Book Review: Manga Classics: Great Expectations

Manga Classics: Great Expectations by Stacy King

Publishing Date: May 19, 2015
Publisher: Udon Entertainment
Synopsis from Goodreads: 

Great Expectations has it all: romance, mystery, comedy, and unforgettable characters woven through a gripping rags-to-riches tale. Naive Pip, creepy Miss Haversham, beautifully cold Estella, terrifying Abel Magwitch, and the rest of Dicken’s fantastic cast are perfectly envisioned in this new adaptation in this 300-plus page volume featuring artwork by artist Nokman Poon. Manga Classics editions feature classic stories, faithfully adapted and illustrated in manga style, and available in both hardcover and softcover editions. Proudly presented by UDON Entertainment and Morpheus Publishing.

SPOILER FREE REVIEW

I rated it 4/5 "really liked it"

I couldn't clearly wrap my head around why the title is the title. I blame it on my lack of comprehension. Classic works just have too deep a meaning most of the time.

I would've ranted with the way the story ended if I hadn't done further research. Turns out the end is just as vague and letting the readers come up with their own conclusion. It broke my heart when Biggy married Joe but they both deserve to be happy. I was also happy when Estella finally became a human person with feelings and no longer a cold, heartless living robot.

Gave it four stars because I wasn't really all over it. Maybe I'm an Austen fan rather than a Charles since I'm a die hard romance fan.

Once again these Manga Classic adaptations are truly helpful.

Book Review: Servant of the Forest

Servant of the Forest by Shona Husk

Publishing Date: September 1, 2017
Publisher: Self Published
Synopsis from Goodreads: 

“Remember to be wild,” Orabella’s mother would say. 
But her mother is dead and Orabella’s days are taken up with chores for the small estate that barely keeps her stepmother and stepsisters fed. 
Then an invitation arrives. The King is throwing a three day party for the Prince, a last attempt to find a cure for the curse that will claim him on his twentieth birthday. The witch who saves Gauthier will get his hand in marriage and will eventually become queen. 
Orabella is forbidden from going to the party even though everyone is invited. She wants to see the castle and the Cursed Prince. This time she refuses to obey her stepmother. 
As Orabella discovers the secrets of her past and the truth about her mother and the prince’s curse, she learns that no one is to be trusted and not everyone wants the prince to survive. 

SPOILER FREE REVIEW

I rated it 4/5 "really liked it"

I would like to thank the author Shona Husk for the ARC I received via email.

I know what I'm about to say is really cliche but I do mean it. This is no ordinary Cinderella retelling. The events are guided by the original fairy tale but this book has its own world. I can even almost favor this over the original. Well written and well thought out, there were no loose ends.

It's got witches, curses, potions and lots of pretty dresses, it's a three day party what do you expect. It has the right amount of thrill, mystery, and romance. I was hooked by this book from the very first chapter. Written in both Orabella and Gauthier's POV I was determined to be beside them both in their journey and see it through the end. By the end of the book it made me appreciate the forest and all living animals and insects around. It not only satisfies our reading needs but it also carries an important message.

I gave it 4 out of 5 stars because it didn't play with my feelings too much like the way I'm used to but it did keep my interest going. I'm always curious, I'm always searching for the solution and the reason.

It's so hard to give a review of this book without spoiling anything. All I can say is, take a chance and visit the world Shona Husk has created. Servant of the Forest comes out September 1st, be sure to grab a copy.

Book Review: Scarlet Rose #1: "I Knew I'd Meet You" (Graphic Novel)

Scarlet Rose #1: "I Knew I'd Meet You" by Patricia Lyfoung

Publishing Date: November 28, 2017
Publisher: Charmz
Synopsis from Goodreads: 

Maud, a dreamy young woman, who loves justice, lives in France in the 18th century. The incomprehensible murder of his father forced him to rejoin Paris where his grandfather, a noble whose existence she was unaware, saw. It crosses the road of the Fox, a brigand of the highways that she admires. But she still does not know anything about the secret that her father bequeathed to her and that a mysterious individual covets. 

SPOILER FREE REVIEW

I rated it 5/5 "it was amazing"

Thank you Papercutz for the copy via NetGalley.

This Graphic Novel is fun, easy to read, and has a good sense of humor.

