{REVIEW} Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

Title: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Author: J.K.Rowling
Series: Harry Potter
Book: 2
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Adventure, Children's Middle Grade
Rating: ★★★★★

Blurb from Goodreads:

The Dursleys were so mean and hideous that summer that all Harry Potter wanted was to get back to the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he's packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature named Dobby who says that if Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike.

And strike it does. For in Harry's second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor, Gilderoy Lockheart, a spirit named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girls' bathroom, and the unwanted attentions of Ron Weasley's younger sister, Ginny.

But each of these seem minor annoyances when the real trouble begins, and someone—or something—starts turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects…Harry Potter himself.

My Reaction/Thoughts:

I read the second Harry Potter book! And I loved every second of it. I love spending my time in Hogwarts with our dynamic trio. I love the magic and the world. It's all so fascinating that I hate myself for not reading these when I was a child. Why didn't I just stick it through? I should have forced myself to read them until I loved them. (Shame on you, Dee!)



“Because that's what Hermione does,' said Ron, shrugging. 'When in doubt, go to the library.”

As always, the writing was fantastic. I could picture everything perfectly and feel as though I were right there. Maybe it helps because I've already seen the movies multiple times so I have that vision in my head...oh well. I loved it. I really like Rowling's voice. She brings this magical world with a touch of humor, as well as inspiring. I think it's a good thing I am reading these as I am older so I could really appreciate them more.

“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” 

Harry, Ron, and Hermione continue to be my imaginary best friends. I love their loyalty and protectiveness to each other. I seriously had to smile every time Ron wanted to deck Malfoy for calling Hermione a Mudblood. These three are perfect. I really like the new additions we saw also, i.e. Moaning Myrtle.

“Oh well... I'd just been thinking, if you had died, you'd have been welcome to share my toilet.” 

Can we just take a moment to appreciate Fred and George? These two...ay LOL

“Fred and George, however, found all this very funny. They went out of
their way to march ahead of Harry down the corridors, shouting, "Make way for
the Heir of Slytherin, seriously evil wizard coming through ......

Percy was deeply disapproving of this behavior.

"It is not a laughing matter," he said coldly.

"Oh, get out of the way, Percy," said Fred. "Harry's in a hurry."

"Yeah, he's off to the Chamber of Secrets for a cup of tea with his fanged
servant," said George, chortling.

I could probably quote these two all day, but I'll leave you to just read this series for yourself and appreciate them!

The only problem I had was that the chamber of secrets had such a small appearance. It came and went so quickly! I was already towards the end with three chapters left thinking "when the heck are we going to see this chamber?!"

Overall, I loved this book. I can't wait to finally read the others whenever I can actually get my hands on them! I am loving the journey.

{REVIEW} The Wrath & The Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

Title: The Wrath & The Dawn
Author: Renee Ahdieh
Series: The Wrath & The Dawn
Book: 1
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Retellings,
Rating: ★★★★★

Blurb from Goodreads:

A sumptuous and epically told love story inspired by A Thousand and One Nights

Every dawn brings horror to a different family in a land ruled by a killer. Khalid, the eighteen-year-old Caliph of Khorasan, takes a new bride each night only to have her executed at sunrise. So it is a suspicious surprise when sixteen-year-old Shahrzad volunteers to marry Khalid. But she does so with a clever plan to stay alive and exact revenge on the Caliph for the murder of her best friend and countless other girls. Shazi's wit and will, indeed, get her through to the dawn that no others have seen, but with a catch . . . she’s falling in love with the very boy who killed her dearest friend.


She discovers that the murderous boy-king is not all that he seems and neither are the deaths of so many girls. Shazi is determined to uncover the reason for the murders and to break the cycle once and for all.

My Reaction/Thoughts:

“Some things exist in our lives for but a brief moment. And we must let them go on to light another sky.” 

First of all, THAT ENDING KILLED ME.
Second of all, THIS BOOK KILLED ME.

I am honestly in shock that this a debut novel because of its pure perfection. I have not read a book that I have fall so immensely in love  and I am so glad I read this. This was phenomenal. I am in awe.

First of all, Ahdieh's writing is beyond words. The way she writes is with such ease and it flows like poetry. I was completely captivated by her words and her story. I seriously could not put this book down, nor did I want it to end. I just finished and I can already feel a book hangover coming until I get the sequel into my hands.

“She was a dangerous, dangerous girl. A plague. A Mountain of Adamant who tore the iron from ships, sinking them to their watery graves without a second thought. With a mere smile and a wrinkle of her nose.” 

What I really enjoyed about this book was the retelling of A Thousand  and One Nights. I have never heard of this story before but I was intrigued when I found out this was a retelling so I immediately how to do research before reading this book and I have to tell you, the way Ahdieh incorporates this story with the tale is just fantastic. I absolutely loved it. I was so enthrawed within the stories Shazi told Khalid and every story inside the novel in general. I felt like I was there. I could see everything so clearly and felt everything down to my toes. If that's not amazing writing then I don't know what is. Her world is absolutely gorgeous and captivating. I enjoyed this world and look forward to learn more about Khorasan and the magic within.

“So you would have me throw Shazi to the wolves?”
“Shazi?” Jalal’s grin widened. “Honestly, I pity the wolves.” 

Shahrzad was definitely my favorite character, aside from Khalid obviously, because of her "silve tongue" and strength. She was not afraid to speak her mind and would not bow down to anyone. She is determine to exact revenge on the one who killed her best friend but as her defenses are taken down she sees that Khalid is not all that he appears to be. She loves to deeply and it's what makes this love story between these two so epic. 

“It’s a fitting punishment for a monster. to want something so much—to hold it in your arms — and know beyond a doubt you will never deserve it.” 

On the other hand, Khalid was the epitome of perfection. I love him. He is ridden by his guilt and he holds the entire kingdom on his shoulders. He is the Caliph of Khorasan and just trying to do what he has to for his people, though with twisted and haunting consequences. He is so guarded and closed off that you just want to give this guy a hug which makes it more refreshing when you see Shazi finally get passed his closed doors. Seriously, this man is beautiful. His heart is beautiful and I just love him to pieces. He just earned himself a spot on my book boyfriend list, if not the book boyfriend. We all know that I have a weakness for royalty so...

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

This book also has some great friendships. I loved Shazi's growing friendship with Despina (who is also a fantastic female character) and Jalal. Jalal also has an interesting relationship with Khalid because they are cousins and it's so sad to see Jalal try to get Khalid to open up to him even though he resists so greatly. I can't wait to see their relationship grow stronger as well.

