Numero Zero

Umberto Eco

Rating

3 stars

Date Read

19/3/16 - 2/4/16

Age Group

15+

General Thoughts

"Suspicions never go too far. Suspect, always, suspect, that's the only way you get to the truth. Isn't that what science says?"

Unhooked

By Lisa Maxwell

Rating

4 stars

Date Read

14/3/16 - 3/4/16

Age Group

14+

General Thoughts

''Welcome to Neverland'...'

...a world magnificent and dangerous, with a sea full of monstrous mermaids, a jungle that comes alive, a villain who calls himself a hero and an unapproachable but honest pirate taking up the role of the bad guy.

A refreshing retelling of the classic fairy tale, a wonderful, terrible description of what Neverland means, of the devastating poignancy of losing one's memories, of having them distorted until you start to lose your grip on your sense of self, until the reader realises how truly fitting it is to call those boys trapped there lost.

A girl who's spent her whole life violently uprooted from each and every place she's learnt to call home, who doubts her mother's sanity and leans on the support of her only friend, suddenly finds herself inside a fairy tale.

Only it feels more like a nightmare.
(TEASERS BELOW!)

Crimson Bound

By Rosamund Hodge

Rating

5 stars

Date Read

8/3/16 - 13/3/16

Age Group

14+

General Thoughts

Aunt Leonie told her to stay on the path.

If only she'd listened...

Enchanting dark poetry, a retelling of both the classic Little Red Riding Hood and Hansel and Grettel's morbid story.

The Da Vinci Code

By Dan Brown 

Rating

4+ stars

Date Read

20/2/16 - 4/3/16

Age Group

16+

General Thoughts

"An ingenious code hidden in the works of Leonardo da Vinci. A desperate race through the cathedrals and castles of Europe. An astonishing truth concealed for centuries . . . unveiled at last."

Thrilling, fascinating, riveting. The more you read the more impossible to it is to put it down. A murder. A legend. A secret. With conspiracy theories, secret societies, vatican prelatures, chalices and blades, codes and riddles, artists and paintings and an endless chase that will leave you breathless, Dan Brown's clever suspenseful thriller is a must-read.

Fall Away (Book 1)

Bully by Penelope Douglas

Rating

3.6 stars

Date Read

16/1/16 - 19/2/16

Age Group

17+

General Thoughts

For fans of Perfect Chemistry and Beautiful Disaster.

Yesterday lasts forever. Tomorrow comes never. Until you.

Isn't there a saying about how we hurt the ones we love the most the worst? What happens when you can’t hurt the ones who hurt you? Do you lash out at others to take back some semblance of control? Punish the girl you love for someone else’s mistakes?

I'd like to say I didn't like it but that would look like a lie considering it took me just three school days to finish.

Wait For You (Book 1)

By Jennifer L. Armentrout

Rating

4+ stars

Date Read

9/1/16 - 15/2/16

Age Group

17+

General Thoughts

A touching, wonderful read with a cast of characters that will make you laugh, swoon and cry. This time around Jennifer L. Armentrout, writing as J. Lynn, leaves the paranormal genre behind to deal with realistic problems and relationships.

Some things are worth waiting for…
Some things should never be kept quiet…
And some things are worth fighting for…

The Sin Eater's Daughter

Rating

2 stars, DNF

Date Read

20/1/16 - 8/2/16

Age Group

13+

General Thoughts

Before Reading
Pretty cover right? And with direct reference to the book, considering the protagonist is trapped herself, by the palace, by the poison, by the evil queen.

After Reading
So, I really feel like a bad/lazy person when I DNF a book because if I start it, and except if it's really bad, it deserves a couple of days of attention, right? On the other hand, if it can't hold your interest maybe you shouldn't try to finish it. I would go days without reading a single chapter because the idea of the Sin Eater's Daughter waiting on me in my kindle didn't really sound appealing.

