{Review} Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles

Wild Cards
Series: Wild Cards #1
Author: Simone Elkeles
Release Date: September 24, 2013
by, Walker Books for Young Readers
Pages: 288

After getting kicked out of boarding school, bad boy Derek Fitzpatrick has no choice but to live with his ditzy stepmother while his military dad is deployed. Things quickly go from bad to worse when he finds out she plans to move them back to her childhood home in Illinois. Derek’s counting the days before he can be on his own, and the last thing he needs is to get involved with someone else’s family drama.

Ashtyn Parker knows one thing for certain--people you care about leave without a backward glance. A football scholarship would finally give her the chance to leave. So she pours everything into winning a state championship, until her boyfriend and star quarterback betrays them all by joining their rival team. Ashtyn needs a new game plan, but it requires trusting Derek—someone she barely knows, someone born to break the rules. Is she willing to put her heart on the line to try and win it all?{Goodreads}

~Review:
 Holy flipping cow!!!! I can't believe I even got this book! Simone Elkeles is a really well known author thanks to her Perfect Chemistry series. So when I found I had this book in my possession post release I about freaked!! I did a happy jog and everything.

  Now, that being said I still haven't read the Perfect Chemistry series yet but it's another one I have been dying to read! I will get to it soon enough I promise! Now to talk about Wild Cards. I really liked it. It was cute and it was funny! Derek is an absolute dream boat and Ashton is snarky and independent. The banter between these two was delightful. I enjoyed the multiple POVs. It's always nice to know what is going on through each characters head as they start to fall. Ashton was probably the most stubborn about it. I loved it. ;) Ashton is the star kicker...on the boys varsity football team. How great is that!? The last book--and only other book--that I read with a girl on a boys football team was Catching Jordan. I liked that one but I think I liked this one more....sorry Miranda Kennealy! Even though they were similar I liked Elkeles version better because of the family she put together. The boys on the team looked out for Ashton but they also respected her. I also liked how the verbal language was considerably higher in decency. There weren't as many cuss words as there were in Catching Jordan. I don't mind it often because hello! We are teens and this day in age swearing is about as normal as breathing. But there is respect in words. Elkeles gives that respect. Ashton is beyond independent and even more stubborn. She has the will of--of I don't know (running short in comparisons) but she has a lot of will and determination. She doesn't like things being handed to her. She likes to work for her earnings. I love that about her. She has her quirky habits. She plays to win and she wins because she plays....hard.

  Derek is a bad boy. Whoopdey Doo! Isn't it always a bad boy!? Yes. Am I complaining? No. ;) Derek is more of a punk than a bad boy. He is witty and charming and likes to grease pigs and set them loose during graduation ceremonies. Haha ok so he is trouble with a capital T but he is harmless. He isn't the roofing bad boy. He is the prancing bad boy. Ultimately he has a great heart. He fixes up sheds and mows lawn with no ulterior motive. The boy just has a serious mouth and prank problem.

  Put the two together and you got one heck of a couple. Goodness these two were making me laugh! They are both incredibly stubborn. It was like watching those goats with the horns ram each other over and over again. Haha lets just say when the first time a couple meets ends with a pitch fork in a shoe...it's bound to be interesting. It was. I read this book pretty fast. The stuff that both Ashton and Derek had Togo through had my full attention. This isn't a light read. It had more depth. Both characters had struggles they had to deal with. This wasn't a heavy read either. It was a light heavy? I don't know don't ask.

  Simone Elkeles righting is nice. It flows easily. Each words slides into the next and before you know it you have read half the book. She has a nice sense of humor being able to commit to the snarky replies Derek and Ashton throw at each other. Ultimately Derek and Ashton were adorable especially at the end. Oh my goodness that end was adorable!! I can't wait to read the next one! There was only one thing that bothered me about the book. There was some round about incest. It wasn't true incest but it was enough to make me not jump on the TeamDerekandAshton boat. Derek's stepmom is Ashton's sister. So basically Ashton is Derek's aunt-in-law. No blood ties but I don't know I like to stay away from that stuff. Ya just weird to me. There are so many different ways you could come about a couple meeting and I prefer to stay away from instances like this. Eventually I kind of just ignored that little fact as best as I could and enjoyed the story for what it was.

  Wild Cards was an enjoyable read. I loved Simone Elkeles writing style and the story she created. The characters were well developed and the love was adorable. I can't say it was a favorite but it was well worth the read! I would recommend it to all contemporary fans! Like I said before, I haven't read anything else's from Simone Elkeles so I can't compare it to her Perfect Chemistry series. Bottom line: Wild Cards was good..great even! It was fun, funny, and really cute. I really liked it! Give it a try when you got the chance. Borrow it, buy it. However you see fit but I do think it is worth the shot. :)

~Rating:

4 of 5 stars!

*a copy was provided for review purposes*

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{Blog Tour} Canary by Rachele Alpine

Canary
Author: Rachele Alpine
Release Date: August 1, 2013
by, Medallion Press
Pages: 288

Staying quiet will destroy her, but speaking up will destroy everyone.
Kate Franklin’s life changes for the better when her dad lands a job at Beacon Prep, an elite private school with one of the best basketball teams in the state. She begins to date a player on the team and quickly gets caught up in a world of idolatry and entitlement, learning that there are perks to being an athlete.

But those perks also come with a price. Another player takes his power too far and Kate is assaulted at a party. Although she knows she should speak out, her dad’s vehemently against it and so, like a canary sent into a mine to test toxicity levels and protect miners, Kate alone breathes the poisonous secrets to protect her dad and the team. The world that Kate was once welcomed into is now her worst enemy, and she must decide whether to stay silent or expose the corruption, destroying her father’s career and bringing down a town’s heroes.

Canary is told in a mix of prose and verse.{Goodreads}

~Review:
  What is this!? Did someone send out a letter saying that depressing, struggling, coming of age stories were in? I've read so many it feels like this year! I sure didn't get the memo. Now, I am not in any way saying that is a bad thing. I like these stories best. I like the broken being fixed. The struggles it takes for someone to find themselves. It's real and  true.

  Rachele Alpine does not disappoint. Like I said before, it seems as if I have read these types of stories back to back, and again, I am not complaining. Mrs. Alpine tackled the story of teenage life and it's ups and downs, high school's hierarchy and the struggle to "be on top", the everyday life struggles that mold us teens into the adults we can become and might I say...she nailed it! Now, high school isn't like the movies. Most of the time you don't get a raging bitch who runs the school. You do get bitches and asses but...well, you get those everywhere. I think when Mrs. Alpine was portraying the high school heirarchy, the elites, the rulers of campus, whatever you want to call them she was just giving a bigger picture of how tough fitting in can be. You want to be recognized, loved, adored. You don't realize just how slippery of a slope that can be.

  We are given the character of Kate to take the dark road for us. Man, my hear actually physically hurt when reading this book. The things she had to go through was rough. She was strong because she feared, be cause she loved and lost, because she lost sight of what was important, because she lost herself. Strong because despite all that, she made it through, she found herself, she found what was important and lost what was not. She was strong because she survived. Not survived as in fought an army with one a pin and needle but survived what might have other's cracking. I loved her. She is a protagonist worthy of the term "heroine". Sometimes society distorts all of what we hold dearly and we are temporarily blinded by it all. We cause our own pain, our own destruction. This is what Rachele shows us. This is why it was so devastating...because whether we want to see it or not...its all true.

