The Queen (The Selection 0.4) by Kiera Cass Book Review

Before America Singer’s story began, another girl came to the palace to compete for the hand of a different prince….

Don’t miss this digital original novella set in the captivating world of Kiera Cass’s #1 New York Times bestselling Selection series. This prequel story takes place before the events of The Selection and is told from the point of view of Prince Maxon’s mother, Amberly. Discover a whole new Selection with this inside look at how Maxon’s parents met—and how an ordinary girl named Amberly became a beloved queen.

**SPOILER FREE REVIEW**

Hello everyone! Welcome to 2015! Sorry I haven’t been updating my blog recently… I just haven’t had the time to sit down and write a blog post on a book until now. Without further adieu, here is my review on The Selection novella, The Queen. I previously have read all of the other Selection books, and after reading The One, I thought that the whole series was complete. When this novella came out, and news of a 4th book, I was just ecstatic. As soon as I heard of its existence, i knew I had to get it.

The novella is told in Queen Amberly’s perspective when she was going through the selection herself. I really loved her in all of the previous selection novels, however I have mixed thoughts about her now. Even though she was physically quite weak, I wanted… no. needed her to have more of a personality. Her character traits were quite bland and she seemed really submissive. Unlike America, she is not much of a fighter, but is willing to do whatever Clarkson says.

What I found really interesting was Clarkson. I really disliked his character in the previous books, but I thought that we go to understand him a LOT better in this novella. I feel bad for him because his parents are terrifying, however I’m not sure how he ended up being just as bad to Maxon.

As for the romance, I enjoyed it enough, but to me I didn’t really see a connection between Amberly and Clarkson. It seemed like there was more pity than love, and I just really couldn’t get my head around that.

Overall, I have mixed reviews about this novella. Kiera Cass KILLED it in the other Selection novels, however this one was quite average. Maybe its the length of the book or something else, but I felt like it was lacking in depth. 2.5/5 stars. 

BUY THE QUEEN HERE

** Hope you enjoyed reading my review of The Queen. If you have any requests of books you want me to read and review, please feel free to leave them in the comments 🙂

Slave by Mende Nazer and Damien Lewis Book Review

Mende Nazer lost her childhood at age twelve, when she was sold into slavery. It all began one horrific night in 1993, when Arab raiders swept through her Nuba village, murdering the adults and rounding up thirty-one children, including Mende.
Mende was sold to a wealthy Arab family who lived in Sudan’s capital city, Khartoum. So began her dark years of enslavement. Her Arab owners called her “Yebit,” or “black slave.” She called them “master.” She was subjected to appalling physical, sexual, and mental abuse. She slept in a shed and ate the family leftovers like a dog. She had no rights, no freedom, and no life of her own.
Normally, Mende’s story never would have come to light. But seven years after she was seized and sold into slavery, she was sent to work for another master—a diplomat working in the United Kingdom. In London, she managed to make contact with other Sudanese, who took pity on her. In September 2000, she made a dramatic break for freedom.
Slave is a story almost beyond belief. It depicts the strength and dignity of the Nuba tribe. It recounts the savage way in which the Nuba and their ancient culture are being destroyed by a secret modern-day trade in slaves. Most of all, it is a remarkable testimony to one young woman’s unbreakable spirit and tremendous courage.

**Spoiler Free Review**

Hello everyone! It feels like it’s been forever since my last book review…. exams are now finally over! My humanities teacher actually recommended me to read Slave by Mende Nazer, and let me just say, the book truly is phenomenal. It is an autobiography written by Nazer, telling the story from her kidnap at age 12, being sold into slavery, and her escape into freedom. Slave is an extremely emotional story. To know that it is all true is entirely heart-wrenching, however is a story that must not be ignored.

Top Ten Tuesday December 9

Hello Everyone! This is my Top Ten Tuesday of December 9. Top Ten Tuesday is an original meme created and hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

The Theme This Week: December 9: Top Ten New-To-Me Authors I Read In 2014

1. Sarah J. Maas. On a whim, I picked up Throne of Glass, and completely fell in love with it, later binge reading the rest of the books that have been released in the series. Sarah J. Mass has the ability to create a totally different world with kick-butt characters and mythical creatures, and yet, her books are still so relatable and loveable. She’s definitely my #1 new-to-me author of 2014.

