Tag: Young Adult (Page 80 of 159)

BOOK REVIEW – The Ask and the Answer (Chaos Walking #2) by Patrick Ness

May 29, 2016 / Anna

The Ask and the Answer (Chaos Walking #2)
by Patrick Ness
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
"The Ask and the Answer" is a tense, shocking and deeply moving novel of resistance under the most extreme pressure. This is the second title in the "Chaos Walking" trilogy.

What would you choose if you had the faith of someone you love in your hands?

Would you betray your beliefs?

I must confess that the only honest answer I can give you is :

Of course I’d be so proud if I was able to say that I’d do the right thing whatever it takes, and I want to think I’d do it. Really. Of course there are situations where what to do is obvious because one of the possibilities is utterly bad. But sometimes – sometimes there’s no such thing as a right choice.

The Ask and the Answer is supposed to be a children’s book. Yes, for sure it is. I mean, that seems crystal clear, huh? The main characters are young, aren’t they?

Yes… But still. Is it enough to tell? Really?

Because this book?! It actually made me think more than most of those I’ve read for years. And I read a lot. The Ask and the Answer gives rise to ethical reflection and disturbs us.

What is it that makes you a good person? Is there a boundary line? Where is it, I’m asking, where is it? Is it what you do? What you think? What you allow others to do?

WHERE?

– Blur –

“And they seem to unnerstand. That’s the thing. They unnerstand way more than a sheep would.”

Make no mistakes, I hated Mayor Prentiss – President – Prentiss something fierce. I really did, from the beginning. Then, I never liked a lot this Mistress Coyle either. But these choices our characters must face? They’re difficult. Harsh.

*blush* Can I say it? I only wanted for Todd and Viola to be safe. To be together. To be happy. Yes, I can be idealist that way.

And maybe it makes me a coward, maybe it makes me weak, but –

There was a moment I was just thinking one damn thing : “Run!” Fuck ’em all, and run! (shut up) But of course it’d be selfish. Of course life isn’t so simple. And of course the story would be over, and way less interesting. I may be a romantic but not that dumb. I know that. But still. I’m just saying I thought about it. Fortunately for us, readers who want to be moved but oh my god that’s so harsh – Fortunately for us, Todd and Viola are amazing characters and oh so more stronger than me.

I’ll let you know something : This book is a gem, a real one, but that was painful.

“Cuz she’s out there somewhere. (please be out there somewhere) (please be okay) (please)”

I’ve said my heart ached for Todd in The Knife of Never Letting Go? Scratch that : It just broke in this one. All over again. I sure can’t say that I agreed with all the choices he made. It’d be far from the true – some of his actions are really unforgivable (view spoiler)[one word : 1017 (hide spoiler)]. But, you know, Patrick Ness is such a genius – yes, because I know that the talent (or the lack of) of a writer plays a large part in our feelings towards the characters – that even if I hated Todd sometimes, I couldn’t help but love him. Something fierce. Whatever it takes.

That’s the all point, huh?

(Viola?)

You could think that this sentence, “Love is stronger than anything” is a pious platitude. You’d be right. I mean, we all know how this sentence is often used in romance novels to, you know, try to hide the lack of plot?

And yet you’d be so wrong. This book is not a romance. So then? Where does it lead us?

To a wonderful book about choices. The choices we make and why we make them and how can we be sure that we’re right?

We just can’t.

Let it be known that I will forever be destroyed by this quote. FOREVER –

“And someone calls, “Murderer!” from across the square.
But of course it can’t be her –
But at least there’s someone. At least there’s someone.”

… Because what are we hoping but for someone to speak up? I want to be that person, and even if I’m not gonna lie, it scares me to death, I sure hope I would be, because what’s the point of life if we can witness atrocities and just stand there?

I am in awe of Patrick Ness. His books are brilliant, and I’m already looking forward to reading the next. Because of course there’s a cliffhanger. Again.

Edit 05/29 : I’ve started editing this review, but nothing could express my confusion and emotion more than the few words I wrote straight away. Perhaps it’s for the best that my obsessional perfectionism can’t influence everything. Perhaps sometimes, beautiful sentences and neat organization would be nothing else but a lie.

