Showing posts with label 2015 Reading Challenge. Show all posts

Thursday, 31 December 2015

2015 Reading Challenge

2015 Reading Challenge

For this year's Reading Goals I set it at 150 books and comics over at Goodreads. Then I found cool categories and challenges so thought I'd add them as well!
I had to re-evaluate the list and cut it down a bit because well I couldn't find books that fit into those categories and/or it was repetitive, OR it was something that wouldn't count in the challenge like "A Book from your Childhood" these are the ones I've read already so it wouldn't count for this year's challenge.
Final category count is at: 50
Also adding links to reviews.

151/150 Books [Goodreads Reading Challenge]

A Book With More Than 500 Pages - Carry On by Rainbow Rowell. 529 Pages.
A Classic Romance - The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer. Because fairy tales are classic romance! ;) :P
A Book That Became a Movie - Paper Towns by John Green. The movie released this year!
A Book Published This Year - Carry On by Rainbow Rowell. Published on 6th October 2015
A Book With a Number in the Title - November 9 by Colleen Hoover. "9" :P
A Book With Non-Human Characters - Carry On by Rainbow Rowell. It was full of magic, vampires (the non-sparkly kind), and some other fantasy creatures! ;)
A Funny Book - You're Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) by Felicia Day. It was quirky, hilarious and inspiring... ♥
A Book by a Female Author - The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater. Chose this book because Maggie Stiefvater is probably one of my favorite authors. I'd read anything she writes.
A Mystery or a Thriller - The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie.
A Book With a One Word Title - Inked by Eric Smith.
A Book of Short Stories - Tell Me a Story by Ravinder Singh. Collection of short stories by different authors.
A Book Set in a Different Country - Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins. Chose this because the book spans across Manhattan, Spain and Paris!
A Popular Author's First Book - The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie.
A Book From An Author You Love, That You Haven’t Read Yet - The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan. I will read everything Uncle Rick writes. I do not care what age the books are "meant" for.
A Book a Friend Recommended - Loosing Me Finding You by Natalie Ward. Recommended to me by my book reading partner in crime Athy! Buddy-read this book with her too! :)
Book Your Mom Loves - The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
A Book that Scares You - The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey. Not as scary as the first book though :/
A Book Based Entirely on its Cover - Cinder by Marissa Meyer and All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven.
A Book You Were Supposed to Read in School But Didn't - In my school we didn't have "Reading Lists" or any specific books that we were supposed to read, so..... :|
A Memoir - You're Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) by Felicia Day. ♥
A Book You Can Finish in a Day - The Avery Shaw Experiment by Kelly Oram. Finished it in one day! :D
A Book with Antonyms in the Title - Loosing Me Finding You by Natalie Ward. Loosing x Finding
A Book Set Somewhere You've Always Wanted to Visit - Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. Always wanted to visit Paris and this book just reinforced that!
A Book that Came Out The Year You Were Born - The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy of Mr. Punch by Neil Gaiman
A Trilogy - Penryn & the End of Days by Susan Ee. The series was supposed to have five books but it ended up being a trilogy.
A Book with a Love Triangle - P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han.
A Book Set in the Future - The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer. It has a long long history and is set after a fictional WW IV
A Book Set in High School - P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han.
A Book with a Color in the Title - Red Rising by Pierce Brown
A Book that Made You Cry - November 9 by Colleen Hoover. This year I've read a lot of books that made me tear up. But books by CoHo almost always make me cry. Some times in a good way, sometimes I ugly cry too.. :P
A Book with Magic - Inked by Eric Smith. "Be Fearless. Be Bold. Be Magic."
A Book by an Author You've Never Read Before - Red Rising by Pierce Brown
A Book You Own But Have Never Read - Tell Me a Story by Ravinder Singh. I kept putting off reading this one.
A Book written by an Author With Your Same Initials - I couldn't find any interesting books by authors with the initials TR. X_X
A Book Based on or Turned into a TV Show - The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie
An Anthology - Tell Me a Story by Ravinder Singh.
A Book Published by an Indie Press - Diamond Sky by Diana Nixon. All of the Love Lines series are published by an Indie Press.
A Microhistory - I've been looking all year for a microhistory book that would interest me, but I couldn't find anything, and now I finally find one and I don't have time to read it. :/ Migrating this to next year.
A Book by A Person Whose Gender Is Different From Your Own - Red Rising by Peirce Brown.
A YA novel - 17 Marigold Lane by RM Gilmore.
A Sci-Fi Novel - The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer.
A Genre You Would Not Normally Read - Sloth by Ella James. I've been debating if I should put this up here, and I've decided not to. Review link will open up to Goodreads where I have put up my review.
A Book That Is A Retelling Of A Classic Story - The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer.
An Audiobook - I miserably failed to finish this one. I fell asleep every time. Will read the book for The Illustrated Man (the audiobook I failed to finish) next year!
A Collection of Poetry - Pieces of Mel by Melina Turner. Collection of poetry of varying genres.
A Graphic Novel or a Collection of Comics of any kind - The Tragical Comedy or Comical Tragedy of Mr. Punch by Neil Gaiman
A Book That You Would Consider A Guilty Pleasure - Scooby Doo Comics! I've been enjoying reading these. Childhood memories!! ♥
A Self-Improvement Book or Self-Help Book - How To Remember Things by Arthur Richards.
A Steampunk Book - The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer. And/Or For Darkness Shows the Stars by Diana Petrefund.
A Dystopian Book - The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer.

