Ramble Review #1: Divergent by Veronica Roth

By: unknown on Sunday, August 25, 2013

Ramble Reviews are reviews that aren't really considered...reviews. When you love a book too much, there isn't any room for logical writing and thoughts. What comes out are usually not understandable ramblings to other people, only which yourself can understand.

 

 

        Divergent by Veronica Roth

Published by Katherine Tegan Books

           Released: May 3rd, 2011

             Hardcover, 496 pages

              Source: Store bought

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the literary scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

Warning: May contain hazardous fanigirling...

A note: I actually read this a long time ago, but something sparked my interest in it again which was the result of this. 

Holy smoking crabs. This book. Is just. No words. This is seriously one of favourite books. Tying with Ella Enchanted. No favourite doesn't do this book justice. More like ICANT,IVEWITHOUTTHISBOOKMYEMOTIONSAREMADEIFTHIS OOKSCANYOUEVENREADYHISITHINKIMHOINGYODIEFROMTHISBOOKICANTEVENTHISISTOOMUCHFORMYBRAINMYCHEESYNACHOS good. I don't think that made sense. Writing a review would be pointless. This is the book that brought me into the world of Young Adult literature which is probably the best and worst decision of my life. NO ONE WILL EVER COMPARE TO ME FOR BEING THE NUMBER ONE DIVERGENT FAN NOBODY NOBODY NOBODY. YOU DARE EVEN SAY YOU ARE OKAY THIS IS MY BOOK. MY BOOK. MY FAVOURITE BOOK. I USED TO NOT EVEN BE ABLE TO SLEEP AT NIGHT CUZ I COULDN'T GET OUT OF THE WORLD OF DIVERGENT. OH MY GAWD. basically, no book I've read after can ever compare to this book. I've read so many good ones but they can't ever compare. Even the ramblings above doesn't even give you a taste of my feels for this book.

P.S. have you heard Demi Lovato's Firestarter? It might be Divergent's soundtrack and I swear IT'S THE BEST SONG IN THE WORLD AND FITS THE BOOK AND TRIS AND EVERYTHING SO PERFECTLY OHMIGOD IT'S JUST TOO PERFECT IT WAS MADE FOR DIVERGENT OKAY

Here's my interpretation of it: (might be wrong..) pst. the brackets are me XD

Firestarter by Demi Lovato

There's an 'S' under my clothes (OR THREE BIRDS, IT ALL WORKS)
On my chest where nobody else can see (EXCEPT FOUR BECAUSE ON THE TRAIN YEAH? HE SAW IT AND yeah)
I light up when the doors are closed
I am free, yeah (TRIS IS FREEEEEEE)
And I wish I could make my move (YOU BEAT THE CRABS OUT OF MOLLY, GOOD JOB)
I can tell that you're really into me (YES, FOUR IS REALLY INTO YOU, HE IS, HE REALLY IS.)
And I don't got a thing to lose, in my dreams, in my dreams

I'm a bad-ass jumping off the moving train (OH MY GOD IT'S TRIS IT'S TRIS SHE'S A BADASS)
I'm a Jane Bond, putting all them guys to shame (IN YOUR FACE PETER.)
I'm a wild card, and I'm gonna steal your game
You better watch out (YEAH YOU BETTER WATCH OUT)

I'm a fire starter, make your blood run faster
I melt hearts like water (FOURS HEART?)
Yeah yeah oh woah yeah
I'm a fire starter, I'm a sweet disaster (HECK YEAH)
I melt hearts like water
Yeah yeah oh woah yeah
Yeah

I might look all innocent (YOU DO)
But the embers are burning inside of me (YES THAT'S WHY YOU'RE SO BADASS)
And I'm ready to take that step, can't you see, can't you see

I'm a bad-ass jumping off the moving train (SHE'S ABOUT TO JUMP AGAIN WOOTWOOT)
I'm a Jane Bond, putting all them guys to shame (DAUNTLESS FOR THE WIN)
I'm a wild card, I'm about to take my aim(SHE AIMS REAL WELL WITH A KNIFE AND GUN)
You better watch out, watch out

I'm a fire starter, I'm a sweet disaster
I melt hearts like water
Yeah yeah oh woah yeah
I'm a fire starter, I'm a sweet disaster
I melt hearts like water
Yeah yeah oh woah yeah

I'm so high, I'm burning up, kiss your lips, I'm waking up (SHE KISSED YOUR LIPS FOUR SHE REALLY DID)
There's nothing more to be afraid of (NOPE)
There's an 'S' under my clothes
On my chest where nobody else can see

