#BookTalk- Paper Towns by John Green

 Paper Towns by John Green

The time has finally come to #BookTalk about Paper Towns. I choose to read the book on a Playaway, because A) I thought it would be faster B) I am doing this walk/run every morning and I thought I would listen to it while I workout. I was wrong on both accounts A) it took me forever, it seems, to finish B) I didn't even listen to it when I workout! The problem with it is that you need headphones, or like that kind of hook up, so I listen to it in a car and during my "workout" times. I don't drive very far, and workouts don't really last that long. Well all in all I finally finished the book picking my brother up from school. When that music came on at the end, I was like finally! So now I am able to finally #BookTalk about this book!

Paper Towns is a book about a senior boy, Quentin, a senior in high school, trying to understand a girl, Margo, he always idolized since he was little. One day she disappears and he uses the clues she left behind to find her. As he tried to piece the clues together he realizes that he truly never knew her at all. This book has such great quotable moments and just so hilarious dialogue! Really brings you back to senior year of high school when you were young, free and infinite.

Plot

I don't know if it was because I was reading this book in parts but the section when
Quentin is trying to find clues to find out where Margo was. AHH Forever and a century long. But I did love it. It was very interesting everything seemed to point to Margo's death but it was the opposite. It really was pointing to Margo's life. It was surprising just like Margo herself. The plot of discovering Margo, really allowed for Quentin to discover what he wanted from life, and from the people around him. It was a truly captivating novel.

Characters

Fanart of Margo

Margo. Oh Margo how you are so difficult to understand. Margo is like many of us lost in a sea of synthetic-ness. As we try to discover ourselves, and how people see us and what that means for our lives. Do we become just like the people we hate or are we someone else? Are we all truly paper people? Well Margo you are still a mystery to me even after I finished the novel. You are so daring and brave but also very confused. Margo seems like she has the world wrapped around her finger, as if she is in control but she could not be anymore trapped, suffocated by paper towns. Margo allows us to realize that we truly never actually know people. We can go a whole lifetime without knowing anyone at all. Margo is not a balloon. She is not paper. She is a person.

Fanart

I should talk about Quentin, since he is the narrator after all. But through him we learn about Margo, and Margo allows Q to experience different things, to better understand himself and the girl he adores. Q allows Margo to believe in something different even if just for a moment. Q you aren't half bad.




All in All

John Green always adds quotable works to literature! You got to love it! Even though realistic fiction is my least favorite genre, John Green does a great job at telling his story of mundane lives that could pretty much be our own. Even though long, it was worth reading in the end! I understand why people love this book. After reading one of his books, I feel like I learn something new about the world and the people who live in it. Now I can finally say yes,"I have read Paper Towns"

#BookCon and Awesome Librarians

I have a whole page dedicated to this awesome event. On May 31st (yes that is in 2 days!) BookCon is happening! 

I am slowing checking off my checklist, and making sure that am fully prepared! But how can I be truly prepared for this crazily awesome experience...you can't.

I just want to thank my awesome librarian for sharing with me this awesome event! Librarians are awesome and they make the best friends for book lovers. So make friends with your librarian if you have not already! Because they will tell you about awesome things like BookCon! 

I can't wait to share all the new books, and experience of that awesome day! 

Ekkk 2 days!

Happy Reading!

New Books!

I am always looking for a new book to read! So if you have any suggestions I would love to hear it!

Just leave a comment on this post!

Happy Reading!

P.S. #BookTalk on Paper Towns soon to come!

#BookTalk- Killing Ruby Rose by Jennifer Humphries

 Killing Ruby Rose By Jennifer Humphries

 When Rudy starts getting strange text messages, she gets roped into a series of murders. As she tries to find out, and who is doing this to her, she ends up finding a secret that changes her life. This mystery novel is filled with compromising situations, blood, murder and questions the effectiveness of the justice system, and the idea of justice itself.
Ruby Rose's obsession with shoes and the city's most wanted criminals gets her into a mess that could leave blood stains on her favorite pumps.