Red Queen

Victoria Aveyard

Rating

4 stars

Date Read

15/1/16 - 18/1/16

Age Group

14+

General Thoughts

Look at that gorgeous cover! I give you the winner of Goodreads Choice Awards of 2015 for debut author of the year! And since I promised myself to look a bit more into bestsellers in 2016, I thought Ms Aveyard's book was a lovely place to start. And with so many glowing reviews no less...

Covenant Series (Book 5)

Sentinel

Rating

5 stars

Rating 4 the series

4+ stars!

Date Read

7/1/16 - 11/1/16

Age Group

16+

General Thoughts

Going into my goodreads account I was surprised to find my "average rating" above four out of five stars. I shouldn't have been: when I've chosen a book to read, the rating is hardly ever below 3 because I already know going in the general idea I have checked reviews to make sure that the writing isn't too bad. If I do start reading something and I don't like it, either because it's slit-your-wrists boring or plain old not interesting, I simply don't finish it.

Still, I don't usually do book series. Except if they are really good. And that is the case for the Covenant series. FBB syndrome? Not in an J.L Armentrout series!

Covenant Series (Book 4)

Apollyon

Rating

 4+

Date Read

1/1/16 - 6/1/16

Age Group

15+

General Thoughts

Awesome book once again, I don't know how she does it! It's like each book is even better that the last! The storytelling, the characters, the relationships, Aiden & Alexandria...

Happy New Year!

So now the holidays are kinda over, which is always depressing, especially considering I didn't read as much as I wanted to... In fact I haven't finished one book! When I was thirteen I finished seven during christmas holidays. Then again, when I was thirteen I didn't have to study...

Copyright (All rights reserved)

Covenant Series (Book 3.5)

Elixir

Rating

 5 stars

Date Read

18/12/15

Age Group

14+

General Thoughts

"Aiden St. Delphi will do anything to save Alex. 

Even if it means doing the one thing he will never forgive himself for. Even if it means making war against the gods."

Covenant Series (Book 3)

Deity

Rating

 5 stars

Date Read

14/12/15-17/12/15

Age Group

15+

General Thoughts

A worthy sequel to a breathtaking series, Deity takes action and suspense to a whole new level!

"History is on repeat, and things didn't go so well last time"

After letting Seth get the spotlight in book two, Aiden ups his game and fights his way back to Alex's heart. Not that he ever left to begin with.

Covenant Series (Book 2)

Pure

 Rating

 4+ stars

Date Read

30/11/15-13/12/15

Age Group

14+

General Thoughts

Even better than the first book, Jen really knows how to twist and and turn the plot, mix steamy romance, heart achingly forbidden love and action packed pages, make a kickass yet relatable, humane heroine out of a half blood Apollyon and create a novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat until you turn the last page, and still stay with you long after that.

Covenant Series (Book 1)

Half blood 

Rating

4+ stars

Date Read

26/11/15-29/11/15

Age Group

14+

General Thoughts

Luxen has already proved how good Jennifer L Armentrout' s writing is and Half blood, her debut novel, is unique in it's own way and just as memorable. While still along the lines of chemical elements that have powers over the supernatural, this time around it's titanium and not obsidian. And the supernatural is not alien but something else entirely. Something divine.

The Premonition (Book 1)

Inescapable by Amy A. Bartol 

Rating

3 stars

Date Read

22/11/15-25/11/15

Age Group

14+

General Thoughts

Pretty. If you like the Existence (only less unique), Fallen (only not for 12 year olds), Angelfall (only less gruesome) this is the book for you.

An Ember In The Ashes Vs The Winner's Curse

Stare down

Similarities

Both:

*feature Roman empire inspired, vividly painted worlds
*have defiant, smart heroins
*slaves bought that are actually spies
*the overturning of authority in some way

That's where the similarities end...

The Kindrily Series

Grasping At Eterntity (Book One)

Rating

4 stars

Date Read

26/9/15

Age Group

15+

General Thoughts

Ohmygodohmygodohmygod. So perfect I just can't-

Breathe.

