...Not surprising in many ways, but still gory fun. :D
My good friend Janus tells me that she found The Eternity Cure too slow for her liking. I didn't. It was relatively easy for me to finish this sequel. Simply put, Julie Kagawa's vampire series is bloodier, more menacing, and unmistakingly lethal than ever.
Allison is stronger now, because she knew that in order to save her sire from his worst nightmare (hers, too), she needs to be in her top form. She doesn't want to think about what (and who) she left in New Eden. Or her inevitable face-off with her blood brother. Or the monster that's waiting for her when she finds Kanin.
The predictability of certain twists was a bit sore for me, but the bloody gore made up for it. Allison was a "better" vampire, if you can call her that. I think that being a vampire made her more human than when she was a Fringer.
I really, reallyZeke here. He's struggling with Jeb's teachings clashing with his feelings for Allie. His emotions were blatantly displayed all throughout the book, and yet this made him more compact both as a soldier and as a human.
Jackal was very magnetic. He made the gloomy situations light, even laughable at times. But I still think he's dangerous. So here's another one to add in my collection of bad villains that I really love. :D
The Eternity Cure is an impressive sequel. It made me think that even if I haven't read the Iron Fey series, with Blood of Eden series alone I would still be a Julie Kagawa fan.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin for granting my galley request.(less)
I think this is the one of the rare times that I would like my book to have less romance. Because the terminator theme was great. Wren w...moreI like Reboot.
I think this is the one of the rare times that I would like my book to have less romance. Because the terminator theme was great. Wren was such a bad-*ss... until she started getting confused because of Callum. Still Reboot is still worth reading because you gotta love the fighting scenes!
I liked the fact that Wren admitted that she kind of enjoyed killing people (or adult Reboots) for HARC. Because she was trained to do so, and she was really good at it. When she started to grow a conscience because of Callum's insistent questions on morality, she began to wonder whether taking orders from HARC is really the right thing to do for a Reboot like her.
Fantastic storyline I tell you, but the ultra sappiness of Callum towards Wren just didn't work for me. Not to mention that the ending left me wanting more violence, or even bad luck for them. Why? Because I thought the situation was too easy to get out of in the end. (Or maybe I'm just nitpicking, whatever.)
Well, I will pick up the sequel that's for sure. I hope Wren will still be the same bad-*ss Number One Seventy Eight, and not some unmoving and helpless Reboot who freezes in the middle of a fight when Twenty Two is not even trained in combat.
Thank you Edelweiss and HarperCollins/HarperTeen for granting my galley request.(less)
... definitely a series to watch out for. This is the debut novel you don't want to miss! :D
Arclight was gripping, especially for...moreI recommend Arclight.
... definitely a series to watch out for. This is the debut novel you don't want to miss! :D
Arclight was gripping, especially for the first five chapters. I was still finding a comfortable position to read in my swivel chair when I froze. Because it is only Chapter 1, and Fade was already attacking Arclight. Talk about an aggressive start! And yes, I already got the whiff of Tobin, the grudgingly intriguing love interest. *swoon*
Marina came outside of Arclight two months prior her stay there. She knows she's different; she can tell by the way other people look at her. She's shunned and feared, because it was a well known fact that nobody survives outside. In the Gray, especially in the Dark, where the Fade exist. Until she appeared, and now people are suspicious of her.
I am so ready to be horrified out of my wits, and I did for a while. But when the sci-fi element was revealed, ahh. The terror dwindled. Still, the story was inarguably fun for a post-apocalyptic fan like me. Arclight was reminiscent of two of my favorite books (If I mentioned them, you might get spoiled) so the originality I once felt at the beginning was short-lived. The romance twist in the end didn't help, either. I thought, "Hey, I think I've read this before..?"
Arclight was fast-paced, solidly written, and it really kept me at the edge of my seat. I actually thought this was a standalone, but I was wrong. I really enjoyed Josin L. McQuein's story - slightly creepy and a tad romantic. :)
Thank you Edelweiss and HarperCollins/Greenwillow for granting my galley request.(less)
...there's something psychotic about Warner... that I really, really like. :D
If only to have a sneek peek on Warner’s twisted m...moreI recommend Destroy Me.
