Review: Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas

Heir of Fire
(Throne of Glass #3)
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens
Published: September 11, 2014
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance
My Rating:

Consumed by guilt and rage, Celaena can’t bring herself to spill blood for the King of Adarlan. She must fight back…

The Immortal Queen will help her destroy the king – for a price. But as Celaena battles with her darkest memories and her heart breaks for a love that could never last, can she fulfil the bargain and head the almighty court of Terrasen? And who will stand with her?

“She was the heir of ash and fire, and she would bow to no one.”

I have no words that will serve this book justice. This sequel is spot-on perfection!

We all know Sarah J. Maas’s writing power can’t be debated, so let me just tell you that once again, I was beyond amazed with the way she delivered this sequel using her usual scheme– surprising her readers with a series of twists.

Things got more and more interesting in Heir of Fire. In this sequel we can see Celaena’s different side– her vulnerable and helpless side. She’s now delving into a new world called Wendlyn, the land of the faes. From there she met the ferocious Queen Maeve and her devotee, Prince Rowan Whitethorn who later on trained her to unfold her fire abilities. Meanwhile, Chaol and Dorian are having conflicts in Adarlan. Chaol is trying to protect Dorian from unleashing his magical abilities and exposing himself to the King and at the same time, he’s allying with the King’s General Aedion Ashryver, treading in dangerous waters in order to fight back against Adarlan.

The character development of Celaena in this book truly amazed me. It’s nice to know that she isn’t a complete Mary Sue. She is brave yet at the same time she is flawed. In this book, I saw a Celaena who was haunted by her past and was constantly visited by those nightmares that will forever etch her mind. What happened to her when she was a child opened my eyes and made me understand her even more. The moment those flashback scenes were narrated– I died a thousand times. I wasn’t able to help myself but cry and feel so sorry for her. What a cruel, cruel experience it was for Celaena!

What also impressed me was the establishment of the new world, Wendlyn. Wow. It was utterly refreshing. I loved how SJM described this magical land and all those faes and demi-faes that are living there. Not only did the author give us a new setting but she also introduced a bunch of new characters that in a way, changed the entirety of the book– like Rowan, Aedion Ashryver, Manon, Sorscha, and Ren.

I especially loved Rowan. For me, he is character-driven and full of mystery. And I loved the way he’s too brave to protect Celaena and guide her all the way to becoming what she is. He is simply… adorable. 🙂 Aedion, on the other hand, also enthralled me with his masculinity (Am I too shallow? Lol). Actually, I kind of hated him at the start but later on I warmed up to him when I discovered what his true motives are. His dedication towards his people and his queen was truly remarkable.

And Manon. This witch is so kick-ass! I have never fangirled over a female antagonist before but there was something in her fierceness that strangely gave me goosebumps. She’s still a mystery to me, though, and I can’t wait to read more about her character in the next books.

Now on to Chaol and Dorian. Their friendship was tested big time here but I was amazed to find out how deep their bond is and how they’re both willing to give up everything just to save one another. Dorian’s character development was great here. Where’s the weak Dorian we’ve met in the first two books? NON-EXISTENT. I loved how he stood up against his father. I also loved the way he schooled Chaol and said these things to him:

“You cannot pick and choose what parts of her to love.”

Oh, Dorian, I LOVE YOU EVEN MORE! Now while I saw a huge development in Dorian’s character, I found it lacking in Chaol. I don’t know but it seemed as though his character only shined in the final chapters.

The action scenes in this book, on the other hand, were too terrifying and so beautiful I can’t help but gasp. I particularly loved those scenes where Rowan trained Celaena. I loved the banters and the way their friendship bloomed.

What I also loved was how secrets were slowly unfolded. Celaena’s past and roots, the missing Wyrdmarks, Maeve and her sister’s history, what really happened before the magic in Erilea was vanished… Wow, there were really lots of things that were unraveled here and I’m so glad. It was definitely a huge improvement.

So I wrap everything up by saying that this sequel lived up to the first and second book. There were so many things that happened here that wowed me. I’m now excited to dive into the fourth book, Queen of Shadows. I know there will be a lot of huge obstacles that need to be overcome by Celaena and the rest of the characters, so I’m crossing fingers that they will get through it and defeat the King.

Rating:

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Review: Broken Prince by Erin Watt

Broken Prince
(The Royals #2)
Author: Erin Watt (Pseudonym) Elle Kennedy, Jen Frederick
Publisher: Timeout LLC
Published: July 25, 2016
Genre: Romance, New Adult, Young Adult, Contemporary
My Rating:

These Royals will ruin you…

From wharf fights and school brawls to crumbling lives inside glittery mansions, one guy tries to save himself.

Reed Royal has it all—looks, status, money. The girls at his elite prep school line up to date him, the guys want to be him, but Reed never gave a damn about anyone but his family until Ella Harper walked into his life.

What started off as burning resentment and the need to make his father’s new ward suffer turned into something else entirely—keep Ella close. Keep Ella safe. But when one foolish mistake drives her out of Reed’s arms and brings chaos to the Royal household, Reed’s entire world begins to fall apart around him.

Ella doesn’t want him anymore. She says they’ll only destroy each other.

She might be right.

Secrets. Betrayal. Enemies. It’s like nothing Reed has ever dealt with before, and if he’s going to win back his princess, he’ll need to prove himself Royally worthy.

“He told me to stay away.

He told me I didn’t belong.

If only I’d listened to him.”

I’ve been warned, but I didn’t listen and now I’m royally ruined and in dire need of the third book. Hats off to these amazing authors Elle Kennedy and Jen Frederick A.K.A. Erin Watt for this brilliant sequel!

I cannot properly formulate a thought, but this sequel was done in a very classy fashion and I absolutely loved it!

Broken Prince begins when Reed Royal searched for Ella Harper after she left the Royal mansion. It took the Royal family two weeks to get her back. When their girl was finally home thanks to Callum Royal’s endless connections, things started to become more interesting, or rather, more twisted, in the Royal house. This time, Brooke (the witch in Paper Princess), is the one in control because she has the upper hand. She manipulated Reed through her stupid blackmail scheme. Meanwhile, Ella’s love-hate feelings toward Reed and her growing affection to the Royal family also confused her. Secrets and revelations soon came out bit by bit which made Ella’s stay in the mansion all the more dramatic.

“She wants me to know it’s over, but we both know it’s not.”

I just loved how intoxicating this sequel was for me. There was absolutely nothing that I disliked. The plot was very impressive and the pacing was fast it kept me gripped from start to finish. It was also enriched with character development. In Paper Princess, Reed was so hesitant to fight for Ella and show her how he felt, but in this book, he gave it all. I loved how he fight those bullies at Astor Park just to prove a point to never mess with ‘his girl’. HIS GIRL.

“From before we even met, she was mine and I was hers. I fought it too long, but I’m giving in now. I’m all in now.”