  Canary is a powerful read. It takes you on a journey filled with loss, heartache, betrayal, and the road that leads you to finding yourself, voice, and fully accepting who you are. It was not an easy journey. That's what I loved about it so much. These days so many stories (books, movies, etc) show the bad and the outcome being completely unaffected by it. That's not true and that's not real. We have to struggle to get to the top. We have to make mistake after mistake until we finally get it right. Sometimes we have so many problems that your drowning in them and you think you will never catch your breath but when you finally do....its worth it. It doesn't seem like it at the time but its true. As they say: "A smooth sea never made a skillful sailor." This is true in Canary.

  I was hooked from page one. The writing of Rachele Alpine is intoxicating. She pushes the boundaries. She pushes herself. She pushes Kate. The most unique thing about this book is the daily blog entries. Kate's "Daily Truth". Yes, Kate keeps track of everything in a blog. She writes all the happenings of her day, every day. The way she writes them is so beautiful. Some are so heart-wrenching but they are beautiful. They are lyrical, poetic, inspiring. So not only does Rachele write a book but a blog in a book, talk about talent. I haven't read something like that. It was unique and captivating.

  The amount of talent Rachele Alpine is unbelievable. She has truly made a fan out of me. I will read anything and everything by her. I can hardly believe that she was the one coming to me at the beginning of the year asking me if I wanted to read her book. That she was giving me and my blog compliments. That it was an honor of hers if I would read and review her book. All along it should have been me begging her for a chance to read her book. The honor is truly all mine. It was an absolute pleasure to be gifted with an advanced copy of her book. To get a chance to read the greatness that is Canary. My emotions ran wild with this book. I teared up, I got angry, I got depressed. Rachele has your emotions in the palm of your hand and she will own them. You will not be in control of them when reading this book. I wasn't..that is for sure.

  So all in all, when this book comes out, read it. It is a book that will capture you from the beginning leaving you breathless at the end. It's not one with a happy ending waiting at the end. It's not terrible but the road to the end is torture. You will be reading Kate's snowball effect and have no power over it. All you can do is continue reading and anticipate the end. You watch that snowflake touch the ground and start rolling, picking up speed and increasing inside, seeing Kate at the bottom in direct line of impact. You can scream, you can shout warning after warning but you are powerless. The outcome is inevitable. And you want to save yourself the horror but you can't because you are so hooked. Canary's got its claws hooked into your heart, its song singing for you to continue while also voicing a warning. I felt as if I was in one of those sound proof glass boxes with the one way vision except you got the vision and no one can see you...seeing and hearing everything but having no one hear or see you. Its torture and again, I couldn't stop. It was amazing. By the end I was truly breathless. My heart hurt and all I could do was lay down for the night and think it all over.

  Read it, hate it, love it. ;D Those are the three steps to an amazing book. The books associated with the word "great" are the ones that aren't perfect. They don't have the indestructible heroine with the fearlessness and courage to feed an army of thousands, they have the rough and the tough that is all too true. Those are the books I find to steal my heart and Canary is one of them. The one's that are 5 star worthy. It's one I will swear up and down on. Keep with me as a reminder, as a source of inspiration. I will encourage this book to all.


~Rating:

5 of 5 stars!

*This review is a part of the Canary Book Tour hosted by AtomR Tours*

~The Author:

  Rachele Alpine is a lover of sushi, fake mustaches, and Michael Jackson. One of her first jobs was at a library, but it didn’t last long, because all she did was hide in the third-floor stacks and read. Now she’s a little more careful about when and where she indulges her reading habit. By day she’s a high school English teacher, and by night she writes with the companionship of the world’s cutest dog, Radley, a big cup of coffee, and a full bag of gummy peaches. Rachele lives with her husband in Cleveland, Ohio, but dreams of moving back to Boston, the city she fell in love with while attending graduate school there.

Website | Twitter  | Facebook | Goodreads

{Review} The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa

The Lost Prince
Series: The Iron Fey: Call of the Forgotten #1
Author: Julie Kagawa
Release Date: October 23, 2012
by, Harlequin Teen
Source: bought
Pages: 377

Don’t look at Them. Never let Them know you can see Them. 

That is Ethan Chase’s unbreakable rule. Until the fey he avoids at all costs—including his reputation—begin to disappear, and Ethan is attacked. Now he must change the rules to protect his family. To save a girl he never thought he’d dare to fall for.

Ethan thought he had protected himself from his older sister’s world—the land of Faery. His previous time in the Iron Realm left him with nothing but fear and disgust for the world Meghan Chase has made her home, a land of myth and talking cats, of magic and seductive enemies. But when destiny comes for Ethan, there is no escape from a danger long, long forgotten.{Goodreads}

~Review:
  I wasn't so sure I was gonna love this book like I loved The Iron Fey-Ash, Megan, and Pucks story. Truth is? I didn't. I couldn't. It may be the same world but it is not the same series and once I accepted that I was blown away. I never once doubted Julie and her talents. I doubted my ability to let go of the characters I had grown so find of. I didn't think I could see the world of the far without thinking of Megan and Ash and Puck. It took me some time to get over but it didn't take that long.

  Julie has this uncanny ability to draw you and and submerse you in the pages. It's pretty freaking ridiculous because I always feel so vulnerable and out of control while reading her books. I think I've said this before but Julie Kagawa has your heart and emotions in her hand while you read her books. You're like putty that she just molds and breaks. She throws you into these worlds and holds you down in them. You no longer have control over yourself. She brings these characters in that steal you from the beginning. She's got her claws deep in your heart as after words...it all lingers. Footprints of each story--each character, are imprinted there forever.

  I was so surprised with Ethan. I was like "Uhmm...who is this and where did Ethan go?" I was a bit sad that this is where Ethan came. Te world of the Fae haunts him. He now has a bad boy rep. While I was kind of sad I couldn't complain...Ethan is well, hot. I feel kind if weird saying it because the last time I had seen him he was only a little boy but well...he is no little boy anymore! Even though Ethan gives us this bad boy act, he is still the sweet boy he always was just minus the stuffed animal. He seems standoffish because he doesn't want to get close to anyone. Being close means bringing them right down with him into the Fae world.

  Keirran was funny and a total free spirit. I loved him. In many ways Ethan and Keirran were the new Ash and Puck. Ethan was brooding like Ash and Keirran was the lively Puck. It was nice having the banter from these two. It was like Ash and Puck before the enemies. They weren't Ash and Puck but there were similarities. Again, it was super hard not seeing my beloved characters again but I enjoyed Keirran and Ethan's story.

  You do get a special visit from the young adult worlds best fictional boys and that made me extremely happy! We even get a visit from grim, razor, and Megan. I love Julie's story telling. It's amazing! And now she is taking the Iron Fey series to a whole other level! Some serious shit is gonna go down. It's bigger than the iron fey. We get a call from the forgotten. Dang these thugs are creepy! I'm so excited that she decided to make a spin off on my favorite series. It's action packed, heart warming and thrilling! The new characters that enter the story are great and like able. Everything was done well. Julie Kagawa never disappoints. No. She always ends up exceeding our expectations. She is what authors hope to be!

