Review: Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

  

Juliette now knows she may be the only one who can stop the Reestablishment. But to take them down, she'll need the help of the one person she never thought she could trust: Warner. And as they work together, Juliette will discover that everything she thought she knew - about Warner, her abilities, and even Adam - was wrong. (Goodreads)

If you haven't read the first two books, there will be some spoilers. There are also slight spoilers for talk of the third book. Nothing major though.



5 stars

The concluding book to the Shatter Me series didn't disappoint. We truly get to see a new Juliette that the one we met at the beginning of this series. She begins understand and master her ability and best of all, she begins to realize that she isn't the monster that others thought her to be.

I'm in love with Kenji, he is just my absolute favorite supporting character in a book, ever (second only to Lula in the Stephanie Plum series). His friendship with Juliette was enough to almost bring tears to my eyes.

Warner, what in the world am I suppose to say about him. I tell you what, snaps to Tahereh Mafi, because when Warner first appeared I was prepared to hate the villain and wish for his demise. On top of that, I pride myself in reading between the lines and having some idea of how a book, or a book series is going to end. Man was I wrong. The Warner that we were introduced to in Shatter Me doesn't even come close to the Warner we see in this book.

Now for all the Adam haters, yes, he was a jerk, yes, he said some things that he shouldn't have, but  I have to say, I'm not sure how I would have reacted in that situation. I mean, Warner did try to kill him in the first book. (Shrugs) I guess, although I don't condone Adams behavior, I can kind of understand it.

Honestly blogging world, I'm not sure what to say about this book other than 5 VERY LARGE STARS and recommend this book to everyone you know. They deserve to read it's greatness.

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine.

In Magnolia Branch, Mississippi, the Cafferty and Marsden families are southern royalty. Neighbors since the Civil War, the families have shared vacations, holidays, backyard barbecues, and the overwhelming desire to unite their two clans by marriage. So when a baby boy and girl were born to the families at the same time, the perfect opportunity seemed to have finally arrived.

Jemma Cafferty and Ryder Marsden have no intention of giving in to their parents’ wishes. They’re only seventeen, for goodness’ sake, not to mention that one little problem: They hate each other! Jemma can’t stand Ryder’s nauseating golden-boy persona, and Ryder would like nothing better than to pretend stubborn Jemma doesn’t exist.

But when a violent storm ravages Magnolia Branch, it unearths Jemma’s and Ryder’s true feelings for each other as the two discover that the line between love and hate may be thin enough to risk crossing over. (Goodreads)

Is there a possibility that this is going to be a silly mushy romance? Yes. Am I okay with that? Yup. 

Release date August 15, 2014

Teaser Tuesday: Uninvited by Sophie Jordan

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB of Should be Reading.

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two teaser sentences from somewhere on that page.
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
•  Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR list if they like your teasers!

My Teaser

"You should try and make as many friends as you can. Allies are important."
Pg. 60 Uninvited by Sophie Jordan

Currently reading this one. I'm still in the beginning so jury's still out, but I have a good feeling!

Review: How to Love by Katie Cotugno

 

Before: Reena Montero has loved Sawyer LeGrande for as long as she can remember: as natural as breathing, as endless as time. But he's never seemed to notice that Reena even exists until one day, impossibly, he does. Reena and Sawyer fall in messy, complicated love. But then Sawyer disappears from their humid Florida town without a word, leaving a devastated-and pregnant-Reena behind.

After: Almost three years have passed, and there's a new love in Reena's life: her daughter, Hannah. Reena's gotten used to being without Sawyer, and she's finally getting the hang of this strange, unexpected life. But just as swiftly and suddenly as he disappeared, Sawyer turns up again. Reena doesn't want anything to do with him, though she'd be lying if she said Sawyer's being back wasn't stirring something in her. After everything that's happened, can Reena really let herself love Sawyer LeGrande again? (Goodreads)

4 Stars

I had a feeling that I would love this book and I must say, it didn't let me down. The book transitions between what they call "Before" and "After". The "before" is about Reena's life as a Junior in high school, before she began a relationship with long time crush Sawyer, and before the birth of her daughter Hannah. The "after" is Reena's life three years later living with her family, raising her daughter, and adapting to Sawyer's abrupt reappearance in her life.

