Life of a bookworm

Red Queen

6:15 am 25 June 2015

“The gods rule us still. They have come down from the stars. And they are no longer kind.”

What happens when you mix all of the popular YA plots, characters and shake them up? Voila! you get Red Queen. It's like an X-Men dystopia. Despite it's shortcomings *cough* transparent plotline *cough* it still managed to lure me in and didn't let me go till the end of the book. It starts with the usual dystopian world; power rules, poverty, dissatisfaction with the ruler, protagonist with hidden ability, colliding head-first with the hero, romance, betrayal and so on. This formula is so popular even school kids write their stories in similar fashion these days. Still, it's like the formula of Pepsi, doesn't compare with Coca-Cola but people still love it in their own way. That's exactly how I felt about this book. I couldn't hate it but I can't love it either but the story's still intense and has it's own moments.

Mare Molly Barrow is Red and a pale comparison of Katniss. She's foolhardy, tries to act fearless and has 0% brain capacity(it was obvious who was the betrayer from the start!) *rolls eyes* Cal is a Silver Prince, heir to the throne and savior of Mare, the street urchin. Maven is the younger prince and betrothed to Mare. Because of his traumatic experience as a soldier, he decides to help the rebellion. A perfect combination for a love triangle!

“I'll make the other scream for you, Mare, every last one. Not just your parents. Not just your siblings. But every single one like you. I'm going to find them, and they will die with you in their thoughts, knowing this is the fate you have brought them. I am the king and you could've been my Red Queen. Now you are nothing.”

This book is not for everyone. But there are those of us who will enjoy this no matter what. The writing is smooth, character development a little off but it's still a good read. I'll be waiting for the sequel of this book, that epilogue made sure of that.

“Many things led to this day, for all of us. A forgotten son, a vengeful mother, a brother with a long shadow, a strange mutation. Together, they’ve written a tragedy.”

3.5 stars

The Wrath and the Dawn

6:15 am 24 June 2015

One hundred lives for the one you took.
One life to one dawn.
Should you fail but a single morn, I shall take from you your dreams.
I shall take from you your city.
And I shall take from you these lives, a thousandfold.

The Wrath & The Dawn is a retelling of 1001 Nights. It follows Shahrzad as she seeks revenge for the murder of her best friend by The King of Khorasan, Khalid. The premise of the book is so captivating, it grabs you from the beginning and you just can't let go. Since I haven't read 1001 Nights, I really can't compare the original and the retelling. But I still felt the lure of the story. The plot is mysterious and intriguing. There are uncovered mysteries, unused magic, undying love and unresolved issues.

“What are you doing to me, you plague of a girl?” he whispered.
“If I’m a plague, then you should keep your distance, unless you plan on being destroyed.” The weapons still in her grasp, she shoved against his chest.
“No.” His hands dropped to her waist. “Destroy me.”

The writing is very lovely and flows in a magical fashion. It’s so refreshing and it makes the story even more authentic. All the characters are so real-like, we have our usual banter and plenty of swoon worthy moments. Though the 3rd person POV kind-of ruined it for me. Nevertheless, an intriguing read, a captivating story and a worth the wait series.

“When she wound her fingers in his hair to draw her body against his, he stilled for breath, and she knew, as he knew, that they were lost. Lost forever. In this kiss. This kiss that would change everything.”

3.75 stars

An Ember in the Ashes

6:15 am 21 June 2015

“Life is made of so many moments that mean nothing. Then one day, a single moment comes along to define every second that comes after. Such moments are tests of courage, of strength.”

Laia is a slave.

Elias is a soldier.

Neither is free.

A world inspired by ancient Rome, brutal and harsh. Two different characters struggling with their reality, one ready to escape and the other stuck in a nightmare. A compelling story, dual POV and a complex plot. It took me a while to come in terms with the fact that this amazing story is written by a debut author. All characters are extremely well developed and the smallest actions speak volumes through the story.

“You are full, Laia. Full of life and dark and strength and spirit. You are in our dreams. You will burn, for you are an ember in the ashes.”

We follow the path of two main characters; Laia and Elias.

When Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.

There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.

This story is so engrossing I must say Sabaa Tahir is a master storyteller. I can only imagine what she's going to do in the sequel of this series. All the blood, loss and complicated affairs have left me wanting for reunions and battles and whatever Sabba decides to throw at us.

“There are two kinds of guilt. The kind that's a burden and the kind that gives you purpose. Let your guilt be your fuel. Let it remind you of who you want to be. Draw a line in your mind. Never cross it again. You have a soul. It's damaged but it's there. Don't let them take it from you.”

“The sword point is my priest. The dance of death is my prayer. The killing blow is my release.”