And as usual, Ella was badass. This girl doesn’t stop impressing me with her ability to dodge those stupid remarks from Jordan and the rest of the people in bully town. Favorite scene: Ella vs. Jordan match.

And those TWISTS. Omg there were twists and juicy parts thrown in this book! How could these authors do such surprises like the ones they cooked here?

“My instincts had screamed at me that she was trouble. My instincts were wrong. She wasn’t trouble. I was. Still am.”

The romance, on the other hand, was very enticing. Reed and Ella continue to swoon me with their chemistry and cheesy dialogues. There was certainly a romantic development here which really pleases me. And my, don’t even get me started on those kissing and make-out scenes.

All in all, Broken Prince was the best sequel. So well-written. I loved the way those twists surprised me and the overall goodness of the book. Now if you haven’t read this sequel yet, take this warning. Prepare for a cliffhanger that will ruin you!

“Nothing’s really changed between us. We’re still sparring, still circling each other like well-matched opponents, but we’re there, in the ring, together. And that’s all that matters.”

Rating:

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Review: A Thorne for a Crown by Lorel Clayton

A Thorne for a Crown
(Eva Thorne #2)
Author: Lorel Clayton
Publisher: LC Books
Published: December 8, 2015
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance
My Rating:

The first real case femme fatale turned private eye, Eva Thorne, has had in months may be more than she can handle. King Rutgard has been kidnapped, only he’s not entirely alive, which makes finding him difficult. What’s more, dwarf men are joining the suffragist movement in droves to win freedom from the matriarchy, and there’s a werewolf terrorist in town causing chaos. Eva needs a case like this to make her reputation, but she has problems of her own. Dark magic is rising in her, the Thorne legacy, and she can’t control it. She has to find a way or risk imprisonment by the jackbooted elf soldiers who are cracking down on illegal necromancy and worship of the Dead God. Worse, the God of Death wants her soul, as does her twin sister, so Eva denies her magic and hides from her family. But some things are impossible to hide from, like the tax collector … and love.

“You only fear what you do not know.”

My reaction after reading this book:

After reading Ate Claire’s (I call her Ate Claire, “ate” as big sister in Filipino) review of this book months ago, I felt so giddy to start it because I found the previous book really enjoyable. (Click her name to read her thoughts! :))

A Thorne for a Crown is the second installment of Eva Thorne series. I expected this book to be a lot more action-packed. I was right. It was filled with particularly exciting action scenes and adventures. What I didn’t expect was how it’s going to be better than the first book, Tangle of Thornes, when it comes to the storyline and the mc’s character development. In this sequel, our heroine Eva Thorne begins her journey as a detective, investigating the reported disappearance of the dwarf king, King Rutgard. She’s now smarter, confident, and independent. More developed compared to her character in the previous book.

What made me appreciate this book more was the thrill it gave me when magical creatures such as werewolves, beasts,and even dragons were highlighted apart from dwarfs. The authors sure did an amazing job in engaging me with its mythical characters, dazzling plotline, and lots of humor. In addition, I appreciate Eva’s romantic involvement with certain characters. I personally ship Eva and Conrad, by the way. I thought they look cute together and the way they work as a team was remarkable. Can they just end up together, please?

I have to give the authors credits for that cliffhanger in the end. That totally stunned me. This book, as a whole, offered a real surprise to me. It was better than what I’ve expected. I’m looking forward to reading the third installment. 🙂

(Thank you to the authors for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!)

Rating:

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Review: Paper Princess by Erin Watt

Paper Princess
(The Royals #1)
Author: Erin Watt (Pseudonym) Elle Kennedy, Jen Frederick
Publisher: Erin Watt
Published: April 4, 2016
Genre: Romance, New Adult, Young Adult, Contemporary
My Rating:

From strip clubs and truck stops to southern coast mansions and prep schools, one girl tries to stay true to herself.

These Royals will ruin you…

Ella Harper is a survivor—a pragmatic optimist. She’s spent her whole life moving from town to town with her flighty mother, struggling to make ends meet and believing that someday she’ll climb out of the gutter. After her mother’s death, Ella is truly alone.

Until Callum Royal appears, plucking Ella out of poverty and tossing her into his posh mansion among his five sons who all hate her. Each Royal boy is more magnetic than the last, but none as captivating as Reed Royal, the boy who is determined to send her back to the slums she came from.

Reed doesn’t want her. He says she doesn’t belong with the Royals.

He might be right.

Wealth. Excess. Deception. It’s like nothing Ella has ever experienced, and if she’s going to survive her time in the Royal palace, she’ll need to learn to issue her own Royal decrees.

DAMN FEELS.

Let’s just say this one quickly made it to my new favorite reads this year. So absolutely freaking good! I’m telling you guys, this is the kind of book that will stay glued to your hands as you race through the pages in one or two sittings. All the delightful elements, swoon factor, name it all, they’re here.

The storyline of Paper Princess was a little cliché to me maybe because in my younger years I used to go gaga over Boys Over Flowers and F4 and this book’s story is pretty much similar to this Asian telenovela. Ella Harper‘s life suddenly changed after her mother died and a billionaire showed up in her school and claimed as her new guardian. Having been used to poverty where she does everything to survive, even working part time as a stripper in a club to pay off her and her mom’s needs, the sudden twist of event in her life was kind of crazy and overwhelming. And just when she thought it couldn’t get any crazier, she found herself living together with the billionaire’s aloof and brooding sons which are all… yum.

“These Royals will ruin you.”

Meet the F5 Royal brothers.

Gideon, Reed, Easton, Sawyer, and Sebastian.

If you think Ella was completely welcome to live in the Royal’s mansion, you’re wrong. These Royal brothers did everything in their power to send her back to where they thought she belongs. They were simply a-holes and they made her life a living hell despite all the luxurious things she was beginning to enjoy.

It didn’t even stop there because stepping into her new school, Astor Park, meant stepping into a disaster because the spoilt little rich kids who think they live on the edge bullied her. And what’s even worse, she found herself slowly falling in love with one of the Royals– Reed.

“Reed Royal is the villain disguised as a pretty prince. Taking a bite out of him would be a huge mistake.”

And soo I’m telling you all right now why this one was a WINNER for me:

The concept was typical swoon-worthy. Guilty-pleasure. Twisted in a way but still, you end up savoring it.

Beautifully written. I am such a huge fan of Elle Kennedy. When I heard that she’s one of the authors of this book, I immediately added it to my tbr even without reading its synopsis. I haven’t tried any Jen Frederick book but after reading this, I thought I’m going to grab her works one of these days. The writing of the authors was so engaging and it simply draw me quickly to the story.

Well-portrayed characters. All the characters were vibrant. There was just something so raw and real about them, especially Ella. I loved how kick-ass she was and how she was able to handle her situation which was not easy and how she handled the boys. I should’ve been nervous at some point because of all the craziness that surrounded her but I was so confident in her tough character that I did not worry for her.

“My skill, if I have one, isn’t dancing. It’s my ability to believe that tomorrow can be a better day.”

