review: ruin and rising, by leigh bardugo

Title: Ruin and Rising (The Grisha, #3)
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Publication Date: June 17, 2014
Genre: Fantasy

The capital has fallen.

The Darkling rules Ravka from his shadow throne.

Now the nation's fate rests with a broken Sun Summoner, a disgraced tracker, and the shattered remnants of a once-great magical army.

Deep in an ancient network of tunnels and caverns, a weakened Alina must submit to the dubious protection of the Apparat and the zealots who worship her as a Saint. Yet her plans lie elsewhere, with the hunt for the elusive firebird and the hope that an outlaw prince still survives.

Alina will have to forge new alliances and put aside old rivalries as she and Mal race to find the last of Morozova's amplifiers. But as she begins to unravel the Darkling's secrets, she reveals a past that will forever alter her understanding of the bond they share and the power she wields. The firebird is the one thing that stands between Ravka and destruction—and claiming it could cost Alina the very future she’s fighting for. -Goodreads

3 Stars

*Slight spoilers for books 1 and 2*

Upon completing Crooked Kingdom and subsequently suffering from a Major Book Hangover, I scrambled to find a book that would not necessarily reach the grandeur of CK, but perhaps soothe my emotions, at least slightly. A perusal of my bookshelf brought me to my copy of Ruin & Rising, worn Darth Vader bookmark still marking the page I had left off. I'm not quite sure why I abandoned it in the first place, but knowing myself, it was probably due to the very slow, dreary pace the book starts off with. I had decided that I wanted to complete it following Sturmhond's appearance in Crooked Kingdom (and recalling how much I had adored him) but I hadn't anticipated missing a fictional universe to this extent. So, I dove into Ruin and Rising with much fervor.

mini mini reviews!

Today, I have some mini mini-reviews on some books I've recently read from a colorful assortment of genres. These are for the books which I don't have enough to say to warrant an entire review, hence the extra mini, but I do have something to comment on (as should be expected from me, giving my opinion even when no one asks is one of my talents.) The three books I will be reviewing--if you can even call it that--are all unique in their own ways, and I highly recommend each and every one of them.


Title: My Lady Jane
Authors: Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, Jodi Meadows
Publication date: June 7, 2016
Genre: Historical fiction

The comical, fantastical, romantical, (not) entirely true story of Lady Jane Grey. In My Lady Jane, coauthors Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton, and Jodi Meadows have created a one-of-a-kind fantasy in the tradition of The Princess Bride, featuring a reluctant king, an even more reluctant queen, a noble steed, and only a passing resemblance to actual history—because sometimes history needs a little help.
At sixteen, Lady Jane Grey is about to be married off to a stranger and caught up in a conspiracy to rob her cousin, King Edward, of his throne. But those trifling problems aren’t for Jane to worry about. Jane is about to become the Queen of England. -Goodreads

January Mini-Reviews

Title: Since You've Been Gone
Author: Mary Jennifer Payne
Publication Date: February 17, 2015
Genre: Contemporary

Is it possible to outrun your past? Fifteen-year-old Edie Fraser and her mother, Sydney, have been trying to do just that for five years. Now, things have gone from bad to worse. Not only has Edie had to move to another new school she's in a different country.

Sydney promises her that this is their chance at a fresh start, and Edie does her best to adjust to life in London, England, despite being targeted by the school bully. But when Sydney goes out to work the night shift and doesn't come home, Edie is terrified that the past has finally caught up with them.

Alone in a strange country, Edie is afraid to call the police for fear that she ll be sent back to her abusive father. Determined to find her mother, but with no idea where to start, she must now face the most difficult decision of her life.

Review: Madame Tussaud's Apprentice, by Kathleen Benner Duble

Title: Madame Tussaud's Apprentice
Author: Kathleen Benner Duble
Publication Date: August 1, 2014
Genre: Historical Fiction

In 1789, with the starving French people on the brink of revolution, orphaned Celie Rosseau, an amazing artist and a very clever thief, runs wild with her protector, Algernon, trying to join the idealistic freedom fighters of Paris. But when she is caught stealing from none other than the king's brother and the lady from the waxworks, Celie must use her drawing talent to buy her own freedom or die for her crimes. Forced to work for Madame Tussaud inside the opulent walls that surround Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, Celie is shocked to find that the very people she imagined to be monsters actually treat her with kindness. But the thunder of revolution still rolls outside the gates, and Celie is torn between the cause of the poor and the safety of the rich. When the moment of truth arrives, will she turn on Madame Tussaud or betray the boy she loves? From the hidden garrets of the starving poor to the jeweled halls of Versailles, "Madame Tussaud's Apprentice" is a sweeping story of danger, intrigue, and young love, set against one of the most dramatic moments in history. -Goodreads

3 Stars

At first, I absolutely adored this book. After further contemplation and after the initial buzz settled, my love wasn't quite as strong.

