Eona (Eon #2) by Alison Goodman | Book Review

Eona by Alison Goodman

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Dragons
Publication Date: March 29th, 2012

Synopsis:
(from Goodreads)

Once she was Eon, a girl disguised as a boy, risking her life for the chance to become a Dragoneye apprentice. Now she is Eona, the Mirror Dragoneye, her country’s savior – but she has an even more dangerous secret. She cannot control her power. Each time she tries, it twists into a killing force. And more destruction is on her trail – High Lord Sethon’s army. She and her companions must find Kygo, the young Pearl Emperor, who needs Eona’s power if he is to wrest back his throne. But to help him, she must drive a dark bargain with an old enemy, which could obliterate them all.

–Possible Spoilers! Read at your own risk!–

“We are all more— and less—than what we seem.”

This series has been one heck of a ride. Never have I gone from hating to loving as much as I have with this crazy cast.

But man, Alison Goodman can tell an amazing story. It’s complex and well written and has such an amazing cast of complex and flawed characters.

I loved the political battle, and the struggle all the characters had with power and their humanity. I loved dragons, the entire energy world was absolutely fascinating. This story and this world that Alison Goodman has created is so unique and I even though this book was 600+ pages I was really sad when it ended.

I really loved Eona’s character. I’m not saying she didn’t frustrate me, oh she did. But gosh, she faces and has to make many tough decisions throughout the novel. Granted they’re not always the correct ones. She’s someone who has all this power and it’s because of that power she has a tough time trusting those around her. And also trusting in herself, for with great power comes great responsibility.

“You have seen me at my worst and at my weakest. Let me show you my best.”

Ido, I’ll admit it, I didn’t love him in the first book, but I was drawn to him. He intrigued me in a way Kygo didn’t. And even though he’s a murderer and possibly a psychopath, I couldn’t help but feel for him. Whether it’s by Sethon or Kygo, or even Eona, he was always being controlled by someone. Used for his power, used for killing. Is that what shaped him to be the person he is? To be this selfish character who only looked out for himself and was fueled by his own ambition? I don’t know. But I want to know, I want to know so much more about him.

“I know that love is about power, too. Who gives, who takes. Who is willing to risk showing their true self.”

I had a major love-hate relationship with Kygo as well. Surprising since I almost always fall for the royalty character. He’s emperor and because he’s an emperor he has to make tough decisions that will be best for the empire and his people. In his own way, I knew he cared for Eona, but at times I wondered if that was enough. Or if his quest to reclaim his throne would turn him into someone just like his uncle.

“In the end, power is always used to gain more power. That is the nature of the beast.”

Now the ending, most readers will be satisfied. It tied up some loose ends without exactly making it a happily ever after. But I really wanted more, I still have questions!

Overall, Eona was everything you could ever ask for in a fantasy series: great world-building, complex characters, political battles for power, and my personal favorite, moral ambiguity. Oh and dragons! Can’t forget that. Definitely, recommend if you’re looking for an awesome fantasy series!

“You lie even to yourself. Now that is the mark of a fool.”

5 out of 5 stars

★★★★★

Buy Eona:

Book Depository
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Buy Eon:

Book Depository
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

–

Let’s be friends!

INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS | BLOGLOVIN | WATTPAD

Underneath It All by Patricia Vanasse | Book Review

Underneath It All by Patricia Vanasse

Page Count: 300
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult
Publication Date: March 6th, 2018

Synopsis:
(from Goodreads)

Gossip Girl meets The Great Gatsby in this competitive prep school drama that tackles issues of class, diversity, peer pressure, addiction, and first love.
Seventeen-year-old London Mendes is the son of a Cuban mother and Seattle-native bookseller, and he knows exactly what he wants: to be the first in his middle class family to reach the Ivy Leagues. Specifically Princeton, alma mater of his favorite author Mia Merkley, a local mystery writer whose national fame and recent suicide have put her in the news again. Luckily for London, his own fiction and high grades put him on the radar of Birmingham Academy, a prep school that offers him a scholarship to leave public school and study with the richest students in the country.
There London meets Aria: the captivating, mysterious daughter of Mia Merkley. Her grief and darkness draw him in further than any of her mother’s novels. But soon, London learns that Aria is off limits—her blueblood boyfriend Dillon Astor is London’s newest friend and the one who decides London’s acceptance into the academy’s elite. When Aria and London become partners in a creative writing class, their friendship grows and an undeniable attraction threatens to blow London off course. 
London knows he has to work harder than ever for a shot at Princeton. He knows he should stay away from drugs, parties, and Dillon’s girlfriend. But as Dillon slowly reveals his true nature and Aria’s secrets, London fails to see what is underneath it all. Now London can’t help playing hero, and he’ll have to decide what he loves more: Aria, or his own dreams.

–Possible Spoilers! Read at your own risk!–

Disclaimer: A huge thank you to the author for sending me a free ARC copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. All quotes could be subject to changes in the final product.

“Dysfunction is the only entertainment when it’s fiction. In reality it would be a whole different story.”

When the first few pages of the book began with a discussion between two book nerds about literature, I already knew that the main character London and I were going to get along just fine.

At it’s heart Underneath It All is a contemporary novel about unexpected friendships that turn into unexpected attraction and relationships.

The story deals with addiction and unhealthy relationships, and about how the choices we make in life for ourselves and those we love can be difficult, especially when school drama and peer pressure is added into the mix.

“I’m not sure a person can simply stop wanting, or thinking about another person, even if it’s for the best.”