Page-turner. The entertainment factor in this book was too much. You can’t help yourself from devouring it until you’re finished. No dull moments. Heck, every little detail was so exciting!

Sexy banters and romantic and steamy scenes. There was 100% chemistry between the characters and a lot of sexual tension and it helped built up those scenes. Plus, the banters were so fun and hilarious! The authors really know how to tastefully write scenes that can make you grin. And the emotions the characters presented… they’re right down to the bones.

“Maybe another time, away from this place, you and me would have a different story.”

The ending, however, was a huge CLIFFHANGER. But I don’t consider it a drawback despite my freak-out fest after reading it. lol

If you are a guilty-pleasure reader, staaahp what you are doing and read this book already while I am here…. eagerly waiting. Waiting for the second book.

(I buddyread this book together with my lovely friend Rachmi)

Rating:

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Review: Sweet Temptation by Wendy Higgins

Sweet Temptation
(The Sweet Series #4)
Author: Wendy Higgins
Publisher: Harper Teen
Published: September 8, 2015
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
My Rating:

Bad boy Kaidan Rowe has never wanted for anything—money, popularity, musical talent…hot girls—but seducing them is part of his duty as a Nephilim, slave to the demon Dukes. As the son of the Duke of Lust, Kaidan has learned his father’s ways, becoming a master of passion, a manipulator of chemistry. Disobeying his father would mean certain death. Thankfully for Kaidan, he’s good at his job. And he enjoys it.

Until he meets Anna Whitt—smart, feisty, and inexplicably good—the one girl seemingly immune to his charms. The daughter of a guardian angel and a fallen one, she makes him wish for more than he could ever deserve.

Determined to save all the Neph from their dark lives, Anna joins forces with Kaidan to overcome the Dukes’ oppressive ways. In the light of her affections, Kaidan must undergo his toughest test of all, a battle of the heart.

Sensual and swoonworthy, this companion volume to the Sweet Evil series, told from the perspective of the mysterious Kaidan Rowe, gives readers revealing insights into the true emotions that drive him.

 

(Buddyreading this book with my sissy Avy)

Reading this book was reminiscing everything in Sweet series and bringing back the feels! I am not really fond of reading a book that rehashes the entire series using the voice of the male mc but this one was an exception because, *sigh It’s KAIDAN ROWE’S POV and why not?

I knew Kaidan was sexy in Sweet Evil, Sweet Peril, and Sweet Reckoning but I think he’s way sexier here. Lots of naughty things were running inside his head and I can’t help but blush. LOL. I think I even loved him better here because I was able to really see through his thoughts and his emotions and the way he regarded Anna. Right in the feels!

“Anna has ruined me with a craving for something far more substantial. She possesses the only thing that can fill the deep void within me, and nothing else comes close.”

Anna and Kaidan have always been one of my favorite OTP’s that’s why it was kind of difficult for me to read this book without missing this couple so bad! But I’m really glad because I already forgot lots of scenes in the series and I’m happy to rewind all of those, especially those scenes I consider my favorites. All in all, it was a worthy somewhat-reread of the entire series. Kaidan Rowe is truly worth it all!

“I can’t simply have a tiny slice of Anna. I’m no masochist. It has to be all or nothing.”

Rating:

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Review: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone
(Harry Potter #1)
Author: J.K. Rowling
Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens
Published: September 1, 2014 (First Published: June 26, 1997)
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
My Rating:

When a letter arrives for unhappy but ordinary Harry Potter, a decade-old secret is revealed to him that apparently he’s the last to know. His parents were wizards, killed by a Dark Lord’s curse when Harry was just a baby, and which he somehow survived. Leaving his unsympathetic aunt and uncle for Hogwarts, a wizarding school brimming with ghosts and enchantments, Harry stumbles upon a sinister mystery when he finds a three-headed dog guarding a room on the third floor. Then he hears of a missing stone with astonishing powers which could be valuable, dangerous – or both. An incredible adventure is about to begin!

These new editions of the classic and internationally bestselling, multi-award-winning series feature instantly pick-up-able new jackets by Jonny Duddle, with huge child appeal, to bring Harry Potter to the next generation of readers. It’s time to PASS THE MAGIC ON …

Beyond amazing! Way to start the new year! 🙂

I’ve read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone way back in High School but I wasn’t able to finish it because sad to say, my book was lost. 😦 And now, thanks to my lovely friend Allie who gave me a copy of this book, I became interested to read it once again and bring back the old times’ feels.

And WOW! Just WOW! Thank goodness I decided to read it again because it felt so magical and magnificent and totally breathtaking! — exactly what I’ve felt the first time I’ve read this.

Harry Potter is such a great, well-fleshed out character. Despite being parentless and being bullied both in the Muggle world and Hogwarts by some kids, he still stood up and even became a great friend to Ron, Hermione, Neville, and the others.

This story had lots of exciting adventures and I really enjoyed everything that happened in this book. It was just so awesome! The secondary characters are also perfect. I especially love Hermione and her genius mind! Ron’s loyalty towards Harry is also awe-inspiring, as well as Neville’s adorable clumsiness. When it comes to its plotline, it’s amazingly done. The twist was unpredictable and there was humor in every page that made me laugh. What’s even great are the lessons and the message that are instilled to every reader, fantasy and magic aside.

“It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.”

I loved all the chapters and my favorites are:

The Boy Who Lived, The Vanishing Glass, Diagon Alley, The Journey from Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, The Sorting Hat, and Quidditch.

No wonder why this book and the whole series continues to be a real sensation. J.K. Rowling is so brilliant she bewitched me with her world! So excited to find out more about this series and to see what’s in store for Harry in the next books. 🙂

Rating:

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Review: A Little Something Different by Sandy Hall

A Little Something Different
Author: Sandy Hall
Publisher: Swoon Reads
Publication: August 26, 2014
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary
My Rating:

The creative writing teacher, the delivery guy, the local Starbucks baristas, his best friend, her roommate, and the squirrel in the park all have one thing in common—they believe that Gabe and Lea should get together. Lea and Gabe are in the same creative writing class. They get the same pop culture references, order the same Chinese food, and hang out in the same places. Unfortunately, Lea is reserved, Gabe has issues, and despite their initial mutual crush, it looks like they are never going to work things out.  But somehow even when nothing is going on, something is happening between them, and everyone can see it. Their creative writing teacher pushes them together. The baristas at Starbucks watch their relationship like a TV show. Their bus driver tells his wife about them. The waitress at the diner automatically seats them together. Even the squirrel who lives on the college green believes in their relationship.

Surely Gabe and Lea will figure out that they are meant to be together….

Such a sweet and adorable read!

There are books that can simultaneously make you smile as you go through the pages, and A Little Something Different is one of them.

The story centers on two teenage main characters Gabe and Lea who share the same class in creative writing. They’re attracted to each other, but because they’re both being shy and awkward, they can’t seem to initiate a move in order to get closer. As the story goes, we get to know some of the people that surround them who eventually try to root for them to be together.