I love how we get to read about Reena and Sawyer as they transition from family friends into something more romantic. It was such a unique way to experience it and learn their back story, which is heartbreaking. Reena and Sawyer's family have been friends since before the children were born, their fathers even have a business together. After a horrific accident, Reena and Sawyer not only find themselves growing closer to each other, but Sawyer starts spiraling down a pretty dangerous path. There was so much tension between Reena and Sawyer after "the incident" that I honestly wasn't sure where it was going.

To be honest Reena and Sawyer had a pretty dysfunctional relationship (Slight spoilers ahead) Sawyer began to rebel pretty early on in the "before" chapters of the book, and in addition to that he develops a pretty bad drug habit. He puts Reena though so much crap that... it's almost hard to read. He lies, he shows up at her house in the middle of the night stoned, the first night they have sex, he doesn't call, she has to accidentally run into him, and there's too much more to list. That being said, I don't hate Sawyer and I don't necessarily disagree with Reena's decisions regarding how Sawyer will be a part of her life. (More spoilers) Was Sawyer a screw up? Yes. Did he make a lot of big mistakes? Yes. But you know what, he also left the only home he'd ever known, to fix himself. Sawyer knew he was messing up, and he knew that in order to get his life back on track, he had to leave. He could have landed in some urban city and continued to let his life spiral out of control, but enrolled in rehab, spent some time working on farms, and did the best that he could. A lot of teenage boys wouldn't have had that kind of strength.

Sorry for the spoilers, I just had to get that out after reading some other reviews and all of the Sawyer bashing. If I were Reena would I have ended the book the way she did, probably not (it was incredible ambitious), but she was trying to live the life she put on hold after she became pregnant, but I will say that (sorry last spoiler) I'm glad she forgave Sawyer, there wasn't anything else that kid could have done to try to make up for his actions. He messed up, he tried to change, living in the past with do nothing but add fuel to the fire and no one will be able to move on.

Feature and Follow Friday # 9

Feature and Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee.

Question of the Week: What was the last book that made you cry?

This book broke my heart in more ways that I could handle.

Review: Cress by Marissa Meyer

Rapunzel’s tower is a satellite. She can’t let down her hair—or her guard.

In this third book in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army.

Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker—unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice.

When a daring rescue goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing stop her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only ones who can. (Goodreads)

There's so much to say about this book and I'm not sure how to get it all out. I was a big fan of Cinder, and an even bigger fan of Scarlet, so I had nothing but high hopes for Cress. it's so hard to say anything without spoiling, >.<

Cress is a very different character from Cinder and Scarlet, she's been kept alone on a satellite for a large portion of her life and isn't very experienced. Watching her interact with people was the equivalent to watching a small puppy inspect new comers before deciding if they were friend of foe. However when Cress has to get a job done, she does it well and without complaint. I was a big fan of her interactions with Thorne, they are about as opposite and two people can be, they are a literal Yin and Yang, and it works!!

The plot to stop Levana/ rescue people moved pretty quickly and efficiently, and I liked that we were other conflicts so that we were kept engaged. Two thumbs up for me. 4.5 Stars

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine.

The hugely anticipated follow-up to the New York Times bestselling The 5th Wave, hailed by Justin Cronin as “wildly entertaining.”

For Cassie Sullivan and the rest of Earth’s remaining human survivors, the situation was already desperate when the 5th Wave hit. It’s about to get worse.

No one yet knows the depths to which Earth’s conquerors—the Others—will sink in order to rid the Earth of the human infestation, nor have they guessed the heights to which the human spirit can reach. Characters introduced in Book One will come to the fore—and others will face the ultimate test.

Readers will watch in awe as the Others give their answer to Cassie’s defiance. (Goodreads)

I would do just about anything to get my hands on a copy of this book. I loved The 5th Wave and it ended in such a massive cliff hanger. Ugh. WHY RICK YANCEY WHY!!!

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB of Should be Reading.