I liked London, we did not have much in common besides our mutual love of books. He is much more of a romantic than I am, but even so, London is so sweet and nice and kind, which I think is so undervalued. His character is kind and supportive, and he is such a great friend to Aria.

“One thing was clear—Aria wasn’t the kind of girl who bent rules—she broke them as a matter of principle.”

Aria was a deeply emotionally broken and mysterious character. She is withdrawn and closed off, and often time no one really knows what truly going on in her head, not even her friends.

Her poems at the beginning of most of the chapters gives the reader glimpses of her problems. They were all so heartbreaking and sad, I didn’t love Aria, but I really felt for her.

Her relationship with London was so unbelievably charming. I found myself smiling at their interactions and their antics, and they were just so adorable.

‘“Music is very important because year from now, when you listen to this song, you’ll remember this moment, what you were thinking, what it felt like, everything’”

I guess my main issue with their relationship was I didn’t really get it? I mean, they were adorable together yes, and they clearly got each other in a way that both of them needed.

But she was clearly in a relationship. Did I particularly like Dillon? Not really. Did I like his relationship with Aria? No way.

I just didn’t understand why London was so captivated by her that he would risk everything for her. There were some lines in his narration that made me uncomfortable because it just seemed like London was in love with the mystery of her.

“The more trouble I had figuring her out, the stronger my attraction.”

That may just be a me thing though. I am really not good with understanding romance. He makes so many mistakes, but it’s undeniable that he grows a lot from his experiences.

That being said the story definitely gets darker and more depressing the more London gets entangled into the complex relationship of the Golden Clique.

“They are envied for their mutual devotion, for their bond, for the way they love and protect one another. A friendship written in the stars, forged in fire, bright like gold.”

The friendship between the Golden Clique was so messed up, and yet there is such a strong loyalty there that is slightly unhealthy and toxic.

They were all so real. Did I like them all or always agree with their actions? No, not at all. But they were all so human in the sense of not wanting to admit their mistakes. It was not all happiness and luxury from being wealthy, they all had their problems and their issues.

I really do not know how I feel about them. I cannot say I really liked any of the clique members, they were all pretty mean, and I will never be okay with bullying.

I did enjoyed Jason and Annalisa as secondary characters. I had a lot of fun learning more about them.

There is betrayal and there is heartbreak and mean bullying, there are secrets and there are lies, but the ending, while bittersweet (and made me a tad bit angry) was satisfying to me. I will be okay with how it ended. I am okay.

“I think love is an embellished idea that compels people to turn it into a set of high expectations. No one can live up to that. One way or another, all loves ends in disappointment.”

Overall, Underneath It All was a lovely, emotional, and beautiful book. The author’s writing was poetic and fun to read, I especially enjoyed all of the literature analogies and metaphors. I loved London’s voice, you could practically feel his love for literature.

It is a character driven story with a wonderful cast of flawed characters. Any fellow book lover will find a small piece of themselves in London.

“Aria looked back at me and smiled. ‘Don’t worry, it’s a good kind of pain.’”

3.5 out of 5 stars

★★★½/5

–

Buy Underneath It All:

Book Depository
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

–

Let’s be friends!

INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS | BLOGLOVIN | WATTPAD | DEPOP

Everything, Everything by Nicolla Yoon | Book Review

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Page Count: 307
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult
Publication Date: September 1st, 2015

Synopsis:
(from Goodreads)

My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.
But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.
Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster.

–Possible Spoilers! Read at your own risk!–

“Sometimes you do things for the right reasons and sometimes for the wrong ones and sometimes it’s impossible to tell the difference.” “Sometimes you do things for the right reasons and sometimes for the wrong ones and sometimes it’s impossible to tell the difference.”

I’m honestly still not really sure how I feel about Everything, Everything.

The beginning was very cute and adorable (so adorable I guess I did not really feel the “danger” of Maddy’s sickness), I laughed out loud during the bundt cake scene.

And although it was very insta-lovey, I thought Olly and Madeline were adorable and could perhaps look past their very quick love.

I loved the diversity, and the human nature of wanting more in life. The poems, the jokes, the miming at the window, the illustrations and charts throughout the book, it was all very cute.

But then I hit a point maybe a little more than halfway through the novel and the cute moments became less cute, the characters started appearing more pretentious and whiny and too angsty for my taste and I just became so uncomfortable with the entire thing.

Then I get to the ending and I am just left thinking “wtf?”

I know, I know, it’s fiction, and I know a lot of the plot holes were to add to the eventual plot twist, but come on!

I don’t want to say too much about what happens because of spoilers, but one can only suspend their disbelief in a contemporary novel so much.

I know a lot of people liked it, so I feel bad, but I just really did not like that ending. I felt like it promoted the idea that “love can cure sickness” which is not a message I will every agree with, nor will I promote.

“Spoiler alert: Love is worth everything. Everything.” 

Is it worth your life though, Maddy? Is it? Had Maddy never met and “fallen in love” with Olly she never would have taken those risks or found out the truth and that just makes me sad.

Overall, Everything, Everything, had an interesting premise, but it honestly was not something I was planning on reading had there not been so much hype. It’s a quick and easy, cliche romantic read with an ending you will either love or hate.

I for one wish that the author took a different direction with the story and gave us more details about Maddy’s sickness, but alas, it did not happen and it was not meant to be.

2.5 out of 5 stars

★★½/5

–

Buy Everything, Everything:

Book Depository
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

–

Let’s be friends!

INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS | BLOGLOVIN | WATTPAD | DEPOP

Reading Preferences and How I’ve Changed as a Reader | Let’s Chat!

Let’s talk about reading preferences and how we’ve changed as readers.

Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about how much my reading preferences have changed throughout the years.

Just recently I finished Brave, the last book in the Wicked trilogy, by Jennifer L. Armentrout.

Long story short, I didn’t really like it. 

And it just got me thinking that if I had read it back in 2013 when I first got into the community side of reading, I would have probably loved it.

I think it was a strong case of ‘it’s not you, it me.’

I like to think that over these past few years I’ve grown a lot as a reader and as a reviewer.

I used to only read heterosexual romances.

Before anyone says it, no it was not because I used to be a homophobic asshole. I may not understand relationships or sexual attraction all that well, but I know for a fact people should be allowed to love whomever they want and you can fight me on it.

There is this fantastic quote in Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda that states it so well:

“Why is straight the default? Everyone should have to declare one way or another, and it shouldn’t be this big awkward thing whether you’re straight, gay, bi, or whatever.”

I agree with this wholeheartedly. I am not a big fan of labels, but default blanket stating that me or everyone in the world is “straight” is an ignorant way of viewing the world.

But I digress, I mainly read heterosexual romances because I genuinely thought I would not be as invested in the relationship. I distinctly remember being recommended the book Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat and being hesitant to read it mostly because someone mentioned rape and I think I was like 15 at the time, but also because I knew it was M/M and I didn’t know if I would care about the romance enough to read it.

I really do not know why I had this mindset, but I am so glad I got over it because I ended up loving Captive Prince and Damen and Laurent. So many of my all time favorite ships, so many of my all time favorite books, feature lgbt couples whom I love with all of my heart.

I also think a lot of it had to do with the fact that I did not really know any books with non-heterosexual romances either. I will always be so eternally grateful for the Internet for helping me discover new things.

I used to lean away from books with male protagonists.

Again, like with the “only reading heterosexual romances” thing, I did not think I could relate that well to a character simply because they were male and I was female.

I think in a lot of ways I also preferred female protagonists because I wanted someone infinitely cooler and stronger than I was that I could only aspire to be. I wanted a role model to look up to.

And while I do not think there’s anything particularly wrong with preferring one protagonist gender over another, I am so happy I got over it because there are someone amazing male protagonists out there in literature.

I distinctly remember my teacher loaning me a copy A Darker Shade of Magic over the summer and me putting off reading it because I knew there was a male protagonist. And hey, look at me now, Kell Maresh is honestly now one of my all time favorite protagonists out of all the books I’ve read. I love him and I can relate to him with my entire heart and soul. He is forever ingrained into my brain.

I used to hate third person perspectives and want to read only in first person perspectives.

This is probably the biggest flip flop, which also happened around the time I read A Darker Shade of Magic and Victoria Schwab showed me how wonderful third person perspective was.

I used to absolutely dread reading third person perspectives and would actually not want to read a book if it was not in first person. The only exception I had was for Cassandra Clare books because they are fantastic.

Now, I honestly prefer all books to be in third person. I find the stories to be much more rich and more fun because it is more than just one characters brain. While first person let’s you intimately get to know the main character, you do not really get to know everyone else.

While I do not particularly mind first person, I would much rather prefer it in my contemporary novels than my fantasy novels.

I used to force myself to finish a book/series even if I was hating it.

This is a huge one for me. One I am still kind of working on.

I distinctly remember forcing myself to finish the Hush, Hush saga despite hating every minute of it and want to throw the book across the room.

I also remember rating the first book five stars because I was riding the hype and I knew everyone loved it and I wanted so desperately to love it too that I forced my brain to pretend that it did.

Not my proudest moment, I am so glad I have gotten past that.

The truth is, all of these things? None of them are really true anymore.

While I do still try to finish every book I start, I am not afraid to not finish series anymore. I did it with the second part of the Selection and the Bloodlines series. I did it with Throne of Glass and I am so glad I did because those books actually filled me with dread to read.

When a book makes you actually not want to read, do not continue reading it.

I guess what I am trying to say is, I will always be thankful to Jennifer L. Armentrout and her books for being such a critical part of my past self, but I do not think her books are for me anymore.

And I truly think that it’s okay. It’s okay for you to change and grow as a person. It’s okay for your reading preferences to be different.

It’s okay to once love a book and maybe not love it as much anymore.

Perhaps I will check out more of her books again in the future. I did quite like the Problem With Forever, but at the moment I’m done trying to force myself into devouring everything she writes.

I feel like this could possibly be taken the wrong way, but I just wanted to share this so we could all have a conversation, so let’s chat!

In what ways have you changed as a reader?

I honestly just find it so fascinating how people can change so much that revisiting old favorites just lose their appeal.

Life is complex, people are interesting, everyone is different, and I honestly think that is so cool.

What did John Green say?

“Your now is not your forever.”

I know he was talking about mental illness when he wrote that in Turtles All the Way Down, but I’d like to think it still applies.

–

Let’s be friends!

INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS | BLOGLOVIN | WATTPAD | DEPOP

Top 10 Favorite Books of 2016

The end of the year is near! Now it’s time for one of my favorite (and least favorite) post of the year: top favorite books.

I have honestly read so many great books this year, but here are ten of my absolute favorites! Not counting rereads of course because then it’d just all be Percy Jackson.