I enjoyed this book quite a bit because of its cuteness and uniqueness. It’s really something different. I’ve read some YA contemporaries but I’ve never encountered a book with so many POVs. And none of them are from the main characters. Yes. there were no narrations from either Gabe or Lea, but instead, just from the secondary characters such as Inga (the creative writing professor), Sam (Gabe’s brother), Charlotte (the barista), Danny (Lea’s friend), Bob (the bus driver), even the old bench and the squirrel! (Omg, the bench and the squirrel actually have a POV! LOL.)… and many other characters.

I most certainly liked the overall cuteness of this book. It’s a fun, light read and with simplistic writing– something to keep a reader entertained. The romance was also light but very immersing. It kept me involved and engaged in. And despite the numerous POVs, it didn’t confuse me, but instead, I found myself enjoying the witty dialogues and the fascinating characters. If you want a quirky, fun, and a little something different to read, I highly recommend this book!

Rating:

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Review: Demons at Deadnight by A&E Kirk

Demons at Deadnight
(Divinicus Nex Chronicles #1)
Author: A&E Kirk
Publisher: A&E Kirk
Publication: January 5, 2012
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Paranormal
My Rating:

The non-stop action romantic adventure featuring the hextraordinarily sexy HEX BOYS!
———————————————

For seventeen-year-old Aurora Lahey, survival is a lifestyle.

DEMONIC DESTINY
Aurora has the crappiest superpower on the planet. And it’s just unleashed a hit squad from hell. Demons are on the hunt, salivating to carve her carcass into confetti. ´

CHARISMATIC KILLERS
The Hex Boys—mysterious, hunky, and notorious for their trails of destruction—have the answers Aurora needs to survive. But their overload of deadly secrets and suspicious motives makes trusting them a potentially fatal move.

LETHAL ALLIES
The battle to save her family, herself, and stop demonic domination may cost Aurora everything worth living for, and force her to reveal her own dark secrets. But no worries. She needs the Hex Boys to pull this off, and, chances are, teaming up with these guys will get her killed anyway.

I’ve read this book as a birthday gift to one of my sweetest friends on Goodreads, AJ the Ravenous Reader (Click her name to read her awesome review of this book) 🙂 HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GORGEOUS!

Demons at Deadnight offered a great introduction to a series, with such an interesting premise– featuring demons and demon hunters. This book started out really, really good. And it has tons of crazy humor that got me really cracking out loud. I love the main character Aurora Lahey who is all kinds of kickass. And ohmygod the boys are extremely cute and hot– and they are 6! Not one, not two, but SIX! Sign me up!

TEAM AYDEN here!

What made this book a not-so-perfect book for me, however, was the writing of the authors. As an average reader and one that enjoys words that are simplistic and easy to digest, I found the writing of the authors a bit difficult to get into. There were also some descriptions that kinda made me want to repeat it all over again just to get the point. Thankfully, it was mended by the humor which was always present in every line. Another thing was the character development of the mc and the supporting ones. I love how strong they are when they’re introduced during the first parts of the book, but as the story goes, most of them sort of faded out of the picture. Also, I became really exhausted with the plot. I was looking for a mind-blowing twist or some interesting thing that will happen but it wasn’t met.

But as a whole, I have fun in this book. Aurora is such a refreshing heroine and a very different one. I admire her for being such a silly and a funny character and for being independent. While the boys always come to her rescue, she makes it a point that she’s really strong enough to need them. And of course, the involvement of the family was so genuine. I love Aurora’s family and their witty conversations.

Will I recommend this book? YES. It may not be a perfect YA fantasy read for me, but given the fact that it gathers strong ratings on GR, then this might be your next favorite book. 🙂

Rating:

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Interview with Michelle Johnson, Author of Oleah Chronicles

What would you do if everything you thought to be true in your life was a lie?

Sixteen-year-old Angel Seriki must face overwhelming truths about her family when she meets Zander Black, a new student to her high school who is smart, charming and devastatingly beautiful. The revelations he uncovers to her about her family’s past changes everything, and as her relationship and feelings for Zander deepen, so do the risks involved. She must now accept her fate and face the true reality of who and what she is. Even if that means giving up everything, including being human.

Check my review of Oleah Chronicles: Truth here.

Hi, Michelle! Welcome to my blog. Thanks for taking time to do this interview with me. What inspired you to write? 

Thank you so much for allowing me to do this! Your support is greatly appreciated and definitely valued! I suppose I’ve always written from since I can remember. I used to constantly write stories as a kid that I still have to this day about vampires, werewolves and all types of craziness HAHAHA! I’ve also always kept a diary throughout the years so writing is something that has always been a part of me. I can’t say anything in particular inspired me per se, when I began writing Oleah Chronicles: Truth, I had no intention to share it with anyone. I just started writing the crazy thoughts that were in my head one day, and before I knew it I had written three chapters. From there it kinda took on a life of its own.

Can you tell us something interesting about your book Oleah Chronicles that everyone should expect before reading it?

I would say to expect to be taken a journey through the eyes of a shy teen who’s life gets derailed from secrets that resurface from a past she never knew was her own. The story has many elements of fantasy in it along with creatures you’ve never heard of before.

What was the most difficult part of writing Oleah Chronicles? 

Honestly, the most difficult part of the story was describing the Oleahs. In my head it’s so clear, but when applying it to paper I became frustrated one too many times because it didn’t sound right. I’m still not a hundred percent satisfied with the end result of my descriptions, which is why I decided that a visual was definitely needed on the front cover. Some things you just have to see, you know? I also put up a section on my website called “What is an Oleah” for anyone else that needed to see what it is I was trying to describe.

Apart from writing, what are your other interests in life?

I love to draw! Once upon a time I wanted to have my own comic book, but about ten or twelve years ago, my computer crashed and I lost all my files. After that, I was never inspired enough to start over. I do however, keep a sketch book that I like to draw in occasionally.

Aw… That is so sad. I hope you can get back to doing your hobby again. Do you have a technological device that you find hard to live without?

My phone! HAHAHA! I rely so much on my phone it’s scary! Its always on me and I am always on it checking my Instagram, emails, Goodreads, everything! So bad, but true!

Story of my life. Haha! When will the next book of the series be released? And what can we look forward?

The next book will be called Oleah Chronicles: Justice, and the goal is to get it out early next year. It’s much darker than the first book and will definitely take readers on an emotional ride that will be jam packed with action. When readers meet Angel in Truth, she’s just an insecure, naive and scared kid. In Justice, she has to face her fear and confront her own weaknesses which will transform her into who she’s meant to be.