Madame Tussaud’s Apprentice can easily be summarized as thus: it is a story of a girl unwillingly caught up in the midst of one of the most contentious periods in history--The French Revolution. She is torn between joining the revolutionaries and staying impassive, a choice which will ultimately determine her fate in this war.

Review: Heir of Fire, by Sarah J. Maas

Title: Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3)
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Publication Date: September 2, 2014
Genre: High fantasy

Lost and broken, Celaena Sardothien’s only thought is to avenge the savage death of her dearest friend: as the King of Adarlan’s Assassin, she is bound to serve this tyrant, but he will pay for what he did. Any hope Celaena has of destroying the king lies in answers to be found in Wendlyn. Sacrificing his future, Chaol, the Captain of the King’s Guard, has sent Celaena there to protect her, but her darkest demons lay in that same place. If she can overcome them, she will be Adarlan’s biggest threat – and his own toughest enemy.

While Celaena learns of her true destiny, and the eyes of Erilea are on Wendlyn, a brutal and beastly force is preparing to take to the skies. Will Celaena find the strength not only to win her own battles, but to fight a war that could pit her loyalties to her own people against those she has grown to love? -Goodreads

3 Stars

Thank you Bloomsbury for sending me this copy, which did not affect my review in any way!

Slight spoilers for Throne of Glass.

Oh, hey, there. Were you reading this review to decide whether or not you should read Heir of Fire? Well, let me warn you from here: I myself am horribly conflicted and this uncertainty will reflect throughout the entire review. If you enjoy reading a review with a teen girl sputtering on and on, then you are welcome to be entertained at my expense.

Based on complicated thought processes and hours of analyzing (not really) I've come to the conclusion that Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas will receive my normally default rating of 3 stars. We shall begin.

(I hope you read the above paragraphs in a facetious tone because I certainly did.)

Puns, Whales, & Tattoos: Review of Salt & Storm

Title: Salt & Storm
Author: Kendall Kulper
Publication Date: September 23, 2014
Genre: YA Paranormal

A sweeping historical romance about a witch who foresees her own murder--and the one boy who can help change her future.

Sixteen-year-old Avery Roe wants only to take her rightful place as the witch of Prince Island, making the charms that keep the island's whalers safe at sea, but her mother has forced her into a magic-free world of proper manners and respectability. When Avery dreams she's to be murdered, she knows time is running out to unlock her magic and save herself.

Avery finds an unexpected ally in a tattooed harpoon boy named Tane--a sailor with magic of his own, who moves Avery in ways she never expected. Becoming a witch might stop her murder and save her island from ruin, but Avery discovers her magic requires a sacrifice she never prepared for. -Goodreads

3 Stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Little, Brown for this copy, which did not affect my review in any way.

Salt & Storm was weird as hell. Whether that's a good or bad thing is completely debatable.

There are those books that no matter how many battles, how many risks they take, how much danger they're in, the reader knows that in the end, the characters will end up all right. Sure, there is always that near-death moment where the author tries to convince us that the protagonist is about to die and we should be gripping the book for fear of this, but if you've read a variety of YA books you can easily see through this ploy.

Review: Cruel Beauty, by Rosamund Hodge

Title: Cruel Beauty (Cruel Beauty Universe)
Author: Rosamund Hodge
Genre: Fairytale retelling
Publication Date: January 28, 2014

Graceling meets Beauty and the Beast in this sweeping fantasy about one girl's journey to fulfill her destiny and the monster who gets in her way-by stealing her heart.
Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty is a dazzling love story about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny.

Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.

But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle-a shifting maze of magical rooms-enthralls her.

As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love. -Goodreads

3-3.5 Stars

As a child, Belle was always one of my favorite Disney characters. (I related to her so much. Probably because we both love reading and have brown hair xD). And as such, Beauty and the Beast was one of my favorite fairy tales. So, I was expecting to love this.

Did I?

It varies.