BOOK REVIEW – The Impostor Queen (The Impostor Queen #1) by Sarah Fine

May 27, 2016 / Anna

The Impostor Queen (The Impostor Queen #1)
by Sarah Fine
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Sixteen-year-old Elli was only a child when the Elders of Kupari chose her to succeed the Valtia, the queen who wields infinitely powerful ice and fire magic in service of her people. The only life Elli has known has been in the temple, surrounded by luxury, tutored by magic-wielding priests, preparing for the day when the queen perishes—and the ice and fire find a new home in Elli, who is prophesied to be the most powerful Valtia to ever rule.

But when the queen dies defending the kingdom from invading warriors, the magic doesn’t enter Elli. It’s nowhere to be found.

Disgraced, Elli flees to the outlands, home of banished criminals—some who would love to see the temple burn with all its priests inside. As she finds her footing in this new world, Elli uncovers devastating new information about the Kupari magic, those who wield it, and the prophecy that foretold her destiny. Torn between her love for her people and her growing loyalty to the banished, Elli struggles to understand the true role she was meant to play. But as war looms, she must choose the right side before the kingdom and its magic are completely destroyed.

The only one that matters is : Would I’ve liked this novel more if Ellie had stopped ONE FUCKING SECOND with her endless inner questions? Because it drove me nuts? But I guess we’ll never know? Yet again, I seem to be the only one who was bothered by this? Perhaps because once I first noticed it I couldn’t unsee it? Finally, why do her questions always come by pair?

Let’s write this review that way because apparently that’s a thing?

What’s better than discovering who you are when everything you knew was a lie?
Does the wonderful fact that she’s flawed can make up for the annoyance?

What IS it with all the growling lately?
I’m sorry because you’re nice and all but – After promising first impressions you were such a bore and I’m already starting to forget you? (such a long question which isn’t really a question, sorry?)

Can we have more of this –

“The fire wielder has a wide grin on his face. “Can you see it? Can you feel it?” He lets out a shaky chuckle. “Chaos,” he mouths.”

PLEASE? View Spoiler »

Can we savor the fact that there’s neither love triangle nor instalove?
Can I shed a tear because I didn’t really care for it?
(Why is lust always referred as “this low pull in her belly“? ← Can I unsee that word once and for all?)

Why is Ellie so easily and conveniently saved every freaking time she needs it?
Can we stop using that annoying I Know Things But I Won’t Tell device to bring more angst in the story? View Spoiler »

Why was it so hard to get through the beginning?
Is it me or the pacing is a little off, jumping from rushed scenes to dragged out ones?

How something that seems so detailed at first glance can be so very vague at the same time?
Are we going to learn more about the villains and the rest of the world at some point?

What’s up with the generic (and roll eyes worthy) romantic lines as “and though he is made of ice, he sets me on fire” (wow, didn’t see that one coming) or “when you look at me, I’m suddenly warm”?
WHAT’S UP WITH ALL THE QUESTIONS?

Don’t get me wrong, I still think that the premise was interesting but in the end, The Impostor Queen – while entertaining – is pretty generic and I felt meh about it?

BOOK REVIEW: The Impostor Queen (The Impostor Queen #1) by Sarah Fine

May 26, 2016 / Chelsea / 2 Comments

The Impostor Queen (The Impostor Queen #1)
by Sarah Fine
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Sixteen-year-old Elli was only a child when the Elders of Kupari chose her to succeed the Valtia, the queen who wields infinitely powerful ice and fire magic in service of her people. The only life Elli has known has been in the temple, surrounded by luxury, tutored by magic-wielding priests, preparing for the day when the queen perishes—and the ice and fire find a new home in Elli, who is prophesied to be the most powerful Valtia to ever rule.

But when the queen dies defending the kingdom from invading warriors, the magic doesn’t enter Elli. It’s nowhere to be found.

Disgraced, Elli flees to the outlands, home of banished criminals—some who would love to see the temple burn with all its priests inside. As she finds her footing in this new world, Elli uncovers devastating new information about the Kupari magic, those who wield it, and the prophecy that foretold her destiny. Torn between her love for her people and her growing loyalty to the banished, Elli struggles to understand the true role she was meant to play. But as war looms, she must choose the right side before the kingdom and its magic are completely destroyed.

