Posted in Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (1/23/18)-What’s Left of Me

Hi there, everyone!

I’ve only started to really get back into the normal routine of checking out stacks of books at the library, browsing the Kindle library when I’m waiting for my holds, picking books up after school, etcetera. I read this particular book on my Kindle during the interim of finishing a stack of libary checkouts and waiting for my other holds. I must say, it was a very interesting concept.

Now, without further ado, here’s your review!

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What’s Left of Me

Eva and Addie live in an alternate version of planet Earth, in which a small percentage of the population is born a “hybrid”-a person with two souls inhabiting one body. Usually, one soul overtakes the other in early childhood, but when that doesn’t happen, the hybrid is institutionalized. Eva and Addie are a hybrid-though they hid the fact that Addie’s soul had not really dominated Eva’s. But the unimaginable happens, and she along with Hally and Lissa, and Devon and Ryan, two hybrid siblings, are now stuck in a clinic, where their other soul will be “extracted” from their bodies. Will they find away out, and keep both souls intact?

 

 

Though I would’nt say it was the best book in the universe or anything, it had a very fascinating and inventive concept, very realistic characters, and a well-thought out world and future. All in all, not at all a bad book!

 

Now, before I go, I’ve got two things to tell you:

 

  1. Car Seat Headrest is re-releasing Twin Fantasy, (I’m listening to the “Cute Thing” re-release as we speak), and I’m considering doing a review of it.
  2. There’s a something of a drastic surprise coming your way very soon. All I’ll say is that it has something to do with the background change.

 

See you later, everyone!

Posted in Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (1/16/18)-Shatter Me

Before I get to the acutal review, I just want you guys to know that I did do a BRT last Tuesday, but something must’ve gotten weird with the post (or I got distracted) and it didn’t post. So you kinda get two BRTs today-one was just meant for last week.

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Alrighty, that aside, hey there, and welcome to today’s BRT!

This one’s from the same author as Furthermore and Whichwood (you can search those in the “Book Review Tuesday” category, the latter is fairly recent), and honestly? I can’t decide whether I like Whichwood or this novel better! So if you decide to read it, PREPARE TO BE AMAZED!

Here’s your book review!

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Shatter Me

Juliette was born with an ability-some say it’s a gift, most other call it a curse. With the slightest touch of her hand, she can kill a person in seconds. After 17 years of moving to new towns, discrimination, punishment, and expulsion, the ruling Reestablishment has put her in prison with charges for murder. But now, they have other plans for her. Now, forced to be a weapon for the Reestablishment, Juliette has glimpsed the oppressed reality of the world outside her window. With the help of another soldier, she sets in motion to escape. But with the eyes of the Reestablishment all on her, will she succeed?

 

Before reading this (and after reading Mrs. Mafi’s other works), I went into it expecting a well-written book, but a generally overused YA dystopian plot. Both were ture. Thing is, Mafi executed it so well that it was impossible not to be utterly enthralled. What a book!

 

 

Have a great rest of your evening, everyone, and stay warm!

Posted in Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (1.9.18)-Everlost

Hey there, fellow bookworms, and welcome to (finally) the first BRT of 2018!

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Again, I’m so sorry that I was unable to do a BRT last week. That aside, I got this book from the library (no surprise there), and though it was relatively short for my taste, I loved it! Also, it’s by the same author as Scythe (See the BRT for 10/17/17), if that raises your expectations. It certainly did for me. Now for the review!

 

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Everlost

Fourteen year old friends Nick and Allie were both killed in a car accident. But when their spirits passed on, they are not transported to where they’re supposed to be. Instead, they are now stuck in a place in between life and death. This place is Everlost, where lost children run free, with whispers of monsters and sinking into the ground to fear. Ruling over them all is Mary Hightower, who takes Nick and Allie in and teaches them all she knows. But though Nick feels that he has found a home with her, Allie seeks to know more, and above all, just wants to return home. Soon, she begins dabbling in forbidden magics, and soon discovers that Everlost isn’t as harmless as it appears…

 

 

Alright, technically this book was written around ten years before Scythe, but let me just say this: MAN, Neal Shusterman really did it again! Intricate world-building, complex characters, and just the right amount of creepy. Love it, love it, LOVE IT!!!

 

Have a great evening, everyone, and stay warm!

 

OH! And also…

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO DAVID BOWIE!

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Posted in Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (12/19/17)-Whichwood

Hi again, everyone! So glad to be back here on this oddly warmish December day! (*State Farm commerical music* Glo-bal war-ming, bum ba dum bum bum bum BUM)

As usual, I got this gem of a book from my local library, and boy, I LOVED IT!

But before this review, I have to tell you that you shouldn’t start it unless you’ve read the previous novel in the series, Furthermore. (See Book Review Tuesday-2/21/17). Though the author gives bits and pieces of the background, I still found it far easier to understand having read the previous novel. So, you might want to go back and read my Furthermore review if you haven’t read this one, and are interested. Either way, enjoy!

