I always have a hard time writing a book review about a book I super duper loved. It only goes two ways: a very good review full of love and praises, I always have a hard time writing a book review about a book I super duper loved. It only goes two ways: a very good review full of love and praises, or a review you can't barely understand because of the emotions plastered all over.
Needless to say, I loved this book, every single bit of it! And that is saying much because this is the last book of the Sweet Evil trilogy! When I got approved over at Edelweiss, I immediately read the book despite the pile of books I still had to read...
In exquisite detail...the story plot for the series ender was very satisfying and just very good. The book was full of eccitement from cover to cover. The pacing was just right. All the time I felt this sense of urgency that the near is coming which means war and confrontation is nearing. There's this like a giant clock above counting down the minutes and hours and days until the right time to fulfill the prophecy. I like how Wendy higgins was still able to hide unexpected events and who the good guys/bad guys really were, despite this being the last in the series. Every corner and nook of the story turned more and more inconspicuous all the time. And I got more nervous everytime.
Let's talk about the characters. I loved Anna, and her transformation from the first book until now makes me proud of her. Kaidan, as usual made my heart melt and flutter and my stomach was always in jumble because of him. I love their partnership as they work together toward one goal. The other characters: Blake, Kopano, Marni, Ginger, Jay and Zania, and Patti! And Anna's dad, especially him, Just remembering their names says a lot..of good things. This series is worth rereading over and over. ...more
I love reading contemporary YA books, especially ones that are written good, have great and likable characters, and worthy-of-your-time kind of storieI love reading contemporary YA books, especially ones that are written good, have great and likable characters, and worthy-of-your-time kind of stories. And On the Fence definitely has all that and more. Read on if you want to find out what "more" entails.:)
Okay so this is the story in a glance: Charlotte, known as "Charlie" to her family is the only girl among the four boys in her family(3 older brothers, then her dad, her mom died when she was six) not to mention the adopted "brother" they have who is their neighbor, who also grew up with them. So growing up with five guys who surround her didn't really makr our sweet Charlie the girly girl, but she's actually pretty cool as she's good at sports nd is kind of boyish, but she's totally a girl at heart. The setting is summer before her junior year, and you know lots of "life-turning" events happen during summer, well not all the time, but for Charlie, this was that kind of summer for her. Not only for her love life department, but along the way she discovered something about her that has been kept a secret by her family for a long time to keep her safe.
First of all, I am so jealous with Charlie because I have always wished to have older brothers and to be the only girl in the family, and to be the youngest one. I got the youngest one part, but we're only two and we're both girls. Anyway! The life she has is pretty great except she hasn't really slept soundly all the time because of these recurring nightmares about her mother, and this drives her to running a lot everday so she can fall asleep at night. Then one night, she went outside at wee hours of the dawn to walk it off so she can sleep, that's when she saw Braden, their adopted brother neighbor walk out of his house too..this led to a series of "on the fence" talks in the middle of the night and for some reason they don't talk about it in the morning..ever!
I like the story especially Charlie's easy relationship with her brothers. I love how protective and caring they are of her even if they tease each other all the time. I super love her dad too! I actually cried at some teary and touching moments between her dad and her in this story. His dad is the kind who really worked hard to provide for his family and to be a good father to Charlie, even go to extra lengths for her. I can't say any more good things about this book except that I enjoyed it and I finished it in a night! ...more
I almost always did a double take, triple take, many many more glances at the book cover, back cover, just to check if i was reading the HOT DAMN.
WOW.
I almost always did a double take, triple take, many many more glances at the book cover, back cover, just to check if i was reading the same book..the supposed YA dystopian novel from Tahereh Mafi...because for seconds there I thought I was mistaken and was reading a new adult romance book.
Then again I continued reading and I knew I was still reading the same book, because no other author can unravel such fine words of metaphor than Tahereh. Seriously that girl can write..
