It's Kind of a Funny Story, by Ned Vizzini

It's Kind of a Funny Story, by Ned Vizzini

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Suicide

Rating: 5/5 stars










Review:

• Lately, I've been finding that I haven't been reading many 5 star rated novels, and that really just breaks my heart because I LOVE TO READ THOSE. I mean, who wants to read a 1 star rated novel? Ew, just ew, that's horrifying to even think about. It's Kind of a Funny Story was one of those books that I'll remember for the rest of my life. It just means so much to me because it was so good and portrayed a gorgeous message to all of the young people out there, such as myself. 
• First of all, God rest Ned Vizzini's soul. He was such a remarkable author, and I bet such an amazing person and inspiration to many, many young troubled or not, people out there. He is my inspiration after reading this book. I need to read his other books ASAP.
• This book was not what you thought it'd become. It's much more than that. Craig is one of my most favourite protagonists of all time, and I mean that sincerely. He was so chill and happy, just like Aaron mentioned, even though he was dealing with a lot. He relates to so many people out there. Craig will become your best friend throughout this novel, and you will feel like he's actually telling you his story, not that you're just reading an ordinary book about suicide. IT'S NOT LIKE THAT. I could cry, because this novel was written so deeply, and you just never want to put it down. It's probably one of the best contemporary novels I've ever read, right next to The Perks of Being A Wallflower, and that's a definite high ranking, especially for your hard judge over here. *snickers*
• Although the book took a while to get into, it was worth it and I was never bored. The concept is beautiful, and you will realize that you've never read a book like this before. It means so much to me, and guess what? You'll never want to push this book away.

  RIP Ned Vizzini. Thank you for writing this amazing book. <3

A-Z CHALLENGE!

   Hello my lovelies! Okay, that just didn't work. -.- After completing the 2013 A-Z Challenge, I just couldn't wait for 2014's, and I just wanted to let y'all know that starting tomorrow, I will be "competing" in it again! I am super excited, and I can't wait to see what this month will hold. I am definitely hoping to meet more bookworms and other people who will enjoy reading my posts, and of course, visiting my blog!

Thank you and toodles! xx

Michelle (Administrator)

Pretty Girl-13, by Liz Coley

Pretty Girl-13, by Liz Coley

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Mystery/Thriller

Rating: 4/5 stars










Goodreads Summary: "Pretty Girl-13 is a disturbing and powerful psychological thriller about a girl who must piece together the story of her kidnapping and captivity and then piece together her own identity.

When thirteen-year-old Angela Gracie Chapman looks in the mirror, someone else looks back--a thin, pale stranger, a sixteen-year-old with haunted eyes. Angie has no memory of the past three years, years in which she was lost to the authorities, lost to her family and friends, lost even to herself. Where has she been, who has been living her life, and what is hiding behind the terrible blankness? There are secrets you can’t even tell yourself.

With a tremendous amount of courage and support from unexpected friends, Angie embarks on a journey into the darkest corners of her mind. As she unearths more and more about her past, she discovers a terrifying secret and must decide: when you remember things you wish you could forget, do you destroy the people responsible, or is there another way to feel whole again?"

Review:

• Just like the summary says, this was a disturbing novel. Make sure that you're ready for something totally creepy and vicious, unlike most mystery stories. 
• I had really low expectations for this novel, but I really wanted to give it a try because of its interesting cover (how can I not say that?) and it's suspenseful summary. I mean, when do we find a mystery story where the heroine goes missing and unexpectedly shows up back home again? Let me tell you, that doesn't hardly happen, even in reality today. We usually find the body inside a body of water. :l
• Angela was... disgusting. I hated her as a heroine. Although she was going through a severe memory loss and trauma, the author over-exaggerated with her personality. I felt like I was reading about a four year old protagonist! This "heroine," if you even would call her that, was absolutely disturbing. She had almost no sense and her, and her mommy was her only hope, seriously. This is a teen novel, if you want to make the protagonist go through memory loss, then make it at least a little more mature, please.
• The whole mystery itself was horrifying, but in a good and natural way. I really enjoy reading mysteries that have some romance and more of a decent plot that turns toward teenagers today without going too "detective-like," and Pretty Girl-13 was definitely one of those. There were many plot twists, and mysteries within the mystery of the book. 
• Creepifying and wicked!

Pivot Point, by Kasie West

Pivot Point (Pivot Point #1), by Kasie West

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary

Rating: 4/5 stars











Goodreads Summary: "Addison Coleman’s life is one big “What if?” As a Searcher, whenever Addie is faced with a choice, she can look into the future and see both outcomes. It’s the ultimate insurance plan against disaster. Or so she thought. When Addie’s parents ambush her with the news of their divorce, she has to pick who she wants to live with—her father, who is leaving the paranormal compound to live among the “Norms,” or her mother, who is staying in the life Addie has always known. Addie loves her life just as it is, so her answer should be easy. One Search six weeks into the future proves it’s not.