Mini-Reviews: If You Find Me, and The Diamond Thief

Title: If You Find Me
Author: Emily Murdoch
Genre: Contemporary
Publication Date: March 26, 2013

There are some things you can’t leave behind…
A broken-down camper hidden deep in a national forest is the only home fifteen year-old Carey can remember. The trees keep guard over her threadbare existence, with the one bright spot being Carey’s younger sister, Jenessa, who depends on Carey for her very survival. All they have is each other, as their mentally ill mother comes and goes with greater frequency. Until that one fateful day their mother disappears for good, and two strangers arrive. Suddenly, the girls are taken from the woods and thrust into a bright and perplexing new world of high school, clothes and boys.

Now, Carey must face the truth of why her mother abducted her ten years ago, while haunted by a past that won’t let her go… a dark past that hides many a secret, including the reason Jenessa hasn’t spoken a word in over a year. Carey knows she must keep her sister close, and her secrets even closer, or risk watching her new life come crashing down. -Goodreads

3 Stars

I hadn't anticipated the depth and power of If You Find Me when I first acquired it. I didn't expect it to be such a dark, deep novel. It tells the story of a girl who has lived in the woods her entire life, along with her sister and drug-addicted mother. She is completely disconnected from society, and has trouble adjusting into the life of a normal teenager.

Review: This Song Will Save Your Life, by Leila Sales

Title: This Song Will Save Your Life
Author: Leila Sales
Genre: YA Contemporary
Pub. date: September 17, 2013

Making friends has never been Elise Dembowski’s strong suit. All throughout her life, she’s been the butt of every joke and the outsider in every conversation. When a final attempt at popularity fails, Elise nearly gives up. Then she stumbles upon a warehouse party where she meets Vicky, a girl in a band who accepts her; Char, a cute, yet mysterious disc jockey; Pippa, a carefree spirit from England; and most importantly, a love for DJing.

Told in a refreshingly genuine and laugh-out-loud funny voice, THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE is an exuberant novel about identity, friendship, and the power of music to bring people together. -Goodreads

2.5 - 3 Stars

If not for its perfect timing, I would have given This Song Will Save Your Life two stars.

When I first began this popular book, my expectations went from the heavens, down to rock bottom. I absolutely loathed the first few chapters. I was forced to endure a narrator who was not only judgmental, but who seemed to be suffering from permanent PMS. High school isn't that bad, I thought. The girl is a damn drama queen.

Of course, after this line of thinking irony decided to make its very welcomed appearance into my life.

Note: Beware of hyperboles galore.

Review: World After, by Susan Ee

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? -Goodreads

3 Stars

Initially, I truly liked World After. Now, after further contemplation, I found that this book did not exactly live up to my expectations. So, I lowered my rating to 3 stars.

Mini-Reviews: A Northern Light, Perfect Ruin, and A Darkness Strange and Lovely

Title: A Northern Light
Author: Jennifer Donnelly
Genre: Historical fiction
Pub. Date: September 1, 2004

Sixteen-year-old Mattie Gokey has a word for everything, and big dreams but little hope of seeing them come true. She collects words, stores them up as a way of fending off the hard truths of her life, the truths that she can't write down in stories. The fresh pain of her mother's death. The burden of raising her sisters while her father struggles over his brokeback farm. And the secret dreams that keep her going--visions of finishing high school, going to college in New York City, becoming a writer. Set in 1906 in the Adirondack Mountains, against the backdrop of the murder that inspired Theodore Dreiser's An American Tragedy, this Printz Honor-winning coming-of-age novel effortlessly weaves romance, history, and a murder mystery into something moving, and real, and wholly original.

5 stars! I don't know when the last time was that I've given a book the ultimate glory of being

Blog Tour + Giveaway: Elixir, by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Follow the Blog Tour!

Title: Elixir (Covenant #3.5)
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Genre: YA paranormal
Pub. Date: November 27, 2012

Aiden St. Delphi will do anything to save Alex.
Even if it means doing the one thing he will never forgive himself for.
Even if it means making war against the gods.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

3 Stars 

I'm not usually one to read novellas, because in my opinion they don't really satisfy me, but Elixir is an exception to that. It was intriguing to see things from Aiden's POV, and although I never really liked him, I actually began to respect him while reading this. An interesting read, and I highly recommend reading it before Apollyon, as it makes things much
clearer.

