2015 Book Goals!

Hey bookworms! So with the new year right around the corner, I decided to set some book related goals for myself seeing as there are some things I need to complete when it comes to books such as finishing series, starting new ones, catching up on my TBR pile etc. So here are my book goals for 2015!

1. Goodreads Reading Challenge

So with this year going to be a bit busy for me than what I'm used to, I don't want to set an overwhelming reading goal for myself. So, I'm going to set a safe goal of 70 books for the year. That way I won't feel too overwhelmed with reading. No one wants that!

 

2. Book Buying Limit

 

I only started buying books at the beginning of this year and in just 12 months, I've obtained over 130+ books! Kind of awesome! But anyway, with a ton of amazing books coming out in 2015, I wanted to save money so that I can purchase most if not all of them. So, for every three books I read, I'll reward myself and buy ONE or TWO books if there is no new release that I want to buy. This way, I prevent a serious binge buying of books. Not only that, but I'll only be buying sequels to some series/trilogies that I still need to complete. So not only will I be buying fewer books, but I'll also get that much closer to completing a uncompleted series.

 

3. Find a Good Vampire Series/Trilogy

 

Ever since the release of the Twlight books and movies, I've been a hater towards vampire books, seeing as the ones I ran into were all either really stupid or incredibly cheesy and unreadable. But as a lover of books, I refuse to believe that there's no good vampire books out there in the world. So this year, I will be going on a year long journey to find one really good vampire book series or trilogy that will win a proud spot on my bookshelf!

 

 4. Read "Iffy" Books

 

Allow me to elaborate. There are certain books that I kept my distance from for a really long time for various reasons. The Percy Jackson series is one of them. Seeing as it's a middle grade series, I didn't bother picking up the books even when the first movie came out. This year, though, I decided that I would at least give this series a chance since it is loved by people of all ages.

 

The Hunger Games trilogy is another one that I tried very hard to stay away from. I actually was going to read these books before the first movie came out, but all the hype, the fandoms, the posters, the merchandise, and ultimately the over-obsessed fans ruined the books for me. They ended up becoming a taboo subject for me and everyone who knows me knows that. This year, however, I decided that I'm at least going to read the first book and give it a go. I'm not promising that I'll finish all three books but I'm at least going to try it out.

 

 

This book was one I didn't mean to stay away from but ended up doing anyway. I didn't really enjoy the first book at all and the movie was one I don't have any interest in watching again. I have so many people tell me that the second book in this duology is better than the first. I do want to pick up this book within the year, though when I'm not sure, but I will give this second book a go and we'll see what happens then.

 

5. Start My Most Anticipated Series

 

Throne Of Glass Series

There are quite a few book series that I really want to start that I haven't yet. All these books are ones that have been at the top of my wishlist for a while now, so, enjoy!

 

The Mara Dyer trilogy

 

The Grisha Trilogy

 

 

The Rebel Belle Series

 

The Archived Series

 

Anna Dressed In Blood Series

 

Wake Trilogy

 

His Fair Assassin Trilogy 

 

Asylum series

 

 

So that's it everybody! Those are my book goals for 2015! Please NO SPOILERS on the books listed above thank you! So do you have any book goals? Leave a comment down below and let me know! Read on bookworms! See you in the next chapter!

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Rating: PG

Genre: Romance, YA Fiction

Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Page Count: 290

Stand Alone Novel

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Published: June 1, 2009

 

According to Anna’s best friend, Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy every day, there’s a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there’s something she hasn’t told Frankie–she’s already had her romance, and it was with Frankie’s older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago. TWENTY BOY SUMMER explores what it truly means to love someone, what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every beautiful moment life has to offer.

 

Review:

PROS:

1. Have you ever read a book that you loved so much with everything inside of you . . . that you hated it? Because that's exactly what this book was for me. Other than shattering my heart, blowing all the tiny pieces to the wind, regluing them all together, having it smashed with a sledgehammer, and putting the pieces back together again, this book was a really good read. Get ready for Anna and The French Kiss meets The Fault In Our Stars.

2. Okay, rant over. The characters in this book were so amazing and unforgettable that I probably won't be able to stop thinking about them for weeks! I loved the main characters, Frankie and Anna, and the friendship they had with each other. I really loved the other characters in this book as they were all so loveable, enjoyable, funny and adorable in many ways.

3. The storyline for this book is so emotional that I had to put the book down multiple times because I couldn't handle the emotions and heartbreaking scenes that were threatening to break my heart once again. The story was so romantic and sad, heartbreaking and hopeful and the scenes that played out were strung together so well and nothing felt forced or out of place. This book was just beautifully written and all the puzzle pieces for this story were just so perfectly fitted and the climax and ending of the story were just too perfect for words.

4. I really loved the romance in this book and how it played a bigger part in the book without being too overwhelming and cheesy. I felt like the romance was a big part of the story in more ways than one because through it, the characters got to grow and get to know themselves as well as used the romance to open up and reveal not only dark secrets but also used the romance to help piece together their lives and broken relationships. I loved how it was a lot more than just a summer fling or an insta-romance but a very moving part of the entire story.