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two teaser sentences from somewhere on that page.
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
•  Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR list if they like your teasers!

My Teaser

"He wraps me up in his arms, not caring about the eight sets of eyes watching us. He just holds me, one arm tight around my waist, the other held to the back of my head."
Pg. 174 Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

I can't even describe how how excited I am about this book.

Review: The Assassins Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke

Ananna of the Tanarau abandons ship when her parents try to marry her off to another pirate clan. But that only prompts the scorned clan to send an assassin after her. When Ananna faces him down one night, armed with magic she doesn't really know how to use, she accidentally activates a curse binding them together.

To break the spell, Ananna and the assassin must complete three impossible tasks--all while grappling with evil wizards, floating islands, haughty manticores, runaway nobility, strange magic...and the growing romantic tension between them. (Goodreads)





I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up this book, I just really like pirates!! It was a little hard to adapt to Ananna's "lovely" pirate grammar, but once I could mentally accept it, I loved her. Ananna was such a fierce character, she's didn't take crap from anyone and was more that willing to figure out her life on her own. It was really quick the way Ananna and Naji became bound to each other, it was a little hard to believe, but *shrug* what are you gonna do. 

The book had the potential to drag out in horribly while Ananna and Naji were traipsing through the desert but Clarke found a way to keep us engaged. I also liked the way that she subtly showed us bits of Naji's personality such as his interaction with Leila, and revealing to Ananna that he didn't truly want to kill her.

My heart breaks for Ananna, her parents want to marry her off, she's had more then one run in with a beautiful women who's done something to hurt her in some way shape or form, and that just solidifies her own "plain" appearance. She's got a long, hard road ahead of her. 

4 Stars 

Valentine's Book Blogging Mini Challenge #5

 

This challenge is hosted by Rachel by Parajunkee.

Day 4: Most romantic books you've ever read.

Hands down the best book ever. The only book that's brought me to tears.

Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship—the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be. (Goodreads)

Valentine's Book Blogging Mini Challenge #4

 

This challenge is hosted by Rachel by Parajunkee.

Day 4: Love-Triangles. The ones that worked for you. The ones that didn’t.

Well I still have to finish read Ignite Me so I have to say right now I'm freaking out over Juliette, Adam, and Warner.


For goodness sake can Stephanie please choose between Morellie and Ranger please. (My votes for Morelli).


 The second book in the Transcendence series. The love triangle between Cole, Griffon, and Drew did nothing but annoy the heck out of me.


Wendy, Finn, and Loki, for a while I didn't know what to think, but I'm glad everything worked out the way that it did.

I tend to steer clear from most live triangles because they give me a head ace and make me antsy.

Review: Cruel Beauty by Rosamund Hodge

Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty is a dazzling love story about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny.

Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.

With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.

But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle-a shifting maze of magical rooms-enthralls her.

As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love. (goodreads.com)

I chose to read this book because of my fairy tale obsession and I've always loved Belle, she was so smart, and brave, and caring, and she could see past the obvious thing in front of her face. Nyx was very different from the Belle I know and love and I liked it. Before Nyx and her twin sister Astraia were born, their father made a bargain with the demon prince that if his wife became pregnant, he would send one of his daughters to become the demon prince's wife. Nyx was chosen to be that daughter and was trained on how to destroy him, knowing that her life would end as well.

First I liked how there was a healthy does to mythology mixed into all of this as well as the fairy tale aspect of it all. Second, I really liked the characters of Nyx and Ignifex. I knew that Nyx would have to be a tough cookie, but I was prepared for her to actually hate her family. Most characters are resigned to be the sacrificial lamb and are proud to be the only ones who can save their countries, but the reality is that it probably sucks because the only reason she was placed in that position was because of her father's selfishness. Ignifex, was hilarious from beginning to end, I though he would be a more similar character to be Beast but he knew who he was as a person and he ran with it, he had no problem being the cocky, sarcastic, and pompous person that he knew he was, although as we learned later, his feelings ran rather deep.

As for Shade, I knew from the very beginning what was up with all of that. 