Ok. Let's start from the beginning. ..

The first time I glanced at this book I knew I had to read it. Soul mates ripped apart by a tragic mystery, secrets that torment souls and end lives, centuries of memories and supernatural abilities, protected by a green eyed daredevil that has loved her for ages.

I mean it was so perfectly exactly what I wanted to read that it was startling.

Yes, I am a sucker for tragic star crossed lovers and gorgeous green eyed soul mates suffering because the heroine. Just. Doesn't. remember.

Paper Towns

Rating

4 stars

Date Read

17/9/15

Age Group

15+

General Thoughts

"It's beautiful

It's a paper town

Paper houses and paper people

Everything is uglier up close

Not you"

If I had to describe Mr. John Green in a word I would say he's very well-versed (does that count for two?). His words and jokes and innuendos are all very refined and sophisticated. For example the whole point of the book is paper towns. But what does paper town mean? It can mean several things, metaphorically always. And researching it after reading the book was very interesting and helped me understand a couple of inside jokes as well. For example do you know how Margo's dog was called? Marna Mountweasel. Very strange yes. Imagine my surprise upon finding out that it's a synonyme for paper towns...

Sweet Evil Trilogy

by Wendy Higgins

Rating

5 stars

Date Read

19/04/13 (First read) and 02/9/15 (Re-read)

Age Group

15+ 

Sweet and terrible and beautiful and intense.

The Winner's Trilogy (Book 2)

The Winner's Crime

Rating

5 stars+ 

Date Read

31/8/15

Age Group

15+

General Thoughts

After reading the first book in a haze, falling in love with it and finishing it in under a day you'd think I would have done the same with the second. I almost did. But then I found out that last book isn't released until next year. And I didn't want it to be over.

In the long free hours of the last summer days, what little was left of the holidays, I filled the gaps with school work, revision and exercises. I fumbled with everythimg and anything, was more productive than normal, straining to keep my hands off the book and at the same time dying to see how the story ends.

And at last, long aftet midnight a few days before my birthday, mind restless and going through all my favourite books and chapters and music lyrics that reminded me of them, I got up, went to my desk and finished the last few terribly intense and painful chapters. And now I can sleep. But not before writing this:

Chasing Mermaids

Rating

3 stars+ 

Date Read

29/8/15

Age Group

15+

General Thoughts

A touching read about the importance of letting your voice be heard and standing up for yourself. An interesting, melancholic protagonist with a story to tell, poetic words, but no voice. Not in the literal sense, anyway. Much like the well known fairy tale of the little mermaid, this mermaid does not have a voice. No fins either, just a great love for the sea and strong feelings of betrayal directed at the ocean, since it became the reason she lost her melodic voice.

Singing ripped out of her future, deams shredded and voice silenced, Elyse leaves her many sisters behind to come to the States, hoping for a new story, a plan B. There, with the support of her aunt Lemon, her cousin Kirby and Kirby's best friend Vanessa, and another summer occupant of the Cove, Christian, she learns to call the small coastal town she settled on home.

The Winner's Trilogy (Book 1)

The Winner's Curse

Rating

5 stars+ 

Date Read

26/7/15

Age Group

15+

General Thoughts

A day. Well essentially two, considering that reading this saw me trough the early hours of Wendsdnay morning as well. But I couldn't put it down. That might, in some extent, have something to do with the way it reminded me of An Ember in the Ashes, the inspiration from the Greco Roman period, the concept of hard, seemingly cold masters and defiant slaves spying on them, fighting for the freedom of their people. Turns out I have given up paranormal and switched to dystopian without even realizing it.

An Ember In The Ashes

Rating

5 stars+ (!)

Date Read

09/08/2015 - 10/08/2015

Age Group

15+

General Thoughts

Captivating. 

A page-turner. 