5. I think this story is perfect for anyone who has lost a loved one, in this case a sibling, child or close friend. Of course, it's also perfect for anyone who wants to read a very beautiful and heartbreaking romance about finding strength to carry on as well as learning to let go and learning to keep moving forward no matter how hard it seems to do. It had its funny moments, its incredibly sad moments, its silly moments and its hopeful moments. It's a book that will make you cry but also teach a very valuable lesson, one you have to read this book to find out for yourself what it is.

Age Recommendation: 14+

I hope you guys enjoyed this book review! If you have any other book requests you would like me to review, just leave a comment or send me an email! Read on bookworms! See you in the next chapter!

End Of The Year Book Haul 2014 and Wrap-Up!

As always, I went a bit crazy this month with the book buying but hey, at least it wasn't like November! That month was crae crae! Anyhoo, here's my book haul for December so enjoy!

 

 

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick- HPB- $3.99

The Wide Window by Lemony Snicket- HPB- $5.49

Bang by Lisa McMann- HPB- $6.99

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler- HPB- $1

Fade by Lisa McMan- HPB- $4.99

Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen- HPB- $3.99

Heist Society by Ally Carter- HPB- $3

The Death Cure by James Dashner- Wal-Mart- $8.99

Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle- Wal-Mart- $9.47

Grace Mercy by Robin LaFevers- HPB- $7.99

An Abundance Of Katherines by John Green- HPB- $4.99

Asylum by Madeline Loux- HPB- $3.99

 

NOT SHOWN IN PICTURE:

The Phantom Of The Opera by Gaston Laroux- HPB- $3.99

The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot- HPB- $4.99

 

December Wrap-up!

Atlantia by Ally Condie (Click For Review)

Elixir by Hilary Duff (Click For Review)

Days Of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor (Click For Review)

Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs (Click For Review)

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi (Click For Review)

Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, Lauren Myracle (Click For Review)

Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry (Click For Review)

 

 

I hope you guys enjoyed this wrap-up and book haul! See you guys in the next chapter!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry

Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry

Rating: PG

Genre: Sci-fi, Dystopian

Score: ⭐⭐⭐

Book #2 of The Giver Quartet

Page Count: 215

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin



Published: 2000

 

Kira, an orphan with a twisted leg, lives in a world where the weak are cast aside. She fears for her future until she is spared by the all-powerful Council of Guardians. Kira is a gifted weaver and is given the task that no other community member can carry out. While her talent keeps her alive and brings certain privileges, Kira soon realizes that she is surrounded by mysteries and secrets. No one must know of her plans to uncover the truth about her world- and to find out what exists beyond it.

Review:
PROS:
1. Living up to The Giver is a pretty hard thing for this companion novel to do since the first book was just so good in many ways! This book definitely had it's pros and cons but I honestly thought this was still an enjoyable read. Needless to say, this book wasn't as good as the first book but I still liked reading it.

2. The characters in this book are just as enjoyable as the first book. I really loved the main character Kira and thought she was a good female lead for the story. I also enjoyed the other characters strung throughout the book and really liked seeing their personalities grow and thought they were fun and sometimes witty.

3. The storyline was very simple to follow but still had a bit of mystery so as not to be predictable. I really liked how simple it was with the writing and the climax and other scenes that had you wondering how certain things added up. It wasn't overwhelming or too simple to the point of it being boring.

4. I really loved the world that this book is set in. I really loved how the people thought about certain things and what they saw as right and wrong. It was a bit twisted and sometimes disturbing but interesting. This book perfectly depicted a form of a broken society and I applaud that.

5. This was a very small book so it takes no time at all to read but I really wanted there to be more. I really wanted to know where Kira finds herself after the end of the book and where her friends and family end up as well. I'm really excited to pick up the third book in this amazing quartet.

CONS:
1. Even though I really liked reading this book, I didn't love it as much as The Giver. As I said before, it's a hard book to live up too and I felt like Gathering Blue had a chance but didn't exactly deliver on it. At times, the book got a bit slow and I would've have liked to see more action just like in the first book.

Age Recommendation: 10+

I hope you guys enjoyed this book review! If you have any other book requests you would like me to review, just leave a comment or send me an email! Read on bookworms! See you in the next chapter!



Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle

Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle

Rating: PG

Genre: Romance, YA Fiction

Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Page Count: 352

Stand Alone Novel

Publisher: Speak: The Penguin Group

Published: October, 8, 2008

 

An ill-timed storm on Christmas Eve buries the residents of Gracetown under multiple feet of snow and causes quite a bit of chaos. One brave soul ventures out into the storm from her stranded train and sets off a chain of events that will change quite a few lives. Over the next three days one girl takes a risky shortcut with an adorable stranger, three friends set out to win a race to the Waffle House (and the hash brown spoils), and the fate of a teacup pig falls into the hands of a lovesick barista. A trio of today's bestselling authors- John Green, Maureen Johnson and Lauren Myracle- brings all the magic of the holidays to life in three hilarious and charming interconnected tales of love, romance and kisses that will steal your breath away.