  If you haven't read the Iron Fey series (The Iron King, The Iron Daughter, The Iron Queen, The Iron Knight) I suggest you read it first. You don't HAVE to but one, it's flipping amazing and my uptime favorite series and two, you might understand the fey world a bit better and Ethan. You get to see the Ethan before it all. The sweet little innocent boy who started it all. These books are one of the best books I have ever read. Julie is my favorite author because she brings all cards to the table. She is so talented. Her books are cinematic! Basically, all her books will be the best books you have ever read. Each one will capture you. Read each one! You will not be disappointed. If you were to ask me what to read Julie's books will always be my first suggestion. There is a reason and that reason is greatness.

~Rating:

Need-In-Order-To-Breathe (5 stars times a million) 

{Review} Boundless by Cynthia Hand

Boundless
Series: Unearthly #3
Author: Cynthia Hand
Release Date: January 22, 2013
by, HarperTeen
Source: Bought
Pages: 438

The past few years have held more surprises than part-angel Clara Gardner could ever have anticipated. Yet from the dizzying highs of first love, to the agonizing low of losing someone close to her, the one thing she can no longer deny is that she was never meant to live a normal life.

Since discovering the special role she plays among the other angel-bloods, Clara has been determined to protect Tucker Avery from the evil that follows her . . . even if it means breaking both their hearts. Leaving town seems like the best option, so she’s headed back to California - and so is Christian Prescott, the irresistible boy from the vision that started her on this journey in the first place.

As Clara makes her way in a world that is frighteningly new, she discovers that the fallen angel who attacked her is watching her every move. And he’s not the only one. . . . With the battle against the Black Wings looming, Clara knows she must finally fulfill her destiny. But it won’t come without sacrifices and betrayal.

In the riveting finale of the Unearthly series, Clara must decide her fate once and for all.{Goodreads}

~Trailer:

 ~Review:
  So even though there has even a significant amount of amazing 2013 debuts...there have also been some let downs. Especially in the finishing department. Finishing department?

  The final books to series. Is this one of them? In some ways yes, sadly. The Unearlthy series was one of my first loves. Tucker one of my first boy loves and Cynthia Hand being one of my first Author loves. It was seriously amazing!!! The writing of Cynthia was so fresh and lovely it was hard not to fall in love with the books!

  Now I can't complain too much. The book was full of action, turns, pieces being out together, love!! It was all fantastic! I was so into the book I had trouble putting it down! I forgot the talent of Cynthia. Her ability to just draw you in with the easy flow of her writing. So if it was so great....why is it a disappointment in some ways?

  It left me disappointed for one reason and one reason alone. The absence of Tucker and the abundance of Christians presence. I started to fall out of love with Tucker and in love with Christian. I was routing for Tucker the entire time while reading it. In my mind set I was going to throw a hissy fit if Clara didn't end up with Tucker.

BEWARE OF SPOILER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  I hated the way she ended the book. I found the way she got Tucker with Clare was childish. I almost would have been ok with him dying and Clara ending up with Christian after her heartbreak. My emotions weren't hit as hard as they probably should have. When he died and she saw him in his death before walking into the light I did. I was heart broken. But the after felt as if she needed a reason to keep Tucker alive so she did the first thing she thought of. Wth!!? Tucker is now part angel? That I felt was stupid. And not to mention she left a lot of loose ends. She kind of gave a well this and this so because of that they got a happily ever after. What about Jeremy? Angela!?Christian? I mean poor dude. It wasn't the way I saw it all ending.

END OF SPOILER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  Like Requiem by Lauren Oliver I was left disappointed because of the cliche endings and the lack of tying the last ribbon. I felt as if it was incomplete. Everything up to the ending was absolutely amazing! It was everything I hoped it to be! That was the stuff I know Cynthia is capable of. The stuff I love her for. I wasn't completely disappointed but I was never the less. It is still a series I hold dearly to me but...I don't know. The ending was just off. I mean I was happy about it but not as happy as I thought I'd be. It's just this jumble of feelings I have. In the end the good out weighed the bad I think.

  If you haven't read this series yet I insist you do. It's beautiful and wonderful. Don't let me get in the way of you starting it. I encourage you to. Even though I had a slight disappointment it didn't completely ruin the series for me. This last book to the Unearthly series is alike with Requiem, the last of the Delirium series by Lauren Oliver. Both series that I love dearly and both with endings that left me feeling it didn't end. Try it out! You may feel completely different than I did with the ending. Again the ending was my only disappointment everything was wonderful! I can't wait to get something new from Cynthia Hand. She is an incredible author!

~Rating:

4 of 5 stars!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a wonderful day,

~Jaiden

{Review} The Summer I Turned Pretty Trilogy by Jenny Han

The Summer I Turned Pretty
Release Date: May 5, 2009
It's Not Summer Without You
Release Date: April 27, 2010
We'll Always Have Summer
Release Date: April 26, 2011
(all) by, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Series: The Summer I Turned Pretty Trilogy #1-3
Author: Jenny Han
Source: bought; ebook

Belly has always lived for the summertime because it means all her favorite things: swimming, the beach and the Fisher boys, Conrad and Jeremiah. She has spent every summer with them at Cousins Beach for as long as she can remember. She has always been in love with Conrad and finally, one summer, it seems like he might have feelings for her too. But it turns out, so does Jeremiah.

As the summers go on, Belly has to choose between two brothers who love her as she comes to the realization that she will have to break one of their hearts.

For the first time, all three Summer novels are in one collection, including The Summer I Turned Pretty, It's Not Summer Without You and We'll Always Have Summer.{Goodreads}

~Review:
  I've been dying to read this series for forever!! It always appealed to me! It sounded so cute and light and and I never got the chance to read it. It's been two years since the last book came out and I barely read it! So I was on a super long road trip and had just finished Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi. I needed something cute and fun to help me calm down from the super hot emotional ride that was Unravel Me. I went to read something else but thought about it and thought it was about damn time I read this series!

 I flew through this series! I read the first two in a matter of a seven hour drive and the last in one day while we rested at the hotel. They were short and simple but they were oh so cute and absolutely adorable! They were cliche in some parts but idk I think that's what I liked about them! Jenny Han has a cute writing style. Yes, I'm going to continue to use the words cute and adorable in this review. That's what they were though! If I could compare them to anything I think it would be a ballerina  music box. Both are girly, cute, delicate and sweet.

We follow Belly throughout her love life. She has only ever loved Conrad but the feelings were never reciprocated. The summer of her 14 birthday she comes back to the Fisher beach house like they do every summer but this summer, this summer she turns pretty. Well, she just gains the attention that she has always but by BOTH Fisher boys. Belly is whiny and frustrating at times but when it comes down to it she is just an ordinary girl hoping to find love. I liked Conrad and I enjoyed Jeremiah's presence. Both boys are like night and day. Jeremiah is fun and loud and a bundle of joy. Conrad is more grim and brooding. Both are cute and each loves Belly.

