Bookish Review! Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

“Anyone can betray anyone.” 
― Victoria Aveyard, Red Queen

What it’s about?  “The poverty stricken Reds are commoners, living under the rule of the Silvers, elite warriors with god-like powers.

To Mare Barrow, a 17-year-old Red girl from The Stilts, it looks like nothing will ever change.

Mare finds herself working in the Silver Palace, at the center of
those she hates the most. She quickly discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy Silver control.

But power is a dangerous game. And in this world divided by blood, who will win?” 

(from: Goodreads)

Initial thoughts: I finally read Red Queen, the NYT bestseller, the book everyone has been raving about for the past year. I wanted to love this book, I really, really did. I’m not someone who lets the hype a book has affect my reading experience. Red Queen sounded so amazing, I was so excited, but unfortunately, the execution of the story just fell flat for me. I had to really push myself to finish, which makes me sad. I probably would’ve DNF it if I didn’t want to write this review. I know that so many people loved this book, I tried, I really did! But this book just wasn’t for me…

The plot: The premise of Red Queen had promise, but I just felt like that was never fulfilled. Nothing about the plot, for me, was very exciting or unique. Nothing seemed new or fresh. The story felt like The Hunger games with a fantasy twist, only it wasn’t nearly as good as The Hunger Games. Some plot elements just seemed impractical and predictable. Nothing in the climax even surprised me (I saw it coming), which was so disappointing. (Also, was it just me or did it seem like the Silvers had an unlimited arsenal of abilities they could have??? Seriously it was like every single Silver had a different type of ability and I couldn’t even keep track of what they could do. I don’t know, it was just weird to me…and it really seemed like some Silvers were given a certain ability because the author needed to use that ability to move the plot along…)

The writing: The writing in Red Queen wasn’t bad, it just seemed average. It did seem like there were some things that were repeated over and over again, which became a little annoying. Also, I just never really felt connected to the characters. I felt distanced from them and I was never fully drawn into the story.  

Overall: I hate to write such a negative review. This was just how I felt, but obviously this book has been enjoyed by so many people. I do think that Red Queen was entertaining, the concept was interesting, I just don’t think it was as good as it could have been. In my opinion there are other, better books out there that I would’ve rather spent my time on. If you are interested in reading something like The Hunger Games with a fantasy edge, then give Red Queen a try. But ultimately, it was nothing new, mediocre, and didn’t live up to its potential.

Rating: 2 ½ out of 5 stars 

Bookish Review! The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

“Aglionby Academy was the number one reason Blue had developed her two rules: One, stay away from boys because they were trouble. And two, stay away from Aglionby boys, because they were bastards.” 
― Maggie Stiefvater, The Raven Boys

Synopsis:  "Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her. His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.

But Gansey is different. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.

For as long as she can remember, Blue has been told by her psychic family that she will kill her true love. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore."

The Raven Boys thrusts you into a world of magic and mystery, accompanied by a flawed, but incredibly lovable cast of characters that you won't soon forget. 

Initial Thoughts: I adored this book! Even from the first page, I couldn't seem to put it down. There was just this mystical quality to the story that drew me in and kept me engaged the whole time, I could feel the story building, shaping, and forming with each chapter. The story felt so fantastical and interesting that I fell in love with it and the characters.

The Plot: Honestly, the plot was a little slow forming, which I think that some readers will struggle with. For me, though, I was drawn in by the mystery and trying to figure out what was really going on. The second half of the book was really when things started to pick up the pace. I could just feel that the author was weaving this intricate plot, and I just couldn't wait to discover what she had in store for the reader.

The Writing: The writing style was beautiful and vivid. I loved the use of language and metaphor and simile and just the over all tone of the book. At first, the shifting points of view did throw me off a little bit, I don't normally like jumping around to different characters heads, but I eventually got used to it and it felt natural and fluid. I ended up really liking the POV changes. I really loved getting to know each and every one of the characters, especially the boys. The relationships between the characters was beautiful and you couldn't help but fall in love with them.