I'm a fire starter, make your blood run faster
I melt hearts like water
Yeah yeah oh woah yeah
I'm a fire starter, I'm a sweet disaster
I melt hearts like water
Yeah yeah oh woah yeah
I'm a fire starter (yes you are Tris, yes you are)

angela 

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Waiting on Wednesday #1 To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

By: unknown on Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted over at Breaking the Spines that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm waiting patiently ahem impatiently for To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

 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…

From goodreads 

Expected Publication: April 22, 2014

I am a HUGE Jenny Han fan, having read her The Summer I Turned Pretty series. Seriously, those books are definitely one of my favourite series. And then I found out she's writing another book!! And the summery sounds so amazing! Ahhh I can't wait to read it, too bad it comes out next spring... 

angela 

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Review: Embrace by Jessica Shirvington

By: unknown on Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Embrace by Jessica Shirvington

Published by Hachette Australia

Released: October 1st, 2010

Hardcover, 382 pages

Source: Library
Reviewed by Angela

 

It starts with a whisper: “It’s time for you to know who you are…”

Violet Eden dreads her seventeenth birthday. After all, it’s hard to get too excited about the day that marks the anniversary of your mother’s death. As if that wasn’t enough, disturbing dreams haunt her sleep and leave her with very real injuries. There’s a dark tattoo weaving its way up her arms that wasn’t there before. 

Violet is determined to get some answers, but nothing could have prepared her for the truth. The guy she thought she could fall in love with has been keeping his identity a secret: he’s only half-human—oh, and same goes for her.

A centuries-old battle between fallen angels and the protectors of humanity has chosen its new warrior. It’s a fight Violet doesn’t want, but she lives her life by two rules: don’t run and don’t quit. When angels seek vengeance and humans are the warriors, you could do a lot worse than betting on Violet Eden…

 (May contain spoilers)

On her seventeenth birthday, everything Violet has known is going to change. (Sigh, sounds so cliche) Shes about to discovered a world hidden right before her eyes, secrets will be unraveled...(basically what the premise is) My version: Violet has a mad crush on guy older than her, big whoop then she finds out he's been lying to her! Gasp! She finds out who she is, what Lincoln is and starts freaking out. Then along comes a hot guy who's kind of bad guy, kind of a good guy, depending on your perception, and from Violet's point of view, he's a good guy, since he's hot and likes her.Of couuurse he is. Uh huh. Anyways, he's there to pick up her broken pieces and make her feel better. Much better. Then a lot of stuff happens, and it includes some angels and people dying so if you want to know what happened, read the book. Or don't, since it's not that interesting. Or you could, maybe you'll like it better than I did. 

Hmm one of the rare books I didn't enjoy that much. I didn't have high hopes before starting this, but I didn't think it would be bad either. And pretty much turns out I was right. It wasn't spectacular or so bad I couldn't finish. One word I can think of to describe this books is "bland". It didn't have many heart wrenching times, or any real climax. It all went kind of smoothly through the whole book. Like a waveless ocean. I kept thinking it would get better, but it pretty much stayed the same. Thats the reason I finished it, thinking it would pick up and get better but it didn't. 

I can't say I really liked the characters. The only thing, or only person I liked about this book was Phoenix, even though he's probably evil blah blah blah. He was the only interesting, bearable part in the book. Violet was okay in the first part. She was strong, wasn't afraid of anything but surprise, surprise when Lincoln breaks the news, or rather when she found out herself she freaks and crumples into her own bubble of despair. Okay, we get it. You're sad and heartbroken Lincoln lied to you, but it was for your own freaking good. Yeah, it would suck to know that the person you think you love did that but get over it. Stop whining and complaining and being stubborn, jeez. Lincoln didn't want to hide from you, obviously and was still nice to you after. Waiting outside for your run, getting her coffee while she just sat there and stared through her bedroom window. 

How many different version of angels have we read? So many I can't even name. So here's another one. Truth is, I really wanted it to be different than others. It was in its own way, with the Grigori and the dark, light angels but I can't seem to sink into that world. I feel like the world hasn't been evolved, with lots of questions hanging. I know that there's like four more books in this series, but I doubt I'll read them unless they get significantly better, so there is probably going to be more development but for now, there isn't enough world building for me. For example, why can't Grigori partners like each other. Why is it SO forbidden for them to have a relationship? Maybe they mentioned it in the book but I can't remember.

What's with the names? Griffin? Phoenix? Is there some kind of connection between those two names or is it coincidence? I don't know I just thought Id point that out...wait is Lincoln some kind of special name too? Let me check. Okay no special meaning that's heard of. But Violet this name was carefully chosen too wasn't it? Her aura or whatever is like rainbow and Violet was the innermost or something? I don't know.