Seriously, I even downloaded it on my phone so that I could read everywhere: bus stops, cars, beaches.

An Ember in the Ashes is an addictive read. Although dystopian, it hints at historic facts and, although there are several paranormal elements and out of this world creatures, the cruel realism leaves me breathless. Life wasn't easy for any of the characters. But as Nan would say "where there is life there is hope". And this book I couldn't for the life of me put down.

Precious Stone Trilogy (Book 1)

Ruby Red

Rating

4 stars+

Date Read

06/08/2015 - 08/08/2015

Age Group

13+

General Thoughts

I like secrets. Although I can't really keep any... I also like complicated. Mysteries that don't clear up in the first book but leave clues all over, small, almost indetecteble, that everyone can interprete differently. Like the mystery surrounding Lucy and Paul.

Gemstones, magic, time travel, counts, secret societies, mystery mongers and a lot of scientists trying to make sense of it all. A chronograph, the blood of twelve. A girl who knows very little and a cousin who knows it all. A powerful secret. A genious author. A marvellous story.

And a gorgeous cover I mean look at that!

Hexed

Rating

2 stars

Date Read

18/07/2015 - 04/08/2015

Age Group

13+

General Thoughts

I was almost contemplating not writing a review. It's not that it was that bad, but it wasn't that good either. Hence the two stars. The first half was difficult to get through. The writer was trying way too hard, the dialogues were unrealistic, the characters unbelievable and the plot nonexistant.

The only reason I kept reading is because it's summer, I was feeling lenient and my friend had lended me a hardback so I might as well make the most of it. But if it wasn't for basking in the hot sunlight, trying to occupy myself with something else than tv series and wanting to read a book with paper pages for a change -because, as you know:

- I wouldn't be writing this now.

Love, Rosie

Love, Rosie by Cecelia Ahern

Rating

4 stars+

Date Read

01/07/2015 - 15/07/2015

Age Group

14+

General Thoughts

I got goose bumbs reading the epilogue. My back ached from the two hour ride in the bus, back to London from Oxford, my throat was dry and my legs had fallen asleep. But I didn't feel that lump in my throat anymore, the feeling I got throughout the book about all those chances lost, all that time wasted, all those dreams broken to pecies. I believed my mother, as she had told me once that some times moments count more than years.

The Assassin's Curse (Book 0.5)

The Witch's Betrayal by Cassandra Rose Clarke 

Date Read

28/6/15

Age Group

13+

General thoughts

The witch's betrayal is a short story' shedding light onto Naji's past and the life changing moment that scarred him permanently, left him disfigured, looking like, as he would put it, a monster.

The Assassin's Curse (Book 2)

The Pirate's Wish by Cassandra Rose Clarke 

Rating

4 stars

Date Read

28/6/2015 - 29/6/2015

Age Group

14+

General thoughts

Damn, I really should stop reading if it feels like this every time I finish a series.

The Assassin's Curse (Book 1)

The Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke

Rating

3 stars+

Date Read

23/6/15 - 26/6/15

Age Group

13+

General thoughts

Pretty.

Pretty cover, pretty characters. Quick, fun. A summer read.

Shadows (Book 4)

Burn by Paula Weston

Rating

5 stars+++

Date Read

16/9/15

Age Group

15+

General thoughts

The curtain falls for the rephaim series with a grande finale, wonderful and captivating. All the questions from the past three books are finally answered, the mysteries unravelling, the mist rising to reveal a forgotten past.

Aren't I feeling poetic today.

In this final installment we learn all that Gabe had been forced to forget but finally remembers. In long chapters between the Now, the author describes the Then; what happened eleven years ago to tear the twins apart and make Gaby -who back then was Gabe- stay at the sanctuary while her brother Jude and -insert swooning here- Rafa leave with the Outcasts; what happened a year ago to bring the twins back together, what happened with Dani that ended with them heavily injured with distorted memories living in different sides of the world.