Review for Red Rising by Pierce Brown

Red Rising by Pierce Brown

Blurb:
"I live for the dream that my children will be born free," she says. "That they will be what they like. That they will own the land their father gave them.""I live for you," I say sadly.Eo kisses my cheek. "Then you must live for more."Darrow is a Red, a member of the lowest caste in the color-coded society of the future. Like his fellow Reds, he works all day, believing that he and his people are making the surface of Mars livable for future generations.Yet he spends his life willingly, knowing that his blood and sweat will one day result in a better world for his children.But Darrow and his kind have been betrayed. Soon he discovers that humanity already reached the surface generations ago. Vast cities and sprawling parks spread across the planet. Darrow—and Reds like him—are nothing more than slaves to a decadent ruling class.
Inspired by a longing for justice, and driven by the memory of lost love, Darrow sacrifices everything to infiltrate the legendary Institute, a proving ground for the dominant Gold caste, where the next generation of humanity's overlords struggle for power. He will be forced to compete for his life and the very future of civilization against the best and most brutal of Society's ruling class. There, he will stop at nothing to bring down his enemies... even if it means he has to become one of them to do so.

Review:
"This is your heart. Then guard it with metal."

"I am the spark that will set the worlds afire. I am the hammer that cracks the chains"

With a unique theme and an almost fantasy like feel to the book, Red Rising has clawed its way to my favorites list. It was a bloodydamn fantastic read. Set in the futuristic colony of Mars, Red Rising is a dystopian novel like no other that I've read before.

It is a little hard to get into at first, the language and the way the book world functions is a bit much to absorb in the first go. But be patient lovelies, and I promise you this is a read you won't forget.

There are different colors in the society. The different colors are assigned to different jobs, different responsibilities. Red Rising is quite similar, yet quite different from The Hunger Games.

This book was a roller coaster from the get go, fast paced and full of twists. By the time this book ended I was at the edge of my seat. I just HAD to talk to someone about it.

But no one had read the book. So I sat my mom down and told her the whole story, generally complained about the stupid decisions of the characters (*cough* Darrow *cough*), the amazing plot, and pretty much fangirled.

I'd recommend that all fans of dystopian novels, and anyone that loves reading about good strategies in a game read this one! Its an amazing one. Can't wait to read the next book!!

Review for The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie

The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie

Blurb:
Poirot, a Belgian refugee of the Great War, is settling in England near the home of Emily Inglethorp, who helped him to his new life. His friend Hastings arrives as a guest at her home. When the woman is killed, Poirot uses his detective skills to solve the mystery.

Review:
The Mysterious Affair at Styles was the book that started it all. It was Agatha Christie's first book and the debut of the eccentric Belgian detective Hercule Poirot. My mom always has loved Poirot and would, on countless occasions that I have asked her about her favorite books, include the adventures of the detective in her list.

So I thought for the 2015 Reading Challenge it was only appropriate if I read this. (Also it ticks off lots of categories in one go.. ;) :P )

Anyway, back to the review. I really quite enjoyed this book. At some points, I'll admit I was a bit frustrated having no clue about what was going on and what was the big "clue" that Mr. Poirot had gleaned from the seemingly normal evidence. But I understood his eccentricities.

The Mysterious Affair at Styles is what I would describe as a classic murder mystery. With lots of drama, scandals, clues and mystery; this was a fun read. I'm looking forward to reading more of Agatha Christie's books!

Wednesday, 30 December 2015

Review for All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Blurb:

The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor and Park in this exhilarating and heart-wrenching love story about a girl who learns to live from a boy who intends to die.
Soon to be a major motion picture starring Elle Fanning!

Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.

Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister’s recent death.

When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself—a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.

This is an intense, gripping novel perfect for fans of Jay Asher, Rainbow Rowell, John Green, Gayle Forman, and Jenny Downham from a talented new voice in YA, Jennifer Niven.

Review:

"The world breaks everyone and afterward, many are strong at the broken places."

"You are all the colors in one at full brightness"

Review might have spoilers!

Okay this isn't going to be like my usual reviews. All the Bright Places was such a moving read. The blurb will pretty much tell you what you need to know about the book. But after I read the book I just couldn't stop thinking. Those are the best kind of books, the ones that make you think and stay on your mind. When I first saw the cover for the book, way before it was released, I knew I wanted to read it. I had it marked on my TBR just as fast, and soon as it released I grabbed a copy for myself.

I like to think that there is a time for things. That sometimes everything aligns just so that the universe hands you exactly what you need, exactly something that will push you forward, something that just makes you understand this messy messy world we live in. I couldn't have read All The Bright Places at a better time. Let me warn you this isn't spoiler free again and I just need to get it out there.

