Mini Reviews: Fault and Thinspo by Amy Ellis

Fault by Amy Ellis

This is a phenomenal, remarkable, amazing novel. I… I couldn’t think straight after I read this. It was so extraordinary; it was so moving and powerful!

The story follows a teenage girl called Liz and her bestfriend who can get her to a lot of parties. One night she gets roofied and raped. The story is told in haunting verses about how Liz loses her friends, how she is blamed for what happened to her and how she tries to get her life back on track.

I can’t describe how amazing this was, it was a very moving and beautiful short novel. It tackled the problem of rape victims being blamed and at fault for what happened to them in a very poetic and moving way. 

Thinspo by Amy Ellis

I don’t know why I expected this book to be something other than what the title suggests. This short written in blog format and text messages by the main character Jenni who is an average girl graduating high school keeping a blog about her teenage life. Jenni is a pro-ana / pro- mia blogger who documents her struggles with her eating disorder, she keeps track of her weight, calories and what her parents make her eat. When Jenni’s best friend Carly discovers her blog everything turns into chaos for Jenni. Until she discovers Dani another pro- ana blogger suffering from an eating disorder.

This was rather hard to read, for someone that actually went through something similar thank goodness it was never as serious as Jennis eating disorder it was a massive eye opener. At first it made me actually identify with the pro-ana/ pro-mia bloggers which scared me as it’s not something I wish to revisit but as the story unfolded I realised just how selfish Jenni was as a character, and just how stupid she was for what she was putting her family through; I wanted to shake her and scream at her.

I don’t want to really go into this as it’s a rather touchy subject, but the novel was superb and the way it was written was really  original. I’m falling more and more in love with Amy’s writing and her stories. 

Mini Reviews: Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout & My Soul To Take by Rachel Vincent

Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Series: Opal #3

Release Date: December 11th, 2012

Publisher: Entangled Teen 

Buy: Amazon | Book Depository



I read this book last year and I have no idea why I didn't review it. But here are some of the things I remember about this book.
This is the third book in the series and often the books and romance lack as they lose their edge; and this book certainly did. I still loved it don't get me wrong but the whole Daemon chasing Katy bit was gone and for me this is what the whole series was about.
The story however was awesome as expected! Katy's and Daemon's relationship progressed as more danger and complications were thrown at them. One of the main things I love about Jen's writing is that all of the plans that the characters come up with aren't easy. They don't always go as planned, I think a lot of authors tend to forget about this and try to make their books as perfect as they can. I remember that this book left me feeling really confused! There's a massive cliff hanger at the end that was just mind blowing and I obviously couldn't cope with it!
Oh also this book was dedicated to me along with nine other ladies from our Daemon team!

My Soul To Take by Rachel Vincent

Series: Soul Screamers #1

Release Date: January 1st 2011

Publisher: Mira Ink

Buy: Amazon | Book Depository

Kaylee senses when someone is about to die and she screams bloody murder. Literally. I loved the originality of this idea! I haven't come across anything like this and I was so glad I did. It started out completely normal with teenagers trying to sneak into a bar and turns into something spooky and supernatural! The chemistry between the two main characters Kaylee and Nash was great. They were one of my favourite book couples last year for being so cute and hot together! 

The story was really gripping and I remember most of what happened, however I know I was shocked to my core about the ending but I cannot for the life of me remember why! I think I will have to reread this before I get the second book in this series. 

(OLD) Mini-reviews: Daddy Long Legs and Mine to Possess

Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster

Series: Daddy-Long Legs #1

Release Date: January 1st, 1912 (First published)

Publisher: Puffin (of my copy)

Buy: Amazon | Book Depository

If anyone ever asked me to recommend a classic, this is what I would recommend. I love what I've read by Jane Austen but this, THIS is truly a timeless story. Almost a century later after it was first published I find myself relating to this young girl. Her story comes to life for me through her letters to Daddy Long Legs.

Sitting here, writing this, I can most definitely say that this book lived up to everything I had hoped it would.