I seriously want to be able to write a coherent and helpful review for everyone and my sakes, but I'm afraid I'm still on the edge of something that resembles blissful oblivion right now. I'm torn between "that's it? That's the ending?" And "that's how you end a perfect trilogy!". I honestly believe and can say that Ignite Me was not what I expected it to be. Because of past experiences, I dared not hope a lot of good things from Ignite Me, but instead Tahereh shocked the J's and A's out of my name by bombarding so much good stuff and so much chapters that I want to forever imprint on the caves of the most ancient walls in existence! I'm having such a fine fine moment right now. All good things! All good things!
The quibbler in me refuses to stand down though and ignore the part of me that thinks the book has become more of a YA romance instead of focusing more on the dystopian aspect, because guys expect the book to veer off course from where I thought it was heading. Maybe it's just me...but I'm pretty sure I'm not. Then I thought the book makes so much sense to me this way. This book is supposed to make its readers happy, and continuously read it, like a man starving gorges down his food, that's what it should feel like. Much more, It's been such a long time where I read an ending of a much anticipated favorite dystopian trilogy made me happy... And all positive..the last one was..well there was never! This is by far the only dystopian series I read where I really felt happy with where the story went. Most of the past series I've read had "rightful" and "just" and "enough" endings that sated all our reading minds. But SERIOUSLY. This book takes a lot of emotions from me because it's all about the characters and not the made-up government systems. It's about change, yes. On the main characters first. It started like a seed then sprouted with leves then soon it took roots climb profusely and eagerly dug itself into the heart of Juliette, and Warner..and Adam and Kenjie, etc. Everyone went through a phase and all these little improvements and words exchanged between them, built up towards their common goal in the end. I love how its about more of Juliette as a person, as this is her book. I loved seeing how she slowly bloomed from Shatter Me to this last book. How each step was a process. I surely liked her now better than her whiny self from before. Then there's Warner. Warner Warner Warner. I really believe his character was planned by Tahereh to be like what he is projected to from the start the slowly his true being is being revealed until we see all of him now...
I really want to delve more into this if I was given a chance to talk to the author. I admire her courage first of all, for defying what was expected of the last book: which is mainly war: so killing and more death and more death. But really, this book surprised me the more...such sweet sweet fruits! :)
Thank you, Tahereh. ;) you are most brilliant!...more
Really cute and fun read! I really like "everything happens in one night" themed books. If you like "One Night that Changes Everything", "the best nigReally cute and fun read! I really like "everything happens in one night" themed books. If you like "One Night that Changes Everything", "the best night of your (Pathetic) life","Ditched", well then this book is for you too!
The premise is very simple and it tells us this is one of those light Fun reads we all have to read in between heavy hearted books. And I must say this one fits the criteria. Heart Laceour is a girl with a "no boyfriend until ready to marry" dating conviction (she doesn't want to become like her mom who left them after Heart was born). She manages this until confronted with a situation that left her torn and confused. Well, until she was asked by two guys for prom actually, even if she already had plans going with her friends only. Then the story splits to two scenarios, one of each if she went to the first guy who asked and the second to the second guy who asked..but all these led to one outcome.,one ending. With a revelation actually.
I like these kinds of stories because lots of things were already boiling beneath the characters' surface. And it all comes to this crucial junction.. To this one incident where everything meets. It's interesting all the time and everything works out in the end despite all the misunderstandings and unsaid apologies. As I said it has a sure happy ending :)
I am so so in love with this book. When I first saw this title at Edelweiss, I was immediately interested. It was book love at first sight! I never haI am so so in love with this book. When I first saw this title at Edelweiss, I was immediately interested. It was book love at first sight! I never had one in such a long time! Just mentioning Graceling and Beauty and the Beast in one sentence practically sold me! (I just realized I put exclamation marks consecutively) Beauty and the Beast is my most favorite fairytale. And Graceling was one of the first high fantasy books where I discovered such a kick ass heroine exists (well in fiction anyway) or can exist.
