Review: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Author: Leigh Bardugo
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
Page Count: 356 pages, Hardcover
Date Published: June 5th 2012
Find it on Goodreads: Shadow and Bone
Source: Won (Thanks Brad @ BookYAReview!)

Alina Starkov doesn't expect much from life. Orphaned by the Border Wars, she is sure of only one thing: her best friend, Mal--and her inconvenient crush on him. Until the day their army regiment enters the Fold, a swath of unnatural darkness crawling with monsters. When their convoy is attacked and Mal is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power not even she knew existed.
Ripped from everything she knows, Alina is taken to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling. With Alina's extraordinary power in his arsenal, he believes they can finally destory the Fold. Now Alina must find a way to master her untamed gift and somehow fit into her new life without Mal by her side. But nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. As the threat to the kingdom mounts and her dangerous attraction to the Darkling grows, Alina will uncover a secret that could tear her heart--and her country--in two.

GUYS. GUYS. GUYSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS.

OH. MY. GOD.

You know that feeling when you're in a reading slump and it seems like nothing can get you out of it? That's how I was before I read Shadow and Bone. I could not pick up a book and stay interested, until I picked up this one. Right from the start, with the haunting "Before" scene that then leads into full on epicness,  I was hooked. I could. not. put. this. book. down.

Right off the bat, we are thrusted into a world of magic and intrigue as we read the short introduction that shows Alina and Mal in the orphanage, waiting to be tested by the mysterious Grisha. And then we jump several years forward, to the pair travelling with their army regiment into the dark and terrifying Shadow Fold. When a book starts off with a crazy amount of awesome like that, all I can say is:

Shadow and Bone was thrilling and captivating and it absolutely blew my mind. I was amazed at the way Bardugo executed her story in such a way that kept me wanting more and more, while her characters were so well-rounded and had me feeling so much for them. I loved Alina. She was a brilliant protagonist, with a bad-ass attitude, but she wasn't hard. She had feelings and she cried and she swooned... I felt like she was someone I could relate to, even though her world and situation was wholly different from my own. She got scared and sad and yet she also fought hard and stuck to what she believed in. Definitely a top protagonist on my list.

Then there was the Darkling...

I KNEW SOMETHING BAD WAS GOING TO HAPPEN BUT I TRIED TO CONVINCE MYSELF NOT TO AND YET IT DID AND AHHHHHHHHHHH HE IS SUCH AN EPIC VILLAIN OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!! AND YET I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF HE'S BAD OR GOOD OR JUST SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN AND HE JUST NEEDS TO GET HIS ACT TOGETHER OR WHAT. I JUST AHHHHHHHHHHGHHHHHHHH

Okay, sorry about that. Ahem.

Usually with villains, I despise them. I don't feel much for them, because of their despicable behaviour and yet, with the Darkling... I just can't decide. I mean, I hate him. I do. His plan is horrible and he's not a nice person, at all. AT ALL. But at the same time, he just.... ahhh. I can't decide on how I feel about him! He had me swooning one minute and then freaked out the next and I just...

Okay, I'm going to move on before I combust.

Finally, there was Mal.

The thing with Mal was, at first, I didn't like him. He was just kind of... there. But then, BUT THEN he all of a sudden redeemed himself for me and I was hooked. Mal was a really interesting character for me and I'm so excited to see more of who he is and what his story will be like in the next book!

Okay, enough about the characters.

This review is getting pretty lengthy, but I'll just conclude by saying that this is one of the best books I've read in a long time. Shadow and Bone kept me guessing the whole way through and had me captivated from the very beginning. I was impressed by the detail and the history that Bardugo put into the story and the fact that the world was so well developed made me very happy. This was a well rounded story, filled with action, fantasy, romance and mystery. The Shadow Fold  sounds like my ultimate nightmare and that intrigued me. Darknesss... as a place? With scary creatures running around inside? CREEPY.

Shadow and Bone surpassed my expectations and I would highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't read it. Now, I'm going to tuck myself into bed and start Siege and Storm! YAY!

Also, I just want to shout out a huge thank you, again, to Brad and Macmillan Kids for the awesome giveaway!

Happy reading!
~Kristy

Review: Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

Author: Tahereh Mafi

Publisher: HarperCollins

Page Count: 469 pages, Paperback

Date Published: February 5th 2013

Find it on Goodreads: Unravel Me

Source: Purchased

 tick

tick

tick

tick

tick

it's almost

time for war.

Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.

She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.

Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.

In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life.

 Warning: There are SPOILERS in the review below for those who have not read Shatter Me.
.
.
.
.
.
Tahereh Mafi.....

 WHY????????


Ahem.... I'll try and write this in the most orderly fashion that I am capable of...

After finishing Unravel Me I sat on my bed with my chin rested on my knees, staring at nothing for a good 5-7 minutes. Thinking. Just thinking. Because, well.... Tahereh Mafi is a freaking artist.

I loved Shatter Me. Loved it, loved it, loved it. It was one of my favourite books I read last year. I loved the story, the protagonist, the love interest, and everything else. Adam and Juliette were on my top 5 OTP list (How do you like that oxymoron?) and I loved Juliette's mind and Tahereh's writing and it was beautiful. So waiting for Unravel Me was PAINFUL. It came out while I was in Ottawa and so when we stopped in the airport in Edmonton I looked in every place they had books and when I finally found it at Indigo I FREAKED OUT... My friend was actually kind of scared, I think. Anyways, I finally found it and waited until I got home to read it so that I could enjoy it, and boy did I enjoy it!

Tahereh Mafi's style of writing may not be for everyone, but I personally think it's beautiful. She's a poet.... An artist. The way Mafi write Juliette's thought process is magnificent and it connected me to Juliette in a way that I don't experience often. There are more than a few ways that I relate to Juliette, (no I can't kill people with my touch :P) and she is one of my favourite protagonists/heroines. Yes she does things that irritate me, but she also does things that I admire and appreciate. She's like a good friend, in a way. Juliette grows a lot in Unravel Me, learning about her powers and gaining confidence in who she is and what she can do and how she can do it.

Then there's the secondary characters. We get to see a lot more of Kenji (YAY!) and he's becoming a favourite of mine! He really pushes Juliette to see the bigger picture and teaches her to become stronger and helps her with her growth. He opens her eyes to a lot. We learn more about his background and his importance at Omega Point, but I want to know MORE! We learn a tiny bit more about James, but don't see a ton from him which is kind of sad, but what we do is a delight, because well, it's James. And then..... Adam. And Warner.

 

 I. Hate. Warner. That's what I have to keep telling myself, because this stupid beautiful book possibly made me love hate Warner. LOVE HATE him. The  character that I absolutely despised with every fiber in my bone in Shatter Me has won his way into my heart somehow... GAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. I'm so conflicted..........
.
..
...
In Shatter Me I LOVED Adam. He was one of my all time favourite heroes/love interests. And I hated Warner. He was one of the best villains I'd ever read, because I literally just HATED him. He was so.... Awful! And then, the brilliant Tahereh Mafi has to go and MESS UP MY EMOTIONS.

We learn so much more about Warner and his past and his family and what he's capable of and ughhhhhh I hate the fact that I can sympathize with him because he's supposed to be an awful, despicable human being, right? But no. NO. He isn't. He's a mega-hot, mega-hurt 19 year old kid who seems to be in love with a girl who is in love with a guy he hates. I DON'T KNOW. I'M SORRY BUT CAPSLOCK IS NECESSARY. I CANNOT EVEN FIGURE OUT MY EMOTIONS THAT INVOLVE WARNER. BAH.

And then there's Adam. Oh, Adam. Of course, because it's a second book in a dystopian trilogy, there's some force keeping Adam and Juliette from being happy together and everything well in the world. THIS CAUSED ME MAJOR SADNESS. Because this conflict just messed up everything. And Juliette was upset  and Adam was upset and she was crying and he was passionately fighting for her and she was trying to protect him and ya-da-ya-da-ya-da you get the story.

So Juliette has Warner who has confessed his love to her and is actually reaching in and showing human emotions but is still that person who made her do terrible things and then there's Adam who is still totally in love with her but obviously there's another force that is keeping them from being together. No wonder she's freaking out.


I'm sorry for this very informal, very crazily written review, for those of you who prefer straight-forward reviews. I just couldn't give this book a normal review. While  Unravel Me stressed out my emotions, I loved it to bits. Tahereh Mafi, once again, you are a beautiful, talented, amazing artist who has now written two books that make me think about things that I have always been scared about thinking of. I truly appreciate that. I love Tahereh's style of writing... She paints her words on the paper that is her canvas and I am living in Juliette's world for a long time after I close the book. There is so much more to this story than a crazy love-triangle, and I adore every aspect of it. Spectacular follow-up.