I didn't actually know this book existed until quite recently and as soon as I read the summary, I KNEW this book was something I would love. When I got my hands on a copy 2 months ago, I decided to read it at a rather slow pace. I read around a letter a day and sometimes I'd skip days too until today, when I decided I really did want to finish this and finish it I did.

I have no idea how to put how I feel about this book in words because truly, I am mesmerized by her story. I feel so elated and happy that I all I want to do is sing and dance and imagine how everything will work out afterwards, how their story will carry on.

Judy is just such a wonderful character, she is funny, strong and so full of life and her story is wonderful.

I am obviously going to fail at writing something coherent so I am just going to go back and re-read certain things ;)

If you haven't read this, please, go read it.

Mine to Possess by Nalini Singh

Series: Psy-Changeling #4

Release Date: February 5th 2008

Publisher: Berkley

Buy: Amazon | Book Depository

This image is perfect for Tally (who is totally unworthy of that name. I am sorry but Tally from Uglies was so awesome). She is so goddamn ANNOYING. She constantly whines, is incredibly possessive and cannot seem to make up her goddamn mind. Does she want him to be her friend or her lover? MAKE UP YOUR MIND. Grr. Yes I know she had a traumatized childhood and all that jazz but I don't understand her behavior. I know she is scarred but no. If I remember correctly she got a degree in psych or something along those lines so shouldn't she at least rationally try to understand the root of her mental scars, to at least try to understand it wasn't her fault? Even if the irrational side of her refuses to let go, shouldn't the rational side of her have some sort of understanding? I just don't understand her. At all. She has got to be one of the most annoying female leads I've encountered.

Clay wasn't all that much better. He was obsessive to the extent that scared me. Before you point out his animal instincts and what not, I didn't feel the same way about Lucas, his possessiveness was still within bounds, Clay's possessiveness goes beyond 'acceptable'. I felt like he was objectifying her. Making her seem like some sort of possession instead of human.

The romance between the two made me yearn for a normal romance. I am getting tired of all the angst out there. Why cannot we just have a book where two people are already in a healthy and loving relationship and have to deal with other problems that don't concern romance? *sigh* That's probably asking for too much.

This book, despite some of my major issues with it, was still enjoyable. I was not a huge fan of the characters but the world is so interesting. I cannot help but enjoy it in spite of everything.

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

Buy: Amazon | Book Depository

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). 

Mini Review: Wind and Shadow by Tori L. Ridgewood

Title- Wind and Shadow
Author- Tori. L. Ridgewood
Publisher- Melange Books
Date Published- June 2013

Rayvin Woods, photographer and natural witch. She just wanted to start her life over again after a series of misadventures. She didn't count on rekindling a lost love when she came home to Talbot...or battling a malevolent vampire and his coven for her life. Grant Michaels, police officer. He thought Rayvin was a murderer. He will do whatever it takes to protect the community he loves from danger...but will he learn to trust his heart, and the word of a witch, before it's too late? Malcolm de Sade, cunning vampire, imprisoned underground for a year by Charlotte Fanning and Pike Mahonen ("Mist and Midnight", Midnight Thirsts). His accidental release unleashes his hunger and ambition on a small, sleepy town… *** Facing the past can be a nightmare. It's worse when a vampire is stalking you.

I received this book for free with the cutest little note from the author and I was so so happy! I mean look at that pretty cover!! But unfortunately I haven't yet finished the book. After a lot of times of me giving up and then picking the book up once again a day later I think the book deserves a little mini review of what I thought of it so far. (by the way I stopped reading the book for now. Hopefully I will come back to the book soon)
So the good points. The cover is super pretty (yes I'm bad and judge). The idea is also really cool! There's magic and vampires and lost love... What else can a girl want? Not to mention the writing of the style. I absolutely love how Tori Ridgewood writes (the stuff I've read) it's clear to understand and you can literally stop and pick it up just like that no need to try and get back into it.
The not so good points. Actually so far I don't think there are bad points. I don't know why I can't get into this book. For all of you guys that know about the types of books I like vampires are right up my sleeve. :( this is really sad.