  I think my favorite would be the third book. Belly finally matures some more and there was enough of other stuff going on that it's not all about the beach house and Conrad. Each boy has had their turn with Belly by the third book and it's now Jeremiah's turn. Ok so actually my favorite would have to be the end of the second book.

  All in all I am glad I finally read this series. It was fun. It definitely wasn't a big favorite of mine but I did enjoy it! It was perfect for a simple beach read or road trip read. It was full of promises, growing up, love, loss, and those cute fluffy thoughts some girls embrace and others keep hidden. If you are looking for simple, fun and frilly then this is your book! If you like some of the more intense, broken, complicated romance books I would completely recommend it. There's not a whole lot of depth to these books but I wouldn't not recommend it. It was really good for what it was. If it peaks your interest definitely give t a try! :)

~Rating:

3.5 of 5 stars!

(the whole series) 

{Review} Requiem by Lauren Oliver

Requiem
Series: Delirium #3
Author: Lauren Oliver
Release Date: March 5, 2013
by, Harper Collin's Childrens Books
Source: bought
Pages: 391

They have tried to squeeze us out, to stamp us into the past.

But we are still here.

And there are more of us every day.

Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has been transformed. The nascent rebellion that was under way in Pandemonium has ignited into an all-out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the center of the fight.

After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven—pockets of rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of Invalids. Regulators now infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels, and as Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancée of the young mayor.

Maybe we are driven crazy by our feelings.

Maybe love is a disease, and we would be better off without it.

But we have chosen a different road.

And in the end, that is the point of escaping the cure: We are free to choose.

We are even free to choose the wrong thing.

Requiem is told from both Lena’s and Hana’s points of view. The two girls live side by side in a world that divides them until, at last, their stories converge.{Goodreads}

~Review:
  Sigh...I don't know where to begin. I guess I will start with my thoughts. That's always a good start right? I mean that is what makes up reviews...

My first thought's when starting Delirium was "Love as a disease? Really? That sounds kind of really stupid. How far can you even go with that?"

My thoughts after Delirium: "Holy flipping crap! Why the heck had I ever doubted? This is one of the best books I have ever read!!"

My thoughts after Pandemonium: "What the flipping hell!! How could Lauren Oliver do this to us!? Do I seriously have to wait a whole year to read the finale?"

My thoughts before Requiem: "It's here! It's here! It is finally here! This book is going to be the death of me! I love Julian and I hope he gets a nice little girl for himself but Alex, Alex deserves the world. It will always be Alex at the top and he better be with her at the end. Holy crap I'm opening the book! Oh my gosh! Look there is the first word!"

My thoughts on Requiem:

  Alex is in my top five favorite guys! He is sharing the second place with Puck from The Iron Fey Series by Julie Kagawa. Now, I had my dad read this series because he is the only other person in my family who loves books as much as I. I recommend books to him and he reads the ones I most highly recommend. I got him started and currently he is on book two. My point? He asked me why I liked Alex as much as I do. My answer: I don't know. I mean really he isn't as great as some. He is missing for all (or most?? sorry no spoilers) of the second book. His appearance in the third sucks because of circumstances. I guess maybe because he was one of my first book loves. Because in Delirium he was so high on life and freedom it was contagious. He had eyes that shone, a smile that gleamed and a laugh that could brighten a room. He was kind and loving and adventurous. He loved Lena unconditionally. He showed her things she never could have known without him. He was life. He was energy. He was love.

  Lena was different from protagonists. She grew. She was weak and vulnerable and innocent and ignorant. Seeing her grow throughout each book was amazing. I loved how she was scared and weak but she turned out to be courageous because of her fear and strong because she was weak. She had to work. She had to grow. It never came easy to her. She was shown different paths. She struggled. She knew love because of Alex. I liked following her throughout the series. In this final book she was the strongest she could be. I hated that she had to share a spotlight with Hana. I liked her POVs but I would have liked more of Lena.

  There wasn't a lot of action in the book but there wasn't much during the whole series. There are bits and pieces but its more of a love story wrapped up in a pretty little dystopia bow. It didn't need action to thrill me. There was enough tension and drama coming elsewhere.

  I had high hopes for this book. It is after all one of my ultimate favorite books. In some ways it succeeded and in others it failed. I wasn't all that happy with the ending. I was disappointed. I mean I can't complain too much because in the end I was well let's just say I was happy with specific choices. I hated it took so long for Alex to open up. I hated seeing Alex the way he was portrayed in this book. It was like someone constantly punching me in the gut. Happy, high on life, loving Alex was gone leaving a mirror image in its place. One that, like a mirror, could only mimic. It wasn't real and it wasn't true. I hated a certain girl throughout the whole book. Coral. Ugh. I hated seeing the light being dim in his eyes. No smile touching his lips but to be snide and hurtful. No words sweet and loving but vicious and cruel instead. It was torture. But when he finally opened up and let his wall down it was all over. The book was at its end and it...sucked.
There was so many loose threads.

SPOILER~
* highlight the paragraph to see spoiler!*

What happened to Hana? Julian? Did they get happy endings? I mean poor Julian he deserved better than that. I am happy Alex got the girl but Julian was way to sweet of a guy to just be left. I mean I seriously thought that was messed up.

~END SPOILER

  Then there were certain deaths that were stupid. Secrets that died with the person for no one to know. The death, I feel, unjustified. It was terrible! I felt like Lauren just kind of sent everyone over the the bridge and into the water waiting to be rescued...just...floating...This big huge ending was....ended. Too fast. Too quick. Not enough answers to leave me satisfied. There was no peace. It kind of just...ended. It was good but it wasn't great. The loose ends is what turned me off the most. Then the two lovers (not saying who) didn't get a great happy ending. No big kiss. No big ending.The finale to the fireworks show was worse than the opening. It was done backwards.

  And then the mother wasn't in it like....at all. After the big cliff hanger of Pandemonium she should have been a bigger part of Requiem I thought. I think Lauren Oliver was building up to the ending so much she forgot she actually forgot it needed to end. I don't know. I don't know if she left it like that to start a spinoff. An "after its all over" beginning. The world after the rebellion. Who knows. I have a hard time believing a woman with as much talent as Lauren Oliver would end a book like that. I thought for sure I would have a settling piece after finishing it. I big breath after the storm. A feeling of contentment. I don't even to this day and I read it almost a month ago. There is just things that unnerve me. I can't fully explain it.

My thoughts after Requiem (after my befuddlement and rage: "I can't believe it's over. I will miss them all."

My thoughts on the series: "Even though it didn't end quite like I wanted it is still one of my favorite series. I will always love Alex. I will always love Alex and Lena. I will always love Julian. These characters and this story will always be in my heart and mind."