 

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Whichwood

(Okay, can we just point out first that THIS COVER ART IS A GIFT TO MANKIND? I MEAN, REALLY…👌)

Laylee lives a life of sorrow and drudgery in her small village of Whichwood. Her mother is dead, her ghost haunting her at every corner. Her father left her, driven away by grief. And Laylee has taken up his job as the village mordeshoor, or the person who washes corpses in preparation for their journey to the afterlife. To top it all off, she seems to be growing sicker by the day-her hands, eyes, and hair have grown a pale, unhealthy silvery grey. But soon, her monotonous life is shattered by two other kids, and soon, she is swept off on an adventure that she’ll never forget. Will Laylee not only be cured of her sickness, but remember what it means to enjoy life?

 

 

In contrast to its prequel, Whichwood was far darker. And honestly? I loved that! From what I remember, Furthermore was lyrically written, whimsical, but almost borderline fluff. But Whichwood really blew it out of the water, introducing newer, deeper characters, spookier elements, and even better world-building than its predecessor. Such a treat to read! Such a shame that I bought Furthermore and got this one at the library…*wipes single tear from eye*

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I hope you enjoyed my review, and enjoy your evening, night, morning, or whatever time it is in your time zone!

Posted in Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (12/12/17)- Star-Crossed

Hey there, fellow bibliophiles! I’m back, as promised, for another Book Review Tuesday!

I just returned this book to the library *wipes single tear from cheek*, and I thought it was super cute! I found it from the Goodreads Choice Awards page, and I had read another book by the author (Barbara Dee), and I decided to give it a shot. And…it was worth it! I hope you enjoy the book and my review!

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Star-Crossed

Mattie has never been an actor. But when her English teacher announces the annual 8th Grade play, Romeo and Juliet, she auditions in an attempt to change her image. She is cast as Paris, and is soon swept up in all the ins and outs of theater. Mattie also meets Gemma-she’s new, British, and  she’s playing Juliet. As preparations continue, Mattie finds herself growing increasingly close to Gemma. And soon, after the actor playing Romeo becomes more and more unfit for his roles, she is cast as Romeo, bringing the two even closer than ever before. Can Mattie ace her performance as Romeo while dealing with inner struggles and questions about her sexuality?

 

 

I really enjoyed this book for a few key reasons:

1-One word-SHAKESPEARE! I’m actually reading a different Shakespeare play in my class right now (Macbeth), and his works are just all-around fabulous.

2-LGBTQ+! Mattie’s sexuality is not directly specified, but it’s implied that she is bisexual (she has a crush on Gemma and there’s a subplot where she has a crush on another boy in her class). Super cool!

Also, it’s just overall well-written, with realistic characters and a fun plot.

 

Thanks so much for reading this, and I hope you all have a great night! Stay warm!

 

(Also, I’d just like to point out that the cover looks super cute when the WordPress snow is falling on it.) 😊

Posted in Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (12/5/17)-Beast and Crown

Hey there, fellow bookworms, and welcome to the first BRT of December 2017! The WordPress snow’s starting to miraculously pop into existence and float down across the surface of the computer screen…

Man, it’s already December? This year has gone by so dang fast…probably a really good thing because honestly? 2017 has been pretty sucky. Pretty much nothing compared to *last year* but you know what I mean.

 

Anyway, I’ve got another 2017 release (came out on my BIRTHDAY) from the author of The Fog Diver series for you today! Enjoy the review!

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Beast and Crown

Ji is a servant. Sally and Roz are maid and governess. They all live in Primstone Manor, and all three of them share a wish-freedom for themselves and Sally’s little brother Chibo, who is a slave at the tapestry factory in the city. Their plan? The Summer Queen is about to choose the new heir to the throne, and the nephew of the Primstone Manor’s owner is destined to be the new king. Together, they sneak along with the fated heir into the city, but soon realize that they each have a key role in the ceremony. Will they finally gain their freedom and save Sally’s brother?

 

I read this sometime in October, I believe, and I thought it was really cute and fun. Not as good as The Fog Diver series, mind you, but still an inventive, enjoyable adventure.

Off topic, I always associate this song with “Pills” by St. Vincent (see my MASSEDUCTION review) because I had just downloaded it and was listening to it on repeat. It is absolutely nothing like the book or anything, but y’know. Spectacular song.

 

Thank you so much for reading, and stay warm!

 

Posted in Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (11/28/17)-Warcross

Hey there, everyone, and welcome to the last BRT of November 2017! I hope you all had a spectacular break and Thanksgiving! Let’s get through the last two days of this boring months together…with BOOKS!

I read this over break, as you might have gathered. I initially found it because it was a nominee for the “Best YA Sci-Fi/Fantasy” category on the Goodreads Choice Awards this year. Scythe was there too, so I voted for it, but I clicked on Warcross because, well, to put it simply, the cover is FANTASTIC. And the description seemed really cool, too. So I checked it out at the library, and was blown away. I hope you are too!

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Warcross

In the not-so-distant future, people can escape to exciting game worlds with a pair of virtual reality glasses. And one of those games is Warcross-a competitive game with a global following. Emika Chen is only one out of countless fans, but she’s got a special job-she’s a bounty hunter, searching for players who do illegal deeds in-game. But her family is struggling, so she uses her hacking prowess to steal a rare object in Warcross. Intending to snag some money, Emika instead catches the eye of the game’s billionaire creator, and is soon spwept into the International Warcross Championships, acting as an in-game spy. Rumors of corruption are spreading, with potentially global consequences. Can Emika track down the source and save the games?