2. Jennifer L. Armentrout. I honestly could not put the Lux Series down. Jennifer L. Armentrout really outdoes herself in this series because I felt attached to nearly all of the characters. The way she writes the story and the characters makes you feel as if you are no longer part of reality, but have jumped into their lives complete with aliens. Please, Please, PLEASE can I have my own Daemon Black…

3. Kiera Cass. Ok, I’m kind of cheating on this author because I read the Selection in 2012, but I couldn’t NOT put Kiera Cass on this list because I definitely think she upped her game with The One. While I did like The Selection and The Elite, I think that the 3rd book was probably my favorite in the series, and it was almost as if Kiera Cass was a different author because the writing just got a TON better and I fell even more in love with America Singer and Maxon.

4. Stephanie Perkins. I don’t really know how many times I’ve talked about Anna and the French Kiss (ok, I’ve talked about it A LOT), but honestly, her books are just so sweet and cute. While the plot is intriguing, it isn’t too dark either, so it’s a great happy read.

5. Marissa Meyers. I have absolutely adored the Lunar Chronicles series so far. The way she adds fairytales to sci-fi in the future is extremely interesting. Though many think that fairytales are cliché, the plot of her stories twist and turn, keeping the readers guessing.

6. Carey Corp and Lorie Langdon. These two authors wrote Doon, and let me just say…. I WANNA GO THEREEEEEE. Together, Corp and Langdon create an unforgettable fantasy world, whisking the reader away from day to day life.

7. Marie Lu. If you haven’t read the Legend series yet, you truly are missing out. The dystopian plot is really well spun, and I grew to love June and Day. Lu’s writing style is distinct, and the way she structures her books keeps you hooked.

8. Tahereh Mafi. I really REALLY enjoyed reading the Shatter Me series by Tahereh Mafi. She has the ability to captivate the reader, engaging me, and leading me on an emotional roller coaster. Please. Give. Me. Warner ❤

9. Scott Westerfield. I quite enjoyed the first two books in his series, Uglies. The plot was extremely unique, and I had to keep guessing where the plot would turn.

10. Gayle Forman. I personally really loved If I stay. Though I didn’t get around to watching the movie, I thought that the whole concept of the book was interesting because it was in the perspective of a girl in a coma. Forman’s book was tear provoking, and I highly enjoyed her style of writing.

Hope you guys enjoyed my Top Ten Tuesday this week 🙂 To those who have exams, good luck 🙂

Update and Top Ten Tuesday!

Hey everyone! I’m back… sorry I disappeared! Recently, I have been extremely busy with school work, travel, choir, swimming, etc, hence my lack of posting. Especially now with exams coming up, I just don’t have that much time. From now until around Christmas, I will not be posting a book review every week. However, I will be doing the Top Ten Tuesday Meme created by the Broke and the Bookish every Tuesday, along with a book review every other week.

Without further adieu, let’s get into this week’s Top Ten Tuesday. Top Ten Tuesday is an original meme created and hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

The theme this week: Top Ten Books I’m Looking Forward To In 2015

( The first 5, I’m most excited about and are part of series I love, and the second 5 are some that just really intrigue me)

1. I am most looking forward to Throne of Glass #4 by Sarah J Maas, which is expected to be released in September 2015. It currently is untitled and does not have a cover, but I’m super pumped because I can’t wait to get my hands on it. Celaena Sardothien is one of my favorite book characters of all time, and though the wait is long, I know it will be worth it.

2. The second of my most anticipated books would have to be Fairest (Lunar Chronicles #5) by Marissa Meyer. The story circles Queen Levana, the ruler who uses her “glamour” to gain power. It follows her story before she had ever encountered Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress. I loved the first 3 books in the Lunar Chronicles, so I’m really excited to read this. It comes out January 27, 2015.

3. Ok, I did not find out about this book until recently, but when I did, I. Freaked. Out. It’s The Heir by Kiera Cass. The synopsis is, “Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won Prince Maxon’s heart. Now the time has come for Princess Eadlyn to hold a Selection of her own. Eadlyn doesn’t expect her Selection to be anything like her parents’ fairy-tale love story. But as the competition begins, she may discover that finding her own happily ever after isn’t as impossible as she always thought”, and the great thing is, it’s coming out on May 5, 2015.

4. Lady Midnight (The Dark Artifices #1) by Cassandra Clare will be coming out September 2015. How exciting is that?! I adored the Mortal Instruments, and with more shadowhunters, I know that this series will be great as well.