Overall, this book was amazing. I am already looking forward to reading it again! I think it's definitely my new favorite book of 2015.

Enjoy my fangirling below ♡

{REVIEW} The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

Title: The Winner's Curse
Author: Marie Rutkoski
Series: The Winner's Trilogy
Book: 1
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Science Fiction
Rating: ★★★★

Blurb from Goodreads:

Winning what you want may cost you everything you love... 

As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions.

One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin.

But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined.


Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.

My Reaction/Thoughts:

“Isn't that what stories do, make real things fake, and fake things real?”

This book was a splendid surprise. I was instantly hooked right from the start, however it kind of lost me somewhere in the middle. The plot seemed to be headed nowhere fast and I had no idea where the overall story was headed. But I am happy with where we ended up. Boy, am I happy where we ended up! This book had a great cliffhanger ending that instantly hooked me all over again. I am intrigued by this world, these characters, and this society. It's unique and entertaining. I cannot wait to read the sequel.

“You might not think of me as your friend,' Kestrel told Arin, 'but I think of you as mine.”

The only thing that really bothered me with this book was the characters. Well particularly, Arin. I did not like him at all in the beginning. He was so cold and such a jerk! I hated the way he would talk to Kestrel and how rude he was. She tried to be nothing, but nice to him and he acted so ungrateful. Then when he was ready to be open to her and let her in, his "feelings" seemed a little out of nowhere. I enjoyed watching their slow progress to a connection and affection, but it just felt a little unbelievable that he cared as deeply as he claimed he did considering how cold he'd been. However, he really did redeem himself at the end and made me learn to love him. So I am now on board the Kestrel x Arin ship. LET IT SAIL!

Kestrel was a good character though. She was sweet and strong in her own might. She was still learning about herself and trying to figure out what she wanted out of her life. She hates that she only has two options and longs to find her third path. I look forward to reading more of her journey and see where her road leads.

The writing of this book was easy to understand and I didn't feel overwhelmed. The world building could use some more details so I really know what is going on here, but I kind of liked how we see a bit more of the political side. We saw a rebellion strike right away in book one and that's a nice change. I can't wait to see what happens next!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was fun and entertaining. Regardless of my very small issues, I loved it. And the whole format of the book was fantastic. I loved the deckled pages and the sideways chapter headings, as well as the BEAUTIFUL cover and font. Whoever designed this book is a genius.

{REVIEW} Emerald Green by Kerstin Gier

Title: Emerald Green

Author: Kerstin Gier

Series: Precious Stone Trilogy

Book: 3
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Romance 

Rating: ★★★★

Blurb from Goodreads: 

Gwen has a destiny to fulfill, but no one will tell her what it is. She’s only recently learned that she is the Ruby, the final member of the time-traveling Circle of Twelve, and since then nothing has been going right. She suspects the founder of the Circle, Count Saint-German, is up to something nefarious, but nobody will believe her. And she’s just learned that her charming time-traveling partner, Gideon, has probably been using her all along. Emerald Green is the stunning conclusion to Kerstin Gier's Ruby Red Trilogy, picking up where Sapphire Blue left off, reaching new heights of intrigue and romance as Gwen finally uncovers the secrets of the time-traveling society and learns her fate. 

My Reaction/Thoughts: 

Oh this was just as much fun!! I had a lot of fun reading this series and I can't believe it's over already! This book was filled with even more fun time traveling and fancy dresses and mysteries. I am so glad we finally got some answers though because the suspense was killing me! Though it was a tad predictable because all my theories were correct. However! I'm so glad there was a twist that I did not see coming concerning the count! I found the whole storyline with him to be so interesting, though a bit confusing at times because I don't quite understand all the scientific principles that go into time travel. But nevertheless, I had fun! 

The plot really pulled through with this installment. There were twists and turn and a much more satisfying climax then the previous two novels. We got a lot of answers to those prophesies that seemed rather simple if you ask me so I really don't know how Gwen and company really didn't put two and two together sooner. However, the "magic of the raven" was surprising and I was shocked to learn of what Lucy and Paul had planned for Gideon. IT MAKES ME SO HAPPY! I love happy endings! 

I am beyond excited that Gideon finally admitted his feelings for Gwen and we were able to see some cute scenes with Gwen and Gideon. I was so frustrated the first 100 pages or so that Gwen was avoiding Gideon like the plague because she was so hurt! But it's okay because we got a whole lot of cute! I am more than satisfied!! 

Gwen stayed the silly, snarky girl that I loved since Ruby Red and I am glad of it. I am glad that she was a little sassy and didn't back down to anyone. I enjoyed her more in the book and Lesley as well. I loved seeing how many people cared about Gwen and wanted to help her. Even Xemerius was looking out for her best interests and wanted to stay by her side when she was scared. He was still the cute little riot that I love. I enjoyed his snarky comments and how much he looked after Gwen. I especially loved how Mr. Bernard helped Gwen out and worked to keep Charlotte from snooping around Gwen's room. (Now we know why after that prologue!)

Speaking of the prologue...OMG! I LOVED IT! It is so touching to see Lucy and Paul get their happily ever after and their relationship with Gwen grow! *happy sighs*

The philosopher's stone just reminded me so much of Harry Potter so I knew right away that the evil count just wanted to make himself immortal. I wondered if why only Gwen had a prophesy that was spoken of and not the other travellers? Were they not as important? Was their only role to provide their blood to the chronograph? It would have been nice to get to know a little bit about them as well, but that's just me being greedy I guess.  I do wish these book were a bit longer so that I could have learned more, but alas I'll take what I am given. 

I recommend this series over and over. It's so easy to read and such a fun time. I do admit I got a little confused here and there, but I just went with the flow and everything made sense in due time. It's worth the read.

Happy reading!

{REVIEW} Sapphire Blue by Kerstin Gier

Title: Sapphire Blue
Author: Kerstin Gier
Series: Precious Stone trilogy
Book: 2
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Romance
Rating: ★★★★

Blurb from Goodreads:

Gwen’s life has been a rollercoaster since she discovered she was the Ruby, the final member of the secret time-traveling Circle of Twelve. In between searching through history for the other time-travelers and asking for a bit of their blood (gross!), she’s been trying to figure out what all the mysteries and prophecies surrounding the Circle really mean.


At least Gwen has plenty of help. Her best friend Lesley follows every lead diligently on the Internet. James the ghost teaches Gwen how to fit in at an eighteenth century party. And Xemerius, the gargoyle demon who has been following Gwen since he caught her kissing Gideon in a church, offers advice on everything. Oh, yes. And of course there is Gideon, the Diamond. One minute he’s very warm indeed; the next he’s freezing cold. Gwen’s not sure what’s going on there, but she’s pretty much destined to find out.

