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[B.O.O.K.L.I.F.E]
Hey! My name is Chloe, I am an 18- year-old college student. I love reading and review YA fiction and am the co-blogger of [B.O.O.K.L.I.F.E]. I also love action moveies, cats, and tea.
For MORE Reviews visit [B.O.O.K.L.I.F.E] : http://www.mnkbooklife.blogspot.com Title : The Chaos of Stars
Author : Kiersten White
Genre : YA Mythology
Published Date : September 10th, 2013
Publisher : HarperTeen
Pages : 288
Source : Publisher via Edelweiss, in exchange for an honest review
Rating : ✿✿✿✿
Review:
I'm must say I am no stranger to the work of Kiersten White, as I have read her Paranormalcy trilogy. I was not a fan. So I was a bit hesitant to pick up The Chaos of Stars. So I elated when it EXCEEDED my expectations.
"So stop being such a wimp about the potential for pain. If that's how you're going to live your life, you may as well be an empty room yourself. "
— Ry
The Story
In this creatively written modern story, about Isadora, the mortal daughter of Egyptian gods Isis and Osiris. Feeling, trapped, unappreciated and neglected. Isadora leaves Egypt to live in San Diego with her brother and his wife. In San Diego she find love in friends and in a boy who understand her more than she ever though anyone could. And in time an understanding of the family she left behind.
Personally I loved this story. Yes, it wasn't quiet expected. I thought I would see a little more magical happenings in a Fantasy/ Mythology, but I'm not totally disappointed that I didn't.
It was what I would consider a calmer fantasy, one that I unexpectedly connected with as well.
The Writing
I really like Kiersten Whites writing in this book. Not love but LIKE. WAYYY better than what I saw in the Paranormalcy trilogy. It was nice to really see her shine this time around. I also loved how every chapter started with a bit about Isadora's family and their role in Egyptian mythology. And how White did it such a way that it wasn't just a listing of but but seemed like it was something that really happened.
The Characters
I can see a lot of people finding our MC Isadora to be whiny and selfish (as I read from many other early reviews) but I actually saw a little of myself in her character. Now, I don't know what this says about me but as a teenager we do have somewhat of a tendency to be selfish and only see ourselves. Hopefully, we all grow out of it. But if I had parents who were gods, would live for eternity and a mom who had a child every 20 years (how she keeps her body I don't know) and I was just a regular old mortal who would die, than yes I would have some resentment. But Isadora also saw when she was overly harsh with her parents and people in general. And THATS when I started to really love this character.
Isadora's parents, or more specifically her mother, Isis, I really loved. At first I felt a lot of what her daughter felt towards her. I felt like she just USED her daughter and I did not really care for her. However, as the book went on I saw that she really does love her children. I was also a bit enamored with how Isis and Isadora interacted with each other, because it strangely reminded me of me and my mother. And the disappointment and fights that ensued due basic misunderstanding or the few times I felt let down by her. But like Isadora I was really able to appreciate my mom when I learned the valuable lesson every child must learn. Parents are not perfect. Even if they're gods.
Not to much that I can say on Ry just was super adorable and sweet and I just adore him. The book didn't really get TOO in depth with him other than that. Him being there for Isadora and really softening as a person was just enough.
Though there were no amazing characters that totally stole the spotlight, characters like Tyler, Isadora's friend, and Sirus, Isadora's brother, were all still still wonderful in their own right.
The Good
The characters, the story, all GREAT. And I appreciated the bit of realism even in a fantasy.
The Bad
The only bad that I can say is that there is a surprising lack of fantasy in this fantasy/mythology. I believe that there are other aspects of the book the book that make up for but I can see how it would bother other readers.
My Final Thoughts
All in all. A great book that reminded not only of my family but why I love series so much. Filled with great characters that a I will miss and wish I could read about again. But I still unregretfully recommend.
For MORE Reviews check out [B.O.O.K.L.I.F.E]: http://www.mnkbooklife.blogspot.comTitle : The Infinite Moment of Us
Author : Lauren Myracle
Genre : YA Contemporary
Published Date : August 27th, 2013
Publisher : Amulet Books
Pages : 336
Source : Publisher, in exchange for an honest review
Rating : ✿✿
Review:
I really tried to like this book. I did. Actually I went into it thinking that I would love it because I loved the authors Internet Girls series when I was younger and was anticipating a new book from her. Unfortunately this book turned out to be a huge disappointment.
"Charlie's heart told him that Wren was still Wren, that he still loved her, and he would always love her. If she would have him, he would have her - forever."
— Charlie Parker
The Story
In this Contemporary Romance by Lauren Myracle, recent high school graduates Wren Gray and Charlie Parker quickly fall for one another, the though never talking much before hand even though they went to the same school, and explore their love and future in the summer between high school and college.
Honestly, I think this story could have been formed so much better. It spent way to much time focusing on the wrong things. I would have liked to see them get to know each. If this is supposed to be “true love” I want to know WHAT makes them so compatible but I just didn’t get that.