5. A Court of Thornes and Roses by Sarah J Maas. This series is a blend of Beauty and the Beast and Faerie Lore, which sounds really intriguing and interesting. I literally DREAM about Maas’ writing, so of course I had to put this book on my list. It will be coming out in May, 2015

6. Invaded (Alienated #2) by Melissa Landers

7. Winter (Lunar Chronicles #4) by Marissa Meyers

8. All Fall Down by Ally Carter

9. The Stars Never Rise by Rachel Vincent

10. The Glass Arrow by Kristen Simmons

Hope you guys enjoyed reading my Top Ten Most Wanted Books of 2015

 

Daughter of Smoke and Bone (Daughter of Smoke and Bone #1) by Laini Taylor Mini Book Review

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.
In a dark and dusty shop, a devil’s supply of human teeth grows dangerously low.
And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.
Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real, she’s prone to disappearing on mysterious “errands”, she speaks many languages – not all of them human – and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out.
When beautiful, haunted Akiva fixes fiery eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

** SPOILER FREE REVIEW**

After much persuading by my friend Rachana at Inspired By Literature, I finally decided to pick up Daughter of Smoke and Bone. I had heard SOOOO many people raving about this book, and I wasn’t sure if it was worth the hype, hence the hesitation on my part. After reading it, I can honestly admit that I was pleasantly surprised because I thoroughly enjoyed it. The captivating plot hooks the reader in from the beginning, and I just could not put the book down (so yes, I may or may not have stayed up super late reading it).

Rites of Passage by Joy N. Hensley Book Review

Sam McKenna’s never turned down a dare. And she’s not going to start with the last one her brother gave her before he died.
So Sam joins the first-ever class of girls at the prestigious Denmark Military Academy. She’s expecting push-ups and long runs, rope climbing and mud-crawling. As a military brat, she can handle an obstacle course just as well as the boys. She’s even expecting the hostility she gets from some of the cadets who don’t think girls belong there. What she’s not expecting is her fiery attraction to her drill sergeant. But dating is strictly forbidden and Sam won’t risk her future, or the dare, on something so petty…no matter how much she wants him.
As Sam struggles to prove herself, she discovers that some of the boys don’t just want her gone—they will stop at nothing to drive her out. When their petty threats turn to brutal hazing, bleeding into every corner of her life, she realizes they are not acting alone. A decades-old secret society is alive and active… and determined to force her out.
At any cost.
Now time’s running short. Sam must decide who she can trust…and choosing the wrong person could have deadly consequences.

** SPOILER FREE REVIEW**

I picked this book up on a whim, not really knowing what to expect. With my hectic schedule and crazy schoolwork, I wanted a book that would take my mind off of things and let me take a break from reality. This book did exactly that. Unlike the synopsis suggests, this book is NOT a lovey-dovey romance novel, however, for once I’m glad about this because that would have taken away from the book. Rites of Passage’s protagonist is Samantha McKenna, one of the first four females to ever apply to the Denmark Military Academy. Most of the school wants her out because girls apparently are “weak” and aren’t as good as boys, which would cause the school’s status to move in a downward spiral. Against the popular wish,  Samantha strives to prove herself, to show everyone how wrong they are about females. She is a determined, confident, and strong character, and this book  is not to be missed.

Ignite Me (Shatter me #3) by Tahereh Mafi Book Review + Series Summary

The heart-stopping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series, which Ransom Riggs, bestselling author of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, called “a thrilling, high-stakes saga of self-discovery and forbidden love.”
With Omega Point destroyed, Juliette doesn’t know if the rebels, her friends, or even Adam are alive. But that won’t keep her from trying to take down The Reestablishment once and for all. Now she must rely on Warner, the handsome commander of Sector 45. The one person she never thought she could trust. The same person who saved her life. He promises to help Juliette master her powers and save their dying world . . . but that’s not all he wants with her.
The Shatter Me series is perfect for fans who crave action-packed young adult novels with tantalizing romance like Divergent by Veronica Roth, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and Legend by Marie Lu. Tahereh Mafi has created a captivating and original story that combines the best of dystopian and paranormal, and was praised by Publishers Weekly as “a gripping read from an author who’s not afraid to take risks.” Now this final book brings the series to a shocking and satisfying end.