In one potential future, Addie is adjusting to life outside the Compound as the new girl in a Norm high school where she meets Trevor, a cute, sensitive artist who understands her. In the other path, Addie is being pursued by the hottest guy in school—but she never wanted to be a quarterback’s girlfriend. When Addie’s father is asked to consult on a murder in the Compound, she’s unwittingly drawn into a dangerous game that threatens everything she holds dear. With love and loss in both lives, it all comes down to which reality she’s willing to live through . . . and who she can’t live without."

Review:

• Kasie West is a fantastic author. HER IDEAS ARE SPECTACULAR. LIKE OMG. HOW HOW HOW?!!
• This book was really different than the chick-lit romance novel of hers, The Distance Between Us, which I absolutely adored and couldn't put down the minute I began it. Pivot Point had a whole different idea, nothing like TDBU. If you've been following my reviews, you could tell that I read a variety of dystopian books. This one was nothing like I've read before. It's more of a chill dystopian/contemporary book. I don't love books that are about parallel universes and how "the heroine has to choose between two worlds," especially because they usually end up really cliche and just like the others, but Pivot Point really had something special in it.
• Addison, the main character, was great. She had everything that I wanted a good heroine to have- especially confidence and independence. She didn't have to rely on the other noob characters (ugh) to make her decision. It was all about her choice, and the book was about HER not Trevor. I found him to be okay, but obviously I've "seen" better guy characters who just made my heart jump.
• The book was very fast-paced, in my opinion, and I loved the writing style. I'm looking forward in reading the sequel, but it's not the book I CANNOT WAIT FOR.

The Chaos of Stars, by Kiersten White

The Chaos of Stars, by Kiersten White

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Mythology

Rating: 1.5/5 stars










Goodreads Summary: "Isadora, the teenage daughter of ancient Egyptian Gods, wants to escape her crazy family forever. But can you run away from fate?"

Review:

• Egyptian books aren't my thing. This one was dull. I didn't enjoy it. The characters didn't have anything special in them and I just couldn't wait for something big to happen, but it never did. WHERE WAS THE GOODINESS? I just can't write a full-length review because I'm so upset.

The Almost Truth, by Eileen Cook

The Almost Truth, by Eileen Cook

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Chick-lit

Rating: 4/5 stars










Goodreads Summary: "Teen con artist Sadie might be over her head. To escape her backwards small town, delusional mom, jailbird dad, and the tiny trailer where she was raised, she also must leave Brendan. Sadie wants a better life, and she has been working steadily toward it, one con at a time, until her mother wipes out her savings. 

Brendan helps devise ultimate con. But the more lies Sadie spins, the more she starts falling for her own hoax, and perhaps for the wrong boy. Sadie wanted to change her life, but she wasn't prepared to have it flipped upside down by her own deception. With her future at stake and her heart on the line, she suddenly has more than just money to lose.Teen con artist Sadie might be over her head. To escape her backwards small town, delusional mom, jailbird dad, and the tiny trailer where she was raised, she also must leave Brendan. Sadie wants a better life, and she has been working steadily toward it, one con at a time, until her mother wipes out her savings. "

Review:

Eileen Cook always pleases me, and this was just another of her fantastic books, but not the best. There was many moments where I just felt so many emotions and I was so captivated.

Sadie was a pretty good character who had a lot of potential and used it correctly. She was kick-ass girl who reminded me of some sort of detective stuck in a chick-lit book.

The romance wasn't really strong but the storyline definitely flowed well with it. It was kind of sad and tragic, like a Sarah Dessen story, and the romance just helped Sadie evolve from her shell.

I found the story to be really good. I enjoyed it but I needed more romance and drama. Okayyy.

Every You, Every Me, by David Levithan and Jonathan Farmer

Every You, Every Me, by David Levithan and Jonathan Farmer

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary

Rating: 4/5 stars










Goodreads Summary: "In this high school-set psychological tale, a tormented teen named Evan starts to discover a series of unnerving photographs—some of which feature him. Someone is stalking him . . . messing with him . . . threatening him. Worse, ever since his best friend Ariel has been gone, he's been unable to sleep, spending night after night torturing himself for his role in her absence. And as crazy as it sounds, Evan's starting to believe it's Ariel that's behind all of this, punishing him. But the more Evan starts to unravel the mystery, the more his paranoia and insomnia amplify, and the more he starts to unravel himself. Creatively told with black-and-white photos interspersed between the text so the reader can see the photos that are so unnerving to Evan, Every You, Every Me is a one-of-a-kind departure from a one-of-a-kind author."


Review:

Ahaha, so this is what I really felt like while I was reading this book, but hey, not in a bad or negative way. Most of the time, I was just like "Hey! Oh yeah! That point there's cool! Where's the next interesting thing?" I was kind of lost reading this book, but I don't know if it was just me.

This definitely is not one of David Levithan's best novels. I loved how he chose this to be written with photographs, that is absolutely hipster and gorgeous all at the same time.

"This is it. This is what it feels like to be helpless."

I felt so bad for Evan, the protagonist. I felt like he was going through some sort of depression throughout the whole story. I thought that the ending would be totally different and unpredictable, I actually thought that it was all in his mind. 

This book was so mysterious, I didn't know what to think! It's a different style than what the author usually masters, so please note that. It's very captivating because you just want to know what will happen in the end.