So back on track.... this book somehow just made sense and just clicked. Maybe because I've been in a dark place and relating with a character makes it seem not so lonely. It just makes everything a little less morbid and maybe a little bit brighter.

It makes me think, think, think. I finished this in a day because I absolutely couldn't put it down. Couldn't shush the voices of Theo and Violet screaming at me - read, read, read.

Maybe all this doesn't make sense, maybe it does. But I just needed it to be out there. I just needed to let you know, whoever you may be. I especially loved the authors note (make sure you read it, for me please).
In the light of recent events I find it necessary to voice my support, to show my solidarity, to let all those that need it know that YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

I love how she put it in her note -
"If you think something is wrong, speak up." We all need to speak up, stand up to the bullies and to take a stand for ourselves and for those that cannot do it for themselves.

Love always
TJ ♥

Pieces of Mel: Poetry Collection by Melina Turner

Pieces of Mel: Poetry Collection by Melina Turner

Blurb:

The darkness...The light...The happiness and sadness...Where would we be without such raw emotional being?

Open the pages of international award-winning poets "Pieces Of Mel" and step into many of the portrayals, opinions, hopes, and beliefs the author expresses so deeply. From raw emotion to the miniature poetic stories you will find the proof of the authors passion and soul.

Review:

If life was so perfect

Would we be us?

Would we be the same?

Or would we just adjust?

- If (Part 2) by Melina Turner

I am eager,

To know.

Of what,

I am not.

But,

Should be.

- Destiny by Melina Turner

Pieces of Mel is a collection of poems spanning various themes. I admire anyone that can put up their poems for the world to see. Unlike most novels, poems tend to be far more personal and show the writer's vulnerable side.

Through this collection of poems you can see the writer's journey through different phases of her life. It allows you a look at snippets of her life as she sees it - The questions burning in her mind, the moments that have shaped who she is, the things she has seen, the person she has become.

Its quite wonderful really to see her transformation through these poems as they progress throughout the book. I loved the paranormal undertones in some of the poems. Some of the poems were like a complete story in poem form. I just wish the book was a bit more fine-tuned and edited a bit better, it would have made the book a stellar read.

Some of my favorite poems were A Hero in Blue, A Villan in Red, Loving One in Vengeance, and Deathly-Roses Poetry Part 1.

Tuesday, 29 December 2015

Review for How to Remember Things by Arthur Richards

How to Remember Things by Arthur Richards

Blurb:

As we become more and more reliant on electronics, we’re losing the arts of absorption and recall. Why should we need them when we can just enter our shopping list into a handy app or Google pertinent information?

~But what happens when our handy electronic friends decide to check out for a while?

~Have you ever been caught with no batteries on your phone and a list full of shopping you can’t remember?

~There are other times when you just can’t use your phone or tablet to retrieve information like when you are sitting for exams, or when you are invited to make a speech.

Inside, we will explore the 10 MEMORY TRICKS, take the time to absorb and explore each technique and experiment with each of them to see if they suit your needs.

Would you like to remember everything?

Let’s get started by clicking the buy button.

Review:

How to Remember Things, as the title suggests is a short self-help book on how to boost your recall power. I thought it would be a great read before the exams. I've been using some of the tips mentioned for years, and they are effective.

Some of the tips mentioned are more complicated than the others. But the author himself suggests that we pick, choose and mix up the methods that work best for us.

To summarize its a short, quick guide.

Sunday, 27 December 2015

Review for You're Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) by Felicia Day

You're Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) by Felicia Day

Blurb:

From online entertainment mogul, actress, and “queen of the geeks” Felicia Day, a funny, quirky, and inspiring memoir about her unusual upbringing, her rise to Internet-stardom, and embracing her individuality to find success in Hollywood.

The Internet isn’t all cat videos. There’s also Felicia Day—violinist, filmmaker, Internet entrepreneur, compulsive gamer, hoagie specialist, and former lonely home schooled girl who overcame her isolated childhood to become the ruler of a new world... or at least semi-influential in the world of Internet Geeks and Goodreads book clubs.

After growing up in the south where she was "home-schooled for hippie reasons", Felicia moved to Hollywood to pursue her dream of becoming an actress and was immediately typecast as a crazy cat-lady secretary. But Felicia’s misadventures in Hollywood led her to produce her own web series, own her own production company, and become an Internet star.

Felicia’s short-ish life and her rags-to-riches rise to Internet fame launched her career as one of the most influential creators in new media. Now, Felicia’s strange world is filled with thoughts on creativity, video games, and a dash of mild feminist activism—just like her memoir.

Hilarious and inspirational, You’re Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) is proof that everyone should embrace what makes them different and be brave enough to share it with the world, because anything is possible now—even for a digital misfit.

Review:

So here's the thing Memoirs and Non-Fiction books are really not my thing. For the reading challenge this year I was dreading picking up a memoir and it dragging all the way through and suffering while reading it. But then I saw that Felicia Day had written a memoir.
I've adored Felicia Day since I saw her on Supernatural, so I thought it was only appropriate I read this one. I started this book during my semester finals because I thought I won't be tempted as much by it. Boy was I wrong.