...there's something psychotic about Warner... that I really, really like. :D
If only to have a sneek peek on Warner’s twisted mind, I really liked Destroy Me. Calling him twisted is almost an exaggeration, because Warner really is in love with Juliette. So maybe he’s just misunderstood..? Hahaha.
And I strongly felt Warner’s utter dislike (hatred?) to Adam! Well yeah, Adam’s the one, but I can’t help but be amused with Warner’s destructive imagination on what he will do to Adam once he get his hands on him. *gleeful*
I will say it again. Warner is a formidable enemy, an even likeable one for my taste. Ooh, I cannot wait for Warner-Adam throwdown!
She put my hand in the fire once. Just to see if it would burn, she said. Just to check if it was a regular hand, she said. I was 6 years old then. I remember because it was my birthday.
...poor Selene. Although this e-novella proved just how deranged Luthor is.
And I did learn something about Victria, Bartie, Kayleigh, and Harley. Why they acted the way they did in Across the Universe and A Million Suns. It made me realized how Elder's friends are still human regardless of the effects of Godspeed and Eldest's rule among them.
I saw how their friendships were before it fell apart, through Selene's eyes, who felt like an outsider among them. I miss Harley. :( I kind of liked Kayleigh. And Bartie is not that bad, he's actually cool back then. Victria is a little bit complicated. Luthor... what a waste of talent and friendship, but deranged is deranged.
Now I'm excited on how Shades of Earth will be after reading this. I hope it will be phenomenal. :D(less)
Almost made me a convert.. to Team Warner. I prefer pyschotic guys. :D
...as for Chapter 62? I've read hotter scenes than that. So im...moreI like Unravel Me.
Almost made me a convert.. to Team Warner. I prefer pyschotic guys. :D
...as for Chapter 62? I've read hotter scenes than that. So imagine my disappointment when my wild anticipation was not met properly. *huffs*
Loneliness is a bitter, wretched companion. Sometimes it just won’t let go.
Shatter Me was alright. Didn't get me that excited over Unravel Me. But after reading Destroy Me, I was psyched to see where this sequel will lead me.
So, my verdict: while Unravel Me was unputdownable and relentless with emotions, I still wasn't satisfied with its ending. I'm thinking, while Tahereh Mafi can write eloquently, I'm not sure if she has the talent to wrap up stories as intensely as she started them..? I'm having problems on how she closes each installment. :/
But sometimes I think – sometimes I wonder – if I were a monster, surely, I would feel it by now?
I want to be clear that I only like Juliette when she went Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde to someone who's close to her at that time of her change. She was such a cold-hearted bad-*ss! Did you see how she manhandled Kenji? or how she blatantly damaged Warner's father? It was awesome! But when Juliette went dramatic over Adam/Warner, forget it. I wanted to throttle her every time.
But I mean, why even a love affair? I never understood that kind of crap. If you’re not happy, just leave. Don’t cheat. Doesn’t take a genius to figure that shit out.
I get it, that Kenji will be the sidekick guy. But he did have his strong points. And every time he bombarded Juliette with the hard truths, I applauded him. I believe he's the most consistent character in this series.
I know who I am. That’s enough for me.
I have to give Warner some credit. Because he's really... immovable, self-willed, unbending. I heard whispers that Unravel Me was all about Warner. Halfway through the book, and Warner is still a no-show... but when he did... Oh golly, he rocked the chapters! His character was just that potent. He's not a good guy, but his transformation from a cruel monster to a somewhat resembling a human being, it was worth watching out for. Man, Warner. *sigh*
That thing that bugged me the most about this sequel: the love triangle was distorted, I might even go as far as biased. I mean, I'm not even Team Warner (and not that a solid Team Adam, either), but I saw that Warner's character was heavily favored than Adam's. C'mon! Love triangles are okay, but for goodness' sake let there be a fair fight among rivaly teams! Warner was unmistakably strong in character, but Adam was unbalanced, crumbling, left to deteriorate. =( It was sad, really. The unhealthy love triangle here took out the challenge in rooting for the right guy. And Juliette didn't help, either.