Cruel Beauty has everything I want and need in an amazing, unputdownable book ever! A tale of love and tragedy fused into one hazy dark-filled story.,but not without that spark of hope. I missed reading books which keeps you in toes guessing what will happen next in the story. Not abruptly telling the story but encourages its readers to participate. As in think while having fun reading. The riddles frayed on the edges of each storyline is absolutely ingenious! I love how I sometimes don't understand what i read but keep on reading still. I love how I always almost need to reread crucial and life-altering paragraphs because I need to make sure I'm reading it right. I love how paradoxical I've become in my reading. I always try to slowly read each page even if my too-fast eyes have already finished reading the words before I even began, I'm that eager to know what happens next at the same time I also wanted to savor each word of every page all the more when I was nearing the end. Cruel Beauty possesses every sold-out book in the entire history of books has-that gripping must-read story. I can just envision this novel being a success and I'm so happy I'm one of the many who's blessed enough to read an advance copy of it.
Cruel Beauty tells a story of a girl named Nyx (wasn't Nyx the name of the night goddess and also a make-up brand? Haha) who is destined to love her to-be husband, who she must marry as a duty to her family and to save her country from darkness. She is their only hope as there's no one else. Since she was nine she knew of her destiny, but this doesn't mean she is prepared and less bitter with the cards she has been dealt with. When she met her now husband, with no real name but we can call 'Ignex', there's no instalove which i appreciate, but a growing attraction and acceptance happens, all the more ignited by passion and love. Basically I swooned and sighed most of the time they bantered and cuddled. I have to admit I was heartbroken to the point of near-sobbing in real life. No joke, real tearssss. I was that heartbroken.,but the ending will leave you wanting for more but there's no more. Because this is a fairytale and is not a series but the end is actually the happily ever after.
I congratulate debut author Rosamund Hodge for making it to my possible "autobuy" author list even after reading only one of her novel. :)...more
Being able to finish this book for only a day should already say something. Let me first say how much I like the title and how muSide effects may vary
Being able to finish this book for only a day should already say something. Let me first say how much I like the title and how much it connected to the story. It's a sarcastic but somewhat a funny remark.
We enter the sad and hollow life of a girl named Alice, diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) at 15 years old. As a last shout out to the world, she created a list of things to do before she dies and sought out the help of her longtime friend Harvey. You might want to know (and I think it's crucial to know) that she and Harvey were not really close for the past year since highschool started. As lots of friends do, they drifted apart. But it doesn't mean the other did not miss the other because they do. And they also love each other on a nonfriendly but romantic way. And so begins a year of fulfilling this list. Lots of faces are humiliated in some of Alice's ventures, but some are also goodnatured..the latter might have been influenced by good 'ol Harvey. But all this came to a halt when an unexpected turn of events happened: Alice on remission.
The story is alternately narrated by Alice and Harvey. Both the "then" and "now". The "then" narrates before Alice was on remission and the "now" is when she's on remission. I like stories having this kind of format in telling the story. Character-wise, I really liked Harvey and I think if he exists in real time I'd be his friend too. But Alice on the other hand is the perfect epitome of a girl who has a lot of baggage with her, the confusing kind where you don't know where to place yourself around her. She strings you along then next you'll find yourself in the ditch, then next she'll string you along . It's hard to tell which is the real her. You want to believe she really is the kind version of Alice but sometimes the bitchy Alice comes out. I totally admire Harvey's persistence in staying by Alice's side and in the end his attitude when he's able to say 'enough is enough, i am important too.'. Alice on the other hand, I can understand (a little bit) too. She's afraid to hope and afraid to hurt others by giving them hope, and so in some of the decisions she made based on this thinking, she never quite perceived that in the end she ended up hurting the ones she loves the most, the most.