About the Author

# 1 New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Jennifer L. Armentrout Lives in West Virginia.

All the rumors you heard about her state aren’t true.

Well, mostly. When she's not hard at work writing, she spends her time, reading, working out, watching zombie movies, and pretending to write.

She is the author of the Covenant Series (Spencer Hill Press), the Lux Series (Entangled Teen), Don't Look Back (Disney/Hyperion) and a yet untitled novel (Disney/Hyperion), and new YA paranormal series with Harlequin Teen.

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Giveaway!

Spencer Hill Press is giving away a $200 gift card to Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Book Depository or any indie bookstore of the winner's choice to not only stock up on amazing books, but to perhaps buy a Nook HD or Kindle Fire.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Slumber, by Tamara Blake

Title: Slumber

Author: Tamara Blake

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pub. date: July 16, 2013 

Once upon a time, Ruby believed in magic…

When Ruby volunteers to take her mother's housecleaning shift at the gothic Cottingley Heights mansion, she thinks it's going to be business as usual. Clean out the fridge, scrub toilets, nothing too unusual. But nothing could prepare her for the decadent squalor she finds within. Rich people with more money than sense trashing their beautiful clothes and home just because they can. After the handsome Tam discovers her cleaning up after him and his rich friends, Ruby has never felt more like a character from her sister’s book of fairy tales.

Tam sees beyond Ruby’s job and ratty clothes, and sweeps her off her feet, treating her like a real princess, but Ruby is sure this beautiful boy is too good to be true. And as one tragedy after another befalls Ruby and her family, Ruby painfully learns that magic is all too real, and it always comes with a price. -Goodeads

I've read quite a few books on the topic of Fae- although this book is different from the others. Whether that’s a good or bad thing, I’m not entirely sure, as my feelings for this book are very mixed.

Slumber is a novel that is categorized as fantasy, and rightfully so. But, I found values in this book strangely reminiscent of a coming-of-age novel, stressing the importance of family, going into the nature of relationships, and displaying the growth of a teen girl.

While I appreciated this, it kind of took away from the fantasy feel of the novel I was looking forward to. I’m not saying I don’t like these kinds of teachings in my novels, I just wish the author handled it better and somehow made a balance between the two. As a chiefly fantasy reader, I was missing that magical feel these types of books tend to have. To be more specific, I was hoping that Ruby would venture into the actual world of the Fae, instead of merely having a glimpse into it.

Which brings me to my next point. The Fae weren’t very developed, and I didn’t learn much about them. The author didn’t exactly delve into this, unfortunately.

The third person POV, I felt, was unsuitable for this novel. I’m used to books with first person POV, and I’m glad for the change, but it didn’t really fit this book very well.

Personally, I wasn’t terrified of Violet. Sure, she was pretty mean, but that’s not the only trait villains have. She’s kind of pathetic and I just couldn’t take her very seriously.

The protagonist, Ruby, is a heroine I greatly admire. She actually uses her brain. She doesn’t easily fall for Tam, is not unbelievably naïve, and actually has a lot of strength. But what I find most interesting about her is her devotion to her family, which I find quite lacking in most other characters in books. At first, I was scared that Ruby would fall head-over-heels for Tam the moment she set eyes on him, but thankfully, that didn’t occur. It was easy to sympathize with her, and I didn’t find that she was too whiny or anything.

At first glance, it may seem like I have many more complaints about this book than likes, but as a whole, Slumber was pretty good. A solid debut, and while I was confused for a majority of the book, it still managed to entertain me. This is perfect for anyone looking for a short, easy fantasy read. In fact, I even think that lovers of contemporary would enjoy this book.

2.5-3 stars

Mini Reviews (1): If I Should Die & Something Strange and Deadly

Title: If I Should Die (Die For Me, #3)
Author: Amy Plum
Genre: YA Paranormal
Pub. Date: May 7, 2013

I will not lose another person I love. I will not let history repeat itself.

Vincent waited lifetimes to find me, but in an instant our future together was shattered. He was betrayed by someone we both called a friend, and I lost him. Now our enemy is determined to rule over France’s immortals, and willing to wage a war to get what they want.

It shouldn’t be possible, none of it should be, but this is my reality. I know Vincent is somewhere out there, I know he’s not completely gone, and I will do anything to save him.