Plot

Maybe it is just me and the fact that I am very impatient, but I was not feeling this plot. I think it was probably because Ruby never received any real clues to find out what was really going on. So we were just blind the whole time until the last 50 pages of the novel when some truth finally is told. I know that is the point of a mystery, but let me explain further. As we go on a wild goose chase to find what the heck is going on with Ruby and these mysterious murders, I was losing faith in ever finding what was exactly going on (which is weird since you have to find out because the book has to end). It just seemed like things were always getting worse instead of better...clearer...(that's a better word), and you were never near to what was exactly happening.  And after finishing and realizing the cryptic lines where somewhat clues to the truth, it still was fuzzy. Fuzzy as in why were they so cryptic, the motive was just so off. I don't understand why they didn't tell Ruby the truth. What were they protecting her from? Nothing really. No one wanted to kill her or harm her, and holding the truth was doing exactly that. They were trying to spare their own feelings, and it was just plan messed up. Yes, the mystery got solved, but the motive to keep it all a secret was just not intelligent and totally fueled on secret keeper's emotions. I guess, that what made me mad in the end. That there was no good reason from keeping the truth from Ruby that truly it was to save their own self emotions, I am talking about you Jane Rose.
I guess the plot and characters truly showed the evilness in people, even when they think they are doing it for the right reasons. The lesser of two evils is still evil...

All in All

This book was not my favorite but it was a good read. There was a lot of action and romance! I just didn't relate much to any of the characters. And you already know how I left about the plot. But it was a great book to read that was not dystopian. I love a girl who can take care of herself, and will do anything to protect the ones she loves. So I would give it a 7 out of 10. I typical enjoy the books I read no matter how I dislike the plot, or the characters, but this one just didn't make the cut, for me personally.
But at the same time I would recommend the book, if you love hard to solve mysteries and a bad ass heroine and gun fire. It is the book for you.

#BookTalk- She is Not Invisible By Marcus Sedgwick

 She Is Not Invisible by Marcus Sedgwick

Oh my golly goodness! I don't know how to feel about the book. It was very different for books I typically read, and very unnerving. She Is Not Invisible is about a sixteen year old, Laureth, and her seven year old brother, Benjamin, traveling from London to New York to find their missing Dad. Sounds simple enough but that isn't the freaky part her Dad was obsessed with the idea with coincidences, and this number 354. As these kids are alone in a strange new place with limited clues to find their missing dad, things just get more and more strange. Oh and here is the kicker... Laureth is blind. I didn't know what to aspect from the book, but the interactive parts really just seem to cause you to have chills that even if coincidences are not truly haphazard, it is still freaky no less.

Characters


Laureth. First she is named after a chemical found in shampoo. If that doesn't make you destined to be a great protagonist and know what does. And second she is blind. Laureth character definitely allowed me to understand blindness in a different way, and how she is able to manage a new strange place with just her seven year old brother as her guide is just plan fascinating. Through the journey in finding her Dad, she finds more confidence in herself, and shows heart, when she is finding the people she loves. She freakin' traveled to a different country on a plane, across the water by herself! Amazing.

Benjamin. He has his own superpower, even though it hinders him but if you think about it people would write about his ability in comic books! The Benjamin Effect, his ability to disable any electronic device just by his touch. Pretty crazy! But he acts so much older than his age, as he as to be the eyes for his older sister. And see things and experience things that someone his ages typical does not. He is very brave. I love at the end when he just like "Hey Dad, we have been looking for you," all chill as if they were crazy driving around NYC all day.



Had to come up with my own character pictures because A) the book is not as popular to have fanart B) Laureth is blind, so we don't get character descriptions really

Plot

The plot was anticlimactic. It is strange to say but it kinda was. All day these kids are running around trying to find clues in anything to find their Dad. They come up short every time, and find out maybe Dad was getting a little crazy. But then these prisoners (out of nowhere, I might add) say they have their dad and they want to know where the money is, and I am like What?!?! Then when Laureth could die any second, her Dad appears with the police. We just fine that he was just mugged becasue the prisoner misheard him on the phone and thought he had money.
For a whole book being about coincidence then finding out coincidences are not really coincidences just really annoyed me, I guess.
But the wordsmith.org coincidence, (I even looked it up! it was truly freaky to see the character name there) was just spooky!
But I don't know, I wish the ending was less subdue and was more TADA! I didn't even mine that the dad magical appeared right when Laureth was running for her life, becasue I didn't want her to get hurt. But the story built up and built up and then fell short. But I guess that is also something to think about, we always look into stories expecting something epic. But nothing epic actually happened becasue they are just ordinary people. And for them it was epic...I guess something to think about.

