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Saturday, February 28, 2015

Books vs. Movies: The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

It seems like nowadays that all of our favorite books are being turned into movies. This meme is about the failures and winners of the silver screen in comparison to their books.

Synopsis: Audrey Niffenegger's dazzling debut is the story of Clare, a beautiful, strong-minded art student, and Henry, an adventuresome librarian, who have known each other since Clare was six and Henry was thirty-six, and were married when Clare was twenty-three and Henry thirty-one. Impossible but true, because Henry is one of the first people diagnosed with Chrono-Displacement Disorder: his genetic clock randomly resets and he finds himself misplaced in time, pulled to moments of emotional gravity from his life, past and future. His disappearances are spontaneous and unpredictable, and lend a spectacular urgency to Clare and Henry's unconventional love story. That their attempt to live normal lives together is threatened by something they can neither prevent nor control makes their story intensely moving and entirely unforgettable.

Winner:
 

This wasn't my favorite book but the relationship between Clare and Henry was beautiful. I am a huge sucker for romantic tragedies and this one was and is unique. The plot is great and you get a real feel for Clare and Henry's relationship. The Time Traveler's Wife is probably the first book I read that had the dual POVs from the couple. The writing style is emotionally evocative and gives your real insight to the characters. I heard that Niffenegger is working on a sequel; my interest isdefinitely piqued.







Loser: The movie. Although I did enjoy the film. I love Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams, I do think that the chemistry was there between them. In my opinion, the film failed in showing their relationship. It lacked so many key moments of their relationship, specifically in the developing of their feelings for one another, that just made me not buy into their relationship as much. In fact, I saw the movie before I read the book and I thought that there wasn't enough when it came to them falling in love.




Thursday, February 26, 2015

Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles #1) by Marissa Meyer Review

Format: Hardcover, 387 pages
Published by Feiwel and Friends/Macmillan
Publication Date: January 3, 2012
Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository 
Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl.

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.


I'm really into fairytale retellings and this intrigued me with its sci-fi spin on a classic. Plus it has a lot of hype going for it. Yet, I fell short of liking it. I didn't dislike it but there were a few things that really irked me about it. To start, there was so much foreshadowing in the way that I knew the ending climax 58 pages into the book. After knowing the ending it became difficult to take the rest of the story seriously.

I couldn't connect with Cinder, I thought that she was a really frustrating character. I wanted to feel bad for her but her poor decisions just made me want to smack her. I'm a manga/anime fangirl and I've loved many androids and cyborgs but there was something about Cinder that made her seem too inhuman for me to fully connect with her character. I think I'm alone in that though. As for the romantic aspect in this book, it's very much Cinderella in its instalove. That alone took off one star for me. Nonetheless, I don't regret reading it but I can't say I belong in the fandom as of right now.


1) I liked the world building and I thought that the sci-fi elements brought an interesting element.

2) Despite what I think about his relationship with Cinder, I like Kai.

3) I liked the writing style. It wasn't too simple or too bland. It flowed nicely without being too whimsical.


1) I think that the plot was really lacking in this book. Sure the sci-fi aspect was unique but it didn't make up for the rest of the story. It's twists and turns were fairly predictable and very corny. There was a lot of forced drama like Peony's death and Cinder's car crash. That latter really bothered me. Cinder rebuilt that car so she could apparently make her escape, and yet she didn't check that the breaks worked? She's supposed to be an amazing mechanic and she forgot to check the breaks? Really? It just didn't add up. Her crash just made for an extra dramatic scene that was unnecessary and forced.

2) As I already said, I'm not a big fan of Cinder. I found her to be frustrating, immature, and sometimes just plain stupid. She is supposed to be a brilliant mechanic who grew up taking care of herself. She should know the ways of the world and have at least some street smarts. Yeah, not really. It seemed like she doesn't know or understand anything.

3) There was nothing holding the couple together. Everyone is in love with Kai just because he's the Prince and the only reason I can come up with as to why Kai likes Cinder is because she's the only girl who would have ever turned him down. They have very few moments and none of them made me swoon over their relationship.



“I'm sure I'll feel much more grateful when I find a guy who thinks complex wiring in a girl is a turn-on.”

