Midnight Runes by Celeste Buie Review

Midnight Runes (The Bestowed Ones #1), by Celeste Buie

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Paranormal, Romance

Rating: 3/5 stars

Publication: May 21, 2014

Format: ebook




Goodreads Summary: Brynn Emerson has always been in control of her life — until a mysterious stranger invades her dreams and her boyfriend, Trevor, suddenly dumps her. Life gets more complicated when secretive newcomer Landon shows up at school. The playful and handsome Landon is somehow connected to Brynn’s ex-boyfriend. Determined to find out how they know each other, Brynn draws closer to Landon… only to realize too late that she's risking more than she thought possible. 

Meanwhile, a person of power has his sights on Brynn. Will Trevor and Landon work together to keep her safe? Or will she be pulled against her will into their mysterious world?

Review: 

Review copy provided by Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!

I don't usually go for books with premises like this. They're too unoriginal and easy-to-spot. I'm constantly left with the same thing over and over again. But something about Midnight Runes just left me wanting to grab it out of its picture, if you know what I mean. And turns out, it wasn't the best book in the world, but it was more of an "okay" read.

Now when I think about it... I am a little upset with the whole "paranormal" thing again.

It's very difficult to think of an unique idea for a paranormal/supernatural story. It can basically either be: vampires, werewolves, sirens, ghosts or some other kind of monster. But by the end of this book, the idea didn't make me squeal or anything. It can be described as: just like something else.

Another love triangle? AGAIN? (Especially in a paranormal story?)

Ugh. And I only liked Landon! (When I was hoping that I'd like both!)

Okay, back to the story. Brynn's living the life she's always wanted. (Just like most of these stories begin as.) She has a hot boyfriend, and friends who adore her. But then, a "mysterious stranger" begins to haunt her dreams. And then, her boyfriend dumps her. Talk about a string of bad luck charms all in one... Then, a new guy named Landon shows up at her school, and he somehow knows her ex, Trevor. Wow. And then there's someone mysterious watching her. *says sarcastically:* What will happen next? 

This idea was hideous.

But the rest of the book wasn't that bad, actually! The characters were okay and the romance wasn't too bad, either.

The story started off strong and complete. The beginning was the way it was supposed to be! It got to the point quickly, and before I knew it, the story was gaining and gaining strength.

The author was trying so incredibly hard to get some suspense going but she just couldn't. And from then on, (around 45%) I was lost. By lost, I mean bored out of my mind and that's where I realized that this book's idea was not original at all. Always around 50%, I end up realizing my true inner thoughts of the book. And here, I obviously did.

Brynn was okay, Trevor was an a*s and Landon was cute. (The plot spoiled my mood to talk about these guys. But don't worry, they were not bad either.)

This book was

out of 5, I'd totally give this a 3, because it wasn't too bad or amazing either. In between, and that was basically because of the idea and plot. If you don't like cheesy paranormal, then you'd better run, sprint. But, if you're okay with it, then it's recommended.

Review: Since Last Summer, by Joanna Philbin

Since Last Summer (Rules of Summer #2), by Joanna Philbin

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Romance

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Publication: June 3, 2014, by Poppy

Format: Hardcover Edition (borrowed)




Goodreads Summary: Rory McShane should be excited to spend the summer in East Hampton with Connor Rule, her generous, smart, cute boyfriend. After all, Rory's no longer the hired help at the Rule family mansion on the beach, and she and Connor have made it through a year of long-distance dating. But now, in the months leading up to college, Rory can't help but wonder if she really belongs in Connor's world.

Isabel Rule is still trying to get over Mike, the devastatingly sexy surfer who broke her heart last summer. Enter Evan, an aspiring filmmaker who's kind, funny, and crushing on Isabel. He'd be the perfect summer fling -- so why can't she seem to forget about Mike?

Set against a backdrop buzzing with the rich, the famous, and the wannabe rich and famous, Since Last Summer, a companion novel to Rules of Summer, is the perfect beach read.

Review:

  Another book in this series? Really?

  It wasn't needed. The previous and first book ended off the perfect way for a good summer contemporary read! And this one took two years to be written. Meh. I already forgot who the characters were in the series. Thank goodness Joanna gave us a recap.

   This book was okay. I had some problems with it, but it overall was enjoyable, coming from this great author. 

    This book takes place right from where the first book left us off... well a year later. Rory is back in the Hamptons for a summer where she's the guest, since she is Connor's girlfriend and Isabel's best friend. Time is ticking, and Rory's beginning to wonder if it's working out between Connor and her, the first boy she's really loved. Isabel still can't forget about Mike, but when she meets Evan, she falls head over heels for him instantly, with some backtrack thoughts still nearing her down. How will their summer end?

      The big question that was sorted through in this book was--Who do these chicks really love? That's all that's really surrounding the reader's mind, at least, mine. I really think that Joanna was trying to create some plot twists and surprises, but none of those really came out as shocking. And I didn't expect them to. This is just a plain Mary-Jane summer contemporary read that you can read beside the pool with loud screaming kids behind you and while you sip a plain old Coke. It was a very easy read and none of it seemed to be a big deal.  So overall, the plot was okay, but really nothing special. 

       The characters were really what annoyed me. My hate for Rory was unbelievable. 

        I never really liked her in the first book, but now my disliking has gone extreme to a whole other level. She was selfish and didn't give a crap about anyone except her and her love life. She kissed Connor's ass the whole time through, and when he broke up with her, she didn't even care. She just acted like he was sad but she went to Amelia's (who she doesn't really know) house to hide and pretend that she was sad. She was a cold, heartless brat.

        Now Isabel was the character I just adored. She was badass and wasn't afraid to be afraid. Bad things were coming her way, but she dealt with them strongly and appropriately. I just loved that girl. She's a definite character that you could look up to.

         And then I got a different liking for another character... Evan.

           YUM. No other words needed.

         I'm silently hoping that this won't become a trilogy, because it doesn't need to be. It definitely should've stayed as a standalone, but it was enjoyable either way. The plot was good, and I liked what happened in the end.

U is for Unearthly

     Rise and shine, or should I say, bring those haloes up! Because today, is a tribute to another awesome author, Cynthia Hand, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller, Unearthly. 

      Title: Unearthly
      Author: Cynthia Hand
      Rating: 5/5 stars
      Release Date: January 4, 2011
      Publisher: HarperTeen
      Age Group: Anyone!


   Okay, so you may ask in your head, what is "Unearthly" about? Well in one word, angels. But, since I'm this obsessed and that nice, I'll give you a brief summary, since I love you all, and blogging is my passion.

      Clara Gardner's life isn't what she'd like it to be. Her single mother brings her and her brother all the way across the country to live, and not only that, she discovers that she's part angel, and she has a purpose to live by, a reason that she's put on this earth for. 

    As Clara's fitting into her new town, she starts to have vivid nightmares, of a deep fire blazing in a nearby forest. And, a guy she met, Christian, seems to be sneaky and into her.

    Love, revenge, thrill, and action, Unearthly brings its readers to their full attention, wanting more. 

   Ahh... Unearthly was just... a piece of perfection for all, and I mean that sincerely!

   The characters, romance, and thrill was just amazing, including the plot!

   TEAM CHRISTIAN ALL THE WAY!

QOTD: If you found out that you were were a supernatural creature, or had superpowers, how would you react, and what would you wish to be?

*I'd be a Shadowhunter!*