For anyone who's read this, I have to say that my favorite scene was when they were in the library reading and were playing what I called the key dance, she's steal one and hide it on her person, and he's find it and take it back. I just like how comfortable they were with each other, although they both still had their own goals and agendas. Two thumbs up and 4.5 stars. I'm not entirely sure what I'm not giving this 5 stars, there was just a little something missing, but I was still a big fan of the book.

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister's ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all. (Goodreads)

I've heard good things about this book. I look forward to reading it!
Set to release April 22, 2014

Valentine's Book Blogging Mini Challenge #3

 

This challenge is hosted by Rachel by Parajunkee.

There was this book I read called Dream Girl the concept for the book was pretty cool, but the romance between the character was totally unbelievable for me. I just couldn't get on board because I couldn't take any of it seriously. *sigh* The first day that the main characters meet, he puts a poem in her work locker and their "love" explodes from there. Yup, not my kind of thing at all.

Solving for Ex by LeighAnn Kopans- Review

1 crush on your best friend +
1 gorgeous, scheming new girl +
1 Mathletics competition =
1 big mess

SIMPLIFY.

Ashley Price doesn’t have much in life after being bullied so hard she had to leave her old school to live with her aunt and uncle in Pittsburgh. But the camera she borrowed from her best friend and secret crush Brendan, and her off the charts math abilities, make things a lot more bearable. Plus, since Brendan is the captain, making the school Mathletes team should be easy.

But when gorgeous new girl Sofia rolls in and steals Brendan, Ashley's place on the team, and her fragile foothold on the Mansfield Park Prep social totem pole, it’s on. Sofia is everything Ashley left her old school to escape. The only thing Ashley didn’t count on is Sofia’s sexy twin brother Vincent.

Vincent is not only the hottest boy in school, he’s charming, sweet, and he’s got his eye on Ashley. He’s also not taking no for an answer. There's no real reason Ashley shouldn't like Vincent, but with the
battle lines being drawn between her and Sofia, Ashley’s not sure which side he’s on. Or which side she wants him to be on.

She does know Sofia is trouble with a capital T, and she’s determined to make Brendan see it.

SOLVING FOR EX is a YA contemporary romance that remixes Mansfield Park as Clueless meets Mean Girls in a crazy mix of high school society, mathletic competition, and teenage romance. (goodreads.com)


First I love how this book takes something that so many teens deem taboo (math) and mixes it with issues and problems that all teens experience. I just had to get that out :D

Now we move on to Ashley and the bullying. I hardly know where to begin. Bullying is such a prevalent problem in today's society and I almost broke out in tears when reading that Ashley was bullied so hard that she had to stop attending school and then leave town. It was interesting to see what her life was like after the bullying. Although Ashley was in a new town, and in a new school, the actions of the kids from her past really effected her, even once she'd physically left it all behind. Sofia wasn't much help either, not much to say except that I'll never understand why people who have it all, have to work so hard to make others feel low. It just makes no sense. Watching Ashley try to excel and find her niche with the mathletes and photography, while unconsciously letting her past run her by isolating herself from making friends at school (besides the one person she met on accident) not only reminded me of my own high school experience, but even some of my life now. (Longest sentence ever...oops.) Things don't always get easier once you reach your 20s, in fact, sometimes, it gets more confusing.

Although the life that Ashley was living isn't my own, I was able to connect to it, and I think that's what makes a great story, great characters and an ability to connect with them. 4 stars

P.S. As much as I wanted to shake the book (well my Nook) at the fact that neither Ashley nor Brendan could just open their mouths and communicate with each other,I still loved them!!!

Valentine's Book Blogging Mini Challenge #2

 

This challenge is hosted by Rachel by Parajunkee.

Day 2: The Hottest Scene you have ever read in a book.

There's a scene in One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost, chapter 32, and I just about died while reading it. I've read a lot of love scenes, but that one takes the cake. I can't even think about it *melts*

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by MizB of Should be Reading.

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two teaser sentences from somewhere on that page.
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
•  Share the title and author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR list if they like your teasers!

My Teaser

"Don't be ridiculous. When I said I wanted off this ship I didn't mean I wanted to be thrown into open sea."