All in All

I truly found the book interesting, as it takes to into the mind of a blind girl and the idea of coincidences. It is very interesting to see both of those aspects. By the end, knowing I would have to talk about the book, I was just like ehh... not bad but not super good either. I was really just going to shrug it off as a book I read. But the idea of coindences are really impressionable. Also the last paragraph made the whole book!
"Maybe something will happen to you.
Something so weird it makes you stop and think.
As weird as if you picked up a book, maybe even the book you're holding now, looked at the first word of every chapter, and you put them all together, and found a hidden message. Something to make you think, yes.
Yes, that's what we all need." 

It was hard to find the hidden message, I think it was because I was looking into it too much or something, or not enough. But once you read the book and you see it, you say will say, "yes, that's what we all need."

#BookTalk- Sweet Reckoning (Sweet Trilogy) by Wendy Higgins

 Sweet Reckoning by Wendy Higgins

Ahh! I am so excited to talk about this book. It had such a beautiful ending to the series. Ahh! Amazing! So Sweet Reckoning is the third and last book of the Sweet Trilogy, and I just want to start a slow clap right now for Wendy Higgins because I never read a book with a more beautiful ending. So the book goes...Anna knowing her fate that one day she would rid the Earth of demons, her life is threaten as demons want to see her died. As her faith is tested, she comes to understand the part she plays in the major plan of her life. She is able to find her true friends and bring an end to the darkness that haunts the Neph everyday. Finding out that love is truly the strongest force.

Since everyone by this point in the novel has a love interest that powers thier acts and thier fate by the end of the novel it is only fitting to explain them in pairs.


Characters

Anna and Kaidan

Thanks Tumblr!

The star couple of the whole series. Due to the fact that they are both Neph having a relationship is totally out of the question. There love for each other does not make the situation better. We as reader truly have gone through a roller coaster ride with their relationship. But in the end they were able to find happiness, how many readers can actually squeal of joy becasue their favorite couple made it through the end? I can't even express my happniess!

Anna

When we first met her she was so sweet, innocence and naive. But her pure heart saved them all and she was able to find the strength in herself and through faith in God, she was able to save the people she loved...well most of them. Poor Patti (silent tears). Anna's loving heart is admirable. Higgins development a beautiful main character. It is so funny to see she fight her own temptation becasue I always seem to forget that she has them, becasue she was not raised like her Neph friends. Her ability to overcome her temptation and still remain pure at heart is what makes her so admiring.

Kaidan

Don't even get my started of this lovely English drummer. Adore him, and his ability to change his ways throughout the series. He totally made a whole 180 turn. His love for Anna, truly reformed his heart and life. He is just the sweetest boyfriend/husband ever! Here is way:
1. the Necklace- first gift he gave Anna
2. Not having sex- this is his greatest temptation but he stops for Anna, and himself. Showing how he is no longer happy with bring people to sin. Just plan romantic.
3. Doesn't have sex with Anna until they are married
4. The Grand Canyon - never thought a carter in the ground could make me cry so much
5. No daughters- his mental scared from all the work his father put him through, he wouldn't want to see that experince with his own child. Too sad.
6. Still wanted his father to make the right choice and go to heaven- after all the awful stuff his father put him through he pleads with him to still consider joining them.
7. Him adopting a daughter- truly showing his changed self, and how great of father he could be to a girl even in spite of his past.

Jay and Marna

I thought Anna and Kaidan relationship was rough. Nothing compares to the sadness that coats Jay and Marna's relationship. Marna was always the sweet, and fun girl and a great friend to Anna even though she could never keep a secret! And Jay, Anna's best friend and a human, he is full of such corny jokes, and always watches out for Anna. When Marna and Jay met, no one would stop their love, and it was dangerous. Finding out Marna was pregnant, meant Marna's death. Their love was truly tragic, but it did not stop them from creating their own short happiness. I was praying that by some divine intervention that Marna would not die, just as Anna had hope. But sadly mistaken, RIP my dear Marna.


Blake and Ginger

I love them both. Even though Ginger was a little sour at first, I could understand how she truly cared for her sister and friends. Blake is always trying to lighten the mood and always a great friend! This couple is just too precious (I basically said that about everyone but it TRUE!), they need each other in ways Anna might not even fully see. Blake loves Ginger just the way she is sassy and all. He even accpets that they will never get married, and is okay with that, knowing all he wants is her. After all the fighting they can finally be together. Finally.