Kai cleared his throat. Stood straighter. "I assume you are going to the ball?"

"I-I don't know. I mean, no. No, I'm sorry, I'm not going to the ball."

Kai drew back, confused. "Oh well... but... maybe you would change your mind? Because I am, you know."

"The prince."

"Not bragging," he said quickly. "Just a fact.”
Kai tilted his head, peering at her as if he could see right through to the metal plate in her head..."I think you should go to the ball with me."

She clutched her fingers..."Stars," she muttered. "Didn't you already ask me that?"

"I'm hoping for a more favorable answer this time and I seem to be getting more desperate by the minute."

"How charming."

Kai's lips twitched. "Please?"

"Why?"

"Why not?"

"I mean, why me?"

Kai hooked his thumbs on his pockets. "So if my escape hover breaks down, I'll have someone to fix it?”

Monday, February 23, 2015

Cover Reveal: Acting Out (The Rosewoods Series book 7) by Katrina Abbott


Acting Out Blurb:

Seychelles Spencer—Chelly to her friends—is the resident bombshell at The Rosewood Academy for Academic Excellence; Westwood boys want her and Rosewood girls want to be her. But being the popular girl isn’t everything it’s cracked up to be, especially when that girl is all an act. Oh, she’s not exactly lying about who she is, it’s just that the confident, outgoing exterior is quite different from the girl inside.

Not that it’s ever been a problem for Chelly. Until now. Because now that she sees her friends settling down with boyfriends, she’s decided she no longer wants to be the carefree girl who gets all the boys’ attention. Now she wants to draw the attention of one guy and get herself a steady boyfriend.

But before she can make that happen, a game of truth or dare that was supposed to be stacked in her favor goes terribly wrong and Chelly finds herself at the center of a dare that will make sure she never gets a guy. Still, she’s determined and will do whatever it takes to get herself a guy of her own.

But who? And at what cost? And most importantly, is she ready to drop the act? Acting Out is the seventh installment of The Rosewoods, a Young Adult series for readers who love fun, flirty love stories.

For those of you who are not familiar with The Rosewoods Series, here is some info about the first book.



Blurb for Taking the Reins:

Brooklyn Prescott (if that’s even her real name) is the new girl at The Rosewood Academy for Academic Excellence, now that she’s moved back to the States after two years living in London.

Rosewood, a boarding school for children of the rich and famous and known for its celebutantes, is missing just one element important to any junior’s education: boys. But luckily for Brooklyn and the rest of the Rosewood girls, there’s a boys’ boarding school, The Westwood Academy, just a few miles away.

On her very first day Brooklyn meets Will, a gorgeous and flirty boy on campus to help with move in. But is he who she thinks he is? And what about Brady, the cute stable boy? Or Jared, the former child actor with his grown-up good looks, who can always make her laugh? As Brooklyn settles in at Rosewood, she’s faced with new friends, new challenges and new opportunities to make herself into the girl she always wanted to be. Whoever that might be.

Where to get your own copy of Taking the Reins:


Author Links:

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Thursday, February 12, 2015

Half Bad by Sally Green Review

2/5 Stars
Details of the book:
ebook, 417 pages
Published by Viking, an imprint of Penguin Group
Publication Date: March 3, 2014

I read in other reviews that others have found this book to have many similarities to the Harry Potter series, and I agree with them. There is a Lucius (Soul O'Brien) with slicked back blonde hair and who has a hatred for "half-bloods", and Ministry of Magic (The Council) that keeps track of all of the witches,  and a very Harry Potter-like protagonist with the exception that he goes through immense torture. There is one thing that steps away from the Harry Potter franchise though, this book has very little magic considering that it's all about witches. 

I think that this book has a really interesting story but it lost me in its writing. It lacks the depth of feeling that is required for me to become emotionally invested in the characters. Although I had a lot of insight into Nathan's mind, I felt his relationships with the other characters were described in a very detached way. Therefore, I felt very detached from those relationships as well. The setting and most of the details in the plot are really vague. For example, it's really unclear as to what makes a person a Black Witch and what makes a person a White Witch. At first, it seems like it's in their blood and then at the same time it seems like it has to do with their choices of how they use their magic. Basically, Half Bad is written like a sequel, where you already know all of characters and setting that you don't need a full explanation for everything but it's not. I don't regret reading this book but it's not something I wouldn't recommend.