It starts with the murder of Maud's father, a past revealed to her and thus she travels to live in Paris. Her huge crush on a bandit calling himself "The Fox" has lead her to a conclusion of becoming a bandit herself - Scarlet Rose.

Guilhem is quite cute but I can't really tell of his age based on the drawings. Their facial expressions are right and I love how they change to impossible human faces to exaggerate an emotion.

I believe the english translations have just begun and I can't wait to read the next installment. This is my first Graphic Novel series so I'm not very familiar with the slang. Is it called an 'installment', an 'issue' perhaps?

Book Review: Geekerella

Geekerella by Ashley Poston

Publishing Date: April 4, 2017
Publisher: Quirk Books
Synopsis from Goodreads: 

Cinderella goes to the con in this fandom-fueled twist on the classic fairy tale.

Part romance, part love letter to nerd culture, and all totally adorbs, Geekerella is a fairy tale for anyone who believes in the magic of fandom. Geek girl Elle Wittimer lives and breathes Starfield, the classic sci-fi series she grew up watching with her late father. So when she sees a cosplay contest for a new Starfield movie, she has to enter. The prize? An invitation to the ExcelsiCon Cosplay Ball, and a meet-and-greet with the actor slated to play Federation Prince Carmindor in the reboot. With savings from her gig at the Magic Pumpkin food truck (and her dad’s old costume), Elle’s determined to win…unless her stepsisters get there first.

Teen actor Darien Freeman used to live for cons—before he was famous. Now they’re nothing but autographs and awkward meet-and-greets. Playing Carmindor is all he’s ever wanted, but the Starfield fandom has written him off as just another dumb heartthrob. As ExcelsiCon draws near, Darien feels more and more like a fake—until he meets a girl who shows him otherwise. 

SPOILER FREE REVIEW

I rated it 5/5 "it was amazing"

“I hate that I’m falling for someone I don’t even know.”

My take on the plot.

Before Ella’s father died it was always him, Ella, and Starfield reruns - the sci-fi tv series that they both loved so much. Now a reboot of Starfield is being made into a movie with Darien Freeman as the lead, Carmindor. Ella isn’t convinced he’s worthy of role and she ranted about it in her blog Rebelgunner. Darien runs into her blog post and is enraged by Rebelgunner. Darien accidentally texts the wrong number which was Ella’s and thus begins their relationship divided by a screen. However, Darien doesn’t give out a name and Ella calls her as Carmindor while Darien knows she’s Ella, he doesn’t know she’s behind Rebelgunner. 

“There’s just me stranded on the wrong side of everything that I love.”

It’s very modern and I love how I am brought to the world of cosplay and cons. I have never been to one before and the way Exelsicon was described in this book feels like I was in there too. I am a fangirl myself and this book just made me become a fan of a non-existent show! I wish Starfield were a real tv show, or at least a comic book. How about a novel? Even a serialized novel would be great.

“I fell in love across the cell signals and late-night texts with a girl I barely knew.”

Ella is no short of Cinderella’s character she’s not even a geek, she’s an ordinary fangirl like most of us while Darien is a different kind of Prince Charming. Being in behind the scenes on a major film made me realize how hard it is to be an actor and the different roles of the crew. Darien being an unsure prince because his life is being run by his father slash manager and is also forced to be on a diet to maintain his abs.

I pretty much enjoyed seeing the major aspects of Cinderella being incorporated to their story. It’s not even cliche, all the characters are very realistic, the events also realistic. It’s a refreshing take on a classic. The ending didn’t seem rushed either though I did feel a different rush getting to the end. It was well paced, it worked out well for the characters. I even wish for a sequel. I want to know what happens to their lives after the end. Oh and Rebelgunner’s blog post was the perfect closing remark for the book.

There’s so many things I could talk about this book without even spoiling anything but I don’t want this review to be so long. All I could say is read it. Pick up this book and read it. It’s not what you think it would be.

Look to the stars. Aim. Ignite.

Book Review: Fallen

Fallen by P.J. Fox

Publishing Date: April 18, 2017
Publisher: Evil Toad Press
Synopsis from Goodreads:

In entrepreneur and billionaire heir Dane, Ani sees a man who is gorgeous, brilliant... and intimidating. But in the equally intimidating world in which they live, a world that rose from the ashes of the Third World War and that now prizes dominance above almost all else, he's perfect. Ani, who's known her whole life that she doesn't belong in this world, is startled to discover that-despite what he is, or maybe because of it-she might not hate him quite as much as she thinks. He might be her polar opposite, but he has a lure that, try as she might, she can't deny.