My Reaction/Thoughts:

This book was even better! Although rather frustrating to no end! I didn't get any of my questions answered, but instead gained even more! Gwen is still trying to learn more about her special gene that allows her to time travel and what role she plays specifically in "closing the Circle." However, no one still won't tell her a single thing!They expect to just do what she's told and not ask any questions. Um, I'm sorry but that's just don't work for me! I am just waiting for her to elapse into a time where she can run into Paul and Lucy so hopefully they can answer her questions because I am getting rather annoyed! However, I still had a load of fun reading this! I enjoyed all the kissing between Gideon and Gwen!! Oooh la la!

I think my new favorite character that was introduced in this book was the little gargoyle Xemerius that follows Gwen around. This little guy is an absolute riot! I loved all his commentary he would give about Gwen's friends, especially about Charlotte and Gideon. He was so fun and added a good amount of comedic relief. 

Speaking of Charlotte. OMG. Can Gwen just shut her down already?! I cannot wait until she gets her piece of karma. This girl is the absolute worst! I hate the way she talks to Gwen and what she says about her! She is so full of herself and I just wish she would go away. I could not believe she would go talk so ill about Gwen to Gideon! As if that would made Gideon not like Gwen any less. Charlotte is so immature and it's rather cute how she thinks she is above everyone else. Oh sweetie, you're delusional.

Gideon, however, oh dear Lord. This book can stop giving me whiplash anyday now! He runs so hot and cold that I think Katy Perry wrote her song with him in mind! Gideon is really making it hard to love him, but I shall anyhow! I really wish he would stop spending so much time with Charlotte though because he's just feeding her ego! Bleh!

I wanted to scream so much when we finally get a declaration of love from Gideon only to have the stupid count tell Gwen that females are easier to control when they are in love with you so Gideon was just manipulating her (not that he had to use much effort) UGH!

What I really liked about this book and I hope I see more in Emerald Green are the scenes where Gwen elapsed and saw her grandfather when he was younger. I thought this was so touching considering he's dead in the present and she didn't get to see him as much. I loved that he is there to help her. It's so cute. I loved how at the end of one of their times together Gwen tells him to save his awful mustache because it really doesn't suit him well. hahaha awe! *hugs self* 

I love the direction the story is going though. We are finally getting somewhere. We learn a little about the Florentine Alliance and its rivalry with the creepy Count Saint-Germain. I am looking forward to learning more about the prophesies surrounding Gwen and Gideon and what is exactly going to happen when the Circle closes. I have my theories, but I shall see once I read the last book! I can't believe I was skeptical to read these books because they are great! I am having so much fun and I'll say if you are doubting whether you should read them yourself to go ahead and just do it! Give them a chance! 

Now I am off to punch Gideon if he doesn't tell Gwen he loves her! 

{REVIEW} Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier

Title: Ruby Red
Author: Kerstin Gier
Series: Precious Stony Trilogy
Book: 1
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Romance
Rating: ★★★

Blurb from Goodreads:

Gwyneth Shepherd's sophisticated, beautiful cousin Charlotte has been prepared her entire life for traveling through time. But unexpectedly, it is Gwyneth, who in the middle of class takes a sudden spin to a different era!


Gwyneth must now unearth the mystery of why her mother would lie about her birth date to ward off suspicion about her ability, brush up on her history, and work with Gideon--the time traveler from a similarly gifted family that passes the gene through its male line, and whose presence becomes, in time, less insufferable and more essential. Together, Gwyneth and Gideon journey through time to discover who, in the 18th century and in contemporary London, they can trust.

My Reaction/Thoughts:

I thought this was a really fun book to read. It's fairly simple to read and easy to get into. At first it can be a bit slow, but that is too be expected because so much information is thrown at you and we are learning everything just as Gwen is learning (whilst annoyingly being kept in the dark!) But I had a lot of fun reading this. I didn't think I would just because I wasn't too sold on the whole concept of time-travel, but I have to admit that I am so interested and can't get enough of this story. I love that these books are translated from German as well. I don't think I really ever read a book that translated to English before? At least in Young Adult. So I just find that so fascinating!

The plot was really entertaining and I enjoyed myself. I started to feel badly for poor Gwen when everyone just kept putting her down all the time! It's not her fault she wasn't properly trained! No one can be as annoyingly perfect as the wretched Charlotte! I think Gwen did rather well considering she was learning how to talk and act in the eighteenth century in a matter of days! It definitely made me realize how much more work it would be to actually time travel. However, this book was so short! I felt like it went by so fast and so little happened and right as I was really getting into it IT ENDED!

And can we just talk about that epilogue?!

The romance: it's seriously lacking in this book. I know Gideon and Gwen just met a few days ago, but if I have to suffer through more scenes of Gideon with Charlotte I might scream. I can't stand it! I don't want it! Give me Gideon and Gwen now! Please!!

Overall, this book was a lot of fun. It was simple, quick, and quite entertaining. I can't wait to find out more about Lucy and Paul more about Gwen because questions! So many questions!

{REVIEW} A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Title: A Court of Thorns and Roses
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses
Book: 1
Rating: ★★★★★ + a million

Blurb from Goodreads:

A thrilling, seductive new series from New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas, blending Beauty and the Beast with faerie lore.

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she's been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it . . . or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.


Perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and George R. R. Martin, this first book in a sexy and action-packed new series is impossible to put down!

My Rating/Thoughts:

This book will be the death of me! I think it's safe to say that Sarah J. Maas is unquestionably a genius when it comes to building a great fantasy novel. Not only did this book have great mix of faerie lore, but it was a fantastic retelling of Beauty and the Beast (which is my favorite movie of all time).

I loved this world! I loved these characters! I loved EVERY SINGLE HOT GUY IN THIS GLORIOUS BOOK! Oh man! TAMLIN! LUCIEN! RHYS! I don't think my heart could take anymore hot guys! I loved the sweet romance between Tamlin and Feyre! It was heartwarming, sweet, funny and perfect! I loved the friendship and protectiveness between Lucien and Feyre and even the new founded relationship between Rhysand and Feyre!

Feyre was such a strong female lead and I absolutely loved her character development. I can't wait to see what else is in store for her! She had such hatred and resentment in her heart that it was such a complete 180 to see her so selfless at the end. The lengths she went to save not only Tamlin, but the very faeries that she hated in the beginning. Plus, she's such a bad@$$.

And we just can't forget about Tamlin's sweet, cute attempts to court Feyre. I couldn't stop laughing!