Pg. 208 The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke

I'm still reading this book because I stopped to read another one. But it's really starting to take off for me.

Valentine's Book Blogging Mini Challenge #1

This challenge is hosted by Rachel on Parajunkee

Day 1: Let us have it. Your Book boyfriend list. (And I mean all of them)

• Lucivar- Black Jewel Trilogy
• Derek- The Darkest Powers
• Bone- Night Huntress Series
• Kisten- The Hollows
• Lucas- Women of the Otherworld
• Clay- Women of the Otherworld
• David- Weather Wardens
• Shane- Morganville Vampires
• Liam- The Darkest Minds
• Levi- Fangirl
• Evan- The 5th Wave
• Dante -Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe
• Wolf- Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles)

This is all I can think of right now but I'm sure they're more.

Manga Monday #5- Bunny Drop Vol. 4

Having lived with his adopted daughter, Rin, for over a year now, Daikichi still considers the female mind to be far beyond his grasp! So when his cousin Haruko shows up on his doorstep with her daughter, Reina, in tow and claims to have "run away," Daikichi is faced with navigating the twists and turns of the female psyche to get to the bottom of Haruko's situation. And ultimately, through the perspectives of both Haruko and the other parents he meets through Rin's school, Daikichi gradually begins to comprehend the many meanings of parenthood... (goodreads.com)

It's been over a year since Rin moved in with Daikichi and he still has no idea what he's doing, but we're learning that with friends like Kouki's Mom, Daikichi has begun to subconsciously build a good support system for his little family.

In this installment of Bunny Drop Daikichi has no idea how to react when his cousin and her daughter show up at his door step having just run out on her husband and his family. He spends a good portion of the chapter trying to understand why Haruko felt the need to leave so abruptly and although it's never fully explained, we can deduct that her husband wasn't spending enough time at home and she was lonely. We also get to see Daikichi panic when he run's into Kouki's mom in the supermarket while he's with his cousin, Haruko. I think they would make an adorable couple.

We then see Daikichi turn to Kouki's mom (who's named Nitani by the way) for help when Rin get's a fever. Some times I have to say that I want to shake Daikichi, Rin has been with his for over a year and he still struggles to care for her, it was nice to see Daikichi and Nitani working together though. 

Later in the book we see Daikichi meet a few more of the dad's from Rin's class and we get to watch them interact. It's interesting to read about because the only other dad's we've seen mentioned in the book were the other men that he worked with, but because all of the children are classmates, we get to see a bit more interaction.

I'm still routing for Daikichi to get it together, but I have a feeling that Rin will always be a bit more mature that he is, and I'm okay with that.

Feature and Follow Friday # 8

Feature and Follow Friday is a weekly meme hosted by Alison Can Read and Parajunkee.

Question of the Week: If you could read a book for the “first time” again, which book would it be? Why?

I think I would read The 5th Wave again. I loved that book, and I don't even like alien stories. It was just so good!! There was so much action, and there were so many questions to be answered. My mind still races when I think about it. I'm dying to read the second book.

Chasing Wishes by Nadia Simonenko- Review

 

"I wish I didn't have to go home. I wish I was someone else—someone with a future..."

For sixteen-year-old Nina Torres, it feels as if life is nothing but a dead end. Despised by her rich classmates and afraid that she'll become just like her drug-addicted mother, Nina's future seems to get dimmer every day.

There is one bright spot in her life though...

Sitting beside her one night, the only person in the world who cares about her makes a promise. No matter what happens—no matter how much Isaac's wealthy family disapproves—he and his girlfriend Nina will be together forever.

Fate plays a cruel trick on Nina, though, and a visit from Child Protective Services the next morning turns Nina Torres into Irene Hartley, a woman with a future but who will never see her beloved Isaac again.

Nine years later, a blind and incredibly handsome young entrepreneur hires Irene to be his personal assistant. Terrence Radcliffe reminds her so much of Isaac that she can hardly believe her eyes, and she's falling for him fast. Irene knows that fairy tales don't come true, but she allows herself one last wish. She wishes that she could finally say goodbye to Isaac and let herself take a chance on Terrence.