Have a great day/night everyone!
~Kristy

Review: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Author: Katie McGarry

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Page Count: 384 pages, Hardcover (I read the Paperback edition, 392 pages-Mira Ink)

Date Published: July 31th 2012

Find it on Goodreads: Pushing the Limits

Source: Purchased

Rating:  4.5/5

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.

Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

My Thoughts: I can't really describe how I feel about this book... I loved it way too much!

This is a fantastic book. The writing was delightful and the story addicting. It's not just a fluffy contemporary... This book is filled with subjects not often touched in YA but are deep and important. Filled to the bone with a beautifully simple writing style and a romance that fans of Simone Elkeles will swoon over, this was a book that will keep you reading t'ill early morning. 

Echo and Noah were equally amazing characters. They both have their own issues and personalities.They were never flat. I really liked Echo, because she was both so strong and yet had this huge vulnerability to her, which I find to be the best types of characters. She was very sheltered and naive, but that was something she did to herself in a way. Echo has gone through something so terrible and horrible but she can't remember any part of it. When she begins to go see a therapist to try and bring back these memories,  she meets Noah. Noah is visually your typical bad boy who couldn't have a care in the world, but he's only like this because society has labeled him after one incident. He plays the part well, until he meets Echo. She and him meet and though they might not really get along right away, there is a connection and they can't seem to stay together. Their relationship was both sweet and steamy. There were moments where I could not stop smiling because they were so cute together, and other moments where I felt like screaming "GET A ROOM!" but then realized that they're in a book...  Maybe that's a bit over exaggerating, but you get my drift? Noah and Echo were a couple that I really enjoyed reading about. They understood each other better than anyone else, and they didn't have to change for the other person, but they were able to show their true, better sides. It was really nice to read about a relationship like this. Yes they had their problems and trials, but that was all part of the voyage.

Filled with emotion and tension and secrets, the story was amazing. It was not an instaluv story with cliche teen problems. This book was filled with issues that are rarely touched so deeply in YA. But the great thing about this book was the fact that it also had a light touch to it with tons of humour and reasons to make you smile, made the book not so draggy and depressing. The way it was written was really neat, because like Echo getting her memory back, you find out information throughout the story, not right away. I wasn't left with missing information at the end. While reading, be patient. Your question will be answered sooner rather than later. The story was a tad predictable, but at the same time had me guessing at random what was going to happen next. The story is told in alternating chapters between Noah's and Echo's point-of-views, and the author did that really well. We get to read about how everything is working out on either side of the relationship, as well as what is happening in their own lives. It absolutely aided the way the story flowed and went about. All of the characters were very much there, within the story, and they all had a contributing factor within the story. Noah was probably my favorite character, just because he's so complex and different. He cares so deeply for his little brothers, and doesn't seem to know how to give them what's best for them, but he's trying. He definitely makes mistakes and has flaws, but that made him real. He deals with his demons and he figures out schemes to get what he wants, but he also cares so deeply for the people that he loves, and is still trying to come to terms with his parents' death. 

Pushing the Limits was a beautiful read that had me in tears, smiling like a madman, and making me tear my hair out. The story was both original, and not, and all of the characters were amazing. I'd suggest this book to any fans of Simone Elkeles, as well as any fans of contemporaries that are a bit darker and not so typical. Or any fans of a romance that is both the sweetest thing in the world, and really, really hot. One of the nice things about this book was that yes, the romance between Echo and Noah was a huge part of the book, because that's what it's about, but the romance didn't completely overshadow the bigger problems that the characters had. I think everyone should read this book, as soon as possible.

Happy reading!!!
Kristy

Review: Rules of Attraction by Simone Elkeles

Author: Simone Elkeles

Publisher: Walker Books

Page Count: 324 pages, Paperback

Date Published: 2011 (first published April 13th 2010)

Find it on Goodreads: Rules of Attraction

Source: Purchased

When Carlos Fuentes returns to America after living in Mexico for a year, he doesn’t want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him at a high school in Colorado . Carlos likes living his life on the edge and wants to carve his own path—just like Alex did. Then he meets Kiara Westford. She doesn’t talk much and is completely intimidated by Carlos’ wild ways. As they get to know one another, Carlos assumes Kiara thinks she’s too good for him, and refuses to admit that she might be getting to him. But he soon realizes that being himself is exactly what Kiara needs right now.

 My Thoughts: SO AMAZINGLY GOOD. 

