Jan 3, 202312 min read

My 2022 Review

Books (beware of spoilers):

- Blood and Ash Volume 2 - A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by Jennifer L. Armentrout (out July 19)

Summary (from Booknode, for all): A betrayal...

Everything Poppy has ever believed in is a lie, including the man she fell in love with. Thrown into the midst of those who see her as a symbol of a monstrous kingdom, she barely knows who she is without the veil of the Maidens.

A choice...

The Prince of Atlantia, Casteel Da'Neer, holds her prisoner. He needs her alive and well to achieve his goals. He has big plans for Poppy, plans that could tie their lives together and change the destiny of their kingdoms. Being with him is as dangerous and sensual as his bite, but it's the only way she'll be able to find her brother Ian. Can she resist the temptation?

A secret...

As danger surrounds her and her ability to feel pain and emotions grows, the Atlantians begin to fear her. Dark secrets are at stake, steeped in the bloody sins of two kingdoms that would do anything to keep the truth hidden. But when the earth begins to tremble and the sky begins to bleed, it may already be too late...

Review: I was looking forward to this book and it was a real favorite. Between the story and the characters, I love it. This is one of the best saga I have read. I loved the first book immensely but this second one is just as good. Poppy and Cas are really the most engaging characters. And I am so looking forward to reading the sequel, especially with the revelations at the end.

- Storm and Fury by Jennifer L. Armentrout (out June 22)

Summary: At only 18 years old, Trinity is in danger of going blind. However, she can perceive and communicate with spirits and ghosts, a unique gift that puts her in such great danger that she has been living in hiding for years in a remote location deep in the mountains of West Virginia, protected by Guardians, a kind of shapeshifter. For if the demons discovered her power, they would literally devour her. One day, a clan of Guardians straight from Washington DC bursts in with terrifying news: a "thing" is attacking the Guardians and the demons. The disturbing news shatters the Trinity universe, which needs more protection than ever. Among the visiting Guardians is Zayne, as handsome as he is enigmatic. The two of them must join forces and confront the demonic beings that stalk them, for a war is about to break out...

Review: I loved this book. The characters are engaging (especially since it's a spin-off so I already knew Zayne's character but I liked him better in this story), and I really liked Trinity. The plot is great, funny and poignant. Plus, Zayne and Trinity are a great duo. I can't wait to read the rest and soon!

- The Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff (released October 6)

Summary: From the holy cup comes divine light;

The faithful hand restores order to the world.

And under the gaze of the Seven Martyrs,

Man will abolish this endless night.

Twenty-seven long years have passed since the death of day. For nearly three decades, the vampires have waged war on humanity, gradually building their eternal empire. Now only a few sparks of light remain in a sea of darkness.

Gabriel de León is a silver saint: a member of a brotherhood working to defend the kingdom and the Church against the creatures of the night. But even the Silver Order couldn't stem the tide once daylight failed, and Gabriel is alone now.

Imprisoned by the monsters he swore to destroy, the last silver saint is forced to tell his story. A tale of legendary battles and forbidden loves, of faith lost and friendships won, of the eternal king and the quest for humanity's last hope: The Holy Grail.

Review: I loved it! It's a favorite. The story is gripping. The author's touch is original and I really liked the way he built the story, through a kind of interrogation. The reading is easy and fortunately because the book is 950 pages long. I am looking forward to the sequel which I hope will answer my questions.

- We hunt the flame by Hafsah Faizal (released on October 4)

Summary: People lived because she killed.

People were dying because he was living.

Zafira is the Huntress. She disguises herself as a man when she braves the cursed forest of Arz to feed her people.

Nasir is the Prince of Death, murdering those foolish enough to defy his tyrant father, the Sultan.

If Zafira were unmasked and her feminine nature exposed, all her actions would be reviled. The same goes for Nasir, who would be brutally punished by his father if he discovered the compassion shown by his son.

They are true legends in the kingdom of Arawiya, but none of them want the glory.

As the threat of war grows and the Arz casts its shadow day by day, Zafira and Nasir are sent off on their own to retrieve a lost artifact that would restore magic to the kingdom. The sultan's son is given an additional mission: to eliminate the Huntress.

But in the course of their respective journeys, another terrifying evil seems to emerge and the object they seek may prove to be more dangerous than they imagine.

Review: I had a little trouble getting into the story. It wasn't until Act II that I was able to dive into the plot. And I loved it! The characters, both main and secondary, are so interesting. The story is full of surprises and I am so eager to know what happens next, especially with what we learn at the end.

- Blood & Honey by Shelby Mahurin (released October 4)

Summary: Till death do us part.

After narrowly escaping death, Lou, Reid, Coco, and Ansel flee the Witches' Coven, the kingdom, and the church. Time and luck are against them.

To survive, they will need powerful allies. But when Morgana draws them into a deadly game of cat and mouse, they are forced to turn to the terrible Queen of the Red Ladies for help.

