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Showing posts with label book review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book review. Show all posts
October 31, 2015

Maybe One Day by Melissa Kantor

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Zoe has been best friends with Olivia since elementary school, spending long hours dancing ballet in an elite program and hanging out together. But when the ballet program cuts them because they’re not quite good enough, they suddenly find themselves wondering what they’ll do with the extra time. Olivia volunteers at a community center dance program until she’s diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukemia. Without her best friend at school, Zoe is suddenly adrift, questioning who she is without Olivia and wondering how God can let a young, vibrant teen get so sick.
I admired Zoe’s devotion to Olivia. She visited the hospital, she called, she even took over her dance class on the weekends and Skype her in when she could. But most of the time, she feels helpless. Her grades slipped because when she’s not spending time with Olivia, she’s thinking about her. Truth is, Zoe was kind of lost before this happened with Olivia. She missed dancing, soccer didn’t cut it, and maybe she just wasn’t ready to trust herself dancing again. She didn’t have something to fill her time like she used to. I can imagine how out of control everything felt for her.
What happens to Olivia is obvious by the halfway point, but Kantor brings in a romance for Zoe, to lukewarm results. I never felt that there was any real chemistry between Zoe and Calvin, and that the story had the potential to stand on its own without him. There are ways to grow up without a boy by your side, and the relationship between Zoe and Olivia has enough to drive that point home. It’s clear that they each provide something that the other needs - patience for Zoe and a blunt voice for Olivia and the moments that showcase that are the most powerful.










Release Date: February 18, 2014
Publisher: HarperTeen
ISBN13: 9780062279200
Source: Bought via National Bookstore

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October 31, 2015

Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson

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Since You've Been Gone is a fun and light read kind of story. Emily is just shy and born socially-awkward when actually she's a fun girl to hang out with once you know her well. Befriending Sloane seems to be the best fit since she's all everything Emily is not. With Sloane, Emily could easily join in the talk and even make up funny jokes which she strangely couldn't do when she is on her own. It's like Sloane is the sun that makes Emily's beautiful unlit world shining bright.

Emily and Sloane are the best of friends and are incredibly close, so Emily is left lonely and confused when Sloane disappears without a trace. She's not answering her phone, her house is empty, and no one knows where she is. Sloane has literally just disappeared. No words, not even goodbye.

It's not until  two weeks later that a letter comes to Emily with a very familiar handwriting on it. Unlike what Emily expects the letter is about, It is some tasks or rather check list that Sloane wanted her to do.

This book is a wonderful combination of friendship, family and romance. Even though the romance with Frank Porter - The boy who offers to help Emily find her best friend and complete the list - is slow and really lovely, it's not the main focus of the sorry. It's all about Emily discovering who is without the person she spent the most time with, and who knows her better than anyone. It's about doing things that are outside of your comfort zone, and making new friends in the process.

Emily's new found friends make the story what it is, a cosy and wonderful summer trip. And Emily's relationship with her little brother is a delight. although some of the things that Sloane has set Emily to do may not seem life changing but i can see that they would've made emily feel accomplished.

If you're looking for a light read that is not just enjoyable but adventurous and have good lessons implied too, then this book is for you. It delivers a pleasant story of a girl's discovery of her self-worth, hidden urge to take risk, and true meaning of friendship during a period of summer. Go get it girl!













Release Date: May 6, 2015
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 1442435003
Source: Bought via Fully Booked

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October 23, 2015

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

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This is a world divided by blood - red or silver.

The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change.

That is, until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power.

Fearful of Mare's potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess, now engaged to a Silver prince. Despite knowing that one misstep would mean her death, Mare works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and bring down the Silver regime.


But this is a world of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance - Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart...


I finally read this one, you all! I was expecting it to be good because i'm seeing it most of the time on the bookish people i follow on Instagram and i was very pleased to discover that my assumptions aren't wrong. It is well written and I love how she wrote the surprising turns and political intrigue. The plot twist and betrayal is mind blowing.

It begins as all high fantasy dystopias do, with a young unassuming girl slumming her way through her rather unfortunate situation only to discover that she’s special. Yes, she is. Mare is discovered to be an impossibility, the secret that could topple an already precarious hierarchy. She have Red blood which supposed to not have powers like the Silvers do but as the story goes you'll get answer about why does she have that and you'll see that not everyone around you can be trusted.

The characters undergo some interesting changes, but I think I would’ve liked to have seen some more description of their backgrounds. I believe there is much to be discovered. We get glimpses of these things but I really would like to know more and have them more fleshed out.The glimpses that we got of this world make me want to hear more about it. Let’s hope that two more books in this series will be sufficient for some extra world-building.

Red Queen is a combination of a dystopia with a magical world setting. It's like an X-Men stuck in a high fantasy world on crack. If you haven't read it, well go get it! I'm sure you'll love this one too.