“You look . . . better than before."
Was that a compliment? I could have sworn Lucien gave Tamlin an encouraging nod.
"And you hair is . . . clean.”
Oh, my sweet Tamlin. *sighs*


GAH! SARAH J. MAAS!! HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO WAIT A WHOLE YEAR FOR THE NEXT BOOK?! MY EYEBALLS NEED IT NOW!

March Wrap-up

MARCH WRAP-UP

This month was a great reading month for me! I read a grand total of 10 books! I am really proud of myself because I was feeling rather lazy while reading, but I pushed through because all of these were pretty great. 

1) Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan: ★★★★

2) The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan: ★★★★★

3) The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan: ★★★★★

4) The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan: ★★★★★

5) The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan: ★★★★★ 

6) Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard: ★★★★★
7) Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover: ★★★★★
8) Dreams of Gods & Monsters by Laini Taylor: ★★★★★
9) Steadfast by Claudia Gray: ★★★★
10) The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks: ★★★★★

{REVIEW} Dreams of Gods & Monsters by Laini Taylor

Title: Dreams of Gods & Monsters

Author: Laini Taylor

Series: Daughter of Smoke & Bone

Book: 3

Rating: ★★★★★ 

Blurb from Goodreads:

By way of a staggering deception, Karou has taken control of the chimaera rebellion and is intent on steering its course away from dead-end vengeance. The future rests on her, if there can even be a future for the chimaera in war-ravaged Eretz.

Common enemy, common cause.

When Jael's brutal seraph army trespasses into the human world, the unthinkable becomes essential, and Karou and Akiva must ally their enemy armies against the threat. It is a twisted version of their long-ago dream, and they begin to hope that it might forge a way forward for their people.

And, perhaps, for themselves. Toward a new way of living, and maybe even love.

But there are bigger threats than Jael in the offing. A vicious queen is hunting Akiva, and, in the skies of Eretz ... something is happening. Massive stains are spreading like bruises from horizon to horizon; the great winged stormhunters are gathering as if summoned, ceaselessly circling, and a deep sense of wrong pervades the world.

What power can bruise the sky?

From the streets of Rome to the caves of the Kirin and beyond, humans, chimaera and seraphim will fight, strive, love, and die in an epic theater that transcends good and evil, right and wrong, friend and enemy. 

At the very barriers of space and time, what do gods and monsters dream of? And does anything else matter?

My Rating/Thoughts:

“Once upon a time,an angel and a devil pressed their hands to their hearts

and started the apocalypse.” 

I am going to start by saying this book was a monster! 613 pages of glorious writing that made my heart shrivel up from heartbreak and expand 20 sizes bigger because AVIKA AND KAROU♥♥♥♥♥

Seriously, it was that fantastic. It did take me a while to get into because for a while I just felt like nothing was really going on. There was a lot of building up and I just had to force myself to read. I think the problem I usually have is when authors will introduce new characters and give their perspectives and it takes me a while to get used to them. I don't know this person. I don't know their story and I don't care about them right now. 

But let's talk about the plot first (because I could write my own novel about the characters alone). The plot of this story was pretty good. I looovvvvveeedddd that the seraphim and chimaera finally came together to defeat Jael! YAAASSSSS! However. I didn't like how this whole "plan" kept getting hinted at and it really wasn't anything too special. Avika just burned a handprint into Jael and threatened to ignite it unless he left Earth with no weapons? Okay. That's a little anticlimatic. I was waiting for this huge brawl to finally take down Jael and his army, but I guess I was still satisfied. I also enjoyed that we saw more of the Stelians and the origin of sirithar. That was actually a little surprising (Poor Akiva). 

"It was not a happy ending, but a happy middle-- at last, after so many fraught beginnings."

Overall, this story was satisfying and I am beyond joyed that I got my happily ever after for Akiva and Karou! Seriously guys, their love is awesome sauce! They have the kind of love that everyone should strive for. I was in love with Avika. I was in love with Karou just reading Akiva's perspective. I felt it! I wanted it just as badly. Their glances! Their longing! GAH IT WAS SO BEAUTIFUL! *cries*

“But let's not be casual about this body, okay?" She nuzzled him back. "It may be your soul that I love, but I'm pretty keen on its vessel, too."

And what I really, really, really liked about this book was how love was based on your soul. Karou fell in love with Akiva's soul, and vice versa. It doesn't matter what you look like, love only cares for your soul and who you are. The fact that Liraz could fall in love with Ziri despite the fact that he was chimaera was beautiful. I love this message and it makes me all giddy! 

Now as for the characters, Laini Taylor really knows how to make you fall in love with every single character she writes about. Except Thiago because seriously who needs him? But I loved them all! Karou, Akiva, Zuzanna, Mik, Ziri!!!, Even tough-exterior-Liraz, Issa, Hazael. Everyone! 

“You are a conniving, deceitful hussy. I stand in awe." 

"You're sitting."

"I sit in awe.” 

I loved Karou and Zuzanna's friendship so much. I loved that she wanted to help Karou and it actually tore her apart because she couldn't stay and help her friend. Their exchanges were just so beautiful that I would tear up here and there because they are amazing.

Even Zuzanna and Mik had a beautiful relationship. I loved how geeky and brave Mik was. And romantic! This guy! Let me tell you. The fact that he would not propose to Zuzanna unless he performed 3 heroic acts was so heartwarming. They joked around with each other so much that it was so cute and then when Mic would act on those jokes to make Zuzanna happy? Awwww! (:

I am currently now in a book hangover because I just loved this world so much. I love Laini Taylor for writing just a great fantasy trilogy that was so unlike anything I've read before. I loved the world she built with their legends. Now I will forever be looking up to the sky looking for my own portal to Eretz (:

{REVIEW} Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor

Title: Days of Blood & Starlight
Author: Laini Taylor
Series: Daughter of Smoke & Bone
Book: 2
Rating: ★★★★1/2

Blurb from Goodreads:
Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love and dared to imagine a world free of bloodshed and war.

This is not that world.

Art student and monster's apprentice Karou finally has the answers she has always sought. She knows who she is—and what she is. But with this knowledge comes another truth she would give anything to undo: She loved the enemy and he betrayed her, and a world suffered for it.

In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter of Smoke & Bone, Karou must decide how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, secrets and impossible choices, Days of Blood & Starlight finds Karou and Akiva on opposing sides as an age-old war stirs back to life.

While Karou and her allies build a monstrous army in a land of dust and starlight, Akiva wages a different sort of battle: a battle for redemption. For hope.

But can any hope be salvaged from the ashes of their broken dream?