The follow up to Perfect Chemistry could not have been more perfect. (*cringes* I know, I hate me too...) I absolutely loved the first book in the dramatic, extremely romantic contemporary series and I was hesitant of picking this one up. I wanted more of Alex and Brittany... I couldn't care less about Alex's brothers! Boy was I ever wrong! Rules of Attraction was amazing. I've been reading so many books that in the end had me shrug and say "meh, it was alright," so it was such a delight to read this and adore it. It was another one that I took the beach with me and it was perfect for that. 

Simone Elkeles sure knows how to write her romance. Carlos and Kiara are one of my favorite couples I've read about in a while! Carlos is cocky, a bit of a jerk, and a total rebel. The ultimate bad boy. Then there's Kiara who comes from the perfect family, has excellent grades, and a stutter. They were kind of complete opposites. But this author does the expression "opposites attract" all too well. The relationship between Carlos and Kiara was definitely reminiscent of Brittany's and Alex's, whom we get glimpses of as well. I actually preferred Carlos and Kiara to the older couple's story. There was still quite a bit of gang involvement in it, but not as much as the first book. There was a lot of humor and plenty of steamy moments that had me blushing. Plus, I adored Kiara's family. The Westfords were the most perfect family in modern literature. I thought their relationship with Carlos was so nice and it made me smile every time Carlos would interact with Kiara's little brother. It showed such a great side to the tough guy image he came across as. I didn't like Carlos in the beginning, but in the end, yeah. I liked him. 


Elkeles still has this way of writing that makes you immersed in the story. I couldn't put this book down. It is filled with romance, humor, family, gang-related action, Mexican culture, and cars. I thought the fact that we see into Alex's and Brittany's college lives was so neat, so it really did feel connected to Perfect Chemistry, and it wasn't just a stand-alone novel. They had their own issues and Carlos helps them through their rough patches, too. Yes, the ending was kind of predictable, and yet it so wasn't. I knew what was going to happen in the epilogue, and yet I had no idea what would happen in the final chapters. These books keep you guessing, filled with anticipation. I thought all of the characters were wonderful and felt connected to so many of them. The gang activity in the book felt once again all too realistic and that made it very interesting to read. 


If you haven't read Perfect Chemistry, I'd suggest doing that now! I suppose you don't need to read the first book to read this one, but it would be better if you did. If you enjoy books filled with action and suspense, sweet and steamy romance, plus lots of family, hilarious humor, and a bit of Spanish, this amazing trilogy would be highly recommended. They're perfect for summer time, or really any season!


Happy reading!
~Kristy

Review: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Author: Stephanie Perkins

Publisher: Speak

Page Count: 372 pages, Paperback

Date Published: August 4th 2011 (first published December 2nd 2010)

Find it on Goodreads: Anna and the French Kiss

Source: Purchased

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home. As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near - misses end with the French kiss Anna - and readers - have long awaited?

My Thoughts: LOVED IT, but did I never thought I wouldn't!

Everyone had been telling me that I needed to read Anna and the French Kiss. So can someone tell me why I waited so long? Everything about it screams "Kristy! Read me! You'll adore me!" and yet I hesitated. UGHHH! I always do this! This happened with The Fault in Our Stars as well! It just so happens that I loved both of those books! *facepalm*

To start us off, let me just say, that I have actually asked my parents if I could go to school in Paris. Sure they said I'd have to raise enough money for it, but hey... I tried. It's been a dream of mine to grow up in the City of Lights ever since I knew what it was, so to go to school there would be the best thing in the world. That being said, I was totally bewildered when Anna didn't want to go! I know it's not for everyone, but COME ON GIRL! Boarding school in the most romantic city in the world and you're mad at your parents for sending you!? Forgive me, but yeah, I was a little reluctant at liking Anna at first. But, she grew on me as Paris grew on her. I learned to love Anna's character. She was witty and smart and an all-around teenager. She was real. I love it when an author can create characters who we as the readers can relate to so well, because the characters have their own flaws. They're not perfect. Speaking of perfect, where can I find an Etienne St. Clair for myself? Sure, he's got his faults, which we clearly see within the book, but man, oh man! When Etienne is first introduced in the book, all I could think was swoon! I most definitely couldn't comprehend what Anna was so upset about. I loved Etienne. He seemed like the epitome of flawless, but he's not. But him and Anna were just two of many great characters in this book. I LOVED their group of friends. They reminded me so much of my own group of good friends, that it made me so happy to read about them! We get to see so much of each of them, so we're not left hanging to who they all are. I felt connected to each supporting character. The plot was great too. It wasn't slow, not fast. Just perfect. Every element in Perkins' book had a place and was important in some way. This book captured the wonderful feeling of what Paris is supposed to be like, and when Anna traveled back to Atlanta for the holidays, Perkins did a great job of making the reader feel that. From the little bookstores to the multiple cinemas, the many museums and the crepe stands, it felt like everything I've dreamed of about Paris. That's an incredible thing for an author to do, to make your dreams appear on a page. But Anna was like my ultimate day dream. I never wanted it to end.