I was honestly surprised at how much I enjoyed reading this book. I think reading about her journey and how she achieved each milestone has made me love her even more.It was quirky, hilarious, inspiring and witty. It reads exactly like I imagine she talks IRL, and the pictures that she's put in the book made the book even funnier.

Loved every minute of it. ♥

PS: I just found out that the audiobook version of this is narrated by Felicia Day herself. Now I wish I'd have bought the audiobook rather than the ebook. Oh well maybe next time... ;)

Tuesday, 22 December 2015

Review for November 9 by Colleen Hoover

Edited this now that I got back net access!

November 9 by Colleen Hoover

Blurb:

Fallon meets Ben, an aspiring novelist, the day before her scheduled cross-country move. Their untimely attraction leads them to spend Fallon’s last day in L.A. together, and her eventful life becomes the creative inspiration Ben has always sought for his novel. Over time and amidst the various relationships and tribulations of their own separate lives, they continue to meet on the same date every year. Until one day Fallon becomes unsure if Ben has been telling her the truth or fabricating a perfect reality for the sake of the ultimate plot twist.

Can Ben’s relationship with Fallon—and simultaneously his novel—be considered a love story if it ends in heartbreak?

Review:

"You'll never be able to find yourself if you're lost in someone else."

" She "loved me" in quotations

She kissed me in bold

I TRIED TO KEEP HER in all caps

She left with an ellipsis . . . "

It's been more than a month since I finished November 9, and I'm still not sure how to post a proper review (not that all my reviews make much sense to begin with :P )

The blurb will give you all that you need to know what the book is about. I don't want to repeat it. I'll go with this instead - Colleen Hoover always writes amazing characters and story lines that draw you in from the very beginning. Her stories are emotional, deep, butterflying beautiful, and just everything you'd want in a book.

November 9 is no different. With a strong story line that spans over a couple years we really get to see the two main characters - Fallon and Ben grow. They meet only once a year on the same day, you guessed it, on November 9. And you really get to see how these two have helped the other become better.

I knew there was an ultimate plot twist coming but I did NOT expect that! I had to put away the reader for a bit. Seriously.

I loved the characters. I adored the story. And as always I loved the writing style. Intense, Emotional, and Beautiful. Ms Hoover does it again.

PS: Do listen to the song released by Griffin Peterson - November 9. It just perfectly compliments the book!

Till later!
oxox

Friday, 11 December 2015

Series Review for The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

Hold on lovelies, this one is going to be a looonnnggg post!

The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer is a retake on the classic fairy tales that we grew up with. Filled with all the whimsical elements of the fairy tales, The Lunar Chronicles takes the stories we love and gives it a futuristic, sci-fi, dystopian spin. I did enjoy the whole series and I was so glad that I read the whole series back to back, with the exception of one short story that releases in 2016.

I adored the characters, Cinder and Thorne are #FriendshipGoals, yes I just used a hashtag there. Iko is just brilliant, and I adored Winter and Jacin! If you asked me to pick a favorite character from the series I'd probably pick Carswell Thorne just for his sense of humor and sass ;)

I liked the writing style as well. I just wish it would have been a little more, fine-tuned I guess, it would have made the story even more enjoyable. Full disclosure, it does drag in some places, but the story line is compelling and engaging enough to keep reading.

Lastly, the covers! They are so gorgeous and cleverly planned. Each cover showcases the focal element of each of the story tales it is based on.

In case you wanted reviews for each book, I have short individual reviews for each book up in the reading order recommended by the author in her blog post, it did make most sense this way, also I found that there would be no spoilers this way!

Cinder

Blurb:

Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl.
Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.

Review:

Cinder is based on the classic story of Cinderella. But it wasn't as oh well, princess-ey? I suppose. I was pleasantly surprised by the story line, in the sense that how the author incorporated the fairy tale to the whole dystopian, sci-fi world that she created.

Glitches

Blurb:

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. In Glitches, a short prequel story to Cinder, we see the results of that illness play out, and the emotional toll that takes on Cinder. Something that may, or may not, be a glitch…

Review:

Glitches is the prequel to Cinder. It explains how Cinder came to live with the Linh family and how she got her start with being a mechanic. Like all novellas, Glitches does fill in some gaps and adds more to the story.

Scarlet

Blurb:

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison—even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive.
Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

Review:

Scarlet is based on the story of Little Red Riding Hood. I love how the author continues to build up the book world while integrating new fairy tales into the main plot. I adored the new characters and loved uncovering more of Cinder's story.

The Queen's Army

Blurb:

It is time. The boy must leave his family to serve in the Queen's army. To be chosen is an honor. To decline is impossible. The boy is modified. He is trained for several years, and learns to fight to the death. He proves to the Queen—and to himself—that he is capable of evil. He is just the kind of soldier the Queen wants: the alpha of his pack.

