Surprisingly, I have gone from a 2.5 rating on my original reading, to a 4 star rating. I have found I did like this after all once I gave it another chance.
I believe this was one of the most talked about, anticipated books of the year. Ever since Beth came out with ATU, the fans have been hungry for more, myself included.
I'm not big on sci/fi, but this series really sucked me in, which is hard to do for a genre like this.
I was surprised at how much I liked the first book and by the end I could not wait until book 2.
The book isn't even out in Australia yet, so I decided to get myself a copy for my kindle. I decided I had enough waiting and it was time to check out the book everyone was talking about.
A Million Suns picks up about 2 months after the end of ATU. Elder is the leader of the ship as he tries to discover and be the leader he is meant to be, but finds that things are easy said than done in this case.
He is trying his best, but it doesn't always come across that way. There are angry people and who start to rebel against him.
When Amy starts to receive clues left by Orion, she starts to wonder if there is something going on that nobody knows about.
I think I hated him less in this book, as we got to understand the reasons for what he did. It was an interesting plot within the story, and I was wondering what it was leading to. When it got discovered... that he knew something so jawdropping.. I didn't know how to react. But I came to understand him a little better.
I might like Amy and Elder's sweet relationship, but my favourite relationship in this series, is.. well we haven't seen much of it, but is her relationship with her parents. The fact that Amy went with them on the ship because she didn't want to be apart from them tore at my heart strings. I can't wait to see them wake up so she can talk to them and be with them again.
I look forward to the final book in the series in 2013.. It can't come quick enough for me.
Posted @ my blogThe Book Twins | YA & Adult reviews
If Blue kisses her true her, he will die....
Maggie Stiefvater comes with a new series. The Raven Boys is a story that will captivate you until the last line. It brings together magic, romance, destiny and a mythological being as it involves a group of boys and one teenage girl.
This story will leave readers breathless, and eager to turn page after page as you find yourself deep within a tale of relatable characters, mythology and perfectly-wound friendships, it will pull at our heartstrings and emotions to no end.
Blue is a strong teenager who has the strangest family, and has always come across as a bit off with her psychic connections. She had been told from many people that if she were to kiss her true love... he will die, or she will kill him. From that point on she had told herself she would never fall in love...
She has always been the kind of girl who does what her family does. Smart. Sensible.. that is, until she meets a group of boys and their journey for something so unbelievable. The more time she spends with them, the more she starts to believe that magic is indeed real.
The friendship between The Raven Boys is one of my favourite things about this story. They each have their own reason for going along with this journey. They each have their own story which will make you weep for them. They all have their own secrets they keep.
They are all bonded together through emotional pacts, history and loyalty toward one another. It's friendships that will keep you invested in the story as more information about each other comes to light.
This was a novel I had been wanting to read since I heard about it, and it lived up to all the hype it had received since the release. It was a beautifully written story, with characters to love and root for, a romance in the making, and a mystery pitted with supernatural elements. It's a book like I have never read before. A book that exceeded all my expectations and was nothing like I thought it would be.
For something that I assumed would be romance-based, I couldn't have been more wrong.
While the story might be Blue's, but it is also written in third-person so we get to see the boys, their pasts as they interact with Blue.
Maggie created a fantastic novel, and I look forward to the second installment to see what is in store for us, and the characters and the story. I anticipate seeing how the soon-to-be romance between Blue and Gansey develops over the course of the series. You see little bits of visions as to how things will be, and it should be interesting to see how this Blue and Gansey become those in the visions Blue gets during the book.
This book is a must read for all fans of Maggie Stiefvater.
This review has been x posted at The Book TwinsI was given this to review by the author, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Peter.
This story starts off quick when we see Amanda Nichols being attacked at Grant Central Station. From that point on, when she survives, she discovers something has changed about her. She is not all the same person she was before the attack happened. She has inhierited some special abilities in which she is able to see people's essence's around her, aka light points.
It's a frightening experience for her, but she soon discovers she is not alone...
Amanda soon finds herself on a journey of self discovery in determining the things she can do, what does that mean for her marriage and her family if she is the only one who can do something like this.
This novels goes through all emotions and situations. From death, horror, love, discovery of one's self, friendships and so much more.
This may be Peter Kassan's first published novel, but it was done in a way that can hook a reader to the story to the point of no return.
It may not be the most descriptive novel I have read, but it is as engaging as any other. The characters, the experiences they endure an the things Amanda has to experience throughout the story just manages to pull a reader into the world Peter has created here.
This novel is a rarity. It's a story you don't find around often, so when you do, you cherish it for what it is.
A great vision, characters, relationships and a plot to boot. This is one unmissable book.
Rating: 3.5/5
Wow. That didn't end how I thought it would, but loved it. I think I have come to respect Hunter a lot more now. He has been through so much.. but now, he has not just friends, but a family.