1 ) Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare

Did I surprise you? Probably not. Lady Midnight was so, so amazing. I wish I could be more original, but I am complete and utter shadowhunter trash and not even remotely ashamed of it. Still, the character were absolutely wonderful in this one. Cassie has grown so much as a writer and I’m oh so proud of her.

“When you love someone, they become a part of who you are. They’re in everything you do. They’re in the air you breathe and the water you drink and the blood in your veins.”

2) A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab

Another thing that I am; complete and utter Kell Maresh trash. I would go to the ends of the world for him. I love him, and I loved this wonderfully, magical book. Victoria is a brilliant author and this world she has created is so intricately beautiful. I want to live in Red London. I will never stop recommending this series, so if you haven’t picked up a Victoria Schwab novel yet, please go do it!

“Kell would say it was impossible. What a useless word, in a world with magic.”

3 ) Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

If someone were to ask me to define “perfection” I would shove this book into their face. If I had to recommend one contemporary book for someone to read, Aristotle and Dante would be it. This book deserves all of the stars in the universe, and if you haven’t read it yet, I don’t know how else to convince you.

“Another secret of the universe: Sometimes pain was like a storm that came out of nowhere. The clearest summer could end in a downpour. Could end in lightning and thunder.”

4 ) Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

I wasn’t sure about this book going into it, but man is it one of the cutest contemporary novels I’ve ever read. I loved it. The main character Simon is hilarious and so are his friends. The romance is so adorable, I fell in love with Simon’s relationship with Blue. This book made me realize how little LGBT novels I read and how I want to read more.

“People really are like house with vast rooms and tiny windows. And maybe it’s a good thing, the way we never stop surprising each other.”

5 ) The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Two words: SEAN. KENDRICK. I love that boy and I love Puck. Their relationship was super cute, but most of all their relationship with their horses had me tearing up a bit. This was my first Maggie Stiefvater book and it did not disappoint! The writing is beautiful and magical. It’s no question that Stiefvater is a fantastic writer. I’m looking forward to reading more of her books.

“There are moments that you’ll remember for the rest of your life and there are moments that you think you’ll remember for the rest of your life, and it’s not often they turn out to be the same moment.”

6 ) The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

Another great fantasy novel with amazing characters! I love Shazi, she’s stubborn and fierce, but never did I find her too annoying. And Khalid, don’t even get me started on him. He is just so *swoons*

“My soul sees its equal in you.”

7 ) Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson

I don’t think this book will be a book for everyone. There isn’t much of a plot per say, but I completely related and fell for the main character; Emily. We have a lot in common and that’s why Since You’ve Been Gone is on my all time favorites list. It’s a beautiful coming-of-age story with wonderful characters. Emily, Frank, Dawn, and Collins, they were all so great. I had a lot of fun with this book, words can’t even begin to describe how much I loved it.

“Real friends are the ones you can count on no matter what.
The ones who go into the forest to find you and bring you home.
And real friends never have to tell you that they’re your friends.”

8 ) Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

THIS BOOK IS THE CUTEST THING EVER. Have I said that a lot? Well, I abosolutely fell in love with this story. I think Rainbow Rowell’s blurb is perfect, it is full of humor and heart. It was funny, I was smiling at practically every page, but it was also mysterious and a little sad. The ending had me wishing for more. Definitely recommend this wonderful graphic novel! I love Noelle Stevenson’s art style.

9 ) Angelfall by Susan Ee

RAFFE! I’ve always had such a bad streak with paranormal novels about angels (*blatantly throws shade at Halo*), but oh my freaking god did I love this entire trilogy. Penryn was an amazing main character, tough and flawed. I loved her complex relationship with her family and I absolutely loved her and Raffe’s relationship. 10/10 would recommend! It’s a paranormal story that did not disappoint.

“I never thought about it before, but I’m proud to be human. We’re ever so flawed. We’re frail, confused, violent, and we struggle with so many issues. But all in all, I’m proud to be a Daughter of Man.”

10 ) Eona by Alison Goodman

Together Eon and Eona were both so good, Alison Goodman sure can tell an amazing story. It was complex and well written and had such an amazing cast of complex and flawed characters. I loved Eona and not even a little ashamed to say Lord Ido. It was one heck of an amazing ride. I recommend these books to any fellow fantasy and dragon lover.

“Men were always quick to believe in the madness of women.”

↠ ↠ ↠

You know what the best part about my list is? Most of these books weren’t even released in 2016. It seems like I’m always behind, but oh well!

I’d love to hear some of your favorite books of the year! I’m making it easy, you can choose more than one. 😉

↠ ↠ ↠

Let’s be friends!

INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS | BLOGLOVIN | WATTPAD

P.S. I Like You by Kasie West | Spoiler Free Book Review

P.S. I Like You by Kasie West

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Publication Date: July 26th, 2016

Synopsis:
(from Goodreads)

What if the person you were falling for was a total mystery?
While Lily is spacing out in Chemistry one day, she picks up her pencil and scribbles a line from one of her favorite songs on the desk. The next day, someone else has written back to her on the desk! Soon enough Lily and the mystery student are exchanging notes, and lyrics, and even sharing secrets. When Lily finds out that her anonymous pen pal is a guy, she’s flustered — and kind of feels like she’s falling for him. She and her best friend set out to unravel the identity of the letter writer — but when the truth is revealed, the guy is the LAST person Lily could have ever imagined it to be. Now that Lily knows the truth, can she untangle her feelings and gather the courage to listen to her heart?

–Spoiler Free!–

“Words brought us together though they almost kept us apart.
You trusted me with your secrets and then you stole my heart.”

