Tag: Young Adult (Page 72 of 159)

BOOK REVIEW – Through the Ever Night (Under the Never Sky #2) by Veronica Rossi

BOOK REVIEW –  Through the Ever Night (Under the Never Sky #2) by Veronica RossiThrough the Ever Night (Under the Never Sky #2)
by Veronica Rossi
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

A world-defying love is put to the ultimate test in the New York Times and USA Today bestselling sequel to Veronica Rossi's "masterpiece," Under the Never Sky (Examiner.com ). In this second book in her spellbinding Under the Never Sky trilogy, bestselling author Veronica Rossi combines fantasy and dystopian elements to create a love story as perilous as it is unforgettable.

It's been months since Aria last saw Perry. Months since Perry was named Blood Lord of the Tides, and Aria was charged with an impossible mission. Now, finally, they are about to be reunited. But their reunion is far from perfect. The Tides don't take kindly to Aria, a former Dweller. And with the worsening Aether storms threatening the tribe's precarious existence, Aria begins to fear that leaving Perry behind might be the only way to save them both.

Threatened by false friends and powerful temptations, Aria and Perry wonder, Can their love survive through the ever night?

Review:

Through The Ever Night captivated my attention and made me an emotional mess.  I was constantly flitting between butterflies, smiles, devastation and heartache.  And by that last page, I realized that this series has easily become one of my favorite dystopian series ever!  So saying I have HUGE expectations for the final book is definitely an understatement!  While I keep my fingers crossed for what will happen next, here are some of my favorite things about this series so far:

Perry held her against him. “I missed you,” he whispered in her ear. He couldn’t hold her close enough. “I should never have let you go. I missed you so much.”

A world that had become even more frightening – While I struggled grasping their world in the first few chapters of Under The Never Sky, everything is so clear and concise now.  But this time around it almost felt like their world was a living and breathing entity.  The weather, the land, it had all become so much more prominent in my eyes.  It felt as though the weather was alive.  Ready to strike at any moment.  It gave me the chills and added to the uncertainty of their fate.  Because you never truly knew what would happen next.

Her life was in danger. Her mission was in danger. She drew a breath and stood. She wouldn’t let herself fail.

A heroine and hero who grew separately and together – The amount that Perry and Aria grew throughout the book made me so proud of them.  They were able to act from not only the knowledge they learned from others, but also the knowledge they gained from the decisions they made.  Which definitely weren’t always the best ones.  So by the time I reached the end of this book, I was clapping my hands for how far each of them had come and grown!

What if this was a sign? Maybe I’m not supposed to be an Outsider.
He surprised her by taking her hand and threading his fingers through hers. “You already
are an Outsider. You fit everywhere. You just don’t see it yet.” – Aria & Roar

Secondary characters that deserve the limelight – There were so many secondary characters that stood out vibrantly to me.  I was shocked and at the same time terrified, because I don’t want to be attached to that many characters.  In their brutal world, life can stop existing in the blink of an eye.  But among those secondary characters, Roar was my favorite by far.  He was Perry’s best friend, who became one of Aria’s closest friends.  He became just as important to me as Perry and Aria.  Roar was hilarious, charming and seductive.  He created butterflies in my stomach and I was always left wanting to know more about this man.  And as the pages unfolded, his happiness and suffering easily become mine.   I grew to attached to him, and his fate became just as important to me as Perry and Aria’s.

Her gaze dropped to the ground between them. Three paces for her. Two for him. Moments ago they’d been pressed together. Now they stood apart like strangers. Like everything had just changed.

I loved how the story developed – As the pages unfolded, we were taken back to a struggle the existed in Under The Never Sky.  Which was the stark differences between Aria and Perry.  Not only was their genetic makeup different, but they were from completely different worlds.  They were supposed to be enemies.  And although they had created a bond and started to care for one another, I loved how people threw this element into the forefront.  How it wasn’t just forgotten or swept under the rug.  It affected the journey that took place in this story.  But my favorite thing was that it caused some unexpected twists and turns which kept me on my toes.