Review:

This is the prequel to Scarlet. It is the back-story for Ze'ev "Wolf" Kesley and how he was genetically modified into the lunars' version of the Big Bad Wolf. There's quite a bit going on in this book, even though it is a novella.

The Little Android

Blurb:

When android Mech6.0 saves the life of a handsome hardware engineer, her body is destroyed and her mechanics discover a glitch in her programming. Androids aren’t meant to develop impractical reasoning or near-emotional responses…let alone fall in love.

Review:

The Little Android is a short story based on The Little Mermaid, set in the same world as The Lunar Chronicles. It is not really related to the main plot, but it does have a nice little story about androids, maybe an appearance by one of our characters. Overall, a short and sweet read.

Cress

Blurb:

In this third book in the Lunar Chronicles, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.
Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl imprisoned on a satellite since childhood who's only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.
When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has.

Review:

Cress is based on the story of Rapunzel. I am constantly surprised at how the author captured the essence of each fairy tale character and incorporated them into the characters in her book world. The book does pick up its pace in this installment in the series, with the plans and the rescues. With some unexpected twists, this was quite a good read.

Carswell's Guide to Being Lucky

Blurb:

Thirteen-year-old Carswell Thorne has big plans involving a Rampion spaceship and a no-return trip out of Los Angeles.

Review:

This is a little back story to the would be Captain, Carswell Thorne. I adore him, I really do. This novella features the elusive Kate Fallow and we get to see that story play out from Thorne's POV.

Fairest

Blurb:

Mirror, mirror on the wall,
Who is the fairest of them all?

Fans of the Lunar Chronicles know Queen Levana as a ruler who uses her “glamour” to gain power. But long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, Levana lived a very different story – a story that has never been told . . . until now.

Review:

I actually read this book in the end, because well Levana. I honestly do.not.like.her! Well this book started out making me feel a bit of sympathy towards Levana, but then no, nope. I can't even. No. Just no.
At one point it had the same feel as Gone Girl. So much manipulation and glamours here.
This might not really feel like a review but please just understand my fangirl feels, and go with it.

Winter

Blurb:

Princess Winter is admired by the Lunar people for her grace and kindness, and despite the scars that mar her face, her beauty is said to be even more breathtaking than that of her stepmother, Queen Levana.
Winter despises her stepmother, and knows Levana won’t approve of her feelings for her childhood friend—the handsome palace guard, Jacin. But Winter isn’t as weak as Levana believes her to be and she’s been undermining her stepmother’s wishes for years. Together with the cyborg mechanic, Cinder, and her allies, Winter might even have the power to launch a revolution and win a war that’s been raging for far too long.
Can Cinder, Scarlet, Cress, and Winter defeat Levana and find their happily ever afters?

Review:

Winter is based on the tale of Snow White. In this finale to the series, we finally see the revolution we've been waiting for. We all know what will happen, I mean it is easy enough to predict, but it was still an enjoyable read. I especially loved Winter in this book. I did hate a few parts of this book, I might have been yelling - how could you do this?! Might have. I'm not admitting to anything :P
I think Winter's cover is probably my favorite in the series. It is just really well made.
All in all quite a satisfying ending to the series.

Friday, 27 November 2015

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

Blurb:

Simon Snow is the worst chosen one who’s ever been chosen.

That’s what his roommate, Baz, says. And Baz might be evil and a vampire and a complete git, but he’s probably right.

Half the time, Simon can’t even make his wand work, and the other half, he sets something on fire. His mentor’s avoiding him, his girlfriend broke up with him, and there’s a magic-eating monster running around wearing Simon’s face. Baz would be having a field day with all this, if he were here—it’s their last year at the Watford School of Magicks, and Simon’s infuriating nemesis didn’t even bother to show up.

Carry On is a ghost story, a love story, a mystery and a melodrama. It has just as much kissing and talking as you’d expect from a Rainbow Rowell story—but far, far more monsters.

Review:

While I was reading Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, Simon and Baz's story stood out for me. I was so anxious to read what would happen and how that story would end. It seemed like a pseudo cliffhanger, if you will. But then the author announced that Simon and Baz would be getting their own novel, and I was so excited!

When I started reading Carry On, naturally my Potterhead mind (is that even correct?) started drawing references to the magical world of Hogwarts. I feel anyone would draw comparisons to Harry Potter because of the similarity between them, it's only natural to do that for us fangirls (and boys). Its a magical school where gifted students are taught magic, with a chosen one. Of course my brain jumped to HP, like it would jump to Vampire Academy if it was a school for vampires instead.

That was a rather long justification. Oops...

Anyway... Carry On is not all like Harry Potter, nor is it a fan-fiction. It is different in its own right and had it has its own voice. But it does fill, to some extent, the HP shaped hole left in my heart.

In a story that we only saw the finale of, the author has created a rather endearing and magical world. It made me smile and cheer for the characters. The cliches made me giggle (only a little... Oh who am I kidding, I live for the cliches!)

Loved the characters, loved the writing style and loved the story. I wish I could read more of Simon and crew's adventures apart from the gripping finale that we were given, but I'll take what I can get.