Over-all Thoughts and Rating: This was an amazingly written book and the story was very unique and interesting. I got very attached to all the characters and can't wait to continue on with the series. My only issue was that I felt like the book ended too suddenly. It didn't feel like a whole story, but again, this is a series so it is what it is. I have heard that some people found this book confusing or hard to follow, but I didn't feel that way at all. I felt like the plot was slow in the beginning, and the writing style took some getting used to, but after that the story flew by. I would recommend this to fans of the paranormal and mystery.

I gave this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

            

Read 'Em and Weep: Totally Cry-Worthy Books

WARNING! VERY  MILD SPOILERS AHEAD!!

So, let’s be honest here, sometimes, we all love those books that make us bawl so hard we can’t even breathe. Those books that just hit our emotions so hard and leave us tail-spinning in a storm of feels. They make us so attached to fictional lives that they affect our own emotional health. We love them, and I’m here to share a few of the books that had me crying so hard, I couldn’t even deal with life.

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton-  "Stay Gold, Ponyboy" I LOVE this book! I read The Outsiders for the first time when I was in Jr. High and was completely surprised with how much I enjoyed it. It was so gritty, true to life, and brought to attention some really important themes. Hinton's characters are so real and lovably flawed, they bring to life a real sense of comradery and love. It tugs at the heart, and makes me cry rivers! I honestly highly recommend this book to everyone. It's great, I've re-read it countless times and fall back in love with it every time, one of my all-time favorites. 

The Fault in our Stars by John Green- Big shocker here! I picked this book up before I knew anything about it. I had just discovered who John Green was, and I saw it at the library and decided to read it without know what it was about. I was in for the most touching roller coaster of my life! If you have read it, or seen the movie, you know what I’m talking about. It was like 2 am when I was finishing this book, and I was crying so hard, I woke my husband up and he literally was afraid for my well-being.  John Green crafted this amazing love story, made you fall in love with his characters, and then brought the world crashing down upon us all. It was hard to read this book, but at the same time, it’s real life. Things like this happen, and you know,  “The world is not a wish granting factory.”

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken- I was not expecting to be so hysterical during this book, but Alexandra Bracken likes to do that to her readers. She pulls us in so deep, we feel the struggles of her characters and we fall so much in love with all of them…When the end came and she dropped that bomb, I was not expecting it at all! I couldn’t even deal with it, it just cried so hard I couldn’t breathe! Ugh, it was sooooo good!

 

Harry Potter books 5-7 by J.K. Rowling- I’m sorry, but if you didn’t cry reading these books, I don’t know what is wrong with you! Do you even have a heart?? I don’t think I’ve cried as hard for any book as I did with these last three Harry Potter books. Harry loses so much in his life, and it makes us feel so lost with him, he loses all the people he has looked up to and it’s just sooooooooo sad! However, in the end, I suppose everything was alright, but for a while there I wasn’t sure if I could even move on with my life! Especially with book 7, Deathly Hallows, I started bawling after reading the dedication! It was pathetic… I have grown up with Harry and these books in particular really hit and emotional nerve with me, they are so close to my heart <3

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins- Oh my goodness, this was so painful to read. It was heartbreaking and I felt like my world had been turned upside down. If you have read this book, you understand what I mean, it was sad, just very sad. However I did really enjoy this book as the last installment in an epic trilogy that I will love for the rest of my life.

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clair- This is the first and only Cassy Clair book that made me cry It was the most heartbreaking love triangle in YA book history! But she just ended this series so perfectly and beautifully and it was just all kinds of amazing. And also, William Herondale :)

Allegiant by Veronica Roth- If you haven’t read this book yet, and haven’t been spoiled, props to you! If you had read this book, then you KNOW why this is on my list. That’s all I’m saying….

New Moon by Stephanie Meyer- I have no shame in saying I read these books, I even really enjoyed them. I picked them up long before anyone knew what Twilight was and I think I take a little bit of pride in that. I read Twilight and New Moon during my summer break one year and devoured them. I have no shame when I say I absolutely cried when Edward left in New Moon… it was devastating because we were reading it through Bella’s eyes and it crushed her. Looking back now, I’m not sure if I would have the same reaction ( I was a young teen at them time) but this make my list because I really had the water works going.