Reading Anna made me so much more excited for my trip to Europe this summer! Sure, there's not a huge chance that I'll end up falling madly in love with an English dude during the four days we're in Paris, but hey, you never know! If you're into contemporary or you really want to start reading more, this book is perfect. It's full of emotions and isn't just a silly little love story. It felt real. Anna went through struggles that we can all relate to on some level and her senior year was filled with everything a girl could ask for. AH can you tell I loved this book!? I'm gonna stop now, before I start talking about Etienne again! Don't be like me and hesitate about this book... Read it!!!

Happy reading!
~Kristy

Review: Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Author:Simone Elkeles

Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers

Page Count:  360 pages, Paperback

Date Published: December 23nd 2008

 Goodreads Blurb:

A fresh, urban twist on the classic tale of star-crossed lovers.

When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created 'perfect' life is about to unravel before her eyes. She's forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for: her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect.

Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more.

In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart.

My Thoughts: Perfect Chemistry was one of those books that'll suck you into it's world and keep you there the entire read.

Funny, sexy, and dangerous, this book has the same qualities so many of us love to see in our male protagonists. Maybe that's why I loved it, maybe not. What I do know is Perfect Chemistry was incredible and I'm craving the next book like an elephant craves peanuts. The characters were so real and fresh, with both a classic, yet original storyline. The author put a lot of effort into studying the gang aspect and it felt real. I was actually scared for the characters.Some of it was frightening and heartracing, which made the read exciting. I couldn't put it down.

Yes, it was a bit cheesy, but I didn't mind. I was so hooked on the story and what was happening while reading and so never really noticed too much. The relationship between Brittany and Alex was great. I loved the fact that even when they hated each other, they still admitted there was something between them. I can't stand it when two characters have such an obvious attraction to each other and they refuse to even fathom it. This was different. I found their relationship addicting and it kept me reading all day. From their bickering to their kissing scenes, everything was there. The alternating chapters was done really well and I could feel their emotions through the pages as if I were the protagonists, living their lives. I love that feeling so much. The supporting characters were all so great as well. I knew them all,there weren't too many to keep track of. I loved Paco and Isa, Alex's friends,  plus Sierra (Brittany's best friend) reminded me of my best friend, so I immediately loved her. Even the teachers were great!

I feel like Elkeles did such a great job in keeping this book diverse, fast-paced and fun, but still serious. With both gun fights and some of the swooniest scenes I've read in a while, it was amazing. I loved how it ended, though that was probably the cheesiest part of the book. But hey, it made me smile and if you end up not liking this book, don't worry. The author concludes in a manner where if you'd like to keep reading, go ahead. If not, that's fine too. I will definitely be reading the next book, about Alex's younger brother. Elkeles' writing was formidable.

  Have a great day/night everyone!
-Kristy

Review: Die For Me by Amy Plum

Author: Amy Plum

Publisher:  HarperCollins

Page Count: 368 pages, Paperback

Date Published: Published April 3rd 2012  (first published May 5th 2011)

 Goodreads Blurb: 

My life had always been blissfully, wonderfully normal. But it only took one moment to change everything.

Suddenly, my sister, Georgia, and I were orphans. We put our lives into storage and moved to Paris to live with my grandparents. And I knew my shattered heart, my shattered life, would never feel normal again. Then I met Vincent.

Mysterious, sexy, and unnervingly charming, Vincent Delacroix appeared out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. Just like that, I was in danger of losing my heart all over again. But I was ready to let it happen.

Of course, nothing is ever that easy. Because Vincent is no normal human. He has a terrifying destiny, one that puts his life at risk every day. He also has enemies . . . immortal, murderous enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind.

While I'm fighting to piece together the remnants of my life, can I risk putting my heart as well as my life and my family's in jeopardy for a chance at love?

My Thoughts: So romantic and suspenseful!

