Lilyan's Review: Alienated By Melissa Landers

By: Lilyan Jia on Thursday, July 17, 2014

[2 Stars]

SYPNOSIS: 
Two years ago, the aliens made contact. Now Cara Sweeney is going to be sharing a bathroom with one of them.

Handpicked to host the first-ever L’eihr exchange student, Cara thinks her future is set. Not only does she get a free ride to her dream college, she’ll have inside information about the mysterious L’eihrs that every journalist would kill for. Cara’s blog following is about to skyrocket.

Still, Cara isn’t sure what to think when she meets Aelyx. Humans and L’eihrs have nearly identical DNA, but cold, infuriatingly brilliant Aelyx couldn’t seem more alien. She’s certain about one thing, though: no human boy is this good-looking.

But when Cara's classmates get swept up by anti-L'eihr paranoia, Midtown High School suddenly isn't safe anymore. Threatening notes appear in Cara's locker, and a police officer has to escort her and Aelyx to class.

Cara finds support in the last person she expected. She realizes that Aelyx isn’t just her only friend; she's fallen hard for him. But Aelyx has been hiding the truth about the purpose of his exchange, and its potentially deadly consequences. Soon Cara will be in for the fight of her life—not just for herself and the boy she loves, but for the future of her planet

REVIEW:
How would I describe this book? The best way to represent how I felt was: ???

This book was kinda stupid. I didn't really have high hopes, but it was still disappointing. My actual rating is around a 2.5 stars; the only reason I added a .5, is because this book was so ridiculous to the point that it was comical.

The writing was just so childish in places. SO MANY EXCLAMATION POINTS. I cannot express how annoying unnecessary exclamation points are.

Imagine if everyone wrote like this: I went to the mall today! It was so great! There was a huge sale! We're talking about thirty thousand items! oh no! I read the sign wrong!!!!

Here are some examples from the book:

"Such luck!" "Oh no!"
'Aelyx shook his head and waved her off, which Brandi took was an enthusiastic yes!'

"Omigod! Omigod! Omigod!" "Oh chocolate ship pancakes!" 'She pushed aside all thoughts except, run faster!'

'We're talking about thirty thousand seniors!'

Guess how many exclamation points were in this book. Guess.

237. TWO HUNDRED THIRTY SEVEN EXCLAMATION POINTS.
Let's compare that to Legend, which has a lot more action, which means for reason for 'exclamations'. It had 67 exclamation points.

*breathes in a deep breath*

Now let's talk about A-licks. Was I supposed to like him? I don't have wide hips. Oh no, I guess I won't attract a mate? *gags*

And Ca-rah. I just didn't like her. She was too perfect. She never studies and yet, she get straight A's. She falls asleep in class and she doesn't seem to do any homework. All she thinks about is A-licks. Guess what, she has red hair. You know what that means. She's vibrant and sassy. The stereotypical red-head persona.

I don't really have anything good to say. I didn't really relate to the characters, I couldn't bring myself to care at all, really.

All the death threats to the aliens and all that jazz was like: huh. Well, then. Sure, I don't mind.

Basically my expression during the entire book: 

This book was just really childish and juvenile.

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Lilyan's Review: Hopeless By Colleen Hoover

By: Lilyan Jia on Monday, July 14, 2014

|Hopeless (Hopeless #1) by Colleen Hoover|
|Published By:  Atria Books|
|Released: May 27th 2013|

|Paperback, 406 pages|

  [ 4/5 stars ]

 SYNOPSIS:
Sometimes discovering the truth can leave you more hopeless than believing the lies…

That’s what seventeen-year-old Sky realizes after she meets Dean Holder. A guy with a reputation that rivals her own and an uncanny ability to invoke feelings in her she’s never had before. He terrifies her and captivates her all in the span of just one encounter, and something about the way he makes her feel sparks buried memories from a past that she wishes could just stay buried.

Sky struggles to keep him at a distance knowing he’s nothing but trouble, but Holder insists on learning everything about her. After finally caving to his unwavering pursuit, Sky soon finds that Holder isn’t at all who he’s been claiming to be. When the secrets he’s been keeping are finally revealed, every single facet of Sky’s life will change forever.

 REVIEW:

 ;-; this book was a rollercoaster ride of emotions.