Although it was heart-racing and the romance was beautiful, I didn't like the ending. I wish that it was unpredictable and how David usually ends his outstanding novels. There should've something that made me go and say, "WOW," but I really didn't find that.

Ariel was strange, even though we didn't fully know her. I kept on feeling that she didn't want to hear or see Evan, and all that she was doing was hiding away from the world.

In my opinion, I think that depression and suicide plays a large key in this novel. It's not 100% clear that it's there, but it is, and us readers have to think outside the box to actually see it clearly. It's a deep story, and the photography does a job well done for the overall project.

It was definitely a fresh and light-hearted novel that will give you some emotional thoughts inside.

Dead To You, by Lisa McMann

Dead To You, by Lisa McMann

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Mystery/Thriller

Rating: 5/5 stars

Okay. What just happened here? Because I was all fangirling from the beginning until the last page and then BOOM. It all ended, just liked that. 

Can somebody please explain the ending to me? BECAUSE I'M DYING HERE AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED. There. I said it.

Okay, before I begin blabbing and bawling about the suspenseful ending, let's get to the real stuff. *acts macho and all that*

"'Mama,' I whisper into her soft hair. I am at once sixteen, my actual age, and seven, the age they remember me. We are long-lost souls, a mother reuniting with her semi-prodigal son. It is the end of one story and the beginning of the next. Being near her makes my teeth stop chattering."

From the first page, I was totally hooked. Lisa McMann always pleases me with her captivating words and stories. I really expected this one to be a paranormal thriller/horror story, like "Cryer's Cross" and the "Wake" trilogy were. I was kind of glad that this was a chill novel that could actually occur in reality today. You never know what can happen to you one day, it might be your last day, so make it worth it.

LOLL. The plot was so, so, so riveting. It was so mysterious, until about the middle where you kind of find out the truth (where I originally thought that the all of the truth was said, but of course, the ending tricked me.) 

The character who really got on my nerves was Ethan's mother. Even though she stood up for Ethan half of the time, she was also very rejecting and I didn't see a good side of her. She seemed too stressed out, and when she did get stressed out, she'd take it all on her kids.

Blake really became disliked by me as well. He really had some anger problems. He kept believing and saying that Ethan was so stupid for getting into the car and getting abducted. BRO, HE WAS SEVEN YEARS OLD, CHILL. 

A lot of people threw a lot of negativity toward Ethan. I actually really liked him as a MC. He had a deep story behind him and was very calm. I liked the way he thought. YOU WILL LIKE HIM AS WELL.

 WHAT WAS THE ENDING? Like I got what happened, but what didn't make sense to me was the truth behind the ending. Then who was that? (LOL. I won't share spoilers) I NEED THERAPY AND EMOTIONAL ADVICE because I need to see the light.

  But seriously, what a fantastic novel. I adored it so much! The plot was so good and I was never bored. Lisa McMann (as usual) has created a mysterious novel about abduction and family.

Where Things Come Back, by John Corey Whaley

Where Things Come Back, by John Corey Whaley

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary

Rating: 3/5 stars

   Coming from many positive reviews, I really began to believe that this book would be amazing, the

truth is, it wasn't. I was waiting for that moment where I would just be like "Ahh, what a refreshing fantastic read!" but don't even expect a moment like that to occur while reading this book.

   So, basically we have another of those wannabe contemporary novels with a male protagonist who tries to be chill and somewhat like a character from "The Giver" or one of those bestselling teen novels that almost everyone completely adored.

   Yes, yes, we're having a Hilary Duff marathon over here, don't complain.

   Throughout the novel, I felt like there was something hiding in between the lines, especially about Cullen, the MC. He was very vague, and throughout the whole novel, we really didn't find out much about him. He seemed very depressed and annoying, and I find that teens looking for a kick-ass main character won't find that in him at all. He seemed like a boring teen boy who had no potential in him and no chance of succeeding in life. I really thought that something mental strange was going on with him.

 “Your mind has a way of not letting you forget things you wish you could. Especially with people. Like, you'll always try your best to forget things that people say to you or about you, but you always remember. And you'll try to forget things you've seen that no one should see, but you just can't do it. And when you try to forget someone's face, you can't get it out of your head.”

   This book was full of many life-changing lessons and inspirational quotes. It's written so deeply, and you could definitely tell that there was some sort of backstory behind it all. Just look at that gorgeous quote above. <3

    But the problem was, I wish there was more. The story was too short, and the plot wasn't captivating. I didn't see a main point. LOL, Cullen seemed so desperate and thirsty for romance, it's like he was putting himself towards all of the drama with the ladies, I laughed so many times reading his stupidity with chicks.  

      By the end, I pretty much believed that this wasn't the right book for me. It really wasn't my type. I felt too much negativity towards it, but I feel that a 3 star rating would probably the best for my thoughts and how they were put together.

       I recommend this, don't get me wrong. You will like this book if you like the book "Feed," which I actually never picked up but only have read the summary for. They do sound similar, though.