He smiles, one of those rare smiles that makes his eyes crinkle. “When I first found you, I wasn’t affected by it, but every day, its hold on me grew stronger. And nowadays, your laugh makes me feel like I’m falling. When you look at me, I’m suddenly warm. The sight of you makes my heart speed. Do you really think the only magic in this world comes from fire and ice?”

DAWWWWW

Anddddd here we are again-middle ground. I can’t say this was on the lower end of that middle ground, but I still wanted something….more. Is it too much to ask for excellence?? Or have I just become a spoiled brat? I think it’s the latter, to be perfectly honest, since everyone ADORED this story from beginning to end. And I must say this story had a lot of wonderful things that made me very happy…..but I’ll give you one guess as to what the common theme was in these parts.

That’s right-my favorite thing, and what had me coming back for more, about this story was Oskar. Again, it all comes down to a boy. What is it with these stories that don’t touch my soul…yet the male leads make a mark on my heart? I know I’m an easy target when it comes to male leads, but I like to think that I don’t easily forget that there is supposed to be a story that surrounds said male lead. Come on now…just because my multiple (MULTIPLE x a TRILLION) 5 stars this year have had a lot of gushing about boys does NOT mean it’s ONLY about the new bbf meat. Hot male lead does not a 5 star make…but it certainly doesn’t hurt ;).

“To be honest, even if it didn’t, there was no way I was letting you go.”
“Why?”
He lets out a hard, hollow bark of laughter. “Why did you leave?”
“Why are you answering a question with a question?”

No, for those mistakenly thinking that I have fallen head over heels for all my favorites this year only because of who I’ve fallen in love with (Glass Sword being a wonderful example-I ADORE MY CAL BOY and he certainly would have raised the rating had I hated it, but I LOVED that book even though everyone hated it and NOT ONLY because of Cal. He merely enhanced it. I can see the confusion there, though), you would be wrong. And I have been saying this a lot lately and stressing the importance, because I feel like I have went from people seeing all 5 stars on my feed to a very drastic, sudden, and out of nowhere turn where I have blasted everyone’s feeds with a string of 2 and 3 stars….so unlike me.

“Elli,” Raimo whispers, “what did you do to Oskar?”
I glance over to see Oskar standing next to the roan, looking at me in a way I feel low in my belly like a long, slow pull. “You told me to stick close to him.”
“I never told you to take the boy’s heart-or to offer him yours.”

And the novelty of my low ratings will wear off shortly, I’m sure, seeing as the happy train couldn’t last all year-that’s impossible. But I still feel I need to preface all my reviews in this way because it feels so foreign to be bashing book after book just because they weren’t for me. *Shrugs* I guess there just isn’t anything I can do about it….so I will make this short and sweet with a few paragraphs about what I liked, didn’t like, and only mildly liked.

The story: Ehhhh….Super good idea??? Just kind of…blah. Now, I will say this story had many spurts where my heart beat faster and my eyes became glued to the page, but they were few and far between and not as drawn out as I’d like them to be. The beginning, to me, wasn’t boring like people said, more just…hard to connect to. Not because the idea wasn’t cool, but because I didn’t connect to Elli much…or her struggles. So, great ideas and nuggets of epic lost in a sea of could-be’s and ‘I wish’s (how the hell should that be spelled because wishes isn’t right…).

The writing: Addicting, flowed well, not a problem at all. I really enjoyed this author’s style of writing. I just wish there were more perilous scenes…or like my Snake said-That they were a little longer.

The main character, Elli: I did like her-really. I really did. But I didn’t FIGHT for her in my head. I didn’t OBSESS about what was to come for her. All I really cared about concerning Elli….was when Oskar would be coming back. And I think that applies in the ‘story’ category, as well. Oops.

Oskar: Annnnnnd another wonderful, tortured, self-sacrificing male lead who stole my heart, slowly but surely. I loved him from the moment I met him….but it wasn’t until a certain, ahem, moment that I was all heart eye emojis and screaming his name in caps to anyone that would listen (I lie, I text it anyway). He was fierce, loyal, protective, and totally worth this read. And hey, I can’t say my slump is completely gone, but he did a WONDERFUL job of making me squee and taking my breath away. His love for Elli was absolutely ADORABLE (little blusher, he be) and his determination to keep his family and her safe was something to behold…I just wish there had been more of it. I would have had a lot more to say about this whole book, had there been.