Unravel Me is a bit better than Shatter Me. But only a bit. The ending more or less showed me who will be winning Juliette in book 3.(less)
...gearing up for Prodigy! Can you believe that this 38-page story is worth $4.99 in Amazon? So I will reserve my judgment t...moreI like Life Before Legend.
...gearing up for Prodigy! Can you believe that this 38-page story is worth $4.99 in Amazon? So I will reserve my judgment to myself, because I love Day that much. =)
Life Before Legend basically are side stories during a climactic event to the lives of Day and June. Day realized that he will make sure the Republic has never seen the last of him. June realized that there is always a prize for being special.
Day's first kiss was unconventional, funny and awkward. June's first day at the Academy was a taste of what was to come to those who will underestimate her. :)
This was alright. It made me excited to read Prodigy. :)(less)
...And the Most Awful Friend Award goes to STONE! *clap clap*
Thank goodness Stone and Thimble are no longer connected with Deu...moreI didn't like Endurance.
...And the Most Awful Friend Award goes to STONE! *clap clap*
Thank goodness Stone and Thimble are no longer connected with Deuce. I would've feed them to the Freaks myself..!
Why did Aguirre ever wrote this? It didn't do sh*t to the story. It only emphasized the fact that e-novellas are really not necessary.
Enclave told us that the College was ravaged by Freaks after Deuce and Fade were banished. How? Why? Who cares! Deuce is not there anymore. They are ravaged. End of their story.
Spark is sinister. From the plot to the main characters Kieran, Waverly and Seth, it was just so nerve-wracking sinister. And I looove it!
Kieran is still giving me the creeps. His sermons and utter belief that God is talking to him? It made him crazy dangerous. But I cannot hate him 100% because he really believes that he is a special one - the chosen among the hundred kids living in the Empyrean to deliver them from evil called Seth and Ann Mather. haha! so brilliant.
Waverly was the surprise. Whatever happened to her in the New Horizon, it changed her drastically. She's aloof, suspicious and already considered a recluse. The terrible emotional damage that Anne Mather did to her was very apparent in one of the brig scenes. Her excitement to conducting violence is so disturbing.. but it excited me, too! Surely, Waverly is not in for a fairy tale. But she's not going down without a fight. I regard her character with respect, blatant flows and all.
Seth... I'm still on his team. *beams* For a guy who realized his mistakes in the past, redemption seemed futile. And yet, he risked his life time and again to save whatever life is possible inside the Empyrean. He's so smart! Angry, hurting and brash, but still smart. :) Finally, finally something good happened to him. Woohoo! Can't wait to see you again in Flame. =P
I don't know what nebula Amy Kathleen Ryan got her diabolical ideas for her series, but I am so into it. Many readers might find this series malignant (with the dak theme), but I rejoice in it!
Spark is not your typical YA sci-fi, dystopian book. So you better pack up lots of sunshine with you if you intend to board the Empyrean or New Horizon.(less)
...I find Roar more charming and entertaining in Under the Never Sky. Why is that, when he should've shined here? Perry was the se...moreI like Roar and Liv.
...I find Roar more charming and entertaining in Under the Never Sky. Why is that, when he should've shined here? Perry was the secondary character and yet, he came out as strong as ever when he was the MC. I am so glad I loved Perry more than Roar. =)
Liv got spunk. That's all I can say. She's not that remarkable or I would have remembered her well.
This e-novella told me what a heartbreaking situation Roar was in before he was introduced in Under the Never Sky. His POV is sappy, and I think I like him better as a sidekick. .(less)
...done and done. :D Veronica Rossi messed me up big time.
While it was not as stunning as I thought it would be (based on the glowing reviews I saw), I think it is one of the best middle books to ever come out in a YA dystopian series. Rossi strengthened the characters, developed more the (previously) vague dystopian world in Under the Never Sky, and while the loss was not minimal, Rossi left hope and joy that are enough to leave readers (almost) fully compensated.
If I were to base my rating on the story advancement alone, I'd say it was really good, maybe even deserving a 5-star rating if I was being generous. But... I was so emotionally invested with the characters that I can't help but get cranky if things don't go Aria's way, or Perry's.