 

I still hope Scythe will win the GCA this year, but I won’t be surprised if Warcross wins, either. Marie Lu has built an imaginative, realistic future world, complete with unforgettable characters and splendid writing. Sci-fi fans, look no further! This is the book for you.

 

Well, I hope you guys have a fantastic night. I promise I’ll try and get out some more fan arts for you soon. Bye bye! 😉

Posted in Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (11/21/17)-The Secret Hour

Hey there, fellow bookworms, and welcome to this week’s BRT!

I read this book a few weeks ago at the library, and it was really interesting-it reminded me a lot of Stranger Things! So I’d definitely recommend it for all ST fans. Here’s your review!

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The Secret Hour

When Jessica Day moves to the small town of Bixby, Oklahoma, she expects it to be like any other small town, where nothing ever happens. But what she thinks is far from the truth. One midnight, she wakes up, and sees raindrops, in what looks like suspended animation, frozen in the sky. Jess thinks it’s all a dream, but she’s wrong-in Bixby, times stops for one hour each night. And she’s one of the few people who can experience this “secret hour”. Soon, she finds more like her, and soon discovers that the Secret Hour is when the Darklings come out, eager for human flesh. And now it’s up to her and her fellow Midnighters to stop them.

 

I thought this book was really interesting and well-written. Like I said, a lot like Stanger Things-sometimes, I half expected a demogorgon to jump out of a bush or something! That would have been hilarious…

 

Anyway, have a great rest of your day, and watch out for the demogorgons-AHEM-sorry, Darklings while you’re at it!

Posted in Book Review Tuesday

Book Review Tuesday (11/14/17)-Braced

Hey there, everyone! Happy November! (Well…sorta. November’s kind of a boring month, don’t you agree? I mean, it’s freezing, and the only important thing that happens is Thanksgiving, which is only celebrated in, like, 5 or 6 countries…)

One more thing before I get to the review. So, I read up to the fourth book in  the Maximum Ride series (see my Halloween BRT), and books 2 & 3 were awesome, but the fourth one sucked. Just to warn you, stop at book 3 if you don’t want to be pelted with preachy info about global warming that most of us already know by now. Yeah, global warming is an insanely important issue, but the delivery of it in The Final Warning was just…ugh. Nope.

Anyway, I picked this book up at the library last week (*incredulous gasp* OH REALLY), and I thought it was really sweet. I hope you enjoy my review!

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Braced

All Rachel Brooks wants is to be a normal teenage girl. And for the most part, she is. She’s a great soccer player, a steady friend group, and a boyfriend (maybe). But she’s got one thing standing in her way-scoliosis, a disorder where the spine curves sideways. Now, her scoliosis has gotten so bad that the doctor has prescribed a back brace, which she must wear under her clothes 23 hours per day. Wearing the brace changes her life-Rachel can’t play soccer as well, and now that she stands out, she’s become subject to teasing. Can she make it through the rest of middle school with her unusual challenge?

 

 

Before I read this book, I had no idea what scoliosis was. This book was very eye-opening to this disorder, and it was really interesting to learn about it. But in addition, this book was also very relatable-even if you don’t have a back brace. Rachel was a very real character, and she reminded me of a lot of girls that I’ve met. Overall, a fantastic book.

 

Thank you all so much for reading, and stay warm! Don’t let November bore ya too much!

Posted in Book Review Tuesday, Uncategorized

Book Review Tuesday (10/31/17)-Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment

HAPPY HALLOWEEN, EVERYONE!!!!

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(I have no idea what the heck that last one is, I just looked up “Halloween gifs” and it came up…

…uh…)

 

Weird pumpkin dude gifs aside, I’ve got a great book to review today, recommended by many friends to me and that (mostly) lived up to the hype! Enjoy!

 

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Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment

Max (14), Fang (14), Iggy (14), Nudge (11), The Gasman (aka “Gazzy”, 8) and his little sister  Angel (6) are all hybrid experiment, consisting of 98% human genes, and 2% bird genes. Ever since they escaped The School, the place where they were created, they’ve been running for their lives, trying to survive while evading the Erasers, dangerous, wolflike hybrids determined to bring them back. But when a pack of Erasers kidnaps Angel, they must search much of the U.S., rescue her, and above all, avoid being seen by normal humans. Can they survive the dangerous trek, and get Angel back?

 

Like I said earlier, at least four or five of my friends read this previously, and they all LOVED (and I mean LOOOOVED) it. I would have read it sooner as well, if it hadn’t been on hold at the library for such an egregious amount of time. *fumes* Anyway, I thought it was a very creative, fun, and adventurous Book. I’ve already read book 2 (School’s Out-Forever) and I currently have book 3 (Saving the World and Other Extreme Sports) on hold. Pretty psyched! I recommend it to all of you! Yes, ALL OF YOU!

 

I hope you guys have a WONDERFUL Halloween, eat lots of candy, dress up in awesome costumes!