Dane, meanwhile, finds himself unable to resist Ani's independent spirit. Even though he, as a product of the society that's given him so much, has long regarded such spirit as anything but a virtue. He likes his women like he likes everything else: on his own terms. Can he, he wonders, tame her?

And will Ani let herself be tamed?

And can she, a pacifist in a world of violence, keep herself safe? Because, despite its veneer of civility, this brave new world is a violent place; no trappings of wealth, and privilege, can disguise that fact. Crimes of all kinds, up to and including murder, are more than tolerated; under the guise of keeping society stable, they're encouraged. Particularly on one night of the year, a night that's fast approaching: the highlight of every loyal citizen's year, the night of the Purge. 

REVIEW

I rated it 5/5 "it was amazing"

"I’d intended to win you over, ah, I believe the phrase is the right way. Or the way, at least taught by mothers and gentlemen’s magazines and approved by my housekeeper. With flowers and jewels and whatever other things women might want. And flirtations and promises, not all of which were meant to be kept.”

My take on the plot.

Dane has been in love with Ani ever since he first laid eyes on her when she was sixteen. He waited for Ani but as he did he entertained other women. Now, Ani being 21 her aunt is eager for her to get married with her rich best friend Archer and one of wealthiest bachelor in the world Dane who she hates and purposely avoids during parties. The night of the Purge comes and Ani is left if with no other choice but to accept the shelter and hospitality Dane is demanding more than offering. But the death of her uncle remains a mystery, was it coincidental or intentional? Her aunt and brother even came out without a scratch.

SPOILER ALERT

Dane. Dane. Dane. Let’s talk about Dane. 

“You were - and are - dreams made flesh.”

In their time, monogamy is not a thing. It’s not a surprise if married men would warm the beds of other women. Someone as pure as Ani caught his eye and he made an effort for her to see him differently. I was pained when he revealed to Ani that every time he approaches her he sees it clearly in her eyes fear or him. And when she’s around other people she lights up and smiles and how badly he wishes he could be the one to make her shine that way. Soon he felt like he doesn’t deserve her, his lifestyle, he himself as a human being - unpure and tainted with disgusting gossip about him - doesn’t deserve her pureness. He wishes for Ani to be happy but human as we are he can still be selfish and could not shake the fact he wants Ani for himself.

Their relationship.

“It might be fantasy, but it was better than reality.”

Ani began with hatred for Dane. I think she just hates him because of his lifestyle and Ani wants nothing to do with the drama. In the modern world he would be labeled as a ‘bad boy’ and under that category as a ‘fvck boy’. With that much stain to his name no matter how rich, utterly handsome, and composed he may be Ani only wants to stay away from him. Unfortunately for Ani, Dane seems to keep his eyes on her during parties. Soon when Ani realizes they as different as they may seem they have this special bond where they connect. The moment she accepts her feelings for him the more things become easier. The progress of their relationship wasn’t rushed, it was clear how hate turned to love. In the number of pages it may seem short but as I read with the thoughts of Ani I understand how her feelings came to be.

The mystery.

Everyone was a suspect. Okay not everyone, but a lot had motive and many gained from the death of Ani’s uncle. Up until before the revelation I wasn’t even sure who the culprit was.

The revelations.

Ani’s past uncovered it was remarkable. I was too engrossed with the story that I didn’t have a moment to step back and wonder about her past which is why I missed that detail and I failed to analyze things.

“Each war is fought with different weapons.”

The writing.

It took a long time for the story to get to the main plot. It was very hard for me to read at first, with all the placing of events, their setting, the characters. There were a lot of unnecessary side stories and some scenes took to long and weren’t even that of a game changer. The ending wasn’t rushed but it lacked happiness. Most of the story revolves around Dane and Ani’s relationship and the readers weren’t even given the privilege of seeing their wedding. I personally wanted to know what happens and how big a wedding in Victoria can be especially when you’re marrying a filthy rich man such as Dane.

"You have the right to your own life. To your own dreams, your own goals. To be yourself."

Overall I did enjoy this book so much. It was a very fun read, the thrilling events didn’t lack heart racing features. I wish for a sequel too.