It's always been a dream of mine to have grown up in Paris. Or even just have some of my childhood/teen years living there. So to think that I didn't know about this book until I heard about the sequel, Until I Die, seems crazy. But it's true. Die For Me is a beautifully romantic story with a twist to it that left me thinking about it for days. I admit, I was kind of scared Vincent would end up being a vampire, but when I found out he wasn't... WHOO!

I read this book in a matter of a few hours. It was another simple, quick read which was a nice break from the heavy reading I've been doing for school. Plum's voice is clear and alluring. I was captivated by the romance of Vincent and Kate and also the information we learn about the revenants.The revenants are a unique and wonderful twist on the paranormal genre and I was so enthralled by the way the author has made them exist in her book world. I loved the fact that Vincent was good and he wasn't a terrifying monster that eats people. No. He is actually someone who saves people. Yay, Vincent!

His and Kate's relationship was sweet and hesitant and wonderful. The fact that Kate got over the whole 'no I can't be with him, he's not good for me' act and them avoiding each other with a strain in their romance in this book, instead of the next, (hopefully) made me so happy. Their first kiss was one of those moments where you cannot help but say "awwwww" and the rest of their love within Die For Me is like that as well. WHICH IS AWESOME. I really enjoyed the fact that Jules, Vincent's friend/fellow revenant was so flirty with Kate and clearly liked her, but it didn't turn into a love triangle situation. Once again... Yay!

The action in this story is kind of, sort of MIND BLOWING. It's all BOOM KICK KAPOWEE! Crazy stuff, man. The evil revenant guys are seriously creepo and the way they fight the good revenants is... Woah. I loved everything about the 'battle' scenes. I wasn't confused and overwhelmed as I usually am while reading things like that and I could clearly 'see' what was going on. For that, I applaud Ms. Plum. *claps*

If you're into books filled with everything from swoony romance to kick-butt action scenes, plus crazy awesome paranormal good guys, Die For Me is probably a good choice. It was simply written but not in a juvenile way. Easy to follow along and to fall in love with. Until I Die is probably going to be incredible and I can't wait to read it!
Happy reading!
-Kristy

Review: The Selection by Kiera Cass

Author: Kiera Cass

Publisher: Harper Collins USA

Page Count: 352 pages, Paperback (International Edition)

Date Published:  April 24th  2012

                                                       Goodreads Blurb:

 

 For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

 
But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself- and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

My Thoughts: Loved it. Loved it! Loved it!!! 

The Selection is quite the simple read, but the book is still amazing. I think I read it in all of 3 or 4 hours... I couldn't put it down! No, I don't watch 'The Bachelor' or any of those shows, so I can't really compare the two, but yes, I did notice some... Similarities between the book and show, (from what I've heard). But that being said, I didn't care one bit about that.This book is definitely one that you will either love or hate. Me? I loved it!!!

When I first saw that we had gotten the international edition (in paperback), I flipped out.  I was so excited! So I bought it right away and started reading it in the car on our way home from the mall. I didn't even look at the other books I was currently reading. The first few pages sucked me in and I was hooked. Like I said, it was a simple read. The vocabulary used wasn't anything magnificent but it was still good. I flew through the novel in about 3 or 4 hours straight, staying up well past my 'bedtime'. 

The plot is quite the interesting one... 35 girls are selected to be in the running for the crown and the title as Prince Maxon's wife. America isn't interested. But when her secret boyfriend practically forces her to enter, (You're probably thinking: 'Dude, what the heck?') she gets in. America is automatically seen as a huge threat to the other girls, with her stunning red hair and the fact that she's Maxon's 'favorite'. The girl drama was really quite amusing. None of them realize that America doesn't want the crown and that her and Maxon are really, only friends. (Or are they? *Wiggles eyebrows up and down*) But obviously, the relationship between Maxon and her is something special and obviously a bit more than an innocent friendship. I loved Maxon from the get-go and I will be rooting for him the whole way through. You'd think the guy who has 35 girls living in his house wouldn't be the one you're hoping wins the girl, but trust me... He is the one. ;)

Though some things that happened within the book are a bit predictable, I was continuously entranced with the romance and the glamor and the political drama. Oh, yes. The Selection is not just some prince-and-princess-matchmaking love story. It's a... Shall I say mild dystopian, as well. I'm hoping in the next books there will be more of a dystopic aspect to the story and we will learn a lot more about the two rebel groups who continuously attack the castle. There is definitely something suspicious about the king, in my opinion. I'm going to guess there's some crazy secret that needs to stay hidden in order for everything to run smoothly. But that's probably not gonna happen. :P

I'd suggest this book to anyone who likes good, swoon-worthy romance. There were some parts that I literally just sighed audibly and said "awww" or something like that. If you're looking for a book to read quickly that's fun and romantic, but still has a bit of that dystopia feel to it, The Selection could be perfect. I am now pining for book two. I bet it will have an equally gorgeous cover and hopefully it will be just as good, if not better than the first. 