After what we’ve already fought to achieve, a life without Vincent is unimaginable. He once swore to avoid dying—to go against his nature and forsake sacrificing himself for others—so that we could be together. How can I not risk everything to bring my love back to me? -Goodreads

My Rating: 3 stars

Truthfully? I'm unsure why I continued this series. With the first two books full of cheesy love declarations, an immature plot, and a protagonist that can almost be called a Mary Sue, the last book was bound to be as disappointing as the first two. But, peculiarly, it was not as bad as I thought it would be.

It's obvious Amy Plum has grew as an author. Her writing improved greatly, she expanded on the nature of Revenants, and she added in subplots to make the overall plot more complicated. If you look at book 1 and compare it to book 3, the improvements are astonishing.

But, not everything was answered in this last book. There was no epilogue, leaving the reader feeling a bit unsatisfied due to the lack of closure. However, if you're willing to put yourself through the pain of the first two books to read this somewhat good book, then go ahead. If I'm being honest with myself, it really wasn't worth it.

Title: Something Strange and Deadly (Something Strange and Deadly #1)
Author: Susan Dennard
Genre: YA Steampunk/ Paranormal

The year is 1876, and there’s something strange and deadly loose in Philadelphia…

Eleanor Fitt has a lot to worry about. Her brother has gone missing, her family has fallen on hard times, and her mother is determined to marry her off to any rich young man who walks by. But this is nothing compared to what she’s just read in the newspaper—

The Dead are rising in Philadelphia.

And then, in a frightening attack, a zombie delivers a letter to Eleanor…from her brother.

Whoever is controlling the Dead army has taken her brother as well. If Eleanor is going to find him, she’ll have to venture into the lab of the notorious Spirit-Hunters, who protect the city from supernatural forces. But as Eleanor spends more time with the Spirit-Hunters, including their maddeningly stubborn yet handsome inventor, Daniel, the situation becomes dire. And now, not only is her reputation on the line, but her very life may hang in the balance. -Goodreads

My Rating: 4 stars

Both these books, If I Should Die and Something Strange and Deadly, deal with zombie-like creatures. Undoubtedly, this book handles the topic much better than the former. 

The complicated story-line was confusing at the beginning, but gradually, it became easier to understand. At times I felt that the author was trying to shove too much into one book, though I did enjoy it. The author used the steam-punk setting to her advantage to give the story a very distinct and vivid setting, which is easily my favorite part of the novel. I loved all the characters, namely Eleanor. She's not overly strong, nor too "beautiful", she's flawed and I liked that.

This is probably the most creative paranormal I have read in a while, and it most certainly stands out amidst the abundant cookie-cutter paranormals. It is obvious this novel is setting up for something more coming in future novels, which I can't wait to begin reading.

Review: Cornerstone, by Kelly Walker

Title: Cornerstone (Souls of the Stones #1)

Author: Kelly Walker

Genre: Fantasy

Pub. Date: October 22, 2012

Emariya's life was nearly over before it started. Hidden under the floorboards while her mother died above her, she escaped a brutal death then—only to go racing toward it now, sixteen years later.

After learning her father has been captured, Emariya is desperate to save him, no matter who she has to turn to for help. Oblivious to her potential gifts and the secrets surrounding her dual heritage, Emariya makes a bargain with the prince of a rival land, Torian Ahlen. In exchange for her hand in marriage, he agrees to send his forces to rescue her father. With the arrangements made, Emariya embarks on a tumultuous journey through two kingdoms as different from each other as the families that rule them.

Before long, Emariya comes face to face with her mother's killers, and learns of an ominous prophecy: her and Torian's bloodlines must never be combined. Armed with this frightening new knowledge, Emariya begins to fear the handsome prince may desire more than to steal her heart, and it will take all of her newfound skills to survive. -Goodreads

You know that groan us readers let out when we sense a book is going to conform to the standards and plot typical for YA?

That's what I expected, once I found out that the main character feels love instantly her and the love interest set eyes on each other. You'd think I'd hate this book's guts, right?

Wrong.

The author knows readers hate this, unless you're a 12-year-old. She set in place an interesting explanation for this, an explanation that actually made sense and didn't cause me to pull me hair out in frustration.

The concept of the three Stones is actually quite fascinating. The "three kingdoms on the brink of war" part of the plot is not very unusual for a fantasy, and to be honest, this book isn't very different from other fantasy stories, so I can't really bring myself to say that this book is especially unique.