  

Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have), by Sarah Mlynowski

Ten Things We Did (And Probably Shouldn't Have), by Sarah Mlynowski

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Chick-lit

Rating: 4.5/5 stars












Goodreads Summary: "2 girls + 3 guys + 1 house - parents = 10 things April and her friends did that they (definitely, maybe, probably) shouldn't have.

If given the opportunity, what sixteen-year-old wouldn't jump at the chance to move in with a friend and live parent-free? Although maybe "opportunity" isn't the right word, since April had to tell her dad a tiny little untruth to make it happen (see #1: "Lied to Our Parents"). But she and her housemate Vi are totally responsible and able to take care of themselves. How they ended up "Skipping School" (#3), "Throwing a Crazy Party" (#8), "Buying a Hot Tub" (#4), and, um, "Harbouring a Fugitive" (#7) at all is kind of a mystery to them.

In this hilarious and bittersweet tale, Sarah Mlynowski mines the heart and mind of a girl on her own for the first time. To get through the year, April will have to juggle a love triangle, learn to do her own laundry, and accept that her carefully constructed world just might be falling apart . . . one thing-she-shouldn't-have-done at a time."

Review:

10 THINGS I LOVED ABOUT THIS NOVEL: 

1. The whole YOLO message going on: Sarah Mlynowski definitely created a perfect teen novel that teaches us that we have to live life even though we might have a lot of regrets. You will learn from your regrets and they'll make you a better person.

2. The HAHA-humour: Okay, I really didn't L O L, but it was so hilarious in my head. It was absolutely adorable and through all of the mistakes that April made (Haha, 10 of them,) she still made a joke of it and wasn't one of those super-upset characters. Readers will love her.

3. The plot twist: You will be shocked once you find out what happens because you never expect this mainly because a. You don't see it coming, and b. The summary doesn't note it at all. 

4. The fast-paced plot: There were so many wild events going on while the plot moved so fast. I <3 the plot and was barely bored.

5. NOAH: I lovedddddddd Noah and April together! He loved her so much, but you know, something happened. They were absolutely the perfect couple but Sarah Mlynowski made him stupid in the end and made me sad. :(

6. The connection teenagers have with this: It basically goes through all of the worst case scenarios that can happen in a teenager's life. Regrets are the most of them, and we can really relate to these situations, young or old because it happens to everyone.

7. It's bittersweetness: At one point you'll be like, whoa, this is such a rebel protagonist, and at other points, you'll be like, awwww. So it kind of sways between bitter and sweet but mixes perfectly.

8. FUN! This book was absolutely wild and fun. I was so obsessed with it and was one of the reasons why I loved it so much. You just feel like you're watching a cute teenager movie!

9. April: April was a fantastic character. I felt like I became BFFs with her by the end. She had so much potential in her from the beginning, and I was afraid that she wouldn't show it, but of course, my kick-ass best friend did. (:

10. Everything: It was so enjoyable and such a quick read. Sarah Mlynowski has never been better. (:

Six Months Later, by Natalie Richards

Six Months Later, by Natalie Richards

Genre: Young Adult Fiction

Rating: 3.5/5 stars










Goodreads Summary: "She has everything she's ever wanted. But not her memory...

When Chloe fell asleep in study hall, it was the middle of May. When she wakes up, snow is on the ground and she can't remember the last six months of her life. 

Before, she'd been a mediocre student. Now, she's on track for valedictorian and being recruited by Ivy League schools. Before, she never had a chance with super jock Blake. Now he's her boyfriend. Before, she and Maggie were inseparable. Now her best friend won't speak to her.

What happened to her? Remembering the truth could be more dangerous than she knows..."

Review:

• *sighs* Something big was missing from this book. The concept was great and different, but a chunk was missing, and I really couldn't find it and bring it back.
• The plot was pretty good, although I was bored through the beginning. It really started off as the average chick-lit/tragedy? book. The whole tragedy happened so quick and we really didn't get to see a good character development.
• I didn't like Chloe. She was very selfish in some ways. I probably would prefer Maggie, her best friend, to be in this situation. 
• There was really no important romance. I just found the whole point of this book was Chloe trying to get out of that situation. 
• Umm... I wasn't all so interested in this. It was okay.

The Merciful Scar, by Rebecca St. James and Nancy Rue

The Merciful Scar, by Rebecca St. James & Nancy Rue

Genre: Young Adult Fiction

Rating: 3/5 stars











Goodreads Summary: "Kirsten has spent her life trying to forget. But mercy begs her to remember.

When she was in high school, a terrible accident fractured her family, and the only relief Kirsten could find was carving tiny lines into her skin, burying her pain in her flesh. The pain she caused herself was neat and manageable compared to the emotional pain that raged inside.

She was coping. Or so she thought.

But then, eight years later, on the night she expects her long-time boyfriend to propose, Kirsten learns he's been secretly seeing her best friend. Desperate to escape her feelings, she reaches for the one thing that gives her a sense of control in the midst of chaos.

But this time the cut isn't so tiny, and it lands her in the psych hospital. Within hours of being there she knows she can't stay--she isn't crazy, after all. But she can't go back to the life she knew before either.

So when her pastor mentions a treatment program on a working ranch, Kirsten decides to take him up on the offer and get away from it all. But the one thing she can't escape is herself--and her shame.