  My thoughts to you: Read this series. Don't listen to me or others about how it ended. Read the first two books because it was worth it. those two books are outstanding. They are amazing in every way. Lauren Oliver's writing is beautiful and lyrical. The first two things that come to mind when I think of her writing is birds and water....and music. Birds because they are free. They have this peace about them when you see them in flight. They are beautiful. Water because it flows. It flows so easily. It doesn't need a constant hand pushing it along it rides its own drift. It goes where it wants and where it ends up is perfect. It quenches us. It fills us. It is essential in life. Music because it is both...free and fluid. Its peace to those who seek it. It is an extension of some. It can tell a story more than other things. It lets us into different versions of people ad ourselves. Call me corny but it's all true. This series is a story of love, loss, self finding and trust. Lies, betrayal, heart-break and redemption. The third one is great. the story is awesome its just the ending that turns people off. And its really not that bad. Its worth it. Trust me.

~Rating:

4 of 5 stars!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a great day,

~Jaiden 

{Monthly Roundup} June, 2013

~Monthly Roundup:

*This will normally occur on the LAST Saturday of the month but...I failed so it is going to be held on the FIRST Saturday of the new month...posted for the last month. Confusing, I know but it kind of just worked out that way this month!

Reviews:

-Triangles by Kimberly Ann Miller

-Ink by Amanda Sun

-The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

-Smashed by Lisa Luedeke

-Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

-Blood Moon by Teri Harman

-The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

Blog Tours:

-Blood Moon by Teri Harman

Interviews:

-Sangu Mandanna {Author of The Lost Girl}

*There is a giveaway going on now! Enter to win a signed copy of Smashed by Lisa Luedeke! US only; ends July 15, 2013

~Stacking the Shelves: This is a weekly meme hosted by Tynga's Reviews. Here's what I got this week....

For Review:

-Mystic by Alyson Noel

-Charm & Strange by Stephanie Kuehn

-Weather Witch by Shannon Delany

-If You Find Me by Emily Murdoch

*Thank you to St. Martins Press!!!*

-Wild Cards by Simone Elkeles

*Thanks to Netgalley*

Bought:

-Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

-Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

-The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

-The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin

What about you? What'd you get this week?
Leave your link below! :)
Have a great weekend!!
~Jaiden

{Review} The Eternity Cure by Julie Kagawa

The Eternity Cure
Series: The Blood of Eden #2
Author: Julie Kagawa
Release Date: April 30, 2013
by, Harlequin Teen
Source: bought
Pages: 434

Allison Sekemoto has vowed to rescue her creator, Kanin, who is being held hostage and tortured by the psychotic vampire Sarren. The call of blood leads her back to the beginning—New Covington and the Fringe, and a vampire prince who wants her dead yet may become her wary ally.

Even as Allie faces shocking revelations and heartbreak like she’s never known, a new strain of the Red Lung virus that decimated humanity is rising to threaten human and vampire alike.{Goodreads}

~Trailer:

asdfghjkl!!!!!!!!!!! <3 ;D

~Review:
  Holy Shit...Just...just wow. I understand shit can't be holy but this shit is holy. Hahaha jkjk!! I can't even associated shit and any piece of Julie Kagawa's work in the same sentence. Its offending. Let's start over shall we?                                                     *Rewinds*

  Wow! Has Julie done it again or no? No, she has exceeded! If you knew me well and someone asked who my favorite author was it'd be so easy to answer. Answer: Julie Kagawa. Hands down. No competition. She has the remarkable way with words. She has one of those gifts that are so natural. Some people are good authors. Some are great. Some are so good that you know that's what they live and breathe. The talent just oozes out of them *rewinds* (I hate the word oozes). The talent just flows so easily. Its effortless. For them to do anything else would be absurd. I mean she is very talented in other things as well but what I am trying to say is that there are some people who are born to do a certain thing. Julie was born to write, to steal our breaths and hearts with every word she puts to paper, every character she creates, every plot, every story.

  She is extremely talented. Her writing is flawless. The ability she has to capture readers attention from the very first page is incredible. It's what miracles are made of ;D Too cheesy? Too bad. ;P I seriously have trouble with each review I do of one of her books. It's hard to find the right words. No matter what I do I can't seem to bring justice to her books. I can't explain just how amazing her and her books are. I end up just saying to read it for yourself and find out. To experience it for yourself because that's the only way you will truly understand.

  This book was like a maze. You never knew what was lurking around the corner. Was it going to be sudden death? A trap? A dead end (there is no such thing in Julie's book mazes)? A fountain of fortune? A home free run? Every page amazed me more than the last. I was hooked. No, I was transfixed. There would be little to no action at one point and then BOOM! There is action galore and your brain can't process is so you have to go back just to make sure you didn't miss anything or make it all up in your head. One part in particular made me double...triple my steps back. It happened so quick and the catastrophe was so catastrophic I was like wth!? What the hell just happened and what did I miss? It was seriously in the blink of an eye and everything went to hell. My goodness!!! I couldn't help be taken back by the genius that Julie Kagawa produced sometimes.

  The characters are awesome. I love Allie. She is cool and that katana of hers is the definition of kick-ass. I even enjoyed Jackal's presence. I love the snide remarks, wit, and all around comic relief he blesses us with. I bet he would completely enjoy that statement. Allie and Jackal's conversations were hilarious. I am not convinced that Jackal is on the good side. Why? Because he isn't plain and simple. He is on the side that has the upper hand. What he does is for himself. If he sees it benefiting him he will jump in. If he sees it as sudden death he won't. Don't let him full you. Kanin. Man that was some rough stuff. Sarren *shivers* Now THAT is an evil character. The amount of goosebumps and shivers he managed to draw from me is ridiculous. That guy is seriously creepy, insane, morbid, and did I mention...evil!!? Zeke. *sighs* Oh Zeke. I love you like I love pizza...and that is a lot. Man this boy is totes adorbs ;P He is so pure and loving you can't help but be attracted and swooned.

  That ending. Sweet baby Jesus. I died. That was one of the worst endings you could possible have! I knew it. I knew that was going to be the case because of who Sarren is and he doesn't give you what you want....sometimes death is too easy. He will give you exactly what you don't want. The thing you would rather die than have. Goodness....I can't believe Julie actually followed through. I have no hope for the next book because it has nothing going for it but tragedy. Julie Kagawa is finally going to rip my heart out. Seven books later of hers and I am finally going to have nothing left. She keeps stealing piece after piece of my heart and with this final book in the Blood of Eden series it's all going to be gone. I am going to be a zombie: emotionless, starved, and depressed. ;P That's the thing. Her writing is so incredible that she leaves you so vulnerable. She holds your heart, mind and emotions in the palm of her hand. Every book of hers does that. She is a cruel cruel mistress that you can't help but love. *sings* And I hate how I love you so...*stops singing* (Ne-yo and Rihanna)

  I can only complain about one thing in this series: the book cover switch. I have a major reading pet peeve. Well I have a few but one is the following: when half way through the series they decide to change the covers. I like my books to match. They don't match when you go and redesign the rest of the freaking series. I like the new cover (its cooler when you can see it all. When you take the book jacket off it has Allie and her katana, same with the book flaps) but I would have preferred they made up their minds before releasing the first book!