With much loyalty for her kingdom, Riya, the main character, is easily likable and admirable. Strong in her own way, and willing to do whatever she can for her land.

Many may be confused by the sudden plot twist at the end. I appreciated this part. It caught me wholly off guard.

There was fantastic world-building, and coupled with the surprisingly good writing, made a well-written first novel. Admittedly, I caught myself dozing off a few times, whether it be from the lack of action at times or the overly-detailed descriptions.

While this book didn't blow me off my feet, it was still entertaining to read, and can even be considered a very fluffy read for its genre. It sets the base for future novels while leaving questions unanswered to keep our interest. I am thoroughly impressed.

3/5 Stars

Review: Boundless, by Cynthia Hand

Title: Boundless (Unearthly #3)

Author: Cynthia Hand

Genre: YA Paranormal

Pub. Date: January 22, 2013

The past few years have held more surprises than part-angel Clara Gardner could ever have anticipated. Yet from the dizzying highs of first love, to the agonizing low of losing someone close to her, the one thing she can no longer deny is that she was never meant to live a normal life.

Since discovering the special role she plays among the other angel-bloods, Clara has been determined to protect Tucker Avery from the evil that follows her . . . even if it means breaking both their hearts. Leaving town seems like the best option, so she’s headed back to California - and so is Christian Prescott, the irresistible boy from the vision that started her on this journey in the first place.

As Clara makes her way in a world that is frighteningly new, she discovers that the fallen angel who attacked her is watching her every move. And he’s not the only one. . . . With the battle against the Black Wings looming, Clara knows she must finally fulfill her destiny. But it won’t come without sacrifices and betrayal.

In the riveting finale of the Unearthly series, Clara must decide her fate once and for all.

Boundless is a cute and satisfying conclusion to a great series. Not exactly the best conclusion I desired, but hey, at least I got some TUCKER.

The first half of the book is about Clara in college, which can be, to some, an unnecessary component to this book. I felt that it was important to develop ties between certain characters which the author didn’t do a very good job of in the first two books.

Clara is one of my favorite YA characters. She is so relatable and her tone was so believable of a typical teen that it was impossible not to like her.

I had three issues with this book; one, it was a bit too predictable for my taste (only some parts), two, the ending was WAY too convenient, and three, what the heck happened to Christian in the end? (He just disappears, and we have no idea what happens to him.)

The solution of the conflict at the end of a series and how well it was executed is what makes or breaks my opinion of a novel. In the case of Boundless, the solution was not the best part of the book. In fact, it was one of the downsides of it. It was much too convenient and easy for my liking. For me, I like books with solutions that are good, but come with/cause some sort of struggle. Because that’s how life is; you can’t just do one thing and poof! All your problems are gone. There has to be some sort of negative aspect; even though it is a “solution”, it can’t be perfect.

So if you’re wondering why I gave the last book in one of my favorite series 3 stars, that one of the main reasons.

One of my major pet peeves is when an important character just disappears without anyone questioning or explaining what happened to that person. It’s like the author just gave up on that character altogether. Which is what happened to Christian! DUN DUN DUN.

The epilogue was… Okay. Just okay. It showed 10 years into the future, but it didn’t really answer anything. All it shows it the happy ending, blah blah blah, but nothing notable.

I’m hoping Hand makes a series dedicated to Jeffrey, because he is HOT. I can't think of a better reason beside the fact that he is super hot, but isn't that a good enough reason?

It’s still saddening to see this angel series go. I loved all the characters, but this book just didn’t cut it for me.

3/5 stars

Review: The Sweetest Dark, by Shana Abe

“With every fiber of my being, I yearned to be normal. To glide through my days at Iverson without incident. But I’d have to face the fact that my life was about to unfold in a very, very different way than I’d ever envisioned. Normal would become forever out of reach.”

Lora Jones has always known that she’s different. On the outside, she appears to be an ordinary sixteen-year-old girl. Yet Lora’s been keeping a heartful of secrets: She hears songs that no one else can hear, dreams vividly of smoke and flight, and lives with a mysterious voice inside her that insists she’s far more than what she seems.

England, 1915. Raised in an orphanage in a rough corner of London, Lora quickly learns to hide her unique abilities and avoid attention. Then, much to her surprise, she is selected as the new charity student at Iverson, an elite boarding school on England’s southern coast. Iverson’s eerie, gothic castle is like nothing Lora has ever seen. And the two boys she meets there will open her eyes and forever change her destiny.

