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. 

Before I Go by Riley Weston

Before I Go, by Riley Weston
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Death/Sickness
Rating: 5/5 stars

Sixteen-year-old Madison Henry has been skating as long as she's been walking. Coached by her mother, Annie, she is on her way to the Olympics. When tragedy strikes unexpectedly, Madison is forced to look at her life differently. Before I Go spotlights the unbreakable bond a mother and daughter share and the love everyone hopes to experience in their lifetime.

Review:

• Never have I ever thought that this book would end up one of my favourites of all time. It was seriously amazing and I wouldn't have changed anything. The writing was absolutely deep and powerful and will move all readers. I recommend this to any lover of John Green's The Fault in Our Stars. 
• The summary really doesn't tell you much, especially how gorgeous the book ended up to be. There is a huge amazing romance that caused me to fall head over heels with. Jack and Maddie were an absolute perfectionous (my own word) couple. Their love for each other wasn't like any other love, and their words for each other caused chills on my spine. 
• This was so fast-paced, the pages began to turn by themselves because I really felt like I couldn't put it down. The loudest distractions around me seemed to flash away before my eyes, I even shooed my family away while reading this! 
• I was never ever ever bored. The author's writing was spectacular and really was easy to signify the different perspectives of the characters, it felt definitely real.
• I loved Madison and her mom's relationship. The author really tried to signify that their relationship was wide and open, and of course, it was written astonishingly, as well as Madison's and Jack's romantic relationship/friendship.
• The ending was horrifying, but in a good way, obviously. I was bawling my eyes out, even though I knew what was coming. It was so sad, but then ended up beautiful and happy.
• I don't have mixed feelings for this book- I know one thing for sure, and that thing is that this book is absolutely definitely amazing and because of that, I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO THE ENTIRE BOOK COMMUNITY, because you won't be left angry. This was perfection.