This obviously wasn't the best book I've read, yet it wasn't really bad either. Somewhere in between. Maybe you'll love it or maybe you won't. Everyone's different and depending on your tastes, you might like it much more than I did.

3/5 stars

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Review: Also Known As by Robin Benway

By: unknown on Monday, August 19, 2013

Also Known As by Robin Benway

Published by Bloomsbury Juvenile US

Released: February 26th, 2013

Hardcover, 360 pages

Source: Library  

Reviewed by Angela

Being a 16-year-old safecracker and active-duty daughter of international spies has its moments, good and bad. Pros: Seeing the world one crime-solving adventure at a time. Having parents with super cool jobs. Cons: Never staying in one place long enough to have friends or a boyfriend. But for Maggie Silver, the biggest perk of all has been avoiding high school and the accompanying cliques, bad lunches, and frustratingly simple locker combinations.

 

Then Maggie and her parents are sent to New York for her first solo assignment, and all of that changes. She'll need to attend a private school, avoid the temptation to hack the school's security system, and befriend one aggravatingly cute Jesse Oliver to gain the essential information she needs to crack the case . . . all while trying not to blow her cover.

(May contain spoilers)

I'm not the biggest fan of spy books. I've tried reading Ally Carter's Gallagher Girls series and her Heist Society series and just wasn't too impressed. Maybe it's her type of writing that wasn't for me because I didn't enjoy it too much. I'm not too sure why I picked up Also Known As, since it's also a spy book but I'm so glad I did.

Maggie has been a spy her whole life, born into a family of them, well her mom and dad. Being a spy means that she cant live a normal life, but shes not complaining. She has a special talent for picking locks and safecracking which is pretty handy when you're a spy, if you know what I mean. Maggie gets her first assignment, where she needs to go undercover at a private school to get close to a boy and make sure his father doesn't release an article about the Collective which is their spy organization.

The one thing I loved about this book was it's humour. So many times it made me laugh out loud. Here are some of my favourite quotes from the book: 

“I raised my bagel in the air like an award, then pretended to wipe away tears. 'This just means so much to me! I’d like to thank all the little people that I crushed on my way to the top.'" 

“But what if I didn’t show up? What if I stayed home and handed out candy or played Angry Birds instead?”

“You like Angry Birds? What’s your score?”

“Stop changing the subject!”

I LOVED the characters, there's barely anything that made me annoyed at them. Roux was probably my favourite. She is so hilarious and even though nobody likes her, because of that "incident" you could tell she still had a kind heart. Such as her "swear jar", where she puts five dollars in for the doorman every time she swears. Maggie was really likeable, too. Because she was homeschooled her entire life, she doesn't really understand high school and the drama in it, which made it kind of funny. Sorry. Plus, her talent for picking locks and doing all those sneaky stuff is pretty darn cool.

If you're a fan of Ally Carter, and also looking for a quick, fun, light, funny, cute read, this is a must. It's basically all of those. After reading this, I wanted to be a spy, too. But unfortunately, I have no noteworthy talents that are very beneficial to spies. Though the plot itself was predictable and not too  extraordinary, the writing, humour completely makes up for it. 

4.5/5 stars 

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Review: School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

By: unknown on Sunday, August 18, 2013



The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

Published by HarperCollins

Released: May 14, 2013

Hardcover, 488 pages

Source: eBook
Reviewed by Angela



 

“The first kidnappings happened two hundred years before. Some years it was two boys taken, some years two girls, sometimes one of each. But if at first the choices seemed random, soon the pattern became clear. One was always beautiful and good, the child every parent wanted as their own. The other was homely and odd, an outcast from birth. An opposing pair, plucked from youth and spirited away.”

This year, best friends Sophie and Agatha are about to discover where all the lost children go: the fabled School for Good & Evil, where ordinary boys and girls are trained to be fairy tale heroes and villains. As the most beautiful girl in Gavaldon, Sophie has dreamed of being kidnapped into an enchanted world her whole life. With her pink dresses, glass slippers, and devotion to good deeds, she knows she’ll earn top marks at the School for Good and graduate a storybook princess. Meanwhile Agatha, with her shapeless black frocks, wicked pet cat, and dislike of nearly everyone, seems a natural fit for the School for Evil.

But when the two girls are swept into the Endless Woods, they find their fortunes reversed—Sophie’s dumped in the School for Evil to take Uglification, Death Curses, and Henchmen Training, while Agatha finds herself in the School For Good, thrust amongst handsome princes and fair maidens for classes in Princess Etiquette and Animal Communication.. But what if the mistake is actually the first clue to discovering who Sophie and Agatha really are…?