That’s all I’m going to mention for this post, I often cry in books, but the one’s that I mentioned above were really by hard-core sobbing fests. Let me know what books made you cry! What books made you feel all the feels??? I would love to hear  from you!

Bookish Review! Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Hot, sexy, glow-in-the-dark aliens that live next door from a book blogger, what more could you ask for in a book?! So much fun, and so engrossing, you won't want to stop reading this series :)

Before we talk spoiler-free about Onyx, let’s discuss a little bit about the first book in the LUX series, Obsidian. I feel like I am very much in the minority when I say that I really was disappointed in Obsidian. I knew that so many people really enjoyed this series, and I just couldn’t help the disappointment I felt when I had finished the book. For me, Daemon was mean and annoying. His and Katy’s relationship really just wasn’t doing it for me in Obsidian. Also, even though Aliens seem like something unique for the paranormal romance genera, the plot came off so cliché and predictable. When I finished book one, I had no desire to start or more on to book two.

With all that said, I am extremely glad I read book two, Onyx. For me, Onyx was such a step up from Obsidian. I really became engrossed in the story and I was so pleasantly surprised. So, without further ado, let’s talk about Onyx!

The Plot:  Onyx was such an exciting page turner for me! It was such a step up from the predictable plot of the previous book. I really had no idea where it was going, and loved every minute of the journey. There was action, mystery, twists and romance. It was just so good! I loved how Katy and Daemon’s relationship developed; it was so less cheesy than in the first book. I really fell for Daemon, his character development has been great. I liked Katy’s development too, for the most part, but she made some stupid and irritating mistakes as well that were kinda annoying. But, A+ for improvement. After finishing Onyx I HAD to immediately start Opal!

The Writing: Jennifer L. Armentrout has an interesting writing style in these books. In Obsidian, the writing really bothered me. It came off so juvenile and awkward. I found myself reading a word and thinking, honestly, did she really just use that phrase in a published book?.  However, everything greatly improved in Onyx, the writing actually became charming, real, and even funny at times.  Jennifer really pulled me into the story in this book and I can’t stop reading! 

Overall Thoughts and Rating: Again, I really liked this book. The story, writing, plot, basically all elements improved in this book for me and I can’t wait to see where everything goes. Jennifer has an amazing ability to know what readers want, and to deliver it spot on. I also absolutely love Katy and how her character is growing. She’s a book blogger, which is awesome and relatable. She’s also strong and independent. This series is just so much fun and I would recommend this to all fans of YA, especially paranormal romance.

Onyx gets a 4 out of 5 stars from me.

If I Stay by Gayle Forman Book Review!

"I realize now that dying is easy. Living is hard."

-If I stay, (pg 175, US Paperback edition)

If I Stay is a story about love and tragedy, that makes your heart hurt, but at the same time brings you to hope.

My Initial Thoughts: To be completely honest, I wasn’t sure how much I was going to like this book when I first started. I had no emotional attachment to the characters when the accident happened, and everything seemed so rushed and unemotional at first. However, I have to give miss Forman props for the way she carefully wove in the backstory of the characters and how eventually the reader does start to care for them. Everyone becomes a loveable, real person and the loss and tragedy of what had happened just hits you hard.

The Plot: This book isn’t a thriller, the plot isn’t particularly exciting or fast-paced. This book more so causes the reader to feel and to think. It draws you in and doesn’t let you go. It causes you to step back and look at your own life, at the people you love and cherish and makes you contemplate what you would do if you were put in Mia’s position.

The Writing: This book isn’t filled with breathtaking poetic prose, but it has a simplistic beauty to it. Forman’s writing style is very easy to follow and to get into.  It’s not filled with a bunch of fluff or long descriptors, but it has just enough of everything to build the characters and scenes and make the reader understand and tugs at the emotional heart strings.

Overall Thoughts & Rating: I really like this book for what it was, it’s emotional and thought-provoking and I would recommend it to fans of deeper, thought-provoking contemporary. It’s not all gloom, it does have its lighter, cute moments, but the overall feel is quite heavy. I really loved the way the characters were developed, I loved the part the music played throughout the book. I did think it was a little too short, it ended quite suddenly, but that didn’t take away from the impact of the story. 

I give this book a solid 4 ½ stars out of 5.