 

Review:

Pros:

1. I thought since Christmas is right around the corner, literally tomorrow, I thought I would pick up a holiday read this month. I really loved this holiday read for many reasons but I'll just try to name a few so as not to make this review way too long for you beautiful people!

 

2. I'm a huge John Green fan and was excited to find this book in which he wrote a short story in but I was also excited to see that Maureen Johnson also had a short story in this book. I love her book 13 Little Blue Envelopes and I was excited to read her story as well. I've never read anything by Lauren Myracle but after reading her story, I fell in love with her writing! All three stories were hilarious and romantic as well as fun and just so darn cute! It was so hard trying to determine my favorite short story because of that! The writing for the stories was just so easy and funny to read, and I'm in love with this book. I'll definitely be reading this again next Winter!

 

3. The characters were all so cute and loveable. For the authors to have written such heartwarming characters in just 100 pages each, I'd say that's just pretty amazing! It was hard to choose my favorite characters as well because they were all so enjoyable to read about and I loved all of them, from the first page to the last. They were funny, sarcastic, caring and loyal in the funniest yet sweetest ways. I honestly could go on for hours talking about these characters!

 

4. This book had such a heartwarming and romantic Christmas feel to it that I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves the holiday season regardless of it is indeed the holiday season. If you're late to the holiday reading party, I would still recommend this book for a Winter read. It's perfect for someone who loves a cute, funny and romantic read that has just a little holiday flare to it.

 

5. One thing I just really, really loved above all was when all the characters interweaved with each other. I just thought that that was a perfect way to connect the stories together. I also really loved how the characters ended up meeting each other as well and thought that was a perfect touch to this amazing book!

 

Age Recommendation: 12+

 

I hope you guys enjoyed this book review! If you have any other book requests you would like me to review, just leave a comment or send me an email! Read on bookworms! See you in the next chapter! Oh, and happy holidays!   

Top 10 Books Of 2014!

Hey bookworms! I've been getting a lot questions on social media as to what were some of my favorite reads this year! I read a ton this year so it was really hard to limit the amount to my top 10 favorite books of 2014. Some of these books were released this year and some where just new reads for me. So, let's get this list started!

 

10. A Million Suns by Beth Revis

This is the second book to the Across The Universe trilogy and I fell in love with this book! I thought the first book was an okay read and didn't expect to love this one way more!

 

9. Siren by Tricia Rayburn

 

I fell in love with this book from the very first page and it was my first book I ever read about sirens. It was so romantic and very mysterious!

 

8. The Selection by Kiera Cass

I love any dystopian read and this trilogy is one of my favorites! It was a modern day princess story and I loved it!

 

7. The Giver by Lois Lowry

This was a very quick and somewhat vague story but left so much room for my own imagination and I just love it so much!

 

6. Cinder by Marissa Meyer

I just loved this fairytale retelling about Cinderella! I loved the dystopian aspect and the magical element and darker feel of the story!

 

5. Four by Veronica Roth

As a huge Divergent fan, I was really excited for this book! It did not disappoint me at all and it could easily be the best book in the series!

 

4. Anna and The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

This is one of my favorite contemporary reads of all time! It was so romantic, funny, witty and heartwarming and put a huge smile on my face!

 

3. Shatter Me by Taherah Mafi

I've said it once and I'll say it again, this book is a masterpiece! This book was very adventurous, romantic, and just beautiful!

 

2. The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Need I say more?

 

1. The Young Elites by Marie Lu

This book is by far the best book I read this year!! It was good and hooked me from the very first page and was so action packed, it was fantastical and had a little romance and was a darker read that I really, really loved!

 

That's all bookworms! What was your favorite book of the year? Let me know on social media and in the comments down below!

 

Bonus Pick!

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

You really thought I wouldn't include this in this post? People these days . . .

Elixir by Hilary Duff

Elixir by Hilary Duff

Rating: PG

Genre: Romance, Fantasy

Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Page Count: 327

Book #1 of the Elixir trilogy

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Published: 2010

 

Seventeen-year-old Clea Raymond has felt the glare of the spotlight her entire life. The daughter of a renowned surgeon and prominent politician, she has become a talented photojournalist who takes refuge in a world that allows her to travel to many exotic places. But after Clea's father disappears while on a humanitarian mission, Clea begins to notice eerie, shadowy images in her photos of a strange and beautiful young man- a man she has never seen before. When fate brings Clea and this man together, she is stunned by the immediate and powerful connection she feels with him. As they grow closer, they are drawn deep into the mystery behind her father's disappearance, and they discover the centuries-old truth behind their intense bond. Torn by a dangerous love triangle and haunted by a powerful secret that holds their fates, together they race against time to unravel their pasts in order to save their lives- and their futures.

 

Rating:

Pros:

1. I'm a fan of the amazing Hilary Duff and I was excited when I found this book by her. It's a bit older and I wished I could've found it a bit sooner seeing as it only took me a day to read this book. This fantasy love story hooked me from the very first page and I barely even put it down once. I couldn't wait to get to the last page of this book to see how it ended so let's get this review started so you can know why!