**CONTAINS MINOR SPOILERS**

Hey everyone! Sorry it’s been such a long time……. I’ve just been really busy lately! We’ve finally made it… the LAST book in the Shatter Me series, Ignite Me. After I had read the other two books and the novellas, I had been waiting for what seemed like FOREVER to get my hands on this copy (it was checked out from the library). Truth be told, it was DEFINITELY worth the wait. 

The Book Cake Tag

I saw “The Book Cake Tag” at https://booksoverpeople.wordpress.com and immediately thought that it was so cute 🙂 Basically, you have the basic cake ingredients, and you match them to a book. I tag A Fangirl’s Opinion and Inspired by Literature. Enjoy!

 This may come as a shock, but I found that the City of Bones by Cassandra Clare started off slowly. I had heard so many great things about this book, but just couldn’t get into it at first. I forced myself to keep reading past the pandemonium scene, and it was definitely worth it. After Clary discovered she was a shadowhunter, everything started to pick up and the plot was well driven. Definitely one of my all time favorites.

A book with an AMAZING plot would have to be My Super Sweet 16th Century by Rachel Harris. Don’t let the clichéd title fool you, because it truly is one of the most creative and imaginative books that I’ve personally read. The book is about a teenager named Cat, and for her 16th birthday, her wish is to go to Florence, Italy. While she’s there, she stumbles upon a gypsy tent and embarks on a journey…. back to the 16th century in Renaissance Firenze. She’s mistaken as someone else, and has to mold into the lifestyle of the century. It’s the perfect mixture of historical fiction (bits), time travel, chick-lit, and slight romance.

To be honest, I thought that The Help by Kathryn Stockett was going to be a struggle to read. Despite the good reviews, I thought that it was going to be boring considering how long it is. This definitely was not the case. It is a beautifully written book that drives such powerful emotions. There were times where I was furious, clueless as to how people could justify the mistreatment of others. At other times, I wanted to cry, laugh, and scream. The book is truly a masterpiece, and I definitely recommend it.

Hmm… It took a LOT of thinking to find a sweet and sugary book. I’d have to say that the (closest thing to the) sweetest book I’ve read is There You’ll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones. It’s about a girl named Finley Sinclair, and her journey through Ireland trying to find her creativity, faith, and trust again. Trust me, the book is much better than I’m describing it as (read Goodreads synopsis). It has a great plot, is a lighter summer read, and will have you “aww”ing all the way through it. The best part is, Finley is totally and completely relatable.

I was debating to put Harry Potter here, but stopped myself because then EVERYTHING in this whole tag would be Harry Potter. A book that definitely covered every single element that I enjoy in a book would be Obsidian by Jennifer L Armentrout. I have a review on it HERE, but if you aren’t interested in reading the review, its basically a totally kick-butt book that includes a little bit of romance, fantasy, tons of plot twists, and humour.

This book series is definitely, HANDS DOWN, the  Anna and the French Kiss book series by Stephanie Perkins. I know that tons of people before me have said this, but these books are like a dose of happiness. They’re so cute, and if I ever need some cheering up, these books are my go to books. My favorite of all 3 has to be the first one, Anna and the French Kiss. PS. Don’t let the clichéd titles fool you.

So far, my favorite book this year has been Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. I have a review HERE, but seriously, this book is fantastic. Celaena is such a kick-butt character, and the plot of this book is literally perfection. GO READ IT 

Fracture Me by Tahereh Mafi Book Review

FRACTURE ME (SHATTER ME 2.5)

In this electrifying sixty-page companion novella to the New York Timesbestselling Shatter Me series, discover the fate of the Omega Point rebels as they go up against The Reestablishment. Set during and soon after the final moments of Unravel Me, Fracture Me is told from Adam’s perspective.
As Omega Point prepares to launch an all-out assault on The Reestablishment soldiers stationed in Sector 45, Adam’s focus couldn’t be further from the upcoming battle. He’s reeling from his breakup with Juliette, scared for his best friend’s life, and as concerned as ever for his brother James’s safety. And just as Adam begins to wonder if this life is really for him, the alarms sound. It’s time for war.
On the battlefield, it seems like the odds are in their favor—but taking down Warner, Adam’s newly discovered half brother, won’t be that easy. The Reestablishment can’t tolerate a rebellion, and they’ll do anything to crush the resistance . . . including killing everyone Adam has ever cared about.
Fracture Me sets the stage for Ignite Me, the explosive finale in Tahereh Mafi’s epic dystopian series. It’s a novella not to be missed by fans who crave action-packed stories with tantalizing romance like Divergent by Veronica Roth, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and Legend by Marie Lu

** Contains Minor Spoilers **

After loving Destroy Me so much, I had such high expectations for Fracture Me.  Sadly, Fracture Me wasn’t as good. It was enjoyable ( merely because it was part of the Shatter Me series), but Adam seriously pissed me off. Majorly.