What she doesn't know is that Terrence is also searching for someone: a shooting star who streaked through his life nine years ago, and he won't give up until he finds her...

Chasing Wishes is a powerful contemporary tale of lost love and wishes come true, recommended for ages 17+ due to adult content. (goodreads.com)

So this is my first New Adult book review and I have to say it was a pretty good book. Let me start by prefacing that most of this book takes place in the area that I grew up in so when they reference Christopher's bar and Sailor's that was literally right up my alley, so that was pretty cool (although I'm pretty sure there was mention of a restaurant that doesn't actually exist there).

I'm a big fan of the characters that Simonenko has created for us. Nina, is from the wrong side of the tracks and her life is just... horrible. Her mother is a drug addict and a prostitute, and sometimes operates in her home with Nina trapped in her room with no choice but to listen. Her classmates and teachers not only hate her because of her lack of wealth, they also trow racial slurs around like it's nothing. Isaac is the only person in the school who treats her with any respect or decency. It's enough to break someones heart.

My favorite part of getting to know these characters was the way Simonenko went about connect us to them. She didn't just say "Nina was poor and her mom was a drug addict" she gave us flashbacks, lets us live Nina's past with her, it made all the difference.

I only had one little hiccup, and I can't say it without spoiling a little bit so I'm just going to do it. I looked at a picture of me from when I was sixteen, and I looked at a picture of me now. I can't quite buy that she didn't know that Terrence was Isaac. In mu opinion as soon as she found out that he had only be blind for five years she should have put it together. It also bother me (just a tiny but) that Isaac/ Terrence would constantly listen to the tape of Nina/ Irene's voice and not realize who she was, but I understood that a little more. In his mind she was blonde because when she was first described to him she was wearing a blond wig. However when he found out that she was Latino, he connected all of the dots. I just feel like Nina/ Irene should have figure it out sooner. Other than that this was a pretty good story.

I give it 3.75 stars.

Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi-Review

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. (goodreads.com)

So much happened in this book I'm not sure what to say about all of it. I may have to take it in bullet points.

• Lots of character development with Juliette here, although she does take a few steps back before she can figure out how to begin to step forward.
• My heart breaks for Adam, there were literally moments where I yelled "Oh my freaking goodness!!!"
• I was dead set on hating Warner in the first book. Now I'm pulling my hair out because now I don't know what to do.
• Kenji is still the greatest.
• Castle makes me kind of nervous although I'm pretty sure he's a good guy.
• I just about died reading the last few pages of the books
• And now I may die waiting to read Ignite Me

In conclusion read this book series so we can obsess together. Tahered Mafi is brilliant and I can hardly stand it. 5 stars.

Erased by Jennifer Rush- Review

They thought they had escaped. They were wrong.

After fleeing the Branch with Sam, Cas, and Nick, Anna is trying to make sense of the memories resurfacing from her old life. At the same time, she's learning how to survive in hiding, following Sam's rules: Don't draw attention to yourself. Always carry a weapon. Know your surroundings. Watch your back.
Then a figure from Anna's childhood reappears. Is it a Branch setup, or could it be the reunion Anna has hoped for? Uncertain of where her loyalties lie, Anna must fight to learn the truth -- before she is betrayed again. Ultimately, the answers hinge on one question: What was the real reason her memories were erased?
Jennifer Rush delivers a thrilling sequel to Altered in a novel packed with mysteries, lies, and surprises that are sure to keep readers guessing until the last age is turned. (goodreads.com)

I don't even know where to begin. I enjoyed this book. I've read sequels where the book becomes about the relationships between the two main characters and the romance out shines the plot of the story. Although Sam and Anna's relationship factors into this story, there was still a lot going on. We find out A LOT more about their pasts and new people make appearances, as well as old friends (well, maybe friends) we begin to doubt who we can trust and it's all very exciting, although I have to say there were some things in this book that were easy calls. I was, however, slightly blindsided by the story of what happened the night Anna's parents were killed. I don't think anyone could have figured all that out. 

