Vampires of Avignon#1 ]by Kelsey Quick

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I came across A Violet Fire through a review post on Leah's blog. Luckily the book was still available on NetGalley for requesting an ARC and I picked it immediately.


In the Vampire Stratocracy of Cain, human blood is scarce. For centuries, councils have sought to assuage the blood shortage by enslaving and breeding humans, turning them into profitable supply units for the rich and the abled.

Today, eighteen-year-old Wavorly Sterling is officially a supply unit, bound to serve her blood willingly to her master for the rest of her life. One of only few humans that was not bred in Cain, Wavorly knows freedom better than anyone, and she is determined to escape the clutches of her oppressors, even if by the hands of death.

But surprises lay beyond every certainty, and within every doubt. Where Wavorly's hatred for both vampires and her enslavement once flowed free as blood, it merely trickles as she grows to admire her reserved, yet receptive master and savior, Anton Zein.

Set in a richly detailed world of fantasy, A Violet Fire is a gripping journey filled with passion, betrayal, lies, and the encouragement we all need to take a stand for our freedom--no matter the cost.


I had started to believe I was over the vampire tales when I finished the House of Night series in 2011 [ damn! that's ancient history it seems ] but then I read AFV. And I read like there is no tomorrow
Two nights of sleeping (very) late and I finished it within 60ish hours. This is not a typical vampire movie with clear wars and petty drama. This is a well-established world of Vampire as the ruling class with their own rules and needs and how humans are enslaved for their cause. 

The book starts with Wavorly's attempt to escape her destiny and failing that, we see her anger and her tendency to speak her mind without caring for the consequences - including her own death. Though this does not change much, it is the very reason that adds such freshness to the plot and the dialogues as the story moves. Though I do not have much love for Wavorly for her exhausting dilemma and struggle, there was something about the story that kept me engrossed and by the end, I was totally invested to know the future of Wavorly and Lord Zein.  

Lord Zein - without being over the top cheesy or brooding, there was enough to like his character and at times take his side too. The other casts were also well developed and used efficiently in the world-building and to move the story at a good pace in the direction it had to. I loved the story and writing so much that when I realized that there is a sequel to the book, I was kind of sad closing the book at a cliffhanger! SO. NOT.DONE !

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