The School for Good & Evil is an epic journey into a dazzling new world, where the only way out of a fairy tale is to live through one.

(May contain spoilers)

I knew this was going to be a middle grade book before I read it, it didn't disappoint, but I think it should get an award for the book that made me scream in frustration the most. Seriously, it did. I wanted to scream at the characters so badly, for being so stupid. Yet, it was still enjoyable.

I love fantasy and fairy tales, ever since grade four actually, when I read Ella Enchanted. That's also when I stared liking the romance in books. This book has both of those, fantasy and romance plus a very interesting plot, so I couldn't not read it.

It started out kind of slow, but kept going at a relative pace. We were first introduced to Sophie, who wished to be kidnapped into the Good, where she can be a princess, find her prince and live happily ever after. Of course, its pretty obvious that Sophie wasn't the perfect princess she thought herself to be. Her "good deeds" included, donating lemonwood face wash to the town orphanage saying that proper skincare is the greatest deed of all. You could tell Sophie was vain, selfish and self absorbent. Then we meet Agatha, Sophie's "best friend". Everyone thought Agatha was the witch, the evil one. She didn't like people, only wore black and lived in the cemetery. Well, as you can guess, Agatha isn't the witch everyone thinks she is either. Looks can be deceiving. Very.

When they both first arrived at the school, they were convinced they were in the wrong place. Sophie's the princess and Agatha is the witch. Agatha determined to get home and Sophie determined to prove that she's Good, both girls work hard to prove the mistake. The more they try to prove the School Master wrong, the more they prove him right.

There were two things that I didn't like about this book. Sophie and Tedros. Sophie is just a selfish little butt who only cares for herself, calls Agatha her friend only when she needs her, and betrays her when she doesn't. And Tedros. Oh Tedros. You're supposed to be the knight in shining armour but instead you are a stupid, judgemental, spoiled prince. Other than those two, the other characters were okay, I really liked Agatha.

Beyond the plot of the story, there is deeper meaning, if I am not mistaken. It tries to tell us that the world is not Good and Evil, black and white, princess and witch. There are so many in between. For example, Sophie is definitely not a Good princess, yet she isn't an evil witch either. Witches are ugly and Sophie is beautiful. Agatha is "ugly" and she was put into the Good, where everyone is beautiful. Everyone has another side to them. At one point of the story, Agatha wishes to be turned beautiful, and she does. Not in a physical way but emotionally. She felt beautiful, and acted like it, everyone looks at her beautifully, even when nothing changed. When she thought she was ugly and dark and acted like that, everyone thought she was.

I really enjoyed this book, though some parts went more slowly than others but I'll be sure to read the next one, A World Without Princes. Sadly it comes out next year, sigh. Also, I heard there's going to be a movie! I'm actually pretty excited if there is one.

4.5/5

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Review: Frigid by J. Lynn

By: unknown on Sunday, August 18, 2013



Frigid by J. Lynn

Published by Spencer Hill Contemporary

Released: July 15th

eBook, 240 pages

Source: eBook

Reviewed by Angela



For twenty-one-year-old Sydney, being in love with Kyler isn't anything new. They'd been best friends ever since he pushed her down on the playground and she made him eat a mud pie. Somewhere over the years, she fell for him and fell hard. The big problem with that? Kyler puts the 'man' in man-whore. He's never stayed with a girl longer than a few nights, and with it being their last year in college, Syd doesn't want to risk their friendship by declaring her love. 

Kyler has always put Syd on a pedestal that was too high for him to reach. To him, she's perfect and she's everything. But the feelings he has for her, he's always hidden away or focused on any other female. After all, Kyler will always be the poor boy from the wrong side of tracks, and Syd will always be the one girl he can never have. 

But when they're stranded together at a posh ski resort due to a massive Nor'easter, there's nothing stopping their red-hot feelings for each other from coming to the surface. Can their friendship survive the attraction? Better yet, can they survive at all? Because as the snow falls, someone is stalking them, and this ski trip may be a life-changer in more ways than one.

(May contain spoilers)

This is going to be a short review, since it's a short book and I don't have too much thoughts on it. Another contemporary where the best friends are in love with each other? AND it's by JLA? I'm in alright. I've been wanting to read this book sosososo badly so basically my heart jumped out when I finally got it. 

Kyler, the "manwhore" and Sydney the bookworm are best friends ever since they were little. Kyler is what swoons are made of I'm sure. :P Misunderstandings fills the book and I can't help but get a bit frustrated. I know your trying to do the right thing and all but aahhhgg just admits your feelings already. It was pretty obvious that Zach was the psycho stalker. I was getting freaked out when the bullet shot the window. 