Strengths/Likes:

1) I really like Gabriel. I want to know more about him. 

2) I think the story itself is very interesting. 

3) I like Marcus. I'm not usually into villains but he seems to be the most interesting character in this entire book.

4) All of the details of Nathan's torture is pretty extreme. I've read plenty of YA books where characters are "tortured" and it usually has me rolling my eyes. Not in this one. 

Weaknesses/Dislikes:

1a) Where this book lost all of my affection was in its writing. Details such as the Nathan's family history and what his daily routines are written out like a list. That's not writing. It's just like reading a shopping list or a text book full of dates. 

1b) When it comes to the writing involving feelings there is no passion or any trace of emotion. The reader is aware of the moments when he/she should feel bad or upset but the writing doesn't manipulate your feelings to feeling any of them. 

1c) Most of the details in this book are written as if the reader already knows everything about the world and the people so it gives the reader very little description. 

1d) The book is primarily written in first-person but has sections written in second. Although it was interesting it didn't make sense as to why it was written that way. It didn't add anything to the plot, if anything it made it more confusing and more vague. 

2) What makes a White Witch and what makes a Black witch. As I said above it seems it has to do with the blood line but then it also seems that it's to do with a person's choices. It's confusing and vague. 

3) There is a surprising lack of magic in this book considering it's all about witches. 

4) Nathan's relationship with Annalise. There is no passion or development. They aren't together for most of the book and yet I'm supposed to believe that they are in love. 

Favorite Quotes/Moments:

1) One evening Deborah comes into our bedroom, sits on Arran's bed, and reads her book. It's just the sort of thing Deborah does; she crosses her legs like Deborah does, has her head to one side like Deborah does, but still I'm suspicious. She listens to Arran and me talk for a minute or two. She seems to be reading the book; she turns a page. 

Arran goes to brush his teeth.

I sit next to Deborah, not too close. But I can smell her hair isn't right.

I lean toward her, saying, "Let me tell you a secret."

She smiles at me.

I say, "Your smell is so revolting, Jessica. I'm going to be sick if you don't leave...."

She spits in my face and walks out before Arran comes back in. 

2) Later that night, when I am getting undressed, Arran has a go at talking to me. I guess Gran has asked him to try. He says I should "rethink," perhaps ask permission to go to one place in Wales," and some other stuff like that. Adult stuff. Gran's stuff. 

I just say, "Can I have permission to go to the bathroom, please?"

He doesn't say anything, so I throw my jeans on the floor, get on my knees and say, "Can I have permission to go to the bathroom? Please?"

He doesn't say anything but drops to his knees with me and hugs me. We stay like that. Him hugging me and me still stiff with anger at him, wanting to hurt him too. 

After a long time I hug him back, just a little. 

3) "Let's suppose Marcus has threatened to kill a member of your family: Arran, say. the only way you can save Arran is by killing Marcus."

"Let's suppose something more realistic. The Council threatens a member of my family: Arran, say. the only way I can stop them from killing Arran is by killing Marcus."

"And?"

"I won't kill my father."

"All your family. Your grandmother, Deborah, and Arran are being tortured."

"I know the Council would kill them all. They are murderers. I'm not."

Celia raised her eyebrows at that one. "You would kill me to escape from here."

I gave her a big smile.

She shook her head. "And if they threatened you? Tortured you?"

"They threaten me constantly. Torture me constantly."

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

One of the Guys by Lisa Aldin ARC Review (light spoilers)


3.5/5 Stars
Details of the book
ebook, 320 pages (according to Goodreads)
Published by Spencer Hill Contemporary
Publication Date: February 10, 2015
Where to buy yours: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | BAM

A simple, feel-good, coming of age story. Main chick is a tomboy, all her friends are guys, she's in love with one of them. It's not unique but it's cute. It's not overly cheesy (it does have some cheese but that's not always a bad thing, right?) A good Sunday read while you're stuck inside when the weather is frigid. Call me a sucker for corny but I like what I like.