Kopano and Zaina

I thought Kope would never get over his lust for Anna. Just as Anna's father and Kai said they seemed like the perfect match. And Zaina seemed like a lost cause, as she struggled with alcoholism and her hate for man. But together the both of them were able to help and support each other. And yes they got married! Ahh! this book has so much happiness. I can't contain my smile! Pure joy for all the character by the end.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All the lovely characters!

All in All

I truly enjoyed reading this book! It sent my heart on a roller coaster of emotions, but it settled with happiness becasue the characters were truly able to have their happily ever after. There is plenty of forbidden love and action. I always wanted to write a book about the deadly sins, but Wendy Higgins did such a better job about it than I could of ever imagined! She is such a wonderful author, and this series is truly a reflection of her great world building and storytelling abilities! It is wonderful to see that love does prevail in the end.

#IreadYA Week

I am proud to say it is I Read YA week! Celebrating the awesomeness of Young Adult fiction. If you haven't already pick up, I am a fan of hashtags. So join me in spreading the word about why you love YA and don't forget to hashtag #IreadYA

 

The week festivities include the following:

Since today is the 19th it is "you recommend"

Here is my top 10 list of my favorite YA novels:
1. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
2. Fault in Our Stars by John Green
3. If I Stay by Gayle Forman
4. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
5. Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins
6. Would You by Marthe Jocelyn
7. The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin
8. White Cat by Holly Black
9. Heist Society by Ally Carter
10. Adoration of Jenna Fox By Mary E. Pearson

 (I could probably make the whole list dystopian but I  changed it up)  I hope you give these a try!
Happy Reading!

#BookTalk- Cress (The Lunar Chronicles) By Marissa Meyer

Cress by Marissa Meyer

Cress is the third book in the Lunar Chronicles. Meyer is the master of the sci-fi fairytale. She is able to take traditional fairytales and places them into this sci-fi setting creating the ultimate sci-fi epic. This book was based on the fairytale of Rapunzel. This book is not as easy to summarize as the others because there are so many stories and underlining plots happening all at once. So I am going to leave it as the sci-fi retailing of Rapunzel. It is action packed and filled with romance. It is highly recommended to read this series in order. Since there is plots upon subplots, you need to understand everything that is going on by reading from the beginning even thought each book is about a different character.
I am going to take the time to explain the different plots in the plot section.





Plot

Underlining Rapunzel Story

Cress

Cress has been locked away in a satellite forced to do the evil Queen Levana biding. Once she has found information to warn Earth of the queen's plan, Cress bands together with the most wanted criminals of Earth to stop her. Cress is soon throw on Earth, making all her dreams a reality. As she tries to navigate Earth, and her feelings, she helps Cinder and her friends put an end of Queen Levana's reign.

Okay, now my thoughts about the plot that surrounds Cress. I turly love hearing the new stories in the book. Cress is just so precious and sweet but do not mistake her, she is also very smart. Meyer does a great job with connecting this new characters into the bigger picture of the plot. Making a seemly random character have a purpose. Everyone always connects in some way. It is so shocking, and really eye opening when it comes to the bigger overlying plot.

 

The Big Picture *SPOILER for the series*

Leading Ladies

Cinder discovers she is the long lost princess who has rightful claim to the the Lunar throne! But get this, she is half cyborg. As she bans together with the most unlikely of people, she creates a plan to take down Queen Levana. But there is a problem Cinder is the most wanted criminal on Earth, and Levana would do anything to have her killed. She is not safe on Earth or on the Moon, she seeks refuge on a spaceship. When she is able to get in contact with Cress, Cinder has a plan to save her from her captivity, but plans change as her crew gets separate. It is up to Cinder to save them, and find a way to stop a royal wedding that would lead Earth into destruction. Only way to do that is by kidnapping the Commonwealth Emperor.

This plot keeps getting better and better. The plot from pass books every end, even though each book is able someone new. It always continuation of everything character's personal storyline, as well as this bigger picture happening to stop Queen Levana. Meyer really thought threw all her plot points just when you think you know everything there is always something new to shock you. It is like each book is the onion layer and you keep peeling the layers away getting deeper into the main plot. It is just fascinating and a wonderful read. The plot to this book is my favorite part, she leaves you off with these awesome cliffhangers and you can't wait to see what happens next for the characters, and what fairytale Meyer is gonna use next. It is just plan brilliant.