From being a Dweller to becoming a warrior, Aria was intimidating. I didn't expect her to be this ready for her next goal in the Outside. She was no longer a burden. She was now Perry's equal. I really liked her character's development. Aria came out mature, responsible, and not self-centered anymore, compared to the first installment. Oh, and she's not whiny anymore, hooray!
It's hard not to judge Perry on his decisions because it was no longer about him and Aria alone. There's the tribe to think about, the supporters of Vale who has not yet fully accepted Perry, the worsening Aether that's threatening to obliterate his home. But. but. I wanted more display of his hunting and fighting skills. and I just wished he got to spend more time with Aria in this sequel, that's all. I adored Roar, but he's not Perry for Aria. you know? haha!
Sable's character reminded me of De Malo from Rebel Heart, at first. and I actually liked Soren! I found him funny. But I cannot wait for him to try getting back at Perry. He's in for a surprise. Pound him to pieces, Savage!
Through the Ever Night will take you to a roller coaster ride. The romance angle is played very well, and the dangerous world of Aria and Perry will leave you an unsatiable taste of their desire to survive.
Cinder!
4.5/5 stars
***
I am so going to read you in one day. well, today. or maybe in six hours? four?
And I was mistaken, because yeah, that's Perry on the cover. *beams happily*
***
That is so not Perry. Where's my blond-haired warrior?!!! So, I think that's Roar in the cover. (less)
It was not that bad, but it was not that good, either. I guess, I was just indifferent? Breathe is a quick read, no doubt a...moreI didn't like Breathe.
*****
It was not that bad, but it was not that good, either. I guess, I was just indifferent? Breathe is a quick read, no doubt about that. And the plot was interesting... at first. I couldn't care less about Alina, Quinn, and Bea in the end.
Bea loves Quinn, who fantasizes about Alina, who grieves over a dead boy. Bea's compassionate, but for a dystopian setting where survival is key, I found her compassion very, very irritating. Quinn is a Premium, meaning he lives a sheltered and priveleged life. I'm not sure he has the skills to survive. I was surprised he managed to stay alive in the Outlands, twice.
I like Alina the Rebel at the start but... it seems she's just another silly girl who's caught in a war she doesn't fully understand. I thought she was trained, so how come a feeble, sickly old woman disarmed and almost killed her? So she was only skilled in stealing? Huh.
The science behind Crossan's dystopian world sounds plausible enough. I didn't bother to research it; like I said, I couldn't care less anymore.
I have no strong emotions against Breathe. It's overall dullness doesn't merit any reaction at all.
Thank you Edelweiss and HarperCollins for granting my galley request.(less)
Darker than I imagined, but Defiance has a lot of potential to be a great series.
The story was pretty interesting. Things always...moreI like Defiance.
*****
Darker than I imagined, but Defiance has a lot of potential to be a great series.
The story was pretty interesting. Things always go wrong for Rachel and Logan, though. Poor pair. Redwine doesn't baby her characters. A lot of action scenes which is a plus. Pretty good storytelling, too.
Rachel might've the ability to carry herself and be independent, but the constant angst and drama spoiled it. A strong heroine is not only skilled in disabling her opponents, but mentally able to contain her erratic emotions as well, when the situations require it. Rachel... bah! such a downer.
Logan is intelligent, and it surprises me that rarely do i encounter a male lead that is not only brawns but brains as well. i could've have liked him more if his efficiency in combat was exhibited more. He might be an inventor, but he is highly trained as a fighter too. Ho ho ho! That is very pleasing to me.
The Commander is effectively scary as a villain. I cringed everytime he opens his mouth. He's like this vile, vicious creature that has nothing good to say ro do to anyone. I am so looking forward for Rachel to smite his rickety old *ss in the coming books.
The drama offed me a bit, but Defiance got me hooked. I wouldn't be surprised if this series will have followers in the future. A little more polish in the plot and Defiance series will work its way up into the fantasy genre.
Thank you Edelweiss and HarperCollins for granting my galley request.(less)
You would've thought that there is an alternate ending because Mira Grant wanted you to have a not-so-earth-shattering ending com...moreI recommend Fed.