I can't do it anymore. I gave it over 100 pages to pull me in and didn't work. I didn't connect to the characters or the plot. Gah. so disappointing.
I liked this much more than I originally thought..WHY is there no paperback for book 2? Ugh! What am I gonna do? *sigh*
Posted also at my blog: The Book Twins | YA & Adult reviews The sequel to Witches of East End is quite as thrilling, if not even more so than the first book.
We deal with the return of not just one, but two characters from the past.
Not only do we and Freya discover that whom she thought was her love, Balder, she was mistaken and it turns out to be the guy who she felt an undeniable connection to all along. Now the truth is out in the open, Bran's true colours start to show and there is no doubt who he really is.
With the return of Freya's twin brother, Freddie, he holds a secret that threatens to tear Killian and Freya apart forever if it turns out to be the truth. Everyone has a secret, but the question on whether or not all the facts are in the open remains to be seen.
Killian and Freya's relationship is stronger now the truth about Bran has been revealed, but there is still something keeping them apart, even if they don't know it.
Bran is also on the loose, and nobody is quite sure where he is, or what he is planning. When it comes to the trickster, nothing is ever certain.
Ingrid and their mother, Joanna also have relationship issues, but that's the least of their worries. Not only do they have to worry about whether or not any punishment will fall on them once the council gets wind they have been using their powers, but also to the fact there is something brewing in town and beyond that could destroy everything.
When all said and done, the question they'll be after is... "What do we do now?"
This book has everything the first had and more. It introduces some new characters. There is surprising reveals, villians and things you don't see coming. There are things you might see coming, but didn't know how they might be played out.
The way this book ends makes you yearn for the next book. I wonder... is this a 3 book series? As it feels like everything is setting up for a conclusion in 'Winds of Salem'. I wouldn't mind, because its a great series and not sure how long this can go on, but then again, I wouldn't say no if she chose to write a few more.
OMG!! THIS BOOK WAS THE END OF ME!So perfect! It had everything. From death. romance. mystery. betrayal. Shocks and revelations.
THAT ENDING.
COME ON.
bring me book 3 STAT. ok?
Posted @ my blogThe Book Twins | YA & Adult reviews
Let me first say --- how badass is the over, right? I mean, I like the US cover, but this one... shows who she really is, and I love it.
For months I had heard about this book and how amazing it was. From the glance off, it didn't seem to be something I'd like, but after pondering --- I caved. And I was so glad I did.
This book was great, more than I could have ever imagined it be. The characters were charming, strong-willed and interesting, the plot was captivating throughout the book, especially when the story really got moving, and of course we slowly have a small triangle that begins to form.
Triangles seem to be everywhere these days. Some books they work, and are done well, but others are horrible and everyone gets hurt one way or another.
Celaena had spent more time than she wished to remember in the mines of Endovier, but when she gets given the opportunity to get away from there, from that life. A chance at freedom --- she takes it. There is just one catch: She has to battle in a competition to win against many others. She has to be the champion. If she succeeds though, it could be the best reward she'd ever receive.
She is a character everyone should be able to admire. Coming from a horrible past, she'll do whatever she needs to survive. Most people would have given up, but not her. This one is a survivor.
We are also introduced to two lovely love interests. It didn't cross my mind until I started to see moments, and that was where I thought.... "Could this turn into a love triangle?" and I hadn't read any reviews, so I had no idea this was a possibility. I should have known though, most YA books have triangles. I'm not sure why --- is it to create drama, entertainment for the readers? Or is it a way to create an obstacle for the main couple, so they don't get together too soon? Hmm.. I know I have my preference, and I think it could be learning the way I want. I didn't mind the other love interest guy though. He was sweet, maybe a little..superficious, but kind nonetheless. Both guys have different things going for them, and we can only wait and see who Celaena chooses to be the one for her.
Lets talk about the guys for a moment before I move on...
First we have the prince. He is the one who brought Celaena to be his champion for the competition. His relationship with her does change throughout the book. While he is expected to marry, he does find himself interested in Celaena more than one would like. He is more flirty and isn't afraid to show his feelings.
And then we have Chaol.. He is Captain of the Guard. He is meant to make sure Celaena does what she is told, and keep her in line. He is steel headed and very cold and very rarely will let any emotion show on his face. But as he begins to get to know his charge, you can see the cracks in his facade begins to peel away.
The plot of the story was very compelling and about half way through the book, I could not put this down. It was engaging to the very last page, especially as the action picked up quite swiftly. It is definitely a page turner. I yearned to see what was coming next for our beloved characters.
Sarah crafted a very in depth and addicting world, with characters to love and a journey to be discovered. I look forward to see what is next for Celaena, Dorian and Chaol.
I need also to check out the available novellas, so I can understand more about this world than I already know.
Verdict: 4.5/5