Reading sequels to books I gave 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Do they stack up?? 📚

Today I'm sharing my most epic reading vlog yet... a feature film length journey through reading four sequels to books I LOVED and gave five stars to see if they stack up! As always I'll be sharing spoiler thoughts AND non spoiler thoughts (all clearly marked & indicated in the chapters) on all four books, and lots of bonus kitty footage ❤️ This ended up being mostly speculative fiction, with two sci fi novels, an epic fantasy doorstopper, and a historical fiction with possible fantastical elements, but all four have a very distinct tone/vibe so we get some nice variety ☺️ I had so much fun making this video, and I hope you enjoy watching it!

CHAPTERS
0:00 introducing the books
8:06 starting the angel's game
14:52 the angel's game first update
21:47 *SPOILERS* for the angel's game
27:17 *SPOILERS* finished
30:00 the angel's game full review
35:31 *SPOILERS* for the angel's game
38:41 *SPOILERS* finished
39:58 starting ocean's echo
42:53 ocean's echo first update
50:33 reading ocean's echo
52:13 ocean's echo full review
58:55 starting a day of fallen night
1:02:45 a day of fallen night first update
1:10:12 *SPOILERS* for a day of fallen night
1:17:48 *SPOILERS* finished
1:18:18 reading a day of fallen night
1:20:46 a day of fallen night full review
1:28:35 *SPOILERS* for a day of fallen night
1:34:33 *SPOILERS* finished
1:35:10 starting parable of the talents
1:39:21 parable of the talents first update
1:46:31 *SPOILERS* for parable of the talents
1:47:35 *SPOILERS* finished
1:48:33 reading parable of the talents
1:50:41parable of the talents full review
1:54:36 *SPOILERS* for parable of the talents
1:58:53 *SPOILERS* finished
1:59:20 final ranking

BOOKS MENTIONED
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VIDEOS MENTIONED


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FAQs
What does your channel name mean? I picked "Plant Based Bride" for my blog when I started it back in 2015 as I was starting the process of planning my vegan wedding and wanted to document it. I have been vegan for 10+ years and married since 2016!
What's your real name? Elizabeth
Where are you from? I'm a Canadian from Toronto, Ontario, now living in the Canadian Prairies.
Are you a natural redhead? No, I'm naturally a brunette. I dye my hair using Herbatint 8R.
What nail polish are you wearing? Cirque Colors

[PlantBasedBride]

Thank you to Kitsch for sponsoring this video! Use this link: and/or my code PlantBasedBride to get 25% off your first order! Kitsch ships in the US and internationally to over 27 countries 🌎

[michellecgb]

I’m sorry you lost someone but I’m glad reading helped. That’s one of the beautiful things about books, how unexpectedly supportive they can be.

[samileigh]

It’s so great to hear a reviewer speak so eloquently on such difficult topics. The thought and care you give to harsh, yet necessary themes is so incredible. I love hearing your reviews because of how incredibly thoughtful they are! Sending you light during this time of grief and healing 💞 thank you for being willing to continue to share with us even in the darker times.

[valarya]

Your opening sentence made me giggle because I'm the exact opposite about series; the longer and more detailed, the better! (A la Realm of the Elderlings or Wheel of Time.) I'm so happy you loved the Book 2's as much as you loved the Book 1's !! 💜💜💜

[hippie]

Until I can get a black cat of my own, I will live vicariously through these videos where Chewy and Yoda are abound ❤

[michellecgb]

A video? I’m living, thank you so much ❤

[AnaReads]

I read the Shadow in the Wind series years ago and absolutely loved it. Glad you enjoyed it, as well

[CedTheThird]

looove the extra long video. since all of these were big wins, i’m curious if doing this project will encourage you to try to reach for sequels more often/sooner to finishing book one? i am currently reading shadow of the wind and hadn’t heard a lot of positive things about the other books in the series so never planned on picking them up. but hearing you praise the angels game for all the reason i am currently loving shadow of the wind has me rethinking that. i am so surprised by how funny i’m finding this book, and like you were saying i also had moments when i was laughing out loud. it’s so atmospheric and moody but also genuinely funny?? that’s such a winning combination for me.