It's a book worth reading, a series worth obsessing over, characters worth falling in love with.

Go read Shadows right now!!!

XOXO

Aggie Pearson

Shadows (Book 3)

Shimmer by Paula Weston

Rating

5 stars+

Date Read

17/06/15 - 19/6/15

Age Group

15+

General thoughts

How did Paula pull off a book where the love interest wasn't even there for the romance but, instead, was away, abducted by demons, for half the book?

Perfectly.

Shadows (Book 2)

Haze by Paula Weston

Rating

5 stars+

Date Read

05/6/15 - 10/6/15

Age Group

14+

General thoughts

*Speechless
Can the second book ever be like the first one? Just as good? Like you never moved on, like it's not the next installment but more pages of the previous one?

Shadows (Book 1)

Shadows by Paula Weston

Rating

5 stars+

Date Read

03/06/15 - 05/06/15

Age Group

14+

General Thoughts

Wow.

I've been way too lenient with books lately. Can't blame me. I haven't read a good one, a really good one, since January (yes, I'm talking about you, Existence)...

Beauty

Beauty by Robin McKinley

Rating

3 stars+

Date Read

28.5.15 - 1.6.15

Age Group

12+

General Thoughts

"Beauty" is a retelling of the classic Beauty and the Beast story and followes the original very closely, from the time period (sounds like the 18th century) to the magical objects in the palace (teapots moving themselves) to the hideous Beast living in it (all claws and fur). That said, and noting that I don't mind cheesy novels too much, I was surprised to find that it had a lot less princess-like quality and cheesy moments than I expected. Which was not a bad thing, just unexpected in such a faithfull retelling of the classic.

The Divergent Trilogy: Tobias' POV

Review 2 come!

The Divergent Trilogy

Divergent, Insurgent, Allegiant

Dates Read

Book 1: Sometime last summer

Book 2: 17.4.15 - 21.4.15
Book 3: 1.5.15 - 10.5.15

General Thoughts

I was halfway through the first book when the movie came to the theaters. So I watched it. And it hooked me almost as much as the book. It is Theo James we're talking about after all.

Divergent had it all: thought-through back story, ingenious plot-thickening, haunting romance and honest, sharp characters.

The Writing

Veronica Roth's writing is elegant, though simple, nonredundant (is that even a word?). Her language flows through the pages, easy to get lost into. She uses present tenses to talk through Tris which, unusual as it is, I've always found to be quite enjoyable.

The Captive Series (Book Five)

Waiting 4 my paperback!

The Captive Series (Book Four)

Salvation

Rating

4 stars minus

Date Read

07/04/15 - 14/04/15

Age Group

14+

Summary/ General Thoughts

In Captured Erica Stevens was following the GSG (guidelines set for books of this genre) a little too closely, as is to be expected of a first book in a series. 

Renegade was a couple finding their way back to each other. Cute and fun and all, but not as captivating (pun intended).

Refugee left something to be desired, with the best part being the ending.

Finally, Salvation made up for every dull chapter and lack of actual plot its prequels suffered from. In fact, in it's action-packed, passion-filled pages, it manages to surpass even Captured. And rightly so, considering that the first book was like every other paranormal romance with a headstrong girl and a dangerous vampire for main characters, while this one gave the author a chance to improvise.

The Captive Series (Book Three)

Refugee

Rating

3 stars +

Date Read

3/6/15 - 6/6/15

Age Group

14+

Summary/ General Thoughts

Omg. The ending was just.... Wow. OK. Didn't expect that.

Aria and Braith and William and Ashby go into a search for powerful exiled vampire aristocrats to form alliances with for the upcoming war.

After a few boring chapters in the Barrens - something of a desert in the dystopian world, a place that civilisation has abandoned - we finally get to meet Gideon, an eccentric used-to-be noble that, after being exiled for having teamed up with the losing side (aka the him race) found shelter in these lands and created a city where vampires and humans lived together, unafraid.