Strengths/Likes:

1) Even though I find her a bit on the disgusting side, I really like the main character. She's not ashamed of who she is and even as she changes. She doesn't give up her morals or does a complete personality switch, she develops.

2) The main couple doesn't change their life plans to be together. They both still go to the colleges they want to.

3) All the friendships in this book are sweet. Even when they are being asses to each other, you can feel that they care for one another.

Weaknesses/Dislikes:

1) The kissing in the rain thing. I'm not sure exactly how this is romantic. Is it really just, "I can't hold it in any longer so even though we're both freezing our asses off and soaked to the bone we must make-out here and now!"

2) There should have been more moments that captured the main couple's relationship.

Favorite Quotes/Moments:

1) I'm about halfway through The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (the original) when there's a knock on my door. I'm twisted up in my comforter, lying in the fetal position at the foot of my bed, watching the small screen on the floor with vague interest.

"Can't you tell I'm sulking in here?" I shout. The door opens and a slit of light creeps into the room. I hiss like a vampire. "Augh! No light!"

The shoes that step in are a pair I recognize but hadn't expected to see. Two dirt-smudged sneakers decorated with an ink-drawing of a cartoonishlooking Champ. The right sneaker has Champ's body and tail, the left his smiling head and cute eyes. When I sit up, my tangled hair falls over my face.

Loch closes the door, bathing the room again in a dull glow that matches my current outlook on life. "How dare you have a horror-fest without me," he says.

I cover my mouth with the blanket to hide my smile.

2) "The only indication that she intended to be a feline for Halloween lies in the set of black furry ears on top of her head. The remaining parts of her cat costume consist of a strapless black dress, fishnet stockings, and black knee-high boots.

Tom Brady lies in the middle of my bed, watching her with disdain. I think he's insulted. He would never wear knee-high boots."

3) On the way up the stairs, we ruin into Brian. "Whoa," he says, waving his hands in surrender. "Watch out. Teenage girls on the loose."

I hate it when he says stuff like that. Like being a teenager and being a girl automatically labels me crazy, insane, and dangerous.

4) "I'm in love with my best friend. I'm in love with Micah Garry. SHIT."

Monday, February 9, 2015

The Glittering World by Robert Levy ARC Review



The Glittering World by Robert Levy
ebook, 352 pages
Published by Gallery Books
Expected Publication Date: February 10, 2015
Rating 2.5/5 Stars

Synopsis: In the tradition of Neil Gaiman (The Ocean at the End of the Lane), Scott Smith (The Ruins), and Jason Mott (The Returned), award-winning playwright Robert Levy spins a dark tale of alienation and belonging, the familiar and the surreal, family secrets and the search for truth in his debut supernatural thriller. 
When up-and-coming chef Michael “Blue” Whitley returns with three friends to the remote Canadian community of his birth, it appears to be the perfect getaway from New York. He soon discovers, however, that everything he thought he knew about himself is a carefully orchestrated lie. Though he had no recollection of the event, as a young boy Blue and another child went missing for weeks in the idyllic, mysterious woods of Starling Cove. Soon thereafter, his mother suddenly fled with him to America, their homeland left behind.

But then Blue begins to remember. And once the shocking truth starts bleeding back into his life, his closest friends—Elisa, his former partner in crime; her stalwart husband, Jason; and Gabe, Blue’s young and admiring co-worker—must unravel the secrets of Starling Cove and the artists’ colony it once harbored. All four will face their troubled pasts, their most private demons, and a mysterious race of beings that inhabits the land, spoken of by the locals only as the Other Kind…

Thank you Netgalley and Gallery Books for my ebook copy of this book. 

Although I think that this book has a decent writing style, I found it to be trippy and unsatisfying. The plot itself is unique and it held my attention but the details were too psychedelic for me to fully understand anything. "The Other Kind" are described to be like huge Praying Mantis' that can take the form of people but I can't say I have a full understanding as to what they are or what their purpose was exactly. The plot surrounding the humans was very interesting without the fantasy elements. In a way, I wish the book was just about its' characters and their relationships. It ends with a vague outlook for the future of its' characters and the reader with more questions than answers. I don't regret reading it but it had the potential to be better.