My Rating/Thoughts:

“I am one of billions. I am stardust gathered fleetingly into form. I will be ungathered. The stardust will go on to be other things someday and I will be free.” 

First of all: I don't want to be in a world where Akiva and Karou don't love each other. It just can't happen.

“Your heart is not wrong. Your heart is your strength. You don't have to be ashamed.” 

This sequel was so much more compelling. I seriously love this world and want to be a part of it forever. Now I know it took me about a month to read because I was seriously lacking, but I still loved it so much. It had so many twists and turns that made me gasp and to the edge of my seat. I was so surprised and just love Laini Taylor's writing and imagination. All the characters are so great and make you love them so much. *ahem* Ziri, Hazael. And then she just rips your heart out! No spoilers!

“Mercy breeds mercy as slaughter breeds slaughter. We can’t expect the world to be better than we make it.” 

Okay, now I hate alternating POVs. They are the bane of my existence. I mean I get why we have them and we get so much more out of them, but I just hate how quickly they switch and sometimes it takes me out of the story. Taylor does, in my opinion, switch the perspective a little too quickly for my liking. Once I am engaged in the story and what is happening, BAM! NEW PERSPECTIVE. Sigh. But I still loved the different storylines that came together. I was so sad that Akiva and Karou were so distant from each other!! LIKE THEY NEVER EVEN HAPPENED AT ALL! UGH Akiva is just falling into the soldier he is while still trying to preserve the dream he and Karou had, while Karou...well she lost sight of that dream. She feels helpless and allies with the monster of all douchebags Thiago (gah I hate that jerk with every fiber of my being). And it takes her a while to see straight, but once she does...man is it EPIC! I cannot wait to read the final book because Taylor knows how to leave off on a huge cliffhanger!

“It was the worst kind of silence, but a good kind of closeness. These weren't her folk, but...they were, and maybe that meant that anyone could be anyone's, which was a sort of nice thing to think, with the world falling apart.” 

Days of Blood & Starlight  is a great sequel. It's exquisite and I am only saddened that it took me so long to finally finish it.

Would I recommend? Try this fantasy novel. Give yourself a change and give it a chance (:

{REVIEW} Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

Title: Daughter of Smoke & Bone
Author: Laini Taylor
Series: Daughter of Smoke & Bone
Book: 1
Rating: ★★★★

Blurb from Goodreads:

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

In a dark and dusty shop, a devil’s supply of human teeth grows dangerously low.

And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real, she’s prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands", she speaks many languages - not all of them human - and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out.

When beautiful, haunted Akiva fixes fiery eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

My Rating/Thoughts:

“Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love. 

It did not end well.” 

Perfect. This book is what I think I have been looking for in a great modern fantasy book. It's filled with a great world that I just didn't want to leave! It's a bit confusing at firsts because there is a lot of world building, but once I got the hang of it and understood everything, it just clicked. Everything made sense and I fell in love. I enjoyed the characters so much. Karou is such an interesting character and I loved her. Akiva is a dangerously sexy angel that you can't help but fall in love with. Once I really got into this book, I couldn't put it down. Even though my head was killing me and I couldn't read anymore, I kept going. I had to finish it.

“Wishes are false. Hope is true. Hope makes its own magic.” 

What was most interesting was the creatures in this novel. There are the "angels" the Seraph, or seraphim, and the Chimaera, the "devils" and they both have such a twist. Both chimaera and seraphim have different legends about how they came to be and it's so interesting to read the different legends in the book. The chimaera also are portrayed a little differently. In this world, they are half human and half various beasts. Reading all the descriptions in the book, I always thought "whoa that sounds so weird."  The book also goes back and forth a lot and it can be a bit confusing, but I think it was a great concept. The author doesn't spell it all out for us and makes it easy. Oh and I loved all the title pages at the beginning of a new part for the book with the feathers and the "Once upon a time..." introductions. It was so cute and really hooked me into the story.

“Once upon a time, an angel lay dying in the mist.

And a devil knelt over him and smiled.”

The magic in this novel had a nice twist as well. In this book, magic comes from pain. Magic has a cost and it was interesting to see how Brimstone would get so upset with Karou using magic on what he perceived as wasteful. I loved his relationship with Karou and Madrigal and how the novel showed that progression backwards. I am not going into too much detail because I don't want to spoil anyone but I will say one thing. One of my favorite small things I loved was how Madrigal would make all her random wishes out loud instead of actually using the scuppies (who wouldn't want a necklace of scuppies to keep around their neck to make wishes? I know I would). My favorite one was "I wish I had blue hair." That was my favorite and made me smile!

“And yet, something tied them together, strong than any of that, something with the power to conduct her blood and breath like a symphony, so that anything she did to fight against it felt like discord, like disharmony with her self.”

I LOVED LOVED LOVED AKIVA AND KAROU!!!! Their romance was so cute! So passionate and unlike any that I have read in the past couple months. I just loved it so much and can't wait to see what happens in the next books. I definitely need to pick the next books up immediately because I am dying to find out what happens next.

Would I recommend? Yes. This is a great fantasy novel and you should read it if you are looking for a different read that has a new world and great romance. I loved it. I mean look at that gorgeous cover? Doesn't that alone make you want to read it? (:

{REVIEW} Opposition by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Opposition
Author: Jennier L. Armentrout
Series: Lux
Book: 5
Rating: ★★★★★

Blurb from Goodreads:
Katy knows the world changed the night the Luxen came.

She can't believe Daemon welcomed his race or stood by as his kind threatened to obliterate every last human and hybrid on Earth. But the lines between good and bad have blurred, and love has become an emotion that could destroy her—could destroy them all.

Daemon will do anything to save those he loves, even if it means betrayal.

They must team with an unlikely enemy if there is any chance of surviving the invasion. But when it quickly becomes impossible to tell friend from foe, and the world is crumbling around them, they may lose everything— even what they cherish most—to ensure the survival of their friends…and mankind.

War has come to Earth. And no matter the outcome, the future will never be the same for those left standing.

My Rating/Thoughts:
“Oh no. Oh, hell to the no to the tenth power.” 

It's always difficult to read a last book in the series because you never know where it's going to leave you. I usually only have two reactions. Either I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT or I am left heartbroken and empty because I expected more. This book has actually left me somewhere in the middle for the first time ever. I loved the ending and I thought the epilogue was very sweet, but everything else was a bit eh for me. Don't get me wrong I still absolutely love this book and it was filled with just as much action, jokes, and love as the rest of the series, but I thought the end with the Luxen was a bit hasty and left me thinking "that's it?"