Wow. Now I’m more excited for Angel’s character development! Now for some fun facts:

Favorite food? My background is Jamaican, so I love west indian food. But as of late, I’ve become really obsessed with Mediterranean food. Shwarma has become my weakness. 🙂

Ultimate book boyfriend? Ugh!! It’s soooo hard to choose! I have three of them, Edward from Twilight, Bones from The Night Huntress Series and Gideon Cross from the Crossfire Series. Now, if I could merge them all together to have Edward’s sensitivity, Bone’s personality and possessiveness with Gideon’s looks, that would be the ULTIMATE BOOK BOYFRIEND!! Gah!!!

Favorite TV show? For the longest time it was Spartacus and True Blood, but now it’s all about Scandal! Team Fitz!

Dream destination? Rome, Italy! I went there when I was sixteen and fell in love with it.

Thanks again for dropping by the blog, Ms. Michelle! It is such a pleasure!

You can purchase Oleah Chronicles: Truth in:

(Bio taken from Goodreads)

Throughout my childhood I was always told I had a very creative imagination. I was drawn to stories of mythical creatures and all things that would usually give my peers the heebie geebies. Shows like Tales from the Crypt Keeper and Buffy the Vampire Slayer were among some of my favourites.

I developed a strong passion for design and illustration, drawing the ideas that arose in my head and finding great excitement in bringing them to life. This led me to pursue a career in graphic design and marketing so that I could always use my creativity to the fullest.

I have always loved reading and the way a compelling story would allow my mind to absorb its detailed imagery. I began to use writing as a tool to bring my creative thoughts to fruition one day, which has brought me to this moment.

I’m a romantic at heart and a sucker for stories about true love which is reflected in my writing and helped bring the Oleah Chronicles to life. I hope you enjoy my first book and through it you experience the eccentric vision that began in my mind so long ago.

Follower her on twitter: https://twitter.com/OleahChronicles

and on her website: http://www.oleahchronicles.com

Review: Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

Crown of Midnight
(Throne of Glass, #2)
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens
Publication: August 15, 2013
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance
My Rating:

Crowned by Evil.
Bound by Duty.
Divided by Love.

Celaena Sardothien, royal assassin, is the King of Adarlan’s deadliest weapon. She must win her freedom through his enemies’ blood – but she cannot bear to kill for the crown. And every death Celaena fakes, every lie she tells, put those she loves at risk.

Torn between her two protectors – a captain and a prince – and battling a dark force far greater than the king, Celaena must decide what she will fight for: her liberty, her heart or the fate of a kingdom…

I was so ready to rate it 3 Stars, but the ending totally pulled the whole thing off. TOTALLY. It was so amazing and beyond perfection!

I admit the there were parts of the book that made me roll my eyes. Especially Celaena’s attitude– but damn I don’t mind that at all because I now finally understand why she has that bratty and spoiled attitude. *zips my mouth because I might spoil you*

I’ve seen such a remarkable character development in Celaena. Although she was still perfection, this time I admire her even more because she seemed to be a lot more human compared toThrone of Glass. She became tougher and yet there were times when she was not able to contain her emotions and finally broke down and wept. That alone erases some Mary-Sue-impressions.

The plot progression of this book was not perfect. There were times when it became fully messed up, but thankfully the last few chapters succeed in achieving a satisfying storyline. There were so much mysteries and so many things that needed to be answered. Gods above, the world that Sarah J. Maas created was so vast and completely overwhelming, it basically promises something beyond your imagination!

The romance was… good. Okay as much as I want to say I feel so bitter because I’m Team Dorian and my ship did sink so bad in here, I couldn’t make myself hate Chaol. I felt drawn to him in this book. He was simply irresistible and just totally swoon-worthy my heart betrayed me! At some point I found myself questioning if I still ship Dorian and Celaena but then… I STILL. And I WILL STILL GO DOWN WITH MY SHIP no matter what!

Here’s one of my favorite parts of this book. The lines taken from Celaena and Dorian’s conversation which made me sort of freak out:

Celaena: “I have nowhere else to go.”

Dorian: “Then you will always have a place in here.”

YES. I WILL GO DOWN WITH MY SHIP. 🙂

Crown of Midnight, as a whole, mesmerized me. The ending was a huge bomb and it was surreal. There was a great character development not only with Celaena but also with Chaol, Dorian, and Nehemia. And though there was predictability in some parts of the book, still, the story was exquisitely done. Sarah J. Maas, you did it again!

Rating: 4 Stars

Buy this book at

READ ALL MY REVIEWS HERE

Review: The Assassin’s Blade by Sarah J. Maas

The Assassin’s Blade
(Throne of Glass, #0.1 – #0.5)
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens
Publication: March 4, 2015
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance
My Rating:

Contains all five novellas.

Celaena Sardothien is Adarlan’s most feared assassin. As part of the Assassin’s Guild, her allegiance is to her master, Arobynn Hamel, yet Celaena listens to no one and trusts only her fellow killer-for-hire, Sam. In these action-packed novellas – together in one edition for the first time – Celaena embarks on five daring missions. They take her from remote islands to hostile deserts, where she fights to liberate slaves and seeks to avenge the tyrannous. But she is acting against Arobynn’s orders and could suffer an unimaginable punishment for such treachery. Will Celaena ever be truly free? Explore the dark underworld of this kick-ass heroine to find out.

She was fire, she was darkness, she was dust and blood and shadow.

Absolutely fantastic and breathtaking! It’s hard not to love everything in The Assassin’s Blade. Even if it offered lots of achingly horrible events because of what happened to Celaena and how the book concluded, still, you could not deny the powerful and captivating effect that only Sarah J. Maas can convey.

The Assassin’s Blade is a series of prequel novellas including The Assassin and the Pirate Lord. etc etc… It basically entail the story of Celaena before she entered the glass castle and became the King’s champion.

Words are not enough to express how devastated I was after reading this book. Everything was perfectly written. I totally became an emotional wreck after reading it and worse, I found myself depressed and I don’t know if it’s good or not. All I know is that the book surprisingly gave me a hangover.

Rating: 5 Stars

(I’ve also reviewed all the five novellas separately. Check them out here:

The Assassin and the Pirate Lord

The Assassin and the Healer

The Assassin and the Desert

The Assassin and the Underworld

The Assassin and the Empire

Buy this book at:

Review: Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

Saint Anything
Author: Sarah Dessen
Publisher: Penguin
Publication: May 5, 2015
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
My Rating:

Peyton, Sydney’s charismatic older brother, has always been the star of the family, receiving the lion’s share of their parents’ attention and—lately—concern. When Peyton’s increasingly reckless behavior culminates in an accident, a drunk driving conviction, and a jail sentence, Sydney is cast adrift, searching for her place in the family and the world. When everyone else is so worried about Peyton, is she the only one concerned about the victim of the accident?

Enter the Chathams, a warm, chaotic family who run a pizza parlor, play bluegrass on weekends, and pitch in to care for their mother, who has multiple sclerosis. Here Sydney experiences unquestioning acceptance. And here she meets Mac, gentle, watchful, and protective, who makes Sydney feel seen, really seen, for the first time.

The uber-popular Sarah Dessen explores her signature themes of family, self-discovery, and change in her twelfth novel, sure to delight her legions of fans.