This series has been so much fun to read so far.  The peril, the laughter, the unknown all has my full attention and I can’t wait to see what will come next!

Reading Order & Links:
Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
under the never sky veronica rossi
Under the Never Sky #1
Reviews:

Jen
Chelsea
roar-and-live-veronica-rossi
Roar and Liv #0.1
Review:
Jen
through the ever night veronica rossi
Through the Ever Night #2
Reviews:

Jen
Chelsea
brooke-veronica-rossi
Brooke #2.5
Review:
Jen
into the still blue veronica rossi
Into the Still Blue #3
Reviews:

Jen
Chelsea

BOOK REVIEW – The Demon in the Wood (The Grisha #0.1) by Leigh Bardugo

BOOK REVIEW – The Demon in the Wood (The Grisha #0.1) by Leigh BardugoThe Demon in the Wood (The Grisha #0.1)
by Leigh Bardugo
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Limited collector’s edition of the final book features an exclusive Darkling prequel story!

Before he became the Darkling, he was just a lonely boy of extraordinary power. Get a look into the past that forged a brutal and brilliant leader.


{spoilers for Ruin and Rising, I guess, if there are still people who do not know}

This novella was torture for my heart. I REGRET NOTHING.

1) Here’s something I can say for sure : I will always be divided over The Grisha Trilogy.

2) Here’s something I read a lot and that tends to awake my annoyance pretty fast (= that pisses me off, alright) : “people gave the last book a bad rating because they couldn’t cope with the ending, how ridiculous, haha”

You know what? Perhaps some readers did – and that’s their absolute right – but let’s not forget all of those who only wanted for the story to reach a better development and were disappointed. I was definitely one of those.

Indeed I gave both Shadow and Bone and Siege and Storm a 3 : a rather good story unfortunately spoiled by a Mary Sue and her knight in (not so) shining armor (let’s not talk about Mal, okay?), an uneven pacing but pretty good writing and dialogues.

I promised myself that I wouldn’t be back on my ranting about Ruin and Rising, so I’ll just say this : the problem isn’t the ending per se, even if, MY HEART. The problem is a story that didn’t live up to its expectations, as far as I’m concerned. The problem is THIS BIG FAIL on character’s development, with MCs who run round and round on circles (the point?!). The problem is, also, and that’s still a sensitive issue for me, the misleading marketing that surrounded its release – to this day, I’m not over the fact that the character who was showcased the most in teasers was MIA for most of the book.

I call this slighly dishonest. But moving on. I’m not one for holding grudges.

Today, I’m giving my highest rating in this series to a 30 PAGES NOVELLA (the kindle version stops at 40%, just so you know), but really, who’s surprised? Certainly not me.

Two Words : THE. DARKLING.

The Darkling was the SOLE reason for my decision to continue this series, and not only because he’s charming and tortured and deliciously evil and fascinating and GAH MY HEART. Above that, FOR ME, he is the only complex and multi-layered character in the entire series. Even here, in a 30 pages novella, he manages to interest me one million times more than Mal & Alina ever did, the little peasants (sorry, I couldn’t help).

I mean, HOW COULD I RESIST? The Demon in the Wood pictures him as a child, back when his power wasn’t his best advantage yet…. but was his downfall already. The suffering. The loneliness.

The yearning for a place to finally, finally be safe.

Evocative and beautiful writing, captivating premise, and of course that’s way too short, and of course I’m partial and absolutely not objective, but EXCUSE ME WHILE I’M CRYING.

STRAIGHT TO MY DYING HEART.
_______________________________

Leigh Bardugo & The Darkling –

BOOK REVIEW – Unnatural Deeds by Cyn Balog

BOOK REVIEW – Unnatural Deeds by Cyn BalogUnnatural Deeds by Cyn Balog
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Secrets. Obsession. Murder. Victoria is about to discover just how dangerous it can be to lose yourself.

Victoria Zell doesn’t fit in, but she’s okay with that. All she needs is the company of her equally oddball boyfriend, Andrew. She doesn’t care what anyone else thinks…until magnetic, charming, mysterious Z comes into her life, and she starts lying to everyone she knows in an effort to unravel his secrets.