This book was so adorable. I cannot stop smiling at all the cuteness.

“Who are you talking to?”
“Myself.”
“You do that a lot.”
“I know. I’m the only one who understands me.”

I want so badly to rate it 5 stars because of the ending alone, but alas, I cannot look past how upset the main character made me. I found Lily to be really funny and awkward. I loved her passion for music and her relationship with her family. In the beginning I really loved her, she reminded me a little of myself–an awkward person who talked to themselves occasionally, didn’t mind being alone and loved indie music–but she’s just so judgmental and it was a huge turn off for me.

“I was fine alone. Sometimes I preferred it that way.”

Especially toward a certain someone and it made me so mad because I loved him. I loved him so, so much. Gosh, he’s a total sweetheart. The last third of the book had me swooning and my heart fluttering with full on excitement.

Kasie West has always been one of my guilty pleasure reads. If anyone else besides her had written this book I most likely wouldn’t have picked it up or put it so high on my to-be-read pile.

But with her, I can’t explain it. You’ll definitely have to read one of her books to really understand what I mean. They cast a spell on you. Suddenly your normal reviewer mind just shuts off and you return to being that casual reader that reads a book simply for pure pleasure.

P.S. I Like You, The Distance Between Us, and On the Fence (still haven’t read The Fill-In Boyfriend yet, shhhh) are books that are a ton of fun. They’re cute, they’re funny, and they’re for pure entertainment. Which at the end of the day, is something everyone needs once in a while.

Will this book win a ton of literary awards? Probably not. But I don’t think it’s a book that sets out to do that either. It’s a book that makes you feel happy.

Overall, I definitely recommend you check out Kasie West’s novels! My favorite is The Distance Between Us, but P.S. I Like You was so much fun to read as well! When you feel yourself succumbing into a dreaded reading slump, I assure you they’ll pull you out of it!

3.5 out of 5 stars

★★★½

Buy P.S. I Like You

Book Depository
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

–

Let’s be friends!

INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS | BLOGLOVIN | WATTPAD

Sea Spell (The Waterfire Saga #4) by Jennifer Donnelly | Book Review

Sea Spell by Jennifer Donnelly

Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Publication Date: June 14th, 2016

Synopsis:
(from Goodreads)

At the end of Dark Tide, Book 3 in the Waterfire Saga, Astrid leaves her mermaid friends to confront her ancestor, Orfeo, the evil force behind the rise of the monster Abbadon. Orfeo possesses one of the six talismans that the merls need in order to keep the monster locked up forever. But without the ability to songcast, how will Astrid be able to defeat the most powerful mage in history? Meanwhile, Serafina and her Black Fins train goblin troops for battle against her uncle Vallerio’s death riders. Will Sera ever see her beloved home–and her beloved Mahdi–again, or will the Volneros take over the mer realms while Orfeo takes on the gods themselves? Nothing less than the fate of the underwater world is at stake in this breathtaking finale.

–Possible Spoilers! Read at your own risk!–

“Just because you failed today doesn’t mean you’ve failed forever. Falling down doesn’t mean anything. It’s staying down that does you in.”

Sea Spell was a great finale to a series that I ended up liking way more than I thought I would. It was a conclusion that was satisfying, but still left a few unanswered questions. Which I surprisingly am okay with.

“A little while ago, I lost faith in myself. It nearly did me in. You helped me swim back from the brink. Now it’s my turn to help Becca. Because if the six of us lose faith in one another, we’ve lost everything.”

My favorite aspect of this series will always be the relationships. Not necessarily the romantic ones, those I found a bit rushed and wasn’t really attached to, but the relationship between friends.

Sera, Neela, Ling, Becca, Ava, and Astrid, I loved their friendship, their sisterhood so, so much. Each girl grows up to become strong, independent women. They all had to make many tough decisions, but in the end I am so proud of each and every one of them.

“Because it’s time, Des,” she finally said.
“Time for what?”
“Time to play my uncle’s game like a queen, not a pawn.”

Serafina especially, she gets most of the development since she is the main, main character. She started off the series confused and afraid. My heart was breaking for her, but she pushes past all her insecurity and in the end becomes such a strong person, a strong leader. A real queen, and gosh I am so happy for her.

“Was love enough? Was it stronger than her uncle’s brutality, his just for power, his hatred? Was it stronger than fear? Stronger than death?”

The theme of love has always been so prominent in this series. It’s a story about love in all different shapes and sizes. A story with love between friends, allies, and family. And what it means to really risk it all for those you love.

The battle for Cerulea and the one against Abbandon were so much fun to read about! It was heart pounding and had me at the edge of my seat. I couldn’t flipping pages. Absolutely epic and so thrilling.

Oh and don’t worry, the pun game is still going strong. For example, *clears throat* “Holy silt!”
Ahhh, a book looking to catch my pun loving heart.

The epilogue leaves room for spin offs and I’m super excited to see if Jennifer Donnelly decides to expand on this world.

Overall, a really great conclusion! I ended up liking this series way more than I expected and I’m kind of sad to see it go. If you’re looking for a fun, quick, magical, fantasea read with great friendships I definitely recommend giving this series a chance!

“Where there’s life, there’s hope.”

4 out of 5 stars

★★★★

Buy Sea Spell:

Book Depository
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

Start at the beginning! Buy Deep Blue:

Book Depository
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

–

Let’s be friends!

INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS | BLOGLOVIN | WATTPAD

The Cresswell Plot by Eliza Wass | Book Review

The Cresswell Plot by Eliza Wass

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Mystery
Publication Date: June 7th, 2016

Synopsis:
(from Goodreads)

Castella Cresswell and her five siblings—Hannan, Caspar, Mortimer, Delvive, and Jerusalem—know what it’s like to be different. For years, their world has been confined to their ramshackle family home deep in the woods of upstate New York. They abide by the strict rule of God, whose messages come directly from their father.
Slowly, Castley and her siblings start to test the boundaries of the laws that bind them. But, at school, they’re still the freaks they’ve always been to the outside world. Marked by their plain clothing. Unexplained bruising. Utter isolation from their classmates. That is, until Castley is forced to partner with the totally irritating, totally normal George Gray, who offers her a glimpse of a life filled with freedom and choice.
Castley’s world rapidly expands beyond the woods she knows so well and the beliefs she once thought were the only truths. There is a future waiting for her if she can escape her father’s grasp, but Castley refuses to leave her siblings behind. Just as she begins to form a plan, her father makes a chilling announcement: the Cresswells will soon return to their home in heaven. With time running out on all of their lives, Castley must expose the depth of her father’s lies. The forest has buried the truth in darkness for far too long. Castley might be their last hope for salvation.

–Possible Spoilers! Read at your own risk!–

“But that’s what life is like; it blinds you. It makes you think you’ll never escape. But you will. You will if you keep fighting, even if sometimes you don’t know what you’re fighting for.”

The Cresswell plot was a dark, creepy, and gripping novel that I’m still not really sure how I feel about.

It’s hard for me to review this book because I personally have very little knowledge about strict religious families, or religion at all really. I can’t tell if these children’s reactions were true to life or not, because things that seem clearly wrong aren’t wrong to them.

The Cresswell children: Castella (our narrator), Hannan, Delvive, Casper, Mortimer, and Jerusalem all listen and accept their father’s religious teachings without a second thought.

And it was scary. So scary to see them get punished for the simplest things and to accept it with only minimal acts of rebellion. So scary to see them turn on each other in fear of God or their father punishing them. It was absolutely heartbreaking.

“‘Because I can’t tell if you’re lying. I can’t tell whether you’re telling the truth or not. I can’t ever tell.'”

For some of the children, you just couldn’t tell how much they believed in what their father told them and where their loyalties lay.

“When you were living a life you hated, there was absolutely nothing worse than the people who were living the life you wanted.”

I really felt for Castley, all she wanted was to be a regular teenage girl. She could be kind of annoying and make stupid decisions, but I blame most of it on the cruel way she was raised.

“Most people, the so-called “good people,” looked that other way when we crossed the street, like my teachers never looked me in the eye when they noticed my wrists were bruised”

Also, can we talk about the fact that these children literally have ALL OF THE SIGNS of abuse (bruises, burn marks, haunted looks in their eyes) and nobody cares?

Is this what happens in real life? Because if it is, we humans need to get our act together. I didn’t think I’d need to say this, but ABUSE IS NOT OKAY. Nor can it be ignored or brushed aside. If you’re constantly seeing bruises on children, or actually know that they’re psycho father is locking them up in some weird sewer, you do something about it.

I have never been this upset with a made up town.

The ending was also a little disappointing. There were a lot of things left in the open and I still have a ton of unanswered questions. Especially about Mr. and Mrs. Cresswell, I mean I hated their father, but I was also really curious about him and his past and why he became the way he is. And I can’t forget about that mysterious carved star!

“He looked like someone who could have had any life he wanted. So why had he chosen this one?”

Overall, the Cresswell Plot was one creepy ride, but I wasn’t a fan of any of the characters and I really just wanted more from the ending.

“Sometimes love was a spell people put you under to keep you from seeing who they really were.”

*Disclaimer: all quotes were taken from an ARC copy of this novel that was kindly sent to me from BigHonchoMedia and DisneyHyperion

2.5 out of 5 stars

★★½

Buy The Cresswell Plot

Book Depository
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

–

Let’s be friends!

INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS | BLOGLOVIN | WATTPAD

Monthly Update | June 2016

JUNE 2016

CURRENTLY READING:

1. The Assassin’s Blade (Throne of Glass, #0.1-0.5) by Sarah J. Maas
2. The Titan’s Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #3) by Rick Riordan
3. Silver Shadows (Bloodlines #5) by Richelle Mead (okay like who am I kidding? I’m not actually making any progress in this book)

JUNE WRAP-UP:

1. The Last Star (The 5th Wave #3) by Rick Yancey
   ★★★★/5
2. I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson (reread)
   ★★★★½/5
3. Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass #2) by Sarah J. Maas
   ★★★★/5
4. Summer Days and Summer Nights edited by Stephanie Perkins
   ★★★½/5
5. The Cresswell Plot by Eliza Wass
   ★★★/5
6. The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1) by Rick Riordan (reread)
   ★★★★★/5
7. Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #2) by Rick Riordan (reread)
   ★★★★★/5
8. Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods by Rick Riordan and illustrated by John Rocco
   ★★★★★/5
9. The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi
   ★★★★/5

JULY TBR:

1. Silver Shadows (Bloodlines #5) by Richelle Mead
2. The Assassin’s Blade (Throne of Glass, #0.1-0.5) by Sarah J. Maas
3. Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3) by Sarah J. Maas
4. Queen of Shadows (Throne of Glass #4) by Sarah J. Maas
5. The Young Elites (The Young Elites #1) by Marie Lu
6. The Rose Society (The Young Elites #2) by Marie Lu
7. The Titan’s Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #3) by Rick Riordan
8. The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

READING CHALLENGE PROGRESS:

I have read 52 books out of my goal of 100 and according to Goodreads I am 3 books ahead of schedule! Oh my gosh I’m a litter over halfway done!! Whoo! I really wasn’t sure if I could do it, but I’m remaining optimistic that I can read 100 books by the end of the year!