Enjoy this little nugget, may it temporarily satisfy/fill the HP shaped hole in your hearts as well!
Carry On....

(See what I did there? ;) )

PS: Exams start soon my lovelies! Wish me luck! I'll be back hopefully, next week for a bit!

Thursday, 19 November 2015

Update

Hey lovelies...

Sorry for being MIA for the past couple weeks. My uncle and aunt are staying over so I haven't been able to get online as much as I'd like. But I've been reading quite a bit. Hopefully I'll have most of the reviews up next week.

I tried listening to the audio-book but I only got as far as the prologue before I fell asleep.

But that might be because I'm crashing from my recent bout of insomnia. I'll give it another go next month when I'm travelling for the exams.

Speaking of exams, mine start by the end of this month and go on till January! X_X

Again I doubt if I'll be able to finish the 2015 Reading Challenge.... :|

Till later lovelies!
oxox

Monday, 2 November 2015

Review for From Scratch and Diamond Sky by Diana Nixon

From Scratch by Diana Nixon

Blurb:

Our lives are a cascade of events that pass faster than we would like them to. Time changes everything. Our habits, our views, our circle of friends. But there is one thing that remains the same over the years.
Our memories.
Through them we cherish the most unforgettable moments of our history. And they also retain some things that can't be forgotten…. But one day you realize that yesterday should be left in the past. Because tomorrow your new life begins, and you go back to the drawing board. A love story of Evan Murray and Tara Mackenzie. A story that should last forever…. But no one knows when forever ends…

Review:

Oh how I adore Evan. From Scratch is a novella that delves into Evan's life, Dear Diary style. We get to see the important moments from Evan's past both happy and heart-breaking that makes you adore him even more.

Diamond Sky by Diana Nixon

Blurb:

A new page of the Love Lines story that will reveal new secrets and mysteries buried in the walls of Dever. Eileen, Christian and Evan need to find an old spell to protect themselves and those they love from being killed. There is only one problem – no one knows where the spell is hidden….
A mysterious student comes to Dever. A boy whose eyes are always watching. Who is he? What secrets are hidden behind his smiles? Is he a friend or an enemy?...
When they thought they knew everything about the super powers they possessed, they could have never imagined that in reality they didn’t know a thing. The wind can turn into the worst hurricane they have ever seen. The water can destroy everything. The earth can swallow them alive. And the fire can burn them to ashes….
The illusions - the only thing they tried to run away from, will come back to ruin the world they live in, taking away everything they ever cherished and loved.
When you think you are so close to getting what you want, think twice about your every step. Because what you think is the right thing to do may take away your life…

Review:

Diamond Sky uncovers the mysteries hidden in the walls of Dever itself. New powers come into light, new secrets are uncovered, and the dangers they face is higher than ever.
I swear there is a mystery within a mystery in this series! And how I've adored uncovering every single one of them. I don't want to give away anything but, I quite liked the new characters introduced in this installment.
And can we just talk about the ending?! WHY? WHY? WHY??

Thank goodness I have the next book downloaded and ready! BRB going back to Dever. ;) :P

PS: Can we just take a moment to appreciate the GORGEOUS cover?! *-*

Saturday, 31 October 2015

Review for The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey

The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey

Blurb:

How do you rid the Earth of seven billion humans? Rid the humans of their humanity.

Surviving the first four waves was nearly impossible. Now Cassie Sullivan finds herself in a new world, a world in which the fundamental trust that binds us together is gone. As the 5th Wave rolls across the landscape, Cassie, Ben, and Ringer are forced to confront the Others’ ultimate goal: the extermination of the human race.

Cassie and her friends haven’t seen the depths to which the Others will sink, nor have the Others seen the heights to which humanity will rise, in the ultimate battle between life and death, hope and despair, love and hate.

Review:

Okay let's just get this out of the way. I was a tad disappointed with this one.
The 5th Wave was by far the most freaky/scary dystopian books I had read. The plot was set up in such a way that it seemed it could be real, you know? I was completely freaked out by it and I adored the book for it. And for the same reasons I was a bit hesitant to read this one. I wasn't ready yet :P

I finally decided to read it for Halloween as this year's scary book, but it just wasn't there. The expectations set up by The 5th Wave were far too high and The Infinite Sea just didn't deliver it. There are several great moments in the book, many mind-boggling additions to the Others' plan; but it didn't really hit the level that I'd come to expect of it.
I probably had way too many expectations of this book, and maybe that is the reason I didn't enjoy it as much.

It did have its moments where I had to put the book away, and just absorb what had happened. It did have more layers and more complex notions added to the book world. It did have its little scary/creepy moments. But it wasn't that scary/creepy as the first book.

Overall, mixed feelings. :|

Tuesday, 20 October 2015

Review for End of Days by Susan Ee

End of Days by Susan Ee

Blurb:

After a daring escape from the angels, Penryn and Raffe are on the run. They’re both desperate to find a doctor who can reverse the twisted changes inflicted by the angels on Raffe and Penryn’s sister. As they set off in search of answers, a startling revelation about Raffe’s past unleashes dark forces that threaten them all.