Movie Review: Wonder Woman (2017)

Release date: May 15, 2017 (Shanghai)
                      June 2, 2017 (United States)
Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Director: Patty Jenkins
Starring: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Robin Wright
Running Time: 141 minutes
Language: English
Budget: $ 149 million
Box Office: $ 591.6 million


IMDB Blurb:

Before she was Wonder Woman she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained warrior. When a pilot crashes and tells of conflict in the outside world, she leaves home to fight a war to end all wars, discovering her full powers and true identity.

Review:

5/5 stars

Diana, Goddess of the Amazons.

The words that best describes this film are “GIRL POWER”. I have so much love for the Amazonians now. I wasn’t their biggest fan because I somehow see them as girls of the wild and like female versions of Tarzan. The film portrays them as civilized women who despite lack the interaction with other people - especially men - and the exposure to the world beyond their island, they are quite educated to the ways of the people beyond.

The film is filled with beautiful women and girls. Diana is a hero who stands for what’s right and doesn’t care if she’s out of line. If she sees or hears something wrong she speaks her mind. Her goal is to save the world. Such an achiever! To stop the war, she needs to find Ares and kill him. Well that sounds simple enough too. If you set your mind to something, you’ll reach it no matter what.

I really want to know when and how she got her superhero name “Wonder Woman”. I’m too lazy to read the comics, I hope it’ll be revealed in the sequel though.

There was never a moment of boredom in the film. All conversations meant something and are always game changers. 

I really hate it when men die before the girls. It seems really unfair for me. Steve was great, Steve was hot too. I mean come on, Chris Pine, hello! His sacrifice gave Diana the push she needed and unleashed her full power. So the plot for the first film was in order for someone to be completely strong, the factor that makes them weak must be removed. There’s just no words for this film. It’s the best. Gal was the perfect Wonder Woman, she did a really great job even though she was pregnant during shooting. This has been one of my most anticipated films of 2017 and it did not disappoint.

Book Review: Everything, Everything

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Publishing Date: September 1, 2015
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Synopsis from Goodreads: 

My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.

But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.

Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster.

SPOILER FREE REVIEW

I rated it 3/5 stars "I liked it"

Her life was pretty boring! But for someone who's never been outside the walls of her home then she wouldn't know what boring is.

The book is okay, the plot is really good but overall it just kind of lacked the "umf" factor. I kinda expected something different, something unique for the ending. It didn't give me that refreshing, or tragic feeling that I was expecting to get when I reached the ending. Yes, I felt very curious. Yes, I felt that thrill of interacting with my crush and kissing someone for the first time. Yes, I felt the pain during the revelation.

I guess I could say that this book was over-hyped. People were crazy about this book when it first came out but then after I read the book it was kind of "meh". Don't get me wrong, like I said the entire book was great, just not the ending. Maybe I'm just used to reading books with plot twists and crazy revelations which is why I was looking for that factor in this book.

But what I do love is how this book is about health awareness. I love it when I get informed with a new sickness that someone could be experiencing now in the world and I get how important that is and I should be very, VERY grateful for my life.

I have yet to watch the film, it wasn't shown here in our city.

Book Review: Hopeless

Hopeless by Colleen Hoover 

Publishing Date: December 19, 2012
Publisher: Atria Books
Synopsis from Goodreads: 

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.

SPOILER FREE REVIEW

I rated it 2/5 stars "It's okay"

This book is not only about teen romance, it's more than that. It's about life, it addresses a serious topic which every person should at least know about.

"I tilt my head back and look up at the stars, wishing more than anything that I was up there and not down here."

Gave it 2 stars, this is my second Colleen Hoover book but it didn't compare to Ugly Love. Don't get me wrong, the way Holder lives (loves) Sky is how every girl wants to be lived (loved), but it just didn't give me the wow factor. The reveals at the last parts of the story was something I never saw coming and the deeper and further it got all the lines connecting every character just got tangled up.

I hate Holder (in a sarcastic way) for always knowing the right things to say at certain situations, it makes him even more unreal! But am I the only one who sees Holder as Charlie Heaton/Jonathan Byers from Stranger Things? Maybe that's why I'm not that attracted to him.

"There's nothing like the guilt you feel when there's room in your heart to love evil."