Setting

This book takes place in the future where there are people who leave on the Moon! Crazy thought, but these are not regular people, they have special gifts. The gifts allows them to influence people minds.  This crazy sci-fi is something totally different. And on Earth there are androids that look human, and all different kinds of robots they help in everyday life. There are also cyborgs. This world is pure science fiction. Meyer does an awesome job of building worlds, and governments and characters that face all these challenges as they try to understand the time and place they are living in. It is truly an awesome setting! If I would have to pick a place to travel to in any of my books I have read, I would pick the world Meyer created. The more I read the more I understand the elaborateness of her world, and how everything she created has a place in the plot of the novel.

Characters

I usually always always always talk about the characters if nothing else. But for me this novel is different, yes the characters are a key part in the novel. But if you read the book, you will understand how it is so hard to write. There are so many story lines and characters to talk about. Don't get me wrong there is a bunch of awesome strong female leads, and male leads as well. They all have their own unique story, and underlining plot. Marissa Meyer really took the time to create each character uniquely with a purpose in the series. No one is random, and they all have their challenges and trails. Even through Cinder is the main character of the series, all the other characters are very well developed. Meyer is such an underrated author, who should be noticed. She has great skill, and I hope by reading her novels you will see the time and effort put into every aspect of the series.

Library Day!

Today I went to the library and a got a bunch more books! Bad idea considering I still have to bunch more to finish before I get to read them. But I can never resist a new book!

Adding to my book shelf will be as follows:

Paper Towns by John Green
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
*The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen
She Is Not Invisible by Marcus Sedgwick

Considering I am passed my teen years, I thought I would try to be a grown up and look for books in the adult section. So for my first adult book find:

The Rook By Daniel O'Malley

*As a lover of books, I just had to share that with the whole world. So in high school I helped start a book club. I still go back when I can and participate. Since college has ended, I will be happy to join in on their next book club book: The Running Dream.

Cannot wait to create a #BookTalk about all of these new finds!

Happy Reading!

Mini #BookTalk-The Least Likely by Jim Lupis

I don't usually do short stories, but since I know the author I want to give him a shout out for his great start in the writing world.

The Least Likely By Jim Lupis

Since it is a short story, there is not a lot of detail I will go into as I do for my other #BookTalk. The short story is about a character's great triumphs as he surpassing obstacles with God's strength. It is a truly an uplifting piece, and should be shared. This story says that even though everything is against you, God can make things possible in your life.  The author uses flashbacks to show how far the character has come. It is a very effective in this narrative, since you cannot go in a huge detail about the character's life.

Question to the Reader: If you were going to have one flashback to show the change in your life, what moment would that be?

If you liked this short story check out his novel The Olive Tree by Jim Lupis!

Happy Reading!

#BookTalk-Ignite Me By Tahereh Mafi

Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

I am so excited to talk about this book! I can't contain my excitement! Mafi is just plain brilliant! I just finished the last book in the Shatter Me Series, and oh my golly what a roller coaster ride of emotions! Before I dive into my thoughts about the book here is a brief synopsis of the Shatter Me series. When Juliette Ferrars realizes she has a deadly touch, she is locked away from the world and is to live in isolation for the rest of her life. But one day she meets a boy who was able to touch her without getting dying. As she discovers her true inter power, she realizes that she has a gift that can change the world. And she learns not to fear herself but to embrace it, realizing everything she ever needed is inside her.

Enough with the formalities! Time to react!



Plot

I typically like starting off talking about  the characters becasue it usually encompasses the plot, but I just have to give it its own section this time! Once you thought you knew the plot of this novel Tahereah Mafi was like BAM and turned the whole plot on its head. I thought this novel was strictly dystopian. They live in a world ruled by a force called The Reestablishment. The Reestablishment "saved" the citizen after the Earth started to become destroyed because humans abused the plant's resources. The character that is used to explain this world to us has been looked in an asylum for the majority of her life, and the last time she was outside there was still grass on the ground. You are trapped in a limited view of this person's personal narration. Everything is just as new to you as it is to the character, you feel how trapped she is in her own body. Then escape happens, thinking this could be your basic a captivity narrative, in the dystopian future, but that just it. It's not! Which makes this bloody brilliant! This book's plot is not just about a girl trying to break free from the people who have locked her up, it is not for her to find a human connection to find someone who treats her like a human being and not a monster, no no no. It is about her, Juliette Ferrars. You might be saying obviously, because she is the main character. But Mafi was able to make it uniquely about Juliette. The book focus on how Juliette's journey in finding her inner strength. Juliette even says it is not about them, it is about her. The ultimate girl power! I love how Mafi makes the obvious not the correct POV. She always gives the different prospective, so we can never see what is coming next.

