5/28/2014

Book Review: Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi


Goodreads Synopsis: 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.


Hands down to Tahereh Mafi! I really love her writing style. Her metaphors are just so unique. Her words just hits me you know.

~ SPOILERS ~

One of the things that I really love when reading books is watching the characters grow. Juliette has been living in fear and holding her powers back because she's afraid of hurting any one. But now, Juliette is ready to fight back. She's done being afraid. She's ready to get revenge. She's also determined to lead the country. She's so done with the Reestablishment. Go Juliette!!

The love triangle in the Shatter Me series is probably my favorite love triangle ever. Even though I knew that it was never going to work between Adam and Juliette I still hoped it would work. Mainly because Adam's a nice guy but Juliette can't possibly be with Adam. There's always a catch when she's with him.  Adam is really protective but sometimes his protectiveness can be really restraining. I can't blame him for being what he is around Juliette because he waited for a long time to be with her but Juliette doesn't need someone like Adam. She needs someone that would help her embrace who she is and be strong. Someone like Warner. I always knew there was something good in Warner. I always knew that there was a reason why he is what is. Warner encourages Juliette to be strong and to use her powers to her advantage. I loved how Warner believed in Juliette so much. He's always truly passionate with every thing he does. The people around him just misunderstands him a lot. I think Juliette and Warner saved each other. They needed each other. They needed someone who could make them stronger and believe in their selves.

And oh my god okay Chapters 55-58!! Juliette and Warner's moments together!!! It's so freaking sweet and hot. I cried and squealed because what they said to each other in those pages are just the right words and it's perfect. TEAM WARNER!!! Thank you Tahereh Mafi!!! Hehe

And I loved Kenji and Juliette's friendship! It's just great that they have each other to confide in. Kenji is just so funny and I love it when Kenji makes Juliette laugh even if they're talking about serious things. (Kenji's character was inspired by one of Tahereh's brothers!!!!)

The message that I got from the series is that to not be afraid if you're different and that nobody is perfect.

I loved the Shatter Me series! I highly recommend it! I'm looking forward to Tahereh's future works! :)

- Alex








5/27/2014

Book Review: The One by Kiera Cass



Goodreads Synopsis: The Selection changed the lives of thirty-five girls forever. And now, the time has come for one winner to be chosen.


America never dreamed she would find herself anywhere close to the crown—or to Prince Maxon's heart. But as the competition approaches its end and the threats outside the palace walls grow more vicious, America realizes just how much she stands to lose—and how hard she'll have to fight for the future she wants.


From the very first page of The Selection, this #1 New York Times bestselling series has captured readers' hearts and swept them away on a captivating journey... Now, in The One, Kiera Cass delivers a satisfying and unforgettable conclusion that will keep readers sighing over this electrifying fairy-tale long after the final page is turned.



Finally! The conclusion to the Selection Series! AHHHH I love how the series ended. This last book is my favorite one from the series!!! It's perfect I just can't!!!!!!!!!





DO NOT READ BEYOND THIS POINT IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE ONE BUT IT'S OK IF YOU LIKE READING SPOILERS  BEFORE READING A BOOK




I understand why it was difficult for America to choose between Aspen and Maxon. Aspen is her first love and Maxon is the gorgeous prince (hehe) but as the competition progresses we see her falling out of love for Aspen. Things are complicated between Maxon and America. Maxon wants to be fair to every one so she makes sure he spends time with each one of the girls. This makes America kind of jealous and confused. It's a competition and she knows how much each of the other girls want Maxon and the crown. America loves Maxon but she's afraid to say it because she doesn't know if Maxon feels the same way because he keeps spending time with the other girls and doing things with them. And I just...sskdjsajdba

I just get frustrated every time Maxon and America almost says i love you to each other but holds back and I'm like get your shit together guys. And they do. I'm so incredibly happy because they're happy and ever body's happy. America will always love Aspen. Aspen is like family to America now. And they'll forever care for each other.