Over all this book was a good read, I can't put it down because I want to know how it ends and what's really hidden in the past lives of both main characters. I don't hate the book, I even love the plot twists. I love how it addresses a serious matter, those kinds of books always get the better half of me. I'm looking forward to Losing Hope which will be my next read after a couple of books I need to read ahead of it because of a deadline.

13 Reasons Why (2017 show)

13 Reasons Why

Weeks after Hannah Baker committed suicide, Clay receives a box at his door step. The box contains 7 tapes, each side marked with numbers from 1 to 13. When he plays the first tape he finds out each tape contains a reason that leads to why Hannah ended her life. Hannah mentioned on the tape that if a person is listening to it, then he is one of the reasons.

Based on: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Network: Netflix
Genre: Drama, Mystery
Language: English
Running Time: 49-61 minutes
Number of Seasons: 1
Number of Episodes: 13

Release Date: March 31, 2017

Review

4/5 stars

"All of you cared, but none of you cared enough."

This show deserves 5 stars like what I gave to the book but I just wasn't as interested to it as I watched each episode. Maybe it's because I already know the events that are going to happen because I read the book back in high school, or maybe I just lack sleep and the story isn't a thriller or anything so it doesn't keep me up at night.

The actors who portray the characters, they're all good, but most of the time I think the actors who play as boys seem to feminine for me. But maybe that's just me. Their acting, facial expressions, spot on. You can tell how they feel because their body language and faces show it so well. The soundtrack is also a plus. It's all good.

My memory was kind of foggy as I watched the show and I second guessed myself about the order of events but I later realized they changed up some of the order of the tapes to fit well with the story. I love how some characters in a tape get longer episodes because there's just a long story to tell about them. Hannah life wasn't perfect, it was kind of messed up. I don't know what I would do if I were in her shoes but I'd never kill myself. Needles even scare me!

The scene where they finally showed how Hannah slit her wrist was VERY DISTURBING to me. I don't like seeing blood and there was A LOT of blood in that scene. After I finished the last episode I watched the video "13 Reasons Why: Beyond The Reasons" and they said they wanted that scene to be disturbing to show people there's nothing beautiful, nothing good, nothing right about killing yourself. It's painful and it inflicts more pain to the people who still care about you.

In the end a lot of plot lines were left open and fans are hoping they'll push for a season 2 because we want to know what happens next.

Everyone must watch this series. The show has more to say that the book ever could.

Now I just want to chill at their local coffee shop everyday and drink hot chocolate.

If you need help or know anyone who needs help, visit the site 13reasonswhy.info

Book Review: Kiss the Boys

Kiss the Boys by Chris Myers, Diana Downey

Publishing Date: November 1, 2016
Publisher: Books on the Edge
Synopsis from Goodreads:

Three estranged brothers.
One runaway girl.

Sweet and sexy Noah soars as Spartans’ basketball shooting star. Overly protective, bad boy Nathan has beaten the devil and believes he’s invincible. And angry and bitter Jake cannot move past losing his unit in Afghanistan. After suffering personal tragedies, the three brothers barely speak to one another.

Until River.

When she runs away from her abusive foster home and notorious past, she crash-lands into Noah’s arms. She should feel safe with him, but she is attracted to guys more broken than she. And his brooding brothers Nathan and Jake wait patiently to catch her when she falls. Her relationship with each jeopardizes the precarious balance of their troubled family, and she will either mend their wounds or break their hearts.

Kiss the Boys is psychological romantic suspense, containing explicit sex and covering dark subject matter. This is the second book in the Lost Girls Collection. The first book is Blackout (steamy psychological thriller) by Chris Myers. Each of these books is a standalone. 

*Copy was received from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.*

SPOILER FREE REVIEW

I rated it 3/5 stars

"There's nothing human to hurt us, only my memories." 

I can't say I love this book, but it isn't a bad book too. I enjoyed it rather well and with just enough curiosity to turn the page.

Nate is just screaming for sex. He has this strong appeal that simply draw women to him and get down on their knees. Just by the description of his physicality, the reader would be drawn to him.

A family with 3 sons who barely get along, the life of rich people in art museums, a basketball star in high school about to go pro, an ex soldier who lost a leg, a best friend, and a girlfriend, an orphan.

If you're looking for steamy bed scenes, and things that keep you warm at night then I'm sorry to disappoint because this book isn't it. The characters try to find the light in their dark universe and it's inspiring to see them work hard to reach the surface. Sometimes I feel for them, their pain, their hopelessness, but we know that there's always that one person who refuses to sink with the ship.