And then something terrible happens. Someone is dead and it’s time for Victoria to come clean. Interspersed with news clippings and police interviews, Victoria tells her story to Andrew, revealing her dark, horrible secrets…secrets that have finally come back to haunt her.

Psst! Guys! You really have to meet …

… Because in case you didn’t know, Z is your sun, your light, your LIFE.

“By the end of that first day without Z, the whole school fell into a general malaise. Students moved through the halls slower and didn’t smile as much. Everyone looked doubly hard at Z’s desk, as if staring could will him back. He was the sun, and his disappearance had sent us all out of orbit. And so, as the planet closest to him, I felt even more purposeless.

Who is Z, you’re asking? Their guru? Their METH DEALER? What – naaaah, he’s just that intriguing and oh so mysterious new guy *cough* every YA ever *cough* whom everyone loves because of REASONS.

I kid, I kid. There’re reasons.

① He’s got such an awesome sense of humor :

“Torture animals?”
I should have known he’d joke around.”

O_o

“Friday, as he set up the Bunsen burner, he said, “I wish I had a can of hair spray. I should have warned you that I’m kind of a pyromaniac. (…)
He continued, “Tip : When you’re with me, always scope out the nearest fire exit.” (…)
“You know that song? ‘The Roof Is on Fire’? That’s my favorite song. For obvious -“

Oh my God, I’m laughing so hard there. He’s just so funny!

② He’s just so intense, ya know?

“Oh, there is nothing as intense as the way he looks at you. When he does, it’s like you’ve been touched, maybe not by the hand of God, but by one of God’s fingers.

Blah, if that’s the fingers then. Small player.

“I looked into his eyes as he repeated, again and again, that it was under control. You know I don’t believe in witchcraft or hocus-pocus or junk like that [Twilight, though?] But in that moment, I knew that magic existed. Those eyes could make me believe anything. Anything. The world is flat? OK. Have a bridge for sale? Sign me up.

You, girl, have a problem.

③ He’s so respectful of other human beings and, you know, like, so fun to have around because he really cares, see what I mean?

“Instead, Z said, “I’m hungry. Let’s get food.” I didn’t have to agree. It wasn’t a question. He was just going to do it, and I suppose if I was against it, I’d have to jump out at a spotlight.”

I know what you think – he didn’t ask her but SEE! That’s where you’re wrong about him! He obviously did know before even asking her! How freaking AWESOME is that?!

④ He’s so interesting, people can’t help but be affected. Because of course.

“Brainy Gerri never wore anything other than the school’s regulation pink blouse, buttoned to the very top. Today though, her two top buttons were undone.

TODAY THOUGH.

“Some of the guys had taken to chewing gum.”

That is MIND-BLOWING stuff there. I am in AWE of that guy, really.

Honestly? There’s just something so appalling in seeing the main character fall head over heels for this imposture. Sure, from the *not so discreet* insinuations we understand that something bad is going to happen (sorry, this is YA thriller : something really really really bad is gonna happen – the badder kind of bad, like, so bad) but what baffles me is the fact that she fell (and the whole school with her) in the FIRST PLACE?! Like HOW? Alright, it tries to do something interesting by twisting the trope of the hot new guy (who is – shocking – actually a creepy dude, BOO!) but how can I feel invested if that’s obvious from the start? I mean, Victoria’s just so naive? O_o Also, she doesn’t like other girls, so, you know, I don’t like her. BIM!

► UNBELIEVABLE. BORING. RIDICULOUS.

Oooooops. Better leave then. DNF 37%.

BOOK REVIEW – Anna and the French Kiss (Anna and the French Kiss #1) by Stephanie Perkins

I’m so glad I took the time to re-read my absolute favorite of 2014. I forgot how deeply I loved Anna and St. Clair and the butterflies were insane. It’s funny how our favorites can still affect us as if we’re reading them for the first time.

BOOK REVIEW – Anna and the French Kiss (Anna and the French Kiss #1) by Stephanie PerkinsAnna and the French Kiss (Anna and the French Kiss #1)
by Stephanie Perkins
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

 ‘I love you as certain dark things are loved, secretly, between the shadow and the soul.’