As Lou probes a dark side of magic she believes is necessary to protect her husband and friends, Reid reluctantly explores his new power. How will they survive when they have nowhere to hide?

Review: I loved the first volume just as much as I loved the second (although the first book is still my favorite). The second is darker, deeper. I really enjoyed finding the characters I love so much. But the ending, it devastated me. I need the last book right now. I want to know the rest now.

- Legendborn by Tracy Deonn (out August 31)

Summary: After her mother dies in a car accident, 16-year-old Bree Matthews wants only one thing: to leave her family home and all her childhood memories behind. Joining the early-bird program at the prestigious University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill seems like the perfect escape - until she witnesses a magical attack, fought off by two older students. From that moment on, everything Bree thought she knew about the world falls apart: not only does magic exist, but a thousand-year-old secret society is fighting tirelessly to preserve humanity from the evil hordes that threaten to eradicate it. A society that may have had a hand in her mother's death. To find out the truth, Bree has no choice but to infiltrate it, at her own peril...

Review: This is a real favorite! It's original, full of action, and we get into the story from the beginning. And as a bonus, we have the right to a story about the Arthurian legend. I really liked the characters, especially Briana, who brings a very interesting point of view. It's good to have a black main character.

- This Savage Song by V.E. Schwab (released on October 13)

Summary: In Verity, crimes are so numerous that each one gives birth to a monster - there are three kinds: the first, the Corsai and the Malchai, are legion and devour their victims or feed on their blood. The Sunai, on the other hand, are rare and mysterious: they can seize the soul of their prey through music...

In the northern part of the city, Callum Harker saw the emergence of this plague as an opportunity to prosper, offering the population protection in exchange for money. To the south, Henry Flynn has decided to fight fire with fire and orchestrate a counteroffensive: he has taken in three Sunai, whom he is raising as his children. August, who is one of them, is eager to be given more responsibility. When he is asked to keep an eye on Kate Harker, the only daughter of their sworn enemy, he agrees to go to the same high school as her. But the young girl, who is anything but sweet, soon discovers his true identity.

Review: I loved it! So much so that I read it in one sitting. I really fell in love with August's character, who is such a tender and touching person. And I can't wait to find out what happens to him next. Especially after what happens at the end!

- Keepers of the Lost Cities 9 by Shannon Messenger (out November 10)

Summary: Sophie has struck a blow. Tired of seeing her enemies constantly get several steps ahead of her, the young girl has even set the world on fire by provoking the Invisibles on their own land. Alas, at a time when her friends are divided and scattered, when an interspecies crisis threatens, her audacity may well backfire.

Despite the danger, her instincts drive her to investigate the Star Moon project and Elyseus - who may hold the key to everything. But in the Lost Cities, uncovering the truth always requires sacrifice. But the Invisibles' plans, which are gradually becoming clearer, are proving to be terrifying. It seems that everyone was mistaken: the greatest lie of the elves could destroy everything...

In the battle that is coming, only one thing is sure: nothing will ever be the same again. In this ninth volume of Guardians of the Lost Cities, Sophie and her friends are about to discover the true meaning of power - and evil...

Review: Once again this was a favorite! I love this saga so much and this volume is no exception. We have action, revelations that we do not suspect, a little romance. In short, the perfect combo! And the characters, they are so touching and endearing. I especially love Sophie, Ro and Keefe (the best).

- Crescent City 2 by Sarah J. Maas (released December 8)

Summary: Bryce Quinlan and Hunt Athalar are trying to get back to normal. They may have saved Crescent City, but with all the turmoil they've been through lately, they mostly want to be able to relax. To slow down. Know what the future holds.

The Asteris have kept their word so far, leaving Bryce and Hunt alone. But with the rebels reducing the Asteri's power, the threat posed by the rulers is growing. As Bryce, Hunt and their friends are drawn into the rebels' plans, the choice becomes clear: stay silent while others are oppressed, or fight for what is right. And they've never been very good at staying silent.

Review: Oh my goodness! This book is an absolute gem. The characters are amazing and so touching. I love Bryce, her humor, her strength, her relationship with Hunt. The story is sensational, it takes us through highs and lows. But this ending, it's not possible! I need the sequel now.

Series :

- Stranger Things Season 4 (out May 27)

Synopsis (from the Internet, for all): In Hawkins, a supernatural threat looms as several teenagers are found dead in circumstances as strange as they are gruesome. We discover at the beginning of season 4 that Vecna, a monster from the upside down world, can control and kill the inhabitants of Hawkins from a distance.

Review: Wow, I am impressed by the genius of the Duffer brothers. This season is just great, intense, full of surprises and twists (that I didn't see coming for the time). We understand many things, with amazing revelations. In short, I LOVED it and I want so much to know what will happen in season 5, especially considering the end of the last episode.