The writing looks like it's been written by an amateur, so are some parts of the story. Other times it just seems too exaggerated and unrealistic. If it wasn't for the different world that Nate and River live in I would have stopped reading. But it's because of Nate being a famous artist, him, River, and Jake being survivors, it gives me a glimpse of how people with their same experiences or challenges live. It's new information for me and I'm always on the hunt for new information.

Book Review: Stalking Jack the Ripper

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco

Publishing Date: September 20, 2016
Publisher: Jimmy Patterson
Synopsis from Goodreads: 

Seventeen-year-old Audrey Rose Wadsworth was born a lord's daughter, with a life of wealth and privilege stretched out before her. But between the social teas and silk dress fittings, she leads a forbidden secret life.

Against her stern father's wishes and society's expectations, Audrey often slips away to her uncle's laboratory to study the gruesome practice of forensic medicine. When her work on a string of savagely killed corpses drags Audrey into the investigation of a serial murderer, her search for answers brings her close to her own sheltered world.

SPOILER FREE REVIEW

I rated it 5/5 stars

Damn! Up until the end, I never guessed who the murderer was. This book kept me up late at night, putting it down was never an option. I need the second book! I can't wait for the second book. And Thomas is just so irresistible! I love how this book takes me back to previous centuries and those are my favorite times. History with their norms, rules, dresses! What's not to love? Kerri just brought me to this world and time. I thought this book was going to be very dark and almost creepy that's why I didn't read it sooner, but now I regret that. I should have known. James Patterson chose her book to be the first of Jimmy Patterson Publishing House debut, it's bound to be PERFECT! Audrey and Thomas better not screw their ship in the next book.

Book Review: Stealing Snow

Stealing Snow by Danielle Paige

Publishing Date: October 6, 2016
Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens
Synopsis from Goodreads: 

Seventeen-year-old Snow lives within the walls of the Whittaker Institute, a high security mental hospital in upstate New York. Deep down, she knows she doesn't belong there, but she has no memory of life outside, except for the strangest dreams. And then a mysterious, handsome man, an orderly in the hospital, opens a door – and Snow knows that she has to leave … 
She finds herself in icy Algid, her true home, with witches, thieves, and a strangely alluring boy named Kai. As secret after secret is revealed, Snow discovers that she is on the run from a royal lineage she's destined to inherit, a father more powerful and ruthless than she could have imagined, and choices of the heart that could change everything. Heroine or villain, queen or broken girl, frozen heart or true love, Snow must choose her fate …

SPOILER FREE REVIEW

I rated it 4/5 stars

It may have mixed reviews but it all comes down to how the reader feels about the story. It's a loose retelling of the Snow Queen, but regardless whether you know anything or nothing about the story you'd still find this book entertaining. It took me a while to get into this book, but soon I found myself reading more chapters everyday and the feels started to kick in.  It was a bit unexpected. There are twists to characters, plots, and mixed emotions. Nothing really surprised me nor caught me off guard but I still enjoyed it very much. The world that Danielle created is really something, especially the different kinds of magic in their realm. There wasn't much information drop to confuse the reader, it was just right. I am so glad I crossed the Tree, and I would very much like to read the next installment. I want to see more of Jagger and the different back stories of the Robbers.

Best Reads of 2016

I've read 17 books last year (you can check them out here) and these are the books that really left and will keep a mark on me. I'll add their synopsis from Goodreads.

In no particular order:

Throne of Glass Series: Crown of Mdnight by Sarah J. Maas (book 2)

"A line that should never be crossed is about to be breached.

It puts this entire castle in jeopardy—and the life of your friend."

From the throne of glass rules a king with a fist of iron and a soul as black as pitch. Assassin Celaena Sardothien won a brutal contest to become his Champion. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown. She hides her secret vigilantly; she knows that the man she serves is bent on evil.

Keeping up the deadly charade becomes increasingly difficult when Celaena realizes she is not the only one seeking justice. As she tries to untangle the mysteries buried deep within the glass castle, her closest relationships suffer. It seems no one is above questioning her allegiances—not the Crown Prince Dorian; not Chaol, the Captain of the Guard; not even her best friend, Nehemia, a foreign princess with a rebel heart.