 

2. The writing for this story was very easy to fly through which is something I love finding about a book. Even when there wasn't really anything going on in a chapter, the writing made it seem very important to the story, at least in my opinion. It was simple to read and I actually loved the size of the font in my copy, it's a weird pro but I really enjoyed it.

 

3. I really enjoyed the characters in this book as well. They weren't my favorite group of characters but I still really enjoyed getting to know them and find out more about them. I found myself laughing out loud when it came to certain characters, there were two in particular that I found so loveable and funny and I love a book with a character that makes me laugh. They were all fun and I can't wait to get more of them in the second book.

 

4. The story line for this book was interesting as well. I really liked how everything seemed very mysterious until almost the very end of the book when all truth is revealed in one chapter. It was very mind blowing to say the least. There was a ton of mystery and things that didn't quite seem to add up which made me that much more invested in reading the story to see where it went. I also really liked that there were main factors that the story revolved around, only ending up to be just small pieces of a bigger picture.

 

5. Overall, this book was an enjoyable read for me and I think for anyone else who wants a fun fantasy read, this one you might want to consider picking up. I'm excited to pick up the second book in this trilogy so look out for that review soon!

 

Cons:

1. The only thing I didn't really like about this book was the romance. I would have loved to see the romance built up from when Clea and the mysterious man meet for the first time. I thought that the romance between them wasn't as anticipated as I would've loved for it to be and I felt like it was almost insta-love when the two characters finally were alone hallway in the book.

 

Age Recommendation: 14+

 

I hope you guys enjoyed this book review! If you have any other book requests you would like me to review, just leave a comment or send me an email! Read on bookworms! See you in the next chapter! 

Days Of Blood And Starlight by Laini Taylor

Days Of Blood And Starlight by Laini Taylor

Rating: PG-13

Genre: Romance, Fantasy

Score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Page Count: 513

Book #2 of the Daughter Of Smoke and Bone trilogy

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Published: November 6, 2012

 

Art student and monster's apprentice Karou finally has the answers she has always sought. She knows who she is- and what she is. But with this knowledge comes another truth she would give anything to undo: She loved the enemy and he betrayed her, and a world suffered for it. In this stunning sequel to the highly acclaimed Daughter Of Smoke and Bone, Karou must decide how far she'll go to avenge her people. Filled with heartbreak and beauty, secrets and impossible choices, Days Of Blood and Starlight finds Karou and Akiva on opposing sides as an age-old war stirs back to life. While Karou and her allies build a monstrous army in a land of dust and starlight, Akiva wages a different sort of battle: a battle for redemption. For hope. But can any hope be salvaged from the ashes of their broken dream?

 

Review:

Pros:

1. This continuation of the beautifully written Daughter Of Smoke and Bone is probably one of the best sequels I've read so far this year! It was just as beautiful as the first book and I had a hard time putting my love of this book into words for all you beautiful people. Let's get this review started!

 

2. First thing's first: The characters. In the first book, the characters were of course still being developed and still had to be learned by the reader. However, in this book, the characters were already established and I was so ready to get even more of them. The second book shows just how strong and brave they all are and really shows more of their personalities. I really loved seeing the characters grow from the first book and I almost felt like by the end of this book, they were completely different in a sense. They grew stronger, braver, and more powerful as the story progressed and chaos came upon them and I loved seeing how they reacted in each situation. I could go on for hours talking about these amazing and unforgettable characters!

 

3. The first book was a lot simpler with the world building and character building but this sequel was even more interesting. There was a ton of complexity with the new world that the author had to build and a lot more character development that I found very detailed without having to be overly descriptive and confusing. It is a book that you really have to focus on when reading seeing as you might miss something and there was a lot going on all at once. I loved drowning myself within the story and I loved learning more about not only the characters, the world, the conflict and more but I loved learning about the new battles and wars getting ready to be fought, the history of the old and new characters as well as the history of so many other things like the cities and the people.

 

4. The writing for this story was just absolutely beautiful in every sense of the word! The writing was so poetic in a way and made reading it that much more interesting. With a higher vocabulary, this book was not the easiest to fly through but it made me really focus on every single word and made me collect so much more of the story because of it. The story wasn't too descriptive to have been so detailed and it wasn't at all boring in any part of the book for me.

 

5. There was also a lot of excitement all throughout the book and I had a hard time finding a dull moment when something didn't attack someone or there was no war being fought. Every page was exciting and kept you wanting more. I couldn't finish a chapter without wanting to read just one more as the book was fast-paced and had so many high moments, it kept me on the edge of my seat. If there wasn't a killing going on, there was either a threat of war or an epic sword fight and maybe a blood bath amongst multiple fighters. In other words, it was freaking awesome!

 

6. Overall, this book was better than the first book, and I didn't even think that was possible. I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait to get my hands on the third and final book of this amazing and beautiful trilogy!

 

Age Recommendation: 14+

 

I hope you guys enjoyed this book review! If you have any other book requests you would like me to review, just leave a comment or send me an email! Read on bookworms! See you in the next chapter!