“The most beautiful people, ones whose beauty is only rivaled by what is inside of them, are the ones who are quietly unaware of it.”

Now Origin left off with all the Luxen coming down on Earth like a bunch of fallen angels and they were quickly assimilating DNA from humans and killing everyone. I was still unsure where this world domination was going because it seemed they were targeting people who had families and public officials. So it was a bit disappointing that the one behind it was was Ethan just wanted revenge on the humans and that was the one and only reason why the Luxen were brought to Earth to complete mass destruction. Which says something because even Daemon and Katy voice their disappointment.

Nonetheless, it was still a fun read. I liked that we had to go to the Arum for help to defeat the Luxen and enemies became frenemies. I enjoyed Archer and Luc more in this book. They quickly became more of my favorites. They were both were just so darn funny that I loved them to pieces!

“Get out of my head.” “I can’t help it,” Archer replied from where he sat on the couch. “You’re broadcasting your thoughts so damn loudly I feel like I need to go sit in the corner and start rocking, whispering Daemon’s name over and over again.”

Now maybe it was because I expected more or maybe it was because the whole book was a little depressing, but I wasn't rushing to finish this. I mean I did come down with the flu and there was no way I was going to be able to power through this and that may have affected by overall reaction to this book, but it was just good to me. Not great.  This book did feel like a post-apocalyptic-dystopia and maybe that's why I felt like it was a tad depressing. There is still a lot of action which is nice. There is a lot of the same sarcasm and funny scenes. And there are a lot of hot steamy scenes with Katy and Daemon. Their relationship has really matured over these novels and it's nice to read because it depicts reality. JLA wrapped up this series nicely and I am so glad I read them. They are forever now one of my favorite series. I love her writing and how she just filled the books with a bunch of pop culture references! She brought up the Avengers, The Walking Dead, and countless Harry Potter references! I loved it and it always made me smile. I also loved how even our characters were thinking logically but then would bring up random stuff all the time. It was so entertaining to read because it was just so relatable!

“Hell, I’d keep her in Bubble Wrap if it weren’t so damn creepy and also inconvenient, considering I had a terrible habit of obsessively popping the damn things until not a single bubble was left.” 

Overall, I still really enjoyed it and I think it was a nice read and a good conclusion to the series. I am so sad that this series is over and I am going to deeply miss Daemon and Katy and Dee and Archer and Luc and just about everyone! These characters quickly became a part of me and I love them so much!!
I think my ranking of the books will have to be:
Obsidian
Origin
Onyx
Opposition
Opal

But that's just my opinion! And yes, I totally recommend!

COVER REVEAL: The Heir by Kiera Cass

OH MY GOSH I AM BEYOND EXCITED! IT'S SO BEAUTIFUL I COULD CRY! *BOUNCES AROUND HAPPILY SQUEALING* The cover has been revealed for the upcoming book in Kiera Cass's The Selection series and I could not be any happier! 

Title: The Heir

Author: Kiera Cass

Series: The Selection

Book: 4

Genre: Young adult, Dystopia, Romance, Fantasy

Expected publication: May 5, 2015 by Harper Teen

Official Synopsis:

Twenty years ago, America Singer entered the Selection and won Prince Maxon’s heart. Now the time has come for Princess Eadlyn to hold a Selection of her own. Eadlyn doesn’t expect her Selection to be anything like her parents’ fairy-tale love story. But as the competition begins, she may discover that finding her own happily ever after isn’t as impossible as she always thought.

OH MY GOODY GOODY GUMDROPS! ISN'T IT BEAUTIFUL! I am so excited for this. I loved The Selection series so much. It holds a special place in my heart and America and Prince Maxon are seriously one of my OTPs. The fact that this series was already over and Kiera Cass decided to give us two more books has completely sent me over the hills and into another galaxy because I am so happy. I cannot wait! I cannot wait! I cannot wait! This is beautiful. That dress! That tiara! Oh my goodness *dances around*

{REVIEW} Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Onyx
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series: Lux
Book: 2
Rating: ★★★★★

Blurb from Goodreads:
Being connected to Daemon Black sucks…

Thanks to his alien mojo, Daemon’s determined to prove what he feels for me is more than a product of our bizarro connection. So I’ve sworn him off, even though he’s running more hot than cold these days. But we’ve got bigger problems.

Something worse than the Arum has come to town…

The Department of Defense are here. If they ever find out what Daemon can do and that we're linked, I’m a goner. So is he. And there's this new boy in school who’s got a secret of his own. He knows what’s happened to me and he can help, but to do so, I have to lie to Daemon and stay away from him. Like that's possible. Against all common sense, I'm falling for Daemon. Hard.

But then everything changes…

I’ve seen someone who shouldn’t be alive. And I have to tell Daemon, even though I know he’s never going to stop searching until he gets the truth. What happened to his brother? Who betrayed him? And what does the DOD want from them—from me?


No one is who they seem. And not everyone will survive the lies…

My Rating/Thoughts:

“I could always give you a teaser. You bookish people love teasers, don't you?”

HOLY FEELS BATMAN! This book was so much fun! I am overstuffed with the feels tingling in from my fingers to my toes.I LOVED IT! The only minor problem I had with it was that after that big "battle" with the DOD, I felt like that was the end of the book, but I had about 70 pages left. So I was left wondering "oh boy, what the heck is going to happen now?!" Also, I noticed a few typos here and there. Um, who the heck didn't catch those? Other than that, I had so much fun!

“Your mail could've waited." Daemon followed me into the kitchen. "What is it? Just books?"
Grabbing the OJ from the fridge, I sighed. People who didn't heart books didn't understand.” 

Katy was even more amazing in this book. I connected to her even more. I loved how invested she was in her books and her blog. She feels actual pain when she couldn't read as much or how excited she is when she gets more books. SHE UNDERSTANDS ME! I also love how this is only the second book and she's already becoming this amazing, fierce heroine. She doesn't want to sit around waiting for someone to save her, she wants to be beside Daemon fighting as his equal and not behind him. I loved that about her. She didn't give up on her training and needs to learn to protect not only herself but Daemon, Dee and her mom. She is already showing great character development and I can't wait to see where the other books leave her. By the way, whoa she's like a crazy hybrid now! I knew that connection was more than just weird link between her and Daemon. I'm a little jealous...

“Daemon was a total babe, but he was stab-worthy, which at times zeroed out the babe part. Not always, though.” 