Being a Team Warner fan, I already sort of knew that this wouldn’t be as good as Destroy Me because it’s all about Adam. When starting this novella, I was hoping that I’d be lured back onto Adam’s side and love him all over again. However, if anything, this novella just made me love Warner more and more and dislike Adam even more than I already did. While Adam’s Juliette’s first love and all, I honestly no longer see the connection between them. He treats Juliette as if she’s some helpless puppy, constantly in need of rescue. Instead of encouraging her to be a better version of herself, he brings her down. He treats her as weak, damaged, and useless. He constantly wants her away from the action, whereas Warner lets her decide what she wants, and will go out of his way to get it for her. I felt that Adam was constantly expecting her to screw up and die rather than to have faith in her. So yes, I pretty much hate Adam.

What I do like about this book is the way Tahereh Mafi has written it. Each and every one of the characters have a distinct voice, and the plot of this novella is really well organized. It’s really interesting how easily Mafi can make me hate Adam so much. The book is GOOD, however I don’t like the character. 3/5 STARS

Unravel Me Tahereh Mafi Book Review

UNRAVEL ME (SHATTER ME #2)

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.

Alright, as you may (if you’ve read my previous posts) know, I am literally in love with Warner  this series.  Tahereh Mafi has outdone herself again in Unravel Me, and I think that it’s definitely a must-read in this series. Mafi’s style of writing is extremely unique compared to other popular YA writers. The book is beautifully written and every page is is gripping. DO NOT START THIS BOOK UNLESS YOU ARE FREE BECAUSE YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PUT IT DOWN. There are so many unexpected turn of events, and just as you think the story is headed in one direction, the whole plot turns completely upside down.

Now onto the characters. Juliette is still the same old her. She’s frail and her emotions control her whole being. While that’s good at times, she seems to lack mental and emotional strength. She physically is capable of nearly everything, however before she even tries to do anything, she tells herself that she is in the worst possible situation and that she can achieve nothing. She’s locked underground surrounded by people just like her, but she makes no effort to become friends with them which is REALLLY REALLY ANNOYING. Don’t get me wrong, I do like her, however she’s not my favorite character ever. (she does redeem herself later in this book). Moving onto her relationship with Adam. Literally everything about her seems to revolve around him (for the first part of the book anyway). When Adam doesn’t tell her whats going on with him, she “attempts” to make him tell her, but if I were her, I’d force him to tell me. While she’s comfortable around him, her character is never developing with him near her. She’s weaker with him because she’s so dependent on him. While I loved Adam in Shatter Me, he lost his spark in this book and became less interesting.

Ok lets get to more positive things. Warner. Is. Perfection. He challenges Juliette and pushes her to achieve her full potential. Throughout his life, Warner had constantly been tortured and hardened by his father. (Think Valentine Morgenstern but like 10000x worse). He lives a life completely guarded, purposely creating a cruel exterior personality so that he will gain his father’s approval. When he slowly lets his guard down for Juliette, the reader gets to know Warner on a deeper level, which only makes you love him more. His relationship with Juliette strengthens both of their personalities, so yes. I’m 1000000000000% team Warner. I’m pretty sure Tahereh Mafi is team Warner, but I really don’t know how this love triangle is going to sort itself out. (oh and spoiler: when you find out that Warner and Adam are brothers OMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMGOMG spoiler over) 

Kenji Kenji Kenji. I ADORE THE DUDE. Kenji is probably my favorite character in the whole entire series now. He is that one best friend that I think that Juliette can always rely on. Instead of just comforting Juliette and feeling sorry for her, he snaps her into reality. His speech about how she should get out of her bubble of self-pity and get a grip really helped her reach her full potential. I can’t wait to see more of his character.

Overall, I really did enjoy this book. 4/5 Stars. The plot, Warner, and Kenji really lifted this book up, however I need Juliette to grow up and develop.