 

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Atlantia by Ally Condie

Atlantia by Ally Condie

Rating: PG

Score: ★★★★

Genre: Dystopian, Fantasy

Page Count: 301

Standalone Book

Publisher: Dutton Books

Published: November 4, 2014

For as long as she can remember, Rio has dreamt of the sand and sky Above- of life beyond her underwater city of Atlantia. But in a single moment, all her plans for the future are thwarted when her twin sister, Bay, makes an unexpected decision, stranding Rio Below. Alone, ripped away from the last person who knew Rio's true self- and the powerful siren voice she has hidden- she has nothing left to lose. Guided by a dangerous and unlikely mentor, Rio formulates a plan that leads to increasingly treacherous questions about her mother's death, her own destiny, and the complex, system constructed to govern the divide between land and sea. Her life and her city depend on Rio to listen to the voices of the past and to speak long-hidden truths.

Review:

Pros:

1. This fantasy book is the newest one from Ally Condie, author of the Matched trilogy, an international bestseller. I'm a big fan of the trilogy and I was really excited when this lovely came out and I just had to get my hands on it! Let's get started with the review!

2. The world of Atlantia was very unique but still had the classic feel of an underwater city. Although not based on the famous city of Atlantis, Atlantia still amazed me and got me very interested in its roots. From delicate architecture to enchanting ocean structures, it was one world that I would love to explore.

3. Before you get excited, this book is NOT about mermaids! If you're looking for a mermaid read, I suggest The Little Mermaid. But if you love sirens, keep reading! Ever since reading one of favorite siren trilogy's, I've been on the hunt for a new read with sirens and I was excited to find this one. Although the book doesn't go into detail about the sirens or where they came from, it was fun reading about them and reading why they are considered dangerous in the city Atlantia.

4. The book was very easy to read and get through, no complicated writing or description. It was very well put together and left no gaps in the story or questions. It was well fleshed out and an enjoyable read overall.

Cons:

1. I liked the characters but I didn't connect with them like I would've liked too. They were a little vague and weren't that relatable in my eyes. I would've liked to see their personalities a little more and would've liked to know more about their pasts.

2. It started out a little slow and didn't pick up until at least 30 pages but made up for it later as the story progressed. 

Age Recommendation: +13

I hope you guys enjoyed this book review! If you have any other book request you would like me to review, just leave a comment or send me an email! Read on bookworms! See you in the next chapter!

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Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Rating: PG

Score: ★★★★★

Genre: Horror, Dark Fantasy

Page Count: 348

Book #1 of the Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children series

Publisher: Quirk Books

Published: 2011

 It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen year old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that Miss Peregrine's children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow- impossible though it seems- they may still be alive. 

Review:

Pros:

1. This creepy yet fascinating book is definitely a book unlike any other I've ever read. If you're in the loop with all the newest updates about what everyone is currently reading, then you should have seen this book before about a million times. That's what happened in my case and I just couldn't let this book sit on my shelf any longer. Let's just say, I don't regret picking this one up!

2. One thing I really loved about this book was the characters but for different reasons this time around. The characters were very . . . well, peculiar to say the least. I thought it was really interesting to see what each child could do, what their "power" was and how they used it. I loved how the unique abilities between the children weren't those that were common. Consisting from super human strength to being able to bring non-living things to life, the children were very interesting to read about.

3. I really loved how the old vintage pictures used to create the story were so well interwoven that it seemed as though the photographs were taken especially for the book itself. The pictures were sometimes creepy and just hands down terrifying, but others were sweet, funny and even a little witty. I love how the story gave the pictures such a unique meaning and really made me as a reader want to dive in deeper to know more about the pictures.

4. The story is dark and somewhat horrific but was also funny and witty. I got a Lemony Snicket kind of vibe from reading this book, seeing that there was so much mystery and unique characters and had a darker, almost Gothic, kind of tone. It was also lighthearted at times, though rare, but it made me smile, laugh, and sometimes was creepy and scary, almost getting under my skin. It was an enjoyable read that I couldn't stop thinking about even after I finished reading it.

5. Overall, this book definitely deserves the hype that it's been given and so much more. If you're a fan of a mysterious and dark type of book, perfect for a rainy day, then this one is the next book you should pick up! Come on, you know you want too!

Age Recommendation: 12+

I hope you guys enjoyed this book review! If you have any other book requests you would like me to review, just leave a comment or send me an email! Read on bookworms! See you in the next chapter!

Be sure to read this one before the movie hits theaters in March 2016!!

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Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Rating: PG-13

Score: ★★★★★

Genre: Dystopian, Romance

Page Count: 338

Book #1 of the Shatter Me trilogy

Publisher: Harper Teen

Published: November 2012

Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days. The last time she did, it was an accident, but the Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color. The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette into a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war- and the Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now. Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

Review:

Pros:

1. This dystpoian book was a winner for me in many ways from the very first page. I loved pretty much everything about this book and it definitely deserves the hype that its been given!

2. The characters in this book were just amazing. I really loved all of their personalities and I loved the development of them all. I really connected with them all which can be hard to do sometimes. They were all very different and some made me laugh while others were infuriating but lovable at the same time.

3. The story was so well built that it all flowed so well together. The climax was perfect and I loved all the thrilling scenes sprinkled throughout. There was a touch of mystery that added just that much more interest to the story.