Daemon...Oh sweet baby Jesus why aren't you real?! It actually pains me that this guy doesn't exist. I love him with every fiber of my beeeeeeeing! He was even more lovable in this book and I didn't even think that was possible. I loved how he was determined to show Katy how what he felt for her was true and pure. He wouldn't give up on her and it was so touching. I LOVED how he would bring her her favorite treats to school in front of everyone. And he brought her a rose?! *cries and dies* aaaawwwww!

Blake.....I DIDN'T WANT TO TRUST YOU AND YOU MADE ME! AND BROKE MY HEART! I liked him and wanted Katy and him to have a nice friendship, but nope. I will not forgive you, Blake.

Dee. Awe poor Dee. I am so sad we didn't get to see her as much. Katy was so stuck with her own business with Blake and Daemon that she didn't have any time to spend with Dee and it bummed me out. I missed her. I was kind of confused why Dee was so upset about not hanging out with Katy but when she gets her to go to the movies why was Ash and Adam brought along? Wouldn't you want to spend solo time with Katy if you missed her so much? That was weird to me. Regardless, I want more Dee in the next books!

Now for the storyline. I thought it was pretty entertaining and a nice touch that we got more into the DOD  (though not much). I'm still left with questions, but it was interesting to stick our toes in. I want to know more about this so called Daedalus. This book opened up many doors for the next books and I look forward to reading more. I don't want to get too much into the plot because I'll want to spoil everything. So I will just leave it as: it was great, entertaining, and sucks you right in and doesn't release you until you finish the whole book. Yes, I finished this book in a day. I couldn't put it down!

Now onto Opal!

Oh! Side note: the whole book I was wondering why it was called Onyx...and FINALLY it came into context during the last couple chapters. O_o

Would I recommend this? YES! WHY HAVEN'T YOU READ IT? Don't you love Daemon? Aren't you obsessed? Go! Read it now!

Waiting on Wednesday #1

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're just itching to get our hands on.

Title: The Retribution of Mara Dyer

Author: Michelle Hodkin

Series: Mara Dyer

Book: 3

Genre: Young adult, fantasy, paranormal

Expected release date: November 4, 2014 by Simon and Schuster 

Blurb from Goodreads:

Mara Dyer wants to believe there's more to the lies she’s been told.
There is.

She doesn't stop to think about where her quest for the truth might lead.
She should.

She never had to imagine how far she would go for vengeance.
She will now.

Loyalties are betrayed, guilt and innocence tangle, and fate and chance collide in this shocking conclusion to Mara Dyer’s story.

Retribution has arrived.

Why am I waiting?
This book is the third and final book in the Mara Dyer trilogy and I cannot even begin to describe my impatience and longing to get my hands on this book. The Evolution of Mara Dyer ended on the biggest, most shocking cliffhanger and I have been dying to read this ever since. With the push back of this novel, I am glad we are only down to a couple more weeks!

What are you waiting to read?

*REVIEW* Cursed by Jennifer L Armentrout

Title: Cursed
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Rating: ★★★ 1/2

Blurb from Goodreads:

Dying sucks
...and high school senior Ember McWilliams knows firsthand. 

After a fatal car accident, her gifted little sister brought her back. Now anything Ember touches dies. And that, well, really blows.

Ember operates on a no-touch policy with all living things--including boys. When Hayden Cromwell shows up, quoting Oscar Wilde and claiming her curse is a gift, she thinks he's a crazed cutie. But when he tells her he can help control it, she's more than interested. There's just one catch: Ember has to trust Hayden's adopted father, a man she's sure has sinister reasons for collecting children whose abilities even weird her out. However, she's willing to do anything to hold her sister's hand again. And hell, she'd also like to be able to kiss Hayden. Who wouldn't?

But when Ember learns the accident that turned her into a freak may not've been an accident at all, she's not sure who to trust. Someone wanted her dead, and the closer she gets to the truth, the closer she is to losing not only her heart, but her life.


For real this time.

My Rating/Thoughts: 

Caution: this will contain mild spoilers.

I got this book free on my Kindle through Amazon when they offered me a free book if I signed up for their Teen novels newsletters. Among the choices, I chose this book because it was written by Jennifer L. Armentrout and sounded the closest to something that I would enjoy. Now I have never read anything by JLA before so I was pretty excited since I hear nothing but wonderful reviews for the Lux series. So I was a little bummed out that this book took me four months to actually finish. The start was really slow and I just kept putting it down and picking up another book instead. Every time I decided to give this another try, I would read about ten pages and then sit it back down. I think it felt like it was just a little too reminiscent of Shatter Me with Ember being able to kill with just her touch and plus being surrounded by others with special gifts as well (this always reminded me of X-Men (lol). So about twenty or so books later, I finally set out to finish this book once and for all and I would not rest until I had it done!

Ember is a bit of a loner in the beginning of the book. Ever since the accident, she is afraid to get too close to anyone for fear of hurting them. She has one friend named Adam and her sister, the only two people in the world she actually has in her life. Her mother is catatonic and has not said a word to her in two years. So after another freak accident in the grocery store parking lot where Ember accidentally kills her ex-boyfriend who got a little too close, Ember finds herself ripped away from her life, her school, her house, and within the residence of Cromwell, who for some unknown reason seems to find  the "Gifteds" and brings them together. As Ember begins to try to control her "curse" with the help of Hayden Cromwell, the sexy guy who seems to know a lot about her, she unlocks the secrets to the accident that changed her life.  

So, let's get down to business: Ember got on my nerves, plain and simple. She was overly accusing of Cromwell and his entire family and it got a little annoying. I admit it does throw you a loop when she finds out that the accident that killed her father and well, her, wasn't in fact an accident was shocking. But the fact that she does nothing but point fingers to Cromwell the entire book was irritating. I know Cromwell seemed a little suspicious and I would have suspected him too since he seemed too keen on wanting Olivia and her gift of bringing back the dead, but it wasn't like Ember actually took the time to get to know him either. She shyed away from him, she avoided pretty much everyone in the house and made them all extremely uncomfortable, which resulted in no one liking her and wanting her gone. They were all already afraid of her because of her gift and it didn't help that Ember's emotions were dark and isolated herself that made everyone even more afraid of her. Aside from all of this, I really enjoyed her character. I enjoyed reading her progress with trying to come to terms with her gift. It was kind of heart breaking to learn that she found herself to be so ugly and unlovable because of, what she considered, her "curse. So it brought a tear to my eye when she finally realized that she could take responsibility over this "curse" and control it. She wasn't soullesss or "unnatural and wrong" she was actually gifted like the others. Once she understood this, she was able to touch without killing. This made me feel so happy for her! Now she can have the life that she deserved and always longed for.