Another theme that bothered me was that people, boy or girl, could fix each other. What I'm saying is, both Wren and Charlie are a little broken for very different reasons and then once they are together they expect for everything to be okay, but It just doesn't work like that. In my opinion you have to love yourself before you can love someone else, and you can support and help someone but they have to face their OWN demons before they can be apart of a health relationship. And I thing its dangerous to say otherwise, especially in a Young Adult book.
The Writing
Don't get me wrong I like Lauren Mryracle and have nothing against her but this.... It's not even that the writing was overly bad. The problem was the message that it sent out. I found the characters, especially Wren, to be selfish and overall bad for each other. Yet the author was constantly tell the readers how wonderful they and their relationship is. And trying to make it so emotional and deep. When it just wasn't. Honestly I found it to be a little obnoxious.
The Characters
God there were times when I really hated Wren. And just when I started to feel for, with all the pressure that was put on her by her parents and how she felt like she had no choices and had to be perfect. I started to like her a little. Then she had to go and ruin it.
I mean the girl didn't want her boyfriend to go help his foster parents and little brother (who is in a wheelchair by the way) when he got sick or was in the hospital. What a horrible, awful, self-cantered person. Then tried to justify her jealousy by say that she felt like Charlie is choosing them over her. REALLY? You know most normal people would think having a sense of loyalty to family is a good thing. Not to her apparently.
And then there's Charlie. I didn't really like him all that much either. But compared to Wren? He was a lot better. I'd say his biggest fault was falling in love with Wren. I mean why. Just why?
I couldn't really understand what they loved so much about each other. It was very much an insta-love, which I cannot stand. Yes, we were TOLD that they were smart, even though I did not see them make very intelligent decisions. They are supposedly kind, and again no prof, more so in Wren's case.
The only time I wasn't annoyed with them was when I felt bad for them. Charlie who had a really rough childhood, so it helped understand him more and the decisions he made. And I thought the book would have been I a lot better if we'd seen Charlie take more time to accept what happened to him.
Secondary characters were...well just that secondary on there when they were need. It didn’t appear as if to much time was spent on their personalities. I liked Tessa but only because she told Wren, that she was being selfish.
The Good
Not much. Not much at all.
The Bad
In my opinion Wren and Charlie's relationship wasn't sweet, or loving or any other special crap that the author tried to sell us. It was more destructive than anything.
First of all, any connection they had was mostly based off of sex. And no I am not that naive I know teenagers have sex, as an 18-year-old, I know. But I also know that is isn't healthy, mature or smart to have a relationship that is based off of sex and think its anything more than that.
And when they weren't doing it they were talking about random crap that did nothing for the story, Wren was throwing unnecessary tantrums for no reason. And instead of talking things out like a normal person she just stopped answering his texts. Not like that's immature or anything. If anything I thought that Wren made Charlie's life worse. Not better which, an idea that was constantly being shoved down my throat
I just really wanted them to break up, but we can't always get what we want.
My Final Thoughts
It was really hard for me to rate this book. It was almost a 1 star but I gave it 2 because I did not want to be harsh and there were one or two things I liked. I sure that there are people out there that will absolutely love this, and I say more power to you. However, I cannot possibly recommend it.
For MORE Reviews visit [B.O.O.K.L.I.F.E]: http://mnkbooklife.blogspot.comTitle : The Immortal Rules
Author : Julie Kagawa
Genre : Paranormal Dystopia
Published Date : April 24th, 2012
Publisher : Harlequin Teen
Pages : 485
Source : Library
Rating : ✿✿✿✿✿
Review:
I am on a role with these Five Star reviews!! It has been one great book after another. Of course due to the rules of the universe, now that I've said something the next book I read will probably be horrible. But don't worry this book sure wasn't!
"You are no longer human. You are a predator, and the sooner you accept that, the easier this life, this existence, will become."
— Kanin
The Story
I can honestly say that this is the first time that I have read a Vampire Dystopia, but if they are as good as this than I need to read a lot more.
Living in a dangerous Vampire run society, Alison Skemoto does her best to survive as a human and eventually, a vampire. And not lose her humanity along the way. Then must learn to act human while venturing off with a vampire hating group searching for their 'promised land'.
I love the way this story is written. I've become accustomed to books with slow beginnings, especially first books in a series. It not something I really have a problem with as long as it doesn't get to boring. But slow is not a word that I would us to describe this book. ACTION PACKED? Yes.
Now I am a girl who love a good action sequence but it has to be done right. And Kagawa definitely does it right. But that's not all this book is about. I love getting to learn more about Alison as a character and her struggle to keep a hold of her humanity as a vampire. The book has the perfect balance of character struggle, romance, and of course, action.
The Writing
This women know how to write some great characters. I think this book has some of the best developed characters that I have EVER read in YA Fiction. Not to mention her world building is exquisite. I felt like I was really WITH Allison on her journey, even if there were times I didn't want to be there. It was scary as hell. But Kagawa had her hooks into me.