Strengths/Likes:

1) The plot is unique and makes you feel as fascinated by "The Other Kind" in the same way the characters are.

2) The four main characters have very interesting backstories and relationships. As I said above, I would have liked the book more if it had just focused on them as people and their lives without the fantasy aspects.

3) I really liked the writing style. All of the characters had distinct voices and was written in a very relatable and approachable manner.

Weaknesses/Strengths:

1) There is a big lack of details in this book. It's not exactly clear what "The Other Kind" are, or what is there purpose. You know that they are attached to nature and have mystical qualities but you're not sure why they need humans and what is their function. At the end of the book you don't feel as you've learned anything or that you've gained any type of closure.

2) I mentioned that this book is "trippy", what I meant by that is any time "The Other Kind" come into contact with the main characters the plot takes a weird turn. The character's start to hallucinate and remember the scars of their past but you're not sure as to why that's happening. It makes what's actually happening in the scene really unclear and the reader feel as if you have gotten a contact high.

Favorite Quotes/Moments:

1) "Goddamn allergies. Can't take me anywhere."

"It was for a good cause, though. You were really sweet with Donald."

"Maybe that's why I'm acting like such a bitch. I must have used up what little charm I had left."

2) "So, you were saying. About all the attention..."

"That we've become local celebrities, yes. Or really more objects of curiosity. There's this free press, called The Starling Cove Believer? It's birdcage liner. Bat Boy sightings and alien abduction testimonials. Weirdo gossip and rumors. "

"'Missing Woman Returns, Hungry for Lobster Roll.'"

"Something like that."

Saturday, February 7, 2015

Miss Mayhem by Rachel Hawkins ARC Review


1/5 Stars
Details of the Book
ARC paperback, 273 pages
Published by Putnam Juvenile
Expected Publication Date: April 7, 2015

Synopsis: Life is almost back to normal for Harper Price. The Ephors have been silent after their deadly attack at Cotillion months ago, and best friend Bee has returned after a mysterious disappearance. Now Harper can return her focus to the important things in life: school, canoodling with David, her nemesis-turned-ward-slash-boyfie, and even competing in the Miss Pine Grove pageant.
Unfortunately, supernatural chores are never done. The Ephors have decided they’d rather train David than kill him. The catch: Harper has to come along for the ride, but she can’t stay David’s Paladin unless she undergoes an ancient trial that will either kill her . . . or connect her to David for life. 

Unfortunately, I don't think this trilogy is for me. As much as I tried to force myself into the story, I just couldn't. This book begins not long after Rebel Belle ends and there is no relationship in this book that I can take seriously. It's a teen drama book with a tiny bit of a fantasy twist. If you like the show The Hills or Laguna Beach  but with a southern spin and a tiny bit of magic, I'd suggest this to you. As you may have already guessed the book centers around the relationship drama between all of the characters. Mostly on Harper and David's mismatch of relationship and how the magical life is ruining Ryan's any chance at a normal life. Everything else kind of sits on the back-burner. All of the supernatural elements kind of hovers over the rest of the plot but it's so minor that it's difficult to take it seriously. I don't think I'll be reading the next one.

Strengths/Likes:

1) I like how much the supernatural elements affected the character's lives. Even though the supernatural elements didn't play enough of a role for me in this book it still effected all of their lives in negative manners. It's not easy incorporating supernatural elements into the already hectic high school life and this book shows that.

Weaknesses/Dislikes:

1) All of the couples where hard to take seriously. They end pretty much as quickly as they start which makes it difficult to believe that any of the feelings involved to be sincere. When the character's feelings don't seem sincere I have a hard time caring about their relationships when they don't seem to.

2) There is really not much going on plot-wise. As I said, the book focuses more on the high school and dating drama and the supernatural stuff is just kind of there. There was very little action and when there was it seemed forced and overdramatized. There was zero suspense and predictable.

3) As you can probably figure out from my previous point; this book was pretty slow in pace. There wasn't a whole lot going on and it felt like I was reading everything in slow motion. I was pretty bored.

