Monday 13 January 2014

Mini Reviews: Always a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough; Real Live Boyfriends by E. Lockhart

Always a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough
Series: Witch #2
Release Date: August 1st, 2011
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
This year I want to get the reading I've been avoiding done. I want to complete series' that I refuse to finish and read sequels I once awaited eagerly. I thought this would be a good place to start seeing that I read the first book in this duology back in 2012. I cannot remember exactly what put me off but I decided not to read the sequel and let things be. Perhaps it was fear of a love triangle (how I hate those) but I have to say, whatever the reason, my fear was unfounded because the sequel turned out to be rather pleasant. It was not particularly special but there is something satisfying about it. 

Tam is a refreshing female lead. She does make some stupid decisions but she is also mature. Of course, she also happens to be a teenager so she does have certain insecurities but it worked out just fine. It's never bothered me.

Her love interest, Gabriel, was adorable. The romance between the two is nice and doesn't overshadow the plot. In fact, it's more in the background than anything else.

The plot was actually decent too. This plot basically flies by so I cannot say much about it but it all ties back nicely. As someone who loves time travel and the science behind it, I must say, it was done pretty damn well in both books.

I haven't felt this satisfied by a conclusion in a while. I really did enjoy this book and it's nice that it flew by. Sometimes you just need a book that flies by instead of one that makes you think a lot. I recommend this series to anyone who just wants to take a break and read a nice slow book. 




Real Live Boyfriends by E. Lockhart
Series: Ruby Oliver #4
Release Date: December 28th, 2010
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Buy: Amazon | Book Depository
I have never felt so relieved to finish a series. I LOVED the series but I don't think I could have take another book of Ruby's neuroticness. 

Finishing this series makes me feel all grown up. With the end of Ruby's journey and the end of my own approaching, I cannot help but get a little nostalgic. 

Ruby was an incredible character and one I will miss but one I am glad got a happy ending. She is a character that most teenage girls can relate to. We all have doubts, we can all be slightly crazy/neurotic, but most of us are genuinely nice if you get to know us. The problems she deals with are real so it's really easy to just relate to her and it helps that she has a great sense of humor so you always end up laughing your ass off.

What I personally love about this series was how it did not romanticize teenage years, it portrayed teenagers realistically. With Rabbit Fever as Ruby so eloquently puts it. They are still growing into their skin, they won't suddenly become mature overnight. It's a long journey to becoming an adult, in fact it's more like a roller coaster ride. There are a lot of ups and downs. Lots of mistakes made.

The one thing that I learnt from this series was how I seriously need to see a shrink. 

I am happy that after such a long time I can actually say that a series I loved had a good ending, an ending I approved of, an ending that I wouldn't change, an ending that made me happy. I can bid adieu to this series with a smile on my face and go about seeking my own happy ending (realistically, I'll be making last minute touches on my college applications and getting paranoid about not getting accepted). 




8 comments:

  1. I quite liked ALWAYS A WITCH, too--it's been a couple of years since I read it, but I remember thinking it was very cute. I"m surprised we haven't seen more books by that author since then.

    Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

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  2. Now that you mention it, I wonder why she didn't put out more.

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  3. Maja (The Nocturnal Library)14 January 2014 at 19:53

    I actually liked Once a Witch and Always a Witch more than you did, mostly because I found McCullough's writing to be very elegant. I agree that it was a pleasant, although not very memorable book.
    Lockhearts books, however, simply aren't for me. I tried this series after having it recommended by several trusted friends, which didn't work and Frankie Landau-Banks was annoying and mediocre. But you know, I'm really not a contemporary fan. :)
    Lovely minis!

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  4. Hmm. I'm glad that Always a Witch has a nice ending - I ordered it a few weeks ago, because it was in the bargains... and yep, I read the first in like, 2012. :P


    I haven't read the Ruby Oliver series, but I really want to! It makes me nervous that you couldn't take another book, though! O.O Great reviews! ;)

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  5. The writing was actually really nice but like you said, it wasn't very memorable, which is why i couldn't give it a higher rating.
    I am so sorry Lockhart didn't work out for you. :( I don't think Frankie was something I'd enjoy so I decided to skip it so I cannot be sure about that book in particular. Honestly, contemporary isn't really my genre either except that I actually had great luck last year when it came to contemporary. I just usually pick up contemporaries when I need a break :P


    Thanks Maja! :)

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  6. HOLY CRAP. i should have waited for you then. We could have had a buddy read :D Since we both read the first one ages ago :P


    .. you'll understand Megan. I am sure you'll love Ruby. She is basically crazy and it's like reading your own life story (but in my case someone who can actually talk to people and is smart.. ) so it IS hard to read more :P
    Thanks Meg :3

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  7. You didn't know, LOL! It twould have been terrific, though! :P


    I'm sure that I will like her. I'm not sure that it'll be like my own life story, though. Because I'm basically normal. :P *she says as she sits at home on the computer blogging*

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  8. I am basically normal too *she moves once in a while, she watches tv, she goes to school, she reads, she is addicted to the internet*
    Boring lives be boring :P :P (so much enthusiasm)

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