  In a world over stocked on vampire books Julie throws her piece into the mix and shakes it all up. There is no going back once you read this series. The Blood of Eden trilogy is sure to out shine every vampire book in the Young Adult genre today. It's refreshing, riveting and ravishing. (Don't judge the word choice I needed three "r" words) ;P I'm not joking. This is a series sure to sweep you off your feet. I tend to like the more realistic books and this is as real as vampires get. No "shining in the sun light" vegetarian crap. It's creepy, thrilling and heart-throbbing. These books got it all: romance, action, blood and gore, heroism, all of it! Read this book. Then read all her other books. They are all amazing. I will swear up and down on Julie Kagawa and all her series. They are what greatness is made of. Plain and simple.

~Rating:

 

Need-In-Order-To-Breathe (5 stars times a million)

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a wonderful day,

~Jaiden

{Review} Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi

Unravel Me
Series: Shatter Me #2
Author: Tahereh Mafi
Release Date: February 5, 2013
by, HarperCollins
Source: Bought
Pages: 461

tick
tick
tick
tick
tick it's almost
time for war.

Juliette has escaped to Omega Point. It is a place for people like her—people with gifts—and it is also the headquarters of the rebel resistance.

She's finally free from The Reestablishment, free from their plan to use her as a weapon, and free to love Adam. But Juliette will never be free from her lethal touch.

Or from Warner, who wants Juliette more than she ever thought possible.

In this exhilarating sequel to Shatter Me, Juliette has to make life-changing decisions between what she wants and what she thinks is right. Decisions that might involve choosing between her heart—and Adam's life.{Goodreads}

~Review:
  Ding-Ding-Ding!!!! We have another winner!! So many great books in a row you guys!! I'm just going to start off by saying: yes, this book has a "need in order to breathe" rating. Now, in case you are new to my reviews, the highest ranking in stars you can get is a 5. A five star rating means that I am absolutely in love and obsessed. To get a five star rating is pretty rare. Because I tend to love all the books I read and it is even rarer to get a 1-2 star rating, a lot of my rates are between 3 and 4.5. I try not to give 5 stars out to many books because...greatness needs to be rewarded and if you use the term "greatness" too loosely it begins to have no worth right? Right. So five star ratings are rare. Do you know what is even rarer? A "need in order to breathe" ranking. That ranking means that not only am I in love and obsessed but that this is one of those miracle books. The ones that have everything in it. The ones that can be greater than great. Ones that I will keep with me forever, read over and over again without getting tired of them. The ones that over take every emotion and thought in me. Steal my breathe, heart and mind. So, when I give a "need in order to breathe" ranking....you know its good and you know its more than a favorite.

  Ok, so with that said...Unravel Me is one of those books that stole my breathe, heart, and mind. I had a few problems with this book but quite frankly, the good completely out weighed the bad. It obviously had to be pretty spectacular stuff to make the top rate right? Yes, so first thing...

  Tahereh Mafi's writing. Wow-oh-wow! I thought she was good in the first one! This second book she completely shined. She showed off her talent beautifully! I don't think I have ever read a book so beautiful before. Writing that is. Tahereh breaks all the rules and it works. She has a way of looking about things so differently it really opens your eyes. She makes you look at things in a way you never thought of! This book was a masterpiece in itself because of Miss Mafi's artistic hand. She has such an amazing voice that demands to be heard. (ok not voice really but well...her author voice. The one that she turns from sound to ink on paper.) Sometimes I would just read a certain passage and have to just stop, read it again, sit back, and admire the genius she just shared with us all. I was so pleasantly surprised by her talent over and over and over again! And its not just the words that she writes but the way she writes them. She will separate sentences in certain ways that make an emphasis on certain things. Its incredible! Tahereh Mafi is on superb author who knows what she is doing and who's talent exceeds and shines! She might as well add an "i" to the end of her last name making it Mafia. Why? Because she kills and tortures us!! ;D

  Now. Juliette. *dead pans* My-oh-my. I am sorry but Juliette bugged the absolute shit out of me this book. She is so whiny and its always "poor me! poor me!". I seriously felt like slapping her 3/4 of the book. I hated her with a passion. I wanted someone to slap her and yell "get the f over yourself. Yes, it's a pitty what happened with the child. Yes, it's probably hard to have a touch so lethal but you know what? Change! Embrace your power and use it for good! You could be one kick-ass heroine but you are ruining it with all your mopey soap opera shit!" And do you know what? Someone did...kind of. Let's just say Kenji is one of my all time favorite side characters. He is flipping hilarious and the man knows what to say when its needed to be said. I will say that at the end of the book...I was left happy. I know Juliette can be one of the greatest YA heroines ever. It just sucks that we will have to wait till the final book to get her there.

  Now for the good...the other good. The good that was not Tahereh's writing. The good that has all us girls swooning 99% of the time in all YA books. The boys. Ah, yes the boys. Let's start with...Adam! I love Adam. He is adorable, charming, sweet, and one hell of a looker right? Yes. Yes indeed he is. I just have one problem...Him and Juliette. Now, now! Don't go sending me hate mail just yet all you #TeamAdam girls. Did I not just compliment the heck out of the guy!? Yes I believe I did. I think he is amazing and totally swoon worthy. I would be lying if I said I wasn't #TeamAdam from the beginning. In fact I hated Warner! I thought he was a bloody psychopath and so was anyone who could hold love for a murderer! A twisted psychotic EVIL guy! But, I indeed traded teams. I read Destroy Me and fell head over heals for Warner and then I read Unravel Me and about exploded from all the love I was having for him.

  Again, I like Adam I just don't think he belongs with Juliette. He hinders and baby's her. Warner is a better fit. He sees the power she has and knows she can be unstoppable. He doesn't wish for her to be any different (neither does Adam but let me finish!!) he truly accepts her for who she is. He strengthens her. He brings out the best in her. He gives her a backbone. I think Adam babies her WAY too much. He wants to protect her...Warner wants her to be safe but he knows that she is strong enough to not need the assistance. He would do anything for her but he can see the strength in her that others can't. So bottom line Warner should be with Juliette. I truly only liked her when she was with him. She could put all her petty insecurities and mopey thoughts away when she was with Warner. Seriously. When Juliette was with Warner all those things that pissed me off about her disappeared. Now, I want a happy ending for Adam. I wouldn't be able to deal with him unhappy. So, Tahereh..hear me loud and clear...Juliette is a better Juliette when she is with Warner. Let the series end with them together and give us an awesome chick to be with Adam! :) Thank you!!