When the angels release an apocalyptic nightmare onto humans, both sides are set on a path toward war. As unlikely alliances form and strategies shift, who will emerge victorious? Forced to pick sides in the fight for control of the earthly realm, Raffe and Penryn must choose: Their own kind, or each other?

Review:

“Tonight, we have the show of a lifetime for you. It is unfiltered, unmanaged, and certainly undeniably awesome!’

‘We take no responsibility for any of the bad things that might happen tonight,’ says Dum.

‘And take all the credit for the fabulous, fantastic, and fun-filled things that will definitely happen tonight,’ says Dee.”

This series is like no other books that I've read. Dystopian is probably my favorite genre to read and this one makes it to my favorites shelf!

End of Days was an epic finale to the mind-blowing series! Loved the action, the drama, the theatrics... You guys HAVE to read this series. Beyond my expectations! Maybe I'd have liked it to be a little longer towards the end, but that's my selfish side talking.. :P

Loved this book, loved this series. I think Angels are going to be the new Vampires this season. ;)

Sunday, 18 October 2015

Review for World After by Susan Ee

World After by Susan Ee

Blurb:
In this sequel to the bestselling fantasy thriller, Angelfall, the survivors of the angel apocalypse begin to scrape back together what's left of the modern world.

When a group of people capture Penryn's sister Paige, thinking she's a monster, the situation ends in a massacre. Paige disappears. Humans are terrified. Mom is heartbroken.

Penryn drives through the streets of San Francisco looking for Paige. Why are the streets so empty? Where is everybody? Her search leads her into the heart of the angels' secret plans where she catches a glimpse of their motivations, and learns the horrifying extent to which the angels are willing to go.

Meanwhile, Raffe hunts for his wings. Without them, he can't rejoin the angels, can't take his rightful place as one of their leaders. When faced with recapturing his wings or helping Penryn survive, which will he choose?

Review:

“He glares at me as if he already hates it. “What is it?” I consider lying but what’s the point? I clear my throat. “Pooky Bear."

He’s silent for so long I’m beginning to think he didn’t hear me when he finally says, “Pooky. Bear.” “It was just a little joke. I didn’t know.”
“I’ve mentioned that names have power, right? Do you realize that when she fights battles, she’s going to have to announce herself to the opposing sword? She’ll be forced to say something ridiculous like, ‘I am Pooky Bear, from an ancient line of archangel swords.’ Or, ‘Bow down to me, Pooky Bear, who has only two other equals in all the worlds.’?” He shakes his head. “How is she going to get any respect?”

^This passage! I mean come on! How could I not love this series?!

A great follow up to the first book. Set in a more mysterious tone, World After was quite a page turner. To be honest, I liked Angelfall better; maybe because it was more action packed and had more Raffe! ;)
The book picked up the pace towards the end with all the dots connecting and we finally got the big picture.

Filled with mystery and intrigue, World After has set up the stage for the finale of the series to be epic.

Thursday, 15 October 2015

Review for Angelfall by Susan Ee

Angelfall by Susan Ee

Blurb:

It's been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. Street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back.

Anything, including making a deal with an enemy angel.

Raffe is a warrior who lies broken and wingless on the street. After eons of fighting his own battles, he finds himself being rescued from a desperate situation by a half-starved teenage girl.

Traveling through a dark and twisted Northern California, they have only each other to rely on for survival. Together, they journey toward the angels' stronghold in San Francisco where she'll risk everything to rescue her sister and he'll put himself at the mercy of his greatest enemies for the chance to be made whole again.

Review:

"Who will guard against the guardians?"

"You are nothing but a bird with an attitude."

"A sense of humor is one more thing I don't think angels should have. The fact that his sense of humor is corny makes it even more wrong."

Dystopian novel with Angles?? YES PLEASE!
Angelfall was something very different from the get go, with a kick-ass female lead, the brilliant dystopian world set up by Susan Ee was engaging with amazing characters and a fantastic story line.
I absolutely loved every action-packed second of it. I especially loved the witty banter between Penryn and Raffe.
Fabulous read! Exactly my kind of book.

Saturday, 10 October 2015

Random Note

I finally added some of the books that I read over at Goodreads... still have a few to add though... :|
But as of now I'm at 99 books for 2015!

I got my first ever Audiobook - The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury, so that's something to look forward to...
My Uncle sent The Secret Daily Teachings by Rhonda Byrne for me... I think we're supposed to read one of the teachings daily, for the whole year. I'll probably just read it together. (I'm doing it for the Reading Challenge you guys :P )

Also got a couple books sorted into the categories for the Reading Challenge as well.

There still might be some hope that I could actually finish the challenges...

Till later lovelies!
oxox

Thursday, 8 October 2015

Review for The Avery Shaw Experiment by Kelly Oram

The Avery Shaw Experiment by Kelly Oram

Blurb:

When Avery Shaw’s heart is shattered by her life-long best friend, she chooses to deal with it the only way she knows how—scientifically.