So, yeah, I’d say this book was a predominant win mostly because of my dear Oskar, and that’s honestly okay with me. Sometimes it bothers me, but other times it is just what I need-and here?? A hot male lead to obsess and highlight and obsess (twice. I said this TWO times) about is just what I needed to start my week off right. So….onto the next book. It’s a finale of a favorite series of all time. And we all know how THAT has been going this year. Lord, help me.

********************

Another book where my only love stems from the male lead….though, Oskar was hard not to raise a star for. I ADORED HIM AGHHHHHHH OSKAR <3

RTC!!!!

*******

Part three… with other Hufflepuff motherfuckers, as well 😀

View all my reviews

BOOK REVIEW – Moon Child (By Blood #2) by Tracy Banghart

May 24, 2016 / Jen / 2 Comments

Moon Child (By Blood #2)
by Tracy Banghart
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
Before Emma's adventures in Oxford, her best friend Diana came face-to-face with a killer...

Diana Calvert is so over high school. Who cares if Olivia hates her? And David needs to forget about his crush on her STAT. Even Emma’s crazy fashion choices can’t keep Diana entertained. All she can hope for is a dance scholarship to a college far away from too-small, too-boring, too-nothing-ever-happens New Freedom, PA.

Then Diana meets Nicholas Woodhaven. He’s pale, angry…yet weirdly charming. The more time they spend together, the more she wonders who – or what – he really is. Because he isn’t anything like the other guys she knows. Not with the whole only-going-out-at-night thing. And living with his creepy aunt. And not going to school.

Just when Diana thinks she’s got Nicholas all figured out, people in her small, nothing-ever-happens town start dying. She has to wonder – can she trust him? And even more alarming – could she be next?

Review:

I thought this would be a normal paranormal book that I’d just enjoy. *smacks forehead* I read her Rebel Wing Series and thought that it was spellbinding, intricately crafted, and I became completely addicted. I will admit that I forgot about that when I was a few chapters in, since I started out a little disjointed. Dianna made some decisions I definitely questioned, there was a lot of characters introduced at first and it took me a while to become completely absorbed. But then me and this book just clicked. And by 40% there was no way I was putting my Kindle down to sleep, it was too much fun!

Sadness sits in the lines of his face like an old friend. There’s regret there too and a sense of resignation in the set of his mouth. “Diana, there’s a lot about me you don’t understand. I told you when we met that I don’t have friends. I don’t—I can’t—Let’s just say my life isn’t normal. I am different. I have had to do things…differently.”

Before I jump into this story, I have to tell you about a common element across her books. Her stories capture strong female friendships and she has quite the knack for writing twists that make you question how you never caught something, because the clues are there it’s just that I never see them ack! And both of these elements, which I loved in her other series, shined brightly in this book too!

He steps even closer and my legs tangle with his. My wobbly, fear-weakened knees give and we tumble to the ground. I feel pain now – the gravel digs into my back, my butt, my thighs – but it doesn’t matter. I wrap my hands in his hair and pull his face even closer. His hips grind into mine and I think I cry out, softly, as a stone presses into the tender flesh at the base of my spine. This moment we share: it feels like anger, or passion…maybe even despair.

We started out the book with Diana attending her church youth group meeting at night. And let it be known that I usually struggle when religion makes a way into a story, even a little bit. YET I never once struggled, it flowed perfectly and was actually a great setting. I don’t think you’ll ever get me to say that in any other book lol. Anywho, they were going to play a game in the adjoining graveyard. And while Diana was out there trying not to have the living daylights scared out of her, she tripped and was caught by a stranger.

“If you’re that clumsy,” he adds, “probably shouldn’t be walking around graveyards after dark.” The corner of his lip quirks, his skin crinkling like paper.

Ohhhhh enter Nicholas. He was mysterious with not wanting to reveal anything about himself. He was sweet with the gestures he did for Diana…..what he brought her and her friend, when he met her best friend for the first time, oh my gosh it was beyond adorable! And yet I wasn’t entirely sure of him at first. Not because I was questioning whether he was a good guy or bad guy, come on now it’s me we’re talking about and I love both haha, but it was the comments that made me pause. Like in the quote above about skin wrinkling like paper. Weird right? But those thoughts disappeared from my mind when we got to spend more time time with Nicholas.