4. I loved all the elements weaved seamlessly into this book. It had a big dystopian feel that reminded me of The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken meets The Young Elites by Marie Lu, kids with cool powers treated like dangerous criminals and used as weapons. It's an amazing blend of romance, super cool abilities and secrets that are surprising, sweet and mind blowing in every way.

5. I couldn't put this book down when I started reading it! The writing was so amazing and somewhat poetic. I really loved the crossed out words and sentences, I felt like it really brought the reader into what the character was really thinking and what she actually said and did. 

Age Recommendation: 13+

I hope you guys enjoyed this book review! If you have any book requests you would like me to review, just leave a comment or send me an email! Read on bookworms! See you in the next chapter! 

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November Book Haul 2014!

I won't waste any time on this one since I bought a load of books this month! November was loving my wallet is the least I can say. Let's get started then shall we?

Faithful by Janet Fox- Half Price Books- $1

Three Rivers Rising by Jame Richards- Half Price Books- $1

Airhead by Meg Cabot- Half Price Books- $1

Ranger's Apprentice: The Lost Stories by John Flanagan- Library- $1

Atlantia by Ally Condie- Half Price Books- $14.98

Shopaholic Ties The Knot by Sophie Kinsella- Half Price Books- $2

Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi- Amazon- $7

Evermore by Alyson Noël- Half Price Books- $1

Blue Moon by Alyson Noël- Half Price Books- $1

The Reptile Room by Lemony Snicket- Half Price Books- $4.50

The Slippery Slope by Lemony Snicket- Half Price Books- $2.50

Boys R Us by Lisi Harrison- Half Price Books- $1

P.S I loathe You by Lisi Harrison- Half Price Books- $1

That Summer by Sarah Dessen- Half Price Books- 81¢

Keeping The Moon by Sarah Dessen- Half Price Books- $4

Thunder Dog by Michael Hingson with Susy Flory- Thrift store- $1

Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs- Half Price Books- $8

Elixir by Hilary Duff- Half Price Books- $2.50

Days Of Blood And Starlight by Laini Taylor- Amazon- $7

Daughter Of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor- Amazon- $7

Divergent: Collector's Edition by Veronica Roth- Wal-Mart- $14

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken- Amazon- $6

Wicked: Witch and Curse by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguié- Thrift store- $1

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer- Amazon- $6

Cinder by Marissa Meyer- Amazon- $5

Wake by Lisa McMann- Half Price Books- 81¢

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead- Half Price Books- $4

So which books did you buy this month? Tell me in the comments down below!

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The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken

Rating: PG-13

Score: ★★★★★

Genre: Dystopian, Action, Sci-Fi

Page Count: 488

Book #1of The Darkest Minds trilogy

Publisher: Hyperion

Published: December 18, 2012

When Ruby woke up on her tenth birthday, something about her had changed. Something frightening enough to make her parents lock her in the garage and call the police. Something that got her sent to Thurmond, a brutal government "rehabilitation camp." She might have survived the mysterious disease that had killed most of America's children, but she and the others emerged with something far worse: frightening abilities they could not control. Now, sixteen, Ruby is one of the dangerous ones. When the truth comes out, Ruby barely escapes Thurmond with her life. She is on the run, desperate to find the only safe haven left for kids like her- East River. She joins a group of kids who have escaped their own camp. Liam, their brave leader, is falling hard for Ruby. But no matter how much she aches for him, Ruby can't risk getting close. Not after what happened to her parents. When they arrive at East River, nothing is as it seems, least of all its mysterious leader. But there are other forces at work, people will stop at nothing to use Ruby in their fight against the government. Ruby will be faced with a terrible choice, one that may mean giving up her only chance at having a life worth living.

Review:

Pros:

1. This book was pretty much a winner for me from the very beginning seeing as all my favorite genres were wrapped into one amazing book like this one. Once again, this is a five-star book in my opinion and it's no wonder why this book has gotten so much hype in just a couple of years. If you're a fan of Article 5 or The Young Elites, this book is for you!

2. The characters in this book completely won me over from the beginning. Ruby is very strong and a very feisty female lead that I thought made the book that much more empowering. The other characters, Liam and Chubs, were just a joy to read about. With all their funny jokes and sarcastic comments, I really loved them. Zu was just adorable as well as a little girl you really don't want to mess with. I really loved how the villain in this book came in many characters from the entire government to a friend they thought they could trust.

3. All the genres in this book really won me over. It has a huge dystopian feel to it, which you all should know that I'm a sucker for. It also had adventure, action and even a little romance that I thought blended very well into the rest of the story and wasn't rushed at all.  I really loved all the supernatural abilities that these kids had, from reading minds to erasing people's memories, it was just so cool!

4. The writing for this book is absolutely flawless. Alexandra Bracken is an amazing author. Her writing is so easy to read and keeps you on the edge of your seat. I couldn't put this book down and I couldn't read it fast enough. She created an amazing set of characters, built an amazing new world and created stories for every character she wrote about. 