4) I'll probably get a lot of slack for this one but I don't like Harper and David as a couple. I don't think they have any chemistry. This book doesn't spend any time on developing their relationship either. It starts with the two of them being a full on couple with basically no-alone time, no dates, or stolen moments. Heck, they spent most of this book apart. When they are together they spend half the time arguing and they are complete opposites. I know they say opposites attract but I wasn't buying it in this one. They spent years publicly shaming each other and suddenly they're in love.

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Legend (Legend #1) by Marie Lu Review

Legend by Marie Lu
Hardcover, 305 Pages
Published by G.P. Putnam and Sons
Publication Date: November 29, 2011
Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository |
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars


Synopsis: What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen-year-old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen-year-old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths - until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias's death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Marie Lu is a master manipulator of emotions. One minute I was smiling and the next I was crying hysterically. With a flip of a page it was like my entire world was built and then burned to the ground. It was amazing and tragic. Heartfelt and intense. I'm not sure if there are words to describe its complexity and its depth but it was awesome.

Strengths/Likes:

1) As I already said, Marie Lu is a master manipulator when it comes to emotions. It's the way she writes and the plot. Honestly, I felt a little bi-polar while reading because of how quickly I went from smiling to bawling my eyes out. There were several times I had to put down the book so I could calm myself down and allow my heart time to stop hurting.

2) Metias is definitely my favorite character. I'm a huge sucker for a loving older brother.

3) I love that we have two strong main characters. They are both intelligent, resourceful, and logical. I understood all of their reasoning, their feelings felt like my own. June and Day are both great characters.

4) The family relationships are so deep and well-described. It's not all "we're family, so we love each other." No. Their depth of feeling comes from their acknowledgement that their loved ones aren't perfect but they still protect and care for one another.

Weaknesses/Dislikes:

1) Maybe because I don't like to see my favorite characters in pain, I didn't like John's sacrifice. This particular bit of drama seemed forced and over-the-top.

2) Some of the sequences of events were fairly predictable. I just had to think about what I didn't want to happen to my favorite characters and that's what would happen.

3) I wanted a longer development of Day and June's relationship. Right now it seems that they are drawn together due to their situation but I wish that there were more time for them to get to know each other so they can have other reasons for being together.


Favorite Quotes/Moments:

1) "Metias, did our mother take care of me when I was sick? Did she do things like this?"

Metias reached over to push sweaty strands of hair away from my face. "Don't be stupid, Junebug. Of course Mom took care of you. And she was much better at it than I am."

"No. You take care of me the best," I murmured. My eyelids were growing heavy.

My brother smiled. "Nice of you to say so."

"You're not going to leave me too, are you? You'll stay with me longer than Mom and Dad did?"

Metias kissed me on my forehead. "Forever and ever, kid, until you're sick and tired of seeing me."

2) "You didn't have to stand up for me," I snap. "I could've taken it. I'll fight back."

John grabs me again. "You're completely cracked. Listen to me, and listen to me good. All right? You never fight back. Ever. You do what the officers tell you, and you don't argue with them." Some of the anger fades from his eyes. "I would rather die than see them hurt you. Understand?"

I struggle for something smart to say in return, but to my embarrassment, I feel tears well up in my eyes. "Well, I'm sorry you lost your chicken," I blurt out.

My words force a little smile out of John. "Come here, boy." He sighs, then envelops me in a hug.

3) "You're brilliant," he says. "But you're a fool to stay with someone like me."

I close my eyes at the touch of his hand. "Then we're both fools."

4) He grabs my collar and pulls me close. My shackles clank. "Ms. Iparis told me about what you did to her on the streets. How dare you force yourself onto someone of her rank."

Ah. Here is what's really bothering him--I guess he found out about the kiss. I can't help grinning, even though my face screams in pain. "Awww. Is that what's got you down? I've seen the way you look at her. You want her bad, yeah? Is that something you're also trying to earn your way up to, trot? Hate to burst your bubble, but I didn't force her into anything."

A deep scarlet rage flashes across his face. "She's looking forward to your execution, Mr. Wing. I can guarantee you that."

I laugh. "Sore loser, huh? Here, I'll make you feel better. I'll tell you all about what it was like. Hearing about it is the next best thing, isn't it?"