JUNE BOOK HAUL:

1. Summer Days and Summer Nights edited by Stephanie Perkins
2. This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab
3. The Veins of the Ocean by Patricia Engel
4. Enchanted Islands by Allison Amend
5. Shrill by Lindy West
6. Before the Fall by Noah Hawley
7. Modern Lovers by Emma Straub
8. With Malice by Eileen Cook
9. Passenger by Alexandra Bracken
10. The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson
11. Siege and Storm (The Grisha #2) by Leigh Bardugo
12. Sea Spell (Waterfire saga #4) by Jennifer Donnelly
13. The Rose Society (The Young Elites #2) by Marie Lu
14. The Winner’s Kiss (The Winner’s trilogy #3) by Marie Rutkoski
15. The Dark Days Club by Alison Goodman
16. Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
17. Days of Blood and Starlight (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #2) by Laini Taylor
18. Dreams of Gods and Monsters (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #3) by Laini Taylor
19. The Amazing Book Is Not On Fire by Dan Howell and Phil Lester
20. Saga Volume One by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples

–

WHY ARE BROADWAY TICKETS SO EXPENSIVE?

I’m trying to convince my parents to take me to see Hamilton, but tickets are so expensive and always sold out and ugh, I’m just so sad. I really wanted to see the show before Lin-Manuel Miranda leaves the cast *internally crying*
(btw, can i just say phillipa soo has the voice of an angel)

Anywhoo, as you can see I got a poop load of new books, but then again what’s new? *sigh* I seriously need to go on a book buying ban. A huge thank you to Big Honcho Media for sending me With Malice, my lovely sis for gifting me Sea Spell, my friend Tanika for giving me a copy of The Amazing Book is Not On Fire and to Book of the Month Club for sending me their June selection of books!

In other news, besides my struggle with self-control, the book club I’m apart of (@theliterarylions) will be reading The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson for July! I’m really excited because I heard that characters from Since You’ve Been Gone have a cameo! Ahhh, I’m hoping for some Frank and Emily scenes ❤ (Fremily?).

Oh and I impulsively started my reread for the Percy Jackson series and it was the best decision I ever made. Percy Jackson was exactly what I needed back in my awkward elementary school days and it’s still exactly what I need even now. The series is my childhood, it was my first love, and it will always have a special place in my heart.

Until next time everyone! Happy reading! More reviews and other posts to come! I have some posts I’ve wanted to do, I just need to get off my lazy butt and actually write them!

–

Let’s be friends!

INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS | BLOGLOVIN | WATTPAD

“If my life is going to mean anything, I have to live it myself.”
― Rick Riordan, The Lightning Thief

Summer Days and Summer Nights edited by Stephanie Perkins | Book Review

Summer Days and Summer Nights edited by Stephanie Perkins

Genre: Contemporary, Anthology
Publication Date: May, 2016

Synopsis:
(from Goodreads)

Maybe it’s the long, lazy days, or maybe it’s the heat making everyone a little bit crazy. Whatever the reason, summer is the perfect time for love to bloom. Summer Days & Summer Nights: Twelve Love Stories, written by twelve bestselling young adult writers and edited by the international bestselling author Stephanie Perkins, will have you dreaming of sunset strolls by the lake. So set out your beach chair and grab your sunglasses. You have twelve reasons this summer to soak up the sun and fall in love.
Featuring stories by Leigh Bardugo, Francesca Lia Block, Libba Bray, Cassandra Clare, Brandy Colbert, Tim Federle, Lev Grossman, Nina LaCour, Stephanie Perkins, Veronica Roth, Jon Skovron, and Jennifer E. Smith.

–Spoiler Free!–

What a great collection of stories! They’re all so diverse and different from each other. I really do think that there’s a story in this anthology for everyone, and thankfully I did end up liking most of the short stories. My biggest complaint is that a lot of the stories were depressing. I went in hoping for a cutesy and adorable summer romance and I got a little of that, but not a lot. This anthology was definitely not what I was expecting, but it was overall a fun read.

Hearts, Scales, Tongue, and Tail by Leigh Bardugo
★★★★½/5

What a great story to start the anthology! It was adorable, magical, and just beautifully written. I was a bit confused by the ending, but I really liked it nonetheless! Eli and Gracie’s relationship was just so dang sweet, definitely one of my favorites of the bunch. Leigh Bardugo is the queen.

“There are monsters everywhere, tsigele. It’s always good to know their names.”

The End of Love by Nina LaCour
★★★★/5

I really liked this story! It was such a lovely and sweet summer contemporary. With a lesbian relationship! I don’t get to read much of those. I’ve never read a novel by Nina LaCour before, but I definitely want to check out more of her works.

“As much as people want to look on the bright side, skip straight to the future when everything will be okay, the truth is that there is this time, where you sometimes have trouble breathing, and you feel powerless. Like you’re screaming and no one hears you.”

Last Stand At the Cinegore by Libba Bray
★★/5

This one was a bit…weird. I don’t really know how else to describe it. I can’t say I was really invested in the story or the relationships. It was overall just really strange and all over the place, but interesting, if a bit rushed. I’m not exactly sure what happened if I’m being honest.