  Warner!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh my gosh this book was filled with nothing but sexy Warner parts! It was heaven. I had to put the book down sometimes and remember how to breathe. I think I have reread certain passages more than once...twice...five...ya. I lost count ;D

  If you have not started this series please do! It is amazing. Tahereh Mafi gives us a phenomenal sequel. This woman knows what she is doing! Her writing is superb and her characters are shining stars. This series will capture the hearts of all dystopia loving readers! Don't wait till the third one comes out...or maybe do and read them all together so you aren't dying like the rest of us are now. Bottom line...Warner is a sexy beast. Wait, woah. hahaha well that is embarrassing. That kind of just slipped out on its own. *shrugs* Can you blame me? ;D What I meant to say is...WARNER IS THE SEXIEST BEAST ALIVE...(Well written). Ok ok...in all seriousness....Bottom line is, you need to read this series. (and then swoon over just how sexy of a beast Warner is hehehe) (seriously in my top 5 favorite guys...just saying!!) ;D

~Rating:

Need-In-Order-To-Breathe!!!!! (5 stars times a billion)

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a great day!! :D

~Jaiden

{Review} Smashed by Lisa Luedeke

Smashed 
Author: Lisa Luedeke
Release Date: August 21, 2012
by, Margaret K. McElderry Books
Source: *a copy was provided by the author for review purposes*
Pages: 336

A field hockey star grapples with addiction in this riveting debut that will appeal to fans of Laurie Halse Anderson’s Speak. 
Stay out of trouble for one more year, and Katie Martin can leave her small town loneliness behind forever. She is a field hockey star on the fast track to a college scholarship, but her relationship with alcohol has always been a little questionable. Then trouble finds her. Alec is the most popular guy in school, and also the biggest bully—with his sights set firmly on Katie. When Alec turns on the charm, Katie thinks she must have been wrong about him.

Except that she wasn’t. On a rain-soaked, alcohol-drenched night, one impulsive decision leaves Katie indebted to Alec in the worst possible way. This debut novel is a fast-paced and compelling story of addiction, heartbreak, and redemption.{Goodreads}

~Review:
  I've read my fair share of contemporary books with the theme being a broken girl thrown into a mix of lies, broken family, etc. It's easy for these kind of books to merge together, each one becoming a replica and nothing outstanding. I have to say that Lisa did a great job at creating Smashed so that it does not blend in with the background but instead, stands out!

  Upon reading some reviews of this book I was wary to start it. I heard things about way too much foul language, explicit sexual description, etc. I even read this one review where it said just this:

"I am now going to tell you what happens and save yourself the embarrassment of having read something so awful.

Guy attracts alcoholic (pretty, successful, and needy) girl, who is dumb enough to coerce herself into his groping hands.

Alcoholic girl parties with guy for half the book.

Alcoholic girl drives drunk with guy and crashes them into a tree, disfiguring said guy. 

Guy takes the blame for the crash so she will owe him sex. 

Guy stalks girl for half the book.

Guy rapes girl.

Girl has PTSD and then beer is found in guy's school locker. 

THE END.

oh yeah, there was supposed to be something about her dad...? Yeah there was, but it was so irrelevant and stereotypical I have forgotten..."

  Ok, I am not even the author by I'm offended. There was so much more to this book than that!! I don't know but I like the broken stories the best. The ones about the girl with so many problems she is practically drowning in them. Where the girl is so strong that she can pull through from all her problems. I think those protagonists are the strongest ones of all. They have more courage, faith, and strength than the ones fighting the government in resistance, trekking through a forest filled with demons and other scary stuff. Why? Because they hold truth. These could be the stories that help a girl or boy out because they are going through the same things.

   "Dumb enough to coerce herself into his groping hands"!!??? Excuse me!!? It is so far beyond that!! Did you not read any of her thoughts? It wasn't a fact of being dumb it was the fact of being a decent human giving someone a benefit of the doubt. She liked him. She thought he was a nice sweet guy. She didn't expect him to attempt rape! Haven't you ever been in love? It can be frighteningly true when they say "love is blind". No girl wants to be raped. No one wants to think someone they know and care about is capable of it. To be honest. I probably might have thought those thoughts before but then I read Knee Deep by Jolene Perry and it kind of opened my eyes a little more to these things that happen. It gave me a different way of thinking about girls that struggle through alchohol addictions, lying, being raped, staying in abusive relationtships, etc. You would think it'd be so easy to just turn away. I mean you'd have to be stupid to stay in an abusive relationship right? Wrong. It is so much more than that and I feel as if whoever is quick to judge is the stupid one. Now, please take note I am not calling the author of the quoted review stupid. I was just deeply offended by it and felt as if I needed to explain something.

  Now, enough with that rant, on to the book. Please, completely disregard any reviews like that. Read it for yourself and see if you agree or disagree. Take head. Don't read it. Read it. You may do as you please. The problem now a days is we see something, hear something and we are too quick to believe it. Instead of finding the facts out ourselves and thinking "Well, based on all the data I have gathered, what do I think?" and do get all sides of the story. Don't read a good review and think "Oh I am going to love it"...you may as well just hate it! Don't read a bad review and think "Oh, well that's not worth it. Might as not read it ever!"....because you very may just have loved it...found a favorite book of yours. Would you know that? No. Why? Because you took someone else's word way too easy and too much to heart. You didn't find out yourself so you lost the chance of falling in love with a book. Heed this warning. Don't. The choice is up to you.

  Ok, I did it again. I ranted and now I am already six paragraphs in and haven't talked about the book like I am supposed to!! And it is a rather boring and high on emotional ranting...Oops! ;D Where'd the fun go!? So Katie has her problems. One problem leads to the other and it all kind of just starts snowballing leaving her run over at the bottom of the hill by the huge snowball that has been falling and collecting for sometime. I felt so sorry for her. But then, I didn't. If she hadn't gone through all that stuff I don't think she would be nearly as strong as she was by the end of the book. It's hard to see but all the bad that happens to us happen for a reason. A reason we may not be able to understand at the time but a reason none the less. Isn't that a horrific thought? But its true. What doesn't kill us really does make us stronger. 

  Katie's friends were the true hope in most of the book. I loved Stan and I loved Matt and I loved Cassie. They were her backbone. Katie didn't realize it while she was being plowed but they were. No matter what she did she still had their support. It'd be nice to have those right? We can if we associate ourselves with the right people. That was one of Katie's flaws...one of the things that lead her to her ultimate downfall. She associated herself with the wrong crowd, pushed away the right crowd, then let herself be alone....think she was alone. Those who truly love us won't ever leave us alone. 

  Mr. Luedeke created a wonderful, heart wrenching, inspiring tale that absolutely touched my heart. Her writing was soulful, ugly in truth but beautiful in outcome. She really explored what it means to find love in others, and especially yourself. Life isn't easy...this is what Lisa shows us. The brutal honesty Lisa portrays is exactly what I loved about this book. It had its flaws. But don't we all? Nothing is perfect and nothing will be. I just wanted to show this one last paragraph from the previously quoted review:

Conclusion.
Let us look at the most penetrating, deep questions Katie poses to herself:

"Why did I ever do half the things I did?" (P.76)

"What did I really want?" (P.179)

Sadly, she never quite finds out. At least she apologizes for being an idiot on page 316, but she does nothing to change it.
This book perpetuates the YA lit lie that things improve without personal change. Absolutely despicable. Just think about it. We teens are getting the message from the protagonist that it's OK to smoke weed. It's OK to get hammered every chance you get. It's good in fact, because your life will improve while you do all these things! Just look at Katie! Just look at her and her stupid life and stupid choices and the utter lack of ability she has to control her own actions!

Indeed, if you take a look at all, take a good long look.
And don't forget this terrifying read."

