Review: The Raven Boys (Raven cycle book 1)

 The Raven Boys
 Maggie Stiefvater
 The Raven Cycle book 1

Blue's mother (and every other psychic she has ever met) have always told her that if she kisses her true love, he will die.

One night she goes to a Corpse Road with her aunt. Her aunt can see all the souls crossing over.
Blue has never been able to see anyone.
Until tonight.

Later that week, while at one of her many jobs, some of the local boys from the rich, all-boys school come in.

Richard Gansey III has become obsessed with finding a Welsh King.
Who's been dead for thousands of years.  He has an air about him that makes you want to be his friend, even if he is slightly conceited (but he doesn't know it, honest).

Ronan Lynch is your typical bad boy, who has a past.
and secrets in his past.
and present.

Adam Parrish is not a charity case. He may be "one of the gang" but he will not take handouts. He also has a crush on Blue.

Noah is the quiet boy who just tags along for the ride. No one really knows his story yet, but he has one that is pivotal to finding Glendower.

When Blue finds the journal that Gansey keeps all the information relating to Glendower, she decides to bring it home and read it.

Blue is now tied to these boys as she tries to help them find their King.
She also needs to keep her promise to her mother that she will never let a boy kiss her.

Little does the group know, they are not the only ones looking for the King.


An intriguing beginning to a mythical and historical series that is thought provoking and stretches the boundaries of your imagination. A beautiful beginning with stunning characters.
You will be wanting to crawl into these pages and live there forever.  The world that Stiefvater has created is a beautiful one, filled with mystery, romance, friendship and smol cinnamon bun characters that you just want to put in your pocket and protect from evil.

Review: Suicide Notes from Beautiful Girls -

  Suicide Notes from Beautiful Girls 

  Lynn Weingarten


Walking into school after winter break, there is an announcement to the whole school that a former student has passed away over the break.
June's world stops.
Delia and her were inseparable up until a year ago.

Last week when Delia called, June hadn't bothered picking up. Nor had she checked the voicemail that was left either.

Between Delia's boyfriend, and June's boyfriend, June begins to doubt the police report that it was a suicide. Delia's boyfriend suspects that she was murdered.

Now June is digging into her ex best friends death and finds herself in the middle of old memories, secrets, and conspiracies that lead to unexpected answers.


An intense read that I could not put down.
Confusing at times*, but overall a beautiful story of friendship and life.
The writing reads very casual for me, but the flow was very catchy. The relationships between June and Delia that we see evolve over time, and the backstories we learn about as the story unfolds leaves the reader wanting more and more.  There were definitely unanswered questions, but a beautiful story nonetheless.


* i was very thankful that when i googled an explanation for the ending, I found I was not the only one confused. Spoiler alert but it makes no sense. i am still unsure which theory i believe.
 

Review: Stranger than Fanfiction

 Stranger than Fanfiction
 Chris Colfer


The summer before college, a group of friends decide to do a road trip hitting a few choice destinations.

The link connecting all these kids is a T.V show; every night the friends meet online to discuss what happened on the weekly episode and fangirl/boy all night. and day. and week.

The night before they leave, Topher emails one of the cast - Cash Carter - in a final letter of 'thanks' for everything his character and the show has done for him. As a P.S, he mentions the road trip and offers Cash an invitation to join.

A few minutes later, Topher gets an email back with two simple words: What time?

The next morning, Topher, Sam, Joey and Mo are getting the car packed and ready when who should pull up in a car? Cash Carter.

He said he'd join, so here he is.

However, the trip does not go exactly as planned.


A heartbreaking tale of friendship, identity, secrets, truth, the importance of truth, and filled with inspiration on how to always be young at heart and be true to yourself.

Warning my fellow readers, this is one book you will not want to put down. You will also be laughing out loud so reading in public may lead to some awkward looks from strangers.

Not that one should be ashamed for enjoying one's book in public *winks and clicks tongue*

Colfer's writing is stunningly honest. His characters are some that will stick with you long after you're done with the story. Written from different perspectives, every backstory is intriguing and beautiful. Everyone has different walks of life and Colfer sheds some light on what some people go through. I loved every second of it (even if the end was predictable) and now I haven't read fanfic in years, but this is definitely stranger than some of the stories I've read.

I wish there was a way to see these characters 5 years from now and find out what happens to them all.