The state science fair is coming up and Avery decides to use her broken heart as the topic of her experiment. She’s going to find the cure. By forcing herself to experience the seven stages of grief through a series of social tests, she believes she will be able to get over Aiden Kennedy and make herself ready to love again. But she can’t do this experiment alone, and her partner (ex partner!) is the one who broke her heart.

Avery finds the solution to her troubles in the form of Aiden’s older brother Grayson. The gorgeous womanizer is about to be kicked off the school basketball team for failing physics. He’s in need of a good tutor and some serious extra credit. But when Avery recruits the lovable Grayson to be her “objective outside observer,” she gets a whole lot more than she bargained for, because Grayson has a theory of his own: Avery doesn’t need to grieve. She needs to live. And if there’s one thing Grayson Kennedy is good at, it’s living life to the fullest.

Review:

You know when you have one of those days where you just want to take a break from all the stupid, stupid things bothering you, when you just want to relax with a book and just enjoy the bliss of reading? That is when I picked up this book. And it was perfection..... I drifted off into this well written novel where I didn't really have to think that much, didn't have to join the dots and all of that, and I just simply read. Sometimes you just need to relax with a book and for me this was it!

I loved this book! It was engaging and funny in all the right proportions and I think The Avery Shaw Experiment was a success! (If you know what I mean ;) )

Loved the characters and the "Aww" moments.

Overall - an adorable and fun read!

Tuesday, 8 September 2015

Happy Release Day: Review + Giveaway for 17 Marigold Lane by RM Gilmore

New from RM Gilmore, creator of the bestselling Dylan Hart series.

17 Marigold Lane (a Prudence Penderhaus novel)

Prudence Penderhaus was just an ordinary weirdo until the day one word changed the course of her life forever.

Giving up on life, a risky move turns her world upside down and uncovers an odd boy no one knew existed.

Trying to cope with her life at it stands, Prudence juggles her own emotions as she peels back layers of small-town secrecy that have been hiding right under her nose.

With a newfound purpose, she and her odd boy turn the town of Flintlock on its butt in the pursuit of truth. Uncovering more than she bargained for. Murder.

"My name is Prudence Penderhaus. I've never done anything remarkable. Never even bothered to look up. Until the day I realized I was dying."

An excerpt from the story:

“You mean… she might have to lose her arm?” Mom’s voice was shrill with tears on the verge of spilling.

“We’re not even considering that at this point, so please don’t worry.” She looked at me and changed the subject. “How’s your pain? I see you’re guarding that arm.”

“Your nurse wrenched it and damn near killed me.” I had no patience for anything at that moment and wanted nothing more than to be at school with Cassius. “I’ll be fine. I just want to go to school. Can we go now?”

“You’re still in school? Excellent. That’s what we like to hear. Just be sure you take it easy, get plenty of sleep and don’t forget to eat. You’d be surprised how quickly your body can turn against you when you’re neglectful to it.” She smiled, charming and radiant; it was no wonder she went into medicine, she certainly had excellent bedside manner. “Have a boyfriend waiting to hear the good news?”

“He’s not my boyfriend.” I said too quickly. “I mean, he’s a boy and he’s my friend, but he’s not my boyfriend. He’s just a good friend that needs me.”

“That’s good you’ve got someone you’re close to. Just make sure he’s giving back what he’s taking. You’ll be needing him soon too. Someone has to grab you frappuccinos and hold your books open for you.” Her smile practically lit up the room.

“He’s not really the take-care-of-others type.”

She pulled her eyebrows in. “That’s too bad. You’ll have to show him how it’s done.”

“He’s a boy with Asperger’s. He’s not a boyfriend and he’s not a caretaker.”

She sat quiet for a long minute. Tilting her head to one side, she looked at me sympathetically. “That boy has all the potential in the world to be both of those things, and better than most boys out there, if you give him a chance.”

I hadn’t considered Cassius a boyfriend because in my head, he didn’t have the capacity. In my head, he was innocent like a child and would never have those types of needs or wants. He could hardly take care of himself, let alone me.

Review:

"Normal was boring and highly overrated."

I've been excited for this book since I read the blurb; and it did not disappoint!
This book is such a fantastic YA read. 17 Marigold Lane is a perfect blend of mystery, intrigue, loss, acceptance, and fandom references!

The thing that I loved most was probably the fandom references, from Doctor Who to The Hunger Games, and everything in between. It made the book that much more relatable and enjoyable. (#Geek #FandomForever)

I loved the characters and the storyline. It kept me hooked right from the dedications right to the end.
Sidenote - I could not believe it ended there!!! WHEN IS THE NEXT PART COMING?!

I loved the stubbornness of Pru and Cass' adorable innocence. (Also did Cassius' behavior remind anyone of Castiel from Supernatural? Am I alone in this?)

I really liked the writing style as well. It was wonderfully written, descriptive but not too descriptive.

Overall an amazing read!

Grab your copy now!

Want a signed paperback? Easy!

Snag yours here.