Then one terrible night, the secrets they have all been keeping lead to an unspeakable tragedy. As Celaena's world shatters, she will be forced to give up the very thing most precious to her and decide once and for all where her true loyalties lie... and whom she is ultimately willing to fight for.

A Court of Thorns and Roses Series: A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
Feyre survived Amarantha's clutches to return to the Spring Court—but at a steep cost. Though she now has the powers of the High Fae, her heart remains human, and it can't forget the terrible deeds she performed to save Tamlin's people.

Nor has Feyre forgotten her bargain with Rhysand, High Lord of the feared Night Court. As Feyre navigates its dark web of politics, passion, and dazzling power, a greater evil looms—and she might be key to stopping it. But only if she can harness her harrowing gifts, heal her fractured soul, and decide how she wishes to shape her future—and the future of a world cleaved in two.

With more than a million copies sold of her beloved Throne of Glass series, Sarah J. Maas's masterful storytelling brings this second book in her seductive and action-packed series to new heights.

Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover
When Tate Collins meets airline pilot Miles Archer, she knows it isn’t love at first sight. They wouldn’t even go so far as to consider themselves friends. The only thing Tate and Miles have in common is an undeniable mutual attraction. Once their desires are out in the open, they realize they have the perfect set-up. He doesn’t want love, she doesn’t have time for love, so that just leaves the sex. Their arrangement could be surprisingly seamless, as long as Tate can stick to the only two rules Miles has for her.

Never ask about the past.
Don’t expect a future.

They think they can handle it, but realize almost immediately they can’t handle it at all.

Hearts get infiltrated.
Promises get broken.
Rules get shattered.
Love gets ugly.

The Royals Trilogy: Paper Princess (book 1)
From strip clubs and truck stops to southern coast mansions and prep schools, one girl tries to stay true to herself.

These Royals will ruin you…

Ella Harper is a survivor—a pragmatic optimist. She’s spent her whole life moving from town to town with her flighty mother, struggling to make ends meet and believing that someday she’ll climb out of the gutter. After her mother’s death, Ella is truly alone. 

Until Callum Royal appears, plucking Ella out of poverty and tossing her into his posh mansion among his five sons who all hate her. Each Royal boy is more magnetic than the last, but none as captivating as Reed Royal, the boy who is determined to send her back to the slums she came from.

Reed doesn’t want her. He says she doesn’t belong with the Royals.

He might be right.

Wealth. Excess. Deception. It’s like nothing Ella has ever experienced, and if she’s going to survive her time in the Royal palace, she’ll need to learn to issue her own Royal decrees.

The Royals Trilogy: Broken Prince (book 2)
From wharf fights and school brawls to crumbling lives inside glittery mansions, one guy tries to save himself. 

THESE ROYALS WILL RUIN YOU...

Reed Royal has it all—looks, status, money. The girls at his elite prep school line up to date him, the guys want to be him, but Reed never gave a damn about anyone but his family until Ella Harper walked into his life.

What started off as burning resentment and the need to make his father’s new ward suffer turned into something else entirely—keep Ella close. Keep Ella safe. But when one foolish mistake drives her out of Reed’s arms and brings chaos to the Royal household, Reed’s entire world begins to fall apart around him.

Ella doesn’t want him anymore. She says they’ll only destroy each other.

SHE MIGHT BE RIGHT. 

Secrets. Betrayal. Enemies. It’s like nothing Reed has ever dealt with before, and if he’s going to win back his princess, he’ll need to prove himself Royally worthy.

The Royals Trilogy: Twisted Palace (book 3)
These Royals will ruin you…

From mortal enemies to unexpected allies, two teenagers try to protect everything that matters most.

Ella Harper has met every challenge that life has thrown her way. She’s tough, resilient, and willing to do whatever it takes to defend the people she loves, but the challenge of a long-lost father and a boyfriend whose life is on the line might be too much for even Ella to overcome.

Reed Royal has a quick temper and even faster fists. But his tendency to meet every obstacle with violence has finally caught up with him. If he wants to save himself and the girl he loves, he’ll need to rise above his tortured past and tarnished reputation.

No one believes Ella can survive the Royals. Everyone is sure Reed will destroy them all.
They may be right.

With everything and everyone conspiring to keep them apart, Ella and Reed must find a way to beat the law, save their families, and unravel all the secrets in their Twisted Palace.