SPIRIT BOUND BY RICHELLE MEAD

<img src="http://media.tumblr.com/27d567a3d73ce4da7757538868fb419f/tumblr_inline_mmz8v0QpRR1qz4rgp.gif"> 

Oooooh things were just hotting up in this book. 

1ST BOOK: VAMPIRE ACADEMY REVIEW + BLURB

(WARNING: BABBLE AHEAD)

I think it was pretty obvious that they were going to save Dimitri, that he was going to stay away from her but damn, he actually stayed away much more aggressively than I thought possible. Gah! WHEN THE GUARDS CAME FOR ROSE I ACTUALLY SHRIEKED THEN SQUEALED WHEN DIMITRI FOUGHT TO PROTECT HER. 

Adrian. I do like Adrian as a character but I'm not too keen on Rose being with him simply because they just don't fit well together. They can't bring him along on all their escapades, they didn't fall in love, they just had fun together which is why I think Romitri is more pure and right. 

I DO LIKE ADRIAN. JUST TO CLARIFY.

GAH  THE QUEEN'S DEATH?! WHAT 

ps i know that wasn't a review buT FEELS 

FANGIRL BY RAINBOW ROWELL REVIEW

Gah, I loved this book so much!

5 stars!

Fangirl takes on an entirely different tone than Rainbow Rowell's first book, Eleanor & Park, which I loved. The characters were fun, complex and well thought out. I felt very drawn to Cath as the narrator because I could relate to so many of things she loved, fanfiction, writing and Levi. Not just those things though because I feel similarly about social interactions and change. 

I think this is probably my favourite contemporary book because of the fact that I could relate so heavily with the main character and her situation. 

A MUST READ!

-E

Crown of Midnight by Sarah J Maas Review + Discussion

I give this book 3.5 stars!

This is the second book in the Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas. Overall I do enjoy reading these book because the plot is always interesting and engaging, however I always feel that something is missing. Crown of Midnight is written in a very distant third person where you aren't always sure of what Celaena is thinking or how she really feels because, like at the beginning of the book, she lies to herself. 

Generally I did enjoy it and will definitely continue with the series because I am curious for how the characters wind up after their big adventure!

One thing that really bothered me about this book is that one of the characters made the mistake of not sharing important details like thE FACT THAT HER FRIEND WAS GOING TO BE KILLED. I just really hate it when characters do not communicate about these kinds of things because the likelihood is that the event is going to happen or at least try to happen. This is why I stopped liking Chaol as much as I used to (also Warner from the Shatter Me series is kind of living inside my head right now). Although I realise he did not want the King to question his loyalties but it irritates me nonetheless. 

Celaena Sardothien is an interesting character though I am not quite sure I enjoy her as a protagonist. She's badass and frankly terrifying but also closed off from the reader which is keeping me from falling into the story completely. 

Those were just the things I didn't like. Do not fear, the good bits outweighed the bad (for me)!

Plot and pacing were good, characters were three dimensional and altogether an interesting read. 

-E x

GENRE RECOMMENDATIONS

I'm going to recommend one book from my favourite genres, hope you enjoy it!

Contemporary

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys a bitter-sweet love story where trading comics and mixtapes are the most common form of flirting.
I don't read much contemporary and I was quite surprised I enjoyed it!

You'll probably like this if you liked:

• Looking for Alaska by John Green 
• Paper Towns by John Green 
• Perks of Being a Wallflower

Paranormal

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

Even if you're a little bored of vampires I think this is still an interesting twist on the theme with its use of Russian/Romanian folklore and the addition of Guardians who protect the good vampires, Moroi, from the evil, immortal vampires, the Strigoi. Rose is a kick-ass (kick arse just sounds weird) female lead and a lot of fun to read. I am currently reading the fifth book. 

You'll probably like this if you enjoyed:

• The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare
• Twilight by Stephanie Meyer (Don't panic, they're very different!)
• Divergent by Veronica Roth

Science Fiction

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

This story is set in a future where the human race has moved onto a new planet. This is probably my least read genre simply because space and alien don't often interest me but this is a really fresh take on sci-fi. It's an adventure novel set on a different planet, really. I'm having trouble describing how unconventional and conventional it is.