5. Lastly, the book kept me interested from the very first page to the very last. It had a lot of fast-paced scenes and an amazing yet heartbreaking ending. It was sweet, funny, dark, and mysterious all at the same time. I'm really excited to read the second book and I'll be flying through that one as well.

Age Recommendation: 13+

I hope you guys enjoyed this book review! If you have any book requests you would like me to review, just leave a comment or send me an email! Read on bookworms! See you in the next chapter!

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The 100 by Kass Morgan

The 100 by Mass Morgan

Rating: PG-13

Score: ★★★★

Genre: Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic, Drama, Sci-fi

Page Count: 323 pages

Book #1 of The 100 series

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Published: September 3, 2013

In the future, humans live in city-like spaceships orbiting far above Earth's toxic atmosphere. No one knows when, or even if, the long-abandoned planet will be habitable again. But faced with dwindling resources and a growing populace, government leaders know they must reclaim their homeland . . . before it's too late. Now, one hundred juvenile delinquents are being sent on a high-stakes mission to recolonize Earth. After a brutal crash landing, the teens arrive on a savagely beautiful planet they've only seen from space. Confronting the dangers of this rugged new world, they struggle to form a tentative community. But they're haunted by their past and uncertain about the future. To survive, they must learn to trust- and even love- again.

Review:

Pros:

1. Once again, this is one book that 
I really don't regret picking up. There are very mixed reviews when it comes to this book, you either really hate it or really love it but I'm happy to say that I'm part of the latter one. Let's get this review started shall we?

2. The story was written in four points of veiw which seems like a lot but was actually pretty enjoyable. Half the story takes place on earth where three of the points of view are set while the fourth takes place on the ship at the same time. I really liked how the author wrote it so that half the story was told on earth and some of the mystery about what was happening there while the other half of the mystery was taking place on the ship, all combining into one story and conclusion. 

3. I also really enjoyed the characters. 
Their personalities were interesting and I loved learning about their pasts and their biggest secrets. It was really cool to see them grow closer to each other and watch their stories unfold to create a really amazing aspect of the book.

4. I love all the genres this book held. 
With a little action here and there, tons of sci-fi with romance sprinkled throughout the book and an awesome ending, I thought the book was a fun read and had a little something for everyone. If you want a better description, try Star 
Trek meets Wall-E but without all the cuteness and a lot more . . . well . . . death.


Cons:
1. The only thing I didn't like about the book was that it started out a little slow and didn't really pick up for me until at least four chapters in. Overall, the book was well written and an enjoyable read.


Age Recommendation: 13+


I hope you guys enjoyed this book review! If you have any other book requests you would like me to review, just leave a comment or send me an email! Read on bookworms! See you in the next chapter!


Be sure to watch THE 100 on the CW and Netflix!


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Article 5 by Kristen Simmons

Article 5 by Kristen Simmons

Rating: PG-13

Score: ★★★★

Genre: Fiction, Action, Dystopian

Page Count: 364

Book #1 of the Article 5 trilogy

Publisher: Tor Teen Books

Published: 2012

New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C have all been abandoned. The Bill of rights has been revoked and replaced with the Moral Statutes. There are no more police-- instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior-- instead there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested don't usually come back. Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren't always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it's hard to forget that people weren't always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It's hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different. In the three years since the war ended, Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow. That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And what's worse, one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings . . . the only boy Ember has ever loved.

Review:

Pros:

1. This action packed sci-fi dystopian story has lots that I loved about it. If you're a fan of any of those genres, this book is a winner from me to you. 

2. The story isn't all that original, two teens on the run from the government, but this take on the story is very interesting and hard to put down. There's a few actions scenes that weren't too over the top for the book as well as some romance sprinkled throughout the pages. The story was thought out very well and gave something new to the whole aspect of the non original subject.

3. The story flowed very well and I felt like it was fleshed out perfectly. It would make a great stand alone but of course, it isn't one. The story wasn't rushed and it didn't seem forced in certain places like some stories tend to be. The story was very well written and easy to understand. It also wasn't too descriptive like some action/sci-fi books can be.

4. The characters were just perfect. I really loved how both main characters were hard at first but later softened as the story progressed. I really liked their backgrounds and the relationship they had with each other in the past and how it was so much different in the present day. 

5. Overall, this book had a little something for everyone, romance, action, sci-fi, a dystopian feel, and a very good storyline and plot. The climax was amazing and was also fast paced for most of the book.

Cons:

1.The only thing I didn't like about this book was that the beginning starts out pretty slow. For me, it didn't pick up until about fifty pages in. It's hard nowadays to find a book that perfect from beginning to end but this book didn't quite cut it.

Age Recommendation: 13+

I hope you guys enjoyed this book review! If you have any more book recommendations you would like me to review, just leave a comment or send me am email! Read on bookworms! See you in the next chapter! 