Characters

by Tumblr's LorieFlores

Warner. He was supposed to be the bad guy, but Mafi has a way of writing where you could not even hate him for too long. You were willing to accept him and his seemly psychopathic tendencies. It was scary, how she made you actually like the bad guy. So reading the last book in the series,  we as readers are able to better understand Warner's motives. Mafi truly brings out a multidimensional character that even Juliette has trouble understanding. I loved Warner's ability to be so strong and fragile, and how he brought the best out of Juliette. He saw her strength even in her weakness. We found both  the good and the evil in his character. That bad boy turned good is always a great depiction of perception vs. reality and shows how POV really shapes a narrative. I typically root for the first pick, always. But Warner truly grew on me...
One of the best elements about Warner is his tattoos. It is so weird to say. But through his tattoos we learn so much about him. Down his spine, the word IGNITE is tattooed. Warner was a dead robot before he meet Juliette, they both needed something to cause them to live, actual live, their lives. They were able to that that through each other. The second one is "hell is empty and all devils are here." This quote shows how he experience evilness in the world, and just like Juliette, has lost hope of human connection. They both have a chance to change that, and make the world a better place to live in by the end. Just plain lovely really.

Thanks Tumblr for awesome pic!

Kenji. This book would not be whole with out this character. He is obviously the comic relief, but also so wise. He is Juliette's best friend. They talk about their feels and he makes jokes that cause Juliette to blush and the reader to die of laughter. Kenji is one of those characters that if he died, you would raise hell. In this book, Ignite Me, Kenji was Juliette's greatest confidant as she vented to him about her boy drama between Adam and Warner. He never said the best thing but it was always the right thing, the thing that would allow Juliette to stop being so dependent on others, and really seek her own strength. He allowed her to process and understand herself. Through Kenji's crass unadulterated humor readers are able to see things that Juliette sometimes can not see herself, or does not what to admit. He definitely makes my favorite characters of all time list!

Thanks Tumblr!

Adam. Even though after reading Ignite Me, I really have nothing to say about him. It's not becasue I don't like him, I am just indifferent. Just as Juliette is no longer in love with him, but still cares. I am kind of in that same spot. I do not hate you but it is like ehh. BUT I do have one or two things to say about you Adam, don't feel left out!
Thing one. He is strong for his brother. I truly love when characters fight for their family, it breaks my heart. I understand Adam, I get where he is coming from when he wants to give up. I understand his feelings when he yells at Juliette. Shit. I would yell out Juliette too! But Juliette is right when she says that they were so desperate for love that they made their relationship what they wanted. In Unravel Me, I just died when she broke up with Adam. Why Juliette do you play with his emotions? I still had hope for their relationship (I didn't even know what to think about Warner, then). But Juliette is right. Adam is a protector, a caretaker, and Juliette is no longer that girl.  He suffered so much, that when things were seemly right, he didn't want to change them. He is selfish, in the best way one can be. He was looking for happiness in his life...finally, something good. He did not care about the starving or The Reestablishment rule. He just wanted to be happy.
But Adam, sometimes things are not all about you. Sometimes happiness is in the simple things in the messed up world you live in. And sometimes you just cannot run away from your problems, in hopes someone else will deal with it.
Thing two. I can't leave Adam with a bad taste. I am happy you lived, and you are with-ish Alia, and James is still alive. I am happy you are Warner can be brothers. Good for you, my friend. Good for you.

Juliette. What is there to say but that she is a bad-ass heroine. Read the freakin' book, no explanation needed. She got out of her own head, and started standing up for herself. You go girl! Don't let boys control you. She knew her strength and challenged anyone who would tell her otherwise. She can deflect bullets, and can break cement walls. Can we all say bad-ass! Hats off to you my friend!