I laughed,

“Holder: "I thought Mormon's weren't allowed to have caffeine?"
Breckin: "I decided to break that rule the morning I woke up gay.”

I swooned,

“You wanted to lick my face the first time you saw me? Is that usually what you do when you’re attracted to guys?"

I shake my head. “Not your face, your dimple. And no. You’re the only guy I’ve ever had the urge to lick.”

He smiles at me confidently. “Good. Because you’re the only girl I’ve ever had the urge to love.”

I cried,

“The sky is always beautiful. Even when it's dark or rainy or cloudy, it's still beautiful to look at. It's my favourite thing because I know if I ever get lost or lonely or scared, I just have to look up and it'll be there no matter what...and I know it'll always be beautiful.”

and I wanted to punch a wall throughout this book; sometimes I did all 4 within one chapter. [sky's dad doesn't deserve a quote]

Colleen Hoover, why do you keep doing this to me?

If you asked me to tell you in one sentence what this book was about, it would be: Two people who stumble together and discover things that were left in the past, and things that were forgotten.

I flew through the entire book in one sitting. This book was seriously addicting and kept me on my toes in anticipation. But, I could tell from the first chapter Holder was introduced, that they knew each other previously. Colleen Hoover did make it pretty obvious.

My heart ached for Sky and all she went through. I hope no one in the world has to go through that, or any kind of abuse. It seriously horrifies me that people are capable of such things. But it's the harsh truth. Not everyone you meet is going to be a good person. And not all good people stay good.

Know that people change, sometimes for the better, and other times for the worse.

The book did fall a little flat though in some places. What was the point of all that sleeping around stuff? Sky let guys sneak into her bedroom window and then she kicks them out because she definitely is not a slut? It's like yo, I get that you don't have sex with random guys, but do you seriously have to remind me every chapter?

But I will look past that, because Sky and Holder are just so cute together. Their banter is hilarious, and Holder just has a way with words. [except for the "that's what she said" joke, which made me cringe] I still wouldn't say that he's one of my favourite love interests though.

With this book, I thought a lot about how looks come play in affecting the way you feel about someone.

Say Holder was this unattractive dude with yellow teeth, bad breath, and a beer belly. And he follows Sky around and has these stalkerish tendencies. Sky would obviously bolt and stay far far away. But if he does look attractive, then it's kinda mysterious and romantic?

Even if we don't realize it, we judge people all the time by their appearance.

But yeah, if you enjoy a good looking, swoon worthy guy, an interesting and minimally annoying MC, and you're cool with some pretty serious subject matter, this book is for you.


I'm looking forward to reading the second book on this series.

P.S If someone you know or yourself needs help and assistance regarding sexual abuse, please contact: www.rainn.org or call 1-800-656-HOPE.




-Lilyan (:

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Lilyan's Review: Prodigy By Marie Lu

By: Lilyan Jia on Thursday, July 03, 2014

  |Prodigy (Legend #2) by Marie Lu|
  |Published By: Putnam Juvenile|
|Released: January 29th 2013|

|Hardcover, 371 pages|

  [ 5/5 stars ]

SYNOPSIS:

Injured and on the run, it has been seven days since June and Day barely escaped Los Angeles and the Republic with their lives. Day is believed dead having lost his own brother to an execution squad who thought they were assassinating him. June is now the Republic's most wanted traitor. Desperate for help, they turn to the Patriots - a vigilante rebel group sworn to bring down the Republic. But can they trust them or have they unwittingly become pawns in the most terrifying of political games?

REVIEW: 

 DAY, JUNE, WHY YOU GOTTA DO THIS?



PLEASE. YOU GUYS.
my heart: ouchies

Oh man, i liked this book way better than legend. I know the characters more, the storyline wasn't flat. THIS ENTIRE BOOK WAS SO SUSPENSEFUL. Things just get way more interesting. (that plot twist though) I can't say i didn't see it coming. I always thought Razor was suspicious. *gives him the squinty eyes*

I also wanted to say, that the colonies are so different from what I imagined. I guess in a way, the colonies are more similar to the world now, than the republic. It's just so weird how there are four companies running the country and how they're cohesive, but still rivaling at the same time.

June and Day's relationship makes me wanna cry. It's so deep and emotional, I kept forgetting that they were 15. THEY JUST GROW UP SO FAST. There's also a lot more love drama in this book, but it made the book just that much more idk interesting? I DUNNO BUT I LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS BOOK.