The ranch is home to a motley crew, each with a lesson to teach. Ever so slowly, Kirsten opens herself to embrace healing--even the scarred places that hurt the most. Mercy begs her to remember the past . . . showing her there's nothing that cannot be redeemed."

Review:

• Suicide is a hard concept to write about, but authors usually do an amazing job on writing them. I feel like this book was very vague. It needed something more, more tragedy and romance. This whole church program was kind of ironic, and I wish that it was tragic in another way.
• This book was very slow paced. Not much happened until the late middle. And then it got boring for the rest of the book. I hated the ending.
• The only thing that I actually liked was the main protagonist. Kirsten was very self-conscious and I her thinking, even though she didn't have a positive attitude 24/7. 
• I wouldn't recommend this book. If you're looking for a tragic book, read The Program by Suzanne Young.

Better Off Friends, by Elizabeth Eulberg

Better Off Friends,  by Elizabeth Eulberg

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Chick-lit

Rating: 4/5 stars












Goodreads Summary: "Can a guy and a girl be just friends? In the story, which spans five years, two continents, one BBC sitcom, and countless questions about their friendship; Macallan and Levi are put to the ultimate test when a relationship-changing secret is revealed."


Review:

• Elizabeth Eulberg is a fantastic chick-lit novel writer. Her words and stories are so realistic, every story is absolutely gorgeous and I can't keep my eyes off these amazing covers.
• Better Off Friends was a cheesy, but adorable novel at the same time. I was so addicted until the end, and I really wanted to know what would happen. <3
• Macallan was strange at times- I didn't like her so much. I had that feeling that she had too many good thoughts of herself and was snobby, while Levi was a PERFECTIONOUS male character. They were a gorgeous couple, though. 
• This book was so fast-paced and I absolutely didn't want it to end.
• The whole past-future perspective was great just some little dull moments gave me this opinion. Other than that, this book was awesome!
• I can't wait for more from Elizabeth!

Gloss, by Marilyn Kaye

Gloss (Gloss #1), by Marilyn Kaye

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Chick-lit

Rating: 3/5 stars










Goodreads Summary: "New York, 1963. 

Fashion, music and attitudes are changing, and there's nowhere in in the world more exciting. Sherry, Donna, Allison and Pamela have each landed a dream internship at Gloss; America's number-one fashion magazine. 

Each girl is trying to make her mark on New York and each finds herself thrown head-first into the buzzing world of celebrity, high-end fashion and gossip. But everything isn't as glamorous as it seems - secrets from the past threaten to shatter their dreams. 

They're finding out that romance in New York is as unpredictable and thrilling as the city itself."

Review:

• Umm.. I really had mixed feelings about this one. Three-quarters of my opinion is bad and the other quarter has a good side to it. Let's start with the bad. This book wasn't that great at all. I got bored a lot. The whole story didn't have a meaning behind it, and I didn't like the setting that much either. The 60's was a fantastic era, but I really don't see it in a modern, chick-lit teen novel.
• The characters were pretty bad and dull. Sherry was my favourite, she had some sort of sense of direction in her than the other protagonists.
• The only good thing about this is the concept. I kind of like the idea of internship at a fashion magazine office, who'd think that 4 girls would get this chance in the 60's?
• Okay. I probably wouldn't recommend this book, but give it some hope. Maybe you'll like it.

Anime Review: Another

  "Death is not friendly. It's dark, black where you look at it. You're all alone. But it's not different than when you're alive, right? No matter how many relationships we have, we're all alone."

   Ohmygosh. Can I just say that Misaki Mei is probably one of the best anime heroines out there? She is so kick-ass and her story is deep. I just loved every moment with her. 

   Another was a fascinating, amazing anime. 9.5/10 The story was so unique and mysterious. There were so many plot twists, I didn't know what to expect!

   So the story starts off with the main protagonist, the guy (forgot his name lol) and he's new to Yomiyama School. He previously was in the hospital because of a lung condition, but in the elevator when he was leaving, he met Misaki Mei, a mysterious black-haired girl with a strange eyepatch. The next day, he comes to that school for the first time, and he realizes that Misaki is in his class, Class 3. Everyone tells him that that class in under a curse, and there is one dead person in the class. Nobody could see this person, but there usually is an extra desk. This year's Class 3 realizes that the curse has began, and things are about to get horrifying.

   There was probably a cliff-hanger at the end of every episode. I didn't want to stop watching! Plot twists were the major part of the whole 12-episode anime. The ending was so surprising, even though I kind of saw it coming. Most people never expected that to happen at all. This anime really made you think what would happen, but then you end up wrong all along and you feel like you got hit by a bunch of bricks, no kidding. It was so suspenseful, and I adored this and is one of my favourite anime of all time. <3

Marie Antoinette: Serial Killer, by Katie Alender

Marie Antoinette: Serial Killer, by Katie Alender

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Mystery/Murder/Thriller

Rating: 4/5 stars












Goodreads Summary: "Colette Iselin is excited to go to Paris on a class trip. She'll get to soak up the beauty and culture, and maybe even learn something about her family’s French roots.