All in All

As I wind down from the crazy book high, here are my final thoughts. I finished so many series this past month. I faced them with great anxiety, a fear of ending a fantastic story. And this series was no different. I really truly enjoyed the plot twists and dynamic character development. But most of all I love the way Tahereh Mafi writes. She uses short sentences in a very effective way. Making the emotions and thoughts evolve in your mind as they did in Juliette. Mafi wrote in a way were you truly felt as if you were in the story. One top of that, there were plenty of quote moments in all 3 of her books, especially Ignite Me. Can we just do a slow clap right now for her writing abilities?! How can a writer write so little but meant so much? Tahereah Mafi teach me your writing ways!

I am so glad I found this series. I truly enjoyed the journey it look me on. I know there is probably so much more things I should of said. But there is just so many things I cannot put into words, becasue they are of the speechless variety. Just plain brilliance!

Another win for this dystopian superhero mix! Definitely on my Must Read List!

#BookTalk-Sweet Peril (Sweet Trilogy) By Wendy Higgins

Sweet Peril By Wendy Higgins

Shifting gears to a totally different genre. I guess this would be classified with the other YA fallen angel type novels. But I am not even going to define it as that at all. Sweet Peril is the second book to the Sweet Trilogy. In this novel, the spiritual beings in the world are brought to light. There are demons called Dukes, each are in charge of a deadly sin, it is their job to bring humans into darkness, and to lead them to do sinful acts. The Dukes' children are called Nephilims, half human and half demon, and they aid their father's in their work. Wendy allows us to look at the world around use differently, and I think she relieves the idea of true faith in God. Anna Whitt, a Nephilim, is part human, demon and angel. She is first exposed to this world and her true identity by Kaidan Rowe, his father is the demon of Lust, and trouble starts form there. As Anna starts to understand herself, and everyone like her, as well as her parentage. She realizes she is made for greater things. I won't give it all way becasue a) don't want to spoil this incredible awesome series b) I have not finished the series yet!

The way Wendy builds her world around us is interesting. I usually don't like books about demons. But the way Wendy brings these two worlds together, shes seems to be exposing what is already around us, rather then speaking about fictitious events.

Now lets talk about what really matters:

Kaidan Rowe and Anna Whitt.

There relationship is a step up from your typical Romeo and Juliet complex. They are dancing with death even being together. As much as I want them together, I don't want them dead either. I always feel torn between them together and them apart. Yes, they are safer apart, but than together... AHHH. And to top it all off, the book starts off with two Nephilims getting killed becasue they feel in love with each other. Not the greatest news for Anna and Kaidan. So far the past two books someone has died at the end, and stakes keep going up! I need to read the last book. When I finish the Sweet Trilogy, I will write a full evaluation of the characters, and the world development.


Do you agree? Disagree? Or find something that I didn't, I would love to hear your comments!!

#BookTalk-Champion (Legend Series) by Marie Lu

Champion by Marie Lu

 If you haven't read this series and love dystopian fiction, I highly recommend this book! Ahh so good. Champion is the last book in the Legend Trilogy. The trilogy is about two young adults, Day and June. They live in the United States in the future but as the government structure starts to lose control of inside and outside forces. Day and June are both challenged to uncover the truth of the lies they have been told since they were little, and find out what is best for their nation. This dystopian novel is told from the POVs of Day, a criminal, and June, a high society government solider. When their paths cross everything changes, and they find out they are more alike than they are different. This novel is action packet and of course what is a YA without a little romance! As these teens try to find their way, they start to understand what's best for their nation as well as themselves.

If you haven't read this book, come back and read this when you finish.

Okay. Where do I begin!

Characters


Day has my heart. He loves his family to the end, and that is what drives him. His compassion for those people around him, causes him to stand up for those who don't have a voice, in this socialist society. It is just plain beautiful! He does the things that are not easy. And I always love someone who can ran form the police. This criminal is a Rodin Hood of the future. Love him! And on top of that he is Mongolian, don't let his blond hair and blue eyes fool ya. I love when authors through someone diversity in their character's ethic background.
Let us appreciate this awesome fanart by Cassandra Jean!

At the end of the novel, I still love him. I have total faith in his ability to make decisions. He comes near death, and that still does not stop him from doing what he needs to do to save the one he loves. But at the end of Prodigy, the second book, he just plain ripped my and June's heart out! Ahh Day! All for good reason. He did not want to get her hopes up, when he found out he didn't have much time to live. But still!!! Killing me with your love and care for other, just killing me Day! But in the end I am glad, he and June both found each other, beating the odds. Every obstacle, even Day's memory lose, could not keep them apart. Just a beautifully developed character all in all.