As much as I enjoyed this book, with it's witty responses, JLA awesomeness, it was getting a bit....uhh sexual for me...okay that's awkward. But how can you not resist this book with that cover and synopsis. Plus it's by JLA. It's okay still loved it XD

3.7/5 stars 

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Review: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

By: unknown on Sunday, August 18, 2013



Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

  Published by Razorbill

 Released: August 16th, 2007

   Paperback, 332 pages

  Source: Library 

Reviewed by Angela

St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger...

Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever.

(May contain spoilers)

I made a promise to myself that I'll never read Vampire Academy. That reason is extremely stupid so you don't need to know. Well, after a while, then after some more, I picked up Vampire Academy. I couldn't help you know? And it was great. Amazing. I feel so, so, so, stupid for not reading it sooner. 

Rose was so funny, snarky and the had the best responses for everything. Like how could you just not like her? Oh Dimitri. asdfghjkl don't get me started. Okay too late. Tall, badass, hot, no wonder Rose couldn't keep her feels away. Haha I wouldn't have either. :P But the stupid age difference. And how they're both guardians for Lissa, made them impossible to be with each other. Oh and how much that annoyed me. 

Prior to reading this, I also read Half-Blood, by JLA. Another fantastic book. Lots of people say that there is so many similarities between these two books. After I read both these books, I could see why. But that didn't stop me from loving both these books. Yeah, they were really similar, but they were both different in their own way. 

Usually, when I hear the word "Vampire", I see a blood sucking Dracula, you know, the stereotypical vampire. But of course, this completely changed my view on that too. There are good vampires, the Moroi. Alive, mortal good vampires. Then there are the Strigoi, which are the big bad vampires who drinks blood from innocents and kills them, and they're also dead and immortal. Besides these two types, there are the Dhampirs, half vampires in other words. They are born from Moroi and humans, or Dhampirs and Moroi, both way making Dhampir babies. 

The concept, plot, world of this book is mind blowing, really. They all go to school, St. Vladmire Academy, to learn to fight and guard the Moroi, since the Strigoi like drinking their blood. There are twelve royal families. Lissa, Rose's best friend is a Dragomir, the last of this bloodline. Rose is training to be a guardian so she can protect her when she graduates. 

Rose has been Shadow Kissed, meaning she died and came back again, brought back to life by Lissa, a spirit user. A very rare kind of element, one that has been forgotten by most. Because, Rose is Shadow Kissed, Rose and Lissa are bound together, only one way though. It comes in handy at times, letting Rose know where Lissa is when she's in trouble. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, the characters, plot, and will probably finish the rest of this series this summer :D Actually, I already finished Forstbite. AMAZING AS WELL

5/5 stars

 

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New Laptop

By: unknown on Sunday, August 18, 2013

Thanks to my awesome dad, I got a new laptop :D What does that mean? I CAN START BLOGGING AGAIN. WOOTWOOT. The wifi though, is being a butt. It won't connect sometimes and you know, how the heck do you live without wifi man. How. Tell me. There's gonna be lots of reviews I'm pretty sure coming up so I'll be looking forward to it. 

angela >.<

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The Gathering and Ferry to Vancouver Island

By: unknown on Thursday, August 15, 2013

Yesterday, I just read The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong. Amazing book, mind you. There definitely will be a review coming up really soon, as soon as I get my new laptop. And also Kelley Armstrong is coming to Vanocuver!!! Wooowhoooo!! Okay back to topic. Do you know where The Gathering is set?Vancouver Island. As guess where I'm heading? Vancouver Island. Right now. Today. I guess im kind of biased but hey. Im kind of nervous though. Im on the ferry on the way there. Lets see if I meet some Skinwalkers, eh? 

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A Little Cheesy Life Update...

By: unknown on Wednesday, August 14, 2013

HEEEELLO there, I'm back? Kind of. I've been really busy, like really, really busy July and August, which is kind of ironic since I don't have school and it's summer. But anyways, my laptop sucks. I can't even explain how much, it freezes so much and it basically doesn't work anymore. So with the super busy summer and the really sucky laptop, I haven't been able to write any reviews. It's kind of hard to write reviews on my iPad, like it's such a pain in the butt. I still really want to do it and luckily, I'm getting a new laptop! YAAAY! Soon, I think. Then I'll be able to get full back on track to writing reviews and other bookish things I like ranting about. Alright, that's pretty much it for now. Bye! See you soon I hope :D

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