  No. She doesn't find out exactly what she wants. Or why she did what she did. Do you? Do you know exactly what you want and why you did the things you do? If you do, damn. Color me jealous. No. Katie DOES change. She is able to have the courage to face her fears, step away from her past and start over. You can't go back and change the past. Sometimes you have to move one and completely start over. If you are constantly looking over your shoulder, you might miss that you are walking to your own death. Haha not once did it encourage the smoking of weed or to get hammered. No. SHIT! You have got to be kidding me. The hell!? Katie's life did NOT improve because of those....they let to her utter demise! She was DESTROYED because of it. She lost EVERYTHING! Have you never made a stupid decision in your life? If not, well then color me jealous TWICE. We learn from our mistakes.

  I am sorry but I found that completely insulting. We are entitled to our own opinions but if those opinions are insulting, rude, ignorant and disrespectful don't even bother opening your damn mouth. Sorry my feathers are completely ruffled. I do encourage you to read this book. I liked it. I found it inspiring and lovely. It was true. It was honest. It was done right. I don't encourage you to go and do what Katie did. I don't encourage you to make every damn mistake possible so you can "learn from it". Yes, some of Katies decision's were stupid. So are some of mine. Again, not encouraged. I encourage us to make the best decisions possible. To do what is best for you. Will you make the wrong choice sometimes? Yes. Will that cause you trouble? Most likely. Negative outcomes occur. But life doesn't come with a warning "Do this and this will destroy you". Humanity has blessed with a conscience. A conscience some people refuse to use...A conscience some choose to embrace. There is humanity, morals, goodness! Whether we choose to use them is our choice. There is no perfection in this imperfect world. Katie did some terrible things but it cost her. It molded her. It scarred her. It transformed her.

~Rating:

4 of 5 stars!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a wonderful day!!

~Jaiden

{Review} The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

The 5th Wave
Series: The Fifth Wave #1
Author: Rick Yancey
Release Date: May 7, 2013
by, Putnam Juvanille
Source: bought
Pages: 457

The Passage meets Ender’s Game in an epic new series from award-winning author Rick Yancey. 
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, only 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 Walker 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.{Goodreads}

~Review:
  Wowy-Wow-Wow-Wow!!! Wow. I was recommended this book by a friend and because of the amount of trust I have in his choices, I was all for starting it. No questions asked. So, I downloaded the book and began reading. As I began reading I found out that it was an alien-post-apocalyptic book. Only one problem...I am NOT a huge alien book fan. I don't know why but the subjects of aliens in YA just don't please me. I don't like them very often. I have read one series that was about aliens and even though I liked it I didn't particularly care for it. So after telling my friend that I don't like alien books he told me to shut up and read the book ;P He claimed it was good and again because of my trust in his likes I continued to read. Not only that but after looking at my goodreads friend's reviews I decided it might be worth it...the worst that could happen is I hated it right? Right.

  So, the question is...did I end up hating it? Uhm..hell no I didn't! I am so glad I continued to read it. This is one of those rare books that have genius written all over it. Rick Yancey is just that...a genius. It is true without a doubt. His writing is superb. Now this is a well written book. The way he wrote every character is outstanding! I immediately fell in love with Cassie's POV and then Ethan's (even though we only got one chapter from him! Total and only disappointment I had with this book) and her brother's and then well...I better not mention the other one since it is kind of a spoiler. Anyways, point is is that Rick Yancey puts a whole new definition to the word "talented". I am pretty sure that if you look the word "talented", "genius", "creative", and "unique" Rick Yancey's name would be under each and everyone of those.

  I don't even know how to explain his writing. It is something that you have to read for yourself. Its not crazy philosophical or lyrical or anything like that. It is probably so enjoyable because of how true it is. His writing is realistic. The way he thinks it all out. His characters especially. I am sorry but I have a hard time believing that if a post-apocalyptic event like the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th, wave happened no 16 year old girl would go out into the streets without any fear, full combat skills, or all that mumbo-jumbo. Its cool to read about those stuff but it makes the story that much more fictional and as enjoyable as that is it doesn't quite hook you like a more realistic fictional story does. If that makes any sense at all. Cassie is just one teen girl looking to survive for herself, her father and her little brother. She has to make life risking decisions and choices that have ultimate consequences. She is scared and frightened and she keeps this journal where she documents everything that has happened and the war going on in her mind. It was beautiful!

  I think Cassie was a hell of a lot more enjoyable than Katniss! She was snarky and funny. Cassie is brave and strong in ways Katniss can never be. Seriously, Katniss and The Hunger Games better watch out. Rick Yancey has one hell of a series that is going to put both to shame! Sorry. The truth that Mr. Yancey puts behind every character's actions was what hooked me the most. At the end of the book I was left wondering how my actions might be different and how I may or may not be able to survive if something like this were to happen. So in case you haven't gotten the hint yet, The 5th Wave has different POVS. While I love when authors do this I also hate it. Only for one reason though. Reason being, they end each POV at the worst possible moment and I am left wanting to skip the next POV so that I can finish the one I was just reading. It is a torturous method.

  While there was some great action in this book, it wasn't action at every corner. That being said, when there was action I about died every time. There at the end my feels were feeling too many feels that I think I might have almost passed out from the amount of hyperventilating I was doing. No. Joke. And then by the end of the book...this was my reaction (according to my last Goodreads update):

"FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you can't end a book like that!!!!! where the he'll is Evan!!!!?? I want me some Evan!!!!! DAMN IT!!!! Please tell me the sequel is out tomorrow...next week...o wouldn't even mind a month..."

  Ya, I pretty much through an emotional ride hissy fit. ;P What can I say!? Its the effects of reading this wondrous book! There were so many great things in this book you can't even count them individually. You just have to wrap them all up in a pretty bow and call them The 5th Wave. Yes, because the entire book was awesomesauce. So wait? What about the whole alien bit? It didn't faze me? Nope. It was a different kind of alien lore. It was different enough for me to realize it was aliens but not feel as if they were aliens. I know, doesn't make sense. Basically I was able to look over the whole alien bit and enjoy the book for everything it was. I actually really enjoyed the alien bit! Rick Yancey's The 5th Wave was an exception to my "hate alien books" rule.

  I can seriously not complain about one thing in The 5th Wave. It was incredible! I ate this book like it was my favorite pizza! I completely devoured it. I can't wait any longer for book two. I seriously need it ASAP! The way it ended...was cruel. I can't see where Rick takes this series. I am a HUGE Rick Yancey fan everyone. He is a true genius and now a huge favorite of mine! If you are a fan of The Hunger Games then be prepared to have your socks blown off. I honestly think that everyone should go out and buy a copy so they can read the thrilling adventure that is The 5th Wave. This is one of those 2013 books you NEED. If you are looking around and need a book to read this should be your first choice. Once I could put my alien book hate I was hooked. I didn't want to put it down. There is a reason this book is on my "need in order to breathe" shelf. Its one of those rare books I am going to keep around for as long as I live. One that I will snuggle with at night. One that I will re-read till its worn and falling apart. One that will follow me everywhere I go. It is a part of my heart now and it always will be! THAT my friends is where my love of this book exceeds and the amount of amazeballs it is. ;D

~Rating:

Need-In-Order-To-Breath!!!!!!! (5 stars times a billion) 

Thanks for stopping by!

Have a wonderful summer day! :)

~Jaiden