Hands down, a few favourite. If you haven't already put it on your TBR, do it.
and move it to the top of the pile.

Review: The Coldest Girl in Coldtown

 The Coldest Girl in Coldtown
 Holly Black


The pandemic of Vampires has gone worldwide.

Because of this, governments have created "Cold Towns" for those who are bitten (aka gone Cold) and for the vampires to reside in.

Once you are in, there is little-to-no chance of getting out.

When Tana wakes up after a night of partying, she looks around to see that she is the first awake.

...but that is because she is the only one still alive.

Walking through the house, she finds her ex-boyfriend Aidan tied to a bed, and a powerful (and hungry looking) vampire is also chained up in the corner.  Aiden has been infected; and offered up as a snack.

Escaping from the other vampires that were waiting for night time once again, Tana knows she cannot leave Aidan behind and rescues both him and the stranger from the corner.   During their escape, a Vamp cuts her leg with his teeth.

If the venom got into her blood, she'll turn Cold. If not, she'll survive. There's only one place the three can go until they figure out what to do: Cold Town.


A mesmerising twist on the typical Vampire books that are circulating around these days. It's a few years old, but when I found this at a bookstore, I brought it home and read it in one sitting.

Black's writing is so powerful that she has the reader feeling empathy toward the good, and the bad guys in this one.  The idea that this could happen (hey, who knows if Vamps really do walk amongst us?) anywhere in the world, and be such a pandemic gets the reader thinking. Black also gave such detailed histories of her characters that you feel as if they are friends with you.

Tana's story takes unexpected turns at every chapter, and the relationship with her and Gavriel is a beautiful one. That ending will leave you begging for more!

Review: The End of Oz (Dorothy Must die 4)

  The End of Oz
 Dorothy Must Die - Book 4
 Danielle Paige


The stunning fourth installment of this series brings readers back to the flying Road of Yellow Gold that is transporting Nox, Amy and new-to-the-gang (and Oz) Madison off to who know's where.

Well, the Road knows where, which is lucky for our trio.

We are taken to Ev. Outside of the Land of Oz, and to the home of the the Nome King.
Also, where a mysterious - and deadly - Princess lives. (oh look, another one)

Since Dorothy is dead, the group's main goal is to figure out why exactly they were sent here.

For the first time in this series, we see a dual perspective.
and who deserves it more (according to her, of course) than Dorothy.

If I may be so brash as to quote her, she's not dead bitches.

She has in fact been saved by the Nome King, and he plans to have them wedded in order to join their kingdoms and live happily ever after.

If Nox, Amy and their new Princess friend have anything to say, that won't be happening.
Not only do they need to stop the wedding, but they now must kill both the Bride and Groom.

Dearly beloved...




What a wild ride this was! I was unable to put this down (after being brave enough to pick it up) and I am sad but happy. I'm sappy. In both meanings of that because it was a *Perfect* ending - if you can call it that. So many emotions go through you as you are reading, and once you finish that last page - you aren't sure whether to laugh or cry... but you definitely will be begging for more.

However, I was personally surprised how short this installment was. Slightly disappointed we didn't get more of what was going on back in Oz.

Nox and Amy's story is still the shining hope through all the bad that is happening around them.
We see more of Nox's softer side as he finally learns to open up. (P.S That trailer park scene was pure Nox the romantic. If you don't love him, you're wrong.)  I wish we saw the story from his POV but, c'est la vie.

Oz and Kansas are saved.
For now.
So, there's the silver lining. Or boot.

Paige's writing never ceases to capture my heart. I am so glad she fell in love with this world when she was 5 and made it her own. These characters stay with you long after you have put them on the shelf for the rest they deserve.

Just goes to show you how powerful a pair of shoes can really be for a girl.

Review: Lost in a book (Beauty and the Beast)

 Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a book
 Jennifer Donnelly


For us bibliophile's in the world, there is nothing better than being sucked into the pages of a book. Forgetting the world around us, and everything that waits for us in "the real world", and being hugged by the pages of whatever story has caught our attention. Any story would work, really.

For Belle, this dream comes true.

When Love and Death keep an eye on the Beast as he tries to deal with the enchantment that has been placed over his castle.

Death does not believe that he will break the spell.

Love bets that he will, with the help of a special girl.

As we all know, Death likes to cheat.