4 Stars

Scorched

6:15 am 18 June 2015

Jennifer L. Armentrout

I have read almost all of JLA's books, so she is, without a doubt, one of my favorite author. Her stories have a way of speaking out to you, her characters are so fun and down to earth, it's like you've known them for ages.

After reading Kyler and Syd's story in Frigid, it was a happy surprise to read about Andrea and Tanner's story. They have quite the dynamic, since they are constantly at each other's throats. The witty, smart-ass comebacks are so fun to read. It's obvious to anyone that Andrea isn't doing so well. She has her secrets, her own burden to bear. Tanner absolutely grates on Andrea's nerves as he constantly calls her out on her behavior. When Sydney and Kyler invite Tanner and Andrea along with them on a trip to a cabin in the woods, well you can imagine stuff happening after that. Mostly bad stuffs mixed with some good. We all have some issues we're dealing with. This book shows the importance of the girl saving herself. For those of us that do struggle daily with depression or panic attacks, it’s a reassurance that you’re not the only one with those thoughts. And there are ways we can beat it. Scorched has the potential to help us recognize important signs in ourselves or someone we know. 3.75 Scorching Stars

Anathema

6:15 am 16 June 2015

I feel like my life is a book, and someone turned the page before I was ready, and now I can’t follow the story.

Rachel Vincent does it again. Another bold and refreshingly different story with a storyline that will instantly engage, a plethora of zombie-like demons, controversial plot and a group of rogue exorcists. Every dark and twisted fantasies come to life in The Stars Never Rise.

This book is about a dystopian world, ruled by the Unified Church, and it’s main job is to make sure that the civilians live a sinless life. They also want to guarantee the survival of human race since it’s future is threatened by demons. It is the ultimate battle of good and evil. There are monsters with human faces and those with kick-ass abilities. There are moments of heartbreak, joy, shock, solidarity and much more. And they all come together to create a story that is epic, unputdownable and unforgettable.

“We are endless, Nina. We are legion.” The demon stood straighter and frowned, as if my lack of a reaction disappointed her. “We outnumber the grains of sand on the beach, the drops of water in the ocean. The seas in hell rage with us, rising and falling in waves, cresting and crushing one another. We bleed and moan and starve, yet we cannot die. We think of nothing but escape, yet there is nowhere to go. Nowhere but here. And for every one of us that breaks through, anchored in your world by the souls we devour, there are thousands still waiting, begging, fighting for the chance. Every time one of us fails in that endeavor, another will rise to take its place. You. Cannot. Win.”

The Stars Never Rise is a fantastic, gripping and addictive story, it consumes your soul and leaves you wanting for more. The concept is unique and thrilling with a struggling heroine, complex love interest, the bad guys and the twist you ‘never saw coming’.

I had no home. I had no clothes except what I was wearing. I had no food except what belonged to Finn. I had no information except what had come from him. And I had nowhere to go and no one to trust. There was nothing left. Except Finn.

“The degenerate from this morning was only the first. More will find you, and you can’t take them all on by yourself. You need us, Nina. You need us every bit as much as we need you.”

""If I was going down, I would go down fighting.""

There's potential for a really great series here. Here's hoping for even more action, more surprises and more of these characters being funny and awesome in the next book. 4.5 Rising Stars

Falling Kingdoms

6:15 am 11 June 2015

4.5 Stars

“Even in the darkest and most cruel person, there is still a kernel of good. And within the most perfect champion, there is darkness. The question is, will one give in to the dark or the light? It's something we decide with every choice we make, every day that we exist. What might not be evil to you could be evil to someone else. Knowing this makes us powerful even without magic.”

Falling Kingdoms is a story about three countries, three neighboring kingdoms with nothing but deep-seated hatred between them. The start of the book was shaky, I almost gave up on the book entirely. Aside from that the story progressed. And kept on progressing. It follows the story of four young people from different kingdoms whose destinies become intertwined during the strain of peace between the lands. After putting them through several levels of hell, Rhodes pulls us inside the lives and minds of those within each kingdom - people who are enemies and wish one another dead - and gets us to sympathize with each and understand every point of view, even those that contradict one another. There is more than one side to every character in this story and it makes for a very interesting book.

“Hate is such a strong emotion. Much more powerful than indifference. But those who burn with hate can also love just as intensely. Can't they? When you hate--or love--do you do so with all your heart? So much that it feels as if you might die from it?”

There were some controversial issues with the storyline but the book was still unputdownable. I have it on good authority that the series keeps getting better and better. The ending left enough things open for what will surely be an even better second book. Getting started on Rebel Spring ASAP!

“You're the same as you were yesterday and the day before. Nothing has changed. Not really. Forget what troubles you. Regret nothing, but learn from any mistakes you make. Tomorrow will be a brighter day, I promise.”