MY THOUGHTS…

“That’s the thing, though. You always think you want to be noticed. Until you are.”

My first ever Sarah Dessen read and I loved it!

It’s kind of difficult to explain how I feel about this book by just using words. I don’t even think I can give justice to this book through this review, because until now I’m still in a state of an emotional high.

Saint Anything is INCREDIBLY AMAZING!

I’ve just marked it as a new favorite, because it’s hard not to.Sarah Dessen has written something so powerful and heartfelt and a dozen other expressive adjectives that can’t even begin to adequately describe how great this book is.

Saint Anything isn’t a total romance and a common story you often encounter in a Young Adult contemporary book. It’s deeper and a lot more emotional. It basically talks about family relationships, personal growth, tragedy/recovery, true friendship, and love.

What made me admire this book was the writing style. Sarah Dessen has this eloquent, beautiful way with words that flow with enough sensitivity and understanding. All throughout the book, I felt the calming, comforting feels which is a rare thing that happens to me when reading a book.

Everything in Saint Anything is captivating. It showcases real life— the ups and downs, struggles, and joy we feel. It also has a well-plotted ending– which I couldn’t imagine being any more perfect. I have to admit that after experiencing this emotional journey, I had sad and happy tears. This book will stay with me for a very long time!

Rating: 5 Stars

READ ALL MY REVIEWS HERE 🙂

Review: P.S. I Still Love You

P.S. I Still Love You
(To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before #2)
Author: Jenny Han
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Published: May 26, 2015
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
My Rating:

Lara Jean didn’t expect to really fall for Peter.
She and Peter were just pretending. Except suddenly they weren’t. Now Lara Jean is more confused than ever.
When another boy from her past returns to her life, Lara Jean’s feelings for him return too. Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?

In this charming and heartfelt sequel to the New York Times bestseller To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, we see first love through the eyes of the unforgettable Lara Jean. Love is never easy, but maybe that’s part of what makes it so amazing.

MY THOUGHTS…

“So much of love is chance. There’s something scary and wonderful about that.”

— Spoilers ahead —

The second book of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is more entertaining, witty, and hilarious.

What disappointed me was Peter.

Wait a minute…

Is Peter Kavinsky the same Peter Kavinsky I’ve read in the first book? Why the heck did he turn out to be such an effin’ dick?

Seriously. Why did Jenny Han build transform his character like that? I admire Lara Jean’s character development here. She grew up emotionally with so much calmness and control despite the hell that happened to her.

But Peter. Why, Jenny Han? Why made me hate Peter? You know I love him in the first book, right? Did you seriously just turn him into an immature A-hole? The way Peter treated Lara Jean? It didn’t sit well on me. It just didn’t. Not to mention the fact that he’s still attached to his ex-girlfriend, Genevieve. SMH.

And the plot. Why was it such a big mess?

And that ending. THAT’S IT??! Like, THE END? And just like that? Whoa! I don’t even know if that’s a good ending at all.

But the good thing, nevertheless, is that I enjoyed most parts of it. Like I said, it was highly entertaining and even funnier. Give it all to KITTY!!

Another good thing was JOHN AMBROSE MCCLAREN. This guy is a total bae and I just want to make that unequivocally clear. Ha! While Jenny Han made Peter such a dick, she built such a great character out of John. A complete opposite with the male lead. And up until now, I still could not get why the author did that. Transforming the lead man into a complete jerk and highlighting a secondary male character by giving all the good traits on him.

The ending was unsatisfactory. There was no real conclusion whatsoever. I don’t even agree with Lara Jean accepting Peter back like that. I think the kiss-and-make up thing was too easy. After all?

*sigh

Honestly, I feel like I’m being generous with my 3-star rating on this, but well.

It was still a fun read after all.

Rating: 3 Stars

READ ALL MY REVIEWS HERE 🙂

Review: The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutroski

The Winner’s Curse
(The Winner’s Trilogy #1)
Author: Marie Rutroski
Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens Books
Published: July 3, 2014
Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Fantasy, Dystopia, Historical Fiction
My Rating:

Winning what you want may cost you everything you love.

As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions. One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction.

Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin. But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined.

Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.

MY THOUGHTS…

There are books that despite the high ratings and the enormous hype will never work out for you. This book is an example. I tried so hard to like it, but doing it only made me feel like I’m forcing myself in a relationship where I’m not happy and there’s no spark and magic (what an analogy *laughs).

I had a very hard time liking The Winner’s Curse. I found the world-building too tame, vague, and poorly executed. The characters are also underdeveloped. The whole book lacks magic. No questions about the author’s writing style. It was good, but it was not enough to make me spellbound.

The book was (I hate to say this) boring .

I also think that the slavery and forbidden love theme are not my liking. Sorry, I really tried but I guess there are other books that are much better for me. This one isn’t one of those. The cover and the overall physicality of this book are spectacular though. And that, I think, is the good side of it. But I don’t think I will read the next sequel. There are way too many books on my tbr list right now, so….

Rating: 2 Stars

READ ALL MY REVIEWS HERE 🙂

Review: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Daughter of Smoke and Bone
(Daughter of Smoke & Bone #1)
Author: Laini Taylor
Publisher: Hodder Paperback
Published: August 5, 2012
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
My Rating:

“Errand requiring immediate attention. Come.

The note was on vellum, pierced by the talons of the almost-crow that delivered it. Karou read the message. ‘He never says please’, she sighed, but she gathered up her things.
When Brimstone called, she always came.”

In general, Karou has managed to keep her two lives in balance. On the one hand, she’s a seventeen-year-old art student in Prague; on the other, errand-girl to a monstrous creature who is the closest thing she has to family. Raised half in our world, half in ‘Elsewhere’, she has never understood Brimstone’s dark work – buying teeth from hunters and murderers – nor how she came into his keeping. She is a secret even to herself, plagued by the sensation that she isn’t whole.

Now the doors to Elsewhere are closing, and Karou must choose between the safety of her human life and the dangers of a war-ravaged world that may hold the answers she has always sought.

MY THOUGHTS…

“Do monsters make war? Or does war make monsters?”

Took me some time to finally make a review because quite honestly, I wasn’t able to come up with some coherent thoughts after reading this book last night. It was so damn good it left me totally speechless– in a very good way!

Picking this up was sort of a gamble for me, because despite the positive reviews and the hype, I mostly tend to dislike a book. But this– This book just made me look like this:

It’s totally EXCELLENT, EPIC, PERFECT! No words. Certainly one of the best fantasy books I’ve ever read so far!

Now let’s talk about why this book instantly became an easyfavorite.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone has the following:

Brilliant concept
Amazing writing style
Excellent imagination from the author
Hands down creativity
Intriguing characters
Fast pacing
Entertaining, page-turning plot

The concept of this book is indeed brilliant– And it’s quite unique. I have read a couple of books that talk about angels and most of them really impressed me. But this book– it does not only impress me. It surprises me all the way.

“Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love. It did not end well.”

Never have I read something that talks about angels and devilschimaera. What was thaaaat again? Chimaera. I had to google the term myself because I needed a better perspective about those creatures lurking around this book. I was totally fascinated! Chimaeras and angels in a book? Whoa! That is something I’ve never encountered before. Thank you, Laini Taylor for introducing this to me! God bless you and your imagination!

What also made me fascinated with the book is of course, the amazing world-building. The settings are a jaw-dropper. If you think this book has only one setting, you’ve got it all wrong. It has otherworldly places that will put you in a full-on surprise and amazement.

When it comes to the author’s writing style… well, you can never go wrong in Laini Taylor. She really knows how to lure her audience and bring them to her majestic world. And not only that. She also incorporates humor in her lines. I really enjoy it every time I’m in Karou’s head. She has entertaining thoughts she had me laughing at times.

And speaking of Karou, this book also has intriguing characters. I like Karou best of all. She’s not at all annoying (This trait is becoming a constant issue, eh? Lol). I simply like her! She’s a combination of badass and sweet and funny.

I also love Akiva. Can I pause for a while and sighhhh? The feels! This guy is such a swoon-worthy guy. Heart heart! I also love the chimaeras Brimstone, Issa, Yasri, and Twiga. They are so adorable I just want to hug them all!

What’s even great about it is its fast pacing. There was never a dull moment here. From the very first page up to the last, I found myself really, really compelled. And oh, did I say that each chapter also has something to reveal and surprise?

The book is totally a page-turner. It kept my attention all throughout. In fact, it took me a while to finish it because I simply had to devour it word after word just so I can totally seize and enjoy the experience being in that world.

I could not thank Laini Taylor enough for bringing her awesome imagination to life through this book. It was simply a great adventure! I am certainly going to read the sequels soon!!!

(I also want to thank my dear, sweet friend AJ the Ravenous Reader for encouraging me to read this book. Love you, girl! x)

Rating: 5 (or more) Stars

READ MY ALL MY REVIEWS HERE 🙂

Review: Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Graceling
(Graceling Realm #1)
Author: Kristin Cashore
Publisher: Gollancz
Publication: January 22, 2009
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance
My Rating:

In a world where people born with an exceptional skill, known as a Grace, are both feared and exploited, Katsa carries the burden of a skill even she despises: the Grace of killing.

Feared by the court and shunned by those her own age, the darkness of her Grace casts a heavy shadow over Katsa’s life. Yet she remains defiant: when the King of Lienid’s father is kidnapped she investigates, and stumbles across a mystery. Who would want to kidnap the old man, and why? And who was the extraordinary Graced man whose fighting abilities rivalled her own?

The only thing Katsa is sure of is that she no longer wants to kill. The intrigue around this kidnapping offers her a way out – but little does she realise, when she takes it, that something insidious and dark lurks behind the mystery. Something spreading from the shadowy figure of a one-eyed king…

MY THOUGHTS…

“When a monster stopped behaving like a monster, did it stop being a monster? Did it become something else?”

High fantasy at its best!

This book is to be admired. And I definitely agree with everyone who says that the book is truly amazing. There are a lot of elements that make this book extra-ordinary.

Graceling is a story about the main character Lady Katsa of the Kingdom of Middlun. Graced with an unnatural gift that can easily kill anyone whenever she wants, she grew up under the influence of her uncle Randa, King of Middlun, who basically used her ability for his own interest. The book is set in a world where seven kingdoms exist– including Middlun and the story starts off when one of the leaders (the Grandfather) of the Kingdom Lienid was kidnapped. The incidence resulted to Katsa and her companions’ rescue involvement and investigation. She eventually met Prince Greening “Po” Grandemalion while rescuing the Grandfather and since then, they worked together to find the one responsible for the kidnapping. (Sorry for my lame attempt of summarizing the book. Lol)

Anyways, what I love about this book is the way it gives me the epic fantasy feels. You know when you’re reading a kind of book that just seems to take you to that certain world? This book does it!

The world building of this book is good, but I have to admit that I had a rough time at first because there were just too many names of persons and places. However, it was resolved as the chapters went by.

I especially love the characters here. Katsa and Po! Oh my goodness. I love this pair!

A Prince and a King’s niece? Why not? OTP! I found myself shipping them together all throughout the book. I actually love how they work together as a team. How they fight and train together– it was awesome and entertaining! And did I mention that Prince Po is such a swoon-worthy character? Bae! And when it comes to Katsa, well, I really adore her. She’s not difficult to like. Strong-willed, badass, and without angst. Definitely my type of heroine!

This book, however, has some flaws and one of them is the ending. Turns out it’s a bit hurried or something. And I was actually expecting a different ending especially for Po and Katsa. I was not so satisfied by that.

Another thing is the action scenes. I kind of expected extreme, heart-pounding action scenes but they were just mild ones and not so challenging in my opinion.

But as a whole, I really love this book. I love the characters, the setting, and the whole story itself. I highly recommend this book to everyone, especially for those of you who love fantasy books such as The Grisha trilogy and Red Queen. 🙂

Rating: 4 Stars

Review: Vampire’s Bane by Suzannah Daniels

Vampire’s Bane
(Vampire’s Bane #1)
Author: Suzannah Daniels
Publisher: Suzannah Daniels
Publication: April 14, 2015
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction
My Rating:

VAMPIRE’S BANE is a mature young adult paranormal fantasy/romance/action & adventure/post-apocalyptic story.

Now available for pre-order on Amazon…will be released on Amazon on April 14, 2015.

A lethal sword.

A dangerous mission.

A seventeen-year-old girl finding her way in a world that is nothing like she remembered.

When Maylin Kavanagh’s parents surrendered her to The Program, they swore it was for her protection. After being confined in a small underground cell for nearly two years, she is finally released.

But the world has changed.

Most of the populace has been wiped out by a deadly disease, and the rules of society have regressed. But that’s not the worst of it. When her group is kidnapped by a band of rogue vampires, Maylin realizes the decline of the human population has brought other races to the forefront—races she never knew existed. And now they’re all battling for survival and power.

In his father’s absence, Thane Warwick must lead his people. He has two priorities: find his father and find humans who can supply blood to his tribe. Immediately intrigued by his latest captive, he becomes interested in Maylin for more than just her blood, but he soon discovers that he must make a choice between his father and her.

Despite their attraction, Maylin and Thane each have an agenda, and only one can be the victor.

VAMPIRE’S BANE is the first book in the VAMPIRE’S BANE series. While it does end at a natural turning point in the heroine’s journey, it is an ongoing story, and not all questions will be answered. You will need to read this series in order.

MY THOUGHTS…

And in that moment, I claimed her as mine.

(ARC generously provided by the author Suzannah Daniels in exchange for an honest review. *This does not influence my rating and review*)

I have always fancied vampire-themed books, especially when they’re blended with deep, dark romance. It’s a genre that I’ve always been a sucker for. This book, to be honest, met my expectations. I absolutely loved it!