Not yet rated.

Mini Reviews: The Boy Next Door, Beg for Mercy, Slammed

The Boy Next Door by Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees
Release Date: February 7th, 2002
Publisher: The Random House Group
Buy: Amazon | Book Depository

Even with the bad writing style and the bland narration style, this story somehow managed to captivate me. I fell in love with this book. 

I ended up buying this book on whim. The reviews hadn't been particularly hopeful and neither had the rating but I've always been a sucker for second chance romances so I ended up ordering this. At first I was sure I had made a bad choice, the writing style grated on my nerves and I was skimming some sentences. There was too much thinking and not enough doing. Both the characters sounded exactly the same to me. 

Yet as I read on and started getting used to the voice I saw how brilliantly the authors had crafted these characters and their story. You could see how far along they had come from their teenager years to adulthood. They had really matured and developed and it was actually fun comparing and contrasting them to their past selves. Especially Mickey, Mickey as a teenager did not appeal to me, she was annoying and a little too 'loud'. As an adult though, with everything that life had thrown at her, she had become so mature and it didn't seem unbelievable. The authors pulled it off. The same with the pulled off Fred's character. His own internal conflict. It worked. Everything about this story worked. It was wonderful and exactly what I needed, and I am so glad I read it. 

Beg for Mercy by Jami Alden
Series: Dead Wrong #1
Release Date:  June 1st, 2011
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Buy: Amazon | Book Depository

This book had a couple of minor issues which would normally have bugged the hell out of me but in the end I actually ended up enjoying this book.

The female lead is a pretty pretty character (thats my extremely unique term for characters who are ridiculous gorgeous, like model gorgeous, and you know, if they are model gorgeous what are they doing in the real world? :P). But what I like about her isn't one of those idiotic females who don't realize it. She didn't think of herself in terms of ugly and pretty. Which made me as a reader, extremely happy. It helped me deal with all these guys who were in love with her. She was such a determined character too. The fact that the first thing on her mind wasn't romance but saving her brother was something I definitely enjoyed.

The fact that Cole wasn't a pretty pretty character helped me get over some of the other flaws. The author didn't describe him as someone every girl drooled over. She actually added depth to his character. He has his faults and he lives with a lot of guilt. He isn't even close to perfect. But it works. The fact that the Megan didn't get all jealous of girls who were in his presence helped as well. Although Cole could go over the top with his jealousy and that did bother me some. 

The murderer was obvious right of the bat. It wasn't even the 'I am pretty sure it's him' kind of obvious, it was the 'I KNOW IT'S HIM so let's just get this over with obvious'. Yes this annoys me. I am fed up of murderers being ridiculously obvious. I want to be able to use my brain in figuring this stuff out. Or even better, not know at all until the end. Sometimes I don't like the predictability even if it makes me feel smart. Sometimes I just want good suspense. But with that said, I actually liked how the author played out this murderer. We got to learn his back story and it helped us understand him better as a character.

This book was a fun read but I don't think I can be bothered to go on with the series. Maybe later. 

Slammed by Colleen Hoover
Series: Slammed #1
Release Date:  January 5th, 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Buy: Amazon | Book Depository



(This is free verse and will probably suck but since this book has tons of poetry in it, I thought it would be cool.)

I started this book
but not with much hope.
For I knew I would be lead down the same road
where the book screamed that it was different 
yet in then end it was just like the others.
the others that let me down.

It told the story of a girl who lost a father
a girl who thought she was special
but she wasn't. not really
she was the same old mary sue
the girl who whined about the wrong things.
a girl who didn't have a backbone.

It told the story of a boy who had lost everything
yet he stayed to take care of his brother
you would think you could like him
but it was all a lie
for he was the same old cheesy bastard
"it's not you it's me"

This book tried to tell us it was different
when in fact it was not
it was just a big humble jumble 
of tons of problems
both relationship and life
and it taught me nothing
except that I really should 
read something else.