Sidenote: If you do not know the story of  Beauty and the Beast, to try to show an act of friendship and kindness, Beast gives Belle (the young lady he is holding captive) his library.  

How does she cheat? Well, she has a special book that she has her goons sneak into Belle's library one day.

This book is called Nevermore. 

Nevermore has the ability to allow it's reader to come into it's pages. 

The problem is getting out. 

When Belle first finds the book, she immediately falls in love with the setting, the costumes, the characters. Little does she know that there are forces at work she cannot control. Being so distracted with the beauty around her, she has forgotten to look out for dangers. 

As we get deeper into the story, Belle is able to go between the pages of this new world she has discovered, and the Beast's castle where she is unhappy. Each time she tries to come back to her world, it get's a little more difficult though. 

When the rules of Nevermore dictate that Belle can never return to life at the castle again, Belle has a choice to make. 

Different takes on beloved stories are my favourite things to read. Donnelly did a wonderful job with taking well-known characters and bringing them to life in a unique way.  The way she writes Death and Love was brilliant. 

This story has the reader wanting to put it down before getting sucked in, ironically. Yes, it is good to live your life and not to be too enthralled with make-believe stories that can be found only in pages on a shelf, but when you find writing that is so on point, and characters that you grew up reading (and watching) it is hard to not want to stay with them all the time. 

Belle is very relatable, as always, but the moral of the story was done so subtly and beautifully that once you are done, you will find yourself appreciating everything that you have around you; friends, family, your pet (this reader took the dog for a walk when I was done since I had been reading for about 8 hours that day) and while you may be the kind of person to just pick up another book and carry on with more pages, and different worlds, with unique characters - just know that life is passing you by and you may want to look up from the pages now and then. 

Ultimate Booktag

These tags are super fun!
and it's a nice break from just rambling about a specific book and why I loved it.

Usually.

So here we go!

I found this while blog hopping, link is at the bottom. 

The Ultimate Book Tag

1. Do you get sick while reading in the car?

Only if the AC is on. but I constantly read in the car - unless hubby makes me drive.
No thanks, audiobooks.

2. Which author’s writing style is completely unique to you and why?

Louise Rennison (may she rest in peace) was one - she had this way of making you feeling like a kid again in her writing. Also, friends and I would adopt the lingo - since we're Canadian and not British - and would make it our own.

3. Harry Potter Series or the Twilight Saga? Give 3 points to defend your answer.

I do love both, but Harry Potter has more depth so imma go with that.
Reason 1. It has wizards.
reason 2. there are amazing sass quotes.
reason 3. the fandom will live forever.

4. Do you carry a book bag? If so, what is it in (besides books…)?

Well, i have bags that hold my books... but no "book bag". unless you count my work bag? like, a laptop bag. but then, thats not a book bag is it.
hmm.
my purse is always big enough for a book. or 2.
currently "beauty and the beast: lost in a book" is in it 

5. Do you smell your books?

... yes.
don't we all? 

 6. Books with or without little illustrations?

i don't mind them if they are done right.
but they better not be off topic. or distract from the story.

7. What book did you love while reading but discovered later it wasn’t quality writing? (Ex. I read Twilight before I read HP and thought the writing was amazing but read HP and now think Twilight is a little bit of a joke.)

I don't think of writing like this ... so I have no idea.

8. Do you have any funny stories involving books from your childhood? Please share!

I was 13 when I really got *into* reading. I fell in love with R.L Stine, Norma Kline and VC Andrews that summer (amongst others, but those were the 3 biggies) and me and the 'rents hit up the flea markets and second-hand stores every weekend trying to catch 'em all.
Well, I also needed a new bed that summer.

Now, my mother and I agree on nothing. We cannot cook together, we cannot clean together, we cannot do laundry, or shop the same. as much as i "am my mother's daughter" we are very different. and I personally like sleeping with the mattress on the floor (better support for my back) whereas my mother finds it ridiculous. So, that summer, as we were down to the last few books for VC Andrews (as of then) for collecting, 1 of them had to be ordered.

and she bribed me with ordering a book for me, only if she could buy me a bedframe to go with it.
then she made me pay for half the bedframe.

For some reason, that story always stuck with me. Nowadays, hubby is the one helping me track down books. Mom will still buy me them, but she has given up with hunting them down - It's the big box stores with her, and the secret stores and websites for me.

