I finally saw Star Wars!

I have to admit that I am one of those people who had never seen any of the Star Wars movies. Yes, I know. Boo. But I fixed that! I finally have caught up with all the Star Wars movies.

And I have mixed feelings about it...... On one hand I loved the movie and the story line. But I guess I had some high expectations because of the huge fan following and all the, buzz? I guess, around the movies.

But there is no denying how the movie franchise has shaped and affected our fandom brain. I just watched these movies and already I was making references to the movies, and confusing people who didn't watch the movies.

The other day while my friend was leaving I was about to tell her "May the Force be with you", then I had to remind myself that she would not get it.

My favorite characters were R2D2 and Yoda. I loved the style in which Master Yoda speaks. I found this cool infographic by Grammarly -

A Grammar and Style Guide to #Yodify Your Language

(Infographic by Grammarly)

So my current favorite quote - 
"You'll never be able to find yourself, if you're lost in someone else."
- Colleen Hoover, November 9
Becomes - 
"Never be able to find yourself, if lost in someone else, you are. "

LOL :P

What are your favorite literary quotes, #Yodified? Share in the comments!

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... ;)

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

Review for The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan

The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan

Blurb:

Magnus Chase has always been a troubled kid. Since his mother’s mysterious death, he’s lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, keeping one step ahead of the police and the truant officers.

One day, he’s tracked down by a man he’s never met—a man his mother claimed was dangerous. The man tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god.

The Viking myths are true. The gods of Asgard are preparing for war. Trolls, giants and worse monsters are stirring for doomsday. To prevent Ragnarok, Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years.

When an attack by fire giants forces him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents, Magnus makes a fatal decision.

Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die . . .

Review:

I read this pretty much soon as it released and forgot to add it to Goodreads and review it. I might have forgotten to add a couple more books as well... Oops. (I was busy fangirl-ing and begging my friends to read it okay? :P )

Also please do not tell me this book is not meant to be read by some one in their twenties, I  do not care. I will read everything Rick Riordan writes because it is just too good not to. Sorry not sorry? :P

Anyway.. I really enjoyed this book. Uncle Rick does it again. This time his take on Norse Mythology while still true to its mythological roots? is effortlessly integrated into the modern day. I loved learning more about the Norse Mythology through this wonderful book, oh maybe there would be a Magnus Chase's Norse Gods series? (hint-hint, wink-wink)

Part of the reason I enjoyed this book so much might be because of Magnus' sass and all the other fandom references. Oh gods! It was funny and sarcastic and just so good!

It is quite reminiscent of Percy Jackson in the style that it is written and hello amazing chapter titles! I swear this is one of my favorite parts of novels.

Also NO CLIFFHANGERS! :D

All in all, I'm a pretty happy fangirl over here!

PS: I so prefer this cover to the UK one... which is unfortunately the one I have... :|

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.

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!

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