Now let's talk about the gorgeous Hayden. Hayden is an enerpath and I loved him. I loved him so much. He was just so cute and always looking out for Ember even when people warned him to stay away from her. Now I do find it a bit weird that he basically sort of stalked her for two years and said he loved her just by watching her, but it was still sweet to see how their relationship progressed. He knew he would never hurt Ember with his gift and regardless of everything Ember believed, he knew she would never hurt him or anyone and she wasn't a freak. He looked at her with such love and didn't even falter when he saw all her scars. He was just so perfect to me. *swoon* 

Now what I really liked about this book was the big shocker twist in the end. The whole book, you are wondering who actually caused the not-so-accident and what happened to her mother. Who wiped out her mother's memory to make her believe Ember is actually dead? Why  were they after Olivia? Who is bullying her at school? Who is killing dead animals and stuffing them in her locker? And what comes out is shocking! I did not expect any of it! My jaw literally dropped to the floor when I was reading. But I really enjoyed the ending. I enjoyed the comings together of stories intermingling and that Ember finds out she was not the only one who had her gift and even though that girl's fate led to a suicide, that didn't mean that Ember had the same end She could have a better life. I loved that she finally felt like she had a home among Cromwell and his children. I really enjoyed this book. It wasn't perfect by a long shot, but it was still enjoyable once it finally picked up. Now if this is one of JLA's "worst" books (popular opinion from her fans' reviews) than I am excited to read more of her novels to see how good those ones actually are. I am glad that it got better because I was really starting to doubt if I'd ever finish it so I am overjoyed that I ended up actually enjoying the end and the story line. 

Do I recommend it? Hmm, probably. 

But wait, so who did wipe her mother's memory? We will never know...

*REVIEW* The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey

Title: The Infinite Sea
Author: Rick Yancey
Series: The 5th Wave
Book: 2
Rating: ★★★★

Blurb from Goodreads: 

How do you rid the Earth of seven billion humans? Rid the humans of their humanity.

Surviving the first four waves was nearly impossible. Now Cassie Sullivan finds herself in a new world, a world in which the fundamental trust that binds us together is gone. As the 5th Wave rolls across the landscape, Cassie, Ben, and Ringer are forced to confront the Others’ ultimate goal: the extermination of the human race.


Cassie and her friends haven’t seen the depths to which the Others will sink, nor have the Others seen the heights to which humanity will rise, in the ultimate battle between life and death, hope and despair, love and hate.

My Rating/Thoughts: 
"It isn't that lies are too beautiful to resist. It's that the truth is too hideous to face." 

I absolutely loved The 5th Wave, but this book was just okay for me. I still enjoyed reading it, but I didn't get as much out of it as the first book. It just feels like a true filler book in my opinion. I felt like we didn't get to see much of Cassie and Ben as much as we did Ringer back in the compound. The whole first half of the story was just Cassie and Ben waiting around for Evan Walker to come back. It was uneventful. Even Ringer's POV was really long at the last third of the book and it still felt there was a lot of nothing going on. 

Cassie and Ben were holed up in the hotel waiting for Evan to come back. I did not have a problem with this so much as what happened when Evan did return. He came back with the warning of Grace and that she was a major problem for them to escape and leave the hotel, but it just seemed a little off to me.  Grace didn't serve a real purpose in my eyes besides the fact that she was brought in to turn Cassie into some insecure, jealous girlfriend when she realized she and Evan had a history together. Seriously, Cassie acted so immature upon meeting Grace that I was disconnected from her for a while because she was being an idiot. I just didn't think Cassie was as a good character as she was in the first book. Maybe because we didn't get to see her in the same light, but she kind of annoyed me. I still found her sassy and funny, but I just wasn't connected to her. For being "in love" with Evan as she seemed to say she was, she didn't really act like it either. I missed my cute, romantic Evan. I wanted more of him! 

I am happy for the multiple POVs that this book brought. It gave us more Ringer, another longer chapter for Evan, and Poundcake! It was really interesting to see his backstory and the reason why he doesn't talk. I felt so sorry for him! The only thing it lacked was a POV from Ben. I kind of missed his thoughts and feelings in this book. I hope we get to see his side in the last book. 

As for Ringer, I actually really enjoyed her the most and I think her chapters were what actually gave this book a higher rating than originally planned. I like that we see her backstory as well. We learn what happened to her before she was recruited, about her dad, and her name! Marika. Thought if I am being honest, the first couple of chapters I felt like I didn't really care about her (sad, I know, but I just didn't) but her last POV really opened up doors. I just kind of don't like that it was soooooo long. I think it should have been broken up more throughout the book. We didn't see her at all and I kept wondering what happened to her but then right when we see the big explosion at the hotel, we switch to Ringer for 100+ pages?! I was anticipating going back to Cassie and Ben so badly that sometimes I felt myself distracted with Ringer's story. I was getting bored reading about her just sitting in bed and not being able to eat. But I did enjoy her interactions with Razor (Alex, awe). I really liked his character as well. I thought it was so cute how he brought her a chess board and told her to teach him because she wanted to play. And the fact that he made up that silly chaseball game for her was so cute to me. I don't care if it maybe was a part of Vosch's plan, I thought it was cute. I just really liked their relationship together. I liked that he brought out a softer side of Ringer and was making her tell "jokes." 

"He brought me from the tomb. He raised me from the dead. He risked his life so I might have mine."

Which was nice to see him try to cheer her up and lighten her up because she's just so angry! She's so full of rage! And God knows Ben wasn't getting a smile out of her. 

"My anger is greater than the sum of all lost things."

Speaking of Vosch....what?! The twist involving the Others was pretty interesting and the reasons behind using Ringer as a tool was a pretty nice flip as well. Let's go hunt, Evan now because he fell in love! That's awful! Unacceptable! But I thought it was a lot Yancey threw at us all at once at the end. The rat metaphor was like "whoa mind blown!" No wonder we were so obsessed over those rats. These aliens basically see us as vermin and we are contaminating and ruining our home. We need to be wiped out. However, are they really aliens? What is actually happening? This series definitely took a nice turn and I am intrigued, so I am excited to see what this all actually means. 

But Ringer was pretty awesome and has definitely become my new favorite. Fierce! So Fierce.

"I don't want to save the world," I tell him. "I'm just hoping I might get the opportunity to kill you." 


I really liked this book. Solid four stars, but it wasn't as exciting as the first book even though we are given some pretty major questions. I think it could have been a bit better, maybe better spaced. I don't know. I just expected something more since it was one of my highly anticipated reads since I read The 5th Wave, so maybe I just expected more, but again it felt like a filler book. I can't wait for the last book though!