June is the most dynamic character in the novel. As she battles with what she was taught and the truth, she truly develops and grows into a character that has a better understanding about the world and nation  she is lives in. I have a love hate relationship with June. I love her bad-ass fighting skills and how she handles majority of her situation. But when it comes to her love life, I just want to smack her over the head.
It took her all three books to realize she loved Day. It was when she realized he was dying in her arms. Like I guess the saying is right, you don't realize what you have until it is gone. June is too self-sacrificing when it come to her relationships. Day on the other hand is a little more selfish. June likes to look at all the players involved and not just herself, which is a very admirable quality. But still it is a book, and I want my happy ending. I can only handle so much. She knew that in the society they lived in Day and her couldn't have a real future, the both knew that. So she starts thinking about her relationship with Aidan, the young knew ruler of the Republic. And the problem with that is that Aidan is actually a good guy! You can't even hate him and the worse part is that he understands her feels for Day, and accepts them without malice towards Day!
The men in this book, ughh I can't even.
Anyway, June is like I don't want to hurt Aidan, becasue he is so sweet, but it's clear she has feelings for Day but she is not sure how deep they run. When she realizes that she loves Day, it is like YESS! But then at the same moment she realizes that he doesn't remember her or their relationship at all when he wakes up form his coma. She does the more noble thing, and she makes the hard choice, and releases him from her. She does not try to force his memory, she accepts it and let's it go! In the moment I am so annoyed, WHY June?!?! But it's okay they found each other at the end. Because you want to know why?!?! They were meant to freaking be together! That's why!
Fanart by Patsie in Books & Novels

Setting

The setting of the novel plays a key part in understand the role of government. The lesson learned is that there is no good or bad way all have their own faults and short comes and it up to us to pick the lesser of two evils. Through out the novel, Lu allows us to think about socialism and capitalism is different lights, examining the successes and short comes. She even takes us off the continent to Antarctica, and shows us a totally different way of government, the idea that through good deeds people excel. But June rises a good question, who determines good from bad? This also shows us the faults in a a society that this. Marie Lu shows how there is no such thing a perfection when it comes to government. And yes there will be conflict, but hopefully out of that conflict will come something better.

All In All

Final thoughts. I loved the complexity of Marie Lu's world building. She really thought about every aspect of these characters lives, and nothing was over looked. Dystopian fiction has a problem of being too generic, after the popularity of the Hunger Games every reader feels like the definition of dystopain is found in the Hunger Games (lies!). I love the Hunger Games, but I don't like how it has become a category identifier. Marie Lu is an author with beautiful writing abilities. And yes it is like HG becasue it is dystopian but it is not  the Hunger Games. The characters are different and the plot is different and the world is different.

This book is beautiful and it is a wonderful addition of the dystopain genre!

Note from the Blogger:

 
I am changing the blog around a little bit, the book talks will be found on the home page. And the Book Talk page will explain more of the elements of my book talks, instead of the book talks themselves. So if you see things shifted around that is why. I am really trying to get a hang of blogging, and it is just trail and error to see what works best.

New booktalks are soon to come!
Don't Forget to follow me on Twitter : @KirstenNicholas
 

Happy Reading!

#BookShelf

Follow me on Shelfari! I am a little slow with my Goodreads account, but if you would like to know what books I am reading Shelfari is the best place to look!

I am currently reading:

Killing Ruby Rose by Jessie Humphries
Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi
Sweet Reckoning by Wendy Higgins
Cress by Marissa Meyer

Since I have trouble actually reading that many books at once...
I am actively reading:

Ignite Me by Tahereh Mafi

I usually start a bunch of different books, but then take the time to actually finish one at a time. Ignite Me is the last book in a trilogy by Tahereh Mafi. I am trying to hold off reading it, I don't want the series to end! But I have to read it, I really want to know the fates of the beloved characters!

Book Talks soon to come!

Happy Reading

Exiting Reality, Entering Fiction

This blog looks into the after. How we feel after we read, and try to better understand our feels after we finish a book. As readers we need that time to decompress from the intensity of getting sucked into a novel.

Join my #booktalk time, as we tired to engage in conversation about books, and share in the anxious excited we feel when we finish.

If you have any recommendations on #booktalk topics, please let me know!