You'll probably like this if you enjoyed:

• The Fifth Wave by Rick Yancey
• Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling (I am rly struggling with this list)

High Fantasy

Throne of Glass by Sarah J Mass

If you like badassery then allow me to introduce you to Celaena Sardothien, the living embodiment of cool. She is downright terrifying, yet manages to be adorable and sarcastic all at the same time. The story features a competition run by the King to find his personal assassin, Celaena is chosen by the Prince to be his Champion. Not only are there trials between the most deadly people in the world, there is a murder mystery that goes on through the competition. 

You'll probably like this if you enjoyed:

• Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
• Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy
• Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Historical

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein 

I cannot express my  love for the main characters, they work beautifully together and compliment the story. It's a rare type of story set during war time. The main characters are not young children sent away from the war but young girls who are part of the war effort, they are not boys who go down into the trenches - there's a girl who flies a plane and another who is an interrogator and captured spy.  Just faB FAB FAB!

You'll probably like this if you enjoyed:

• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak 
• Five Children and It

Dystopian

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

There are so many dystopians that I wanted to share with you one where the world does not pretend to perfect (a book that isn't the Hunger Games b/c everyone's already read that one). Ruby has a freaking awesome ability which has sprung from the virus IAAN where if you don't die (98% chance you will die) then you get an ability. Alexandra Bracken is very good at waiting for the right moment to spRING IT ON THE OTHER CHARACTERS. I apologise for that outburst it's half twelve at night.

You'll probably like this if you enjoyed:

• Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
• The Hunger Games by Suzanna Collins
• Divergent by Veronica Roth

Romance

Shatter Me Series by Tahereh Mafi

Steamy romance set in a dystopian world where people have developed powers and abilities like killing people with their touch, sound good to you? THIS IS THE SERIES FOR YOU. Beautiful writing, beautiful characters (and development), beautiful story. 

You'll probably like this if you enjoyed:

• The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
• The Mortal Instruments + Infernal Devices by Cassandra Clare
• Divergent by Veronica Roth

I am seriously overtired and I need to go to bed now, byeeeee!

-E x

Favourite Female Leads!

Right, I'm going to avoid the obvious like The Hunger Games and Divergent because after a while that get's a bit samey and after all I want to introduce people to new books!

In no particular order...

1) Juliette Ferrars

Book Series: Shatter Me Trilogy
Author: Tahereh Mafi
My Review of Shatter Me
Genre: Romance- Dystopian


Juliette's touch is lethal which leads her to be beaten and abused, thrown through hospitals until finally she lands in an asylum. What I really love about Juliette is that in the end she understands her flaws and how she has developed as a person. It doesn't happen enough. Watching her grow and believe in her own strength is inspiring. This series makes you feel that really can accomplish anything  (If you've read Ignite Me you'll understand).

2) Ruby Daly

Book Series: The Darkest Minds

Author: Alexandra Bracken

Genre: Dystopian-Action

My Review of The Darkest Minds & Never Fade

I enjoy reading through Ruby's eyes because her narration is witty and snappy, she interacts with the other characters in a really interesting way. She's sarcastic and clever, she's not fodder for other's wit. The way she can read a situation and decide what is the most logical way to get what they want is sly and sneaky. Surviving is something Ruby knows how to do well. 

3) Rose Hathaway

Book Series: Vampire Academy 

Author: Richelle Mead

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal

My Review of Vampire Academy 

Rose Hathaway is beautiful, dangerous and strong. She's a delight to read about because she's a fighter who is loving and caring and clever. Best of all she's honest, she's not the nicest girl but it doesn't matter to me because to me she seems real. Guess what? There are people who consider other people boring, who are not all good and who keep it herself. Some people think she's mean but never does she tell anyone her thoughts about them because she's not too fussed about what other people think of her (she is bothered by people lying about her). 