Jesse is the school’s groundskeeper—a beautiful boy who recognizes Lora for who and what she truly is. Armand is a darkly handsome and arrogant aristocrat who harbors a few closely guarded secrets of his own. Both hold the answers to her past. One is the key to her future. And both will aim to win her heart. As danger descends upon Iverson, Lora must harness the powers she’s only just begun to understand, or else lose everything she dearly loves.

Filled with lush atmosphere, thrilling romance, and ancient magic, The Sweetest Dark brilliantly captures a rich historical era while unfolding an enchanting love story that defies time. -Goodreads

My Rating: 3/5 stars

I recieved an ARC through NetGalley, which does not influence my review in any way.

What I liked:
- Originality of the plot
- The writing
- Eleanor (at times)

What I disliked:
- Insta-love
- How the story flowed
- Eleanor

A dark, emotional paranormal set in London during WWI.

The Sweetest Dark did have its good and bad moments. I applaud the author's originality, venturing into a topic that I don't think is very common in the young adult genre.

The writing was, to me, the best quality of this book. It flowed very nicely, was structured well, and, overall, lovely.

Eleanor is a confusing character. At the beginning, she was a very strong heroine, and I admired her attitude. On the other hand, there were times when she was so irritating.

One of the main reasons as to why I found her irritating is the fact that she fell head-over-heels for Jess automatically. Literally. Once she found out that they weredestined to be together, she claimed that she was "in love". Hmm. This screams INSTALOVE, which I am a firm opponent of. The problem was, she never questioned their love, she was positive that they were meant for each other. I'm sorry, but I truly believe that this kind of love is unrealistic, fake. and just plain stupid. For someone who seems like a smart girl, she sure is naive when it comes to love.

Not that I didn't like Jess. I was okay with him, as he was tolerable.

How the story flowed and was put together is a huge downfall of this book. Yes, there were several parts to the plot, but what was missing was the actual thread that held the plot together. I don't know how some things were related, as the author did not put much effort into explaining it. For example, what does turning into smoke have to do with dragons? I, for one, know little to nothing on this topic, so I was somewhat confused as to why a dragon would turn into smoke.

The overall novel was confusing in its entirety. As I have stated, the explanations were not present, as if the author expected us readers to be educated on this topic.

By some, Eleanor can be considered a Mary Sue, to a certain extent. She was perfect at many things, even if she lived in an orphanage for most of her life and had no exposure to that particular thing whatsoever. I don't see a relation between being perfect at everything, such as playing piano, and being a dragon.

This book was enjoyable, but there were many glaring mistakes that could be improved upon.

Review: Everbound, by Brodi Ashton

Title: Everbound (Everneath, #2)

Author: Brodi Ashton

Publication Date: January 22, 2013

Genre: YA Mythology

Nikki Beckett could only watch as her boyfriend, Jack, sacrificed himself to save her, taking her place in the Tunnels of the Everneath for eternity — a debt that should’ve been hers. She’s living a borrowed life, and she doesn’t know what to do with the guilt. And every night Jack appears in her dreams, lost and confused and wasting away.

Desperate for answers, Nikki turns to Cole, the immortal bad boy who wants to make her his queen — and the one person least likely to help. But his heart has been touched by everything about Nikki, and he agrees to assist her in the only way he can: by taking her to the Everneath himself.

Nikki and Cole descend into the Everneath, only to discover that their journey will be more difficult than they’d anticipated — and more deadly. But Nikki vows to stop at nothing to save Jack — even if it means making an incredible sacrifice of her own.

In this enthralling sequel to Everneath, Brodi Ashton tests the bonds of destiny and explores the lengths we’ll go to for the ones we love.

My Rating: 3/5 stars

I was so close to giving this book 2 stars, but just because Cole is awesome, I shall give it 3.

No. Just, no. I did not like this book. Period. I think its because I despised Nikki, but I just wasn't feeling it for this book.

You know what? Honestly, I don't know how Cole dealt with Nikki. Her memories of Jack integrated into the story were cute at first, but then it turned into plain corny. Corny to the point where it got really agitating.

Her obsession with Jack was a little creepy. Ya, he got sucked into the Underworld or wherever the hell he went, but come on. I get so angry when a female protagonist is unable to function without her boyfriend. They don't care about their family or their friends, they just become detached from everything. The only "friend" she had was that lady that was a part of the Daughters of Persephone thing (I forgot her name), and that was only out of her selfishness and desperation to find Jack.