Wow. Well that, my absolutely beautiful friends, was YA at it’s finest. Gorgeous storytelling, undeniably addictive characters, and falling in love in the city of light? What could possibly be wrong with this story? Let me tell you what was wrong with this book: Nothing. Not one thing. I, for the first time in a LONG time, have nothing negative to say about a book. I loved it. I devoured it. I longed for it when I put it down, and I picked it back up to re-read my favorite parts (turns out? There were a lot of favorite parts) even after I’d finished. Is that a little crazy? Maybe. Does it make me a little obsessed? Kind of. But, in all fairness, I’ve never claimed I was sane, especially when I find a book that touches me as deeply as Anna and the French Kiss did.

The grapes are smaller than I’m used to, and the skin is slightly textured. Is that dirt? I dip my napkin in water and dab at the tiny purple globes. It helps, but they’re still sort of rough. Hmm. St. Clair and Meredith stop talking. I glance up to find them staring at me in matching bemusement. “What?” “Nothing,” he says. “Continue your grape bath.” “They were dirty.”

Ya know, I often repeat myself in different reviews, and it doesn’t escape my attention that I do. But, if it’s not broken, why fix it?? There are so many things in this book that should have turned me off-for instance, traveling to Paris. Hey, I hate traveling books. I do. But, from page one on, she was already there. Thank God. The main character wasn’t fully American. Now, this one’s a gray area. I really don’t like characters with accents for whatever reason, and I think it stems from my lack of conjuring up a dude who matches the accent in my head. I’m so so so bad at that. But, St. Clair was amazing, and I never once faltered because he was an adorable British speaking French American. And that’s what I loved so much about this book-I loved it because of those qualities. How the hell does that happen???

Alone. I don’t understand why he couldn’t send me to Australia or Ireland or anywhere else where English is the native language. The only French word I know is oui, which means “yes,” and only recently did I learn it’s spelled o-u-i and not w-e-e.

Now, Anna? She’s like my soul sister. Okay, okay. Not my soul sister, you know, because she makes fun of St. Clair and his love for the bookies, and it’s not nice to make fun of people who read books. But she’s damn close. She loves the movies (um, not enough people do, thank you)-she goes like…every night to see a film! I would SO do that if I could or had the time. Even all her mannerisms remind me of how I’d be in a foreign city where I know absolutely no one and am confused by the language. It was adorable to see her stuttering about and trying to figure out how to order food. The funniest thing is how her friends St. Clair heckles her about it. It’s so adorable. She literally barely ate because she didn’t want to butcher the menu item she was ordering, and that is totally something I’d do-I get so flustered and embarrassed and stop trying to do what I’m doing if I feel I’m making a spectacle. Oh, and she loves St. Clair. Hey! Me too!

“Merci,” I say. “De rien. You’re welcome. And I ‘ope you don’t skeep meals to avoid me anymore!” He places his hand on his chest, as if brokenhearted. I smile and shake my head no. I can do this. I can do this. I can- “NOW THAT WASN’T SO TERRIBLE, WAS IT, ANNA?” St. Clair hollers from the other side of the cafeteria. I spin around and give him the finger down low, hoping Monsieur Boutin can’t see. St. Clair responds by grinning and giving me the British version, the V-sign with his first two fingers. Monsieur Boutin tuts behind me with good nature. I pay for the meal and take the seat next to St. Clair. “Thanks. I forgot how to flip off the English. I’ll use the correct hand gesture next time.” “My pleasure. Always happy to educate.”

Er. Mah. Gherd. St. Clair. What do I say about him?? He was my absolute favorite character. He was funny, sweet, loyal, charismatic, kind, swoony, and head over heels for Anna. It was adorable when he would flirt with her in classes or when they were all hanging out. It was butterfly inducing when he got jealous as a guy showed Anna any special attention or when she reminisced about the guy back home she had a crush on. He defends her when anyone even looks at her funny, but never ceases to tease her himself-Subtle little signs showed how they felt about one another, even more him than her. They quickly become best friends who know more about each other than anyone else possibly could, making them the closest of the group. But we all know how that goes when love takes a back seat to ‘best friendship’….*squeals in delight*

What am I going to do? I’m in love with my new best friend.