“Come on. I don’t bite,” he whispers. I want to laugh. If he only knew the irony.

So Diana, being from a small town where everything is always the same, got a little obsessed with Nicholas. He was infuriating at times, sweet at other times and he was this huge mystery while always being hot. Diana slowly started to learn about Nicolas and his odd ways when, BAM, a murder happened in her tiny town.

Eventually my breathing slows. I crumple to my knees and then find myself sitting cross-legged on the grass next to the entrance of school. In the rain. The wind blows my wet hair against my face, but I don’t have the energy to brush it away. Instead, I turn my face to the sky and close my eyes and let the rain fall softly onto my skin. I can’t tell if I’m crying.

So I thought I had the murderer pinned down and a few other things too but *shakes head*, my guessing skills were not good. Not good at all lol. Usually I pride myself for figuring things out pretty quickly – like two things that happened in the final book of Divergent, I was so proud of myself. But yeah. That so didn’t happen this time. That’s twice now that Tracy Banghart has gotten me!

Moon Child was a quick, fun read that was filled with an adorable first love, strong friendships and a few great twists. The story-line and characters completed creeped up on me, and I’m so glad they did because this book was just what I was looking for! And just so you know, I liked Diana. And I loved the friendships she had in her life, since they felt so real and true. My favorite female friend of hers was Emma. She was so quirky with her ways and thoughts. I adored their friendship, even during their up and downs. But my favorite friendship was between Diana and Nicholas. I loved watching it unfold into something more. They were at times awkward, adorable and so sweet. Here’s hoping you enjoy this book just as much as I did!

P.S. I still have a few questions though. I’m one of those neurotic people that likes almost everything wrapped up in a tiny bow. I know, I’m weird. So I’m wondering….HUGE spoiler so don’t click unless you’ve read this book….. View Spoiler »

P.P.S Goodreads says that this is Book #2 YET it’s actually a prequel to book #1 since it happens beforehand AND on the authors website it shows this book first. Just wanted to mention this in case you are wondering why I read “#2” first. 🙂

BOOK REVIEW: The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout

May 23, 2016 / Chelsea / 6 Comments

The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Purchase on: Amazon, iBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:
For some people, silence is a weapon. For Mallory “Mouse” Dodge, it’s a shield. Growing up, she learned that the best way to survive was to say nothing. And even though it’s been four years since her nightmare ended, she’s beginning to worry that the fear that holds her back will last a lifetime.

Now, after years of homeschooling with loving adoptive parents, Mallory must face a new milestone—spending her senior year at public high school. But of all the terrifying and exhilarating scenarios she’s imagined, there’s one she never dreamed of—that she’d run into Rider Stark, the friend and protector she hasn’t seen since childhood, on her very first day.

It doesn’t take long for Mallory to realize that the connection she shared with Rider never really faded. Yet the deeper their bond grows, the more it becomes apparent that she’s not the only one grappling with the lingering scars from the past. And as she watches Rider’s life spiral out of control, Mallory faces a choice between staying silent and speaking out—for the people she loves, the life she wants, and the truths that need to be heard.

I don’t know what to say. I really really don’t. JLA was my absolute favorite author for two years….two years…and now I feel like she’s an acquaintance that used to be a best friend from High School-We pass each other in a store and do that awkward hi/hello/ass-out-hug that plagues us when we realize we no longer have anything in common with our dear old friend. I mean, I knew JLA wasn’t for me anymore, I knew that. But I had thought I remembered her writing being more…fluid?? I don’t know. Perhaps it’s the fact that I read wonderfully long, fleshed out, beautifully written fantasies now, maybe it’s because I’m SO DAMN PICKY with my contemporaries, or perhaps it’s just a case of ‘it’s not you, it’s me.’