9. What is the thinnest book on your shelf?

I believe Blubber by Judy Blume

10. What is the thickest book on your shelf?

... Gone with the Wind? or one of the Jean Auel Books ...

11. Do you write as well as read? Do you see yourself in the future as being an author?

I have stories in my head, but I can't bring myself to start writing.
I want to... but who knows.
I don't think any true reader doesn't have some kinda story of their own.

12. When did you get into reading?

I've been reading my whole life. My parents read to me and my brother as children. We were always given books (mostly disney stuff and kid stuff) and whenever I complained I was bored, I was told "go read a book". So I did.

but it was around grade 6, when I met my then-best friend that I really got into it. Her and I were constantly reading and hitting up libraries, garage sales, anywhere really...
the summer i turned 13 I went full on nerd-mode (when I found V.C. Andrews) and never looked back. I still read her to this day but her ghost writer's quality has severely decreased.

13. What is your favorite classic book?

The Wind in the Willows, by far. Something about the characters and the setting just ... I love it.
but Gone with the Wind is another.
and Wuthering Heights.

14. In school was your best subject Language Arts/English?

Always has been English. Nothing else ever made sense. and I am not athletic. or artistic. and have a bad memory. and suck with numbers.
Creative Writing was fun in high school.
so was Drama class.

15. If you were given a book as a present that you had read before and hated…what would you do?

Depends who gave it.
If I know it's from Chapters (Barnes and Noble equivalent in Canada) then I'd just take it back myself.
If they wrote a note in it or something (the beasts!) then i'd keep it for sentimental purposes.
If it's second hand or they bought it somewhere I cannot return it, I'd sell it to a used book store and get credit for it and get something i liked. no one ever sees my shelves. and since i already read it, i could tell them about it so ha!

16. What is a lesser known series that you know of that is similar to Harry Potter or the Hunger Games?

harry potter = Pendragon. I tell EVERYONE about this AMAZING series. honestly, i cannot brag about it enough. how it didn't get more of a following is BEYOND me. like, to infinity and beyond.
It got recommended to me by some dude in high school - who saw me reading HP and was like "nah yo, it's all about pendragon for me" <- yes he talked like that. but he was was cute so sh.
and so i went out and bought the first 4 .. or 5. and then I was hooked. OMG ITS AMAZING. if you even *like* HP, you'll love it.

Like the Hunger Games... uhmm...  *crickets*

17. What is a bad habit you always do (besides rambling) while filming?

I don't film my rambles. I've thought about it... but.... no.

18. What is your favorite word?

oop-a-la; I say it to my nephew all the time.
habibi - arabic for "my love"
I'm sure there are more...

19. Are you a nerd, dork, or dweeb? Or all of the above?

 Proud Nerd.

20. Vampires or Fairies? Why?

As long as Tinkerbell is not one of them, then I choose both.

21. Shapeshifters or Angels? Why?

..hmm... I think Angels.

22. Spirits or Werewolves? Why?

werewolves all the way.

23. Zombies or Vampires?

vamps. HATE zombies.

 24. Love Triangle or Forbidden Love?

Forbidden love is usually more juicy... but some love triangles are sweet.

25. AND FINALLY: Full on romance books or action-packed with a few love scenes mixed in?

Define action packed? I like a little drama, but I don't like too much action and fighting and stuff like that. Take game of thrones for example. Too much action for me, and the books are hard to get through. Same with LOTR. I need a light amount of action, and a decent amount of non-action, with some romance. 

TA DA! That was fun. 

As Seen On: http://bookswithbite.net/book-tag-the-ultimate-book-tag/ 

Review: Caraval

  Caraval
  Stephanie Garber


Step into the magical world that is Caraval.

Growing up hearing stories of the magic that ignites Caraval and the mysterious ringleader, Legend, Scarlett has decided to write (many) letters in hopes of being sent an once-in-a-lifetime invitation.

At last, her letters are answered, accompanied with the ticket inside the mysterious week-long event.

Scarlett and her sister, Donnatella - Tella, for short - have been raised on a tiny island under the abusive hand of their father. Since their mother died, they have relied on each other for everything. Their father uses this to his advantage and the girls are pawns in his game of ruling his household.
Her father has planned a marriage for Scarlett, to which Scarlett is ready for. Curious, as she has never met the man she is to spend her life with, she is trusting in that her life will have the happily ever after she has been dreaming about.