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Daughter Of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Daughter Of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Rating: PG

Score: ★★★★★

Genre: Horror, Fantasy

Page Count: 420

Book #1 of the Daughter Of Smoke and Bone trilogy

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Published: 2011

Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky. In a dark and dusty shop, a devil's supply of human teeth grows dangerously low. And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young artist is about to be caught up in the brutal otherworldly war. Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real, she's prone to disappearing on mysterious "errands", she speaks many languages-- not all of them human-- and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she's about to find out. When beautiful, haunted Akiva fixes fiery eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

Review:

Pros:

1. Let's just start off with saying that this book had some pretty mixed reviews online, one extreme or the other: some hated it and some loved it. I was happy to know that I was part of the ladder. This fantasy/horror/romantic adventure is one of my favorite trilogies already, and I've only read the first book!

2. The story was written so poetically that really just drew me in to the story even more. The word usage and layout was so beautiful that it made me want to read for hours on end and live in the world that Laini Taylor created for her readers.

3. The characters were just unforgettable. I really loved Karou's character and just how strong and driven she was. I also loved Akiva's character, very mysterious and dark but had a bit of a sharper edge to it. The other characters were also very enjoyable such as Zuzanna's character or Brimstone, other fun people that the book mentions.

4. I could not get over all of the fantasy and horror-like aspects of the book. From the cool magic and portals to other worlds, to the dark secrets and violent attacks from enemies. The book had a dark theme to it throughout the entire story but also had it's funny moments that added something extra to the story.

5. I really loved how the book was written in not only two points of view but with chapters every now and then taking place in the past. It wasn't confusing at all like some books tend to be. I always knew which chapters were being told from who's POV and when the chapter was taking place, present or past. 

6. Lastly, I loved the incredible plot twist that was absolutely mind blowing to say the least. The dialog was amazing, the climax and plot were fantastic and the action and romance all blended so well together to create a beautiful and anticipating story.

Age Recommendation: 14+

I hope you guys enjoyed this book review! If you have any more book requests you would like me to review, just leave a comment or send me an email! Read on bookworms! See you in the next chapter!

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The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Rating: PG-13

Score: 4 stars

Genre: Sci-fi

Page Count: 457

Book #1 Of The 5th Wave Trilogy

Publisher: G.P's Putnam Sons

Release Date: 2013

After the 1st Wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th Wave, just one rule applies: trust no one. Now it's the dawn of the 5th Wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth's last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan may be Cassie's only hope for rescuing her brother-- or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

Review:

Pros:

1. Pretty much as soon as I heard that this book had aliens in it, I just had to pick it up! I loved a lot about this book from the sci-fi and action to the romance and of course, the aliens. This book is one for a sci-fi lover for sure!

2. I loved the characters, especially the main character, Cassie. She is such a powerful and tough female protagonist and really brought a lot of the main story alive. Even the side characters were all tough and hard like Cassie and created a really awesome line of different characters that were both loved and enjoyable to read.

3. I really loved all the sci-fi aspects of the book. Like I said before, it had aliens but not in a way I was expecting. They weren't exactly the little green men we all know. The action in this book was also pretty cool and so were the descriptions of the drones and flying saucers, well, more like giant spaceships. 

4. I also enjoyed how the story was told in 3 different points of view. It rarely works for some books and this was a game changer. I liked how all points of view weren't the same in any way, they were told by different characters but in different places and mind sets as well. 

Cons:

1. Even though I enjoyed this book, it took FOREVER for me to read. I've read longer books in the past but for some reason, this book took way longer to finish from beginning to end. It never really hooked me enough to keep me enveloped in the story and didn't really pick up until a good fourth of the way into the book for me.

2. I also didn't like the romance in this book. Yes, it added something extra to the story but at the same time, I felt like it just didn't blend well enough with the story. There was so much going on in the story that I felt like the romantic aspect was forced in a little.

Age Recommendation: 13+

I hope you guys enjoyed this book review! If you have any more book requests you would like me to review, leave a comment or send me an email! Read on bookworms! See you in the next chapter!

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The Young Elites by Marie Lu

The Young Elites by Marie Lu

Rating: PG

Score: 5 stars

Genre: Sci-Fy, Fantasy

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina's black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family's good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever's survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars-- they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Review:

Pros:

1. This sci-fy fantasy adventure is the first book in a new trilogy by Marie Lu (author of the Legend trilogy) and an amazing one at that. This story holds so much adventure, romance and mystery that it hooked me from the very first page. This story has been described as the X-Men meets Divergent set in a medieval era, and that description rings true.

2. I truly loved all the characters from this book! From the main to the not so important characters, I really loved them all. They were all dark and mysterious with an attitude that really made them interesting and likeable, even the bad guys in the book were loved!

3. The story line was so well written as well. It started out at a certain point and started heading to a certain end like all stories, but had these pop ups of chaos and action packed scenes that blended so well together and didn't feel too blocky or abrupt. The pop ups made the story more interesting and really added so much to the entire story.

4. I loved all the passion and emotions that flowed through the book from beginning to end. The story had anger, fury, rage, fear, romance and so much more that I couldn't put it down for a single second. It is truly a story that fans of Legend, The Hunger Games or Divergent will love as much as I did!

Age Recommendation: 13+

I hope you guys enjoyed this book review! If you have any more book requests you would like me to review, just leave a comment or send me an email! Read on bookworms! See you in the next chapter!

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