For those of you who adore JLA, I’m sure this will be a home run for you. I found that JLA and I stopped seeing eye to eye at the end of the Lux series-her last two books left so much to be desired, in my opinion, because I just had so much love for the first three stories. Hell, her Lux and Covenant series have a bunch of space taken up on my bookshelf because I love them so damn much. I still held out hope for her writing, though, as she began to switch into the contemporary field. Turns out? Her attempt at contemporary stories was the final nail in the coffin for our relationship as I began to see how boring her stories were without the threat of death, mayhem, evil aliens, and crazy deities. If you look back on my older reviews (wait for me, last two lux) you’ll see I did rate them highly-this goes back to my ‘I don’t want to be the only weirdo who is turning on this popular author’ days where I didn’t have a voice and, frankly, wanted to stay loyal and hold onto the last thread of hope that my favorite author could still do it for me and not turn into someone who failed to make my heart beat faster (aside from my love for the Covenant series and the first three Lux).

So why in the hell did I read this if I don’t like her anymore, you ask? Well…there are a multitude of reasons. I may not think she is as amazing as she used to be after being let down so many times, but I always found her writing addicting as fuck. I ALWAYS loved her story-telling abilities. But here, I found there was a lack of fluidity in the writing (FOR ME, I just didn’t connect with her flow) and I had to keep going back to re-read paragraphs just to get the feel of the sentences right. Secondly, this story line seemed epic and unlike anything she has ever done before. But, as it turns out, I was bored from the beginning until about 80% when things finally started to come together and I got to see the deepest parts of our two main characters emerge. I loved seeing Rider’s vulnerability and Mallory’s voice..it just took forever to get there. Third, she always creates my dream BBFs. *shrugs* I mean, I am who I am lol. And on this front? She delivered. Wonderfully. Lastly? I wanted to love another JLA book…in the deepest part of my heart, I wanted to go back to when JLA was my whole world, I wanted to be proven wrong and find out that I had just become a snooty, pretentious bitch who snubbed her old favorite author. Alas, this didn’t happen…in fact, it went the exact opposite way, and that makes me want to cry.

I know one of my best friends will always love JLA-always. And I sincerely wanted to be that person, again, who fell hard for the author who made me realize I am a peril whore who thrives on that dreadful, heart-shattering cliffhanger (Cough Opal Cough). I mean, guys, she is the author who made me the crazy with want after a crying desperate plea of love perilista I am today-I didn’t even know I had this type of masochistic bone in my body (I had read these types of books my whole life but had never realized it was an addiction until JLA) before her, and she shaped my GR name, my reading style, and my whole world. So, yes, I read a book I knew I might not like….but my hope was so much stronger than my common sense and doubt.

The writing may have not worked for me, but I imagine many of you will find no stilt, no disconnected feeling like I did-it’s a personal preference, really. And, as for the main characters, Rider and Mallory, I think that’s a personal preference, too. Rider was perfection, no doubt about that, and I felt like skimming all the time until I could get back to him (again, all about the boy, not a good sign). He was sweet, loyal, flawed, and absolutely adorable. When he blushed my heart soared and I became all giddy. When he got all protective of Mallory I fell harder in love. And OMG, the book, guys, that book….*sigh*.

But, and this is a small but, I didn’t get to bbf status with him….so close, but just, I didn’t get enough of him, I guess. He made my heart and stomach do crazy flips, but maybe I was just so bored with the story I didn’t give my full attention…and that really sucks.

As for Mallory….*crickets*. She was fine but….she was the main reason I was bored and her stuttering, while fine when she talked, made her inner monologues grating and hard to read. I might be a bitch, but it’s how I felt. And I feel bad because I know that’s just how she talks, but I just didn’t fall for her as a character.

So, yeah. I feel bad because there wasn’t anything wrong with this story, per se, but I just didn’t ever feel 100% immersed. I felt detached and indifferent, most of the time, and only really started loving parts when Rider was in them. Seriously-he was all I looked forward to (I guess I loved him way more than I let on, whoops lol) and was ecstatic when his name or dialogue popped on the page. And, hey, maybe it was the relationship he was involved in that bothered me? Not heavily, but maybe it just bored me that we had to go through that drama, as well. Fuck, guys, I don’t know-Here I am, again, saying this horrible phrase: I hated this book….but I loved it, too. Whatever. I don’t know.

*********

I’m side eyeing you, JLA

**************

I know *monkey covering eyes emoji* I added it, anyway, Jen 😛

View all my reviews