Tella thinks she is out of her mind to believe in such things, and when the invitation comes to runoff and play the game that only few ever see, she knows her and her sister must go. Scarlett wanted nothing more in her whole life... but now that she has the opportunity, she is not so sure.

With the help of a friendly stranger, they step off their island for the first time in their lives.
Through storms and tricks, they reach the grounds to which the games shall be held.

Within hours of being inside, Tella is taken.

To win Caraval, and this years prize of a single wish, one must find the girl before the last day.
That gives Scarlett, and her mysterious (and frustrating) company, Julian, only 5 days.

However, Scarlett must do it in 3 if she is to make it home to her wedding, and hopefully keep her father's anger at bay.

Let the games begin.



This story is enthralling. You can feel the magic coming off the pages from the very beginning. Garber has weaved a wonderful world of pain, of love, of trickery and the power of belief.  This is one of those stories you do not want to put down as you grip the pages, begging to find out what is going to happen next.
Never a dull moment (once the game starts), Scarlett's journey to find her sister is a powerful one. We see her pushed to the edge of her personal beliefs, of her past, of her future, we see her deepest secrets, we see the power of sisterhood and the power of love; in all their forms.

Grab the kleenex for this one ladies and gents, you will need them.

When the game is finally over you will be sad to see it go, but you will never stop believing in it's magic.

Review: All the Bright Places

 All the Bright Places
 Jennifer Niven


This is the story of a boy named Theodore Finch
and
Violet Markey

These two meet in a unique way, on the bell tower of their school.

Neither knew the other would be up there... but this moment changed both of them forever.

Throughout this story we go between both Finch and Violet's perspective as one counts how many days he has been Awake, and the other is counting down until graduation day.

As the story progresses, so does their relationship.  We learn about their families, we learn about their pasts, we learn about their dreams for the future.

Together they grow. They support each other. They listen to each other.
and yes, they fall in love.

and then* ...

*those have to be two of the worst words when put together. 

and then, one of them decides to Wander.


This story broke my heart into a million pieces.
and then kept stepping on the pieces.

(^in case you didn't catch that, that is my warning to all of you. READERS BEWARE! All the feels. ALL.OF.THEM!) 

 Finch and Violet's story is one of courage, of love, of friendship, of being true to yourself - all the selves - and it calls awareness to important issues that are running rampant through the humans of the earth these days.

Not that they are new issues, but again, awareness.

This is my second read of Niven (Holding up the Universe being the first - if you click on her name tag, you'll find the review) and I loved it. Her writing has a way of being so real that it feels as if she isn't writing for the masses, but for the individuals she is writing about.

and we are the lucky llamas that get to read about these beautiful people and their Wanderings.

You are pulled into the story from the opening of the cover, and you never want to leave.

Even though you could build a raft and sail out of her book in the river of tears.

Honestly, I'm tearing up writing this.

All the Bright Places will give you a sense of adventure.

It will inspire you.

It will give you the courage to find someone to talk to, if that is what you need.

It is a beautiful thing and I am so grateful I was apart of it's life.

Review: Yellow Brick War (Dorothy Must Die 3)

 Yellow Brick War
 Dorothy Must Die - Book 3
 Danielle Paige


Have you ever thought "what if I had to go back to high school?" and then immediately shook your head and realized how grateful you are that you'll never have to find out? Well, if only Amy was so lucky.

When the Wizard's tornado brought her and Dorothy back to good ol' Kansas, she is in awe. Both of them back to where it all started.  The rub? Dorothy can click her heels and send herself back.

So here is Miss Salvation Amy back where there's no other place like it... home. Except she is not alone. The Order is also with her, and they have some interesting news for her.

Dorothy's original shoes are still in Kansas (you know, the silver ones; from the book) and lo and behold, they are probably back on Dorothy's old farmland.

Which has been covered up by Amy's high school.

What none of them know is that there is already someone in the school guarding the shoes... and they've been waiting for Amy.

Another action packed ride through Oz, Kansas and back again. Trying to control the magic takes on a new spin in this one, and we go deeper into the relationships that Amy has formed with Nox, the order and herself.

The end of this book is a *huge* cliffhanger (in my opinion, the biggest so far) and I'm so happy that this time around I do not have to wait a YEAR for the next book.

Dorothy originally found happiness, friends, and her way home on her walk on the Road of Yellow Brick ... only time will tell what Amy finds on hers.