“Some things you couldn’t plan for; you just had to react in the moment and hope it was enough.”

Sick Pleasure by Francesca Lia Block
★★½/5

Sick Pleasure was also a bit weird, but interesting. Especially the ending. The fact that every character had a letter for a name which took me by surprise and took a while to get used to. It was also kind of depressing, but I did not at all expect it to end in the way it did.

I was so curious about the background for the story that I even Googled it because that’s the kind of person I am.
If you’re interested as well, click here. It’s a blog post written by the author, so nothing illegal I promise, hahah.

I would definitely not call this a cutesy summer romance!

“Love can be so strange and sad. It can be hard to understand why we run toward certain people and away from others at different times in our lives. Why we search so hard for that thing we are looking for, and then run so fast when we find it.”

In Ninety Minutes Turn North by Stephanie Perkins
★★★★½/5

I was thankfully told ahead a time that this story was a continuation to the short story Stephanie had written in her holiday anthology “My True Love Gave to Me”, which I haven’t fully read yet, but I of course read the story there before I read this one.

North is so flipping cute! How Stephanie continues to write such swoon worthy characters I will never know.

I love him and Marigold so much, and I’m so happy we got to read more about them. They’re both so adorable. This story was just so darn sweet and a ton of fun! I’m just happy they’re happy.

CAN I HAVE A NORTH? THANKS.

“But what if we like this mountain? What if we can’t even see the other mountains because we’re so infatuated with the one standing right before us?”

Souvenirs by Tim Federle
★★★/5

This story was just depressing. Like come on, I didn’t pick up a book called “Summer Days and Summer Nights” and expect to be hit with a bunch of truth and realistic-ness about life. I wanted the laughs! The fluff! The cute romance. Sigh. Even so, I did like our narrator, Matt, and his mom. It was really just bittersweet and sad. And I guess I’ll admit it, I didn’t like Kieth anyway.

“We were going to be best friends forever, and then we weren’t. I was going to have a hole in my heart for all time, and then I didn’t. I moved on—even if some part of me stayed scarred by Stacy leaving me. But the thing about scars is that, as much as they knot you up, they can make you stronger, too. Collect enough scars and you get a whole extra layer of skin, for free.”

Inertia by Veronica Roth
★★★½/5

This short story was so creative and unique, not to mention totally Veronica Roth. A science fiction story that deals with memories and the mind. A program called the Last Visitation that allows people to revisits memories that both parties shared. Super interesting concept, but I did however have a hard time connecting with the characters or feeling their chemistry. The story was kind of depressing too, but the ending was sweet.

“‘Sadness and anger aren’t the only feelings that count as feelings.'”

Love is the Last Resort by Jon Skovron
★★★★/5

Okay, so this story was actually really cute and summery, if a bit dramatic what with the matchmaking scheme and over dramatic dialogue. The narrator addresses the reader, which I personally found funny and fun, but will differ from person to person. There were so many characters that it was hard to keep track of all of them, or to get really invested in their stories, but overall it was a hilariously light and fun read!

“Because if we are all fools, then perhaps there is some wisdom in falling in love.”

Good Luck and Farewell by Brandy Colbery
★★★½/5

This story got really dark and (surprise) depressing. What I thought would be a cute little story about a girl learning to move on when she hears that her cousin, and best friend, is moving to San Francisco with her girlfriend, turned out to be much deeper than that. Our main character can come off a bit rude, but I felt for her, she’s just trying to cope. Granted in a terrible lets-get-angry way, but still. It’s a story of love and grief and acceptance and I’m happy with the way it ended. I hope for the best for each character.

“Maybe saying good-bye isn’t all bad. Maybe it means I’m making room for someone new.”

Brand New Attraction by Cassandra Clare
★★★★½ /5

Okay, so the story I was most excited about was thankfully not a let down! Whoo! (Or am I just complete utter Cassie Clare trash?) Ahh, I absolutely loved the description of the carnival so, so much. It was creepy and dark and just super awesome! Can I have a pet demon?

Kidding, kind of. Anyway, the story was really epic and fun!

The romance was sweet too, even if it did make me uncomfortable and hesitant at first, but I love Lulu and Lucus, they’re both so adorable!

“People come to shows like ours to be scared, yeah. But they also come to live. To feel magic. They come to feel brave, like they’ve faced the dark forces.”

A Thousand Ways This Could All Go Wrong by Jennifer E. Smith
★★★★/5

Ahhh, this one was so cute! I’ve always been a bit iffy with Jennifer E. Smith’s writing, but this story flew by and left me wanting more. The romance was adorable and absolutely loved our two love interests.

“There are still about a thousand ways this could all go wrong. But there are a thousand different ways it could go right, too.”

The Map of Tiny Perfect Things by Lev Grossman
★★★/5

Okay, so like the main character in this story is practically me. In this world, time has frozen on August 4th (unrealistic and leaves me with a ton of questions, but whatever, who cares, we can move past that) and he spends most of his time reading all of the books (can this happen in real life?). Love it. I personally found Mark funny and quirky, his relationship and adventures with Margaret was also fun. I can’t say I really bought the romance, but overall the story was entertaining.

“For the time being I was living without consequences. But you can’t hold back consequences forever.”

3.5 out of 5 stars

★★★½

–

Buy Summer Days and Summer Nights

Book Depository
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

–

Let’s be friends!

INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS | BLOGLOVIN | WATTPAD