...and I've run out of time for more, perhaps I'll do an updated one soon

Until next time, 

-E x

Mega Recent Reads #3

I have been soo swamped with school work and homework that I haven't had time to write up all my reviews! I have been reading though so I have a lot to say! (No spoilers)

The Darkest Minds & Never Fade by Alexandra Bracken 

GOODREADS INFO - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10576365-the-darkest-minds

I heard great things about this book before I read and I can only say that everything I heard was absolutely true. It's action-packed, well written, the world has been built so well and I am eager to find out what happens next when I manage to tear myself away from the story. Alexandra Bracken has a way of making you think that everything is okay and then BAM *EAGLES CAWING* *METEOR HITS EARTH* *THE APOCALYPSE IS NIGH* just smashes everything into little pieces but in a...good way? 

I am dying to read the last book which comes out later this year!

Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein 

GOODREADS INFO - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18900702-code-name-verity

This was one hell of a standalone (I don't think there's a sequel???), I cannot even express how much praise I have for the author. It has adventure, strong female leads and one hell of a story. I have never read a story about someone as clever as the main character Julie, the kind of clever that you only realise at the end when everything comes together. It's a beautiful story and I am honoured to have read it. 

Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi 

1st BOOK (SHATTER ME) GOODREADS INFO - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13455782-shatter-me

SHATTER ME REVIEW -http://readingallthebooks.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/shatter-me-by-tahereh-mafi.html

 THIS BOOK IS A SEQUEL READ SHATTER ME FIRST! 

I didn't think it could beat Shatter Me but whoa, in my mind, it topped it because the story evolved! Far too often the first book sets a lot of stuff up and the second book doesn't really get into it, thankfully Unravel Me did. Once again, I am in love with Tahereh Mafi's writing, I don't know how a human can achieve such beautiful writing that you can understand and relate to. She actually manages to put feelings into words. Not like 'I was shocked' but like 'I was falling falling falling back into the darkness ect', she actually describes feelings and I love it.

Frostbite and Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead 

THESE ARE THE SECOND AND THIRD BOOKS READ VAMPIRE ACADEMY FIRST!

FRIST BOOK (VAMPIRE ACADEMY) GOODREADS INFO -https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18660669-vampire-academy

MY REVIEW:

http://readingallthebooks.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/vampire-academy-by-richelle-mead.html

Firstly, I really liked Frostbite, I loved how all the relationships developed over these two books. Don't even talk to me about the end of Shadow Kiss. *cries*

Throne of Glass by Sarah J Maas

GOODREADS INFO -https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13519397-throne-of-glass

Celaena Sardothien is the deadliest protagonist ever. She is an assassin which is new to me and I love it. The competition is really interesting though it was not focussed entirely on it which is refreshing. I'm not sure that she would know how to be a damsel in distress, I like that very much. Celaena is badass. (If you say 'bad ass' with an English accent is sounds weird, like 'bad arse')

I am about to start reading Blood Promise woo! 

S'laters!

Emilia c:

PS still haven't finished the Book Thief. BLAME CHRISTMAS BOOKS THAT I REALLY WANTED TO READ. 

Matched by Ally Condie

I did not expect to like this book as much as I did! The beginning wasn't particularly hooking for me but after the first fifty pages I really got into it. The title fits well with the book for more than just the matching ceremony, if that was putting anyone off reading it. I gave it 3.75 stars on goodreads c:

As I've already said, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I went into it expecting to like it but think woOW OMG KFGVNDKJVN which happened.

I knew from what I've heard on booktube that she would be paired with Xander although I assumed it would be more of a love triangle. Cassia was pretty obvious about loving Xander because they'd been friends for years and loving Ky because he was a splash of colour in a scheduled life, he popped up out of nowhere and excited her which I don't imagine to be difficult when everything planned out for you.

I liked how at the end Cassia didn't kiss Xander because she was right, he would hold onto it and forever be upset over her. I suppose it is such an awful thing to happen, considering that Xander expects the Match to be perfect, as everyone else does, it's worse because you don't choose anything, let alone your life long partner.

I hate the Society, it's so invading, Cassia in the bubble on the cover shows how truly trapper she is. There is nothing left to decide for yourself, you are completely dependant on the Society so that the people can never rise up against them, Nobody knows how to do anything except their jobs.

The 'I will not go gentle' was a lovely thing to tie everything together, her Grandfather would not comply with the rules so neither will Cassia, same with Ky and her father. They are rebellious for the good of everyone, not for themselves.


Right that;s all I think! Off to read The Darkest Minds,


-Emilia