Kaede. She was my favourite character. I liked her blatant honesty, her spunk, her confidence. I was crushed when she got hurt. ;-; let me just climb back into my cocoon of blankets.

The interactions between all the characters felt so real. I could see the trust people had in each other and the confusion and the betrayal.

For some reason I Tess really bugs me now. I don't understand how everyone likes her .-. whoops that sounded harsh. but oh well. ANDEN THOUGH. I BELIEVED IN YOU THE WHOLE TIME. He's so nice and cute omg. But, Anden, you better not make a move on June.

Well, that brings me to the ending. *CUE THE TEARS* Day, why. YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD HER.

JUNE, YOU SHOULD HAVE GONE: "no. you know what. I'm staying with you. No matter what."

But i guess that was too cheesy for Marie Lu, so she just had to separate them. *sighs*

-is it funny that i'm reading this again in june?- 

-Lilyan :)

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Victoria's Review: Sweet Peril by Wendy Higgins

By: Unknown on Monday, June 30, 2014

Sweet Peril
By: Wendy Higgins
Published by: HarperTeen
Published on: April 30, 2013
5/5 Stars
Victoria's Review

 Synopsis

Anna Whitt, the daughter of a guardian angel and a demon, promised herself she’d never do the work of her father—polluting souls. She’d been naive to make such a vow. She’d been naive about a lot of things. 

Haunted by demon whisperers, Anna does whatever she can to survive, even if it means embracing her dark side and earning an unwanted reputation as her school’s party girl. Her life has never looked more bleak. And all the while there’s Kaidan Rowe, son of the Duke of Lust, plaguing her heart and mind.

When an unexpected lost message from the angels surfaces, Anna finds herself traveling the globe with Kopano, son of Wrath, in an attempt to gain support of fellow Nephilim and give them hope for the first time. It soon becomes clear that whatever freedoms Anna and the rest of the Neph are hoping to win will not be gained without a fight. Until then, Anna and Kaidan must put aside the issues between them, overcome the steamiest of temptations yet, and face the ultimate question: is loving someone worth risking their life?

Synopsis from Goodreads 

Review

So you know how sequels can suck compared to the first book? THIS ONE DID NOT DISAPPOINT!!!! OHMIGOODNESS I was so sucked into this book and was.... I just have no words. I might just actually like the sequel better than Sweet Evil. And that's saying something because Sweet Evil was pretty darn incredible. 

LET'S GO RIGHT INTO KAIDAN ROWE. 

I mean look at this. 

He was even hotter in this book like I can't even. Can I just say that I was giggling throughout this whole novel? BLAME KAIDAN. THE FEELERS WHILE READING THIS BOOK WERE TINGLING. At first I was like OMG just admit your darn feelings to Anna would you already? But then I started to feel sorry for him as the novel progressed. And then half way through the book onwards my heart melted. I can't even describe how cute he was and how possessive he was (especially this one scene holy crap). Please read this book so we can fangirl.

Let's talk Anna. At the beginning of the book I was kind of sick of her "whining" on how Kaidan had ***SPOILER FOR THE FIRST BOOK*** left her and it made her miserable and what not. ***SPOILER OVER*** I liked how she did something with Kopano and BOY HOW THE EMOTIONS RAN HIGH AFTERWARDS! 

Kopano (son of Alocer) was in the sequel A LOT. He stayed by Anna's side many times and I was kind of glad he did because he was there when she was hurting. He was like her partner in crime, at the time. 

Anna's dad was a mule, man the things he did to keep Anna safe. GAH I hated him a little near the end of the book but you gotta do what you gotta do right?

My review is all over the place look at this. Gosh I literally finished reading this book a half an hour ago and my mind is juggling everything that just happened. This review is gonna be short and sweet. 

But other than all that, it was kind of cliché as YA paranormal romance books go. But ya know I still love em. If you love YA paranormal romance books like I do, I strongly suggest you start reading this trilogy.

-Victoria <3

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Lilyan's Review: The Program by Suzanne Young

By: Lilyan Jia on Saturday, June 28, 2014

The Program by Suzanne Young

  Published By: Simon Pulse

Released: April 30th 2013

Hardcover:  405 pages

   5/5 stars

SYNOPSIS:

In Sloane’s world, true feelings are forbidden, teen suicide is an epidemic, and the only solution is The Program.

Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.

REVIEW:

ARGGGGGGG. The ending. my thoughts are all over the place. I seriously need to read the second book soon ;-; I am actually not joking, this is probably the most distressing/upsetting book I've ever read.

Me when I finished the book:

Has anyone close to you committed suicide? YES

Has anyone close to you committed suicide? NO.

"Bullshit, Sloane!" James would yell out, slapping his hand on the table. "You're the worst liar ever!"

When Realm picks them up, he looks me over, studying my expression. "Guess I can't tell when you're lying," He says quietly.

           I'm not exactly sure how I would describe this book to someone. It's dystopian, but unlike any I've ever read. This book broke my heart. People just kept getting taken away or ended up dying (Millar. why D':) and oh my god James and Sloane. They just have the most intense and heartfelt relationship ever. They have to go through so much crap.

I was really surprised that liked pretty much all the characters. Obviously not Roger, but people like Tabitha and Realm. I just want to know more about him. THE EPILOGUE. OH MY GOD WILLIAM. WHAT. SHEP? DEREK? YOU GUYS TOO?

I felt for all the characters. (except roger. ew). Everyone has to fake being cheerful because the program forces them too. But the thing is, the Program is all backwards. If the program didn't exist, then teens wouldn't have to feel obligated to be happy, instead, they can grieve. The can just cry it all out, rather than keeping it all bottled up. [LET IT GOOOO] People have to act strong for each other, but sometimes a little vulnerability is good, because it shows that there's also hope. It just makes me so sad that people are scared to be sad. I mean, it is definitely a real fear. But the more you think about it, the more it becomes real.

But yeah anyway. ( i have bad transitions) Sloane's mom really made me angry and disappointed all at the same time. WHY CAN'T SHE SEE THAT SHE'S CAUSING SO MUCH DAMAGE? I just really hope that Sloane's father can somehow make her see the truth behind the Program. But the thing is, what is the program really?

-insert another awkward transition-

This book's concept was so interesting. I thought it was weird that depression was seen as disease that you could catch, but then I realized it was entirely possible. Misery loves company. Sadness isn't something that you can avoid; it's a vicious cycle.

I have so many unanswered questions. How did the program even start? What did the other countries do about the rise in suicide? How come adults don't understand how detrimental the program is? Why are so many people committing suicide? I feel like in the end, the whole thing the whole thing will be revealed an experiment, and they needed people's memories for some reason.

ugh. Just so many thoughts. Now that i think about it, i should go read a chick-lit book to make me feel better again ^-^.

ALSO: IF THEY WANT PEOPLE TO STOP DYING, WHY NOT STOP MAKING QUIKDEATH? SERIOUSLY. WHY CAN'T ADULTS SEE THAT THE PROGRAM IS MESSED UPPP?

ALSO: you should check out Suzanne Young's other series. A Need So Beautiful. (it's actually so beautiful)

-Lilyan (:

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Victoria's Review: Looking For Alaska by John Green

By: Unknown on Saturday, June 28, 2014

Looking for Alaska

By: John Green 

Published by: Speak

3.5/5 Stars

Victoria's review

Sypnosis

Before. Miles "Pudge" Halter's whole existence has been one big nonevent, and his obsession with famous last words has only made him crave the "Great Perhaps" (François Rabelais, poet) even more. He heads off to the sometimes crazy, possibly unstable, and anything-but-boring world of Culver Creek Boarding School, and his life becomes the opposite of safe. Because down the hall is Alaska Young. The gorgeous, clever, funny, sexy, self-destructive, screwed-up, and utterly fascinating Alaska Young, who is an event unto herself. She pulls Pudge into her world, launches him into the Great Perhaps, and steals his heart.

After. Nothing is ever the same.

Sypnosis from Goodreads

Review

I was SOOO looking forward to reading this and had pretty high expectations since it's John Green book. I've looked at the reviews on Goodreads and it's kind of a love it or hate it book to me. I am sorry John Green fans (this is my own personal opinion), because I do not like this book (WAIIIT! HOLD YOUR RAGE) nor do I hate this book. It was kind of in between.