But a series of gruesome murders are taking place across the city, putting everyone on edge. And as she tours museums and palaces, Colette keeps seeing a strange vision: a pale woman in a ball gown and powdered wig, who looks suspiciously like Marie Antoinette.

Colette knows her popular, status-obsessed friends won’t believe her, so she seeks out the help of a charming French boy. Together, they uncover a shocking secret involving a dark, hidden history. When Colette realizes she herself may hold the key to the mystery, her own life is suddenly in danger . . .

Acclaimed author Katie Alender brings heart-stopping suspense to this story of revenge, betrayal, intrigue — and one killer queen."

Review:

• Mysteries usually don't interest me, but the subject of Marie Antoinette always has fascinated me for many years. Katie Alender has created a fantastic tale of true friendship and mystery.
• First of all, I love this cover. I've had my eye on the book for a while, but I didn't know what to expect.
• What I got what pure greatness. The plot was very well set up and interesting. I enjoyed the character's perspective, and the whole story flowed together perfectly. I found some parts to be weird.. and I didn't know why I was reading this. The idea was kind of strange, and I don't imagine reality to be like this. A world is very difficult to create, but...
• This was okay. If you're a true-at-heart mystery lover, then this book is for you and for your true identity. 

Ignite Me, by Taherah Mafi

Ignite Me (Shatter Me #3), by Taherah Mafi

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Dystopian, Love-Triangles

Rating: 4/5 stars












Goodreads Summary: "The heart-stopping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Shatter Me series, which Ransom Riggs, bestselling author of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, called “a thrilling, high-stakes saga of self-discovery and forbidden love.”

With Omega Point destroyed, Juliette doesn’t know if the rebels, her friends, or even Adam are alive. But that won’t keep her from trying to take down The Reestablishment once and for all. Now she must rely on Warner, the handsome commander of Sector 45. The one person she never thought she could trust. The same person who saved her life. He promises to help Juliette master her powers and save their dying world . . . but that’s not all he wants with her.

The Shatter Me series is perfect for fans who crave action-packed young adult novels with tantalizing romance like Divergent by Veronica Roth, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, and Legend by Marie Lu. Tahereh Mafi has created a captivating and original story that combines the best of dystopian and paranormal, and was praised by Publishers Weekly as “a gripping read from an author who’s not afraid to take risks.” Now this final book brings the series to a shocking and satisfying end."

Review:

•   I really enjoyed this one, but it wasn't as good as the first two. Taherah Mafi has definitely created a spectacular ending and it was a shocking one too. 
• I have to admit that the book wasn't too thrilling. There were many whiny parts and dull parts that made me resist wanting to read this. I wish that Juliette would have realized that she doesn't get everything she wants. Throughout the book, she has become a very annoying protagonist. 
• The love triangle was... okay throughout the whole trilogy. Warner has definitely become my favourite out of the two, but I wish I could see his side of the story. I loved the way he loved Juliette and how he saw her as a special someone. 
• I definitely need more Taherah Mafi ASAP. This series is a 4/5 rating altogether, and it's one of my favourites of all time.
• Stunning!

Anime Review: 5 cm Per Second

   5 CM Per Second was absolutely outstanding. 9/10 I really love slice-of-life, romance anime where there are many plot twists. 5 cm Per Second is definitely a gorgeous anime that will make you cry. 

  This is a very quick anime. It takes about an hour to finish the three episodes. Even though it's quick, so much happens in that small matter of time. The story basically is about a boy and a girl who have been best friends and have loved each other since middle school, where they first met in the school library. Kids have made fun of them because they were always together. They eventually became separated because the girl moved. Their lives went on, but they always wrote to each other.  So basically this about how the guy's life goes on without her, but he misses her so much. The poor guy had to go through so many train trips, I realized that I hate trains now, lol. 

   This was so fast-paced and captivating. There were so many moments when tears formed in my eyes, for sad reasons and happy ones. The romance was stunning, and I loved how there was a tiny love triangle in between.

    The ending was so unexpected and heartbreaking. I began bawling. Everything happened so fast and you really have to think about it to understand the true meaning and what happened. I really feel like karma is a big concept in this anime. You'll definitely understand why if you watch this, which I 100% recommend to any otaku.  This was life-changing and gorgeous. Did I mention the spectacular soundtrack and artwork? :D

Cress, by Marissa Meyer

Cress (The Lunar Chronicles #3), by Marissa Meyer

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Dystopian

Rating: 4/5 stars











Goodreads Summary: "Rapunzel’s tower is a satellite. She can’t let down her hair—or her guard.

In this third book in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles series, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army. 

Their best hope lies with Cress, who has been trapped on a satellite since childhood with only her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker—unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice. 

When a daring rescue goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing stop her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only ones who can."