[TheStitchinWitch]

I feel like if you havent already, then you NEED to read Five Little Indians by Michelle Good. It will pull at you similarly to the Octavia Butler books, but man oh man, as Canadians, this is important stuff to our nation's history, the atrocities committed against Indigenous people. I also for something much more light hearted, recommend Bravely by Maggie Stiefvater. It's a tale about Merida from Disney's Brave, but her more grown up, and trying to save her family again, but ends up doing a lot of self-discovery along the way. And as I've mentioned in previous comments, anything by Kate Morton, but especially Homecoming and The Forgotten Garden.

[sarrahsheikh]

I found you through your bujo videos, but I love your reading content so much as well! I teach English language and literature and I'm so inspired by the titles you've explored here, and I always look forward to hearing your thoughts on the books I've explored with my classes. Here's to many more great reads! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 📚❤💔 🥹🥺🤓

[Oosij]

recently finished parable of the talents myself, and like the fourth wing review, you knock my own thoughts out of the park in such an eloquent way 😭

[kefinkamed]

I may be slightly biased because I read The Angel's Game first, but for me, it vastly surpases The Shadow of the Wind. It's not that I don't like SoW (I've been a fan of every Zafón book I've read so far), but the story itself is more on a predictable side, which means the quality lies mostly in the writing style for me.

With The Angel's Game, I was blown away by the plot, the characters and the writing. It's a book I keep coming back to every couple of years, and the emotional impact has never lessened. Also, the conversations between David and Corelli are pure chef's kiss, I've tabbed the hell out of this one 😊

I'd encourage you to continue with the series, it all comes together beautifully, and I guarantee that the things you learn in The Prisoner of Heaven and The Labyrinth of Spirits will flip your perception of the first two books on its head and quite possibly break your heart. But there are few authors out there as skilled as Zafón 💔

[heffalump]

I am happy to see I am not the only one who cannot read without a reading buddy also having to have my attention. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[TheStitchinWitch]

Also, I'd be super interested to see you do a video on popular and hyped up books you have no intention to read... Like, I feel I know you have no desire to read ACOTAR (like me), but I want to hear you rip into them, lol.

[deedsreadswithtea]

I absolutely made it to the end, because 3 out of 4 are my most anticipated sequels that I own — in particular, I’m so happy to have added motivation to get to Day of Fallen Night & Parable of the Talents this year. Thank you for such insightful commentary!

[Octobig]

i'm happy this video was such a success for you at a hard time! hope you'll enjoy many more ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ books in the future. sending some love your way ❤

[ladybarby]

Hi Elizabeth, I'm Ilaria from Italy. You've inspired me to read The Angel's Game (I've read and loved The Shadow of the Wind but due to the bad reviews for the sequels, I never continued) and Parable of the Sower, so thank you! I watched the video until the end so: 🐈‍⬛💙📚🌞🌜

[rosarodriguez]

First of all, so sorry for your loss. Second, excellent bookish video❤❤. Third, I have just finished my re read of the four books of The cemetery of the forgotten books, and I must say, Angel´s game is perhaps the least favourite of the four. But I really encourage you to finish this series. One of my most favourite Spanish books (I am Spanish😅). And fourth, your cats are just adorable❤❤❤❤ oh I forgot! “Make America great again” was first used by Reagan. Please, dear American friends, correct me if I am wrong. 🙏🏻

[katarzynawysocka]

Elizabeth, as always, thank you for such in-depth reviews. You're the best, my tbr hates you 😉.
And sending all the hugs in the world and emotional support in this hard time ❤❤
I've read the entire Cemetery of Forgotten Books series by Zafon, and I'm totally obsessed with it - the gorgeous writing, unforgettable characters and the atmosphere painted in books! Such a treat! And such a shame we won't get more book from Zafon 😟
Would you have any recommendations on authors, books which are similar to those from the CoFB series?

[tiffanyfrance]

Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents changed me. Two of the best books of all time.