Oh….but the only problem is, he has a girlfriend. What would you do if you met the love of your life and he was with someone else? How would that make you feel? How would you handle it? I really thought, despite the fact that I do not condone cheating, that this scenario was written beautifully. Or perhaps it was more…strategic. However you interpreted it, it doesn’t change how amazing it made me feel. It wasn’t skeevy, it wasn’t icky, and it was done so tastefully. Hell, I really don’t even need to defend anything because nothing happened. Though…there was this sexy, sexy club scene that made me fifty kinds of excited….Enough happened that, had I been his girlfriend, I’d have seen red-let’s say it that way.

Focus. “Do you like it?” I whisper. He pauses. “The film?” I’m thankful the shadows hide my blush. “I like it very much,” he says. I risk a glance, and St. Clair stares back. Deeply. He has not looked at me like this before. I turn away first, then feel him turn a few beats later. I know he is smiling, and my heart races.

I saw that some people got annoyed at how she talked about her guy back home quite a bit and it put them off, but I don’t understand why. I mean, duh she’s in love with St. Clair, we know this, but, as I said before-he’s taken. No amount of flirting will change that. I think my point is, isn’t it good that, while she secretly pines for St. Clair, she tries to keep her head steady by thinking of good ‘ol Sideburns? I dunno. I thought this just added another intricate layer to an already adorable story.

“No one special?” Matt smiles and glances at me through the rearview mirror. I’m not sure why, but I forgot he has brown eyes. Why do they make some people look amazing and others completely average? It’s the same with brown hair. Statistically speaking, St. Clair and Matt are quite similar. Eyes: Brown. Hair: Brown. Race: Caucasian. There’s a significant difference in height, but still. It’s like comparing a gourmet truffle to a Mr. Goodbar. I think about the gourmet truffle. And his girlfriend. “Not exactly.”

I’m sitting here writing this review and I can hardly think of anything to say. Even now I’m giddy, breathless, excited and all kinds of wound up. I wish I could just curl up in a ball and re-read this immediately and seclude myself in the backroom at my house…but my obsession needs to fizzle and even out, because this fangirldom is a bit much more than even I, myself, can take.

I fantasize about their breakup. How he could hurt her, and she could hurt him, and all of the ways I could hurt her back. I want to grab her Parisian-styled hair and yank it so hard it rips from her skull. I want to sink my claws into her eyeballs and scrape. It turns out I am not a nice person.

(Lmao, I love this quote. Turns out? I’m not that nice either. You go, Anna :P) Well, I wish I could list all my favorite parts, but I won’t. It would ruin all the little surprises and I want people to love this book because of the little gems it randomly and sufficiently produces. But, I have to say one: (view spoiler) Ugh. And his pinky nail and thumb nail chewing. Sigh. So cute.

Is it possible for home to be a person and not a place? Bridgette used to be home to me. Maybe St. Clair is my new home.

I put this book off for years. Flippin’ YEARS. All because of that blurb, combined with the foreign element, combined with that god-awful cover (I know, sue me). Don’t make the same mistake. This book is light as air, fresh, funny, sweet, and so so worth it. Don’t waste another minute skipping over it-I almost missed out on one of my new favorites that I know I’ll read over and over and over again, no matter my age, what’s going on in my life, and what my current reading preferences are-it’s that kind of book for me.

BOOK REVIEW – Under the Never Sky (Under the Never Sky #1) by Veronica Rossi

BOOK REVIEW – Under the Never Sky (Under the Never Sky #1) by Veronica RossiUnder the Never Sky (Under the Never Sky #1)
by Veronica Rossi
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland—known as The Death Shop—are slim. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He's wild—a savage—and her only hope of staying alive. A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile—everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria's help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption.