The Characters
Alison. Alison. Alison. She's a front runner for best female book character of the year (yes it exists...in my mind). Even though my first impression of her was that she was extremely self-centered. It seemed like she only cared about herself, but I was quickly proven wrong. What might seem like a self-centered girl with bad attitude. Really is just her way of surviving. I am getting so tired of the snarky so-called "kick ass" female character who turns out to be more talk than anything. Finally a heroine who can back it up!
I loved Allie's, vampire mentor, Kanin. Despite the fact we didn't get to learn to much about him. But I think that whole mysterious and wise vampire vibe was what made him so cool and intriguing. I hope we get to see a lot more of him in the books to come.
At first I did not like Zeke. AT ALL. Honestly I just was so pleased with Allie as a character and her bad-ass-ness that I felt like a romance would ruin it. Which I know is weird, because whats a book without a little romance? But then I started to appreciate Zeke and I loved how his personality was at contrasts with Allie's and yet they still had great chemistry. His sweet, hopeful and innocent nature (despite all the horrid things he has seen) makes him totally lovable and less jaded than Allie. It's a sweet relationship.
The Good
Uh... Where do I start...the way this book is written it just keeps you guessing. I know that sound cliché but its true. Characters that you'll instantly love and root for.
The excellent world building, action, but really it all comes back to the authors writing style if it wasn't for that this world just be another vampire book. And I think we've had enpugh of those.
The Bad
I cannot think about one single thing that I dislike about this book. I'm sure I could if I really tried. But I'm still in my obsessive excitement mode after reading this book. I keep thinking about it and bad thoughts have no place here.
Seriously, I can't think of one flaw this book has, there probably is SOMETHING, but I am so overwhelmed by the awesomeness that I can't think of anything negative.
My Final Thoughts
Please put this book on you TBR. I know a lot of you are burnt out on the whole vampire craze, me included. But this book is no Twilight I promise you. No insta-lovey dovey relationship, just a young girl trying to survive this a dangerous post-apocalyptic world. You know just you everyday occurrences. She just so happens to be a vampire, making her even cooler, by the way. I am now an official Julie Kagawa Fan a Kagawaian if you will, who wants to join me?
For MORE Reviews visit [B.O.O.K.L.I.F.E]: http://mnkbooklife.blogspot.comTitle : Touch of Frost
Author : Jennifer Estep
Genre : YA Fantasy/ Mythology
Published Date : August 1st, 2011
Publisher : K-Teen Books
Pages : 350
Source : Library
Rating : ✿✿✿✿
Review:
Sometimes I want to read a super serious, make-me-feel-so-many-emotions, type of book. but I also think that the a little silly, make you smile and laugh book are to be appreciated too. By the way this book is totally the later.
"I know you secret."
— Gwen Frost
The Story
In this magical mythology read 16-year-old gypsy Gwen Frost attend a school for Valkyries, Spartans and other creatures. After a student is murdered Gwen attempt to use her gift of psychometric to find the killer but discovers much more than she expected.
I really did like this book, a little slow and silly at times but it made me smile. And the second half and ending was very exciting so it more than made up for the slow beginning.
The Writing
Uhh...it was OK. Nothing overly bad that I can recall to bring up now. But it also isn't like it will be winning any awards anytime soon. It was good for what was. Not great but...good
One thing that I did like about the writing, was that it did not appear to take itself too seriously which made the little things that I would usually find annoying, fun and quirky.
The Characters
Oh...Gwen. You snarky, nerdy, high outcast cliche you. It really made me just love more. I loved the funny quips you came up with even when inappropriate. The comic book obsession just to make you seem quirky. I loved it all.
There's not really much I can say about Logan Quinn, the bad boy love interest, at this point. Who of course due to the YA genre rule is titled a “man whore” but apparently this is okay because he's hot. There words not mine. But I have a feeling that he will grow on me. But at this point no. Although I did like that he saved Gwen, because you know...if she died...where would the story go?
Daphne was one of my favorite characters. Probably because I am a sucker for the reformed blonde b***h. I don't really know why I just do. And she make a fun contrast to Gwen so I look forward to seeing a lot more of her in the future.
The Good
This was truly a FUN read. It was quick and easy to get through. It wasn't overly emotional or thought provoking, not that I have any qualms about that it's just nice to have a change of pace. And I even found myself laughing and enjoying the bit of silliness in the cliches and angst instead of finding it irksome as I usually would. I also liked the little bit of mystery that was thrown in there.
I also liked that this book reminded me a little of House of Night. At least all the good things that I remember about House of Night. The magical school, the fun but cliched characters. In a way I actually think I like this better than HoN.
And like I said before it doesn't take itself to seriously.
The Bad
This book high school teen cliches up the yin yang. The nerdy misfit who does not fit in. The bitchy blonde who ends up befriending said nerdy girl. The bad boy with a heart. And I'm only a FEW.
My Final Thoughts
Look, if you're looking for a book that will make you cry and has some deep hidden message, than don't read this book. But if you want a fast paced read, a book that will make you smile and laugh, and are the kind of person that can ignore a little bit of silliness. Then you'll enjoy Touch of Frost. I totally recommend.