Review:

• Marissa Meyer always surprises me with her outstanding novels. They are so dystopian and different from any other books I've ever read. I have to say that the first two books were better than this one. Something was missing in this one, but until this moment, I still can't figure it out.
• I love how in each book, a new protagonist is added into the bunch, and they all sort of work together. Cress was probably my favourite protagonist out of them all. She's been through so much and is so... mysterious and intelligent. She sees things outside of the box and the author makes her sound beautiful and pleasant. The romance between her and Captain Thorne just gave me the shivers cause I wanted more to happen between them. It was basically just flirting!
• As well as Cress, Scarlet and Cinder have definitely grown throughout this novel. They all have been treated unfairly by the Lunars, so it's time for them to shine and to be free. I'm glad that they sort of got that chance during this novel. 
• At some points, it got a little dull, but that didn't stop me from loving and enjoying this book as well as the rest of the series.
• ONE MORE YEAR FOR WINTER? NO WAY. :(

Splintered, by A.G. Howard

Splintered (Splintered #1), by A.G. Howard

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Retellings

Rating: 2/5 stars










Goodreads Summary: "This stunning debut captures the grotesque madness of a mystical under-land, as well as a girl’s pangs of first love and independence. Alyssa Gardner hears the whispers of bugs and flowers—precisely the affliction that landed her mother in a mental hospital years before. This family curse stretches back to her ancestor Alice Liddell, the real-life inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Alyssa might be crazy, but she manages to keep it together. For now.

When her mother’s mental health takes a turn for the worse, Alyssa learns that what she thought was fiction is based in terrifying reality. The real Wonderland is a place far darker and more twisted than Lewis Carroll ever let on. There, Alyssa must pass a series of tests, including draining an ocean of Alice’s tears, waking the slumbering tea party, and subduing a vicious bandersnatch, to fix Alice’s mistakes and save her family. She must also decide whom to trust: Jeb, her gorgeous best friend and secret crush, or the sexy but suspicious Morpheus, her guide through Wonderland, who may have dark motives of his own."

 Review:

• I don't really enjoy Alice in Wonderland retellings. They mostly end up all the same. Splintered is definitely one of those dull retellings, but I really wish it could've been better. 
• First off, the plot. It started off fantastic! It just hooked me in and it really blew my "first chapter expectations." It hooked me in from the first page and that's really hard to do when you're writing a book. Towards the middle, everything just fell apart and I got bored, and I really get bored easily during books, so I need something plot twisting and surprising to happen or else I'm out. The concept really wasn't that interesting anyway. I just put the book down towards the end. :(
• Now- the characters. Alyssa was okay. She was kind of bland and I just saw through her easily. A character in a book like this should be mysterious and have something special about them but basically all Alyssa has is her bug obsession and the obsession of past relatives in her family. That's just about it. Jeb and Morpheus were okay as well, better that Alyssa. They were trippy and wacky all at the same time, including their sexiness, hehe. But, I really didn't see any romance between the characters, just plain friendship in my eyes. I know, I know, I'm hard to impress.
• Overall, I really wanted more uniqueness. The book based off too much from Louis Carroll's original. Even though this is a retelling, I wish that I could've gotten more "wow" instead of "ehh."

Mister Death's Blue-Eyed Girls, by Mary Downing Hahn

Mister Death's Blue-Eyed Girls, by Mary Downing Hahn

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Mystery-Thriller-Murder

Rating: 4/5 stars











Goodreads Summary: "Based on an actual crime in 1955, this YA novel is at once a mystery and a coming-of-age story. The brutal murder of two teenage girls on the last day of Nora Cunningham's junior year in high school throws Nora into turmoil. Her certainties, friendships, religion, her prudence, her resolve to find a boyfriend taller than she is - are shaken or cast off altogether. 

Most people in Elmgrove, Maryland, share the comforting conviction that Buddy Novak, who had every reason to want his ex-girlfriend dead, is responsible for the killings. Nora agrees at first, then begins to doubt Buddy's guilt, and finally comes to believe him innocent - the lone dissenting voice in Elmgrove.

Told from several different perspectives, including that of the murderer, Mister Death's Blue-Eyed Girls is a suspenseful page-turner with a powerful human drama at its core."

Review:

• Please note that this is a chilling novel, it's definitely not the most happiest thing you've read. Mary Downing Hahn has created a gorgeous spectacular coming-of-age novel about friendship, tragedy, and heartbreak. 
• I loved reading this, I read it in a breeze. Although the events were tough and tragic for the alive main characters, it was a very light read. You could definitely be in any mood to read this, and it will probably make your day better. This is not a depressing read, it's more chilling and fascinating. 
• Nora probably had to be my favourite character, as well as poor Cheryl. They both were energetic and had a gorgeous personality. They were calm and could deal with things well, and I probably would want them as my friends because of their friendliness and sympathy. 
• This book really didn't make me sad. In fact, it made me think about life differently. Beautifully written and enjoyable! I wanted more romance!

Secret Letters, by Leah Scheier

Secret Letters, by Leah Scheier

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Mystery

Rating: 2.5/5 stars











Goodreads Summary: "Inquisitive and observant, Dora dreams of escaping her aristocratic country life to solve mysteries alongside Sherlock Holmes. So when she learns that the legendary detective might be her biological father, Dora jumps on the opportunity to travel to London and enlist his help in solving the mystery of her cousin's ransomed love letters. But Dora arrives in London to devastating news: Sherlock Holmes is dead. Her dreams dashed, Dora is left to rely on her wits-and the assistance of an attractive yet enigmatic young detective-to save her cousin's reputation and help rescue a kidnapped heiress along the way. 