Have a great day/night, everyone!
-Kristy

Review: The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

Author: Michelle Hodkin

Publisher:  Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Page Count: 452 pages, Hardcover

Date Published: September 27th 2011

 

  

Goodreads Description:

Mara Dyer doesn't think life can get any stranger than waking up in a hospital with no memory of how she got there. It can. She believes there must be more to the accident she can't remember that killed her friends and left her mysteriously unharmed. There is. She doesn't believe that after everything she's been through, she can fall in love. She's wrong.

My Thoughts: Can I just marry Noah already? Please? So in love with him and this book!

I finished this book in about 6 hours, on one of the days that I was sick and I was so distraught when it was done! I devoured this book and loved every minute of it... Well, almost. There was one point where it went downhill, but it slowly went back up after that.

Michelle Hodkin has written a story so incredibly intriguing, that I just couldn't get enough of. The language/dialogue is witty and original. Though this book was dark and mysterious, it was also hilarious. I love books that can make me laugh uncontrollably on one page and the next have me shaking with fear and locking the doors. That is what this book did to me! With that being said, don't think this book is a silly, fun, fluffy read. It's dark. Totally creepy and shiver-down-your-spine worthy. That aspect's evident from the very first page.

There is also a completely swoon-worthy romance in this novel that, at times, made me weak at the knees and sighing, while imagining myself in the place of Mara. Not gonna lie, I'm totally in love with Noah. Why, Michelle Hodkin, did you have to create such an incredibly hot and intelligent guy who is impossible to attain? His English accent... *FANGIRLING*. Quick random fact for you: I am Canadian, but all of my thoughts run through my head with an English accent. No, I'm no kidding. It's been like this since I can remember. Weird, but true. Maybe it's because of the millions of times I've watched Harry Potter. Anyways, I'm getting off track. So, the relationship between Noah and Mara was super sweet, but truthfully, a little cliche: The new girl who makes the playboy jerk of the school fall in love and change his ways... Yadayadayada. But, I loved it anyways. ;) There was one part in the book, when Noah drives her to school and everyone's staring, that reminded me completely of this scene in Twilight...

'' Noah grabbed his blazer from the backseat, shrugged it on, opened my door, and then there we were, standing side-by-side as every stray eye turned in our direction.'' (248)

I usually hate comparing things to Twilight, for multiple reasons, but this was just so terribly similar that I thought I'd share. :)

Finally, I had mentioned earlier that there was one part where this book went downhill... Let's just say that this particular scene involved alligators. That's all I'll say, so not to give away any thing important, but this part confused the heck out of me. I didn't fully understand what was going on at this point and this continued up until after Mara's birthday. It began to get a little better after that point, but the damage was done. The first 3/4 of this book was fantastic, but the last bit... Not so much.

The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer is really an incredible book, especially for this being Michelle Hodkin's first novel. Mara Dyer is unlike any other YA protagonist you'll meet. I was overall seriously impressed with it and I'm highly anticipating the release of The Evolution of Mara Dyer on December 12th!

 Have a great day/night, everyone!
-Kristy

Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood

Hey guys!

Today I am going to finally do my review on  Jessica Spotswood's first book BORN WICKED. It is the first book in her new trilogy 'The Cahill Witch Chronicles' and it was amazing!

Author: Jessica Spotswood

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile

Page Count: 330 pages, Hardcover

Date Published: February 7th 2012

Goodreads Description:

Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they're witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship--or an early grave.

Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with six months to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word... especially after she finds her mother's diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family's destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate stars scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra.

If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren't safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood -- not even from each other.

My Rating: 4.5/5 stars. (Really liked the book as a whole and would recommend it to someone else and would most definitely read it again.)


 First of all, I just want to say that I adore this cover! It's so gorgeous, but kind of freaky too. While I was reading this, my little brother caught a glimpse of it and mentioned how creepy it looked. Keep in mind that he's eight years old, so probably any cover with a beautiful girl on the cover would frighten his cooties-infested mind! Anyway, if you've read the book you'll know the significance of the roses in her hair and the garden-y feel to it. I also love the font of the title. So pretty! 