The attacks of the rebels are getting more and more intense. There's actually a difference between the Southern and Northern rebels. The Southern rebels are the violent ones and the Northern rebels want the caste system removed but they have never killed anyone and they want to support Maxon because they know Maxon has potential to set every thing right.

Unlike the other girls, America seems to be the normal girl but she possesses great qualities. She's brave. She stands up for what is right. Even if it almost caused her removal in the competition and the further dislike of the king towards her. I love her so so much.

There may be tragic things that happened towards the end that I didn't expect and I'm sad because of that but I'm also very very happy because Maxon and America are finally together. They deserve to be together after the things (both good and bad) that they went through.

Thank you Kiera Cass for the Selection Series! It was a great journey!

- Alex


4/16/2014

All. The. Feels. - "If I Stay" Trailer

      


                                                                                                                                                   
The first thing I do when I wake up in the morning is check twitter (and instagram) on my ipod. What I see first is this tweet by Gayle Forman:





Of course, I freaked out (in a good way)! I clicked the link and impatiently waited for the video to load. The trailer is perfect! It made me cry (that's how perfect it was)!!! Jamie Blackley and Chloƫ Moretz are perfect for the role of Mia and Adam just like what I first thought when I saw this exclusive first look photo on the Entertainment Weekly website in March:



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I don't know about you but I think they share an amazing chemistry!
 And they still look amazing even with silly faces on!


A big advance congratulations to Gayle Forman, to the creators of the movie, the cast and the whole "If I Stay" team!



I can't wait for September 3!!! Find out when "If I Stay" will come out in cinemas in your country here: "If I Stay" Worldwide Release Dates



Have you read "If I Stay" and its sequel "Where She Went" by Gayle Forman? 
What did you think of the trailer?
 
 

4/15/2014

Book Review: Side Effects May Vary by Julie Murphy


Goodreads Synopis: What if you’d been living your life as if you were dying—only to find out that you had your whole future ahead of you?

When sixteen-year-old Alice is diagnosed with leukemia, her prognosis is grim. To maximize the time she does have, she vows to spend her final months righting wrongs—however she sees fit. She convinces her friend Harvey, whom she knows has always had feelings for her, to help her with a crazy bucket list that’s as much about revenge (humiliating her ex-boyfriend and getting back at her arch nemesis) as it is about hope (doing something unexpectedly kind for a stranger and reliving some childhood memories). But just when Alice’s scores are settled, she goes into remission.

Now Alice is forced to face the consequences of all that she’s said and done, as well as her true feelings for Harvey. But has she done irreparable damage to the people around her, and to the one person who matters most?

Julie Murphy’s SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY is a fearless and moving tour de force about love, life, and facing your own mortality.





“I knew how to die. It was the living that scared me.” - Alice


Side Effects May Vary is told in two different points of view and also in two scenarios (then and now). I found this a bit confusing but I managed.

At first I hesitated to read this book because I'm kind of tired of books with characters doing the bucket list thing but I decided to give it a try. I read it as an ebook. I ended up loving it. I fell in love with the way it was written. It was simple. Simple but beautiful.

I know some readers think that Alice's character is hard to like. She's stubborn and some would say "bitchy." I will leave it to you to find out why is that (if you decide to read it) It was interesting to read about a stubborn lead character because most of the books I've read deals with not so bitchy girls haha (if you know what I mean) Alice may be emotionally wrecked but she was still able to gather the strength to overcome the challenges in her life. I mean, she is informed that she has leukemia then she does the things she wants to do before she dies (written in "the list") then after all that she goes into remission...AHHH

Okay now, Harvey. I instantly loved him! He's the kind of guy who would do anything for the girl he loves. I kind of pity Harvey because he goes through a lot of effort to show Alice that he loves her but Alice is afraid to admit her feelings for him.


This is a book full of emotion and sass *cough* Alice *cough* Definitely worth the read!

- Alex