*****
You would've thought that there is an alternate ending because Mira Grant wanted you to have a not-so-earth-shattering ending compared to the real ending of Feed. Goodness, think again. Mira writes to torture us Newsflesh fanatics. Torture, i tell you! :)
I still liked the ending of Feed after I read Fed. I mean, if i have to choose heartbreak (Fed) over the previous bigger heartbreak (Feed), i'd choose Feed's heartbreak. I say, why not go for the bigger kill eh, Mira Grant? Just finish me already! LOL (less)
How come it doesn't have the same punch as Divergent and Insurgent? It sounds so... boring. Doesn't have the finale feel, that's all.
And October?!! Pl...moreHow come it doesn't have the same punch as Divergent and Insurgent? It sounds so... boring. Doesn't have the finale feel, that's all.
And October?!! Please, please, do not let Veronica Roth disappoint me with this conclusion. I cannot take it, not after my fallout with Requiem.(less)
The Elector put a hand under June's chin and brings her face towards his own. He is taking something from me that I thought was just for me, and I feel a sudden, shattering sense of loss.
Emotional. Wreck. Right. Now. *screams at the top of my lungs* Dammit!
Three days after I closed my copy of Prodigy, and I am still crestfallen over its ending. Why does Marie Lu have to take that road? :(
In the ending of Legend, June went with Day and now she's a fugitive. Their plan is to get to the Colonies after they manage to retrieve Tess and Eden from wherever they are. As with everything in a dystopian world, nothing comes free. So at the cost of transportation to reach the Colonies, June and Day accepted Patriots' offer to assassinate the new Elector Primo, Anden.
So Day stayed with the Patriots, and June went back tot he Republic to be the inside "man" for the job. And because of this separation, several issues emerged. There's Day doubting June's feelings for her, Day being dubious on June's loyalty (is she still a soldier of a Republic or a rebel with the Patriots?). These insecurities of Day made his character somewhat limp and uncoordinated with the Day I met in Legend. So, what a startling contrast from June, whose character was far more superior and intelligent than what was portrayed of her in book 1. =)
I did not see the confidence in Day, but the arrogance is still there. He was bordering on pathetic, what with his gullibility with Tess' poisonous thoughts (I hate you, b*tch) and his incapacity to understand what June was going through. To think that he wasn't the only one who lost a brother. Right?
Now, it seemed fitting that Prodigy is the title of this sequel, because June's character was quietly powerful and she was the focus of it all. For every decision she makes, she not only considers Day (although he's the biggest factor) but also, she questions whether her actions will change anything to the Republic, for the better. She's matured and level-headed when dealing with Day, brilliant and devious when dealing with the Republic. I just love her for it!
I have no problems with the story flow. It was far better than I anticipated in dystopian sequels nowadays. But the way that Day's and June's destinies played out in the end? Not nice. That is not very nice of you, Marie Lu!
Prodigy was a solid follow up to Legend. If I wasn't too attached with Day and June, I'd say it was a kick-*ss sequel. Unfortunately, I feel too much for these two, who has lost their loved ones to the cruelty of the Republic.
You forget what you want to remember, and you remember what you want to forget.
POIGNANT.
I didn’t expect to like The Road. It...moreI recommend The Road.
*****
You forget what you want to remember, and you remember what you want to forget.
POIGNANT.
I didn’t expect to like The Road. It was so depressing. But amidst the hopelessness, I found salvation in reading it. Obviously, the characters drove the story rather than its plot. The bond was strong between the father and his son; the love between them was incomparable.
The setting was desolate. Without food, water and shelter constantly, the father and his son need to watch out for other travelers. There are the “good guys” and the “bad guys” – The “bad guys” being those who would kill them for the blankets at their backs alone. Who would eat them after being killed (I know, gross and morbid). It was a tiring battle. Not to mention the father’s memories of his wife. Not to mention the son’s fight over despair. Not to mention the countless times they are both at the brink of their deaths.
This is not action-packed, but the terror lied in escaping the dangers of the road. It will never be safe, and that makes it so creepy.
The Road almost made me cry in the end. It was not fair! But I loved the son, loved his father even more. The portrayal of their unconditional love to each other gave me goosebumps, it left me reeling.(less)
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