Vampire’s Bane is the first book of the Vampire’s Bane series. It talks about the main character Maylin Kavanagh, a girl who was surrendered by her parents to be moved to “The Program” by which she was able to endure two years of being imprisoned and watched by the scientist Dr. Canton to prepare her, along with other teenagers, to fulfill a purpose in the future. After being freed, she and her peers started to have their journey to discover their purpose. But things had gotten rough when they met a group of vampires on their way and was held captive by the vampire leader, Thane Warwick. All throughout the book, Maylin discovered lots of things about the dark, twisted world they were living, which made her decide to escape and fulfill her mission to lead her group.

There are lots of reasons why I loved this book. One of them is *sigh* Thane Warwick. Let’s all admit it. Hot fictional guys always tickle every readers’ fancy. When the author introduced this sexy vampire, that was my undoing.

Thane is perfectly described and molded. He’s the kind of vampire that has a dark side which is very well added to the mystery and his overall appeal. Maylin Kavanagh, on the other hand, is a character you will either love or hate– or both, at the same time. Although she’s a strong character, sometimes you want to strangle her because she’s annoying at times. Not a perfect character, but she’s admirable when it comes to her dedication to her peers– and that’s more important.

Another reason why I loved this book is the author’s writing style. Very impressive! The plot was also well-done and there were surprising twists all throughout the book. And the romance? Perfect! I’ve already said this in my status but hell yeah, Thane and Maylin are the new OTP!

As a whole, this book is a very promising start to a great series. I totally enjoyed it. The ending left me wanting more and I can’t wait to read its next. 🙂

Rating: 5 Stars

Review: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Thirteen Reasons Why
Author: Jay Asher
Publisher: Razorbill
Published: June 14, 2011
Genre: Contemporary, Young Adult
My Rating:

You can’t stop the future. You can’t rewind the past. The only way to learn the secret. . . is to press play.

Clay Jensen doesn’t want anything to do with the tapes Hannah Baker made. Hannah is dead. Her secrets should be buried with her.

Then Hannah’s voice tells Clay that his name is on her tapes– and that he is, in some way, responsible for her death.

All through the night, Clay keeps listening. He follows Hannah’s recorded words throughout his small town. . .

. . .and what he discovers changes his life forever.

MY THOUGHTS…

“When you mess with one part of a person’s life, you’re messing with their entire life.”

I seriously don’t know how to express my feelings about this book. From the very start, I already have the idea that this is something serious and eerily creepy. I was right. The moment the first part was delivered, it instantly got me. I had goosebumps just by reading Hannah Baker’s audio narration.

The thing about this book is that it talks more about how depression and being alone can greatly affect one’s life. It’s an eye-opener in a real sense and it simply defines the importance of having someone to talk to– having someone to open up especially when you’re emotionally in pain. And of course, it’s also important to listen to everyone and to be by their side whenever they want someone to talk to. (I’m getting emo here.)

Anyway, I can’t quite relate to Hannah because thank God, I did not experience a serious sadness like what she felt but I found myself feeling desolate for the things that happened to her. Things were badly awful in her life! I wish I could just change everything and make it better for her. As a whole, I did enjoy the book. It also made me learn things a lot. This is my first Jay Asher book and already, I consider myself his fan. 🙂 Well-done!

My Rating: 4 Stars

Review: Forbidden by Tabitha Suzuma

Forbidden
Author: Tabitha Suzuma
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Published: June 26, 2012
Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Young Adult
My Rating:

A shocking, heartbreaking story of taboo romance that’s as compelling as it is controversial.

Seventeen-year-old Lochan and sixteen-year-old Maya have always felt more like friends than siblings. Together they have stepped in for their alcoholic, wayward mother to take care of their three younger siblings. As de facto parents to the little ones, Lochan and Maya have had to grow up fast. And the stress of their lives—and the way they understand each other so completely—has also brought them closer than two siblings would ordinarily be. So close, in fact, that they have fallen in love. Their clandestine romance quickly blooms into deep, desperate love. They know their relationship is wrong and cannot possibly continue. And yet, they cannot stop what feels so incredibly right. As the novel careens toward an explosive and shocking finale, only one thing is certain: A love this devastating has no happy ending.

MY THOUGHTS…

He is my only point of reference in this difficult existence, this unstable and frightening world.

This is probably the saddest book I’ve read so far. And the toughest! The entire journey of Lochan and Maya is too heartbreaking. Even before I finished it, I found myself already crying because the events are simply too hard to take.

This book is very powerful and brilliantly done. It does not only narrate a plain love story between two teenager siblings who fell in love due to some family circumstances but it also depicts difficult, heavy, and delicate taboo issues.

Now what I love about this book is that it’s not only intriguing but Tabitha knows exactly how to expertly put the readers’ heart in such turmoil. The romance is deep and moving. And the family drama breaks my heart into pieces. It’s also a story that somehow enlightens the readers about the importance of being able to express and show your love to someone freely and without condition. I love this book. I only wish it doesn’t end that way but still. *tearful*

Rating: 4 Stars

Review: Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Me Before You
Author: Jojo Moyes
Publisher: Penguin Books
Published: December 31, 2012
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
My Rating:

A New York Times bestseller

Louisa Clark is an ordinary girl living an exceedingly ordinary life—steady boyfriend, close family—who has never been farther afield than their tiny village. She takes a badly needed job working for ex-Master of the Universe Will Traynor, who is wheelchair-bound after an accident. Will has always lived a huge life—big deals, extreme sports, worldwide travel—and now he’s pretty sure he cannot live the way he is.

Will is acerbic, moody, bossy—but Lou refuses to treat him with kid gloves, and soon his happiness means more to her than she expected. When she learns that Will has shocking plans of his own, she sets out to show him that life is still worth living.

A love story for this generation, Me Before You brings to life two people who couldn’t have less in common—a heartbreakingly romantic novel that asks, What do you do when making the person you love happy also means breaking your own heart?

MY THOUGHTS…

“You make me into someone I couldn’t even imagine. You make me happy, even when you’re awful. I would rather be with you– even when you know that you seem to think is diminished– than anyone else in the world.”

I’ve come to realize one thing. Reading a Jojo Moyes book is like reading a Nicholas Sparks book. It’s phenomenal and heartbreaking!

Before I was reading this book, I’ve been warned by a few friends to prepare tissues because I will actually cry with this. And yes, they’re certainly right. I DID CRY. Out Loud!

This book is an emotional torture for me. The plot, although quite predictable, engrossed me right from the first up to the last page. It has actually a simple plot but it turned out to be a masterwork of art.

What I love about the book is its huge impact to the reader. The characters are remarkable, especially Lou. I love her so much I can even relate myself to her. I also love the hilarious moments here, especially Lou and Will’s witty banters.

If you guys want some heavy drama reads, then read this book. I highly recommend this to everybody!

My Rating: 4 Stars