Overall, i have to admit I shed a lot of tears on this one. It's a good story of love and proving that no matter what your age, your love for others and for life itself starts with knowing you love yourself too, and being truly honest with your feelings....more
I absolutely love the epicness of this story! The whole series as a whole, is one of my favorites! Ever! From Elsa's humble beginnings to victorious enI absolutely love the epicness of this story! The whole series as a whole, is one of my favorites! Ever! From Elsa's humble beginnings to victorious endings, I love every challenge, every right decision, every awful mistake she's ever made, from as little as picking what type of dress to wear down to solving interpalatial arguments. I have witnessed how kick ass she has become! Especially how mature her decisions in life showed how grown she has for the still few years she has ruled. It's awesome.
And her different shades of love life is intoxicating in it's differences, yet everytime, I still get so curious with whom she likes only or those whom she loves. And the discoveries she's made ...more
This review can also be found on: Coffee, Books and Me
This book was all kinds of funny but with depth at the same time. I love the idea of the story.This review can also be found on: Coffee, Books and Me
This book was all kinds of funny but with depth at the same time. I love the idea of the story. An app to help you find your match within 100 yards? Talking about getting the getting to know phase easier! Plus I've always secretly wanted to be a hacker. Or an equivalent of one. Just a girl good with those techie stuff...even for a day. Or even an hour. I wonder...
Anyway, the Boyfriend App is not just the main subject of the story, but there's a whole new world of new techies here. It's basically iphones and androids just renamed into other names,hehe, if you ask me. But it was fun reading it like that. And there 's this moral coupled with an economic dilemma presented: how far will you go to sell your product? The idea that ‘Public� (a large company that is like Apple) practiced or allowed a certain program to be used on their products in the novel is just mind boggling and disturbing and...wrong in the most daring and ridiculous way. (You’ll find out what I’m talking about once you’ve read the book). The idea in itself made me wonder of its existence,lol. Plus, I love how stories such as this are lined with a love story. Especially love stories where you just want to bump the girl and boy's heads because of their reluctance when its already obvious they liked each other..anyway, it happens. There's just something appealing following the story of Audrey and Aidan. Plus, a falling out with an old bff turned your worst enemy? All of these were not new and just plain old story, but somehow reading about this is in The Boyfriend App is still pretty interesting.
I loved how relax and how emotional I became with this book. No, not really emotional like 'cry me a river' style, but just..it makes you care with what happens with the MCs. And that's kind of a big deal. :) ...more
My heart broke a litle everytime..I was still not totally resolved with the ending though, but it was good enough,lol. But I really liked the writing My heart broke a litle everytime..I was still not totally resolved with the ending though, but it was good enough,lol. But I really liked the writing format. So lauren barnholdt. She has this signature style of wriing, which I love and they absolutely fits well to the stories she writes.
Okay, so it’s been awhile since I read this book. (an advance copy via Edelweiss) and I’m going to post a review on my blog as well, because the release date is so near! I regret that I haven’t written any review when the story was still fresh from my mind...I vaguely remember writing one but I think it’s lost somewhere..
Anyway, I love road trip stories. And I feel like whenever I feel like reading a road trip book, I should just check out Lauren Barnholdt’s book list. The road trip books she writes are fast reads, and enjoyable but still has weight.
I love everything about Right of Way. The characters. The alternate POV narration. The setting. And how each scene transitioned to another situation.
Peyton and Jace have a past, and they are unwilling to talk about it. It’s funny how everything unfolds in one single roadtrip. I just liked how one situation led to another situation, and not intentionally, you may call it fate if you want. The story is supposed to be serious in a way, but the way Peyton or Jace narrate it is just hilarious you won’t think they’re facing a crucial moment with each other. And it all boils down to misunderstandings. It’s funny and frustrating at the same time how we all tend to react to one thing and end up making the wrong decisions. Well as if we just waited for a bit, for the explanation, for that perfect timing, we would end up having that happy ending sooner.
Though the story is not that unique, but it still gets to you and heck I remembered laughing a lot and loving the characters. This is a perfect summer read!
Note: Thanks to the publisher for approving my Edelweiss request; :)...more
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