And that "Hands" scene at the end. That was unbelievably stupid. Was that supposed to be the "climax"? Because all it did was make me yawn from boredom and its lame-ness.

That ending just baffled me. You know how an author usually drops little hints throughout the story, otherwise known as foreshadowing? Well, this author basically shoved the information at us at the last minute. Which, naturally, angered me and confused me at the same time.

I don't like the way Nikki views Cole. She didn't seem grateful at all that he was going with her to the Everneath on a dangerous journey. She acted like he was obligated to do so. I mean, at least have the manners to say "Thanks" for all the crap she put him through. And another thing. She never considers things from his perspective. She automatically assumes he is a "bad guy". Have some empathy, girl.

I feel like there wasn't enough dialogue between the charcters. Yes, there was dialogue between Cole and Nikki and Nikki and Will, but that's about it. She did not interact with anyone else, and if she did, it was very minimal. As a result of this, we learned very little about the secondary characters- that I thought were pretty important. Like Ashe and Max, for example.

The fact that I finished this book in a day and that the author managed to keep me reading is a good sign, which is why I gave this book 3 stars. But, Nikki was just way too annoying and selfish, and everything about her was unlikable.

Cole is a different story- I am almost positive that he is the reason why I kept reading.

Excuse me while I continuously ponder why Cole wants to spend all eternity with this unbearable character. Cole, you can do better than that.

Review: Graceling, by Kristen Cashore

"In a world where people born with an extreme skill - called a Grace - are feared and exploited, Katsa carries the burden of the skill even shedespises: the Grace of killing. She lives under the command of her uncle Randa, King of the Middluns, and is expected to execute his dirty work, punishing and torturing anyone who displeases him.

When she first meets Prince Po, who is Graced with combat skills, Katsa has no hint of how her life is about to change.

She never expects to become Po's friend.

She never expects to learn a new truth about her own Grace - or about a terrible secret that lies hidden far away...a secret that could destroy all seven kingdoms with words alone."  -Goodreads

This book has been on my TBR list forever. Finally, I was able to read it.

I have been wanting to read this book for the simple reason being that it is a medieval fantasy. Since I was a little kid, I have always loved books set in the medieval times. Don't know why.

Anyways, on to the review. I had a love-hate relationship with this book. The beginning was great, the middle was unpleasant, and towards the end of the book, it got much better.

I hate to admit this, but in the middle of reading Graceling, I got so bored. I just couldn't read it any longer. I literally threw it under my bed, fed up with the long, endless paragraphs of descriptions, and started reading another book. I got through two more books, and finally convinced myself that I needed to finish this book. Against my will, I read it.

Like I said, the middle was torturous. Then, after 200 pages of torturing myself, I found that I was beginning to enjoy reading it. The plot was moving faster, there was more action, and the paragraphs were filled with things other than describing Katsa's grace and how perfect it made her. I was satisfied with how the book ended, surprisingly.

I will not hesitate to say that the writing was bothersome. The scenes were way too descriptive, and I found myself dozing off, thinking of other things while reading these paragraphs.

Another thing that irritated me: the characters in the beginning of the novel, whom I thought were very important, were basically just thrown away and weren't brought up again. Yeah, some of them showed up three pages before the Epilogue, but the author didn't seem to be giving any thought to characters such as Giddon and King Randa. This is one of the major things that makes me dislike a book.

Now that I got the bad things out of the way, I will say what was pleasing about this book. I love, love, loved the scenes when Po and Katsa would have training sessions. I thought that they were so entertaining to read about and made it easier to imagine Po and Katsa as a couple. At first, I was doubting whether they would be good together, but now I see that they really are perfect for each other.

Another part that I was fond of was the ending. I had a lot of sympathy for Po, and my respect for him increased because he stayed strong.

Katsa is the image of what every girl wants to be; independent, fearless, and bold. I didn't see her as a dynamic character; she didn't change much throughout the book, and to me, this is a bad thing. She was still unable to control her anger, and I was hoping that by the end of the book, she wouldn't be so reckless.   

While there were some aspects that made me like the book, the cons stand out much more than the pros. Therefore, I will give this book three stars. I'm thinking about reading the next book, Fire, but I am still unsure.

Publication date: October 1st, 2008
Page count: 471 pages
My Rating: 3/5 stars