Onto the story! It took me a little while to really get into this book. It's not that it's slow, I just had a lot on my mind and it wasn't a story that immediately took my mind off of things. BUT, then it took off around chapter four or five and I was bewitched! (Pun intended.) It took me just under two days to read it and once I got in tuned with the story, I couldn't tear my eyes off of the page. I would be in class and miss instructions because I was hiding it just under my desk, reading all about Cate and her sisters. I really liked the fact that this book was both a story about romance and about family. It felt for me as though the love story came second to the other events, meaning that the witchcraft and the family drama was what really stood out for me. Jessica did a great job in keeping the history part of the story alive and real. Seeing as we had just finished studying about the witch hunts in Social Studies, it was especially fun for me to read this. I was able to compare everything I had learned in class with the fictional events in the story. (I sound like such a nerd!) I loved Cate's sisters, especially Tess. I felt as if I could relate to her so much, even though she wasn't the main protagonist. The fact that she was so mature for such a young age reminded me of myself when I was twelve. I really hope we get to see a lot more of her in the following two books! On the subject of characters I liked, I might as well say that I am 100% Team Finn! He was once again, a model guy in my mind. Sweet, handsome and totally unsuitable!? PERFECT!!! The ending of this book was so sad, and I felt so terrible for both Finn and Paul actually. I read the final line, shut the book and just sat in my chair, thinking about all that happened. I loved the way this book was written, the way that Cate's thoughts flowed into my own. I really felt like I was in the story, which is one of the reasons that I read so much. To escape our world and go into another. Thank you Jessica, for allowing me to do that with this book and to enter a world filled with mystery, love and of course, magic!


Star Cursed, the sequel and second book in this fantastic new trilogy comes out February 7th 2013. To say I am ecstatic for its release would be a bit of an understatement!
 
 Tomorrow will probably have two posts. One very special post in the morning, and my IMM in the evening. 


Good night  everyone! 
~Kristy

Divergent by Veronica Roth

I had been really hesitant about reading Divergent, as there was no real description on the back, but there had been so much talk about it I decided to purchase it and THANK GOODNESS I DID! This book has everything I love in a dystopia-type novel. It's sexy, it's intense and it has surprises at every turn of the page.

Author: Veronica Roth

Publisher:  Katherine Tegen Books

Page Count: 487 pages, Paperback

Date Published: January 1st 2011

Goodreads Description:

In a future Chicago, 16-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all.

ONE CHOICE

Decides your friends

ONE CHOICE

Defines your beliefs

ONE CHOICE

Determines your loyalties--Forever.

ONE CHOICE 

CAN TRANSFORM YOU

My Rating: 4/5 ~It took me a while to understand everything, but when I did... I was hooked!

As I said before, I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this book because of the lack of description on the paperback copy. (That was all that had been in stock at my store.) But I had heard so many great things about it that I was like 'What the heck!' and bought it. I began reading it just after I finished Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver and if you've read my review on that, you'll know how P.O.'ed I was at the end! So going into this book I was really hoping it would keep my mind off of the other book and I was a little bit disappointed. I'm not sure if it was just because of the situation I was in but I didn't get super absorbed into this book until about halfway through. The beginning was not bad, it was actually really good. It just seemed a bit predictable as to what Tris' choice would be and how she'd react to it. Beatrice was a great protagonist in my mind. She didn't bother me that much at all actually. I really admired her strength and dedication to her family. Four/Tobias was... cool. No. He was amazing. I really loved Tris and him together! This was one of those rare books with no love-triangle... YAY! Don't get me wrong, I love a good triangle, but it was refreshing not to have one for once. But, I'm just wondering... do we know what color hair Four/Tobias has? Because... either I missed it or we never find out. I'm picturing him with dark brown hair right now, but something's also telling me that may not be it. Hmmm... can anyone help me out with this?

In the long run, I really loved this book. It was a lot better than I was expecting it to be, but it also didn't live up to some of the raving reviews I've seen. If you're like me and can't seem to get really into it at first, just keep going! It gets sooooo much better in the second half, and you do not want to miss the ending. It's dramatic and mind blowing and seriously crazy. I cannot wait to read what happens next!

Let me know what you thought of Divergent, and also... what  color hair does Four/ Tobias have? I'm seriously confused.

Only 46 more days until INSURGENT!
~Kristy