Ok so the story of how I got my hands on this book was that I was shopping around. And then I saw a Chapters and was like LET'S GO SEE WHAT THEY HAVE!! So I went in having only read The Fault in Our Stars at the time and browsed around. The sales associate actually recommended this book to me so I went ahead and purchased it. The sales associate actually told me that all the pranks described in the book, John Green actually did. So I was kind of excited to start reading it. 

And a couple weeks later, school ended and I figured it was a good time to start reading it. So I was a few pages in and was so bored, nothing really EXCITING happened (well something did, I'll get to that in a bit). It was kind of a slow steady pace the whole entire time. But I do have to admit I had a few chuckles here and there, especially the last prank in the novel. 

Alright, something did happen in the book, I don't want to spoil it for you fellow readers. But I was TOTALLY not expecting it, I expected something else to happen. I was like OK PLOT TWIST (kind of) because I expected something WAY different. Yeah John Green, you kind of killed me a little with that. And that mystery problem near the end... WOW, because there was a lot of foreshadowing throughout the whole book. 

Right after I finished reading the Before part of the book and started reading the After part this was me: 

gif link

The whole story was basically about teenagers and their friendship with one another as well as relationships. How one befriends someone and how close they can be until something terrible happens, and what to make of it when it does happen. How friends can be there for each other and to support one another. How to forgive and slowly forget. In other words: this book was deeep.  

But anyway, I wasn't as captivated by this book as I thought I would be. Took me awhile to finish it. I heard they're gonna make a movie out of it and we'll see how that goes. 

-Victoria

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Lilyan's Review: Love Letters to the Dead

By: Lilyan Jia on Friday, June 27, 2014

Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira

  Published By: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Released: April 1st 2014

Hardcover:  327 pages

   4/5 stars

SYNOPSIS:

It begins as an assignment for English class: Write a letter to a dead person. Laurel chooses Kurt Cobain because her sister, May, loved him. And he died young, just like May did. Soon, Laurel has a notebook full of letters to people like Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse, Amelia Earhart, Heath Ledger, and more; though she never gives a single one of them to her teacher. She writes about starting high school, navigating new friendships, falling in love for the first time, learning to live with her splintering family. And, finally, about the abuse she suffered while May was supposed to be looking out for her. Only then, once Laurel has written down the truth about what happened to herself, can she truly begin to accept what happened to May. And only when Laurel has begun to see her sister as the person she was; lovely and amazing and deeply flawed; can she begin to discover her own path.

  REVIEW:
  
GUESS WHAT? EXAMS ARE OVERRR WOOHOOO. Which means I can finally read in peace.

Let me just take a breath. 

I have mixed feelings. I'll admit, I really liked this book ;-; but honestly, a couple chapters could have been taken out and it wouldn't have made a difference, and a lot of the time I was just pissed off at laurel.

This book kind of reminded me of The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls, in the way that the writing style was almost kinda narrative.

The book was definitely interesting, it's also a plus that the letters were written to artists that I like ^-^

But let's get into the characters. Oh laurel. Why you gotta be such a pushover? YOU GOTTA STOP THINKING THAT YOU ARE LIKE YOUR SISTER. BECAUSE YOU GUYS AREN'T THE SAME PERSON OKAY? DO YOU GUYS SHARE THE SAME BRAIN? THE SAME EXPERIENCES? NO. You guys aren't even twins.

It's hard to believe that she's in freshman year and that she just falls in love this boy within 2 weeks. She just switches between being a kid and being philosophical and it's like: Don't be stupid, didn't you just explain why everything happens for a reason in the previous letter?

But there are good things. I really like Laurel's stories with her sister. It kinda makes me wish that my sister and I were close like that when we were kids.

My sister could never pull off: "GUESS WHAT? WE'RE FAIRESSSS."
My sister is more like: "hey hey lilyan, did you know you were adopted?"
me: *rolls eyes* "i don't believe you." "lucky (my dog) likes me more than you anyway."
So yup. Basically us.

The romance was a tad underdeveloped, but i still really liked Sky.
I could sometimes feel her grief, but other times it seemed like she was fine.
Lauren comes off as naive but she's just put into very mature situations and i don't know what to feel
The supporting characters were great, but they weren't exactly good influences.
DO YOU SEE WHY I'M SO CONFLICTED?

Conclusion: Read some of it to see if you like it, if you find Laurel incredibly boring, put the book down. Also, if you have read this, tell me what you think, because books require being talked about.


-Lilyan (:

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