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Seeker by Arwen Elys Dayton ARC Review

Seeker by Arwen Elys Dayton
ebook, 448 pages
Published by Delacorte Press
Publication Date: February 10, 2015
Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository |
Rating: 1/5 Stars


Synopsis: Quin Kincaid has been put through years of brutal training for what she thinks is the noble purpose of becoming a revered ‘Seeker’.

Only when it’s too late does she discover she will be using her new-found knowledge and training to become an assassin. Quin's new role will take her around the globe, from a remote estate in Scotland to a bustling, futuristic Hong Kong where the past she thought she had escaped will finally catch up with her.


Thank you Netgalley and Delacorte Press for my ebook copy of this book.

This will be more of a rant instead of my usual organized review. That is because Seeker is a long and really confusing book that leaves you feeling kind of disturbed. I struggled so hard to get through this book. The only reason I didn't add this to my DNF list is because I felt that I have been doing that too often lately and I wanted to make sure that I gave this book a real chance. Frankly, I wish I didn't.

To begin with, the plot is all over the place. At first you believe that you are set in medieval times but then you're in modern London and then Hong Kong (at least I think) and you're given no understanding as to how the characters went from place to place. The setting is generally always unclear and it's disorientating.  Next, it's never clear what exactly a "Seeker" is or what it's supposed to be. Throughout the book I found myself asking, "what is going on? Where are they? What are they doing? Who's mind am I in?" One minute you're in the past, the next you're in the present and it never fully pulls together in a cohesive manner. It seemed more like I was reading a pile scenes that the author had written before writing a completed first draft. This book thrusts its audience into a world and situation that are so completely underdeveloped and then expects the audience to understand everything fully but they are not given the proper tools to do so.

The book is split in multiple POVs which I have no problem with but it just made the book even more confusing. They all sounded the same but had different backgrounds and plots that never unite together. There is just a lot going on and left me with more questions than answers. In addition, I didn't like any of the characters (not that I was really given a chance to know them or understand them). I was told who to like and who to dislike. You're told about the character's relationships and the worst part is not even the fact that you don't get to see them develop. It's that they make absolutely no sense to you. They claim that they love each other then they try to kill each other. Oh and the main couple? They are third half cousins. No, that's not a typo. That's exactly how they are described. I've read many classic novels where cousins fall in love and I'm okay with it. Hell, I'm a huge fan of Cersei and Jaime in Game of Thrones and they are brother and sister. Yet, somehow I was disturbed by this couple. Maybe because in the story it's mentioned over and over again how it's wrong that they shouldn't have any feelings for one another. Also that the characters emphasize that they are only half third cousins which they use to justify that it's okay for them to be together. The whole thing just made me feel yucky.

Needless to say, I didn't like this book. I wanted to and I tried as much as I could to give it a real chance but no amount of trying could have turned my thoughts or feelings around on this one.

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Half Wild by Sally Green ARC Giveaway


This giveaway is now CLOSED. The winners will get their e-mail from me by the end of today (Feb. 22nd). Then they will have 48 hours to get back to me, otherwise I will have to  randomly select new winners. 

Monday, February 2, 2015

DNF

Before I became a blogger I always tried my best to finish every book I picked up. The main exception to this was War and Peace, which some of you will already know why I didn't finish it from my book bucket list post. Anyway, I always thought that even if a book started out terrible that it could turn itself around before the end of the book. Many times I have been wrong but I didn't think it was fair to judge an entire book just by reading a couple of chapters.

Now that I'm a blogger, I receive many ARCs and other books to read and review that it's hard to keep up with them all. Recently I have had to force myself to add books to start a DNF list because with so many books and a bunch of dead lines I end up wasting more time on books that don't deserve my attention. And yet, I still feel bad about the ones that I don't finish. I find myself wondering if I was wrong and if I should have given it more time.

On Goodreads, I'm forced to mark a book as read when I add it to my DNF shelf but I never rate it because I don't think it's fair to rate something I never finished.

What do you guys think? Do you have this problem? Do you wonder about the books you didn't finished? Or are many of you just happy to move on to the next book?