- Heartstopper (released April 22)

Synopsis: Sharing a common passion for rugby, two teenagers Charlie and Nick become fast friends. The former soon falls in love with his classmate, even though he thinks he has no chance.

Review: I saw the series before reading the books (in fact, that's what made me want to get into the books) and so I discovered the story through these eight 30 min episodes. And I loved it. It's endearing, cute and realistic. I became fond of the characters, especially Nick, whom I particularly liked.

- Only Murders in the Building Season 2 (released June 28)

Synopsis: Charles, Oliver and Mabel are in a race against time to uncover the murderer of Bunny Folger, president of the Arconia Board of Directors. However, problems are piling up: the trio is publicly implicated in the case, becomes the unwilling subject of a competing podcast led by Cinda Canning, and must face a group of New York neighbors convinced of their guilt...

Review: I really like this new season. There is a lot going on, a lot of possibilities, a lot of puzzles that we can't wait to see our three main characters solve. I still love Mabel, played by the wonderful Selena Gomez. And I really liked the cliffhanger of the last episode.

- Vampire Academy (out September 15)

Synopsis: The series follows the adventures of Rose, a dhampir, and her best friend, the Moroi princess Lissa Dragomir. The two young women study at the Saint Vladimir Academy where Rose learns to become a guardian and Lissa learns magic. They are also linked through an accident, which allows Rose to feel Lissa's emotions.

Review: I was a little skeptical when I finished the first episode. But since I was intrigued, I kept watching. And in the end, I like it. It's pretty faithful to the books and I can't wait to find out how it all ends. Anyway, I love Dimitri, Rose, Lissa, Sonya, Mikhail and Christian.

Films :

- Bullet Train (released August 3)

Synopsis: Five hitmen find themselves on a high-speed train traveling between Tokyo and Morioka, making very few stops. The five criminals will discover that they are all linked by their mission, wonder who will get out alive and wonder what awaits them at the arrival station.

Review: I was very surprised by this movie which was absolutely amazing. It mixes action, humor and betrayal for a sensational combo. The story is full of surprises, especially in the choice of actors (I won't tell you more). And I liked this game about karma and fate. Personally, I recommend

- Purple Heart (released on July 29th)

Synopsis: Despite their many differences and against all odds, an aspiring singer/songwriter, Cassie Salazar, and an American soldier, Luke, fall madly in love.

Review: I just LOVED it. The story is beautiful and touching. The characters are endearing. We understand the reasons behind the choice they have to make. The romance is quite original and frankly I loved it from beginning to end. And of course, we have the right to some songs of Sofia Carson, who has a very beautiful voice.

- Top Gun: Maverick (released on May 25)

Synopsis: After more than 30 years of service as one of the Navy's top aviators, Pete Maverick Mitchell is right where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a plucky test pilot and dodging the rank advancement that would put him on the ground. Training young graduates for a special mission, Maverick must confront the ghosts of his past and his deepest fears, culminating in a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those who choose to fly it.

Review: I loved it. I didn't think I was going to like it that much, having seen the first movie which I found passable. But for this one, I was immersed in it and really liked the new characters. Sure, there are parallels to the first movie, which I appreciated. But what I found better than the first one is that there is a good story line.

- Black Adam (released October 19)

Synopsis: In ancient Kahndaq, Teth Adam was given the all-powerful powers of the gods. After using these powers for revenge, he was imprisoned, becoming Black Adam. Nearly 5,000 years have passed and Black Adam has gone from man to myth to legend. Now free, his unique form of justice, born of rage, is challenged by the modern-day heroes who make up the Justice Society: Hawkman, Dr. Fate, Atom Smasher and Cyclone.

Review: I loved it. I was into the story from beginning to end. I liked the similarities to the movie Shazam (which is totally fine), but that it was still quite different. The characters are touching, especially the one played by Noah Centineo.

- Enola Holmes 2 (released October 27)

Synopsis: Enola Holmes takes on her first case as a detective. However, in order to solve the mystery of a missing girl, she needs the help of her friends and her brother, Sherlock.

Review: I loved the first movie and I loved this one too. The story is funny, and there is no shortage of action. Also, I really like the character of Enola. And the fact that her relationship with Sherlock evolves a lot. Be careful, don't miss the little scene after the first credits.

Music:

- Sweet Caroline by Sofia Carson (released on July 29)

- I Hate The Way by Sofia Carson (out July 29)

- My mind & me by Selena Gomez (out November 4)

- Karma by Taylor Swift (out October 21)

- Bejeweled by Taylor Swift (out October 21)

- The Great War by Taylor Swift (out October 21)

- Midnight Rain by Taylor Swift (out October 21)

Accomplishment:

- Merlin's Prophecy, a book that took me a while to write but was so close to my heart

- A Tale of Pirates, the book I'm most proud of, because it's the one I think I've written the best (so far)

- My easy student recipe ebook, which allowed me to discover new recipes and share them