Steeped in Victorian atmosphere and intrigue, this gripping novel, now in paperback, heralds the arrival of a fresh new voice in young adult literature. "

Review:

• Sherlock Holmes has always interested me. He truly is a remarkable detective, and the BBC hit TV show, Sherlock, is also a stunning modern retelling. I was very excited to begin reading this Sherlock retelling. Not many authors choose to write about this, so it's something new and unique to read. Besides, I've been reading too many science-fiction and chick-lit novels. This was a break out of everything and the usual.
• Here comes the boom. I really didn't enjoy this one as much as I thought I would. Like I've mentioned in many of my reviews, I don't like books taken place in the Victorian era, except for Cassandra Clare's astonishing Infernal Devices trilogy. This is probably the last Victorian era book that I have, so phew.
• The way Dora fascinated about Sherlock so much made me wonder so many things. What if he lived? Would everything in the book change and she would figure out the mystery much quicker than she and the other guy (forgot his name) did?
• The book was boring at most times. Mysteries usually aren't my thing. I didn't finish it, I probably read three-quarters of it. It frustrates me because I had such large expectations, and it ended much differently than I expected it to. :/

Thank You!

 Hi everyone! I just want to make a quick announcement. On March 14, 2013, I first opened up this blog. And I am very happy to announce that this is the 1st Anniversary of this blog, "A Thousand Lives Lived!" Thank you so much to everyone who has visited this blog. Because of you, I keep on reviewing and loving books. 

  This blog means so much to me. I look forward to write for you guys everyday, but I do wish that I'd get more comments, I hardly do anymore. :( So please, a tiny comment under a review would be fantastic, it would seriously make my day. <3

    So once again, thank you so much everyone for making "this" happen. Please, in the comments, tell me what you think I should improve on with writing my reviews and such. I will take the recommendations seriously and I will try to improve my review-writing. 

 




    Michelle, the one and only Administrator <3

Breathing by Cheryl Renee Herbsman

Breathing, by Cheryl Renee Herbsman
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Chick-lit
Rating: 5/5 stars

Savannah would be happy spending the summer working at the library and reading. But then she meets Jackson, who Savannah's convinced is the one. At first it looks like she's right. He abides by her mama's strict rules and stays by her side when she is hospitalized for severe asthma, which Savannah believes is improving only because Jackson is there. But when Jackson is called away to help his family, Savannah has to learn to breathe on her own, both literally and figuratively.

Review:

• Chick-lits mean so much to me. I love the essence of summer romances. Southern summer romances are probably the greatest type of chick-lit out there. I was so so so pleased with this one, it's probably one of my most favourite books that I've so far read this year.
• The plot got right to the point from the first chapter. The romance began so ferociously and quickly, I was obsessed from the first page. 
• Jackson, Oh Jackson, where art thou? Gosh. I loved HIM. He's so dreamy and perfect, any girl would love to have a man like him and Savannah sure was lucky to have him. He was always right around the corner, for everything. Okay, okay, enough of my raving, let's get straight to the point.
• This book was spectacular. I loved it too much. Savannah was a pretty good character, although she was kind of weird sometimes. These asthma attacks happened in the weirdest times. For example, Jackson left a few days ago to help his mom out, and Savannah would have an asthma attack and would end up in the hospital. Of course Jackson would come running. Hey, but I'm not so upset with that, it doesn't really affect my rating on this amazing book.
• I'm just so shocked on how perfect this book was. I had the feels the whole time. It made me laugh, and have a few tears here and there.

Undercurrent by Paul Blackwell

Undercurrent, by Paul Blackwell
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Suspense
Rating: 5/5 stars

In this suspenseful teen thriller with a touch of the otherworldly, a boy goes over a waterfall and wakes up to find himself in a twisted version of the life he knew. Why did his best friend try to kill him? Why are his parents acting like he’s a sports star all of a sudden? Worst of all, what happened to his older brother? Filled with mind-bending suspense and unsettling thrills, Undercurrent is a grippingly paced teen debut that will pull you under and never let go.

Review:

• Since I judge books by their cover, Undercurrent really gave me a whole other expectation. I thought that this would be a dystopian novel. *giggles* I was wrong. I guess that you'd say that this is a mystery-sorta science fiction-thriller. There's no definite genre for it, and that's what I love about this book, next to the many other reasons.
• The plot is so suspenseful, at the end of every chapter and page I was left shocked. I couldn't put it down! The majority of the novel was left mysterious but definitely eventful. The author wrote everything so deeply, and that concept and idea was outrageously unbelievable.
• In my opinion, Callum was a great character. I found him very intelligent and wondrous at the same time. He was so lost at times, but I felt bad for the little fella. He had so much energy in him, even though so much was going through his mind at times.
• The ending was so surprising. I felt like through the whole book, I didn't know what was happening, but in a good way. I am fangirling, because this book was too good. I went through it in two hours or so, but I felt so intrigued and captivated the whole ride through.