In alternating chapters told in Aria's and Perry's voices, Under the Never Sky subtly and powerfully captures the evolving relationship between these characters and sweeps readers away to a harsh but often beautiful world. Continuing with Through the Ever Night and concluding with Into the Still Blue, the Under the Never Sky trilogy has already been embraced by readers in twenty-six countries and been optioned for film by Warner Bros.

Review:

It took me a few chapters to become immersed in the story and wrap my head around their world.  But once I did, I fell madly in love with Under The Never Sky!  I loved how the story continually built with fascinating ideas.  I loved how rich and soulful the characters were.  And I absolutely loved how my emotions tangled together and parts kept my heart beating fast for a myriad of reasons.  Under The Never Sky was such a beautiful story, and I can’t wait to see where this series goes!

And in life, at least in her new life, chances were the best she could hope for. They were like her rocks. Imperfect and surprising and maybe better in the long run than certainties. Chances, she thought, were life.

Aria has lived her whole life in a dome, where they spend their time dually within their real world and a virtual one.  The reason they live in the domes was beyond unique to me – aether flows in the sky.  It’s a mixture of fire and water which builds together to create deadly storms that singe and destroy everything in it’s path that it touches.  And of course once I started to get a good grasp on Aria and the world she lived in, she was thrown outside the dome.  To die alone.  Yet that’s not what happened…..

“I should have let you die. I lost everything because of you.” – Perry to Aria

Aria meets Perry, an outsider who she refers to as a savage.  They are people who live outside the dome and have learned to survive the torrential land.  While Aria needs Perry to help survive, Perry needs Aria too, for reasons I can’t say haha.  I loved that this unlikely duo had to team up to get what they wanted.  Especially since they are enemies with a very flimsy peace in place.  But the best part?!  We get to hear both of their voices!  We alternate chapters between Perry and Aria and hearing their internal thoughts was so perfect and helpful, especially since they were good at wearing masks *cough Perry cough*.  I found myself caught up in their struggles and hoping that their hatred status could move to friendship.  Or even more!

“Hurt me again, I hurt you back harder,” he said through clenched teeth. She felt the rumble of his voice where their ribs pressed together. – Perry to Aria

Perry easily comes across to Aria as a heartless, killing, bastard.  And if you know me, I have a weakness for those lol!  Yes he was a jerk at times.  But his actions spoke volumes for what he was capable of not saying.  It showed that he was loyal, caring, thoughtful and someone who you would want to have your back in their horrific world.  I fell so unbelievably hard for Perry.  Especially with his past and current decisions that he made in life *clutches heart*.  He’s definitely going on my favorite tortured heroes list.  And he’s someone I hope you all get to meet.

With the weight of the rock resting in her hand and the dusty smell he’d brought in with him. Aria heard her own breathing and felt the quiet power of his attention. She felt completely where she was. There with him. With herself.
She’d never felt anything like it.

Which made me question Aria as his travel companion, since she could seem so unsure of herself.  But all I had to do was wait a little while, because she grew so much!  Aria started to show her true colors when she wouldn’t back down to Perry, and when I kept seeing how she hated having to rely on someone to survive.  She wanted to learn.  She wanted to survive on her own.  She was a fighter through and through and never gave in easily.  She was on a direct path to becoming brave and fearless like Perry, and as one of my favorite Heroines.  I can’t wait to see how much more she’ll grow with the next two books.  Okay, all this talk is making me antsy…..I have to see what happens next!  I am off to start Through The Ever Night, and if you haven’t picked up this book yet I highly recommend you do!

Reading Order & Links:
Amazon (click on covers), iBooks (click on titles) & Book Depository (click on book #)
under the never sky veronica rossi
Under the Never Sky #1
Reviews:

Jen
Chelsea
roar-and-live-veronica-rossi
Roar and Liv #0.1
Review:
Jen
through the ever night veronica rossi
Through the Ever Night #2
Reviews:

Jen
Chelsea
brooke-veronica-rossi
Brooke #2.5
Review:
Jen
into the still blue veronica rossi
Into the Still Blue #3
Reviews:

Jen
Chelsea
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