 The book 2 will be released on February 9, 2016 and i can't wait to buy it. I'm planning to Pre-order it and i'm hoping that Victoria Aveyard would come here to the Philippines because that would be super awesome! :D





Release date: February 15, 2015
ISBN: 1409151174
Source: Bought via National Bookstore

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September 04, 2015

The Space Between Heartbeats by Melissa Pearl

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It's about Nicky or Nicole who's now in between alive and dead. Her soul is being in and out of her body and i thought that part was a little weird. But anyway, She think she have a perfect boyfriend, a whole lot of friends but when she is missing? her friends doesn't even care. I'm pissed about that and i hate the Sheriff too. I'm pissed about her parents also but as the story goes i was like hey! i understand you guys. *sigh* Okay i'm giving too much spoilers now. I'm stopping right here.

Yes, there is some or maybe a lot similar stories like this but this book is a must read. It's amazing how it can make you realised how big the impact some things can cause/d to someone. I was completely shocked when the reveal came around. I didn't expect that coming. Of all people, why you? i thought you're a nice guy and could be friends again with her. (Another spoiler i guess?!)

This book is soft and comforting. I finished reading it in one seating and It make me cry for some reasons but i wouldn't tell you because i want you to read and experience the pain Nicky had shared with me. I must say that you really need to add this on your "to be read list".

(Thanking NetGalley and Alloy Entertainment for providing this copy in exchange for an honest review)


P.S.
The cover reminds me of Dale seeing Nicky again in one of their moments in the book.


P.P.S.
"I once lost, but now am found
  Was blind, but now I see"
- Amazing Grace, John Newton, 1779



Release date: September 08, 2015
Publisher: Alloy Entertainment
ISBN: 9781939106568
Source: E-book ARC via NetGalley

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September 04, 2015

The Girl With No Past by Kathryn Croft

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Twenty years running from your past. Today it catches up.
Leah Mills lives a life of a fugitive – kept on the run by one terrible day from her past. It is a lonely life, without a social life or friends until – longing for a connection – she meets Julian. For the first time she dares to believe she can live a normal life. 

Then, on the twentieth anniversary of that day, she receives a card. Someone knows the truth about what happened. Someone who won’t stop until they’ve destroyed the life Leah has created. 

But is Leah all she seems? Or does she deserve everything she gets?  


Everyone has secrets. But some are deadly.


Leah is trying to live a normal life after being involved in something horrific as a teenager. She is now working in a library with Maria who is trying to be her friend but she always seems to shut her down. As the story goes, it unveils what happen and why she always isolate herself to anyone who wants to be close to her.

 Everything in her present life is getting better for her. She'll be promoted as a Senior Librarian at her work, meeting Ben whom she's comfortable with talking 'bout her life and meeting Julian whom she felt like falling for but someone about her past knows the truth and trying to torture her. Her secret is so big that stains her present life so much that she feels unworthy of having any form of happiness.

 The story is told in past and present times but will not make you confused. It keeps you guessing to what happen that night? why there is someone who wants to take revenge? what happen to her friends? and if you think you've already figured out everything. Let me say that no you did not until you've read the last page. I love every twist and turns about this book. It's amazing and you'll never really see it coming.



(Thanking NetGalley and Bookouture for providing this copy in exchange for an honest review)


Release date: October 15, 2015
Publisher: Bookouture
ASIN: B014C5K68Y
ISBN: 9781910751237
Source: E-book ARC via NetGalley

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September 02, 2015

Nirvana by J.R. Stewart (Nirvana Series #1)

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When the real world is emptied of all that you love, how can you keep yourself from dependence on the virtual?

Larissa lives in a world where the real and the virtual intermingle. After the supposed death of her soul mate, Andrew, Larissa is able to find solace by escaping to Nirvana, a virtual world where anything is possible – even visits with Andrew. Although Larissa knows that these meetings are not real, she cannot shake her suspicion that Andrew is indeed alive. When she begins an investigation of the Hexagon, the very institution that she has been taught to trust, Larissa uncovers much more than she ever expected. Her biggest challenge, however, remains determining what is real – and what is virtual.

Nirvana is a fast-paced page-turning young adult novel combining elements of the romance, mystery, and science fiction genres. Part of a three-part series, this book introduces readers to a heroine who refuses to give up on the man she loves, even if it means taking on an entire government to do so. As the lines between the real and virtual worlds begin to blur, Larissa and the reader realize that all is not as it seems, and the complex mystery only deepens. (Goodreads)


I was invited by NetGalley to have an ARC of this book and I was like okay why not because the cover is so lovely and the synopsis is fascinating.

At first I was lost and I 'm a bit confused about the characters that I re-read the first part just to straighten out my mind because for me the story is really interesting that I can't just stop and not finish it. This is about Larissa whom she preferred to be called as Kenders. His husband Andrew is missing and all of them assumed that he is dead but Kenders is having a hard time believing it because she feels in her heart that Andrew is still alive. And there is Serge, her childhood friend that build Nirvana but doesn't own the authority anymore.

So that's all I can say for now haha! I don't want this to be a spoiler thingy.
"I feel a deep chill, you've got thin blood."
 Also, the formatting on kindle was kind of weird, it's like L

arissa blah blah blah...