Now, here's my dilemma, there's apparently going to be a third book, it's untitled and coming out in 2015 (according to Goodreads). My problem is that everything wrapped up beautifully at the end of this book. I feel like anything else would just be... unnecessary, I'm not sure if that's the right word. With the world that Rush has created, technically, this storyline can carry on for years, but I feel like it would detract from the the story. I like how everything ended, they'll never be fully safe, but they can begin to build a life together and we can use our imaginations to decide what crazy stunt Cas is going to pull, and how long it'll take before Nick get annoyed and punches him in the face. 

There's no doubt in my mind that I'll read the next book, but I'll be a little scare about it.

I here by give Erased 4 stars.

"Waiting on" Wednesday- Dorthy Must Die

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine.

 

I didn't ask for any of this. I didn't ask to be some kind of hero.
But when your whole life gets swept up by a tornado—taking you with it—you have no choice but to go along, you know?

Sure, I've read the books. I've seen the movies. I know the song about the rainbow and the happy little blue birds. But I never expected Oz to look like this. To be a place where Good Witches can't be trusted, Wicked Witches may just be the good guys, and winged monkeys can be executed for acts of rebellion. There's still the yellow brick road, though—but even that's crumbling.

What happened?
Dorothy. They say she found a way to come back to Oz. They say she seized power and the power went to her head. And now no one is safe.

My name is Amy Gumm—and I'm the other girl from Kansas.
I've been recruited by the Revolutionary Order of the Wicked.
I've been trained to fight.
And I have a mission:
Remove the Tin Woodman's heart.
Steal the Scarecrow's brain.
Take the Lion's courage.
Then and only then—Dorothy must die! (goodreads.com)

For those of you who don't know, I'm obsessed with adaptations of fairy tales weather it be in book form or on TV (like Once Upon A Time). So this book is a must!

Manga Monday # 4- Bunny Drop Vol. 3

As an impromptu dad to Rin, his late grandfather's illegitimate child, Daikichi Kawachi has experienced his share of firsts while caring for his little aunt (?). Now it's Daikichi's turn to battle the initial wave of separation anxiety as Rin leaves the nest...for her first day of elementary school! Rin's elementary school isn't the only place with new faces, either. Daikichi's office is also inundated with first-timers, some of whom have their eyes on their gangly new coworker! And while father and daughter are experiencing (coping with?) all these firsts left and right, the first anniversary of Gramps's death also sneaks up on the pair... as does the first anniversary of their paths crossing...(goodreads.com)

Manga Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Alison Can Read.

Rin is continuing to grow up before our eyes and she's starting Kindergarten and she seems to be trying to figure out who she is as a person (in small ways). She wonders about the tree that should have been planted for her when she was born, and she learns the rules from safety as she slowly becomes more independent (well sort of). It's been almost a year since Daikichi agreed to care for Rin and he's beginning to wonder what it means for his life in the long term. When Daikichi's "propositioned" by a woman at work, he learns that her intentions were rather malicious but he begins to wonder if it'll ever be possible to find romance with a young child. It's at that point that we think about Kouki's mom (Kouki is a boy who went to Rin's preschool and goes to the same Kindergarten as her. They're essentially BFF's). Although there has never been any real chemistry between Daikichi and Kouki's mom, we're constantly thinking about it, they're in similar situations being single parents trying to balance work and raising a child. My heart goes out to both of them.

We also learn a little more about Rin's mom. She finally agrees to see Rin (although Rin doesn't realize it) and now I think part of the reason she was so standoffish about Rin, and does nothing but work, might be to drown out the guilt of giving up her child. We still don't know why she chose to give Rin up, but I starting to think she feels about about it.

Although this manga isn't action packed or anything, but I think it's amazing watching to people who have been placed in an unconventional situation learn and grow. Daikichi can even put Rin's hair in pigtails now :)

4 stars.

54 Reading Questions

 54 Reading Questions

I saw these on YA Book Nerd's page. I though they were fun.

     1. Favorite childhood book? Animorphs

·         2. What are you reading right now? Unravel Me

·         3. What books do you have on request at the library? It hasn’t come out yet but when Cress comes out, I’m first on the list for it.

·         4. Bad book habit? Taking out more books than I can read

·         5. What do you currently have checked out at the library? Star Crossed, Unravel Me, How to Love, and The Assassins Curse

·         6. Do you have an e-reader? Yup, I’m on my 3^rd Nook, not because I broke them or anything, I’ve just been upgrading

·         7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once? I take several at a time, but I may only bounce back and forth between two books before one of them hooks me.

·         8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog? No, not really but I’m still a new blogger.

·         9. Least favorite book you read this year (so far)? Wake Up Missing

·         10. Favorite book you’ve read this year? Altered

·         11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone? Honestly, not often, I’m more likely to listen to an audio book of something that’s outside of my comfort zone.

·         12. What is your reading comfort zone? YA books, or Adult paranormal books. I’m not big into Juvenile, or adult contemporary (unless it’s Janet Evanovich, or Kristin Higgins)

·         13. Can you read on the bus? Yup

·         14. Favorite place to read? Couch

·         15. What is your policy on book lending? Only to good friends that I know will take care of them

·         16. Do you ever dog-ear books? No

·         17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books? No

·         18. Not even with text books? Only in college

·         19. What is your favourite language to read in? English

·         20. What makes you love a book? Strong characters 

·         21. What will inspire you to recommend a book? Great characters and plot

·         22. Favorite genre? Urban fantasy, contemporary, romance (but not too mushy)

·         23. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did)? Nonfiction or Historical Fiction

·         24. Favorite biography? I don’t really have one

·         25. Have you ever read a self-help book? Yes, What Color is Your Parachute, and He’s Just Not That Into You

·         26. Favourite cookbook? My mom J

·         27. Most inspirational book you’ve read this year (fiction or non-fiction)? I don’t really have one 

·         28. Favorite reading snack? Triscuits, Humus, Tea

·         29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience. I don’t know that hype has ruined an experience, but I read Twilight because everyone was talking about it, and yeah, not impressed. Not even a little bit.

·         30. How often do you agree with critics about a book? Not often, but I don’t really listen to critics, I listen to friends, coworkers, and bloggers

·         31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews? I’ll give my honest opinion, but I’ll try to do it in a nice way, and I’ll always mentions things that I liked as well.

·         32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you chose? Spanish. It would be so helpful.

·         33. Most intimidating book you’ve ever read? Nothing I can remember

·         34. Most intimidating book you’re too nervous to begin? Still can’t think of anything.

·         35. Favorite Poet? I’m not big into poetry. Dr.Seuss??

·         36. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time? 10 to 12

·         37. How often have you returned books to the library unread? All the time, including today.

·         38. Favorite fictional character? Currently Shane from Morganville, but’s it’s just because I’m reading that series right now.

·         39. Favorite fictional villain? Right now… Warren from Shatter Me.

·         40. Books I’m most likely to bring on vacation? Romance books or anything YA

·         41. The longest I’ve gone without reading. A day, but it was because I was really sick and slept for like 20 hours.

·         42. Name a book that you could/would not finish. Wicked. There was just too much going on.

·         43. What distracts you easily when you’re reading? People having a conversation that I want to join (but if I don’t care what they’re saying I can ignore them).

·         44. Favorite film adaptation of a novel? The Lovely Bones (it was different, but I liked it anyway)

·         45. Most disappointing film adaptation? My Sisters Keeper, they just should have ended the movie the way they ended the book.

·         46. The most money I’ve ever spent in the bookstore at one time? Estimation: for myself, $50, not sure about gifts

·         47. How often do you skim a book before reading it? Never

·         48. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through? Didn't connect to the book

·         49. Do you like to keep your books organized? Yeah, from favorite to least favorite

·         50. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you’ve read them? Keep

·         51. Are there any books you’ve been avoiding? Takedown Twenty. I hoped that it would be the end of the series (although I LOVE it) and apparently it isn’t.

·         52. Name a book that made you angry. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl. It’s not that I hated the book or anything. It’s that the main character should have been much more mature for a senior in high school and I just didn’t feel it.

·         53. A book you didn’t expect to like but did? Bomb

·         54. Favorite guilt-free, pleasure reading? Regency Romances