It's confusing at times but maybe that was just because my copy was an ARC or i don't know. Anyway, if you feel the same, I suggest you give it a second try 'coz it was really a nice read but you just have to really really pay enough attention while reading it because there is a lot of things going on. I enjoyed it and you should give it a try too. I will request the sequel as soon as it's up.
(Thanking NetGalley and Blue Moon Publishers for providing this copy in exchange for an honest review)
Btw, they are giving away 5 signed copy of Nirvana. Here's the link Nirvana Giveaway
but i think it's only for US and CANADA :'(
Hopefully they'll give me a signed book of this or maybe i'll buy it once published and wait 'till the author comes here in the Philippines :D haha!

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September 02, 2015

The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong (Darkest Powers Trilogy #1)

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This is my first Kelley Armstrong book which was given to me by my aunt and uncle as a gift for my birthday together with her other book called The Gathering which by the way is the first book also on her another trilogy.

The first sentence in the book is "Mommy forgot to warn the new babysitter about the basement." and in my mind I'm hearing the sounds of like when a horror/suspense movie starts. It kinds of frighten me because I was reading it at night. A creepy basement, a mysterious past, an evil babysitter, and it all took place in a flashback? Uh-huh! yes, I’m in.

 For me, this book has a slow start and it really didn’t get a grip on me until halfway through but the pace picked up more after the halfway point, giving the spooks and thrills you expect from a ghost story. But don’t worry it's much more than a ghost story. What I like about this book is that it's about some paranormals that I haven’t read about or even heard of before anywhere else and all of the characters are described so vividly, which is nice because it’s written in the first person.

 The characters that Chloe interacts with in Lyle house have much to contribute with lots of surprises up their sleeve. With plenty of snarkyness, intelligence and intrigue. They are so mysterious because you learn a bit about them, but you're still not given all the details.

 Being patient through the slow parts really will pay off. This book kept me interested to find out more and more. Chloe has so much to learn and asks so many questions in this novel that I kept reading to find out if they were going to be answered. And I could not believe the ending. Things were just getting so interesting and then it suddenly ended.









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August 18, 2015

P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han

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For me, Lara Jean was a lot more likable in P.S. I Still Love You. It was quite noticeable that she matured greatly, which came in handy throughout the novel. In book one I felt as though Lara Jean was a little too naive and that she acted much younger than her age, but her character definitely grew and developed throughout the story and I believe that’s probably because she started listening to her head and not just her heart.

Yet, at the same time Peter and Lara Jean certainly didn't have the picture perfect relationship that is all too common in Young Adult fiction these days. It was realistically flawed as were Peter and Lara Jean as characters. They had their fair share of high and lows which only contributed to the honesty and realism of their romance.
These highs and lows were often quite big, Lara Jean has some fairly stressful complications thrown at her but I think Lara Jean handled those situations really well. P.S. I Still Love You also discusses some of the double standards between girls and boys and included some feminist talk, which I think is really important so i’m glad Jenny Han went there.

I really admired that Lara Jean didn’t change herself once she was in a relationship, nor did she abandon her family or friends. She kept her curious and sweet nature and never compromised her values. I also love that Peter never made her do anything she was uncomfortable with, he was a much better guy than I thought.

Lara Jean's family were majorly present throughout the whole book. This was a relief as parents often go missing in YA. Also, Lara Jean's bond was one of my favourite focuses in book one so I was glad Jenny Han continued to write in some sweet family moments rather than making her grow distant once she got a boyfriend.

 So... I would recommend this book. It's a Charming and adorable young adult contemporary that won't disappoint the fans of book one, To All the Boys I've Loved Before.






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August 03, 2015

Dangerous Girls by Abigail Haas

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Hello, this is my first time doing a book review slash book blogging, and I hope that you'll like it.
Actually, this book wasn't really on my buy list that day. I was just browsing on the shelves of Fully Booked (one of the bookstores here in the Philippines) and after I read the synopsis, I bought it right away. The story kind of reminds me of Amanda Knox, I mean, I feel like my eyes was glued to the case and watching all the coverage and speculating on what happened. Throughout the entire book you never really know who the murderer is and you constantly have a new idea or theory and in the end, you'll be like...
It's like suspecting every characters on Pretty Little Liars about who A is and Anna's best friend Elise is so much alike with Alison DiLaurentis because she manipulates people and has that attitude as if nothing can get to her. I just love how she do the chapters by time periods.
I don't want this to be a "spoiler thing" so I do encourage you to read Dangerous Girls because it will make you not do your errands  the moment you open it. Lol! Seriously, this book is wicked. It fooled me and makes me re-read some pages again just to be sure that I didn't miss anything.
"I win"
MEMORABLE QUOTES
  • “One moment. One picture. One glimpse– that’s all it takes to make someone think they know the truth.”
  • “Memory and imagination are only a knife edge apart, and I wonder if I’m making it all up: slipping false memories in among the real ones, just to have something to hold on to. Fool’s gold.”
  • “Wouldn’t we all look guilty, if someone searched hard enough?”



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